This study compared three representative observational methods for assessing musculoskeletal loadings: Ovako Working Posture Analysis System (OWAS), Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), and Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA). The comparison was based on 209 cases of upper-body musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) diagnosed by medical doctors. The most awkward/stressful posture in each participant's tasks was assessed using these techniques. Postural loadings were rated more highly by the RULA than by the OWAS and REBA (p < 0.01). The chi-square test and logistic regression analysis showed that only RULA grand score and action level, and REBA action level were associated with MSD work-relatedness (p < 0.01, p < 0.05, and p < 0.05, respectively). The percentage concordant values of the logistic model for the RULA grand score and action level were 52.4% and 44.8%, respectively, while the percentage concordant value for the REBA action level was 22.1%. Therefore, the RULA may be the best system for estimating the postural loads and work-relatedness of MSDs.

Relevance to industry

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are the leading cause of workplace disability in the developed countries. For preventing the disorders, quantification of musculoskeletal loads is required.

中文翻译：

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OWAS，RULA和REBA进行比较以评估潜在的与工作有关的肌肉骨骼疾病

这项研究比较了评估肌肉骨骼负荷的三种代表性观察方法：Ovako工作姿势分析系统（OWAS），快速上肢评估（RULA）和快速全身评估（REBA）。比较是基于医生诊断的209例上身肌肉骨骼疾病（MSD）。使用这些技术评估了每个参与者任务中最尴尬/最紧张的姿势。与OWAS和REBA相比，RULA对姿势负荷的评价更高（p <0.01）。卡方检验和逻辑回归分析表明，只有RULA总体得分和行动水平以及REBA行动水平与MSD工作相关性相关（分别为p <0.01，p <0.05和p <0.05）。逻辑模型的RULA总体得分和行动水平的一致性百分比分别为52.4％和44.8％，而REBA行动水平的逻辑一致性百分比为22.1％。因此，RULA可能是估计MSD的姿势负荷和工作相关性的最佳系统。

与产业的关系

与工作有关的肌肉骨骼疾病是发达国家工作场所残疾的主要原因。为了预防疾病，需要对肌肉骨骼负荷进行定量。