Effects of using an active hand exoskeleton for drilling tasks: A pilot study.

• An active hand Exoskeleton (H-EXO) was assessed for a drilling task. • H-EXO reduced peak muscle activation in the forearm by up to 27% • H-EXO minimally affected perceived discomfort in controlled experiment. • H-EXO reduced perceived exertion up to 11% in uncontrolled observation. • Users indicated that H-EXO was a valuable intervention. Introduction: Several studies have assessed and validated the impact of exoskeletons on back and shoulder muscle activation; however, limited research has explored the role that exoskeletons could play in mitigating lower arm-related disorders. This study assessed the impact of Ironhand, an active hand exoskeleton (H-EXO) designed to reduce grip force exertion, on worker exertion levels using a two-phase experimental design. Method: Ten male participants performed a controlled, simulated drilling activity, while three male participants completed an uncontrolled concrete demolition activity. The impact of the exoskeleton was assessed in terms of muscle activity across three different muscles using electromyography (EMG), perceived exertion, and perceived effectiveness. Results: Results indicate that peak muscle activation decreased across the target muscle group when the H-EXO was used, with the greatest reduction (27%) observed in the Extensor Carpi Radialis (ECR). Using the exoskeleton in controlled conditions did not significantly influence perceived exertion levels. Users indicated that the H-EXO was a valuable technology and expressed willingness to use it for future tasks. Practical Applications: This study showcases how glove-based exoskeletons can potentially reduce wrist-related disorders, thereby improving safety and productivity among workers. Future work should assess the impact of the H-EXO in various tasks, different work environments and configurations, and among diverse user groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]