• KOREAN ASSOCIATION OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSES
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.48-48
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• 2014

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.148-154
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• 2022

Background: Bus driving is a mentally demanding activity that requires prolonged attention to ensure safety. The aim of the study was to assess mental fatigue caused by driving a public bus and to find a profile of workers at higher risk. Methods: We evaluated changes of critical flicker fusion (CFF) (index of central arousal) and heart rate variability (HRV) (index of autonomic balance) in a 6-hour driving shift on a real route, in 31 professional bus drivers, and we tested the influence of personal factors such as sleep quality, BMI, and age. Paired t-test was used to test differences of CFF and HRV between both initial and final phase of driving, while multiple linear regression tested the influence of personal variables on the indexes of mental fatigue. Results: Results showed that CFF significantly decreased after 6 hours of bus driving (41.91 Hz, sd 3.31 vs. 41.15 Hz, sd 3.15; p = 0.041), and heart rate significantly decreased in the final phase of driving, with respect to the initial phase (85 vs. 78 bpm, p = 0.027). Increasing age (beta = -0.729, p = 0.022), risk of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (beta = -0.530, p = 0.04), and diurnal sleepiness (beta = -0.406, p = 0.017) showed a significant effect on influencing mental fatigue. Conclusion: Elderly drivers at higher risk of sleep disorders are more prone to mental fatigue, when exposed to driving activity. Monitoring indexes of central arousal and autonomic balance, coupled with the use of structured questionnaires can represent a useful strategy to detect profile of workers at higher risk of mental fatigue in such duty.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.331-338
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• 2000

Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the experience and point prevalence rate and factors related with Low Back Pain (LBP) in bin drivers. Methods: Questionnaires were completed by 200 drivers at 2 bus companies in Andong city in October.2000. The information was used to estimate odds ratio (OR) and $99\%$ confidence intervals (CI) for factors relation to LBP. A cross-section study design was used. Results: The experience rate for LBP was $53.5\%$, point prevalence rate was $31.5\%$. Variables significantly associated with LBP experience were employ duration and stress related occupation. The higher subjects had experienced stress. the higher experience for LBP was (OR=2.9, $95\%$ Cl 1.2-7.2). The longer subjects had employ duration in bus company, the higher experience far LBP was (OR=1.3, $95\%$ Cl 1.2-7.2). Significant factors relation to a week point prevalence far LBP were obesity and employ duration. LBP increased as weight increased (OR=4.1, Cl 1.6-10.7). The longer subjects has employ duration at bus company, the higher LBP is (OR=1.4. $95\%$ Cl 1.6-2.9). Conclusions: Results from this study indicated that a statistically significant factor relation to LBP was stress related occupation. employ duration, and obesity.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.297-301
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• 2013

Objective: The purpose of this study is to review the hazards of whole body vibration(WBV) and prevent human injuries due to WBV. Background: Vibrations that shake the whole body in vehicles and vessels is WBV. Vibration at a specific frequency, and intensity in the human body can act as a hazard. But, it has not yet done enough research about effects of WBV. Method: We analyzed and reviewed occupational or ergonomic papers published past 30 years. Results: Exposure to whole body vibration can cause permanent physical injury or damage of the nervous system. In addition, it may cause problem in the cardiovascular system, digestive system, musculoskeletal system, endocrine system, reproductive system, and psychological system. The effect of vibration depends on its acceleration, duration, frequency, and direction. Conclusion: WBV-exposed human body experience a high risk of some illnesses such as lumbar spinal disorders. Some workers(bus drivers, truck drivers and heavy equipment operators) are the high risk population exposed to WBV. Application: The results of this study might help to judge and prevent occupational disease caused by WBV.