Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Open Access Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Integrative Physiology (PhD)

Administrative Home Department

Department of Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology

Advisor 1

Kelly B. Kamm

Advisor 2

Steven J. Elmer

Committee Member 1

Liying Zheng

Committee Member 2

Erich J. Petushek

Committee Member 3

Lori Sullivan

Abstract

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are prominent among healthcare professionals, especially those who perform manual patient handling tasks. Assistive devices (e.g., slider sheet, gait belt, mechanical lift) have been used for patient handling. However, the effectiveness of these devices in reducing MSD risk factors is varied. Additionally, the relationship between healthcare workers’ acceptability of patient handling devices and organizational policies that facilitate or hinder widespread implementation is not well understood. The goal of my dissertation was to conduct a comprehensive analysis of existing patient handling devices and their role in mitigating MSD risk among healthcare workers. For Study 1, I conducted a scoping review to assess the literature documenting the biomechanical (kinematics, kinetics, muscle activity), physiological (oxygen consumption, heart rate), and subjective (perceived exertion) responses to common patient handling devices and emerging technologies (e.g., exoskeletons). Results indicated that patient handling risks and injuries can be reduced through a variety of assistive devices, evidence-based practices, and safety measures. In Study 2, I evaluated the effectiveness of three passive patient handling devices (gait belt, slider sheet, exoskeleton) in reducing factors associated with MSDs compared to manual lifting in healthcare workers (n = 10) Specifically, biomechanical, physiological, and subjective responses were assessed during two patient handling tasks: 1) turning a patient and 2) sit-to-stand transfer. Data indicated that compared to manual handling, use of assistive devices generally decreased erector spinae muscle activity and perceived exertion and thus potentially reducing MSD risk. For Study 3, I assessed healthcare workers’ (n = 10) acceptability of various patient handling devices through Systems Usability Surveys and semi-structured interviews. I also identified barriers to implementing these devices through a critical assessment of health and safety plans of rural hospitals in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (n = 5). The key finding was that successful implementation is dependent upon both strong organizational support and acceptability of devices by the workers using the devices. Collectively, my research provides a comprehensive analysis of patient handling devices and their roles in MSD development among healthcare workers, as well as provides insight into the relationship between healthcare worker acceptability, device usability, and device implementation in healthcare settings.

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