• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.525-534
• /
• 2011

This paper describes the current status of musculoskeletal disorders(MSDs) and its ergonomic risk factors, including the preventive intervention in terms of the working conditions and health promotion among agricultural workers. Korean agricultural workers have been exposed to the poor working condition. They have suffered from a variety of work-related injury and diseases more than the general population or the other occupational group. MSDs are one of the most prevalent problems threatening the agricultural worker's health and quality of life. Low back pain, osteoarthritis of hip and knee joint and carpal tunnel syndrome are well known MSDs that was found easily and frequently among agricultural workers. MSDs are worsened by poor ergonomic working conditions such as heavy weight lifting, repetitive movement and awkward posture which involves squatting with long sitting work on the ground, long working hours and heavy workload which are inherent in the greater part of agricultural works. Even though Korean agricultural workers are very weak population in terms of occupational safety and health, no many studies were conducted in the past and no many social and institutional supports were provided sufficiently. We need more interests and efforts in agricultural fields to improve its working condition and to promote health status of agricultural workers.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.114-117
• /
• 2001

A significant injury of ligament or tendon that might result in hypermobility and/or instability has been termed connective tissue insufficiency (CTI). Load bearing on CTI can sometimes create a malfunction of the mechanoreceptor and this in turn can aggravate the problem thus creating a chronic condition. Prolotherapy means the injection of growth factors or growth factor stimulators into the fibroosseous junction of the disabled ligament, tendon or cartilages in order to strengthen and promote proliferation of the injured Connective tissue. In the case of frequent recurrence or unresponsiveness to conservative treatment including nerve blocks in the chronic musculoskeletal disorder. We obtained good results after the prolotherapy treatment. This study will report on 5 cases of prolotherapy treatment.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.192-198
• /
• 1999

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders constitute a major source of employee disability and lost wages. Cumulative Trauma Disorders(CTD) refers to a category of physical conditions which result from chronic musculoskeletal injury. Assessment of CTD risk in industry at early stage allows for early control, a safe environment, and a healthier workforce. In this study, the physical load of the shipping work in the cold storage warehouse were especially investigated. Employees were working with almost unnatural posture in a very restricted work space. The questionnaire and biomechanical analysis were used to evaluate the physical load. Results from analyses showed that they were sufficiently exposed to CTD due to repetition and unnatural posture. Based on the analysis, ways for improving working conditions are proposed. The analysis and proposals in this paper will serve as a basic tool for designing/redesigning working environment such as improvement of tools and equipments, design of times for work/rest cycle.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.253-260
• /
• 2001

This study was carried out to investigate the characteristics of 335 injured racehorses that had rested over 6 months or were retired in Seoul racecourse from 1994 to 1998. We surveyed 62,117 racing horses and incidence rate of injured horses was 0.54%. Of 335 horses, 322 horses(96.1 %) were associated with musculoskeletal disorders. The musculoskeletal disorders observed with high incidence were fracture and luxation(53.1%), tendinitis and desmitis(17.7%) in category, forelimb(92.5%) in location, below metacarpus/metatarsus(73.0%) in lesion. The prevalence rate of male, 5 years old or Ireland origin was higher than any other individual. These data would be useful standard reference for control of injuries in racing horses.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.61-66
• /
• 2006

Awkward work postures in workshop highly affect on work-related musculoskeletal disorders(WMSDs). Especially, in automobiles assembly process, these awkward work postures of workers may cause serious injury and illness. This study is to compare the performance among the evaluation tools which can measure the work-loads caused by the awkward work postures in automobiles assemble process. RULA, REBA and TVAL(Toyota Verification of Assembly Line) are used as the evaluation tools. The 85 jobs selected in the automobiles assembly process are applied to the three tools and their performances are analyzed after the evaluation of the work-load in each job. Through various measures of performance such as statistical test, DUNCAN test, regression test etc., the tendencies and characteristics among them are analyzed in detail.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.33-48
• /
• 2013

Objectives : Peripheral nerve injuries are commonly encountered clinical problems and often result in severe functional deficits. Sukjiyanggeun-Tang(shudiyangjin-tang), in oriental medicine, has been used to treat various musculoskeletal disorders. Methods : In the present study, the effects of aqueous extract of Sukjiyanggeun-Tang(shudiyangjin-tang) on functional recovery, severity of pain, and expressions of neurofilament, cycloxygenease-2(COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$(TNF-${\alpha}$) following sciatic crushed nerve injury in rats were investigated. For this study, walking tract analysis, plantar test, western blot analysis for COX-2 iNOS, and TNF-${\alpha}$, and Immunofluorescence test for neurofilament were performed. Results : In the present results, sciatic functional index(SFI) in walking tract analysis was significantly decreased following sciatic crushed nerve injury, and pain severity in plantar test was significantly increased. COX-2, iNOS and TNF-${\alpha}$ expressions were increased whereas neurofilament expression was decreased by sciatic crushed nerve injury, In contrast, treatment with Sukjiyanggeun-Tang(shudiyangjin-tang) improved SFI in walking tract analysis and suppressed the pain severity in sciatic crushed nerve injury. Sukjiyanggeun-Tang(shudiyangjin-tang) treatment also suppressed COX-2, iNOS, and TNF-${\alpha}$ expressions and enhanced the neurofilament expression in sciatic crushed nerve injury. Conclusions : In the present study, we have shown that Sukjiyanggeun-Tang(shudiyangjin-tang) is the effective therapeutic modality to ameliorate the symptoms of sciatic crushed nerve injury.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.92-101
• /
• 2006

The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics and the current condition of musculoskeletal pain sufferers among fitness center users. The investigation used self-reporting questionnaire with the 797 subjects. On average, the subjects were 30.6 years old, 168.8 cm in height and 65.2 kg in weight. Among them, 423 were male (53.1%) and 374 were female (46.9%). Out of them, 276 suffered from pain, (35.2%). More men felt muscle aches than women (p<.05). In terms of pain, lower back area topped the list with 44.9%, followed by the lower extremities (30.1%), the neck (17.8%) and the upper part of the body (17.8%). Dieters suffered the most from pain (86.2%) while those exercising to build strength suffered the least with 26.8%. There was a significant relationship between the purpose for exercising and the amount of pain suffered (p<.05). By kind of exercise, pain stroke aerobic exercisers disproportionately with 42.4% while it almost steered clear of exercisers for strengthening with 26.9%. There was significant relationship between the kind of exercise and pain suffered (p<.05). The type of suffering differed by body shape. A significantly higher number of overweight people experienced pain than underweight people (p<.05). 32.8% of pain sufferers commented that the pain affects their workout, and on this issue there was no gender difference (p>.05). The pain caused more difficulties in doing activities of daily living for overweight or obese peoples than underweight peoples (p<.05). More than a third of health club and fitness center users are experiencing musculoskeletal pains. Measures such as professional training or information provision is required to prevent injury or disorder caused by improper exercise.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.69-79
• /
• 2012

Importance of the work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) has been increasing in the hospital industry such as health care industry and financial industry. This study investigated in order to identify the factors like general, occupational and ergonomically characteristics of the subjects related to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) of physical therapists (PTs). Ergonomic tools of rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) were used for evaluation workload of the tasks. Prevalence of MSDs were 13 PTs (26.0%) for neck, 31 PTs (62.0%) for shoulder, 9 PTs (18.0%) for arm/elbow, 27 PTs (54.0%) for hand/wrist, 28 PTs (56.0%) for back, 14 PTs (28.0%) for leg/foot. The analysis of the rate of the pain intensity showed that 53.5% subjects experience moderate pain and 14.0% subjects experience severe pain. Factors which were general characteristics, for example, height, ergonomically characteristics such as 'Posture Score A' were related musculoskeletal subjective symptoms in logistic analysis (p<.05). Among physical therapists, action level of RULA were action level 2 (6.0%), action level 3 (52.0%), action level 4 (42.0%). Physical therapists were estimated one of the highest risk factor in this study. This study suggested that the need of preventive education and program for PTs (physical therapists). Comprehensive and systematic management plans should be established to include both ergonomic and sociopsychological aspects.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.125-132
• /
• 2018

Background: According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) accounted for 32% of all nonfatal injury and illness cases in 2014 among full-time workers. Our objective was to review and summarize the evidence linking occupational exposures to vibration and awkward posture with MSDs of the shoulder and neck. Methods: A literature search was conducted using the terms musculoskeletal disorders, vibration, and awkward posture. All types of observational epidemiologic studies, with the exception of case reports, published during 1998-2015 were included. Databases searched were MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), Scopus, Ergonomic Abstracts, NIOSHTIC-2, and Health and Safety Science Abstracts. Results: Occupational exposures to whole-body or hand-arm vibration were significantly associated with or resulted in MSDs of the shoulder and neck. Awkward postures while working were also associated with MSDs in these locations. These findings were consistent across study designs, populations, and countries. Conclusion: Occupational exposure to vibration and awkward posture are associated with shoulder and neck MSDs. Longitudinal studies are required to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for these associations, and intervention studies are warranted.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
• /
• v.65 no.1
• /
• pp.5-31
• /
• 2013

The principle objective of this study is to determine factors affecting social participation for physically disabled people with musculoskeletal conditions (spinal cord injury, muscular dystrophy, osteogenesis imperfecta, rheumatoid arthritis) in South Korea using ICF relevant categories of the international classification index by WHO. The subjects of this study 352 people with physical disabilities, the data were collected using ICF component(body functions, body structures, activities and participation and environmental factors) and the relevant categories deprived from ICF core sets. The collected data were evaluated with descriptive analysis, ANOVA, correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis. The results of this study can be summarized as follow. The mental function, Neuromusculoskeletal and movement-related functions, Genitourinary and reproductive functions, Skin and related structures, Learning and applying knowledge, General tasks and demands, and Mobility positively influenced social participation in people with musculoskeletal conditions. However individual factors and environmental factors didn't statistically significant affect on social participation. The implications of the study is to examine by ICF components of universal approach on disability study and utilized the relevant ICF categories as measurement tools.