Effects of industrial back-support exoskeletons on body loading and user experience: an updated systematic review

This study is an updated systematic review of papers published in the last 5 years on industrial back-support exoskeletons. The research questions were aimed at addressing recent findings regarding objective (e.g. body loading, user performance) and subjective evaluations satisfaction), potential side effects, methodological aspects usability testing. Thirteen studies active twenty passive exoskeletons identified. tested during lifting bending tasks, predominantly laboratory settings among healthy young men. In general, decreases participants' back-muscle activity, peak L5/S1 moments spinal compression forces reported. User endurance static improved, but performance declined tasks that required increased agility. overall satisfaction was moderate. Some effects observed, including abdominal/lower-limb muscle activity changes joint angles. A need identified for further field studies, involving workers, reflecting actual work situations. Practitioner summary: Due to field, a performed exoskeletons, evaluations, results indicate efficiency back-load reduction real Abbrevaitions: BB: biceps brachii; BF: femoris; CoM: centre mass; DA: deltoideus anterior; EMG: electromyography; ES: erector spinae; ES-C: spinae-cervical; ESI: spinae iliocostalis; ESI-L: iliocostalis-lumborum; ESL: longissimus; ES-L: spinae-lumbar; ESL-L: longissimus-lumborum; ESL-T: longissimus-thoracis; ES-T: spinae-thoracic; GM: glutaeus maximus; LBP: low back pain; LD: latissimus dorsi; LPD: local perceived discomfort scale; LPP: pressure MS: multifidus MSD: musculoskeletal disorder; M-SFS: modified function sort; NMV: no mean value provided; OA: obliquus abdominis (internus externus); OEA: externus abdominis; OIA : internus RA: rectus RF: RoM: range motion; SUS: system T: trapezius (pars Ascendens Descendens); TA: pars ascendens; TC: mid-cervical trapezius; TD: descendens; VAS: visual analog VL: vastus lateralis; VM: medialis.