A practical checklist to make caregiver-assisted transfers safer
Biomechanical validation of the Caregiver Assisted Transfer Technique Instrument
A straightforward tool is being used to help family and informal caregivers move adults with disabilities more safely and reduce the chance of back pain for both caregivers and care recipients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Health Administration NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11317009 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You and your caregiver would be asked to demonstrate usual transfer techniques while researchers observe and record measurements. Trained raters will score those transfers using the Caregiver Assisted Transfer Technique Instrument (CATT) to see if different raters give consistent results. The team will compare CATT scores with biomechanical measurements from sensors to see if the tool matches objective movement and load data. Caregivers who show gaps on the CATT will get individualized training and researchers will check whether their technique improves.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults who need help moving between surfaces (for example getting in/out of a bed or chair) and their informal caregivers, especially those caring for Veterans, are the ideal participants.
Not a fit: People who do not require transfer assistance or who already use professional lift equipment and services are unlikely to benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could make everyday transfers safer, lower the risk of injury for both caregivers and people being moved, and provide a simple way for clinicians to train caregivers.
How similar studies have performed: Related caregiver training programs have shown improvements in technique and reduced injury risk in some settings, but this specific CATT tool still needs reliability and biomechanical validation.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- Veterans Health Administration — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Koontz, Alicia M. — Veterans Health Administration
- Study coordinator: Koontz, Alicia M.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.