Evaluation of a passive back-support exoskeleton during in-bed patient handling tasks.

This study evaluated the effects of a back-support exoskeleton on the trunk and hip joint angles, lower back muscle activity and heart rate during four patient handling tasks: assisting a patient from sitting to lying, laterally repositioning the patient and turning the patient in two directions. Ei...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:International Journal of Occupational Safety & Ergonomics Vol. 30; no. 4; pp. 1226 - 1234
Autores principales: Zheng, Liying, Alluri, Chandra Sekhar Varma, Hawke, Ashley L., Hwang, Jaejin
Formato: pictorial research tables/charts randomized controlled trial Journal Article
Publicado: Taylor & Francis Ltd Dec2024
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:This study evaluated the effects of a back-support exoskeleton on the trunk and hip joint angles, lower back muscle activity and heart rate during four patient handling tasks: assisting a patient from sitting to lying, laterally repositioning the patient and turning the patient in two directions. Eight participants performed these tasks with and without the exoskeleton. Results demonstrated a significant reduction in the lower back muscle activity, but less pronounced effects for other tasks involving minimal trunk flexion. Hip flexion angles were reduced for all tasks when the exoskeleton was worn. The amount of reduction in the muscle activity and changes in the trunk and hip angles varied by task. The exoskeleton did not affect the heart rate across all tasks. The exoskeleton appeared to be more effective in tasks requiring substantial trunk flexion, indicating its potential benefits for reducing lower back muscle strain during such activities.