Effects of an Electric Drive Wheel on Hand Forces, Muscle Activity, Spinal Load, and Usability During Hospital Bed Transport by Nursing Staff

Abstract

This study investigated a novel motorized drive wheel designed to replace one of the four outer castors of a hospital bed. Existing beds can be retrofitted using a plug-and-play approach, offering considerable potential to reduce the physical burden on healthcare workers during bed transport. Thirteen nurses moved a standardized hospital bed—with and without the drive wheel—through a realistic course including ramps, curves, and elevators. Objective biomechanical parameters (hand forces, spinal compression, muscle activity) and subjective assessments (Borg scale, System Usability Scale) were recorded. The drive wheel significantly reduced physical load, lowering hand forces by 22% and spinal compression by 20%. Shoulder, neck, and lower-back muscle activity also decreased significantly. Perceived exertion was reduced by 69%, and usability was rated as “excellent.” Motorized drive wheels can substantially reduce physical strain in everyday clinical care, although recommended ergonomic limits were not met in all situations.