Biomechanical comparison between manual and motorless device assisted patient handling: sitting to and from standing position

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