Comparison of three methods for raising an elderly person from a traditional futon mattress

The objective of this study was to compare three approaches for a caregiver to raise an elderly person from a Japanese traditional futon mattress placed directly on the floor. These approaches are as follows: raising from behind with the support of the back (method A); straight raising of the trunk (method B), and raising through the use of the caregiver's own rotational motion (method C). The methods were evaluated from the perspective of caregivers and care recipients. The caregivers were 12 nurses and the recipients were 40 elderly persons. Heart rate, surface electromyography and subjective evaluation of physical burden and ease of performance were evaluated in the caregivers, and "stability", "discomfort" and choice of the best method were evaluated subjectively by the elderly persons. The results indicated that method A caused more stress on the lumbar region of caregivers and was more difficult to perform than methods B and C. No significant difference in physical burden was found between methods B and C; however, method C had a lower physical burden and could be performed with ease. For care recipients, the approaches of choice were methods A and C; many preferred method C, while desirable methods of care varied between individuals and lifestyle and mental factors played a role in this decision.