The Use of Wearable Systems for Assessing Work-Related Risks Related to the Musculoskeletal System—A Systematic Review

Filippo Motta (), Tiwana Varrecchia, Giorgia Chini, Alberto Ranavolo and Manuela Galli
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Filippo Motta: Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria (DEIB), Politecnico di Milano, Via Ponzio 34/5, 20133 Milan, Italy
Tiwana Varrecchia: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, INAIL, Monte Porzio Catone, 00078 Rome, Italy
Giorgia Chini: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, INAIL, Monte Porzio Catone, 00078 Rome, Italy
Alberto Ranavolo: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, INAIL, Monte Porzio Catone, 00078 Rome, Italy
Manuela Galli: Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria (DEIB), Politecnico di Milano, Via Ponzio 34/5, 20133 Milan, Italy

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 12, 1-26

Abstract: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are a leading cause of chronic conditions among working-age adults. Preventing these disorders is crucial to reducing their impact, and quantitative analysis through sensors can help identify their causes and guide ergonomic solutions. This systematic review aims to compile research from 2000 to 2023 published in English and sourced from Web of Science, Scopus, or PubMed that examines workers’ movements during tasks using wearable sensor systems that are applicable in workplace settings. The goal is to identify the job sectors that have been studied and highlight tasks lacking ergonomic risk research. A total of 111 papers were selected through a screening process across three databases, assessed using the McMaster risk of bias tool. The studies span various job sectors and report on the use of different technologies for data collection and study population sizes. The review identifies existing research on WRMSD risks utilizing wearable systems in different job sectors, drawing attention to under-researched areas that warrant further study. It serves as a foundation for future research aimed at understanding the causes of WRMSDs and developing solutions supported by wearable technologies to mitigate these risks.

Keywords: musculoskeletal disorders; ergonomics; review; wearable systems; work-related tasks (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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