ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To compare head and trunk acceleration during transport on 2 medical utility vehicles. DESIGN: Within subject. SETTING: Controlled laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Nineteen male volunteers (21.8 ± 1.4 years, 176.5 ± 5.5 cm, 90.3 ± 16.1 kg). INTERVENTIONS: Participants were secured to a spineboard and stretcher on the Husqvarna HUV 4421DXL ambulance (HUV) and modified John Deere Gator TH (Gator) and driven over synthetic field turf transitioning to concrete slab (interval 1) and concrete slab transitioning to natural grass (interval 2). Three-dimensional (x, y, and z) accelerometers recorded head and trunk acceleration. At each data point, acceleration of the trunk was subtracted from the acceleration of the head and the peak acceleration difference was determined. Independent variables were vehicle (HUV, Gator) and interval (interval 1, interval 2). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The average peak acceleration differences in 3 directions (x, y, z) were analyzed using a 2-factor within analysis of variance (P ≤ 0.05). RESULTS: For x, Gator in interval 2 (28.34 ± 7.45 m/s/s) was greater than HUV in interval 2 (21.87 ± 6.28 m/s/s), and HUV (11.05 ± 3.29 m/s/s) and Gator (12.56 ± 4.32 m/s/s) in interval 1. The HUV in interval 2 was greater than HUV and Gator in interval 1. For z, Gator in interval 2 (22.12 ± 4.8 m/s/s) was greater than HUV in interval 2 (15.21 ± 2.84 m/s/s), and HUV (9.51 ± 3.01 m/s/s) and Gator (12.5 ± 3.78 m/s/s) in interval 1. The HUV in interval 2 was greater than HUV and Gator in interval 1. Gator in interval 1 was greater than HUV in interval 1. CONCLUSIONS: Varying head and trunk accelerations exist in healthy spine-boarded participants during transport on medical utility vehicles dependent on surface and vehicle type. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Intermediate transport vehicles vary in their ability to mitigate perturbations conveyed to the patient from the terrain travelled over.
