Healthcare personnel involved in patient handling activities are often exposed to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). Therefore, the objective of this study is to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the Barrow lifting technique using digital human modeling (DHM). This study investigates the effects of patient weight and height (PWH), clinical staff weight and height (CSWH), clinical staff position (CSP) during lift, and clinical staff gender (CSG) on the clinical staff's low back compression force (LBCF). In addition, the impact of specific postural variables was evaluated using Comfort Assessment (CA). The results of this research showed that clinical staff in the larger weight and height percentiles that are male experienced higher LBCF. While the trunk of the clinical staff member was exposed to higher flexion angles that are still in the comfort range, the ratings associated with the trunk thigh and elbow were outside the comfort range. The results of this research are of paramount importance in designing lifting protocols and training programs with the ultimate goal being a reduction in the risk of developing low back injuries.
['Wen Cao', 'Meng Jiang', 'Ying Han', 'Mohammad T. Khasawneh']
Ergonomic assessment of patient barrow lifting technique using digital human modeling