Fashion & Textile Research Journal (한국의류산업학회지)

The Society of Fashion and Textile Industry (한국의류산업학회)
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Validity of a Simulated Practical Performance Test to Evaluate the Mobility and Physiological Burden of COVID-19 Healthcare Workers Wearing Personal Protective Equipment

COVID-19 감염병 대응 의료진용 개인보호복의 동작성 및 생리적 부담 평가를 위해 개발된 모의 작업 프로토콜의 타당도

  • Kwon, JuYoun (Research Institute of Human Ecology, Seoul National University) ;
  • Cho, Ye-Sung (Dept. of Textiles, Merchandising and Fashion Design, Seoul National University) ;
  • Lee, Beom Hui (Dept. of Anthropology, Seoul National University) ;
  • Kim, Min-Seo (Dept. of Textiles, Merchandising and Fashion Design, Seoul National University) ;
  • Jun, Youngmin (KOTITI Testing & Research Institute) ;
  • Lee, Joo-Young (Research Institute of Human Ecology, Seoul National University)
  • 권주연 (서울대학교 생활과학대학 생활과학연구소) ;
  • 조예성 (서울대학교 생활과학대학 의류학과) ;
  • 이범휘 (서울대학교 사회과학대학 인류학과) ;
  • 김민서 (서울대학교 생활과학대학 의류학과) ;
  • 전영민 (KOTITI 시험연구원) ;
  • 이주영 (서울대학교 생활과학대학 생활과학연구소)
  • Received : 2022.08.16
  • Accepted : 2022.10.31
  • Published : 2022.10.31
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Abstract

This study evaluated the validity of a newly developed mobility protocol examining the comfort functions and requirements of personal protective equipment (PPE) for COVID-19 healthcare workers. Eight males (age: 24.7 ± 3.0 y, height: 173.4 ± 2.3 cm, and body weight 69.9 ± 3.7 kg) participated in the following three PPE conditions: (1) Plastic gown ensemble, (2) Level D ensemble, and (3) Powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) ensemble. 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 25oC with 74% RH. The results showed significant differences among the three PPE conditions in mean skin temperature, local skin temperatures (the forehead, thigh, calf, and foot), clothing microclimate (the chest and back), thermal sensation, thermal comfort, and humidity sensation, while there were no significant differences in heart rate or total sweat rate. At rest, the subjects felt less warm and more comfortable in the PAPR than in the Level D condition (P<0.05). However, subjective perceptions in the PAPR and Level D conditions became similar as the tasks progressed and mean skin and leg temperature became greater for the PAPR than the Level D condition (P<0.05). An interview was conducted just after completing the mobility test protocol, and suggestions for improving each PPE item were obtained. To sum up, the mobility test protocol was valid for evaluating the comfort functions of PPE for healthcare workers and obtaining requirements for improving the mobility of each PPE item.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

본 연구는 2022년도 산업통상자원부 국가기술표준원 국가표준기술력향상사업 (#20017330)의 지원을 받아 수행되었습니다. 본 연구의 행정적 지원을 맡은 허윤정, 오지영과 영문 교정을 담당한 Andrew Gorski에게 감사를 표합니다.

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