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Physical exposure of sign language interpreters: baseline measures and reliability analysis

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Abstract

Measurement of physical exposure to musculoskeletal disorder risk factors must generally be performed directly in the field to assess the effectiveness of ergonomic interventions. To perform such an evaluation, the reliability of physical exposure measures under similar field conditions must be known. The objectives of this study were to estimate the reliability of physical exposure measures performed in the field and to establish the baseline values of physical exposure in sign language interpreters (SLI) before the implementation of an intervention. The electromyography (EMG) of the trapezius muscles as well as the wrist motions of the dominant arm were measured using goniometry on nine SLI on four different days. Several exposure parameters, proposed in the literature, were computed and the generalizability theory was used as a framework to assess reliability. Overall, SLI showed a relatively low level of trapezius muscle activity, but with little time at rest, and highly dynamic wrist motions. Electromyography exposure parameters showed poor to moderate reliability, while goniometry parameter reliability was moderate to excellent. For EMG parameters, performing repeated measurements on different days was more effective in increasing reliability than extending the duration of the measurement over one day. For goniometry, repeating measurements on different days was also effective in improving reliability, although good reliability could be obtained with a single sufficiently long measurement period.

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Acknowledgements

This project was funded by the Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST) grant #099–138. The authors are grateful to Paul Bourcier and to all the interpreters who participated in the project. Special thanks also to Brenda Santos, Antoine Dagenais, and Marco Paradis for their help with data collection and to Bernard Caron and Christian Larue for their technical assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Robert-Sauvé Occupational Health and Safety Research Institute (IRSST), 505 boul. De Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal, QC, Canada, H3A 3C2

    Alain Delisle & Christian Larivière

  2. École Polytechnique de Montréal, Département de Mathématique et génie industriel, Campus de l’Université de Montréal, 2500, Chemin de Poly, Bureau A 305.25 C.P. 6078, Succurale A, Montréal, QC, Canada, H3C 3A7

    Daniel Imbeau

  3. PREVICAP Occupational Rehabilitation Centre, 1111 St-Charles St.W., Suite 101, Longueuil, QC, Canada, J4K 5G4

    Marie-José Durand

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  1. Alain Delisle
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  2. Christian Larivière
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  4. Marie-José Durand
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Correspondence to Alain Delisle.

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Delisle, A., Larivière, C., Imbeau, D. et al. Physical exposure of sign language interpreters: baseline measures and reliability analysis. Eur J Appl Physiol 94, 448–460 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-005-1316-5

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