Save Your Back: Comparison of the Compressive Force on the Lower Back Based on Differences in the Training Techniques

Abstract

Introduction

Musculoskeletal injury prevention for nurses is aimed at removing the need to manually position patients. In the ED, this is not always possible or practical. The purpose of this study is to compare the calculated estimated compressive force on the lumbar spine between recommended lifting techniques and the SHAPE lifting method during the horizontal transfer of a patient.

Methods

Twenty-one student nurses completed the horizontal transfer of a simulated patient while motion was collected using inertial measurement units. Motion data were analyzed to calculate an estimated compressive force on the lumbar spine while completing the movement based on current recommended lifting methods and while using the SHAPE lifting method.

Results

A significant reduction in estimated peak and average compressive force at the lumbar spine was found during both the push and the pull portions (P < .001) of the horizontal transfer.

Discussion

While the optimal way to limit musculoskeletal injury among nurses is to eliminate the need for manual handling of a patient, this is not always possible in the ED. It is critical that when emergency nurses must reposition a patient, they perform the movement in the most biomechanically sound method while using a friction reduction. These findings, coupled with the previous biomechanical risk factor reduction related to the SHAPE lifting intervention, gives promise to a safer lifting strategy for emergency nurses moving forward.