title: Ergonomic factors on task performance in laparoscopic surgery training.
abstract: This paper evaluates the effect of ergonomic factors on task performance and trainee posture during laparoscopic surgery training. Twenty subjects without laparoscopic experience were allotted into 2 groups. Group 1 was trained under the optimal ergonomic simulation setting according to current ergonomic guidelines (Condition A). Group 2 was trained under non-optimal ergonomic simulation setting that can often be observed during training in a skills lab (Condition B). Posture analysis showed that the subjects held a much more neutral posture under Condition A than under Condition B (p<0.001). The subjects had less joint excursion and experienced less discomfort in their neck, shoulders, and arms under Condition A. Significant difference in task performance between Conditions A and B (p<0.05) was found. This study shows that the optimal ergonomic simulation setting leads to better task performance. In addition, no significant differences of task performance, for Groups 1 and 2 using the same test setting were found. However, better performance was observed for Group 1. It can be concluded that the optimal and non-optimal training setting have different learning effects on trainees' skill learning.
authors: Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Landbergstraat 15, 2628 CE Delft, The Netherlands. d.xiao@tudelft.nl
authors: D J
authors: DJ
authors: Xiao
authors: Jack J
authors: JJ
authors: Jakimowicz
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Albayrak
authors: R H M
authors: RH
authors: Goossens
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000193:education*; D008297:Male; D018763:Muscle Fatigue; D011187:Posture; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult