• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.67-74
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• 2021

This study examines the effectiveness of semi-occluded vocal tract exercise (SOVTE) conducted through telepractice for 10 female teachers who have experienced vocal discomfort while working in early childhood education facilities (childcare centers, kindergartens). The effects of SOVTE conducted through telepractice were evaluated based on the Korean voice handicap index (KVHI), the Korean version of the voice activity and participation profile (K-VAPP), vocal effort, and auditory perception evaluation by using the grade, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, and strain (GRBAS) scale. The results show that total, functional, and physical scores of KVHI significantly reduced after SOVTE. The total score in K-VAPP significantly reduced after SOVTE. Moreover, vocal effort significantly decreased after SOVTE. However, statistically significant differences were not noted in GRB scales before and after SOVTE. In conclusion, early childhood teachers experienced reduced vocal discomfort SOVTE conducted through telepractice. The study results indicate that voice therapy conducted through telepractice is an effective method for reducing vocal discomfort in early childhood teachers.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.1-8
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• 2023

Background: This study evaluates the usability of the Motion-Tracking Gait Assistive Walker (MTGAW) designed for elderly individuals and those with disabilities, identifying areas for improvement through interviews with physical and occupational therapists. Design: A survey study involves the usability test for MTGAW. Methods: Usability evaluations were conducted with 37 physical therapists and occupational therapists. The process included explanation, product usage, satisfaction surveys, and interviews. A satisfaction survey covering 19 items across safety, maneuverability, usability, and management areas was administered. Individual interviews identified areas for improvement. Results: Overall, high satisfaction was reported across the four areas, but interviews highlighted the need for improvements, such as addressing discomfort due to slow speed and enhancing safety measures to prevent rear-end falls. Adjusting the walker's height and width to suit the user's physique was also suggested. Conclusion: MTGAW enhances walking support and hand movement freedom but needs refinement in speed control, fall prevention, and customization based on the user physique. Future efforts should focus on developing an improved MTGAW, considering recommendations from physical therapy experts, and conducting studies to analyze its clinical effectiveness for commercialization.

• KIEAE Journal
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.81-89
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• 2010

This study focuses on a concrete understanding of the characteristics of perceptions and needs about healthy housing of the elderly, who represent the most vulnerable group of people in society, on the four evaluation dimensions of healthy housing as part of the research for evaluation indicators development for housing health performance in apartments. First, it was found that the elderly perceive an environment where their physical health is well supported as the most important factor for healthy housing. Additionally, the management support of the housing was perceived as the second most important consideration. Second, the most frequently used area for the elderly is the living room and a desired place to be added to indoor spaces was a room of their own or a 'living room', which clearly indicates the importance of the indoor environment for the elderly. Third, the biggest factor for the interior environment that affected the satisfaction level of the elderly in their housing was largely based on the convenience factor that helped lesson the discomfort in their daily life due to the physical aging process, and also on factors related to the pleasant indoor surroundings. Based on the concepts discovered in this study on healthy housing, more concrete items should be developed in the future for an extensive indicator for health performance evaluation, and actual research on the general public should follow suit.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.671-681
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• 2011

Objective: The purpose of this study is to compare the workload level at each lower limbs posture and suggest the ergonomic workstation guideline for working period by evaluating the imbalanced lower limbs postures from the physiological and psychophysical points of view. Background: Many workers like welders are working in various imbalanced lower limbs postures either due to the narrow working conditions or other environmental conditions. Method: Ten male subjects participated in this experiment. Subjects were asked to maintain 3 different lower limbs postures(standing, squatting and bending) with 3 different working conditions(balanced floor with no scaffold, imbalanced floor with 10cm height of scaffold, and imbalanced floor with 20cm height of scaffold). EMG data for the 4 muscle groups(Retus Femoris, Vastus Lateralis, Tibialis Anterior, Gastrocnemius) from each lower limbs posture were collected for 20 seconds every 2 minutes during the 8 minutes sustaining task. Subjects were also asked to report their discomfort ratings of body parts such as waist, upper legs, lower legs, and ankle. Results: The ANOVA results showed that the EMG root mean square(RMS) values and the discomfort ratings(CR-10 Rating Scale) were significantly affected by lower limbs postures and working time(p<0.05). The correlation was analyzed between the EMG data and the discomfort ratings. Also, prediction models for the discomfort rating for each posture were developed using physical condition, working time, and scaffold height. Conclusion: We strongly recommend that one should not work more than 6 minutes in a standing or squatting postures and should not work more than 4 minutes in a bending posture. Application: The results of this study could be used to design and assess working environments and methods. Furthermore, these results could be used to suggest ergonomic guidelines for the lower limbs postures such as squatting and bending in the working fields in order to prevent fatigue and pain in the lower limbs body.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.71-83
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• 1989

This is a basic study designed to discover the most comfortable thermal environment for Korean residences. The purpose of the research is to observe and measure the summer thermal environment in Korean urban detached single family houses and apartments by utilising proposed evaluation standards and methods. The technique used involves the measurement of environmental elements, such as indoor temperature, relative humidity and radiant temperature both in detached single family houses and apartments. Also, in order to understand the resident's thermal comfort response. ASHRAE' thermal sensation 9th level, indoor temperature 5th level, and thermal discomfort 4th level in the psycho-physical voting scale (1972) was used. In conclusion, among Korean urban residences, detached single family houses provided a more stable thermal environment than apartments, as shown by physical psychological evaluations. The possible reason for such stability in detached single family houses may be the usage of reinforced concrete structures which maintain consistent temperatures.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.244-254
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• 2022

Radiographic osteolysis after total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) remains a challenging clinical entity, as it may not initially manifest clinically apparent symptoms but can lead to clinically important complications, such as aseptic loosening. A thorough consideration of medical history and physical examination is essential to rule out other causes of symptomatic TSA-namely, periprosthetic joint infection-as symptoms often progress to vague pain or discomfort due to subtle component loosening. Once confirmed, nonoperative treatment of osteolysis should first be pursued given the potential to avoid surgery-associated risks. If needed, the current surgical options include glenoid polyethylene revision and conversion to reverse shoulder arthroplasty. The current article provides a comprehensive review of the evaluation and management of osteolysis after TSA through an evidence-based discussion of current concepts.

• Journal of Korean Institute of Industrial Engineers
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.67-81
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• 1990

Effectiveness of physical exercise in reducing work-related musculoskeletal stress was investigated. This was compared to the stress alleviation accomplished by using ergonomically designed work station. Tasks chosen for the study were data entry and file maintenance on the video display terminal (VDT). Three different measures, namely root-mean-square (RMS) values of electromyogram (EMG), subjective rating and task performance were used for the evaluation. Electromyograms were recorded from the neck, the left and right trapezius muscles in the shoulder region, and L2/L3 region of the back. Subjects rated discomfort levels for the same parts of their body. Task performance was measured by recording typing speed and errors. Each of the five subjects was tested for two days (8 hours/day) in two different work stations. These were the ergonomically designed adjustable work station and the fixed work station of traditional design with no adjustable features. Assigned physical exercises were performed for four minutes, every two hours during the breaks, by the subjects while working in the fixed work station. It was concluded that the physical exercise could be helpful in reducing musculoskeletal stress as effectively as the ergonomic design of the VDT work station.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.211-218
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• 2012

Two experiment are planed to identify driver's safe driving behaviour by curve radius, road surface condition in curve section. At four-lane and two-lane road, conducted experiments are check on driver's feeling of safety that 30 subjects do not feel discomfort. And using the data from these experiments, this study compare physical speed (not slipping, fall our of the road) with safety driving speed(drivers felt a comfortable and safe speed) each curve radius and fiver road surface condition(drying, wet, rain, snow and ice). As a result, safe driving behaviour factors that are derived to curve radius of 100m units, five road surface conditions enable to represent quantitative analysis of driver's discomfort. This study will develop road design method and evaluation reflected ergonomic aspects.

• Journal of the Korean Solar Energy Society
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.76-81
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• 2013

In our former study, we proposed that the AC-Model might be applied to various conditions. And we also introduced the method for daylighting that it was possible to reduce discomfort glare and to improve visual impressions as the supplementary type and blind-control type on the compound lighting. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between physical elements and psychological evaluation of lighting space. The study was made using an full-size space, which were equipped with various luminaries. We investigated the relationship between subjective evaluation and characteristics of light distribution and showed the high correlation between the evaluation rating and luminance distribution over whole room.

• Archives of design research
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.73-80
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• 1999

Many domestic users complain about severe pain to the waist, neck, and shoulder as well as work performance because the domestic chair design was developed with western anthropometry dimension and design criteria. Ergonomic design standards are needed for office chair design to reduce stress and poor physical posture for various user body types. In this study, we have suggested design dimensions recommended from previous studies and Korean anthropometry data. We also have reviewed users' preference dimension through measured subjects and analyzed differences between users' preference dimension and the previous design criteria to verify physical appropriateness. We evaluated general office chairs and adjustable chairs which can adjust to fit each person. we also analyzed how each design dimension was reached and affected the human body by evaluation of physical discomfort and comfort. We have found seat height is very important in a workstation. If the seat height is high, it effects the thigh. If width, height, and angle of the backrest are wrong, fatigue to the shoulder, neck, and waist, etc.. As a result of this experiment, we suggested that the height of a seat for Koreans be 425mm for the fixed type and 365-484mm for the adjustable type. Also other design recommendations were suggested in the thesis. In conclusion, our research will be very important in the database because it provides adjustable ranges to fit user's body types in the various design fields.