Title | Commercially Available Friction-Reducing Patient-Transfer Devices Reduce Biomechanical Stresses on Caregivers' Upper Extremities and Low Back. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2019 |
Authors | Hwang, J, Kuppam, VAneesh, Chodraju, SSuryanaray, Chen, J, Kim, JH |
Journal | Hum Factors |
Pagination | 1-16 |
Date Published | 02/2019 |
ISSN | 1547-8181 |
Abstract | OBJECTIVE:: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of commercially available friction-reducing patient-transfer devices in reducing biomechanical stresses on caregivers and patients. BACKGROUND:: Caregivers suffer from high prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders, which is associated with manual patient handling. However, there is not enough information available on the efficacy of various friction-reducing devices in reducing biomechanical stresses in the upper extremities and low back. METHOD:: During patient-transfer tasks performed by 20 caregivers, we measured hand force; shoulder and trunk posture; shoulder moment; muscle activity in the flexor digitorum superficialis, extensor digitorum communis, biceps, triceps, trapezius, and erector spinae; and usability ratings from four devices: a draw sheet, a repositioning sheet, a slide board, and an air-assisted device. In addition, triaxial head acceleration of mock patients was measured to evaluate patients' head acceleration. RESULTS:: The slide board and air-assisted device significantly reduced hand force ( p < .001), shoulder flexion ( p < .001), shoulder moment ( p < .001), muscle activities of caregivers ( p < .004), and patients' head acceleration ( p < .023) compared with the draw sheet. However, no significant differences in biomechanical measures were found between the repositioning and draw sheets. The air-assisted device consistently showed the lowest biomechanical stresses and was most preferred by participants. CONCLUSION:: Reduction in caregivers' biomechanical stresses and mock patients' head acceleration indicates that a slide board and an air-assisted device can be effective engineering controls to reduce risk of injury. APPLICATION:: The study results can provide a recommendation for engineering controls to reduce biomechanical stresses for both caregivers and patients. |
DOI | 10.1177/0018720819827208 |
Alternate Journal | Hum Factors |
PubMed ID | 30794442 |