Mental Fatigue, Physical Stress, Work-Related Condition
Conditions
Keywords
Fatigue Mental, Fatigue Signs and Symptoms, Behavioral Symptoms, Industrial work, physical effort, mental effort, questionnaires, ergonomic evaluation
Brief summary
The main aim of the project is to evaluate a novel upper body exoskeleton during simulated industrial work. In this stage of the project, a study analysing the physical and mental load during occupational work will be carried out. High risk tasks will be identified in the field and simulated in lab-setting to analyse physical and mental load using physiological and biomechanical data.These will include, but will not be limited to, non-ergonomic postures, for example performing operations above the head or reaching in front of, to the side of, or behind the body; flexing the arms for extended periods of time; and bending or twisting the torso to lift an object from low or distant locations. Important items to assess in this task are the frequency and duration of tasks and activities, lifting characteristics, perceived physical effort and work-induced fatigue.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALIndustrial work
Subjects perform simulated industrial work in lab setting. The industrial task exists of a physical component and a cognitive component. Physical load is measured by questionnaires and basic physiological measurements (e.g. heart rate). Mental fatigue will be determined by questionnaires and a cognitive stroop task before and after the trial.
BEHAVIORALPhysical load
The physical load of an industrial task will be simulated during this intervention. Physical load is measured by questionnaires and basic physiological measurements (e.g. heart rate). Before and after the trial, mental fatigue will be determined by questionnaires and a cognitive stroop task (10 min)
BEHAVIORALCognitive load
The cognitive load of an industrial task will be simulated in this intervention. Physical load is measured by questionnaires and basic physiological measurements (e.g. heart rate). Before and after the trial, mental fatigue will be determined by questionnaires and a cognitive stroop task (10 min)
Sponsors
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* male * 18 - 65 yrs old
Exclusion criteria
* injury
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| EEG: change in power spectral density (change in mental fatigue: physiological component) | Measuring EEG during Stroop tasks (10 minutes) before and after each 90 minute task | The power of different frequency bands during a cognitive Stroop task will be compared PRE vs POST 90 minute task and differences between different tasks will be analysed. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| EEG: changes in event related potentials during cognitive Stroop task (change in mental fatigue: physiological component) | Measuring EEG during Stroop tasks (10 minutes) before and after each 90 minute task | Event related potentials during cognitive Stroop task will be compared PRE vs POST 90 minute task and differences between different tasks will be analysed. |
| Change in mental fatigue (behavioral component: part 1) | Measuring reaction time during Stroop tasks (10 minutes) before and after each 90 minute task | Reaction time during cognitive stroop task |
| Change in mental fatigue (behavioral component: part 2) | Measuring accuracy during Stroop tasks (10 minutes) before and after each 90 minute task | Accuracy time during cognitive stroop task |
| Change in mental fatigue (subjective component) | Before and after each 90 minute task subjective questionnaire will be filled out | Questionnaire (sRPE) before and after performing each 90 min task |
Countries
Belgium
Contacts
Primary ContactSander De Bock
Backup ContactKevin De Pauw, PhD
Outcome results
None listed