Perceived efforts and back injury risks of physical therapists in patient transfers between bed and wheelchair

摘要

In assisted patient transfers, the perceived exertions by the therapists and the measured hand coupling forces during transfers correlated poorly. This low correlation indicated the therapist's grading system for the assessment of the rehabilitation levels of the patients is unreliable. Gender and years of work experience of the therapists had no effect on the reliability of the subjective assessment. Perceived exertion levels underestimated the minimal assist lifts and overestimated the maximal assist lifts. The maximum spine load of 2100 N was found in the assisted transfer of a 59 Kg patient The spine load for a 95th percentile patient was estimated to be 3721 N, which exceeded the NOISH recommended value. Use of a gait belt seemed to be beneficial in reducing the spine load, because of the large horizontal component of the hand coupling forces that occur in this type of patient transfers.