title: A biomechanical assessment of floor and overhead lifts using one or two caregivers for patient transfers.
abstract: This study investigated the differences in peak external hand forces and external moments generated at the L5/S1 joint of the low back due to maneuvering loaded floor-based and overhead-mounted patient lifting devices using one and two caregivers. Hand forces and external moments at the L5/S1 joint were estimated from ground reaction forces and motion capture data. Caregivers gave ratings of perceived exertion as well as their opinions regarding overhead vs. floor lifts. Use of overhead lifts resulted in significantly lower back loads than floor lifts. Two caregivers working together with a floor lift did not reduce loads on the primary caregiver compared to the single-caregiver case. In contrast, two-caregiver operation of an overhead lift did result in reduced loads compared to the single-caregiver case. Therefore, overhead lifts should be used whenever possible to reduce the risk of back injury to caregivers. The use of two caregivers does not compensate for the poorer performance of floor lifts.
authors.affiliation: Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, 550 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2A2, Canada. tilak.dutta@utoronto.ca
authors.forename: Tilak
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dutta
authors.forename: Pamela Jean
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Holliday
authors.forename: Susan Margaret
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Gorski
authors.forename: Mohammad Sadegh
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Baharvandy
authors.forename: Geoff Roy
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Fernie
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D017028:Caregivers; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008328:Man-Machine Systems; D008422:Materials Testing; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D055805:Moving and Lifting Patients / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D016544:Patient Simulation; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013131:Spine / Q000502:physiology*