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Non‐offloaded diabetic heel ulcers and the wound dressings used to treat them may be subjected to considerable bodyweight forces. A novel robotic foot phantom with a diabetic heel ulcer was designed and constructed to test the combined performances of applied primary and secondary dressings, in simulated non‐offloaded (standing) and offloaded (supine) postures. We specifically compared the performances of the primary Exufiber dressing (Mölnlycke Health Care) combined with the secondary Mepilex Border Flex dressing (Mölnlycke) against a corresponding pair from an alternative manufacturer. Fluid retention and distribution between the primary and secondary dressings of each pair were determined using weight tests, and mechanical strength of the primary dressings was further measured postsimulated use through tensile testing. The Exufiber and Mepilex Border Flex pair performed similarly in the two simulated postures (retention = ~97%), whereas the comparator pair exhibited a 13%‐decrease in retention for a supine to standing transition. Furthermore, the Exufiber dressing delivered up to 2‐times more fluid to its paired secondary dressing and endured 1.7‐times greater strain energy than the corresponding primary dressing before failure occurred. The present robotic foot phantom and associated methods are versatile and suitable for testing any dressing, in consideration of the relevant clinical factors and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Typing is associated with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) caused by multiple risk factors. This control study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a workplace intervention for reducing MSDs among computer workers. Sixty-six subjects with and without MSD were assigned consecutively to one of three groups: ergonomics intervention (work site and body posture adjustments, muscle activity training and exercises) accompanied with biofeedback training, the same ergonomics intervention without biofeedback and a control group. Evaluation of MSDs, body posture, psychosocial status, upper extremity (UE) kinematics and muscle surface electromyography were carried out before and after the intervention in the workplace and the motion lab. Our main hypothesis that significant differences in the reduction of MSDs will exist between subjects in the study groups and controls was confirmed (χ2 = 13.3; p = 0.001). Significant changes were found in UE kinematics and posture as well. Both ergonomics interventions effectively reduced MSD and improved body posture. Practitioner Summary: This study aimed to test the efficacy of an individual workplace intervention programme among computer workers by evaluating musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), body posture, upper extremity kinematics, muscle activity and psychosocial factors were tested. The proposed ergonomics interventions effectively reduced MSDs and improved body posture. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Typing is associated with musculoskeletal complaints (MSCs), caused by multiple risk factors. Although a wide variety of ergonomic intervention programs were conducted to reduce risk factors and MSC's, only few of them were found evidence based. This study aimed to test the efficacy of a workplace intervention in reducing MSC's among computer workers. 66 computer workers were assigned randomly to one of three intervention programs: ergonomic intervention including biofeedback, intervention without biofeedback and control group without intervention. The efficacy was tested by advanced assessment including; pain location and severity, posture at work, upper extremity 3D kinematics, muscle activity and psychosocial status. Working hypothesis; significant score differences will be found between the study groups which underwent ergonomic intervention and the control group on the following measures: pain complaints, upper extremity kinematics, muscle activity and psychosocial status. Significant differences were found between pre and post intervention and between research groups and the control group in pain, posture and motion. The ergonomic intervention with biofeedback had no unique contribution in comparison to other interventions. In conclusion; the proposed intervention program was found efficient for reducing pain among computer workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The sacrum is the most common location of pressure injuries (PIs) in bedridden patients. The purpose of this study was to measure the effect of specific pressure preventive devices on sacral skeletal muscle, subcutaneous fat, and skin tissue deformations., Subjects and Setting: The sample comprised 3 healthy adults residing in a community setting in Tel Aviv, Israel., Design: Descriptive, comparative design., Methods: Tissue thickness changes of 3 healthy adults were measured using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in weight-bearing sacral skin, subcutaneous fat, and muscle. Changes in tissue thickness were compared under the following conditions: (1) lying supine on a rigid surface (unpadded MRI table), (2) lying on a standard foam mattress, (3) lying on a mattress after application of a prophylactic multilayer dressing, and (4) lying on a standard foam mattress with a prophylactic multilayer dressing and a positioning system. One-way analysis of variance and post hoc Tukey-Kramer multiple pairwise comparisons were used to compare outcomes., Results: The mattress, the prophylactic multilayer dressing, and the turning and positioning device when applied together resulted in significantly lower deformation levels of each of the soft tissue layers (ie, skin, subcutaneous fat, and muscle separately) as well as of the total soft tissue bulk, with respect to the rigid MRI table (P < .05)., Conclusion: Study findings suggest that a combination of preventive interventions may reduce the risk of developing a sacral PI.