• 한국직업건강간호학회지
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.188-198
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• 2016

Purpose: The present study was conducted to examine the effects of a health counseling program by occupational health nurses on the unemployed visiting the Employment Welfare Plus Center. Methods: The one-group pretest-posttest design was used. The study presented a secondary analysis of the data collected in a health counseling program run by occupational health nurses for the unemployed visiting the Employment Welfare Plus Center. Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Shapiro-Wilk test, ${\chi}^2$ test and Wilcoxon signed rank test were used to analyze 158 data collected between October 5, 2015 and January 5, 2016. Results: After the intervention, the participants showed a significant decrease in the level of stress index (uBioMacpa), stress (discomfort), musculoskeletal pain and depression. In addition, the participants showed a significant increase in self-rated general health, exercise and regular eating behavior. Conclusion: The health counseling program offered by occupational health nurses is an effective intervention to improve the physical and mental health of the unemployed individuals visiting the Employment Welfare Plus Center.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제1권2호
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• pp.158-166
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• 2010

Objectives: This study aimed to find gender distinctions in terms of the sociology of the population; to determine work-related factors; to analyze gender differences in daily living, work, sports, and art performances; and to identify gender-related factors that limited performance of daily living and work activities. Methods: A questionnaire was designed that included disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH), accident history, disease history, work duration at current workplace, marital status, job satisfaction, job autonomy, and physical demands of the job. Out of 1,853 workers surveyed, 1,173 questionnaires (63.3%; 987 males, 186 females) included responses to DASH disability and DASH optional work and were judged acceptable for analysis. Results: Upper extremity functional limitation during work and daily living was higher for females than males. The limitations for males increased according to their household work time, accident history, work duration, job satisfaction, physical demand, and job autonomy. Meanwhile, female workers' upper extremity discomfort was influenced by their disease history, job satisfaction, and physical demands. In addition, the size of the company affected male workers' upper extremity function, while marriage and hobbies influenced that of female workers. Conclusion: This study addressed sociodemographic factors and work-related factors that affect each gender's upper extremity function during daily living and working activities. Each factor had a different influence. Further studies are needed to identify the effect that role changes, not being influenced by risks at work, have on musculoskeletal disorders.

• Clinical Pain
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.130-132
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• 2019

Acupuncture is generally regarded as a safe procedure and as a popular treatment for patients with musculoskeletal disorders. We report a case of a 47-year-old male patient with late-onset tetraplegia, developed after acupuncture. He had no trauma, medical, and social history relevant to tetraplegia. Right after the acupuncture, he felt discomfort in his right arm. After 6 days, all 4 extremity weakness developed. Whole-spine magnetic resonance imaging revealed the presence of spinal subdural hematoma extending from the C5 vertebra to the coccyx level. Hand coordination dysfunction, neurogenic bladder, and neuropathic pain were other symptoms. After the management, he recovered muscle strength, but incomplete bladder control and neuralgia were sustained. It is important to be aware of the possibilities of severe complications after acupuncture.

• International Journal of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.169-178
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• 2024

This study aimed to investigate the effects of water depth and speed on the activation of lower muscles during squat exercises, utilizing electromyography(EMG). It involved ten male participants in there. Participants performed 30 squats over a minute at a speed of 60bpm and maximum speed squats until exhaustion within a minute. The Integrated electromyography(iEMG) readings for the rectus femoris showed statistically significant differences due to water depth and speed, with a significant interaction effect between depth and speed during squat exercises. The iEMG readings for the biceps femoris also showed statistically significant differences, with a significant interaction effect between depth and speed during squat exercises. The iEMG readings for the gastrocnemius showed statistically significant differences according to water depth and speed. However, the interaction effect of water depth and speed during squat exercises did not show a statistically significant difference. In contrast, the iEMG readings for the tibialis anterior demonstrated statistically significant differences, with a statistically significant interaction effect during squats. These findings suggest that water depth and speed positively influence the activation patterns of lower muscles. Therefore, appropriately tailored aquatic exercises based on water depth for individuals with musculoskeletal discomfort, including the elderly or those with physical impairments, can effectively reduce physical strain and enhance balance, as well as physical and perceptual aspects. It is concluded that such exercises could provide a safer and more effective method of exercise compared to ground-based alternatives.

• 국제물리치료학회지
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• 제4권2호
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• pp.573-587
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was conducted in order to analyze the effects of the manual intervention and self-corrective exercise models of general coordinative manipulation(GCM) on the balance restoration of spine & extremities joints with distortions and mal-alignment areas. The subjects were the members who visited GCM Musculoskeletal Prevent Exercise Center from March 1 2012 to December 31 2013 because of spine & extremities joints distortion and mal-alignments, poor posture, and body type correction. All subjects were diagnosed with the four types of the GBT diagnosis. And according to the standards of the mobility vs stability types of the upper & lower body, they were classified into Group 1(40 persons) and Group 2(24 persons). For every other day for three times a week, GCM intervention models were applied to all subjects for four weeks, adding up to 12 times in total. Then the balance restoration effects were re-evaluated with the same methods. The results are as follows. 1) Balance restoration effects of VASdp(Visual analysis scale pain & discomfort) and ER(Equilibrium reaction: ER) came out higher in GCM body type(GBT) II III IV of Group 1. 2) In case of balance restoration effects in Moire and postural evaluation areas, Group 1 was higher and cervical and scapular girdle were higher in Group 2. The balance restoration of the four GBT types was significant in all regions(p<.05), and the scapular girdle came out as high in the order of GBTII IV I. 3) In case of thoracic-lumbar scoliosis and head rotation facial asymmetric cervical scoliosis ribcage forward, the balance restoration effects of the upper body postural evaluation areas came out the highest in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively. The balance restoration effects of the four GBT types were significant in all regions(p<.05), and came out the highest in lumbar scoliosis GBTIII I, ribcage forward and thoracic scoliosis GBTII IV. 4) The balance restoration effects of the lower body postural evaluation areas came out higher in Group 1 and Group 2 for pelvis girdle deviation patella high umbilicus tilt and hallux valgus foot longitudinal arch: FLA patella direction, respectively. The balance restoration effects of the four GBT types were significant in all regions(p<.05), and came out the highest in pelvis girdle deviation GBTIII I and patella high-direction GBTIV II I. 5) The balance restoration effects between the same GBT came out significant (p<.05) in all evaluation areas and items. The conclusions of this study was the manual intervention and self-corrective exercise models of the GCM about the mal-alignment of the spine & extremities joints across the whole body indicated high balance restoration effects(p<.05) in spine & extremities joints in all evaluation areas.

• 대한인간공학회지
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• 제31권3호
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• pp.445-453
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• 2012

The aim of this paper was to prove that if the risk level in combined tasks was improved through evaluation of postural load of liquid weight measurement process, the workload level and ratio of exposure time would be changed, and the time of process would be seen concurrently. Background: According to results of epidemiological studies conducted by Korea Occupational Safety & Health Agency, 122 musculoskeletal disorders occurred during 1992 to 2008, in which manufacturing industry covers 96(78.7%) of total. However, this is an insufficient level and only occupies 39% based on the South Korea's manufacturing standard industrial classification(246 industries). Method: Firstly, the number of batches weighed on one day(460min) was investigated based on the work performed and Weight measured weekly. VCR recording was taken based on the level of liquid ingredients prescribed for 1batch using the Camcorder. After dividing a 356 sec video into 1 sec using the screen capture function in Gom player, the job classification was performed by analyzing the change of working postures, which revealed 148 working postures. Time measurement was decided by time of the postures was being maintained. Then, the REBA analysis was performed for the working postures. The ratio of Exposure time was calculated based on the measurement time and REBA Score. In addition, the recommendations were designed and implementation was carried out for the working postures with REBA Score higher than 3. Finally, after the intervention, REBA measurement, time measurement, and ratio of exposure time were calculated for the comparison of works before and after improvement. Results: The number of work elements was decreased by 30.4% from 148 to 103 after improvement. The results of time measurement showed that the time was reduced by 46.3% from 356 sec to 191 sec. And the ratio of exposure time was also improved by 52.1% from 0% to 52.1% after improvement. Conclusion: The reduction of time was found to improve the productivity of management. Furthermore, because the reduction of ratio of exposure time and the improvement of workload level are the improvement of discomfort, it would contribute to the improvement of the worker's psychological working posture. Application: These results would contribute to musculoskeletal disease prevention and management performance. Further studies for other industries would be needed based on this case study.

• 대한인간공학회지
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• 제33권2호
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• pp.143-153
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• 2014

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of trunk-forearm supported sitting on trunk flexion angle, trunk extensor fatigue and seat contact pressure. Background: The relationship between sitting posture and musculoskeletal disorders of the trunk extensor fatigue and seat contact pressure has been documented. The trunk-forearm support type ergonomic chair was devised from the fact that trunk-forearm support has been reported to reduce trunk extensor activity and discomfort. Method: Using three different sitting postures, upright ($P_1$), trunk-forearm supported ($P_2$) and normal sitting ($P_3$), six healthy subjects participated in the study. Motion capture system was used to collect head and trunk flexion angle, and surface electromyography (sEMG) was used to collect myoelectric signal of upper trapezius, lower trapezius, erector spinae, multifidus, and pressure mat system was used to measure seat contact pressure. Results: When trunk and forearm were supported by the ergonomic chair, higher head flexion angle showed upright > trunk-forearm supported > normal in order, and muscle fatigue showed less than upright and normal sitting. Mean seat contact pressure decreased 19% than upright sitting. But muscle fatigue was not affected by each condition. Conclusion: Trunk-forearm supported sitting of the ergonomic chair showed positive effect in respect of trunk and head flexion angle, trunk extensor fatigue, seat contact pressure. To acquire comprehensive understanding of the effectiveness of the ergonomic chair, further studies such as anatomical effects from measurement of external applied loading effect to the body from interface pressure analysis are required. Application: The results of the publishing trend analysis might help physiological effects of trunk-forearm support type chair.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제47권3호
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• pp.169-176
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• 2014

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate occupational symptoms and chemical exposures of nail salon technicians. Methods: Work-related symptoms of nail salon technicians in Daegu City were surveyed using a researcher-administered questionnaire, and responses were compared to those of non-exposed office workers as controls. Personal exposure level of airborne volatile organic compounds was also monitored using passive samplers. Results: A total of 159 subjects in 120 salons were interviewed. Average work-shift concentrations of 13 chemicals were measured for 50 workers from 30 salons using personal passive samplers. The most frequently reported respiratory or neurologic symptoms by nail shop technicians compared to controls were nose irritation (odds ratio [OR], 54.0; confidence interval [CI], 21.6 to 134.8), followed by headache (OR, 9.3; CI, 4.7 to 18), and throat irritation (OR, 4.3; CI, 2.2 to 8.5). For eyes and skin, 92% of respondents complained eye irritation (OR, 13.1; CI, 5.7 to 30.1). In musculoskeletal symptoms, workers reported pain or discomfort in shoulders (OR, 20.3; CI, 7.7 to 54) and neck (OR, 19.7; CI, 8.9 to 43.6). From personal measurements, the proportion of exceeding the Korean Occupational Exposure Limit was the highest for acetone with 64%, followed by toluene (50%), butyl acetate (46%), and methyl methacrylate (12%). However, the service was being provided without a proper ventilation system in most surveyed shops. Conclusions: Based on these findings, it is warranted to have appropriate local exhaust ventilation place to ensure adequate health protection of nail shop technicians as well as customers. At the same time, greater policy interests are warranted in nail care business to protect health of both workers and customers.

• 한국의류산업학회지
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• 제19권4호
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• pp.504-514
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• 2017

Discomfort as well as muscular pain and musculoskeletal diseases occur in cases of stressed posture due to prolonged pressure. Therefore, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA) recommend that bags that weigh no more than 15 - 20% of the wearer's weight. However, despite the prolonged pressure from using baby carriers, there are no recommendations and limited studies on how to protect wearers. Therefore, this study investigates subjective fatigue according to the usage of waist support and hip seat. Based on this, muscle fatigue and secondary subjective fatigue according to three types of currently commercial baby carriers (X-type, H-type, and H-hip type) were measured. Subjective comfortability was evaluated on a 5 point Likert-scale and subjective fatigue was evaluated on Borg's CR-10 scale. Objective muscle fatigue was also compared by measuring and analyzing electromyogram (EMG). The results of primary subjective fatigue showed statistically significant changes in the shoulders, waist, calves, and soles of the feet according to the usage of hip seats and waist support. Electromyogram measurements also showed less muscle fatigue at the upper trapezius muscle and thoracic erector spine muscle for the H-hip seat baby carrier, which has both waist support and hip seat, compared to an X-type baby carrier, which has neither. However, results of subjective fatigue showed opposite results at the waist despite having same results at the shoulders and beneath the shoulders. This show discrepancies between objective muscle fatigue and subjective fatigue; therefore, that both aspects must be taken into consideration when developing ergonomic baby carriers.

• 대한인간공학회지
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• 제29권6호
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• pp.933-942
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• 2010

Objective: To develop an ergonomic evaluation tool which can be apply to assess the lower-limb postures associated with farming tasks. Background: In general, most of existing ergonomic assessment tools was developed to investigate the work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the upper-limb postures in manufacturing industry. Methods: As the first step of development of the evaluation tool, 13 lower-limb postures that were commonly observed in farming task were investigated by the subjective discomfort ratings, heart rates, and muscle activities. And then, an ergonomic evaluation tool for the lower-limb postures was developed based on results of the first experiment. Lastly, the ergonomic checklist which was developed in the current study was compared with other existing ergonomic assessment tools. Results: Based on the results of comparisons between a newly developed assessment tool and other existing assessment tools, it was found that a newly developed tool can perceive more sensitively for the various lower-limb postures than other assessment tools. Conclusions: Lower-limb posture assessment tool which can evaluate and assess risks of lower-limb WMSDs which were prevalent in farming tasks more easily and accurately was developed in this study. The lower-limb assessment tool can also be utilized to prevent WMSDs related with lower-limbs as well as improve working environments.