title: Comparison of Healthcare Workers Transferring Patients Using Either Conventional Or Robotic Wheelchairs: Kinematic, Electromyographic, and Electrocardiographic Analyses.
abstract: Objectives. The aim of this study was to compare the musculoskeletal and physical strain on healthcare workers, by measuring range of motion (ROM), muscle activity, and heart rate (HR), during transfer of a simulated patient using either a robotic wheelchair (RWC) or a conventional wheelchair (CWC). Methods. The subjects were 10 females who had work experience in transferring patients and another female adult as the simulated patient to be transferred from bed to a RWC or a CWC. In both experimental conditions, ROM, muscle activity, and HR were assessed in the subjects using motion sensors, electromyography, and electrocardiograms. Results. Peak ROM of shoulder flexion during assistive transfer with the RWC was significantly lower than that with the CWC. Values for back muscle activity during transfer were lower with the RWC than with the CWC. Conclusions. The findings suggest that the RWC may decrease workplace injuries and lower back pain in healthcare workers.
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Division, Tottori University Hospital, Nishi-cho 36-1, Yonago, Tottori 683-8504, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiromi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
authors.affiliation: Center for Promoting Next-Generation Highly Advanced Medicine, Tottori University Hospital, Nishi-cho 36-1, Yonago, Tottori 683-8504, Japan.
authors.forename: Masaru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ueki
authors.affiliation: Center for Promoting Next-Generation Highly Advanced Medicine, Tottori University Hospital, Nishi-cho 36-1, Yonago, Tottori 683-8504, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazutake
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Uehara
authors.affiliation: Department of Data Science, The Institute of Statistical Mathematics, Midori-cho 10-3, Tachikawa, Tokyo 190-8562, Japan.
authors.forename: Hisashi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Noma
authors.affiliation: Center for Promoting Next-Generation Highly Advanced Medicine, Tottori University Hospital, Nishi-cho 36-1, Yonago, Tottori 683-8504, Japan.
authors.forename: Nobuko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nozawa
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Division, Tottori University Hospital, Nishi-cho 36-1, Yonago, Tottori 683-8504, Japan.
authors.forename: Mari
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Osaki
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Division, Tottori University Hospital, Nishi-cho 36-1, Yonago, Tottori 683-8504, Japan.|School of Health Science, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Nishi-cho 86, Yonago, Tottori 683-8503, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hagino
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004576:Electromyography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D065287:Robotic Surgical Procedures; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014187:Transportation of Patients / Q000379:methods*; D014910:Wheelchairs; D055815:Young Adult