Horizontal transfers between adjacent surfaces: Forces required using different methods

Objective: To describe and compare pull forces required to move supine subj ects between adjacent surfaces using different devices and methods. Design: Descriptive, correlational, explicatory experiment. Subjects: Convenience sample of volunteers. Intervention: Alternative transfer devices and methods. Main Outcome Measures: Pull forces measured with dynamometers, Results: Pull forces associated with transfers with no device, a draw sheet , a Patient Shifter, and an Easy Slide differed significantly (F = 245.1,p < .001), but were correlated significantly (p < .001) with one another (r > .89) and subjects' body weights (r > .82). Pull forces required for transf ers with the Easy Slide were lowest. Conclusions: Use of friction-reducing transfer devices significantly decrea sed the forces required for transferring individuals between adjacent surfa ces. The magnitude of this decrease in this study was greatest with the Eas y Slide. (C) 1999 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and t he American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.