Biomechanical comparison between manual and motorless device assisted patient handling: sitting to and from standing position
Résumé
Background: Occupational safety and health institutions report that caregivers are
particularly at risk of developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) and
patient handling is often pointed out as one of the main causes. While lots of studies
addressed the use of assistive devices in order to protect caregivers, it seems that motorless
stand-up lifts have not been studied yet.
Objectives: The aim of this work is to provide quantitative data about the loads in the
low back area, as well as qualitative data about subjects perceptions, resulting from the use
of a motorless stand-up lift and to compare them to those resulting from manual patient
handling.
Methods: Nine caregivers participated to motion capture and ground reaction forces
measurement sessions. These recordings were performed in three cases of handling:
manual handling with one caregiver, manual handling with two caregivers, motorless device
assisted handling. Forces and torques at the L5/S1 joint were then estimated through
Inverse Dynamics process. A questionnaire about manual and motorless device assisted
handling was also submitted.
Results: Motorless device assisted handling involved the smallest loads whereas
manual handling with one caregiver involved the biggest loads.
Conclusions: Our findings suggest that, if the situation allows it, caregivers should be
helped by another caregiver or use a motorless stand-up lift when handling a patient from
sitting to standing position or from standing to sitting position considering the reduced loads
these aids involve.
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