Reducing Caregiver’s Physical Strain in Manual Patient Transfer with Robot Support

Moving or transferring patients in care beds is a physically demanding task for caregivers. High biomechanical stress is one of the main reasons why nurses suffer from back pain and other musculoskeletal conditions. Intuitively usable, multipurpose care equipment is needed, that demonstrably reduces physical strain for caregivers in everyday care. In our novel approach, we mounted a multifunctional, sensitive, industrial robot arm on a care bed, to support a simulated, manual transfer act. In crucial transfer phases, the remotely controlled robot supports the caregiver. We show that the reduction of physical load can be quantified with ground reaction force measurement and surface electromyography, based on an exemplary participant of a case study. In particular phases of the transfer, 78.57 % less vertical force is applied on this participant’s soles and the average electrical signal of the Erector Spinae muscle contraction is reduced by 42.38 %, when robot support is used.