Analysis of IoT-Related Ergonomics-Based Healthcare Issues Using Analytic Hierarchy Process Methodology

Abstract

The objective of the present work is for assessing ergonomics-based IoT (Internet of Things) related healthcare issues with the use of a popular multi-criteria decision-making technique named the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) is a technique that combines alternative performance across numerous contradicting, qualitative, and/or quantitative criteria, resulting in a solution requiring a consensus. The AHP is a flexible strategy for organizing and simplifying complex MCDM concerns by disassembling a compound decision problem into an ordered array of relational decision components (evaluation criteria, sub-criteria, and substitutions). A total of twelve IoT-related ergonomics-based healthcare issues have been recognized as Lumbago (lower backache), Cervicalgia (neck ache), shoulder pain; digital eye strain, hearing impairment, carpal tunnel syndrome; distress, exhaustion, depression; obesity, high blood pressure, hyperglycemia. “Distress” has proven itself the most critical IoT-related ergonomics-based healthcare issue, followed by obesity, depression, and exhaustion. These IoT-related ergonomics-based healthcare issues in four categories (excruciating issues, eye-ear-nerve issues, psychosocial issues, and persistent issues) have been compared and ranked. Based on calculated mathematical values, “psychosocial issues” have been ranked in the first position followed by “persistent issues” and “eye-ear-nerve issues”. In several industrial systems, the results may be of vital importance for increasing the efficiency of human force, particularly a human–computer interface for prolonged hours.