✅ 40% reduction in low back discomfort

✅ 20% reduction in shoulder discomfort

✅ 30% reduction in temporal demand 

✅ 12% reduction in physical demand

✅ 20% reduction in effort

✅ No impact on mental demand

✅ No impact on range of motion (ROM)

🎯 TL/DR

1️⃣ "The overarching hypothesis that the exosuit will reduce biomechanical demands in the lower back while minimizing movement disruptions associated with ROM restrictions was accepted" 

2️⃣ "Additionally, that these benefits will be task-specific was also proven, in that the stair-chair carry and CPR tasks were found to benefit from the use of the soft exosuit" 

3️⃣ "These results were largely corroborated by the users’ perceptions of [reduced] demands and discomfort [when wearing the exosuit]." 

4️⃣ "Results from subjective evaluations highlight the potential benefits of using a soft passive exosuit for EMS work."

📚 BACKGROUND

"270,000 individuals were employed as emergency medical technicians and paramedics (EMT-Ps) in the US. EMT-Ps are crucial first responders... Their work is strenuous... EMT-Ps are at significantly higher risk of work-related low back injuries"

💡 POTENTIAL SOLUTION

"A potential ergonomic solution to address this is the use of soft passive low back exoskeletons (LBEs) for EMS."

🤔 KNOWLEDGE GAP

"Although soft passive LBEs have been known to reduce low back muscle loads during dynamic lifting [18-21] and static tasks [15, 22], their use for highly dynamic and variable work, similar to those performed by the EMT-Ps, has not been studied."

"In addition, it is necessary to consider the subjective perception of EMT-Ps regarding their mental and physical workload"

📏 METHODS

"The study involved a controlled field study with 20 EMT-Ps performing a modified physical agility test with and without the LBE. The physical test circuital included tasks such as CPR, stretcher pull-push, stair chair carry, etc"

"All EMT-Ps were trained and employed at a local EMS department... had an average of 10.5 years of EMS experience."

"The soft passive LBE used for this study was the HeroWear Apex 1"

📊 MORE EXOSUIT RESULTS

"There was a lowered subjective workload across the whole circuit with the exosuit" and 8-11% reduction in bicep femoris EMG (during stair-chair carry and CPR tasks)

Mental demand, frustration, perceived exertion after individual tasks, ROM, most EMGs, and performance scores were all comparable with and without the exosuit.

🚀 TAKEAWAY

Overall, super encouraging results! Tons of upside. No real negative effects reported. And this was for Apex 1, no less. Apex 2 would work even better for EMT-Ps.

We're on a mission to save the backs of hardworking men and women. Add EMS personnel to the growing list of people whose lives (and backs) could benefit from exosuits.

🔎 Check out the study details below.

https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=10555734