Evaluating back-support exoskeletons in simulated construction-relevant tasks: Effects on task completion time and aspects of usability

Back-support exoskeletons (BSEs) are a promising intervention in reducing physical demands during diverse occupational tasks. However, limited information is available about the effectiveness of different BSE designs during construction work and if those effects are consistent between novices and experienced workers. We evaluated the benefits and potential unintended consequences of BSEs during construction work, considering worker experience levels. Forty participants (20 novices and 20 experienced, balanced in both groups by sex) completed lab-based simulations of several construction-relevant tasks. These tasks were performed under a control condition (no BSE) and with three BSEs, each of which was tested in two support settings (on and off). Task performance was measured using completion time, and perceptions of diverse aspects of usability were obtained. Generally, BSE use increased task completion time, perceived discomfort, and perceived interference of BSEs during simulated tasks, while its effects on perceived physical effort were mixed. Rigid BSEs particularly increased perceived movement restrictions, while a soft BSE (or exosuit) did not. In a few cases, the effects of BSEs on completion time and BSE usability differed between novice and experienced groups. While some differences were observed between experience levels, future work could focus on novice populations with caution regarding specific outcomes. Overall, our results suggested that the effects of BSEs on completion time and perceptions of usability were distinct and task-specific, with no single BSE design emerging as being clearly superior across the simulated tasks.