作業場所上肢重複性傷害現場監測技術

Worksite Monitoring Technology for Investigating Repetitive Strain Injuries in Upper Limbs

上肢因工作而罹患肌肉骨骼傷害的情形，普遍地存在於各行各業中，其中不當的姿勢、過大的施力、與高度的重複性是造成工作上累積性傷害（Cumulative Trauma Disorders, CTDs）的主要原因。為防範此類傷害所提出之作業規範，正逐步朝向整合暴露時程、機械性暴露程度、與重複性等因子效應的方向發展。因此，長時間收集現場作業資訊並對作業負荷加以量化的研究，將有助於重複累積性傷害之防治工作。本研究目的在於研發可攜式之資料記錄器，及具有互動與自動處理功能之分析軟體，並將該裝置實地應用於記錄現場作業人員上肢之肌電、心電、肢體角度、加速度等訊號。本研究開發之資料記錄器於實驗室中透過多項軟硬體測試及驗證，證實已可達到上述功能，系統也具有一定之可靠度及穩定性。於作業現場實地記錄一名腕道症候群作業人員之負荷，所得資料經分析後可獲得具有價值之量化指標。未來研究可將資料記錄器應用於不同性質重複性危害作業之相關研究。

Neuromuscular injuries of the upper extremity due to work activities exist in a variety of industries, jobs, and specific tasks. Among the various factors, inappropriate postures, excessive manual forces, and high rate of manual repetitions are the major factors of cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs). Ergonomics guidelines developed for reducing the occurrence rate of CTDs gradually focus on integrating variables of physical workload including exposure time, exposure level, and repetitiveness. Research concerning long-term data collection of physical workload of a job field and quantification of the collected data can facilitate the development of CTD prevention programs. The aims of this study are to develop a data logger, to design an interactive analysis software with auto-processing functions, and to employ the logger to record workers’ EMG, EKG, joint angles, and accelerations during onsite work hours. The stability, reliability, and functions of the developed logger were tested in the laboratory and verified. Onsite measurement of a sewer with carpal tunnel syndrome showed this system can provide valuable information on quantified index. Future research may apply this system to persons working with various CTD related tasks.