Risk of incident neck/shoulder pain according to frequency of unaided patient handling activities
| Work activity* | Frequency per shift | Number of nurses† | Cases of neck/shoulder pain during follow up Number (%) | Hazard ratio (95% CI)‡ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| *Performed without handling aids and without assistance from colleagues. | ||||
| †Data were missing for up to 69 nurses. | ||||
| ‡Adjusted for age, BMI, and frequently feeling tired, low, tense, or under stress. | ||||
| §Test for trend, p<0.05. | ||||
| Assist patient to move from lying to sitting or from sitting to lying | 0 | 171 | 50 (29) | 1 |
| 1–4 | 214 | 80 (37) | 1.3 (0.9 to 1.8) | |
| ⩾5 | 112 | 43 (38) | 1.4 (0.9 to 2.1) | |
| Reposition a patient who has slumped sin a chair | 0 | 347 | 115 (33) | 1 |
| ⩾1 | 144 | 57 (40) | 1.3 (0.9 to 1.8) | |
| Assist a patient to mobilise using a walking stick, Zimmer frame, or crutches | 0 | 217 | 65 (30) | 1 |
| 1–4 | 197 | 75 (38) | 1.4 (1.0 to 1.9) | |
| ⩾5 | 113 | 47 (42) | 1.6 (1.1 to 2.3)§ | |
| Move a patient around in a wheelchair, bed, hoist, trolley, commode, etc | 0 | 158 | 48 (30) | 1 |
| 1–4 | 229 | 78 (34) | 1.2 (0.8 to 1.7) | |
| ⩾5 | 122 | 54 (44) | 1.6 (1.1 to 2.4)§ | |
| Assist a patient to sit up from a lying position | 0 | 177 | 55 (31) | 1 |
| 1–4 | 203 | 73 (36) | 1.2 (0.9 to 1.8) | |
| ⩾5 | 109 | 43 (39) | 1.3 (0.9 to 1.9) | |
| Assist a patient to move up/down the bed | 0 | 241 | 85 (35) | 1 |
| 1–4 | 165 | 47 (28) | 0.8 (0.5 to 1.1) | |
| ⩾5 | 85 | 35 (41) | 1.1 (0.8 to 1.7) | |
| Reposition (turn or roll) a patient | 0 | 311 | 105 (34) | 1 |
| 1–4 | 135 | 43 (32) | 1.0 (0.7 to 1.4) | |
| ⩾5 | 40 | 19 (48) | 1.5 (0.9 to 2.4) | |
| Transfer a patient in/out of a bath | 0 | 425 | 140 (33) | 1 |
| ⩾1 | 94 | 40 (43) | 1.4 (1.0 to 2.0) | |
| Wash/dress a patient while they are on a chair/commode | 0 | 305 | 103 (34) | 1 |
| 1–4 | 171 | 60 (35) | 1.1 (0.8 to 1.5) | |
| ⩾5 | 54 | 25 (46) | 1.7 (1.1 to 2.8)§ | |
| Wash/dress a patient while they are on an ambulift/hoist | 0 | 479 | 167 (35) | 1 |
| ⩾1 | 36 | 13 (36) | 1.1 (0.6 to 1.9) | |
| Wash/dress a patient while they are on their bed | 0 | 260 | 85 (33) | 1 |
| 1–4 | 194 | 66 (34) | 1.1 (0.8 to 1.5) | |
| ⩾5 | 60 | 27 (45) | 1.6 (1.0 to 2.5) | |