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. 2025 May 12:13:a25689610.
doi: 10.1055/a-2568-9610. eCollection 2025.

Pilot evaluation of a novel, automated ergonomics assessment tool

Bara El Kurdi  1 , Sumbal Babar  2 , Ali Soroush  3 , Jay Bapaye  1 , Reid D Wasserman  4 , Juan Echavarria  5 , Omer Shahab  6 , Cameron Locke  7 , Jamie Yang  8 , Michael Koachman  9 , Klaus Mönkemüller  10 , Aasma Shaukat  7
Affiliations

Pilot evaluation of a novel, automated ergonomics assessment tool

Bara El Kurdi et al. Endosc Int Open. .

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.

Keywords: Endoscopy Lower GI Tract; Endoscopy Small Bowel; Endoscopy Upper GI Tract.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest Michael Kochman has served as a consultant for Applied Clinical Intelligence (adjudication committee), Boston Scientific Corporation (tissue acquisition), Castle Biosciences (Barretts diagnostics), Dark Canyon Laboratories (colonoscopy prep), Endiatx (steerable capsule), Olympus (scientific advisory panel), and Virgo Systems (artificial intelligence) and holds equity in the American Gastroenterological Association and Varia Ventures GI Opportunity Fund (venture capital), Dark Canyon Labs (colonoscopy preparation), Endiatx (steerable capsule), Endosound (endoscopic ultrasound device), Varia Ventures (venture capital), and Virgo. None of the other authors have any relevant disclosures.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
a Correlation of human-appraiser scores with ErgoGenius-generated scores. b Correlation of average human-appraiser scores with ErgoGenius scores.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
ErgoGenius screen showing real-time comprehensive ergonomic analysis. a Endoscopist in semi-neutral posture with low-risk scores. b Endoscopist in contorted posture with crouching and twisting movements, resulting in higher-risk scores.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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