RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Physical Task Demands of Caregivers Working in a Long-Term Care Facility

This study aims to understand the physical tasks and demands faced by caregivers in long-term care homes. Many caregivers experience work-related injuries, especially when helping residents move. This research will use new tools, questionnaires, and measurements like heart rate to find out what a typical workday involves, how much discomfort caregivers feel, and if stress levels change throughout the day. By gathering this information, researchers hope to develop new and better ways to prevent injuries. This could include warm-up routines, exercise programmes, improved training, or new technologies to support caregivers. The goal is to make caregivers' jobs safer and improve their overall wellbeing.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Universite de Moncton

Enrolment target

Start

25 Jul 2024

Estimated completion

30 Dec 2024

What is this study about?

Imagine you have a job where you're constantly helping people move, lift, or assist with daily activities. That's often the reality for caregivers in long-term care homes, and sometimes, this can lead to aches, pains, or even injuries. This study is all about understanding exactly what these physical demands are.

The researchers want to watch and measure what caregivers do during their day, focusing on movements and tasks that might be linked to injuries. They'll be looking at things like how often caregivers help residents move, how much physical effort is involved, and what happens to their stress levels and heart rate. They'll also use questionnaires to understand how caregivers feel during their workday and their general lifestyle habits.

Why does this matter? By getting a clearer picture of these daily challenges, the study hopes to find better ways to support caregivers. This information could lead to new exercise programmes, stretching routines, better training methods, or even new equipment that makes tasks easier and safer. The main goal is to protect caregivers from injuries and improve their physical and mental health while they continue their vital work.

Key takeaways

This study aims to understand the physical demands of caregiving.
It hopes to prevent work-related injuries for caregivers.
Researchers will observe typical workdays and use surveys.
Measurements like heart rate will help understand stress levels.
Findings could lead to better training or equipment.
Your participation helps improve caregiver wellbeing in the future.

Who may be eligible?

To take part in this study, you need to be a caregiver who works full-time in a long-term care facility. You must be regularly involved in looking after residents and helping them with their care and movement. You also need to be 19 years old or older.

If you work part-time, or if your job doesn't involve directly caring for and moving residents, then this study might not be suitable for you. Also, if you are under 19, you wouldn't be able to participate.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you a full-time caregiver?
Do you work in a long-term care home?
Are you responsible for helping residents move and with their care?
Are you 19 years old or older?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you would be involved in an 'observational study'. This means researchers will watch and record what you do during your typical workday. They won't ask you to do anything different from your usual duties. You'll likely fill out some questionnaires about your comfort levels and lifestyle. They may also use some small devices to measure things like your heart rate and skin response while you work. This study is about understanding your normal working day, so there are no medications involved. The total duration of your participation would be for the period of data collection, which would focus on a typical workday or a few specific work sessions.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might help improve conditions for caregivers in the future by identifying ways to prevent injuries. You might not directly benefit from taking part, but your contribution is valuable to understanding and addressing caregiver wellbeing. There are no major anticipated risks, as you would simply be doing your usual job while researchers collect information. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your care or employment.

Locations (1)

Université de Moncton
Verified postcode
Moncton, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

What is a 'long-term care facility'?

This is a place like a nursing home or residential care home where people live and receive ongoing care.

Will I have to do anything differently at work?

No, the study is designed to observe your normal working day. You'll continue with your usual tasks and routines.

What kind of injuries are they looking at?

They're focused on 'work-related musculoskeletal injuries', which are injuries to muscles, bones, joints, or tendons that can happen because of manual tasks at work.

Will my information be kept private?

Yes, researchers are required to protect your personal information and ensure your privacy throughout the study.

How long will I need to be involved?

Your participation will focus on collecting data during a typical workday or a few specific shifts, to understand your daily activities and responses.

How to find out more

Alexis Dube, B. Sc (2025)

ead7300@umoncton.ca 863-4342 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.