Power-Assisted Scissors Reduce Adductor Pollicis Muscle Fatigue: A Comparative Study in Female College Students

Hand fatigue commonly occurs in repetitive tasks, such as cutting with scissors, leading to discomfort, reduced productivity, and musculoskeletal disorders. Recent advances in assistive technology have introduced power-assisted scissors to reduce the muscular load. Pinching and grasping mainly invol...

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Main Authors: Kohei Koizumi, Kumiko Sasao, Yoshihiro Senju, Toyohiro Hamaguchi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/23/11375
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author Kohei Koizumi
Kumiko Sasao
Yoshihiro Senju
Toyohiro Hamaguchi
author_facet Kohei Koizumi
Kumiko Sasao
Yoshihiro Senju
Toyohiro Hamaguchi
author_sort Kohei Koizumi
collection DOAJ
description Hand fatigue commonly occurs in repetitive tasks, such as cutting with scissors, leading to discomfort, reduced productivity, and musculoskeletal disorders. Recent advances in assistive technology have introduced power-assisted scissors to reduce the muscular load. Pinching and grasping mainly involve the adductor pollicis muscles of the hand. Measuring the electromyographic (EMG) activity of these muscles provides valuable insights into the muscular effort required for such tasks. Studies have indicated that power-assisted devices can effectively reduce muscle strain and fatigue. However, research on the effect of power-assisted scissors on adductor pollicis muscle activity is limited. This study examines the differences in adductor pollicis muscle activity using power-assisted scissors versus traditional scissors. The experiment consisted of 20 participants performing a scissor manipulation task with and without power assistance. Frequency analysis of the adductor pollicis muscle EMG data indicated that scissors with power assistance significantly reduced muscle fatigue (95% confidence interval, 10.705 [4.523–19.751], <i>p</i> < 0.01, η<sup>2</sup> = 0.01). Understanding the efficacy of power-assisted scissors has significant implications for occupational health—particularly in professions that involve extensive manual cutting, such as tailoring and hairdressing. This study can contribute to the design of ergonomic tools that enhance comfort and reduce musculoskeletal disorder risks.
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spelling doaj-art-b78ce881e0514bf5a3c265e84d12f70b2024-12-13T16:23:43ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172024-12-0114231137510.3390/app142311375Power-Assisted Scissors Reduce Adductor Pollicis Muscle Fatigue: A Comparative Study in Female College StudentsKohei Koizumi0Kumiko Sasao1Yoshihiro Senju2Toyohiro Hamaguchi3Department of Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Saitama Prefectural University, Koshigaya 3438540, Saitama, JapanDepartment of Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Saitama Prefectural University, Koshigaya 3438540, Saitama, JapanDepartment of Beauty, Saitamaken Hair Dressing Academy, Saitama City 3300061, Saitama, JapanDepartment of Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Saitama Prefectural University, Koshigaya 3438540, Saitama, JapanHand fatigue commonly occurs in repetitive tasks, such as cutting with scissors, leading to discomfort, reduced productivity, and musculoskeletal disorders. Recent advances in assistive technology have introduced power-assisted scissors to reduce the muscular load. Pinching and grasping mainly involve the adductor pollicis muscles of the hand. Measuring the electromyographic (EMG) activity of these muscles provides valuable insights into the muscular effort required for such tasks. Studies have indicated that power-assisted devices can effectively reduce muscle strain and fatigue. However, research on the effect of power-assisted scissors on adductor pollicis muscle activity is limited. This study examines the differences in adductor pollicis muscle activity using power-assisted scissors versus traditional scissors. The experiment consisted of 20 participants performing a scissor manipulation task with and without power assistance. Frequency analysis of the adductor pollicis muscle EMG data indicated that scissors with power assistance significantly reduced muscle fatigue (95% confidence interval, 10.705 [4.523–19.751], <i>p</i> < 0.01, η<sup>2</sup> = 0.01). Understanding the efficacy of power-assisted scissors has significant implications for occupational health—particularly in professions that involve extensive manual cutting, such as tailoring and hairdressing. This study can contribute to the design of ergonomic tools that enhance comfort and reduce musculoskeletal disorder risks.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/23/11375hand strengthelectromyographyfrequency analysismuscle fatiguepower spectrum densityequipment design
spellingShingle Kohei Koizumi
Kumiko Sasao
Yoshihiro Senju
Toyohiro Hamaguchi
Power-Assisted Scissors Reduce Adductor Pollicis Muscle Fatigue: A Comparative Study in Female College Students
Applied Sciences
hand strength
electromyography
frequency analysis
muscle fatigue
power spectrum density
equipment design
title Power-Assisted Scissors Reduce Adductor Pollicis Muscle Fatigue: A Comparative Study in Female College Students
title_full Power-Assisted Scissors Reduce Adductor Pollicis Muscle Fatigue: A Comparative Study in Female College Students
title_fullStr Power-Assisted Scissors Reduce Adductor Pollicis Muscle Fatigue: A Comparative Study in Female College Students
title_full_unstemmed Power-Assisted Scissors Reduce Adductor Pollicis Muscle Fatigue: A Comparative Study in Female College Students
title_short Power-Assisted Scissors Reduce Adductor Pollicis Muscle Fatigue: A Comparative Study in Female College Students
title_sort power assisted scissors reduce adductor pollicis muscle fatigue a comparative study in female college students
topic hand strength
electromyography
frequency analysis
muscle fatigue
power spectrum density
equipment design
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/23/11375
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AT kumikosasao powerassistedscissorsreduceadductorpollicismusclefatigueacomparativestudyinfemalecollegestudents
AT yoshihirosenju powerassistedscissorsreduceadductorpollicismusclefatigueacomparativestudyinfemalecollegestudents
AT toyohirohamaguchi powerassistedscissorsreduceadductorpollicismusclefatigueacomparativestudyinfemalecollegestudents