Estimation of low back loading on nurses during patient handling tasks: the importance of bedside reaction force measurement

By means of video recording, measurement of ground reaction forces, and biomechanical modeling of the lower part of the body, the low back loading of nurses during patient handling can be estimated. In this study the force exerted on the bedside by a nurse during different patient handling tasks was measured, and the contribution to the moment at the L4/L5 joint was investigated. It is shown that the bedside reaction moment contributes significantly to the total moment, and could lead to substantial over-estimation if not appropriately included in the calculations, when using an upward biomechanical model for estimating the spinal load of nurses during patient handling tasks. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.