치료테이블과 휠체어 간 환자 이동시 물리치료사들의 작업관련성 근골격계 위험 정도

초록

Purpose: This study used an ergonomic evaluation framework to assess the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders(WMSDs) associated with patient transfers between a therapy table and a wheelchair. Methods: A manual wheelchair with a fixed seat height of 45 cm was used, and the height of the therapy table was set at 45cm and 52.5 cm. A physical therapist performed patient transfers between the wheelchair and the therapy table, and the movementwas recorded for analysis. The transfer process was segmented into three phases―initial posture, intermediate posture, and finalposture―based on the sequence of movement. The risk of WMSDs was assessed using ergonomic evaluation tools, includingthe Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) and the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA). Results: The REBA analysis revealed that the highest risk occurred during the intermediate posture, particularly in the trunk. The elevated risk level was attributed to the absence of a handle for secure coupling. Similarly, the RULA analysis indicated asignificant ergonomic risk and increased load during the intermediate posture. Conclusion: The greatest risk during patient transfers by physical therapists is concentrated in the trunk region, highlightingsusceptibility to lumbar WMSDs. These results underscore the necessity for preventive strategies and educational interventionsaimed at modifying physical therapy postures and promoting the use of ergonomic assistive tools to mitigate WMSDrisks.

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