Biomechanical benefits of a mobile lift in reducing mechanical loads at the lower back during transfers

Abstract

Musculoskeletal injuries at the lower back are common in caregivers and older adults, and largely attributed to mechanical loads occurring at the back during repositioning or transferring individuals from one to another place. A mobile lift is used to help reduce the injury risk during transfers, and physically deconditioned people (i.e., older adults) benefit most from the device. However, no studies examined its biomechanical benefits, particularly reduction of the mechanical loads at the lower back. We have estimated mechanical loads at the lower back during transferring, and examined how the loads were affected by the mobile lift.