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DOI: 10.1055/a-2568-9610
Pilot evaluation of a novel, automated ergonomics assessment tool

Abstract
Background and study aims
Gastroenterologists are prone to endoscopy-related musculoskeletal injuries (ERI). Current interventions lack real-time monitoring and feedback. ErgoGenius, a novel artificial intelligence computer-vision tool, addresses this gap by providing continuous posture assessment and feedback without wearable motion trackers. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of ErgoGenius, its accuracy compared with human appraisers, and its ability to detect abnormal posture.
Methods
The study was conducted at two large academic centers. The Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) score was used as a surrogate for ergonomic performance and risk of injury. Ten endoscopists of varying gender, height, and weight were recorded performing endoscopic tasks in optimal vs. lowered bed positions. Videos were analyzed by ErgoGenius. A paired t-test was used to compare REBA scores between bed positions.
Results
ErgoGenius was successfully deployed in a controlled endoscopy setting. ErgoGenius achieved perfect internal agreement (rho = 1) and closely correlated with human appraisers (rho = 0.987). Average REBA scores were notably higher in the lowered bed position (mean 4.64) compared with the optimal position (mean 2.55), (P= 0.006).
Conclusions
ErgoGenius was successfully deployed to detect abnormal postures related to changes in bed position and quantify ERI risk. It performed at par with human appraisers. This tool shows promise in enhancing ergonomic practices among gastroenterologists and trainees, potentially leading to better health outcomes and reduced injury.
Publication History
Received: 20 December 2024
Accepted after revision: 24 March 2025
Accepted Manuscript online:
28 March 2025
Article published online:
12 May 2025
© 2025. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany
Bara El Kurdi, Sumbal Babar, Ali Soroush, Jay Bapaye, Reid D. Wasserman, Juan Echavarria, Omer Shahab, Cameron Locke, Jamie Yang, Michael Koachman, Klaus Mönkemüller, Aasma Shaukat. Pilot evaluation of a novel, automated ergonomics assessment tool. Endosc Int Open 2025; 13: a25689610.
DOI: 10.1055/a-2568-9610
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