Experimental investigation of a powered lifting assistance device introducing direct touch between the caregiver and the care receiver

• DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2025.1556501
• Publication Date: 2025-03-11T07:06:57Z
• Authors: Mari Kurata; Ming Jiang; Kotaro Hoshiba; Yusuke Sugahara; Takahiro Uehara; Masato Kawabata; Ken Harada; Yukio Takeda
• Keywords: Position (finance)

Introduction Transferring a patient from one place to another is of the most strenuous works in nursing care. To address this issue, we proposed concept for lifting assistance device that uses two cables perform operations such as translation, rotation, and stay. It facilitates direct touch between caregiver care receiver, allowing intuitive adjustments position posture based on caregiver’s intention, detected through variations cable tension. Methods investigate effectiveness concept, experiments using fabricated prototype were conducted. Twelve subjects, including four physical therapists (PTs) eight subjects having no transfer experience, acted caregivers, dummy was used receiver. Results show regardless intention detection adjustment receiver’s successfully achieved with an accuracy over 70%. Discussion Survey feedback collected after confirmed utilizing receiver highly valued by all 5-point Likert scale rating both PTs (average score: 4.8 points) non-experienced 4.3 points).