• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.356-363
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• 2012

This study was carried out to identify how a self-stretching exercise program affects pain for each body area, pain relief and job satisfaction for care workers. 20 of 40 care workers with musculoskeletal symptom were randomly selected and participated a self-stretching exercise program consisting of 15 motions. The intervention was done five times or more per weeks for 8 weeks and 1 session lasted within 15 minutes. 'Musculoskeletal symptom survey table' of the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency(KOSHA) and JDI(Job Descriptive Index) was used for pain on the musculoskeletal symptom and job satisfaction. Survey were done twice before and after the program. The result of this study showed that self-stretching exercise program group(SSPG) relieved from pain significantly in the shoulders(p<.01) and lumbar(p<.05), comparing to the non self-stretching exercise program group(NSPG). Although no significant difference on variations in the JDI appeared in SSPG, the significant reduction appeared from the colleague relationship and organization in NSPG(p<.05). SSPG showed the significant increase on variations in JDI from the job and organization comparing to NSPG. Especially, the improvement on satisfaction for the organization was shown(p<.05). Accordingly, the self-stretching exercise program for care workers can be said to positively affect the overall pain relief and increase on the JDI.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.51-63
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• 2009

In the field of ergonomics, it is evident that participatory action research methodology could contribute to reduce risk factors of work related musculoskeletal disorders(WMSDs). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a participatory ergonomics in reducing the incidence rate and severity of WMSDs in the tire manufacturing company. In this study, an action committee comprising 13 members was organized in the tire manufacturing company. The action group participated at every research process, education and training, assessment and intervention of risk factors, and early detection and management of WMSDs during the 3 years(2004-2006). The prevention programs contributed to an overall reduction in incidence rate by approximately 37.2%, and lost workdays and workers' compensation costs by approximately 55.1%. But, the incidence rate increased 29.0%, and compensation costs increased 59.0% in the first-year setting programs, and both the incidence rate and compensation costs decreased after the second-year managing programs. And, the reduction rates(63.2%) of insurance cases is higher than that(9.7%) of non-insurance cases. The results showed that participatory ergonomics programs may be effective in reducing the incidence and severity rate of WMSDs.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.525-534
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• 2011

This paper describes the current status of musculoskeletal disorders(MSDs) and its ergonomic risk factors, including the preventive intervention in terms of the working conditions and health promotion among agricultural workers. Korean agricultural workers have been exposed to the poor working condition. They have suffered from a variety of work-related injury and diseases more than the general population or the other occupational group. MSDs are one of the most prevalent problems threatening the agricultural worker's health and quality of life. Low back pain, osteoarthritis of hip and knee joint and carpal tunnel syndrome are well known MSDs that was found easily and frequently among agricultural workers. MSDs are worsened by poor ergonomic working conditions such as heavy weight lifting, repetitive movement and awkward posture which involves squatting with long sitting work on the ground, long working hours and heavy workload which are inherent in the greater part of agricultural works. Even though Korean agricultural workers are very weak population in terms of occupational safety and health, no many studies were conducted in the past and no many social and institutional supports were provided sufficiently. We need more interests and efforts in agricultural fields to improve its working condition and to promote health status of agricultural workers.

• 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.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.311-320
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• 2010

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the status of visiting nurses assessment and management of chronic musculoskeletal pain in older adults. Methods: The subjects of this study were 285 visiting nurses working at 24 public health centers located in Seoul, Gyeonggi-do, and Gangwon-do. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire from June to July, 2008. The SPSS/WIN 13.0 program was used for data analysis. Results: Of the visiting nurses, 195 (77.4%) reported lack of pain education for nurses. The education of exercise (83.3%) was used most frequently by nurses as a pain intervention. Barriers to effective pain management were inadequate pain management guidelines and lack of pain education for nurses. Conclusion: It is necessary to develop evidence-based nursing interventions for pain management and to develop systematic educational programs for visiting nurses management of chronic musculoskeletal pain.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.30-38
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand the degree of pain belief in musculoskeletal patients, and to identify the correlation with chronic pain, pain coping and pain disability. Methods: A total of 203 inpatients or outpatients with chronic pain in orthopedics agreed voluntarily to participate in this study and answer a questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 17.0 program with descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and simple linear regression. Results: The degree of pain belief in this study showed statistically significant differences depending on their age, education, job, health status, and pain duration. Among the variables correlating with pain belief in this study, there were positive correlations between pain and pain disability, pain and passive coping, pain belief and passive coping, pain belief and pain, pain belief and pain disability. The strongest correlation was passive coping and pain disability. Conclusion: From the results of this study, we concluded that it is necessary to develop the nursing intervention which can help reducing negative pain belief in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Also we need to enhance the ways of coping to active or chronic pains for controlling them effectively.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.69-78
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• 2021

Background: Approximately 30% of people suffer from chronic neck and shoulder pain. Chronic neck and shoulder pain arise due to the exposure to continuous low loading and monotonous work. This is a common musculoskeletal disorder in a society. As physical therapists, we should give appropriate treatment to these people. Methods: A total of 26 patients with chronic neck and shoulder myalgia were randomly allocated into two experimental groups. First, 13 patients received shoulder strength training, while the other 13 patients received cervical mobilization. Outcome measures included bilateral pressure pain threshold by using an algometer at upper trapezius, visual analogue scale (VAS) to express their pain scale, and muscle tension by using myoton pro device pre-intervention and after the final treatment. Results: The VAS and muscle tension in upper trapezius significantly decreased (p<.05) in both groups; however, no differences between two groups were observed (p>.05). The pressure pain threshold in upper trapezius significantly increased (p<.05) in both groups; yet, again, the differences between the groups did not reach statistical significance (p>.05). Conclusion: As methods of treatment, shoulder-specific strength training and cervical mobilization can be appropriate approaches to the treatment of neck and shoulder musculoskeletal disorder.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.243-249
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• 2023

Background: Southeast Asia has many people who work in the agriculture sector. Not many stakeholders pay special attention to the health of farmers, even though they are exposed to various types of hazards. One of the most common health complaints among farmers is related to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). This study aims to assess the prevalence of WMSDs and factors associated with them among farmers in Southeast Asia. Methods: A literature search on PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and EBSCO was conducted. Articles were included if they studied ergonomic problems among farmers from 11 countries in the Southeast Asia region and were published during 2015-2022. The Critical Appraisal Skills Program was used to evaluate the quality of the articles. The search process and retrieval process reflected PRISMA's recommendation. Result: There were 14 studies found from 3 countries that had published articles in PubMed and ScienceDirect, including Thailand [8], Indonesia [4], and Malaysia [2]. The prevalence of WMSDs in Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia was 78,31%, 81,27%, and 88,39%, respectively. Common factors associated with WMSDs include age, sex, smoking habits, drinking alcohol habits, working period (years), type of work, awkward position, non-ergonomic equipment, repetitive movements, and lifting heavy loads. Conclusion: The prevalence of WMSDs among farmers in Southeast Asia is considerably high. Effective intervention is essential for reducing the prevalence and protecting workers' health and well-being.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.45-52
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• 2007

Shipbuilding workers are potentially exposed to ergonomic hazards in the manufacturing process. The purpose of this study is to describe the impact of an ergonomic intervention and the implementation effect of ergonomics program at a shipbuilding company. This study portrays an implementation procedure of ergonomics program over a period of two years concerning ergonomic hazard analysis and improvement, along with medical management. After implementation of the ergonomics program, the productivity improved, and the rate of accidental incidents decreased, also the loss of workdays decreased largely. The implementation effect of ergonomics program presented in this study can be used to provide baseline information for the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders in the shipbuilding industry.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.397-403
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• 2013

Objective: This article aims to report the results of ergonomic evaluation of some university laboratories. Background: Laboratory researchers are at risk for musculoskeletal injuries during routine laboratory procedures. However, little attention has paid to the working conditions of laboratory researchers, especially in Korea. Method: A checklist and questionnaire was developed and used to analyze the work conditions of 27 laboratories of chemistry, biology and pharmacy. Results: It was found that glove box, clean bench, and computer workstation are better than microscopy, and fume hood tasks, from ergonomic point of view. Conclusion: No domestic guideline is available for ergonomic intervention of laboratories. Further attention and studies are anticipated to improve the working conditions of laboratories.