• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.95-102
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• 2009

Ten young females were participated in this study to investigate the effects of types of shoes (sneakers, high heels, kill heels), types of tasks (standing, walking floor, step up and down), and areas of foot (fore foot, middle foot, rear foot) on foot pressures as well as subjective discomfort ratings. Results showed that kill heels had the most discomfort shoes, followed by high heels and sneakers. Generally, as the heel was higher, the discomfort of foot increased. For the analyses of task types, generally discomfort ratings were highest for the step down and up, followed by walking floor and standing. Especially discomfort ratings of high heels and kill heels were more evident in case of step up and step down than standing and walking floor. Standing task was rated as the lowest levels of discomfort on users' foot. Peak and mean foot pressures were also evaluated in this study. The findings represented that there was no significant differences between types of shoes in both peak and mean foot pressures. The peak pressure (82.14kPa) and mean pressure (40.32kPa) for standing task were significantly lower than those of other tasks [walking floor (190.55kPa, 55.46kPa), step up (191.43kPa, 53.80kPa), and step down (200.66kPa, 52.62kPa)]. Generally discomfort ratings and peak/mean pressures associated with foot showed that fore foot had higher discomfort ratings as well as peak and mean pressures than middle and rear foots. In particularly, this trend was more obvious in case of high heels and kill heels. For the high heels and kill heels, the peak pressures of fore foot were 4.5~4.8 times and 2.3~2.5 times greater than that of middle foot and rear foot, respectively, whereas the peak pressures of fore foot were 2.9 times and 1.7 times greater than that of middle and rear foots, respectively, in case of sneakers.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.259-263
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• 2012

This case series present four patients, who were suffered from chest discomfort due to various underlying disease improved by korean traditional herbal medicine Haewoolhwajoongtang. Four patients in this study with chest discomfort due to various underlying disease in terms of the Western Medicine. But these four patients all have chest discomfort worsened at night caused by 'Yure(鬱熱)'. We treated this four patient by korean herbal medicine Haewoolhwajoong-tang. After treatment, their chief complains that chest discomfort was almost reduced. These result suggests that Haewoolhwajoong-tang was effective on chest discomfort caused by 'Yure(鬱熱)'.

• Perspectives in Nursing Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.55-64
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of position change from supine to Fowler's on back pain and discomfort in patients who remained on bed rest after undergoing PCIs with a vascular closure device. Methods: Data was collected from 35 inpatients who were hospitalized in coronary-care unit to perform PCIs with a vascular closure device at S hospital in Seoul from December, 2006 to May, 2007. Back pain, discomfort, presence and grade of bleeding and hematoma from femoral arterial puncture site and blood pressure/pulse rate were measured prior to, 10 minutes, 1 hour and 2 hours after position change. Data was analyzed with descriptive statistics, $x^2$ tests and t-tests using SPSS/WIN 12.0 for Windows program. The level of significance (${\alpha}$) was set at 0.05 for this study. Results: We found that there was no significant difference in back pain and discomfort in 10 minutes after position change between the two groups. However, the experimental group reported significantly less back pain and discomfort than the control group in 1 hour (p<.01, respectively) and 2 hour (p<.01, respectively) after position change. There was no significant difference in the presence and grade of bleeding and hematoma at the puncture site, blood pressure, and pulse rate in 10 minutes, 1hour and 2hours after position change between the two groups. Conclusion: Fowler's position change after PCIs in, therefore, safe and effective method of reducing back pain and physical discomfort without causing additional bleeding and changes in blood pressure and pulse rate.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.403-407
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• 2002

The objective of this study is to establish the new evaluating method of tinnitus and to evaluate the effect of acupuncture therapy. Fourteen patients with tinnitus were studied. The patients answered the questionnaire designed to identify and describe the subjective symptoms of tinnitus and discomfort in daily life due to tinnitus. After acupuncture therapy, the survey was conducted again among the patients and we evaluated the difference between pre-acupuncture therapy and post-acupuncture therapy. 1. Precipitating factors of tinnitus among the patients group consisted of 14 members were stress, noise, drug, overwork, URI, and otitis media in order. 2. Significant improvements in subjective symptoms of tinnitus and discomfort in daily life after acupuncture therapy were identified among the patient group of 14 members 3. Patient group of 14 members were divided into 2 groups by digestion status: patients who have poor digestion and patients who have good digestion. The patients who have good digestion showed significant improvement both in subjective symptoms of tinnitus and in discomfort in daily life after acupuncture therapy. 4. Patient group of 14 members were divided Into 2 groups by urination and defecation status: patients who have poor urination and defecation and patients who have good urination and defecation. The patients who have good urination and defecation showed significant improvement both in subjective symptoms of tinnitus and in discomfort in daily life after acupuncture therapy. 5. Patient group of 14 members were divided into 2 groups by sleeping status: patients who sleep well and patients who don't sleep well. The patients who sleep well showed significant improvement both in subjective symptoms of tinnitus and in discomfort in daily life after acupuncture therapy. This study shows that the subjective symptoms of tinnitus and discomfort in daily life due to tinnitus are involved in urination and defecation factor, sleep factor, and digestion factor. This study also shows that acupuncture therapy is effective in improving the subjective symptoms of tinnitus and discomfort in daily life due to tinnitus.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.127-145
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of oriental-western medicine integrative care after gynecology surgery by DSOM((Diagnosis System of Oriental Medicine) and improvement of major symptoms. Methods: 66 patients belonged to the experimental group and 47 patients belonged to the control group out of 113 patients taken gynecology surgery. We studied general characteristics and difference on DSOM results between the two groups. And we had patients answer questionnaires about major symptoms such as abdominal discomfort, headache, fatigue, urinary discomfort, constipation, lumbago, edema, tingling, digestive disorder, cough, pruritus, arthralgia, cold feeling by VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) in order to analyze improvement and difference between two groups. Results: Experimental group had significantly high score on deficiency of blood, blood stasis, dryness, spleen, kidney, phlegm and high frequency on deficiency of blood, dampness, kidney, phlegm pathogenesis in DSOM. It had significantly high intensity in symptoms of abdominal discomfort, headache, fatigue, urinary discomfort, constipation, lumbago at the first time, and headache at 1 month after western hospital discharge out of symptoms associated with surgery. And it had significantly high improvement in symptoms of abdominal discomfort, headache, urinary discomfort, constipation at oriental-western integrative hospital discharge, and headache, fatigue, urinary discomfort, constipation, lumbago at 1 month after western hospital discharge out of symptoms associated with surgery. Conclusion: We recognized that oriental-western medicine integrative care after gynecology surgery has significant effect.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.215-227
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• 2014

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate Korea's Honam express train's first- and second-class seat discomfort by using pressure measurement, subjective discomfort rating, and physical compatibility. Background: Over the years, the demand for an express train service is continually increasing. A comfortable ride is important to achieving passenger satisfaction. A train seat plays a significant role in fulfilling passenger seating comfort. With this in view, a field survey and pressure measurements were performed on the selected train seat. Method: The pressure ratio at the body-seat interface (thigh and buttock regions) was measured by the pressure mat system. The interface pressure ratio was calculated and compared. The subjective discomfort rating scale was used to evaluate the subjects' overall feeling. The dimensions of train seats were analysed according to the anthropometric and demographic characteristics of the population data from Size Korea. Results: The results highlighted that the interface pressure ratio was greater while participants sat on the second-class seat than the first-class seat in the left- and right-side thigh regions. Also the pressure ratio was greater for the participants in the 1st~25th percentile height groups (149.8~160.8cm). The subjects rated higher discomfort for the second-class seat than the first-class seat. The physical compatibility results showed that the second-class seat's breadth was inadequate for the 95th and 99th percentile male. Conclusion: Overall, interface pressure measurement, subjective discomfort score and physical compatibility results showed that the second-class seat was more uncomfortable for the passengers than the first-class seat. Application: The adopted methodologies could be used to measure the seating comfort of the train seats.

• Industrial Engineering and Management Systems
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.185-190
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• 2011

A driver interacts directly with the car seat at all times. There are ergonomic characteristics that have to be followed to produce comfortable seats. However, most of previous researches focused on either static or dynamic condition only. In addition, research on car seat development is critically lacking although Malaysia herself manufactures its own car. Hence, this paper integrates objective measurements and subjective evaluation to predict seat discomfort. The objective measurements consider both static and dynamic conditions. Steven's psychophysics power law has been used in which after expansion; ${\psi}\;=\;a+b{\varphi}_s^{\alpha}+c{\varphi}_v^{\beta}$ where ${\psi}$ is discomfort sensation, ${\varphi}_s^{\alpha}$ is static modality with exponent ${\alpha}$ and ${\varphi}_v^{\beta}$ is dynamic modality with exponent ${\beta}$. The subjects in this study were local and the cars used were Malaysian made compact car. Static objective measurement was the seat pressure distribution measurement. The experiment was carried out on the driver's seat in a real car with the engine turned off. Meanwhile, the dynamic objective measurement was carried out in a moving car on real roads. During pressure distribution and vibration transmissibility experiments, subjects were requested to evaluate their discomfort levels using vehicle seat discomfort survey questionnaire together with body map diagram. From subjective evaluations, seat pressure and vibration dose values exponent for static modality ${\alpha}$ = 1.51 and exponent for dynamic modality ${\beta}$ = 1.24 were produced. The curves produced from the $E_{q.s}$ showed better $R_{-sq}$ values (99%) when both static and dynamic modalities were considered together as compared to Eq. with single modality only (static or dynamic only R-Sq = 95%). In conclusion, car seat discomfort prediction gives better result when seat development considered both static and dynamic modalities; and using ergonomic approach.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.553-563
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• 2014

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of gender (male, female) and grip spans (45, 50, 60, 70, 80mm) on total grip strength, resultant force, finger force and subjective discomfort rating. Background: In order to prevent musculoskeletal disorders, studies of hand tools need to be preceded based on grip strength, finger force, and subjective discomfort rating. However, experimental apparatus using tools such as pliers that reflect the actual work place was almost non-existent. Method: Fifty-Two (26 males and 26 females) participants were recruited from the student population. In this study, a pair of revised pliers, which can change grip span from 45 to 80mm was applied to estimate total grip strength, resultant force and individual finger forces. All participants were asked to exert a maximum grip force with three repetitions, and to report the subjective discomfort rating for five grip spans of pliers (45, 50, 60, 70, 80mm). Results: There were significant differences of total grip strength, resultant force, individual finger forces and subjective discomfort rating according to grip span. The lowest total grip strength was obtained from the grip span of 80mm for both genders. For resultant force, the highest resultant force was exerted at grip spans of 50, 60 and 70mm for females and 50 and 60mm for males. The lowest subjective discomfort rating was observed in the 50mm for both genders. Conclusion: Based on the result, 50mm and 60mm grip spans which provide the highest force and lowest discomfort rating might be recommendable for the male and female pliers users. Application: The findings of this study can provide guidelines on designing a hand tool to help to reduce hand-related musculoskeletal disorders and obtain better performance.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.469-474
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• 2012

The purpose of this study is to analyze the correlation between the stature and the muscle performance ratings and the subjective discomfort rations at performing lower arm's pronation and supination according to change sin the height of working table for more efficient performance at designing a working table and performing a work. For the purpose, this study conducted an experiment targeting 40 people in their 20s, who were classified into 4 groups each group composing 10 people at intervals of 5cm from the standard stature of 166.5cm. The experiment measured the maximum isometric pronation and the supination muscular power, and at measuring the factors, the heights of working tables were set as 800mm, 850mm, and 900mm. From the measurement results, it was found that the stature and the maximum muscular power was correlated. That is, as the experiment groups's average stature is higher, the maximum muscular power was higher. For the correlation between the motion patterns(pronation and supination) and the maximum muscular power, it was seen that the maximum muscular power was higher at performing the pronation than the supination. In the correlation between motion patterns and the subjective discomfort ratings, it was seen that the subjective discomfort rating was higher at performing the supination than the pronation. For the correlation between height adjustment and the subjective discomfort ratings, as the height of working table was lower, the subject discomfort rating was lower. Therefore there was no difference in the maximum muscular power according to the height changes of working table, but it was found that as the working table was higher, the user felt more comfortable.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.81-94
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• 1997

Cardiac catheterization has become a routine diagnostic procedure indicated for evaluation of a wide variety of cardiac conditions. Patients are admitted to the coronary care unit after cardiac catheterization. These conscious patients used to report discomfort in the CCU, but no studies have been done to reduce discomfort induced by bed rest, sand bag on the femoral puncture site and restricted mobility for about 20 hours postprocedure. The main objective of thesis is to provide basic data to nursing on interventions which decrease discomfort perceived by patients in the CCU following cardiac catheterization. The subjects were 79 patients following cardiac catheterization who were admitted to the CCU of a general hospital in Inchon. These patients were divided into a massage-applied group, an exercise-applied group and an contrast group. Questionare was prepared by Lee(1995), and tested for content reliability by item analysis : Cron bach's ${\alpha}$ for the instrument measuring discomfort was. 63. The data were collected from January 25 to May 15, 1996. Analysis of data was done by paired t-test, ANOVA ,SNK test, Chi-square test. The results of the study are summarized as follows : 1. There were no significant differences among a massage-applied group, an exercise-applied group and an contrast group according to general information except religion and admission period. 2. There were found no significant differences among the three groups in the results of pretest (The score of the first : 55.5, the second : 54.3 and the last : 51.6), 3. In the degree of discomfort according to general characteristics were found some significant differences for marital status. But there were no significant differences for sex, age, occupation, number of family, religion, educational status and admission period. 4. There was effect on reduced discomfort with massage or exercise following cardiac catheterization.