Marco Mazzola

Method for Movement and Gesture Assessment (MMGA) in Ergonomics

We present a technique for the ergonomic assessment of motor tasks and postures. It is based on movement analysis and it integrates the perceived discomfort scores for joints motions and the time involvement of the different body districts. It was tested on 8 subjects performing reaching movements. The experimental protocol was designed to have an a priori expected comfort ranking, namely, higher values in presence of more uncomfortable tasks. The validation of the Method for Movement and Gesture Assessment (MMGA) in the ergonomic evaluation of a reaching task gave promising results and showed the effectiveness of the index. Possible applications of the method might be the integration into CAD tools and human motion simulation to provide an early comparative evaluation of the ergonomics of the prototyping process and workplace redesign in industry.

Motion analysis and eye tracking technologies applied to portable ultrasound systems user interfaces evaluation

The present work describes the ergonomics and usability preliminary tests regarding the human upper limb kinematics and cognitive evaluation of two diagnostic portable ultrasound scanners. The tests were performed by two sonographers (an expert one and a novice one) on one subject in abdominal and vascular clinical applications. The two portable systems had different user interfaces: one system had a classic Software keys interactive Menu, placed in the lower part of the screen, with toggles and buttons for the activation and adjustment of the functions, then physical qwerty keyboard and control panel. The other system had a touch screen integrated in the control panel with an interactive user interface and reduced number of physical buttons. Comparisons between the two systems considering the two sonographers use are provided. Motion control and eye tracking scan path results will be presented and discussed for both users on both systems.

Wearable Monitoring Devices for Assistive Technology: Case Studies in Post-Polio Syndrome

The correct choice and customization of an orthosis are crucial to obtain the best comfort and efficiency. This study explored the feasibility of a multivariate quantitative assessment of the functional efficiency of lower limb orthosis through a novel wearable system. Gait basographic parameters and energetic indexes were analysed during a Six-Minute Walking Test (6-MWT) through a cost-effective, non-invasive polygraph device, with a multichannel wireless transmission, that carried out electro-cardiograph (ECG); impedance-cardiograph (ICG); and lower-limb accelerations detection. Four subjects affected by Post-Polio Syndrome (PPS) were recruited. The wearable device and the semi-automatic post-processing software provided a novel set of objective data to assess the overall efficiency of the patient-orthosis system. Despite the small number of examined subjects, the results obtained with this new approach encourage the application of the method thus enlarging the dataset to validate this promising protocol and measuring system in supporting clinical decisions and out of a laboratory environment.

A Smart Wearable Sensor System for Counter-Fighting Overweight in Teenagers

PEGASO is a FP7-funded project whose goal is to develop an ICT and mobile-based platform together with an appropriate strategy to tackle the diffusion of obesity and other lifestyle-related illnesses among teenagers. Indeed, the design of an engaging strategy, leveraging a complementary set of technologies, is the approach proposed by the project to promote the adoption of healthy habits such as active lifestyle and balanced nutrition and to effectively counter-fight the emergence of overweight and obesity in the younger population. A technological key element of such a strategy sees the adoption of wearable sensors to monitor teenagers’ activities, which is at the basis of developing awareness about the current lifestyle. This paper describes the experience carried out in the framework of the PEGASO project in developing and evaluating wearable monitoring systems addressed to adolescents. The paper describes the methodological approach based on the co-designing of such a wearable system and the main results that, in the first phase, involved a total of 407 adolescents across Europe in a series of focus groups conducted in three countries for the requirements definition phase. Moreover, it describes an evaluation process of signal reliability during the usage of the wearable system. The main results described here are: (a) a prototype of the standardized experimental protocol that has been developed and applied to test signal reliability in smart garments; (b) the requirements definition methodology through a co-design activity and approach to address user requirements and preferences and not only technological specifications. Such co-design approach is able to support a higher system acceptance and usability together with a sustained adoption of the solution with respect to the traditional technology push system development strategy.

Digital Human Models for Automated Ultrasound User Interface Design

The purpose of this theoretical paper is to describe the development of a new technology for the automated analysis and design definition of Ultrasound (US) system User Interfaces (UI) and US transducers. US examination is a real-time multi-factor approach, which involves the whole sonographer’s body; its automated evaluation, analysis and design must take into account many different factors and aspects which need to be evaluated and implemented. The proposed technology, based on Digital Human Modeling (DHM) systems, would get input from multi-factor technologies such as Motion Analysis, Eye Tracking, Superficial Electromyography, Stereo Imaging and also physical information such as temperature, ECG, respiration activity, etc., applied to different US users for different clinical applications and protocols. The utilization of DHM to manage and analyze these diverse requirements would drive the automated optimization of system design, in terms of ergonomics and workflow.

Human factors multi-technique approach to teenage engagement in digital technologies health research

This chapter explores the use of multi-techniques for teenage HCI health research. Through four case studies we present information about adolescents as users of healthcare services and technologies, adolescent personal development and the human factors approaches through which teenagers have been involved in healthcare research projects. In each case study comprising of the design or evaluation of a new digital technology for supporting health or well-being, the techniques used by researchers to involve teenagers are explored and analysed. The case studies examine various aspects of technology design and use including but not limited to usability, acceptability and learnability. The penultimate section of the chapter presents a ‘Schema for Multi-technique HCI Health Research with Teenagers’ and provides the supporting case for a multi-method approach. The conclusions of the chapter reinforce the benefits that are specific to the implementation of multi-technique research with teenage participants. Consideration of the eight factors outlined in the ‘Schema’ within study designs should serve to unlock the potential of teenagers, ensuring reliable elicitation of their views and needs.

Integrated Architecture for Next-Generation m-Health Services (Education, Monitoring and Prevention) in Teenagers

Obesity and other lifestyle-related illness are among the top healthcare challenges in Europe. The rapid development of the ICT, and in particular mobile technologies offers an important opportunity for introducing the possibility of a new technological framework. In this paper, the PEGASO system is presented. It will be based on a mobile, social and networked gaming platform, considered as a powerful tool to actively engage the younger population in activities that will stimulate healthier choices in their daily lives. The PEGASO project will implement the User Centred Design approach by considering our target population (i.e. teenagers) at the centre of the system in a palingenetic process. Smartphone is the first and key sensor system. The mobile device also acts as communication gateway towards the other sensors. Basic services, such as those related to location and basic motion sensors to detect physical activity, are provided through sensors embedded within the smartphone.

Quantitative body movement and gesture assessment in ergonomics

We present a technique for the ergonomic assessment of motor tasks and postures. It is based on movement analysis and it integrates the perceived discomfort scores for joints motion and the time involvement of the different body districts. It was tested on eight subjects performing reaching movements. The experimental protocol was designed to have an a priori expected comfort ranking, namely, higher values in presence of more uncomfortable tasks. The preliminary assessment of the Method for Movement and Gesture Assessment (MMGA) in the ergonomic evaluation of reaching tasks gave promising results and showed the effectiveness of the index. Moreover, the proposed method was applied for the comparison between a real refrigerator and a new concept: MMGA manifested its applicability and resolution in the quantitative ergonomic assessment of accessibility and usability tasks. Next improvements of MMGA concern the integration of movement dynamics and the design of absolute-assessment studies with respect to working time. Future applications of the method might be the integration into CAD tools and human motion simulation to provide an early comparative evaluation of the ergonomics of the prototyping process and workplace redesign in industry.

Proactive Ergonomics in Refrigerator Concept Development

Proactive Ergonomics means to pre-test the human factors features of a product in an early step of development (design or prototyping), modifying it, re-performing the test and so on. The goal is to apply an iterative process to reach a final definitive solution. This work presents a case study on refrigerator concepts development based on a Design for All approach. The first design concept was created through a participatory workshop supported by reference literature data about arthropometrical and functional parameters and by results from ethnographic observation. This also led to the design of a dedicated experimental protocol for evaluating the physical ergonomics characteristics of products and mock up through a comparative analysis. Using a bestsellers refrigerator as reference, we evaluated comparatively, our new concepts. The results were very significant and demonstrated a consistent improvement of the ergonomic quality of the concepts with respect to the standard product. The quantitative ergonomic evaluation has been validated by subjective methods.

PEGASO Companion: A Mobile App to Promote Healthy Lifestyles Among Adolescents

Promoting healthy lifestyles can be a successful weapon in counter-fighting the epidemics of overweight and obesity. The PEGASO project aims at encouraging adolescents to become co-creators of their own health. In particular, it aims at creating an ecosystem where adolescents are motivated and supported in adopting healthy lifestyles. In this ecosystem, the PEGASO Companion, a smartphone app, plays the role of universal access to healthy services and providing personalised mechanisms to support behaviour change.