title: Hoists for locomotor disability--Properties of the person-carrying section and biomechanics of sitting positions.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to make an inventory of the slings available for person hoists, to describe them and to carry out biomechanical analyses of the sitting positions in different slings. On the Swedish market 18 different slings were available. Nine were photographed with a subject sitting in them. The sagittal lengths of the supporting parts of the slings varied between 0.10 m and 1.0 m. The risk of falling through was considered largest in divided slings, but even in one-piece slings with divided leg supports, the person lifted can most probably slip through inadvertently. Almost all the slings gave a backward-inclined sitting position. However, in one of the slings the trunk inclination was small and the seat was slightly forward-downward inclined, giving a risk of falling/sliding forwards. Some of the slings entailed a trunk thigh angle smaller than 90 degrees, perhaps a problem for patients with hip pain and reduced hip flexion. Given the great variety of slings available, it seems important to work for relevant instructions and information about their use.
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Edlund
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Harms-Ringdahl
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ekholm
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D017770:Lifting; D008124:Locomotion