Restricted posture in dentistry – a kinematic analysis of orthodontists

Abstract

BackgroundThis study aims at identifying orthodontic activities with the highest frequency of unfavorable/awkward and static postures held over a period of more than 4 s based on kinematic analysis. Moreover, a separate analysis of static postures for orthodontic and non-orthodontic activities serves to evaluate the duration for which these particular postures are assumed.MethodsIn total, 21 (13f/8 m) orthodontists (age: 31.5 ± 3.8 years) participated in this study. CUELA, a personal measurement system, was used to collect kinematic data for all orthodontic activities in a working day. Angle values of the head and torso were evaluated in accordance with ergonomic standards. Only those postures that were held statically for 4 s and longer were selected for further analysis. Alongside the kinematic analysis, the activities performed on-site were also subject to a detailed computerized analysis. The synchronization of data collected from both measurements arranges the patterns of posture found chronologically and in conjunction with the orthodontic activities performed ((I) “treatment” (II) “office” and (III) “other activities”).ResultsFor (I) we observed an anterior inclination of the head and torso area as well as a twist of the head and neck area to the right. We found anterior back inclination and lateral back torsion to the right for (II) and (III). If, furthermore, we differentiate the duration of static postures, there are primarily short to medium-term (4–30s) static postures identified for (I). Also, categories (II) and (III) predominantly demonstrate static back postures with a duration of up to 30 s. With regard to (II) we observed that the back is ventrally inclined for 10.1% of the total activity duration.ConclusionsDuring treatment static strains are observed in the entire head and torso area. On the contrary, static postures prevalent in the torso area are essential for activities of the other categories, particularly office work. These findings allow for a careful selection of unfavorable and static postures for each of the activities performed and help to develop specific preventive measures.

A RULA-Based Comparison of the Ergonomic Risk of Typical Working Procedures for Dentists and Dental Assistants of General Dentistry, Endodontology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and Orthodontics

“…While the patient is lying supine on the treatment chair, the dentist (D) and dental assistant (DA) sit adjacent to the patient, and are required to gain a sufficient line of sight into the narrow mouth. A static neck and trunk flexion of more than 30° [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ], a simultaneous lateral flexion and/or rotation to the right in the trunk [ 9 , 10 , 11 ], and shoulder abduction [ 7 ] have been described as typical working postures in dental professionals.…”

A kinematic posture analysis of neurological assistants in their daily working practice-a pilot study

“…The angle values for each anatomical area (evaluation parameters) were evaluated according to the percentile intervals and according to the ergonomic aspects and were subsequently assigned to a color-coded angle area that represents the ergonomic standards (traffic light system: red/yellow/green) [ 62 ]. Based on the respective colors according to ISO standards, postures were classified as awkward, moderate or neutral [ 63 – 65 ].…”

Forced posture of neurology residents in daily routine on the ward in Germany

“…The angle values for each body region were evaluated according to the percentile intervals according to ergonomic aspects and assigned to a color-coded angle area that represents ergonomic standards (traf- Fig. 2 9 Display of the recorded body/joint angles of the applied body regions and evaluation criteria according to ergonomic aspects fic light: system red/yellow/green) [2,18,19]. Based on the respective colors in accordance with ISO standards [22][23][24], postures were classified as awkward, moderate, or neutral (.…”

“…In previous studies the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) [15,16] was used to measure static postures [15]. Static postures can also be analyzed by means of kinematic analysis, for which the computer-assisted acquisition and long-term analysis of musculoskeletal loads system (CUELA) can be used [2,13,[17][18][19].…”

“…Consequently, the aim of this study was to investigate the neurological workday by kinematic analyses by using a combination of the CUELA measuring system and the already established objective activity analysis to reconstruct the physical activities of the neurological working day. In this context, the CUELA system has already been used successfully in several studies [2,18,19].…”