Evaluation of the Efficacy of a Lift-Assist Device Regarding Caregiver Posture and Muscle Load for Transferring Tasks

Abstract

The aim of this study was to confirm the effect of a lift-assist device when performing a patient-lifting task. Ten working caregivers participated in this experiment, and lifting patients from bed to wheelchair (B2C) and wheelchair to bed (C2B) was performed for manual care (MC) and lift-assist device (robot) care (RC). EMG sensors and IMU motion sensors were attached as indicators of the assistive device’s effectiveness. EMG was attached to the right side of eight muscles (UT, MD, TB, BB, ES, RF, VA, and TA), and flexion/extension angles of the neck, shoulder, back, and knee were collected using motion sensors. As a result of the analysis, both B2C and C2B showed higher muscle activities in MC than RC. When using a lift-assist device to lift patients, the RC method showed reductions in muscle activities compared to MC. As a result of the work-posture analysis, both the task type and the task phase exhibited pronounced reductions in shoulder, back, and knee ROM (range of motion) compared to those of MC. Therefore, based on the findings of this study, a lift-assist device is recommended for reducing the physical workloads of caregivers while performing patient-lifting tasks.

Use of Patient Transfer Aids to Reduce the Risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Nurses in the Emergency Department: Literature Reviews

“…The need for patient transfer equipment can be adjusted to the capabilities and needs of health care facilities, especially in emergency departments. The availability of patient transfer aids will not provide maximum results if it is not balanced with reducing the workload of nurses, increasing competent human resources, and understanding how to prevent musculoskeletal disorders, the importance of understanding ergonomic principles, a positive work environment, and organization (Andersen et al, 2019;Oliver Hernández et al, 2022;Kong et al, 2023;Ziam et al, 2020). Collaborative programs implemented to reduce the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in health services will provide more significant results, along with the availability of tools to reduce nurses' workload.…”