• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.69-79
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• 2012

Importance of the work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) has been increasing in the hospital industry such as health care industry and financial industry. This study investigated in order to identify the factors like general, occupational and ergonomically characteristics of the subjects related to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) of physical therapists (PTs). Ergonomic tools of rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) were used for evaluation workload of the tasks. Prevalence of MSDs were 13 PTs (26.0%) for neck, 31 PTs (62.0%) for shoulder, 9 PTs (18.0%) for arm/elbow, 27 PTs (54.0%) for hand/wrist, 28 PTs (56.0%) for back, 14 PTs (28.0%) for leg/foot. The analysis of the rate of the pain intensity showed that 53.5% subjects experience moderate pain and 14.0% subjects experience severe pain. Factors which were general characteristics, for example, height, ergonomically characteristics such as 'Posture Score A' were related musculoskeletal subjective symptoms in logistic analysis (p<.05). Among physical therapists, action level of RULA were action level 2 (6.0%), action level 3 (52.0%), action level 4 (42.0%). Physical therapists were estimated one of the highest risk factor in this study. This study suggested that the need of preventive education and program for PTs (physical therapists). Comprehensive and systematic management plans should be established to include both ergonomic and sociopsychological aspects.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.205-216
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• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to determine the association between musculoskeletal workload and job stress in early childcare teachers. Methods : This study was based on The Korean Working Condition Survey conducted on wage workers. The total number of individuals included in the analysis was 395 (286 childcare teachers and 109 kindergarten teachers) early childcare teachers in 2011. The collected data were analyzed by frequency statistic, cross-tabulation analysis and logistic regression. Results : The adjusted odds ratio showed a statistically effective association for job stress exposure. The results were as follows: education level, service environment, emotional labor, fatigue or posture led to pain for a high level of job stress. Additionally, for childcare teachers, the results showed that fatigue or posture led to pain when moving a heavy object frequently. Conclusions : When childcare teachers are assigned a task to lift heavy or awkward or objects, care should be taken on who is assigned the task, and it should be done safely. An intervention program should be developed to train childcare teachers to safely and efficiency do heavy labor in early childcare education classes.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.375-382
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to analyze the risk factors of the musculoskeletal workload of mid-old-age food preparation workers by identifying the differences in the complaints of subjective symptoms between mid-old-age housewives and mid-old-age food preparation workers. This study was carried out on a total of 83 subjects from April 2009 through July 2009: 43 food preparation workers at the catering department of general hospital A, with a high rate of mid-old-age food preparation staff, and 40 full-time housewives (40~59 years old). The analysis of the relationship between the rates of the subjective symptoms of the two groups showed that the mid-old-age food preparation workers had a 7.8-fold higher risk of developing musculoskeletal diseases than the full-time housewives. The musculoskeletal workload of the mid-old-age food preparation workers included repetitive motions, uncomfortable postures, and heavy lifting. It is hoped that this study will help provide mid-old-age people with opportunities for appropriate economic activity and labor and will help improve their work postures and methods as well as their environmental-risk factors.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.7-15
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• 2009

The objective of this study is to survey the working environmental conditions and musculoskeletal workload(DMQ) in red pepper farmers. 155 full-time farmers(males=91, females=64) lived in Chungnam and Jeonbuk participated in the study. To offer the fundamental data for agricultural improvement of red pepper farms, information about working farm conditions, health condition, musculoskeletal disorders(MSDs), labor intensity and musculoskeletal workload was obtained by questionnaire and interviews. The results are as follows: 1. The farmers reported sunlights, high temperature and cold/ draught as uncomfortable work environment. 2. Physical and mental fatigue in females is higher than that of males. 3. The prevalence rates of medical diagnosed diseases are higher in order of osteoarthritis, herniated nucleus pulposus(HNP), and chronic gastritis/gastric ulcer. 4. Prevalence rates of musculoskeletal symptoms more than standard 1 among the various pain areas are higher in order of low back, shoulders and knees. These results can be used practically for agricultural improvement of red pepper farms to prevent MSDs.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Therapy
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.73-84
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• 2018

Objective : The purpose of this study was to promote R&D of toilet design for the disabled by evaluating the Front-entry sitting toilet applied it to actual wheelchair users to examine the possibility of their application as a toilet that is low physical demanding and high satisfaction. Methods : Forty wheelchair users were asked to demonstrate using Front-entry sitting toilet after collecting the general characteristics and their current wheelchair usage information. Musculoskeletal disease risk assessment and user satisfaction were evaluated throughout Rapid Entire Body Assessment(REBA), Quebec Evaluation of Satisfaction with assistive Technology 2.0(QUEST) and subjective opinion questionnaire. Results : Statistical result showed that REBA scores($3.18{\pm}.38$) of Front-Entry Sitting Toilet were significantly lower(z=-5.930, p<.05) than the conventional toilet($6.53{\pm}1.15$). Overall, user satisfaction ratings were high with detailed scores were high in order of durability($4.48{\pm}.62$), safety($4.38{\pm}.63$), necessity($4.33{\pm}.73$) and universal ($4.6{\pm}.61$). Subjective opinion survey showed most were 'it was convenient to not have to rotate(30.8%).' Conclusion : This study found that Front-entry sitting toilet was highly likely to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders and users' satisfactions were high. Through this study, we hope to expand the scope of occupational therapists and contribute to the physical, mental and social health in the daily activities of the people by applying various approaches.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.101-110
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• 2007

This study was performed to find out hazardous factors in the loaded works of muscular skeletal disorders(MSDs) for four company attached to dining workers from October 2005 to June 2006. The results are summarized as follows. 1. 42.5% of workers in study group were 40-50 years old, and females were higher than males, and the average of body weight was 70kg, 57kg in males and females, respectively. Working time per day was mostly 7-9hours, and the rate of worker who had never education and training was 46%. 2. The upper part and right part of body were higher than lower part and left part in symptoms of muscular skeletal disorders. Body parts which complained of symptoms were the order of right shoulder(55%), right arm(54%), right hand,(40%) waist(35%), leg(25%), and neck(24%). 3. The results of evaluation in the loaded works of muscular skeletal disorders to cooking, dish supply, preparing side dish, and washing the dishes and cleaning the floor of cooking room using RULA and OWAS checklists was action level 4(potential hazards, needs of change workplace), and the result of evaluation using back compressive force needed control measures as 779.27 lbs~1,274.04 lbs. In a view point of the result of this study, large dining rooms should be designed by ergonomic technology for the work surface height, width, and depth. The height of carrying car should be lower to 70cm, and repetitiveness and handling weight should be reduced by mechanical means, and education and training also should be performed for all of workers positively.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.4629-4635
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• 2012

This study was aimed at the relationship between peak EMG amplitude on low back muscles acting on L5/S1 and load center of gravity, trunk lateral bending while lifting an object. Musculoskeletal disorders including low back pain can occur even when handling heavy objects only once as well as when doing non-heavy materials repeatedly. 11 male subjects with average 23 age were required to lift a 15.8kg object symmetrically three times. Peak EMG amplitudes on 6 muscles related with L5/S1 were recorded and analyzed. The lifting conditions consisted of lifting symmetric load with no trunk lateral bending, asymmetric load with no trunk lateral bending, and asymmetric load with trunk lateral bending to the load center of gravity within an object. The results showed that peak EMG amplitude on back muscles contralateral to load center of gravity was observed greater in comparison with the symmetric load. Also, in case of lifting asymmetric load the posture with trunk lateral bending increased peak EMG amplitude on muscles contralateral to load center of gravity more than with no trunk lateral bending. This research can be used as one administrative intervention in order to reduce the low back pain incidence with suggesting workers that they keep the trunk not bending to load center of gravity if possible when lifting a heavy asymmetric object.