Posture and Mechanical Load Assessment During Patient Transfers

Abstract

AbstractCaregivers experience high musculoskeletal loads during their daily work, which leads to back complaints and a high rate of absenteeism at work. This reinforces the already existing discrepancy between the supply and demand of caregivers. Ergonomically correct working can significantly reduce musculoskeletal load. Therefore, we developed a system that recognizes potentially harmful body postures. In a study with 13 caregiver students, we analyzed the body postures, as well as muscle activities, and loads during the transfer of a patient from bed to wheelchair. The body postures were measured by a full-body motion capture system and a Multi-Kinect System. Muscle activities and loads were recorded via surface electromyography and a force plate. The posture analysis system is based on the motion capture data and considers the recommendations for ergonomic working in the care sector. The system generates a result report visualizing the skeleton model as well as color-coded information about inclination and torsion angles. The motion capture data were also related to EMG and force data and analyzed according to biomechanical assumptions.