Physical therapy students research impact of lift training in facilities for adults with disabilities

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Although there is little research looking into the effectiveness and impact of lift training in facilities for adults with disabilities, Western Michigan University students Austin T. Begley, Molly Perski and Keegan Shannon say they saw this as an opportunity.

The graduating students from the Department of Physical Therapy (DPT) presented their research on the “Effectiveness of Body Mechanics Training at a Facility for Adults with Disabilities,” in December at the department's reception and poster presentations, collaborating with the Center for Disability Services (CDS) Skill Building program. Student advisors were Dr. Rodney Weir, assistant professor of physical therapy, and Dr. Jonathan Baker, associate professor of psychology and department chair. 

Their research and training are intended to prevent injuries and maintain safety for CDS participants and their employees. Since CDS Skill Building employees are commonly lifting or assisting clients that requires physical assistance, the team wanted to investigate the effectiveness of lift training with observation of key components typically completed during lifting activities during work assignments. Their outcomes will help to determine the most effective training methods for CDS management to implement. 

CDS employees were trained on the job to perform lifts and transfers safely. DPT students developed a checklist identifying key parts of a transfer that were addressed with the training, with observations taking place on site at CDS starting in June.

Following an initial round of observations that were scored, a lift training session was planned and conducted by the DPT students in August. Scored observations using the checklist continued through September, performance before and after the training was compared.

Overall, the lift training improved performance in all four staff participants, resulting in biomechanically and metabolically safer transfers. This study does suggest that there is evidence that employees can benefit from continued training in lifting body mechanics. It was concluded that future DPT students should look further into the best training methods to optimize safe lifting transfers and improve safety for CDS employees and participants.

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