• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.15-27
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• 1997

The objectives of this study were twofold; (1) to determine an optimal handle size of a signal billy, based on the subjective assessment of grip comfort and (2) to investigate the relationship between hand anthropometry and the optimal handle size. Thirty-seven university male students were asked to rate seven cylindrical handles of different diameters in barehanded and gloved conditions, respectively. Among these handles, 3.5cm diameter of the handle size was found to be the most comfortable, in both bardhanded and gloved conditionsl. However, no statistically significant reduction in grip comfort occurred within handle diameter ranging from 2.5cm to 4.0cm. As the handle diameter was deivated from the range, grip discomfort in creased significantly. A Spearman rank correlation coefficient test revealed that hand anthropometries such as finger lengths, hand circumference, and hand thickness were statistically significant factors on the determination of the optimal handle size. The implications of these findings were discussed. The results of this study can be used as guidelines in designing the hand tools for power grip.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.503-509
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• 2003

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to survey the prevalence rate of cognitive impairments and to identify the factors influencing cognitive impairment in the elderly in rural communities of Jeju Province. Methods. 590 elderly in 6 rural communities of Jeju Province were interviewed, using a questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic characteristics, health behavior, quality of life, and MMSE-K Results. Prevalence of cognitive impairment was 33.1 % (39.1 % of females, 16.76% of males). Prevalence of dementia was 12.4% (16.3% of females, 2.87% of males). Factors related to cognitive impairment were age, sex, education, standard of living, employment status, and subjective health state. Conclusions. In community health care for the elderly, factors relating to cognitive impairment have to be considered. When planning community health care, priority should be given to the elderly; who need care but live alone; who lack social support; who have a low standard of living; who experience discomfort in the activities of daily living; who believe they are not in a good state of health; or whose life satisfaction is low.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.139-149
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• 2022

Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the clinical effectiveness of Ikgibohyeol-tang(Yìqìbǔxuè-tāng) granules and Deer antler granules on fatigue symptoms. Methods: This is a 39-patient case series from a retrospective chart review of outpatients who were treated with Ikgibohyeol-tang granules and Deer antler granules at a Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital (Seoul) between 1st, January 2015 to 1st, August 2021. We reviewed the patients who complained of fatigue and analyzed changes in the degree of discomfort with fatigue and accompanying symptoms and HRV (Heart Rate Variability) score before and after treatment. Results: After taking Ikgibohyeol-tang granules and Deer antler granules, the degree of discomfort with fatigue and accompanying symptoms decreased significantly compared to before taking them. After treatment, Autonomic nervous system activity, Stress resistance, Heart Stability increased, and Stress index, Degree of fatigue decreased significantly. Conclusions: This study showed subjective symptoms and objective indicator (HRV score) were improved by taking Ikgibohyeol-tang granules and Deer antler granules.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.123-136
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• 2024

This study aimed to assess the mobility and thermal comfort of personal protective equipment (PPE) among female healthcare workers, taking into account wearers' physique and PPE protection levels. A total of 16 participants (age: 26.3 ± 8.3 y, height: 161.5 ± 7.3 cm, body weight: 57.1 ± 11.0 kg, BMI: 21.9 ± 3.6), representing diverse body types, underwent four PPE conditions: L (Low_Plastic gown ensemble), M (Medium_Tyvek 400), H (High_Tyvek 800J with Powered Air Purifying Respirator [PAPR]), and E (Extremely high_Tychem 2000 with PAPR, Bib apron, and Chemical-resistant gloves). The mobility protocol consisted of 10 different tasks in addition to donning and doffing. The 10 tasks were repeated twice at an air temperature of 24.3 ± 0.1℃, 59±4%RH. Findings revealed a disproportionate relationship between PPE protection and wearer discomfort. Significant differences in clothing microclimate and total sweat rate were observed between the lowest (L) and highest (E) protection levels (p < 0.01), while distinctions among medium levels were inconclusive. Subjective evaluations favored conditions H and L over M and E (p < 0.05), indicating reduced heat, and humidity, increased comfort, and lower exertion. Instances of mobility discomfort, specially in the small body type group, underscored the need for a suitable PPE size system for Korean adult female medical workers. Furthermore, enhancements in gloves, shoe cover, and PAPR hood designs are essential for improving ease of movement and preventing hindrance.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.59-67
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• 2006

There exist patients complaining speech problem due to dysesthesia or anesthesia following dental surgical procedure accompanied by local anesthesia in clinical setting. However, it is not clear whether sensory problems in orofacial region may have an influence on motor speech abilities. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether transitory sensory impairment of mandibular nerve by local anesthesia may influence on the motor speech abilities and thus to evaluate possibility of distorted motor speech abilities due to dysesthesia of mandibular nerve. The subjects in this study consisted of 7 men and 3 women, whose right inferior alveolar nerve, lingual nerve and long buccal nerve was anesthetized by 1.8 mL lidocaine containing 1:100,000 epinephrine. All the subjects were instructed to self estimate degree of anesthesia on the affected region and speech discomfort with VAS before anesthesia, 30 seconds, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 minutes after anesthesia. In order to evaluate speech problems objectively, the words and sentences suggested to be read for testing speech speed, diadochokinetic rate, intonation, tremor and articulation were recorded according to the time and evaluated using a Computerized Speech $Lab^{(R)}$. Articulation was evaluated by a speech language clinician. The results of this study indicated that subjective discomfort of speech and depth of anesthesia was increased with time until 60 minutes after anesthesia and then decreased. Degree of subjective speech discomfort was correlated with depth of anesthesia self estimated by each subject. On the while, there was no significant difference in objective assessment item including speech speed, diadochokinetic rate, intonation and tremor. There was no change in articulation related with anesthesia. Based on the results of this study, it is not thought that sensory impairment of unilateral mandibular nerve deteriorates motor speech abilities in spite of individual's complaint of speech discomfort.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.112-125
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• 2010

A Holter monitor is used for ECG monitoring of ambulatory daily life in hospital. However, the use of this apparatus causes skin allergies and discomfort in patients because of the attachment gel and tapes used to attach disposable electrodes to the skin. In this study, the development of tight-fitting clothing connected to a portable Holter monitor was proposed. In addition, the use of conductive fabrics as electrodes was proposed; this will enable the use of garments in u-health care for measuring ECG signals. The male subjects were university students in the ages of 20 to 24. Subjective wear sensations of the experimental garments were rated using seven Likert scales. A Likert type scale was used for the evaluation and a 7 point score indicates that it provided the best fit as a tight-fitting upper clothing. Clothing pressure was measured using an air-pack-type pressure sensor (model AMI 3037-2) at 4 locations (the conductive fabric electrode) As results, a male basic sloper for upper clothing was developed and that pattern was manipulated to the tight fit pattern by considering the reduction rate of the percentage stretch in the fabric. The developed tight-fitting garment was superior in terms of subjective sensation and 6t. The mean pressure of the garment with reduction rates of 40% in width and of 50% in length was 8.45gf/$cm^2$. A conductive fabric electrode was developed by considering the sewing method and the developed electrode was detected well. The ECG data were recorded for 13 hr 19 min 44 sec and the artifacts in the ECG signals were recorded for 9 hr 3 min 46 sec (total time: 22 hr 23 min 23 sec). The artifacts data were obtained during heavy activities.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.2 no.5
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• pp.416-422
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• 2000

In this study, to find out the physiological reaction of the human body and the sensation of comfort when people are wearing sportswear which is made of waterproof breathable fabrics under general environmental conditions (temperature : $20{\pm}1^{\circ}C$, humidity : $60{\pm}5%RH$, air current : 0.1 m/sec) and rainy environmental conditions (temperature : $20{\pm}1^{\circ}C$, humidity : $60{\pm}5%RH$, air current : 0.1 m/sec, rainfall : 250 1/hr), we made an experiment with sportswear in an artificial climate chamber and studied the thermal physiological response and subjective sensation. Mean skin temperature of the subjects was low and had a big range of fluctuation in rainy environmental conditions of two condition. Temperature started to increase at the beginning of the exercise, reached the maximum at the 2nd level of the exercise and then started to decline. Rectal temperature showed a slighter increase and bigger range of fluctuation in general conditions than in rainy conditions. Except clothing micro climate in rainy conditions, temperature and humidity and their range of fluctuation around back were higher than those around chest. Humidity was high and had wide range of fluctuation in general conditions. Heart rate was 4.4 beats/min higher in general conditions. In subjective test on rainy conditions, the feeling of discomfort increased due to the raindrops fallen on the skin. Unlike that in general conditions, cold sensation increased and humidity sensation reached to the peak after the exercise. In wearing sportswear made of shape memory breathable waterproof fabric, controlling function over a small amount of heat and water was distinctive while it turned out to be not so comfortable over a large amount of heat and water. Through this, the limitation of shape memory breathable waterproof fabric was recognised.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.14-29
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• 2006

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to survey the extent of pain and discomfort in the musculoskeletal system among visiting housekeepers, above all concerning neck, shoulder, back, wrist, knee, and arm pain and to find possible relations between symptoms and various working conditions. Method: A questionnaire was answered by 174 woman visiting housekeepers living in Kyeonggi-do and Seoul from December 1, 2003 to February 30, 2004. The symptoms of musculoskeletal system were coded by the pain index which illustrates the extent of the symptoms, and analyzed in view of NIOSH guideline and Kim, et. al.'s notion. Result: 1. As to the complaint rate of subjective musculoskeletal symptoms by body region, the figure was the highest for shoulder with 78.2%, followed by back with 66.7%, knee 53.6%, neck 56.3%, wrist 40.2%, and arm 29.2%, respectively. The logistic analysis showed shoulder pain and arm pain have no relation with working and health conditions, and back pain was significantly related to current health condition. In same way, knee pain and wrist pain were found to be mainly related to marital status. 2. Following the NIOSH guideline, the positive rate of subjective musculoskeletal symptoms was found out in following order: shoulder 69.5%, back 59.2%, knee 54%, neck 46%, wrist 32.8%, and arm 25.3%. To investigate the main cause of each disease, the symptoms were classified by pain index, where the value of more than 3 comes to the NIOSH case, and analyzed in term of complaint rate using discrete logistical method : shoulder pain was highly related to the housekeeping time after work, back pain was to current health condition and the heavy weight carrying and neck, wrist, arm pain were commonly related to the ordinary health condition. For knee pain, working speed was a main cause. 3. In view of Kim et. al.'s standard, where the pain index is over 7, the positive rate was showed in order slightly different from previous analyses : shoulder 33.3%. knee 29.9%, back 28.2%, neck 17.2%, wrist 17.2%, and 16.7%. From the logistical analysis, insufficient rest was shown as the main cause of shoulder, back, arm and wrist pain. For neck pain, ordinary health condition was mainly related. In case of knee pain, any apparent relation is not found. Conclusion: According to the logistic regression analysis of musculoskeletal system, there was strong suggestion that the less insufficient physical rest, the more significant disorder complaint. This means that the most musculoskeletal symptom among the visiting housekeepers can be prevented and cured by sufficient physical resting.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.267-276
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of physical activity in the elderly with osteoarthritis on stress and health-related quality of life (EQ-5D). This study performed data analysis using the SPSS 17.0 program in 104 elderly people with osteoarthritis over 65 years old using raw data from the 7th National Health and Nutrition Survey. The main results of this study are as follows: Males exercised more strength than women, and the better the subjective health status, the higher the rate of walking and aerobic activity. The group that felt stress showed a higher rate of walking and aerobic activity than the group that had no stress, and one group that felt a little stress practiced walking more than 3 days. The exercise ability of the elderly with osteoarthritis was better in the group who practiced walking, strength training, and aerobic activity than in the group without physical activity, and in self-management, the group practicing exercise and aerobic activity had problems with self-management. There was no daily activity, and the group that practiced walking and strength training also showed a high level of daily activity. In the area of pain/discomfort, the group practicing walking showed less pain/discomfort, and in the area of anxiety/depression, the group practicing walking showed less anxiety/depression. In conclusion, it is considered that in order to increase the quality of life of the elderly with osteoarthritis and to manage the stress, active efforts to increase the level of physical activity are necessary.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.289-301
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• 2011

This study is a research based on the non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design whose purpose is to examine the effects of music therapy on the anxiety of patients who take the magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) test and their feeling of discomfort during the test. "The first hypothesis that the experimental group who receive music therapy will be lower in score for anxiety during the MRI test than the control group who do not was supported because after the therapy, the experimental group was found significantly decreased in that score in comparison to the control group. "The second hypothesis that the experimental group who receive music therapy will be fewer in vital signs after the MRI test than the control group who do not" was rejected in terms of both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. But the same hypothesis was partially supported because the two groups showed a significant difference in pulse rate after the test. "The third hypothesis that the experimental group who receive music therapy will be less in the feeling of subjective discomfort during the MRI test than the control group who do not" was verified to find that the two groups were significantly different from each other in the feeling. Specifically, there was a significant difference between the two groups in only one sub-area of that feeling, that is, tension. These findings suggest that music therapy could be an alternative method which can effectively reduce the state anxiety of patients during the magnetic resonace imaging(MRI) test.