Abstract
The aim of this study is to develop an effective educational instruction method to move patients. For this purpose, we attempted to detect changes in subject's integrated electromyogram (iEMG) during simulated moving using assistive devices and the principles of body mechanics.
Study subjects included seven females aged 19 years. Their surface electromyogram was measured at the following four locations on the body during simulated moving : the biceps brachii, trapezius, erector spinae, and quadriceps femoris muscles. Measurements were taken before and after we taught the subjects the principles of body mechanics. After instruction, we observed a significant decrease in the iEMG for the biceps brachii and trapezius muscles. However, statistically significant difference was not detected in the value for the erector spinae and quadriceps femoris muscle. With the aid of assistive devices, the iEMG significantly decreased further for the biceps brachii muscle. In addition, the value for the trapezius, erector spinae, and quadriceps femoris muscles also decreased, but not significantly. These results confirm that applying the principles of body mechanics and using assistive devices can reduce physical stress when moving patients, and the date of iEMG can help to develop an effective educational instruction method to move patients.
