• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.687-694
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• 2012

Objective: This study aims to survey the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders(MSD) among Korean hospital workers and to analyze the relationship of MSD symptoms and workload perceived by workers. Background: Despite of high exposure to the MSD risk factors and high MSD symptom prevalence among health care workers, there were not enough studies of MSD prevalence among the hospital workers. Method: This study designed a survey based on Nordic questionnaire to obtain MSD symptoms and the degree of four perceived workloads: work repetition, urgency, physical exertion and satisfaction. In this survey, 1,846 workers in a hospital participated. The prevalence of MSD was analyzed for each body part, and MSD cases, which were predetermined in this study, were identified. The relationship between the MSD cases and each perceived workload was analyzed using chi-square test. Results: The pain in the shoulder was the most prevalent among the workers as 52%, and the low back(37%) and leg discomfort(36%) followed. The MSD cases, in which degree of pain was more than severe, were also the most prevalent in the shoulder(13%). Female workers had higher rate of MSD cases than the males. Among the four workload variables, the physical exertion was the statistically related to MSD cases for all the body parts. In addition, the others also had significant relation to MSD cases except one or two body parts. Conclusion: This study found that Korean hospital workers had MSD symptoms mainly in the shoulder, low back and legs in order, and the perceived workload surveyed in this study was highly correlated with MSD symptoms. Application: This study provides another evidence that subjective physical exertion perceived by workers is an important factor to explain MSD cases as same as the objective one.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.140-148
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• 2020

Background: Scapular winging (SW) could be caused by tightness or weakness of the periscapular muscles. Although data mining techniques are useful in classifying or predicting risk of musculoskeletal disorder, predictive models for risk of musculoskeletal disorder using the results of clinical test or quantitative data are scarce. Objects: This study aimed to (1) investigate the difference between young women with and without SW, (2) establish a predictive model for presence of SW, and (3) determine the cutoff value of each variable for predicting the risk of SW using the decision tree method. Methods: Fifty young female subjects participated in this study. To classify the presence of SW as the outcome variable, scapular protractor strength, elbow flexor strength, shoulder internal rotation, and whether the scapula is in the dominant or nondominant side were determined. Results: The classification tree selected scapular protractor strength, shoulder internal rotation range of motion, and whether the scapula is in the dominant or nondominant side as predictor variables. The classification tree model correctly classified 78.79% (p = 0.02) of the training data set. The accuracy obtained by the classification tree on the test data set was 82.35% (p = 0.04). Conclusion: The classification tree showed acceptable accuracy (82.35%) and high specificity (95.65%) but low sensitivity (54.55%). Based on the predictive model in this study, we suggested that 20% of body weight in scapular protractor strength is a meaningful cutoff value for presence of SW.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.67-75
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• 2006

Purpose: Many kinds of musculoskeletal disease and symptom are caused by the longtime computer works. However, trapezius muscle tonus has not been established in regarding to keyboard height during typing. Therefore, this study is to evaluate the relationship between trapezius muscle tonus and the height of keyboard while typing, controling for the postures of neck, Lumbar, cervical vertebra. Methods: The experimental height of keyboard was set at elbow height, 3cm higher, 6cm higher, 9cm higher, than elbow. We studied trapezius tonus with the mean value for 2 minutes by EMG in 15 males and 15 females worker of hospital in seoul, who did not have a history of muscle disease, neurological signs, nerve damage. Results: In this experimental, as the height of the keyboard went up, the trapezius tonus significantly increased with shoulder abduction of brachium. Second, right and left trapezius tonus appeared similar while typing. Third, the best height that release the trapezius tonus the was as high as elbow and 3cm higher than elbow. Conclusion: With these above results, we suggest that the appropriate height of keyboard during typing to release the trapezius tonus most is the height of the elbow and 3cm higher than elbow. The study has important implications for focusing on the height of VDT worktable and complaining of a pain by oneself which are useful to establish a method of prevention of musculoskeletal disorder in work in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.35-45
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• 2008

This study was performed to compare the kinematics among three different safety shoes(type 1: ergonomically designed and high quality shoes, 2: curved and cushioned safety shoes, and 3: regular safety shoes) and to find the effect of insole during walking. Ten healthy subjects were recruited for this study. The range of motion of knee and ankle joint, angle of rear foot and angle of heel contact were measured using a three dimensional motion analysis system. In the second peak, the angle of heel contact showed statistically significant difference between safety shoes and insole, however, there was no statistical significance among three different safety shoes. The angle of ankle increased significantly at initial contact, first peak, the second peak and the toe off phase compared with type 1 and 2 safety shoes, and the angle of ankle showed statistically significant difference between with and without applying the insole. During the first peak, the second peak and the toe off phase, the angle of knee was statistical significance between safety shoes and insole. In heel contact, the angles of Achilles' tendon showed statistically significant difference between safety shoes and insole. The rear foot angles showed statistically significant difference between safety shoes and insole during heel contact and early heel contact. These results suggest that the type 1 safety shoes were superior to others in the statistics, and applying insole could be a possible method to prevent fatigue of lower extremity and musculoskeletal disorders. Further studies are needed to find the effect of ergonomically designed safety shoes and insole on practical value in prevention of musculoskeletal disorder, fatigue and satisfaction of workers.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.3999-4008
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• 2012

This study investigated the symptoms of work-related musculoskeletal disorder(WMSDs) for physical therapists who have different work duties. We analyzed the symptoms in the musculoskeletal system and the degree of work-harmfulness by the survey of the symptom in the musculoskeletal system and rapid upper limb assessment(RULA) for pain control group(n=56), adult exercise group(n=53), and pediatric exercise group(n=22). As a result, 69.6% of the pain control group, 84.9% of the adult exercise group, 81.8% of the pediatric exercise group show the observable symptom. The adult exercise group has the biggest work load per hour in the final wrist & arm score of the ergonomic risk assessment using RULA. The action level of the pain control group is $3.0{\pm}0.9$; the Action Level of adult exercise group is $3.3{\pm}0.6$; the Action Level of the pediatric exercise group is $3.2{\pm}0.8$, and so it is shown that the adult exercise group has a problem of working posture. It is considered that devices and education system for preventing from WMSDs should come into wide use.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.107-115
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• 2015

The study targeted Japanese employees who have visited hospital for spinal disorder. The study analyzed work environment and pain relief methods of work-related back pain patients, and the relationship between back pain and other body parts. The purpose of this study was to provide draw up measures for patients with back pain and to provide basic data for the sustainable prevention program. The study result of back pain, in other words, employees suffering from lumbago, had disparity between occupations; the highest number of patients were made up of 16-years or above long-serving employees, and below 5-years of short-serving employees. There were more patients complaining of chronic lumbago than acute lumbago, and patients recognized poor posture as the primary cause of lumbago. Furthermore, 99.5% of spinal disorder patients complain back pain, 23.2% use only alternative therapy, and 15.2% visit clinic and hospital with alternative therapy. Patients showed pain reduction and high satisfaction after using alternative therapy. The study targeted Japanese employees where complement therapy is more generalized than that of Korea, and thus there should be multilateral management programs provided in Korea as well.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.45-51
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• 2008

Purpose: We evaluated the physical stress and pain to the musculoskeletal system of a dental practitioner when engaging in a dental scaling training exercise to prevent the development of musculoskeletal injuries. Methods: The 18 female (average age: 21$\pm$1 years) subjects were voluntarily picked from a group of juniors who have completed a one-and-a-half year training course that includes training exercises on the dentiform and on live subjects (other trainees). The test is done by measuring pain, activity, grip strength, and finger dexterity for each subject's hand and wrist. Before the test all subjects were confirmed to be right-handed and were informed of the study and its objective. Measuring was done before and after each subject performed dental scaling for one hour using the scaler and the curet. Results: Pain levels increased for both hand and shoulders, but hand pain was often greater than shoulder pain. Grip strength significantly declined in the right hand but not the left. For joint mobility, the flexion and the extension for the shoulder joint did not change; but the range of motion for both wrist joints significantly increased. For the dexterity test, both hands showed increased dexterity after the exercise. Conclusion: Dental scaling can affect the shoulders and wrists/hands. Therefore, a musculoskeletal injury prevention program for dental practitioners, which may include encouraging them to assume correct body posture when at work, must be sought. This study evaluated only the shoulders, wrists, and hands; but future studies should include areas such as the cervical area, the back, and the lower limbs.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.6782-6792
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• 2014

This study examined the effects of the symptoms of musculoskeletal disorder and the burden of the body on work stress in a university hospital workers. The research surveyed 679 subjects. The relevant factors affecting the job stress were found to be female, young people age group, unmarried, shift work, work more than 8 hours, short experience workers. The work stress was significantly higher in the non-smoker (p=0.000), regular exercise/sports(p=0.022) and non-drinking(p=0.038) groups. In addition, the mental fatigue, presence of musculoskeletal symptoms, fatigue level, and marital status increase the risk of the work stress. The results showed that the burden of the body and musculoskeletal disorders are related interactively with each other.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.87-96
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• 2011

Objectives: This study aims to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of Eastern-Western integrative medicine for musculoskeletal disorders compared with Eastern or Western Medicine. Methods: Systematic sea-mes of 9 major Korean databases were conducted for articles published up to July 2011. Searching keyword was "Integrative Medicine". Prospective studies dealt with musculoskeletal disorders by Eastern-Western integrative medicine were included. Quality assessment of included studies was evaluated by Cochrane risk of bias tool. Results: 470 studies in total were seamed, Amalg them 7 studies met our inclusion criteria(3 randomized controlled clinical trials, 2 non-randomized controlled trials and 2 uncontrolled clinical trials). Included studies dealt with lumbar pan(3), shoulder pain(2), pain after traffic injury(1), spinal compression fracture(1). Eastern-Western integrative medicine showed better or equal effect for the treatment of various muscloskeletal disorders compared with Eastern or Western medicine alone. Conclusions: There is very weak evidence for the effectiveness of Eastern-Western integrative medicine for musculoskeletal disorders compared with Eastern or Western medicine alone. Well designed randomized controlled trials with rigorous methodology are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of Eastern-Western integrative medicine objectively in the future.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.48-54
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• 2021

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of exercise programs according to various music tempo on pain, posture, and function of automobile parts manufacturing workers. Design: Two-group pretest-posttest design. Methods: This study was an exercise program tailored to the prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal diseases were performed for a total of 4 weeks and 3 times a week for 60 minutes. The exercise program consisted of customized exercises according to the characteristics of the subject's musculoskeletal system. The subject provided music during the exercise program, and the group who applied the fast tempo music listened to the music of 120~140 bpm, and the group who applied the slow tempo music listened to the music of the low tempo of 60~80 bpm. Results: Significant differences were found in pain and physical function before and after the fast tempo music group and the slow tempo music group (p<0.01). However, there was a significant difference in posture characteristics only in the fast tempo music group (p<0.01). In terms of pain, physical function, and posture characteristics, the fast tempo music group showed significant improvement compared to the slow music tempo group (p<0.05). Conclusions: A customized exercise program using fast-tempo music and slow-tempo music to workers in the automobile parts manufacturing industry, significant differences in pain, physical function, and posture characteristics applied with fast-tempo music were found. In the future, applying an exercise program with a fast tempo is expected to help improve musculoskeletal disorders.