Toronto • May 28-29, 2010 • Student Day and Workshops: May 27
Program > Friday > 10:30 > Session 2. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (1/2)
Paper: The effect of experience on caregiver low back loads resulting from overhead and floor lift devices
Tilak Dutta, University of Toronto
Pam Holliday, Toronto Rehab Institute
Susan Gorski, Toronto Rehab Institute
Mohammad Baharvandy, Toronto Rehab Institute
Geoff Fernie, Toronto Rehab Institute
Friday at 10:30
St. David Room, 3rd Floor
To determine the effect of caregiver experience on the loads generated at the low back of caregivers during lift use.
Twenty-one caregivers were asked to perform five activities designed to simulate the activity of moving a patient from a bed to a wheelchair and back to the bed. Each caregiver was instrumented with ForceShoes as well as a set of reflective markers used to determine body posture. The caregiver was asked to perform each task alone as well as with the help of a second non-instrumented caregiver. Caregivers were asked to repeat the five activities in a total of three different conditions with each lift: 1) Solo - the instrumented caregiver works alone
2) Primary – the instrumented caregiver who takes control of the lift device while working in a pair
3) Secondary - the instrumented caregiver who supports the patient while working in a pair
When the 21 caregivers were divided into two groups based on their amount of lifting experience, we found inexperienced caregivers (n=11, mean experience = 2.6±1.6 years) generated significantly higher loads than experienced caregivers (n=10, mean experience = 15.4±10.2 years).
Experienced caregivers generate lower loads on their bodies compared to inexperienced caregivers when operating both floor or overhead lifts with one or two caregivers.
