Browsing by Author "Arezes, Pedro M."
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- A Case Study of Product Usability of a Pelvic Device used by Children with Neuromotor ImpairmentsPublication . Abreu, Ana R.; Arezes, Pedro M.; Silva, Cláudia; Santos, RubimOn assistive technology targeted for people with activity limitations and participation, usability issues becomes an essential tool to ensure that the product has the appropriate ergonomics characteristics, in other words, ensure that it fits the specific user's needs. The aim of this study was to analyze the usability of an adaptive seating device for children with neuromotor impairments, by using kinematic indicators of the reaching movement. The study sample consisted of 13 children with associated neurologic conditions. The tests were developed by using a wooden bench height adjustable, integrated with the adaptive seating device under study, and a system to capture three-dimensional image, called Qualisys Track Manager. The following reaching kinematics variables were measured: maximum reaching velocity, movement duration, index of curvature, and unit movements. It was found that the use of the adaptive seating device had a positive impact on upper limb function in children with neuromotor impairments. It was also noticed an improvement in the reaching movement kinematics, which was statistical significant for the index of curvature and unit movements. As main conclusions, it is possible to point out some positive effects that the product under study seems to have on users’ movements, such as the improved movement quality of the upper limb, which could mean a better postural adjustments and higher trunk postural control. By identifying new measures of usability in terms of effectiveness and efficiency for the analyzed device, the results obtained may serve also as performance indicators, providing new data that may help to improve the product and eventually modifying it, in order to turn it more compatible with the needs of the considered target population.
- Development of a specific tool for measuring safety climate in the furniture industryPublication . Rodrigues, Matilde; Arezes, Pedro M.; Leão, C.P.The furniture industry represents a significant impact in the Portuguese economy. However, it is a sector that has a reduced professionalization in terms of management, marketing and trade policies, and with low qualification and undifferentiated workers. Besides, the number of work accidents in this industry sector is also high. This high number of accidents is a consequence of several factors, namely the specific risk of the sector, the stakeholders’ low safety concerns, the lack of machine maintenance, and lower workers qualification.