1. A mixed methods approach to describe the efficacy of lift assist device use to reduce low back musculoskeletal disorder risk factors during three common patient extrication scenarios.
- Author
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Posluszny KM, Ho DC, Veerasammy S, Taylor C, McDougall R, and Fischer SL
- Subjects
- Humans, Male, Adult, Female, Risk Factors, Physical Exertion physiology, Back Muscles physiology, Task Performance and Analysis, Allied Health Personnel, Self-Help Devices, Electromyography, Occupational Diseases prevention & control, Occupational Diseases etiology, Musculoskeletal Diseases prevention & control, Musculoskeletal Diseases etiology, Ergonomics, Middle Aged, Moving and Lifting Patients instrumentation, Moving and Lifting Patients methods, Low Back Pain prevention & control
- Abstract
This mixed-method study evaluated the efficacy of lift assist device use (Binder®, Eagle®, Maxi Air®) relative to manual lifting/care-as-usual in reducing low back muscle activity and perceived exertion during simulated patient extrication tasks. User feedback was recorded to identify factors that might influence use. Twenty paramedics performed a floor to stretcher lift, lateral transfer, and confined space extrication care-as-usual and with lift assist devices. Use of a lift assist reduced low back muscle activity during floor to stretcher and confined space tasks by 34-47%. Paramedics perceived exertion decreased from 'somewhat hard' to 'light' or 'very light' when using an assistive device. Paramedics noted that ease of use, patient comfort, task time, patient acuity, among other considerations would influence use decisions. Lift assist devices were efficacious at reducing low back muscle activity and perceived exertion during floor to stretcher and patient extrication tasks., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.) more...
- Published
- 2024
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