Study Shows that Ergonomic Loupes Reduce Back and Neck Strain for Dental Professionals

Admetec has collaborated with Maria Grazia Piancino, Associate Professor at the University of Turin-Italy, C.I.R. Dental School, Department of Surgical Sciences, on a preliminary loupes study. This study was inspired by an observation made by Professor Piancino, who noticed that a colleague was wearing Admetec’s Ergo loupes and the ergonomic strain seemed lessened.

“In the short term, asymmetrical muscle activation can cause pain and discomfort. Over the long term, the result can be cumulative damage like repetitive strain injury (RSI) or musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). Because the neurological and muscular systems are so intimately connected, as clearly demonstrated by recent research, imbalanced straining negatively affects not only the physical wellbeing of doctors, but also their ability to focus and perform their best work,” Professor Piancino said in a press release from Admetec. “Discovering that these common injuries might be avoidable would be highly significant for dentists and other medical professionals.”

As part of preliminary research, Professor Piancino and students compared stress of 8 symmetrical back muscles of dental professionals that used both Admetec’s Ergo loupes as well as through-the-lens (TTL) loupes. Results demonstrated that Ergo loupes allowed for a more symmetrical use of the muscles and a significant reduction of muscular peaks, meaning less stress in the back and neck. The use of TTL loupes resulted in more stress and asymmetrical muscle activation.

Ergo loupes magnify at 6 different levels and are said to be lightweight for user comfort. This lightweight comfort and user-friendliness is demonstrated clearly in this study, according to COO of Admetec Danny Katz.

“We were pleased when Professor Piancino chose to research the physical impact of using ergonomic loupes versus classic TTL loupes,” Katz said in the press release. “It is one thing to receive feedback from doctors on how they feel better using our Ergo loupes. It is another to have a scientific explanation that shows why they feel better.”