Biomechanical Evaluation of a Patient-Handling Technology Prototype

Abstract

Nursing jobs have generally been associated with poor posture and heavy exertion, particularly during patient-handling activities. Such working conditions are known to increase the risk of musculoskeletal disorders, and the use of patient-handling aids has been proposed to alleviate the problem. This study was conducted with the purpose of evaluating a patient-handling technology (PHT) prototype that was developed by the researchers for use in Indonesia. An experiment was conducted involving 12 nurse participants, who were asked to move a patient, either manually or by using the prototype. Postural analyses were performed using 3DSSPP software, Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), and Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA). A Borg scale was employed to determine the participants' perceptions of the levels of exertion required during the experiment. The findings demonstrated that using the PHT prototype resulted in a substantial reduction in the compression force at the lumbar (L5/S1) joint. However, there was a marginal increase in shear force at this joint due to the push/pull activities involved in using the technology while handling the patient. This increase, however, was still within accepted biomechanical limits. Postural analyses based on the RULA and REBA demonstrated a great reduction in ergonomic risks when using the prototype. The nurses also reported reduced physical workload when using the PHT technology. Across all measures, there were reductions in the biomechanical risks of between 30% and nearly 70%. While the PHT prototype still needs design refinements, its use in medical settings has the potential to ameliorate musculoskeletal problems among nurses and caregivers.

Efficacy of Interventions in Reducing the Risks of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Healthcare Workers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…All nine studies that evaluated motorized assistive device were designed as pre-post research designs. They included the use of mechanically powered lift systems such as floor lifts (Iridiastadi et al, 2020), ceiling lifts (Miller et al, 2006), portable full-body or stand-up lifts (Li et al, 2004), powered beds with air-assisted device and the turn assist features (Budarick et al, 2020; Wiggermann, 2016, 2017; Zhou & Wiggermann, 2021), and tilting operating room table (Al-Qaisi et al, 2020) as interventions. Based on the results, most studies reported a significant improvement in the primary outcomes of WMSDs ( SMD = −3.32, 95% CI = [−4.53, −2.12]).…”

“…In accordance with previous studies, significant intervention effects were observed for assistive devices, of which motorized assistive devices were found to be the most effective intervention in reducing the risk of WMSDs (Abdul Halim et al, 2023; Aslam et al, 2015). The use of technologically advanced assistive devices like a motorized portable lift, air-assisted devices, and powered beds imposed less awkward postures, physical demand, pain intensity, and discomfort than a nonmotorized assistive device (Budarick et al, 2020; Hwang et al, 2019; Iridiastadi et al, 2020; Miller et al, 2006; Wiggermann, 2017; Zhuang et al, 2000). Nevertheless, our analysis found that nonmotorized assistive devices were also effective in reducing WMSD risks.…”

Dental Implant Monitoring Using Resonance Frequency Analysis (RFA) and Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) Measurement

“…It is interesting that in future, the parameters affecting implant stability can be evaluated together with other dynamic properties such as stress, strain, and displacement of the implant during dynamic process and loading, such as daily mastication. Hence, the implant stability is not only correlated with the static parameters, but also can be connected with those dynamic properties for better understanding and monitoring of the implant biomechanically (Iridiastadi et al, 2020).…”

Use of Patient Transfer Aids to Reduce the Risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Nurses in the Emergency Department: Literature Reviews

“…The use of air-assisted transfer devices can reduce the burden when repositioning patients with all types of body weight, but this tool is rarely owned by hospitals (Wiggermann et al, 2021). Other types of tools, such as prototype moving tools, lift velocity, and motorized patient transfer devices (MPTD), have higher effectiveness and are proven to reduce musculoskeletal disorders; however, the weakness of these tools is related to the speed of the tool's response, which needs further evaluation and is still rarely used in hospitals (Law et al, 2022;Iridiastadi, Vani and Yamin, 2020;Iwakiri, Sotoyama and Takahashi, 2021).…”