Impact of Baby Carrying Methods on Females Balance During Standing
Condition: Balance; Distorted
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different baby carrying methods
      (including carrying in arms and carrying in a baby carrier) in the females' balance during
      standing and walking.
    

Detailed description: 
      Babywearing is defined as using a supporting device that helps to keep an infant close to a
      caregiver's trunk.

      The practice of babywearing has many benefits to both children and caregivers as it is an
      extension of "skin-to-skin care (SSC)" or "kangaroo care" which has well-known therapeutic
      benefits. Such benefits for the infant include: improve physical and cognitive state, good
      sleep, less likely to continuously cry, better breastfeeding, temperature stability.

      For mothers, many benefits were found as well for example lower stress and anxiety levels,
      decrease in heart rate HR and blood pressure BP, higher breastfeeding rates, increase
      maternal satisfaction, increased bonding of mother with their neonate .

      Despite the great advantage of infant carrying, there are many adverse effects on the
      musculoskeletal system and ergonomics of the mother. Women who carry their babies throughout
      the day will probably have similar consequences as carrying an extra load so pain and
      injuries will occur.

      It has been reported that infant carrying in-arms caused acute muscle soreness in the
      ipsilateral upper limb that was used to support the infant over the left shoulder. While
      during the front infant carrying methods (ICMs), the pressure of the infant carrier shoulder
      straps caused shoulder discomfort and pain.

      The front infant carrying position has the next highest fatigue score as it results in lower
      Metabolic equivalent (METS) and VO2max value which means that it places significant demand on
      the metabolic system.

      It have been reported that the increased cost of carrying an infant in one's arms is the
      cause for the development of infant carrying tools rapidly.

      Infant carrying is a form of exterogestation, just like in pregnancy, there is an alteration
      that swings the center of gravity of the body, shifts the postural balance, and increases the
      risk of falls .

      Contrariwise, the usage of the carrier resulted in more similar postural control variables to
      the unloaded condition. Mannen and colleagues advised the use of babywearing as it provides a
      mechanical advantage to the caregiver.

      Surprisingly, no study so far has quantified the actual balance changes with different
      carrying methods (including carrying in arms and carrying in a baby carrier) during typical
      movements of daily life, such as walking or standing upright.

      Previous research has indicated that carrying externals loads elicits an increase in the
      center of pressure (COP) measures of postural sway during quiet standing .

      Mathew W. Hill & Price reported that holding external loads during standing is an important
      issue for many daily and occupational activities and these external loads can affect postural
      stability, which is important for the mother's and fetus's safety. Also, holding a load in
      the hand may have restricted and/or delayed postural reactions.

      From this perspective, both carrying methods are considered extra load and the question is
      that there any carrying methods that have an advantage over others concerning balance?
    

Intervention name(s): Baby carrier; Biodex Balance System; Infant mannequin; Biodex gait trainer 2 TM
Intervention type(s): Device; Device; Other; Device
Intervention description(s): It is made in china.
It is made of Cotton-Polyester.
It has 3 belts - 2 shoulder belts and one waist belt for superior lumbar support. Shoulder straps are padded and adjustable for the parent's comfort. It has webbing straps for shoulder and waist strap adjustment.
It is suitable for newborn to 12-months baby
It is available online at babyshopstores "https://www.babyshopstores.com/"; The Biodex Balance System SD (The Biodex Balance System SD Model 945-300, 115 VAC, Shirley, NY, USA) is used to assess the balance in this study.
It is an objective device that measures dynamic postural stability. It uses a circular platform that allows up to 20˚of of platform tilt in a 360˚ range of motion.
The measures of postural stability score for BBS are the Overall Stability Index (OSI), Medial-Lateral Stability Index (MLSI), and Anterior-Posterior Stability Index (APSI). These indices are standard deviations that assess the path of sway around the zero point from the center of the platform and are measured in degrees. A high score in these stability indices indicates poor balance.; The mannequin infant has 3 Kg which corresponds to the infant's age from birth until 1month. This weight is selected as it corresponds to the age at which the infants are frequently carried by the mother .; Gait Trainer 2™ ( model number:950-385, 115 VAC 50/60 Hz, made in the USA) is used for participants to walk on as walking is one of the most common daily life activities. because caregivers commonly walk while carrying their infants as it has a calming effect on crying infants
It consists of :
Display: Use Audio and Visual Biofeedback - real-time biofeedback prompts patients into a proper gait pattern.
Heart Rate Monitoring
Handrail
Open Platform
Intervention model: Single Group Assignment
Intervention model description: A single group repeated measures design was used under which each participant had their balance tested during three conditions:
holding nothing (unloaded).
holding an infant mannequin in arms(arms).
holding an infant mannequin in the baby carrier(carriers).
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Other
Keywords: Biodex; baby caryying methods; Balance