Buchholz Bryan headshot

Bryan O. Buchholz, Ph.D.

Professor Emeritus

College
Francis College of Engineering
Department
Biomedical Engineering
Phone
978-934-3241
Office
Kitson Hall - 311A
Email
Bryan_Buchholz@uml.edu

Research Interests

  • Occupational Biomechanics, Bioinstrumentation, Ergonomic Exposure Assessment
  • Exoskeletons for the Prevention of MSDs, Ergonomic Interventions in the Fishing Industry, Construction Ergonomics

Biosketch

Bryan Buchholz, Ph.D. is professor Emeritus of occupational biomechanics and ergonomics. He has earned doctoral and master's degrees in bioengineering, a master's in applied mechanics and a bachelor's in chemical engineering, all from the University of Michigan. 

His research efforts focus primarily on the development of biomechanical models that provide a better understanding of the pathomechanics of work-related musculoskeletal disorders so that effective interventions may be perfected. 

His continuing work on the development of biomechanical models of the human hand for evaluation of its prehensile capabilities and the design of tool handles has expanded since his initial work on his doctoral dissertation. He is also interested in the development of ergonomic exposure assessment tools, especially those employing bioinstrumentation. 

Buchholz is part of the Construction Occupational Health Project and involved in an initiative to understand and help control work-related musculoskeletal disorders in the construction industry. He has also been involved in ergonomic exposure assessment in the fishing industry.

Selected Publications

  • Ding, E., Ensom, E., Hafer, N., Buchholz, B., Picard, M., Dunlap, D., Rogers, E., Lawton, C., Koren, A., Lilly, C., Fitzgibbons, T., McManus, D. (2019). Point-of-care technologies in heart, lung, blood and sleep disorders from the Center for Advancing Point-of-Care Technologies. Current Opinion in Biomedical Engineering, 11 58-67.
  • Kotejoshyer, R., Punnett, L., Dybel, G.J., Buchholz, B.O. (2019). Claim Costs, Musculoskeletal Health, and Work Exposure in Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants, and Occupational Therapist Assistants: A Comparison Among Long-Term Care Jobs. Physical therapy, 99(2) 183-193.
  • Sun, C., Buchholz, B.O., Quinn, M.M., Punnett, L., Galligan, C., Gore, R. (2018). Ergonomic evaluation of slide boards used by home care aides to assist client transfers. Ergonomics, 1-10.
  • Dasgupta, P., Buchholz, B.O., Brunette, M. (2017). Is Worker Involvement an Ergonomic Solution for Construction Intervention Challenges? A Systematic Review. . Theoretical Issues in Ergonomics Science , Vol. 18 5.
  • Dasgupta, P.S., Punnett, L., Kuhn, S., Moir, S., Buchholz, B.O. (2016). Does Drywall Installers’ Innovative Idea Reduce the Ergonomic Exposures of Ceiling Installation: A Field Case Study. Applied ergonomics, 55 183–193.
  • Dale, A.M., Jaegers, L., Welch, L., Gardner, B.T., Buchholz, B.O., Weaver, N., Evanoff, B.A. (2016). Evaluation of a participatory ergonomics intervention in small commercial construction firms. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, (6) 465.
  • Fulmer, S., Buchholz, B.O., Scribani, M., Jenkins, P. (2016). Original Article: Musculoskeletal Disorders in Northeast Lobstermen. Safety and Health at Work.
  • Fulmer, S., Buchholz, B.O., Jenkins, P., Scribani, M. (2016). Work-Time Exposure and Acute Injuries in Inshore Lobstermen of the Northeast United States. Journal of agromedicine, 21(2) 190-199.
  • Dale, A.M., Ryan, D., Welch, L., Olsen, M.A., Buchholz, B.O., Evanoff, B. (2015). Comparison of musculoskeletal disorder health claims between construction floor layers and a general working population. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 72(1) 15-20.
  • Vaidya, N., Buchholz, B.O. (2015). Design, Implementation, and Testing of a Small Bidirectional Locking Clutch for Hand Prostheses. JPO: Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics, 27(1) 2–7.
  • Sun, C., Buchholz, B.O., Punnett, L., Gallegan, C., Quinn, M.M. (2015). Evaluation of Low-Tech Client Transfer Devices Used by Home Care Aides (59:1 pp. 1264–1268).
  • Dasgupta, P., Punnett, L., Moir, S., Kuhn, S., Buchholz, B.O. (2015). Interventions to Reduce the Ergonomic Exposures of Drywall Installation. Procedia Manufacturing, 3 4173-4180.
  • Dropkin, J., Kim, H., Punnett, L., Wegman, D., Warren, N., Buchholz, B.O. (2015). Effect of an office ergonomic randomised controlled trial among workers with neck and upper extremity pain. Occupational and environmental medicine, 72(1) 6-14.
  • Kuhn, S., Punnett, L., Buchholz, B., Dasgupta, P.S., Fulmer, S., Jing, X. (2014). Assessing the Ergonomic Exposures for Drywall Workers. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 44(2) 307-315.
  • Jaegers, L., Dale, A., Weaver, N., Buchholz, B., Welch, L., Evanoff, B. (2014). Development of a program logic model and evaluation plan for a participatory ergonomics intervention in construction. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 57(3) 351-361.
  • Yuan, L., Buchholz, B.O. (2014). The effects of position and size of drywall on the physical demands for installers (58:1 pp. 1612–1616).
  • Qin, J., Lin, J., Faber, G.S., Buchholz, B., Xu, X. (2014). Upper extremity kinematic and kinetic adaptations during a fatiguing repetitive task. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 24(3) 404-411.
  • Qin, J., Lin, J., Buchholz, B.O., Xu, X. (2014). Shoulder muscle fatigue development in young and older female adults during a repetitive manual task. Ergonomics, 57(8) 1201-1212.
  • McGaha, J., Miller, K., Descatha, A., Welch, L., Buchholz, B.O., Evanoff, B., Dale, A.M. (2014). Exploring physical exposures and identifying high-risk work tasks within the floor layer trade. Applied Ergonomics, 45(4) 857-864.
  • Kurowski, A., Buchholz, B., Punnett, L. (2014). A physical workload index to evaluate a safe resident handling program for nursing home personnel. Human factors, 56(4) 669-683.
  • Kurowski, A., Buchholz, B.O., Punnett, L. (2014). A physical workload index to evaluate a safe resident handling program for nursing home personnel. Human factors, 56(4) 669-83.
  • Qin, J., Trudeau, M., Buchholz, B., Katz, J.N., Dennerlein, J. (2014). Joint Contribution to Fingertip Movement During a Number Entry Task: An Application of Jacobian Matrix. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 30(2) 338-342.
  • McGaha, J., Miller, K., Descatha, A., Welch, L., Buchholz, B., Evanoff, B., Dale, A.M. (2013). Exploring physical exposures and identifying high-risk work tasks within the floor layer trade. Applied Ergonomics, 45(4) 857-864.
  • Park, J., Buchholz, B. (2013). Effects of work surface height on muscle activity and posture of the upper extremity during simulated pipetting. Ergonomics, 56(7) 1147-1158.
  • Omar, M.S., Quinn, M.M., Buchholz, B.O., Geiser, K. (2013). Are green building features safe for preventive maintenance workers? Examining the evidence. American journal of industrial medicine, 56(4) 410-23.
  • Sengupta, P.D., Fulmer, S., Jing, X., Buchholz, B.O. (2012). Assessing the ergonomic hazards for Pile Drivers. Work, 43(4) 417-425.
  • Sun, C., Buchholz, B.O., Thomas, J. (2012). A case study of smoke detector assembly work method intervention and evaluation. Work: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment and Rehabilitation, 41 5987-5992.
  • Kurowski, A., Gore, R., Buchholz, B.O., Punnett, L. (2012). Differences among nursing homes in outcomes of a safe resident handling program. Journal of Healthcare Risk Management, 32(1) 35-51.
  • Dasgupta, P.S., Fulmer, S., Jing, X., Buchholz, B.O. (2012). Assessing the ergonomic hazards for pile drivers. Work (Reading, Mass.), 43(4) 417-25.
  • Kurowski, A., Gore, R., Buchholz, B.O., Punnett, L. (2012). Differences among nursing homes in outcomes of a safe resident handling program. Journal of healthcare risk management : the journal of the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management, 32(1) 35-51.
  • Qin, J., Trudeau, M., Katz, J.N., Buchholz, B.O., Dennerlein, J.T. (2011). Biomechanical loading on the upper extremity increases from single key tapping to directional tapping. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 21(4) 587-594.
  • Yuan, L., Buchholz, B.O., Dale, A.M. (2011). Knee Disorders Among Carpenters in the St. Louis Area. Open Occupational Health & Safety Journal, 3 31-38.
  • Vaidya, N., Buchholz, B.O., Mah’d, M., Crugnola, A.M. (2011). Control Scheme for Independent Thumb Motion in a Myoelectrically Controlled Hand Prosthesis. Journal of Prosthetics & Orthotics (JPO), 23(4) 190-195.
  • Tak, S., Buchholz, B.O., Punnett, L., Moir, S., Paquet, V., Fulmer, S., Marucci-Wellman, H., Wegman, D. (2011). Physical ergonomic hazards in highway tunnel construction: overview from the Construction Occupational Health Program. Applied ergonomics, 42(5) 665-71.
  • Tak, S., Paquet, V., Woskie, S., Buchholz, B.O., Punnett, L. (2009). Variability in risk factors for knee injury in construction. Journal of occupational and environmental hygiene, 6(2) 113-20.
  • Tak, S., Paquet, V., Woskie, S., Buchholz, B.O., Punnett, L. (2008). Variability in risk factors for knee injury in construction. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, 6(2) 113-120.
  • Buchholz, B.O., Park, J.S., Gold, J.E., Punnett, L. (2008). Subjective ratings of upper extremity exposures: inter-method agreement with direct measurement of exposures. Ergonomics, 51(7) 1064-77.
  • Tak, S., Punnett, L., Paquet, V., Woskie, S., Buchholz, B.O. (2007). Estimation of compressive forces on lumbar spine from categorical posture data. Ergonomics, 50(12) 2082-94.
  • Wu, G., der Helm van, ., H. E. J. (DirkJan) Veeger, ., Makhsous, M., Van Roy, P., Anglin, C., Nagels, J., Karduna, A.R., McQuade, K., Wang, X., Werner, F.W., Buchholz, B.O. (2005). ISB recommendation on definitions of joint coordinate systems of various joints for the reporting of human joint motion Part II: shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand. Journal of Biomechanics, 38 981-992.
  • Paquet, V., Punnett, L., Woskie, S., Buchholz, B.O. (2005). Reliable exposure assessment strategies for physical ergonomics stressors in construction and other non-routinized work. Ergonomics, 48(9) 1200.
  • Paquet, V., Punnett, L., Woskie, S., Buchholz, B.O. (2005). Reliable exposure assessment strategies for physical ergonomics stressors in construction and other non-routinized work. Ergonomics, 48(9) 1200-19.
  • Kalil, A.J., Woskie, S., Holcroft, C., Ellenbecker, M., Buchholz, B.O. (2004). Time variant exposure analysis (TVEA): a measurement tool for characterizing particulate exposure determinants in construction. Journal Of Occupational And Environmental Hygiene, 1(12) 816-825.
  • Gold, J.E., Cherniack, M., Buchholz, B.O. (2004). Infrared thermography for examination of skin temperature in the dorsal hand of office workers. European journal of applied physiology, 93(1) 245-251.
  • Kittusamy, N.K., Buchholz, B.O. (2004). Review of the Literature: Whole-body vibration and postural stress among operators of construction equipment: A literature review. Journal of Safety Research, 35 255-261.
  • Forde, M.S., Buchholz, B.O. (2004). Task content and physical ergonomic risk factors in construction ironwork. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 34(4) 319-333.
  • Kittusamy, N.K., Buchholz, B.O. (2004). Whole-body vibration and postural stress among operators of construction equipment: A literature review. Journal of Safety Research, 35(3) 255-261.
  • Gold, J.E., Cherniack, M., Buchholz, B.O. (2004). Infrared thermography for examination of skin temperature in the dorsal hand of office workers. European journal of applied physiology, 93(1) 245.
  • Fulmer, S., Agyem-Bediako, S., Buchholz, B.O. (2004). Ergonomics: the impact of an intervention for lifting hazards during installation of overhead electrical conduit. Journal Of Occupational And Environmental Hygiene, 1(7) D80-D84.
  • Fulmer, S., Agyem-Bediako, S., Buchholz, B.O. (2004). Ergonomics: the impact of an intervention for lifting hazards during installation of overhead electrical conduit. Journal of occupational and environmental hygiene, 1(7) D80-4.
  • Kittusamy, N.K., Buchholz, B.O. (2004). Whole-body vibration and postural stress among operators of construction equipment: A literature review. Journal of Safety Research, 35(3) 255-261.
  • Buchholz, B.O., Paquet, V., Wellman, H., Forde, M. (2003). Quantification of ergonomic hazards for ironworkers performing concrete reinforcement tasks during heavy highway construction. AIHA Journal, 64(2) 243-250.
  • Moir, S., Paquet, V., Punnett, L., Buchholz, B.O., Wegman, D. (2003). Making sense of highway construction: a taxonomic framework for ergonomic exposure assessment and intervention research. Applied occupational and environmental hygiene, 18(4) 256-267.
  • Fulmer, S., Buchholz, B.O. (2002). Ergonomic exposure case studies in Massachusetts fishing vessels. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 42 10-18.
  • Fulmer, S., Buchholz, B.O. (2002). Ergonomic exposure case studies in Massachusetts fishing vessels. American journal of industrial medicine, Suppl 2 10-8.
  • Paquet, V.L., Punnett, L., Buchholz, B.O. (2001). Validity of fixed-interval observations for postural assessment in construction work. Applied Ergonomics, 32(3) 215-224.
  • Paquet, V., Punnett, L., Buchholz, B.O. (1999). An evaluation of manual materials handling in highway construction work. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 24 431-444.
  • Buchholz, B.O. (1998). An EMG-driven biomechanical model of the hand. Advances in occupational ergonomics and safety, 443-448.
  • Column, S.S., Buchholz, B.O., Moir, S., Virji, M.A. (1997). Ergonomics: An Ergonomic Assessment of an Operating Engineer: A Pilot Study of Excavator Use. Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, 12(1) 23-27.
  • Buchholz, B.O., Wellman, H. (1997). Practical operation of a biaxial goniometer at the wrist joint. Human Factors: The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, 39(1) 119-129.
  • Moir, S., Buchholz, B.O. (1996). Emerging participatory approaches to ergonomic interventions in the construction industry. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 29(4) 425-430.
  • Buchholz, B.O., Paquet, V., Punnett, L., Lee, D., Moir, S. (1996). PATH: A work sampling-based approach to ergonomic job analysis for construction and other non-repetitive work. Applied Ergonomics, 27(3) 177-187.
  • Buchholz, B.O., Paquet, V., Punnett, L., Lee, D., Moir, S. (1996). PATH: a work sampling-based approach to ergonomic job analysis for construction and other non-repetitive work. Applied ergonomics, 27(3) 177-187.
  • Moir, S., Buchholz, B.O. (1996). Emerging participatory approaches to ergonomic interventions in the construction industry. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 29(4) 425.
  • Buchholz, B.O., Armstrong, T.J. (1992). A kinematic model of the human hand to evaluate its prehensile capabilities. Journal of Biomechanics, 25(2) 149-162.
  • Buchholz, B.O., THOMAS, J.A., STEVEN, A.G. (1992). Anthropometric data for describing the kinematics of the human hand. Ergonomics, 35(3) 261-273.
  • Buchholz, B.O., Armstrong, T.J. (1991). An ellipsoidal representation of human hand anthropometry. Human Factors: The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, 33(4) 429-441.

Selected Presentations

  • Physical workload, leisure-time physical activity, musculoskeletal disorders, and sleep quality among rehabilitation employees - SLEEP 2018, June 2018 - Baltimore, MD
  • Investigation of physical workload of therapy work in nursing homes - 2015 Safe Patient Handling and Mobility Conference, April 2015 - Glendale, AZ

Selected Contracts, Fellowships, Grants and Sponsored Research

  • Investigation of physical workload and sleep quality with objective field measures among rehabilitation professionals (2014), Grant - University of Massachusetts Lowell
    Zhang, Y. (Principal), Punnett, L. (Co-Investigator), Buchholz, B. (Co-Investigator)
  • Evaluation of a Contractor-Based Participatory Ergonomics Intervention (2013), Contract - NATL INST FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY&HEALTH
    Buchholz, B.O. (Principal)
  • Occupational Exposures for Mortality and Morbidity in Northeast Lobstering (2013), Contract - NATL INST FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY&HEALTH
    Buchholz, B.O. (Principal)
  • Evaluation of a Contractor-Based Participatory Ergonomics Intervention (2012), Contract - NATL INST FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY&HEALTH
    Buchholz, B.O. (Principal)
  • Musculoskeletal Disorder Rates in Northeast Lobstermen (2012), Contract - NATL INST FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY&HEALTH
    Buchholz, B.O. (Principal)
  • Evaluation of a Contractor-Based Participatory Ergonomics Intervention (2011), Contract - NATL INST FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY&HEALTH
    Buchholz, B.O. (Principal)
  • Musculoskeletal Disorder Rates in Northeast Lobstermen (2011), Contract - CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL & PREVENTION
    Buchholz, B.O. (Principal)
  • Evaluation of a Contractor-Based Participatory Ergonomics Intervention (2010), Contract - NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
    Buchholz, B.O. (Principal)
  • Participatory Action Research Approach to Solve Problems Associated with Drywall (2010), Contract - NATL INST FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY&HEALTH
    Buchholz, B.O. (Principal)
  • Quantitative Analysis of the Pressure on the Knee among Floor Coverers (2010), Contract - NATL INST FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY&HEALTH
    Buchholz, B.O. (Principal)
  • Estimating Massachusetts commercial fishing injury rates, with emphasis on muscu (2010), - CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL & PREVENTION
    Buchholz, B.O. (Principal)
  • Evaluation of a Contractor-Based Participatory Ergonomics Intervention (2009), Contract - NATL INST FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY&HEALTH
    Buchholz, B.O. (Principal)
  • Biomechanical Evaluation of Air Stretcher as Alternative for Carpet Knee-Kicker (2007), Grant - NATL INST FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY&HEALTH
    Buchholz, B.O. (Principal)