Teaching ultrasound ergonomics using an ergometer

Work related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD) are common amongst sonographers. To try and reduce the risk of students acquiring WRMSD during their career, the team have started to investigate the use of technology to assist in the teaching ergonomics. Initially an ergometer was purchased to demonstrate how muscles reacted to changes in movements of the arm, hand and wrist whilst scanning. More recently a dynamometer was purchased to measure grip strength and review the matched grip strength when holding an ultrasound transducer. Two small studies have been undertaken to review whether teaching using the ergometer can influence transducer grip pressure. Both have shown that experienced sonographers and students have reduced their grip on the transducer and relaxed the muscles after teaching using the ergometer to provide audible feedback on muscle strain.