• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• v.34
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• pp.26.1-26.13
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• 2022

It is important to assess the blood flow of fingers in the verification of hand-arm vibration syndrome. In the Republic of Korea, most assessments of the blood flow in the fingers are performed using a cold provocation test with finger skin color change. However, this test is a non-objective method with a relatively low sensitivity, leading to possible social and legal problems. Thus, we reviewed the characteristics of several tests that assess the blood flow in the fingers. Among these tests, using the radioactive isotope method, Raynaud's scan has a relatively higher sensitivity and specificity than other tests, provides objective results, and is approachable in many hospitals. So we suggest using Raynaud's scan as an alternative test when cold provocation test with finger skin color change is negative in vibration exposed worker.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.597-603
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• 2011

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare one-hand and two-hands lifting activity in terms of biomechanical stress for the range of lifting heights from 10cm above floor level to knuckle height. Background: Even though two-hands lifting activity of manual materials handling tasks are prevalent at the industrial site, many manual materials handling tasks which require the worker to perform one-hand lifting are also very common at the industrial site and forestry and farming. Method: Eight male subjects were asked to perform lifting tasks using both a one-handed as well as a two-handed lifting technique. Trunk muscle electromyographic activity was recorded while the subjects performed the lifting tasks. This information was used as input to an EMG-assisted free-dynamic biomechanical model that predicted spinal loading in three dimensions. Results: It was shown that for the left-hand lifting tasks, the values of moment, lateral shear force, A-P shear force, and compressive force were increased by the average 43%, as the workload was increased twice from 7.5kg to 15.0kg. For the right-hand lifting task, these were increased by the average 34%. For the two-hands lifting tasks, these were increased by the average 25%. The lateral shear forces at L5/S1 of one-hand lifting tasks, notwithstanding the half of the workload of two-hands lifting tasks, were very high in the 300~317% of the one of two-hands lifting tasks. The moments at L5/S1 of one-hand lifting tasks were 126~166% of the one of two-hands lifting tasks. Conclusion: It is concluded that the effect of workload for one-hand lifting is greater than two-hands lifting. It can also be concluded that asymmetrical effect of one-hand lifting is much greater than workload effect. Application: The results of this study can be used to provide guidelines of recommended safe weights for tasks involved in one-hand lifting activity.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.303-308
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• 2013

Objective: The aim of this study is to understand health effect of hand-arm transmitted vibration. Background: Electronic vibration tools have been used in many industries. These tools evoke hand-arm transmitted vibration that cause hand-arm vibration syndrome. Method: Various papers on the hand-arm transmitted vibration and its health effects have been reviewed to know what health effect caused. Results: Hand-arm transmitted vibration causes circulatory, neural, musculoskeletal and other disturbance. Conclusion: The previous studies focused on the epidemiology and physiology for hand-arm transmitted vibration. So, now we should focus on a prevention and guideline of hand-arm transmitted vibration. Application: These results can be used to know health effect of hand-arm transmitted vibration.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.413-420
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• 2013

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare one-hand and two-hands lowering activity in terms of biomechanical stress for the range of lowering heights from knuckle height to 10cm above floor level. Background: Even though two-hands lifting/lowering activity of manual materials handling tasks are prevalent at the industrial site, many manual materials handling tasks which require the worker to perform one-hand lifting/lowering are also very common at the industrial site and forestry and farming. Method: Eight male subjects were asked to perform lowering tasks using both a one-handed as well as a two-handed lowering technique. Trunk muscle electromyographic activity was recorded while the subjects performed the lowering tasks. This information was used as input to an EMG-assisted free-dynamic biomechanical model that predicted spinal loading in three dimensions. Results: It was shown that for the left-hand lowering tasks, the values of moment, lateral shear force, A-P shear force, and compressive force were increased by the average 6%, as the workload was increased twice from 7.5kg to 15kg. For the right-hand lowering task, these were increased by the average 17%. For the two-hands lowering tasks, these were increased by the average 14%. Conclusion: Even though the effect of workload on the biomechanical stress for both one-hand and two-hands lowering tasks is not so significant for the workload less than 15kg, it can be claimed that the biomechanical stress for one-hand lowering is greater than for two-hands lowering tasks. Therefore, it can be concluded that asymmetrical lowering posture would give greater influence on the biomechanical stress than the workload effect for one-hand lowering activity. Application: The result of this study may be used to provide guidelines of recommended safe weights for tasks involved in one-hand lowering activity.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.22-28
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• 2004

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of hand acupuncture on reduction of headache. Method: This study used a quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test design. 45 middle school girls who complained of headache were selected as subjects. The study lasted from November 2002 to June 2003. There were 22 girls in the experimental group while 23 girls were control group; convenience assignment was used. The two groups were homogeneous on characteristics. The experimental group received hand acupuncture. The treatment was to puncture corresponding points (A33, B27, M1, I2) on both the palm and the back of a hand with disposable acupuncture needles, and then remove them after a 20-30 minutes recess during which the subjects reclined on a bed. The data were analyzed using the SPSS PC with Fisher's Exact -test, and Mann Whitney U-test. Result: The results of this study were as follows: 1) In the experimental group, objective pain decreased after hand acupuncture (U= -2.51, p= .01). As for the objective pain degree, a significant reduction in voice change was observed in the experimental groups (U= -2.35, p= .02). Facial expressional changes were observed (U= -1.87, p= .06) and perspiration degree (U= -.99, p= .32) has reduced. However, these differences were not statistically significant between the experimental and control group. 2) Subjective pain degree decreased after hand acupuncture in the experimental as compared to the control group. 3) No statistical significant difference in comfort (U= -.29, p= .78) or distress (U= -1.51, p= .13) between experimental and control group were found. Conclusion: These findings indicate that hand acupuncture is an effective method for reducing headache. Therefore, hand acupuncture can be considered as an independent nursing intervention for headache reduction.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.40-46
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• 2010

To protect press operator from the after-reach hazard, current Ministry of Labor Notification(MOLN) requires the use of a formula for calculating the safe distance away from the point of operation for locating press protective devices, Two Hand Control Devices(THCD) and Active Opto-Electronic Protective Devices(AOPD), on a power press. This formula is based on a same hand speed constant of 160cm/s. While EN standards use different hand speed constant for THCD and AOPD respectively. The objective of this study is to compare two guidelines on the hand speed constant published by MOLN and EN 692, also to propose a proper hand speed constant and validate it experimentally. As a experimental result, it could be known that hand speed constant of Ministry of Labor Notification should be improved as that of EN standards.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.501-511
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• 2012

This study examines the effect of structural properties of F/W wool knit fabrics for woman's knitwear on the preferences for textile designing through analyzing the relationship among the structural properties, mechanical properties, objective hand measurements, and preferences. The 'knit structure' was determined to be the most important parameter in rating preferences, apart from the 'preference for cardigans'. Consumers preferred washable wool to normal wool when comparing a normal wool knit with a washable wool knit on a 'knit structure' factor. Preferred structural properties showed a similar tendency 'preference for fabric' and the 'preference for cardigans', 'preference for sweaters' and 'preference for vests'. The 'sophisticated/feminine' factor showed a correlation with 'fabric preference' and the texture and sensible images had a similar effect on fabric preferences. In the relationship between objective hand measurements and fabric preferences, the KOSHI value had a negative coefficient and the THV value had a positive correlation with fabric preferences. In conclusion, we found a consumer preference for more flexible fabrics.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.52-56
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• 2013

Background Measuring grip and pinch strength is an important part of hand injury evaluation. Currently, there are no standardized values of normal grip and pinch strength among the Korean population, and lack of such data prevents objective evaluation of post-surgical recovery in strength. This study was designed to establish the normal values of grip and pinch strength among the healthy Korean population and to identify any dependent variables affecting grip and pinch strength. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out. The inclusion criterion was being a healthy Korean person without a previous history of hand trauma. The grip strength was measured using a Jamar dynamometer. Pulp and key pinch strength were measured with a hydraulic pinch gauge. Intra-individual and inter-individual variations in these variables were analyzed in a standardized statistical manner. Results There were a total of 336 healthy participants between 13 and 77 years of age. As would be expected in any given population, the mean grip and pinch strength was greater in the right hand than the left. Male participants (137) showed mean strengths greater than female participants (199) when adjusted for age. Among the male participants, anthropometric variables correlated positively with grip strength, but no such correlations were identifiable in female participants in a statistically significant way. Conclusions Objective measurements of hand strength are an important component of hand injury evaluation, and population-specific normative data are essential for clinical and research purposes. This study reports updated normative hand strengths of the South Korean population in the 21st century.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.511-516
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• 2013

Objective: The objective of this study is designing an optimal hand tool through maximum grip force study accordance to the hand grip span. Background: In order to prevent musculoskeletal diseases, studies on hand tool design are proceeding based on grip strength, finger force, and contribution of individual finger force on total grip strength. However, experimental apparatus using a tool that is actually used in work place was almost non-existent. Method: 19 males were participated in an experiment. Using the load cell inserted real plier, finger force, grip strength, and subjective discomfort rate of both hands (dominant and non-dominant) were measured in 5 different hand grip span(45mm, 50mm, 60mm, 70mm, and 80mm). Results: There was significant difference(p<0.001) of total grip strength, individual finger force and subjective discomfort rating according to various hand grip span(45, 50, 60, 70, and 80mm). Also, statistically significant different(p<0.001) was shown between the dominant hand and non-dominant hand. In addition, individual finger force in maximum grip was in order of middle finger, ring finger, index finger, and little finger. Conclusion: Optimal grip span of pliers that exerting maximum grip strength is 50~60mm. Application: This finding is expected to be used for designing proper pliers.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.133-141
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• 2002

This purpose of this study was to design the effect of recovering of a hand amputees by Myoelectronic hand. It was designed with 2 degree of freedom in the laboratory. Myoelectronic hand had only one degree of freedom and one movement until now. Also this myoelectronic hand had multi-joint and it could move widely. Wire was used in transmission. Myoelectronic hand data was obtained by analyzing hand anatomically and measuring and that data was applied when it was designed. PID controller of Myoelectronic hand was used to it. Displacement control was applied the first link. Experiment was accomplished in Tip grasp, Power grasp and Hook grasp modes. Displacement control was good in low frequency. Velocity control was applied to each mode. The objective of the study was to develop more better multifunction myoelectronic control strategies. A myoelectronic hand with a hand amputees could do some jobs such as grasping materials, lifting weighting, holding cup and etc. As a result of this study, all subjects with hand amputees significantly improved in ADL. Further studies were needed to evaluate the effect of a myoelectronic hand with more precise laboratory equipment.