SI-PO-0034

Monday 10:00, Palau de Congressos, Exhibition Hall  [Display No. 578]

EFFECT OF BED-ENVIRONMENT ON CAREGIVERS. Maejima H, Tokunaga Y, Miyakoshi H, Matsunari Y, Sunahori H, Moriyama H, Yoshimura O; Institute of Health Sciences, Hiroshima University School of Medicine, Japan. PURPOSE: It is important to prepare not only comfortable beds for patients but also functional ones for their caregivers. The purpose of this study is to clarify the effect of bed-environment on caregivers in order to prevent occupational disease like low back pain. RELEVANCE: So many physical therapists engage in cares at the bedside. SUBJECTS: Thirty-two healthy persons (22.1±1.2 years old, twelve males and twenty females) participated in this study as subjects. METHODS: Electromyography (EMG) of the caregiver while helping patients roll on the bed was measured. Bed environment variations were bed height, floor material on which the caregiver stood, and the bed fence. ANALYSIS: Paired t-test or combination between Two-way ANOVA and Scheffe’s method were used as statistical analysis (p<0.05). RESULTS: When bed height was low, the gluteus medius muscle was activated markedly, however, the activity of the lumbar erector muscle of the spine was inhibited as soon as the caregiver touched the patient. Flexion-relaxation phenomenon was considered as causes of this inhibition. This inhibition was also considered as a cause of low back pain. Flooring of shock-absorbing material to prevent injuries in the event of a patient falling from the bed, muscle activity increased not only in the lower legs, but also in the whole body, indicating decreased efficiency of the movement on the part of the caregiver. When side-support was substituted for conventional bed-fences to prevent falling from the bed, the ratio of movement using flexion of the elbow increased. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that adjustment of the bed height, appropriate selection of flooring material, and adjustment of the distance to the point of contact with the patient can improve efficiency of movement in helping patients to roll, preventing lower back pain and fatigue among caregivers.