Liyun Yang

Liyun Yang

Postdoctoral Researcher
Telephone: +46852486109
Visiting address: Solnavägen 4, Plan 10, 11365 Stockholm
Postal address: C6 Institutet för miljömedicin, C6 Arbetsmedicin Forsman, 171 77 Stockholm

About me

  • Postdoctoral researcher at the Unit of Occupational medicine, IMM, Karolinska
    Institutet.
    Postdoctoral researcher within the area of ergonomics at the Unit of
    Occupational medicine, IMM, Karolinska Institutet.
    PhD 2019, KTH Royal Institute of Technology &
  • Karolinska Institutet
    MSc 2015, KTH Royal Institute of Technology

Research

  • Ergonomics and prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs)
    have been my research interest since my PhD time. With the UN Sustainable
    Development goals on Good health and well-being, and Decent work and
    economic growth, ergonomics is playing an increasingly important role to
    achieve a sustainable working life.

    My current research work focuses on these main areas:
    1) Development and evaluation of ergonomic risk assessment tools with
    wearable sensors.
    In order to improve the work environment regarding ergonomics factors, it is
    important to identify risks and assess the severity of those risk factors.
    Easy-to-use and low-cost tools and methods are needed to facilitate the
    accurate risk assessment in work places. Some examples of projects that I
    have worked with:
    * A freely-available iPhone application for measurement upper arm postures
    and movements – ErgoArmMeter, with over 5000 downloads worldwide (AFA
    financed project).

    * A wearable system embedded in smart clothes for measuring and assessing
    the postures of upper arms and trunk. New functions with the smart
    workwear system are currently being developed, together with end-users
    from the industry (Vinnova Production 2030 financed project, co-PI and
    work package leader).

    * A smartphone application with wireless motion sensors for wrist velocity
    assessment in hand-intensive work – ErgoHandMeter. The application has
    been tested in lab and in industrial settings with highly-rated usability.
    Further algorithm for better accuracy is being tested (Forte financed
    project).

    2) Intervention and implementation of ergonomics method
    In order to prevent WMSDs in the working population, intervention and
    implementation research is of high importance. Two approaches in ergonomics
    are suggested: to fit the task to the human and to “fit” the human to the
    task. Currently, I work with two different intervention/implementation
    projects applying the two approaches:
    * Implementation of a systematic risk management method (RAMP) in companies.
    The project aims to study the company implementation process and
    strategies, and evaluate the effects on individual and organizational
    level.

    * Work technique training using wearable systems with bio-feedback. We have
    tested different training programs in lab and industrial settings, with
    significant short term effects. Further research to improve the long term
    learning effects is to be continued.

    3) Surgical ergonomics
    Surgeons are at high risk for developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs),
    which are associated with surgeon burnout and decreased quality of life. It
    may also impact surgical performance, patient safety and surgeon career
    longevity. Some examples:
    * Evaluation of new prismatic loupes on surgeons’ musculoskeletal
    discomforts, physical workload and surgical performance, in lab and the
    operating room.

    * Design and evaluation of individual risk assessment report for surgeons,
    with the aim to increase surgeons’ ergonomic awareness and lay the
    foundation for further intervention.

    * Pilot studies for other interventions within the operating room are being
    planned.

Teaching

  • I have supervised master students both from KI (Work Environment and Health),
    and from KTH (Medical Engineering and Technology, Work and Health). I have
    also supervised visiting PhD student with finance from Erasmus+ program.

    I teach lectures and laboratory sessions in courses on ergonomics and
    prevention of musculoskeletal disorders.

Articles

All other publications

Employments

  • Postdoctoral Researcher, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 2020-2025

Degrees and Education

  • Doctor Of Philosophy, Karolinska Institutet, 2020

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