• Title/Summary/Keyword: Gerontechnology

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Ergonomic Evaluation of Trunk-Forearm Support Type Chair

  • Lim, Seung Yeop;Won, Byeong Hee
    • Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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    • v.33 no.2
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    • pp.143-153
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    • 2014
  • Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of trunk-forearm supported sitting on trunk flexion angle, trunk extensor fatigue and seat contact pressure. Background: The relationship between sitting posture and musculoskeletal disorders of the trunk extensor fatigue and seat contact pressure has been documented. The trunk-forearm support type ergonomic chair was devised from the fact that trunk-forearm support has been reported to reduce trunk extensor activity and discomfort. Method: Using three different sitting postures, upright ($P_1$), trunk-forearm supported ($P_2$) and normal sitting ($P_3$), six healthy subjects participated in the study. Motion capture system was used to collect head and trunk flexion angle, and surface electromyography (sEMG) was used to collect myoelectric signal of upper trapezius, lower trapezius, erector spinae, multifidus, and pressure mat system was used to measure seat contact pressure. Results: When trunk and forearm were supported by the ergonomic chair, higher head flexion angle showed upright > trunk-forearm supported > normal in order, and muscle fatigue showed less than upright and normal sitting. Mean seat contact pressure decreased 19% than upright sitting. But muscle fatigue was not affected by each condition. Conclusion: Trunk-forearm supported sitting of the ergonomic chair showed positive effect in respect of trunk and head flexion angle, trunk extensor fatigue, seat contact pressure. To acquire comprehensive understanding of the effectiveness of the ergonomic chair, further studies such as anatomical effects from measurement of external applied loading effect to the body from interface pressure analysis are required. Application: The results of the publishing trend analysis might help physiological effects of trunk-forearm support type chair.

Needs and Perceptions with Smart Technology Usage in the Elderly Care Facilities

  • Lee, Sun-Hyung;Lim, Choon-Hee;Lee, Seunghae
    • International Journal of Contents
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    • v.11 no.4
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    • pp.25-30
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    • 2015
  • The objective of this study is to identify the current state of usage and needs for Smart Technology (ST) in the elderly care facilities based on the point of view of staff members. Using survey via mails, data were analyzed with responses from top- or middle-level staff members working in 171 elderly care facilities located in Seoul, Gyeonggi-do, and Chungcheongnam-do. Results indicated that the most needed smart technology was home automation, followed by nurse call system and health monitoring. The technology with the highest feasibility was health monitoring, followed by nurse call system and video phone. Staff members in higher positions working in the elderly care facilities had the highest expectation in improving the image of their facilities by using ST, while they had low expectation for the fact that ST may increase the locus of control of the elderly. This study implies that ST implementations may vary depending on the level of responsibility of staff members and ST how people responsible for the elderly care facilities subjectively perceive the ST.

An Exploratory Study on the Possibility of Using Next-Generation Technology in Long-term Care Facilities : Focusing on the Perception of the Workforce of in Long-term Care Facilities (노인장기요양시설의 차세대 기술 활용가능성에 대한 탐색적 연구 : 노인장기요양시설 인력의 인식을 중심으로 -)

  • Lee, Sun Hyung;Lim, Choon Hee;Kim, Weon Cheon
    • Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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    • v.21 no.5
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    • pp.191-205
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    • 2020
  • This study examined the possibility of utilizing next-generation technology, such as Virtual Reality or AI robots, in the long-term care facilities for the elderly. For the study, the Focus Group Interview was conducted in three different groups of 14 participants (care workers, social workers, and directors of long-term care facilities for the elderly). The analysis revealed a total of three topics, eight categories, and 26 sub-categories. The main results of the study showed that the use of next-generation technology could assist the psychological and emotional stability, provide curiosity and interest, and relieve the desire for physical activity for the elderly. In addition, for long-term care services staff, it could provide useful services for the elderly with physical constraints, facilitate effective management of the elderly roaming around, and enhance emotional support services. Finally, it could also help directors of long-term care facilities promote their services, educate staff, and keep up with current trends. Participants expressed concerns about the introduction of new technologies, but they generally expected that the application of next-generation technology would be positive for the elderly as well as for care workers and directors of long-term care facilities. Therefore, the use of next-generation technology in long-term care facilities for the elderly will also help develop gerontechnology.

Welfare Science and Technology Responsive to Ageing (고령화에 대응하는 복지 과학기술)

  • Shim Sang-Wan
    • Journal of Science and Technology Studies
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    • v.2 no.2 s.4
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    • pp.145-189
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    • 2002
  • This paper explores into the potential contribution of welfare science and technology(WST) to meeting the challenges of ageing. Drawing on the literature about gerontechnology, this paper considers the application of scientific knowledge for welfare of an aging population. WST for the improvement of the daily functioning of the elderly people can not only prevent, delay or compensate for the declines or impairments of coginitive and physical functions (by assistive technology) but also enhance personal ability to overcome problems either by supporting the person's abilities (by supportive technology) or by changing the environment (by public welfare technology). This paper draws attention to a paradigm change in the conceptualization of disability and its ramifications for the role of technology and aging. A range of approaches such as Barrier-Free design, Universal Design points to new directions of WST in which products and services are devised to improve the quality of life for all people, and hence enhancing the socio-economic vitality. It is suggested that the future of welfare science and technology will be based in large measure on its goal to reduce or prevent individual and structural lag in the relationships between people and their environments. Addressing issues of the broader physical and social environment will emphasize the goal of prevention and the view that environmental needs for aging population are changing over time.

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Alternating Pressure Profile Characteristics of Powered Pressure Ulcer Preventing Devices (동력형 욕창예방제품의 교대부양 압력 프로파 특성)

  • Won, Byeong-Hee;Song, Chang-Seop
    • Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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    • v.29 no.4
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    • pp.639-646
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    • 2010
  • The APAM's quantitative effectiveness and comparative study in preventing and treating pressure ulcer has not been sufficiently evaluated mainly because of uncertainty of pressure load input and lack of interpretation of dynamic perfusion recovery characteristics of soft tissue. The purpose of this paper was to quantify and analyze the alternating pressure characteristics of APAM as a preventive measure for pressure ulcers. To quantify the alternating load to human body, we introduced alternating pressure profile concept and developed parametric model of the profile. Regarding pressure level and cycle time, 3 global and 7 local periodic parameters were used to define the profile such as light, standard, typical and heavy duty profile shape. Pressure impulse ratio of light duty is the lowest but pressure fluctuation is significantly high. For the same duty shape, contact conditions are changed with alternating cycle time and more dramatically in shorter alternating cycle time conditions. We can conclude that if we use shorter alternating cycle time on APAM's operation we can get more positive effects regarding to inflated contact time condition. We proposed the quantitative methods on tissue viability study of external loading by simultaneous measurement of interface pressure and tissue perfusion with proper alternating pressure profile conditions.

A Study on Development of Humeral Intramedullary Fixation Nail based on Korean Cadaver Tests (한국인 Cadaver Test에 대한 상완골 골수정 개발에 관한 연구)

  • Chon, Chang-Soo;Lee, Jae-Won;Ko, Cheol-Woong;Oh, Jong-Keon;Woo, Soo-Heon;Lee, Sung-Jae
    • Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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    • v.28 no.8
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    • pp.984-991
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    • 2011
  • The aim of this study is to develop a humeral Intramedullary fixation nail (HIFN) suitable for Korean people. In this study, CT images were obtained from 72 Korean cadaveric humeral bones and 3D Korean humeral bone models were reconstructed based on the CT images to investigate anatomical characteristics. Major design parameters of HIFN were selected using the morphological measurement information of the Korean humeral bone models. Through finite element analysis and mechanical tests, the developed HIFN prototype was compared with the Polarus HIFN ($ACUMED^{(R)}$, USA), and it was found that the HIFN prototype showed similar and/or superior mechanical performance compared to the Polarus HIFN. Also, clinical validation for the HIFN prototype was carried out to check predictable troubles in surgical operations. Finally, optimal design modification was proposed to prevent the possible axillary nerve injury due to the locking screw system of the HIFN prototype.

Analysis on characteristics of intelligent home technologies development for the elderly (노인을 위한 지능형 주택기술개발 특성 분석)

  • Lee, So Young
    • Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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    • v.13 no.4
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    • pp.15-23
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    • 2007
  • Increase of aging population and demands for care and support systems, needs and demands for a variety of care services and housing facilities have increased. With the emergence of gerontechnology, tangible and intangible technologies and innovations have been explored and developed in many countries. Since housing environment is very important to define well-being and quality of life of the elderly, technology applications in the living environment are considered as important means. The purpose of this study is to enumerate and investigate technologies for the elderly to assist daily living and help care providers, and to explore technology applications in the built environments. This study also investigate how intelligent technologies are installed in the built environment and physical consideration for a variety of approaches. The content analysis was conducted to investigate technology developments for the elderly based on web materials and publication materials. The seven examples were chosen since they are seeking technologies especially for the elderly or aging-in place. General goals for the diffusion of intelligent homes expecially for the elderly are to be easy to install and remove, unobtrusive, redundant cueing, easy to use, and robust. The results of this study suggest application considerations for the technologies of the built environment for the elderly.

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Alteration of Trabecular Bone Microarchitecure at Tibial Epiphysis due to Knee Joint Instability by Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture: Difference between Medial and Lateral Part (전방십자인대 손상으로 인한 슬관절 불안정성에 따른 경골 골단 해면골 미세구조 변화 : 내방과 외방에서의 해면골 미세구조 패턴 변화)

  • Lee, Joo-Hyung;Chun, Keyoung-Jin;Kim, Han-Sung;Lim, Do-Hyung
    • Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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    • v.33 no.2
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    • pp.78-88
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    • 2012
  • Knee joint instability by anterior cruciate ligament(ACL) rupture is allowing the abnormal loading condition at the tibial epiphysis locally, resulting in producing locally different bone bruise. The study examined difference between local alteration patterns of trabecular bone microarchitecture at medial and lateral parts of the tibial epiphysis by ACL rupture. Fourteen SD rats were divided into Control(CON; n = 7) and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Transection(ACLT; n = 7) groups. The tibial joints were then scanned by in vivo ${\mu}$-CT at 0, 4, and 8 weeks post-surgery. The results showed that alteration pattern on trabecular bone microarchitecture at medial part was significantly higher than that at lateral part of the tibial epiphysis in ACLT group from 0 to 8 weeks(P < 0.05). Tb.Th and Tb.Sp distributions were well corresponded with differences between aforementioned trabecular bone microarchitectural alteration pattens at medial and lateral parts of the tibial epiphysis in ACLT group from 0 to 8 weeks(P < 0.05). These findings suggest that the alteration patterns of trabecular bone microarchitecture should be locally and periodically considered, particularly with respect to the prediction of bone fracture risk by ACL rupture. Improved understanding of the alteration patterns at medial and lateral trabecular bone microarchitectures at the tibial epiphysis may assist in developing more targeted treatment interventions for knee joint instability secondary to ACL rupture.

A Study of Service Design for the General Hospital through analyzing the User Journey Map and the User Context

  • Kim, Jong-Hyun;Yi, Won-Je
    • Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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    • v.31 no.1
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    • pp.109-116
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    • 2012
  • Objective: The aim of this study is to present a solution to problems in the services provided by the general hospitals by creating a user-centric environment through analyzing the User Journey Map and the User Context. Background: The rapid growth in aging population and the monopolization of superior medical staffs by the general hospitals increased demand for the general hospitals in Korea. But, often services provided by the general hospitals are provider-centric and low quality. Method: This study examines problems in the services provided by the general hospitals by analyzing the User Journey Map through stakeholder interviews(contextual interviews) and on-site observation. Based on the contextual analysis of the user(i.e. the patient), this study proposes new and improved user-centric services to be provided by the general hospitals. Results: Ten new user-centric services proposed by this study are: (1) "Booklet on Success Story", (2) "FAQs by Doctor", (3) "Designated Nurse", (4) "Patient Interview Record Card", (5) "Close relationship between doctor & patient", (6) "Thank You Notice Board", (7) "Step by Step", (8) "Green Cap", (9) "Patient Kit", (10) "RFID Direction Display System". Conclusion: The service design for the general hospitals proposed by this study is an important case-study on improving the environment of the general hospitals from provider(medical staffs)-centric to user(patents and its family)-centric. Application: This study is expected to be used in various areas to improve existing system(products and/or services) to be more user-centric.

A Study on Interdisciplinary Needs for the Development of Curriculum "Development Methodology of Serious Games with GeronTechnology" ('노년공학(GT)의 기능성 게임 개발론' 교과개발을 위한 학제간 수요 연구)

  • Lee, Nae-Hyun;Kim, Kyung-Sik;Chang, Hee-Dong;Park, Seong-Jun;Park, Chang-Hoon;Kang, Hyun-Koo;Park, Hyun-Sik;Sung, Eun-Hyun;Kim, Dong-Joo
    • Journal of Korea Game Society
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    • v.11 no.2
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    • pp.151-159
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    • 2011
  • For the development of a curriculum of the serious game for the elderly in preparation of senior society, we have surveyed students of both college of humanity and college of engineering for their perception of importance and necessity on the subjects prepared by this team. We analyzed their common points and different points, and developed a new interdeciplinary curriculum for students in both college. The curriculum has been opened in the last semester successfully.