Affiliations: [a] Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada | [b] Faculty of Health Professions-Kinesiology, School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada | [c] Department of Industrial Engineering, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada | [d] Faculty of Health Professions, School of Physiotherapy, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Janice M. Moreside, Faculty of Health Professions-Kinesiology, School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Tel: +1 902 494 1149; Fax: +1 902 494 5120; E-mail:JMoreside@dal.ca
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Slide sheets (SS) are friction-reducing devices used
during patient-handling tasks. A modified SS position (modSS), with the
slider placed beneath the regular bedsheet, may decrease a caregiver's
workload and reduce low back injuries, as the SS could remain in place for
longer periods of time, thus reducing patient re-positioning frequency. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of modSS use on back muscle
activity, pulling force, and perceived effort during lateral
patient-handling tasks, and determine whether lumbar electromyography (EMG)
correlates with perceived effort (RPE) during such tasks. METHODS: Ten females completed 9 lateral patient-handling
tasks with 3 simulated patients (45 kg, 68 kg and 91 kg) and 3 SS conditions
(absent, normal, modSS). Outcomes included peak pulling force, back muscle
EMG, RPE and subjective reports of low-back discomfort and preference. RESULTS: ModSS use was as effective as or better than normal SS use
at reducing back muscle EMG, pulling force, RPE and perceived discomfort in
all 9 conditions, when compared to no SS (p< 0.05). The relationship between
RPE and EMG was moderately strong (r= 0.75). CONCLUSION: ModSS use may reduce caregiver injury rates, as it
reduces biomechanical and perceived demands associated with lateral
patient-handling tasks at least as well as normal SS use, if not better.
