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Session: Poster session II
Session starts: Thursday 24 January, 16:00

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Kris Cuppens (Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, Mobilab & Care)
Luiza Muraru (Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, Mobilab & Care)
Tom Saey (Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, Mobilab & Care)
Eveline De Raeve (Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, Mobilab & Care)
Mario Broeckx (Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, Mobilab & Care)
Veerle Creylman (Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, Mobilab & Care)

Abstract:
Due to prolonged walking and standing, employees who have a non-sedentary job have an increased risk of developing musculoskeletal complaints related to foot and ankle, knee, hip and (lower) back. In the prevention of health risks in these employees, most attention is given to maintaining a correct posture and using the correct lifting techniques. Less attention is given to identify foot related problems in an early stage. To help companies that provide prevention services in screening employees on foot related problems, a screening tool was developed. In this tool, the employee fills in questions related to his personal health and the working environment. In a second stage, the occupational physician uses the tool to examine the employee on e.g. foot deformities, pain, callus formation and gait pattern. Based on the examination, the tool generates advice on e.g. footwear, performing stretching/strengthening exercises or the employee is referred to a foot specialist. As an occupational physician is not always specialized in examining the foot, we investigated the use of sensors to assist him/her in doing the examination. In this way the measurements are quantified, which helps to objectively follow up the employees on the long term, and keep track of their evolution. In our setup, specific examinations of the screening tool are linked to a specific measurement with a dedicated set of sensors. The possibility of using specific sets of sensors is evaluated in a feasibility study. More specifically, in-shoe pressure sensors are used to quantify the work environment (identifying prolonged periods of walking and standing, lifting loads, climbing stairs), accelerometers attached to the foot are used to measure the flexibility of the foot joints, and low-cost 3D scanners are used to identify deformations of the foot. In the feasibility study, 8 subjects are included, of which 6 wear orthopaedic insoles. The tests demonstrate the feasibility of measuring the subjects with these non-intrusive sensors and the added value for the examination of the subject. However, a more extensive validation is needed to determine the accuracy of the proposed setup.