Preliminary evaluation of a passive upper-limb exoskeleton based on a new spring design
评估了一种基于新型复合弹簧杆的被动上肢外骨骼，在静态举臂、搬运和负重任务中，佩戴该外骨骼显著降低了三角肌前束和肱二头肌的肌电活动，表明其能减少肩部屈肌的肌肉负荷。
Upper limb exoskeletons may be valuable tools to decrease the risk to develop musculoskeletal disorders, and their design may differ from one manufacturer to another. The aim of the present study is to evaluate a passive upper limb exoskeleton based on a new spring design comprised of composite spring rods. Twelve right-handed participants have performed three manual tasks: static overhead holding, manual handling, and load carrying, with and without the upper limb exoskeleton. EMG activity of the anterior deltoid and biceps brachii was significantly reduced across the three tasks when wearing the exoskeleton. These findings suggested that the upper limb exoskeleton based on this new spring device permitted to reduce shoulder-flexor muscular demand through the tested experimental tasks. Longer-duration, in-field studies are now required to assess the efficacy of this exoskeleton for workers and potential implications for MSD prevention.