2022 Volume 11 Issue 4 Pages 177-182
To compare caregiversʼmovements with and without assistive technology devices (ATDs) for patient transfers, analysis was performed using a markerless motion capture system, focusing on caregiversʼtrunk tilt angle and the distance between their and care-receiversʼheads during 3 movements: 1) moving the patientʼs body upward on the bed using a sliding sheet, 2) lifting the patientʼs trunk using the head elevation function of an adjustable electric bed, and supporting him/her to sit on the end of the bed, and 3) helping the patient safely move from the bed to wheelchair using a sliding board.Oncomparing the trunk tilt angle and head-to-head distance at the beginning, in the middle, and at the end of transfer with/without ATDs, the angle was significantly smaller (p<0.05), and the distance was significantly longer (p<0.01) with ATDs. The results support the usefulness of ATDs for patient transfers not only to reduce the load on the lumbar spine of caregivers, but also in terms of infection prevention.
