• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제6권2호
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• pp.128-133
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• 2015

Background: To investigate the relationship between musculoskeletal disorders and comorbid health problems, including depression/anxiety disorder, insomnia/sleep disorder, fatigue, and injury by accident, and to determine whether certain physical and psychological factors reduce comorbid health problems. Methods: In total, 29,711 employees were selected from respondents of the Third Korean Working Conditions Survey and categorized into two groups: Musculoskeletal Complaints or Musculoskeletal Sickness Absence. Four self-reported health indicators (overall fatigue, depression/anxiety, insomnia/sleep disorder, and injury by accident) were selected as outcomes, based on their high prevalence in Korea. We used multiple logistic regression analysis to determine the relationship between comorbid health problems, musculoskeletal complaints, and sickness absence. Results: The prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints and musculoskeletal sickness absence due to muscular pain was 32.26% and 0.59%, respectively. Compared to the reference group, depression/anxiety disorder and overall fatigue were 5.2-6.1 times more prevalent in the Musculoskeletal Complaints Group and insomnia/sleep disorder and injury by accident were 7.6-11.0 times more prevalent in the Sickness Absence Group. When adjusted for individual and work-related physical factors, prevalence of all four comorbid health problems were slightly decreased in both groups. Conclusion: Increases in overall fatigue and depression/anxiety disorder were observed in the Musculoskeletal Complaints Group, while increases in insomnia/sleep disorder and injury by accident were observed in the Sickness Absence Group. For management of musculoskeletal complaints and sickness absence in the workplace, differences in health problems between employees with musculoskeletal complaints and those with sickness absence as well as the physical and psychological risk factors should be considered.

• 한국직업건강간호학회지
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.11-21
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the relationship among musculoskeletal problems, sleep problems, and self-rated mental health of home-care workers. Methods: Data were collected from 447 home-care workers spanning three occupation types: life supporters for the elderly, home-visit caregivers, and life supporters for the disabled. Musculoskeletal problems, sleep problems, and self-rated mental health were assessed using structured questionnaires. Factors affecting self-rated mental health were analyzed using multiple regression. SPSS was used to test the mediating effects of sleep problems on musculoskeletal problems and self-rated mental health. Results: Among the general characteristics, the variables that showed significant differences in musculoskeletal problems were monthly income level, caring-related career duration, weekly working hours, and occupation type; and the variable that showed significant differences in self-rated mental health was occupation type. Among the occupation types, supporters for the disabled had the most musculoskeletal problems and the lowest self-rated mental health. Musculoskeletal problems among home-care workers had a direct negative effect on self-rated mental health and indirect negative effects on sleep problems. Conclusion: Measures are needed to reduce the differences in working conditions and health status among the occupation types of home-care workers. Considering the relevance between the health issues of home-care workers, the development of a carefully designed health promotion strategy is required.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.192-196
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• 2017

Background: This study was planned to investigate the relationship between musculoskeletal problems, depression, and quality of life in students preparing for university entrance exams. Methods: A total of 180 students were included in the study, 104 were female (57.77%), and 76 were male (42.22%). Students were reached through the cram schools ("dershane") in Denizli. Musculoskeletal system problems, depression status, and quality of life were determined with the Musculoskeletal-Postural Discomfort Scale (MDS), Boratav Depression Screen Scale (Bordepta), and Short Form-36 (SF-36), respectively. Demographic data, daily study, and sleep duration were also recorded. Results: Students have moderate musculoskeletal discomfort. Musculoskeletal disorders and depressive symptoms are more observed in female students than male students (P = 0.000). The SF-36 results were significantly negatively correlated with the MDS and Bordepta scores. A significant positive correlation was found between musculoskeletal disorders and depression status (r = 0.351, P = 0.000). Sleep duration was negatively correlated with the MDS and Bordepta (r = -0.209, P = 0.005; r = -0.148, P = 0.047, respectively) and positively correlated with the SF-36 role limitation/emotional and social functioning subscales (r = 0.225, P = 0.002 and r = 0.191, P = 0.010 respectively). Conclusions: Musculoskeletal problems and depression status negatively affects general health status especially in female students who are preparing for university entrance examinations. Students should be informed about musculoskeletal problems by healthcare professionals and the study room, tables, and chairs should be arranged ergonomically. Further studies might be determined that why musculoskeletal disorders and depression status are more widely among female students.

• 한국안전학회지
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.49-54
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• 2022

In Korea, companies which have work-related musculoskeletal burden works should have conducted legal risk assessments every three years from 2004 onwards. However, due to problems with the legal definition of work-related musculoskeletal burden works, some companies may have been exempted from the risk assessment even though their workers still experience work-related musculoskeletal pain. For example, the manufacturing process used by a particular semiconductor manufacturing company involved a great deal of legal musculoskeletal bueden works. However, this company eliminated the musculoskeletal burden works by continuously introducing automated processes, and finally, in 2016, all work which was legally defined as musculoskeletal burden work were removed from the company's manufacturing process. Nevertheless, in a 2016 survey, 9.6% of the company's workers still complained of musculoskeletal pain, and in a 2019 survey this proportion actually increased to 15.7%. This incident demonstrates the limitations and problems of the current legal risk assessment of work-related musculoskeletal burden work. Therefore, this study proposes two improvements to solve these problems. Firstly, it is necessary to broaden the current legal definition of work-related musculoskeletal burden works. For example, vibration risk factors and push/pull tasks that are currently missing from the definition should be included. Secondly, it is proposed that a survey on musculoskeletal pain should be conducted for all workers, regardless of whether they are engaged in musculoskeletal burden works. The results of this study could be used to improve the legal risk assessment of work-related musculoskeletal burden works.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.37-42
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• 2023

Purpose: Compared to cities, rural areas are in a medical blind spot and face difficulties in accessing medical services due to inconvenient transportation facilities, lack of medical facilities, and the heavy burden of medical expenses. This study was carried out to identify the problems relating to the musculoskeletal system of the elderly in rural and fishing villages, which are medically vulnerable areas, and sought to present a regionally differentiated healthcare model. Methods: The study was conducted in 80 elderly people in two rural villages and two fishing villages after seeking inputs regarding medically vulnerable groups in the Gyeongnam Province. Postural balance and muscle flexibility were assessed and postural evaluation was conducted to identify musculoskeletal problems and gait stability. Strength and range of motion for each body segment were assessed for evaluating functional motion. Results: The elderly in both rural areas showed forward head posture characteristics. The strength level of the elderly in both rural areas was higher than the average, but their flexibility and balance ability were lower than the average. Conclusion: The musculoskeletal problems of the elderly in rural and fishing villages in this study did not show regional characteristics according to the area of residence. However, overall flexibility and balance ability appeared to be reduced. Therefore, a new management model connecting the region and the university is necessary in preparation for the coming era of community care.

• 대한인간공학회지
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• 제29권4호
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• pp.513-519
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• 2010

Since 2003 when the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) became a responsibility of management in workplaces, the effectiveness of the Korean WMSDs law has been concern for many stakeholders of this measure including workers, workers' union, researchers, professionals, and managers as well as officials in governments. WMSDs are known to be resulted from overburden on workers' body due to tasks required at their workplaces. Korean government enacted a law to require management of companies to take measures to prevent musculoskeletal disorders at work. The objectives of this paper is to review activities and actions taken to comply with this WMSDs law and problems encountered in last 7 years since the law came intoforce and suggest resolutions for problems so that this law can contribute to fulfill the real purpose of the law and make better workplaces in Korea.

• 대한인간공학회지
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• 제29권4호
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• pp.423-433
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• 2010

The presence of musculoskeletal burden tasks and work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) at Industrial workers was not well-known until 2000 in Korea. Since The Occupational Safety & Health Law was registered a business of proprietor duty in preventing work-related MSDs of workers In July of 2003 WMSDs became a big issue in Korea. A social previous interest was focused on the manufacturing industry just like auto and shipping industry in manufacturing sectors but nowadays it is spreading out to non-manufacturing fields gradually. Nevertheless, we have WMSD prevention Law and System in Korea to reduce WMSDs effectively and systematically we recognized some mistakes and problems of WMSD Law and System. In this paper we study these recent problems in Korea from about 10 years experience and proposed some proposals as discussion.

• 대한산업공학회지
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• 제41권6호
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• pp.551-558
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• 2015

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the development of mechanical projectile transfer system to prevent musculoskeletal problems in the firing test range. Prior to 2010, the projectile has been transferred from the worktable to the loading device of 155mm K9 fixed-type artillery by manual. Because the amount of firing test has been increased drastically since 2010, two types of mechanical projectile transfer system were developed to prevent musculoskeletal problems. The NIOSH lift equation and the working posture assessment system such as OWAS, RULA and REBA were used to evaluate the appropriacy of working weight and posture by manual transfer of projectile. The configuration and operation procedure of projectile transfer systems which were developed to improve work efficacy and to reduce the burden of manual transferring were described. The improvements were assessed by the number of processes, the tact time and the working posture assessment for operation of this system by comparing to the manual transfer of projectile.

• 가정간호학회지
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.24-32
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• 2013

Purpose: This study aimed to clarify the characteristics of musculoskeletal problems in elderly Korean women and their actual and current use of dietary supplements by conducting a descriptive survey. Methods: The 1-month study began on April 3, 2012. A total of 150 elderly women from City D responded to the survey questionnaire used in this study. Results: Among the respondents, 55.3% used dietary supplements, although they had not consulted a physician for a definitive diagnosis of their condition but reported a self-perceived musculoskeletal problem instead. In addition, they engaged in healthy behaviors such as exercising and dietary supplement intake, without receiving any medical treatment. Compared with the nonusers, the dietary supplement users self-perceived a relatively more serious musculoskeletal problem (t =4.566, p<.001). Among the most commonly used supplements, multivitamins ranked first, followed by glucosamine and omega-3. Conclusion: Nurses should thoroughly monitor and maintain a positive attitude toward their patients' use of dietary supplements in order to appropriately educate them about the proper use of supplements.

• 한국직업건강간호학회지
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.1-7
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of work environment on health problems of nurses. Methods: The subjects of the study were 395 nurses who were wage workers among KWCS (Korean Working Conditions Survey) respondents in 2014. The work environments were measured by the KWCS questionnaire. Results: 48.5% of the 395 nurses had health problems. The prevalence of musculoskeletal diseases (34.7%) was the highest among all health problems. The ergonomic work environment was significantly related to musculoskeletal disorders, headache and eye strain, and fatigue. In addition, the increase in work-individual interface area was significantly related to fatigue. Conclusion: The work environment of nurses affects health problems. It is therefore important to develop strategies that improve the health problems of nurses by reducing ergonomic and psycho-social risk factors.