• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.91-96
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• 2010

Purpose: Among computer users, the awkward posture and workstation setups of workers contribute to work-related upper limb musculoskeletal disorders. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a traditional physical therapy and ergonomic intervention by physical therapists in 4 computer users. Methods: After checking Visual Analogue Scores (VAS), four subjects who were treated by physical therapy for neck and shoulder problems related to VDT syndrome were enrolled in the study. All subjects spent at least 40 hours per week at a computer workstation. All subjects had pain and ergonomic states evaluated using methods such as VAS, Neck Disability Index (NDI), Workstyle short form, Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), and OSHA VDT checklist (Occupational Safety and Health Administration video display terminal) before a physical therapy + ergonomic intervention. Participants were re-evaluated 1 month later. Results: Participants showed more improvement of their neck pain after being treated with a physical therapy plus ergonomic intervention than when treatment consisted only of physical therapy. Improvements in RULA, Workstyle short form, and OSHA VDT checklist also were achieved. Conclusion: This case study suggests the importance of examining the work habits and work-related postures of subjects who complain of neck and shoulder pain that is exacerbated by computer use. Personalized ergonomic interventions and physical therapy can lead to improvement of patients with VDT syndrome.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.211-216
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• 2010

Fire service personnel and ambulance paramedics suffer musculoskeletal disorders as they lift and carry patients while performing Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The objective of the current study was performed to examine the association between working environment and musculoskeletal disorders of 119 paramedics and to analysis the EMS activities for them through basic survey (including task characteristics, risk factors, symptoms and illnesses). Observational job analysis of EMS activities indicated the squatting posture during first-aid performed on floor and the abrupt use of force during carrying heavy load including stretcher with patients on as hazard factors, and excessive low back twisting and bending during stairway transfer was observed. In addition, work-physiological assessment revealed various but rather high lumbar muscle usage rate among the study subjects, being 14.6~32.8% compared with Maximum Voluntary Contraction (MVC) during patients transfer work. Resting heart rate showed 65/min, on the other hand, heart rate on mobilization indicated maximum 124~156/min. Therefore, the results of analysis to the EMS activities, rescuer activities and medical tasks were accompanied with high possibility of accident and musculoskeletal disorders. Also, EMS activities indicated high muscle fatigue and energy consumption, and accumulated muscle fatigue with during continued work.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.81-88
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• 2007

The objective of this study was to investigate the validity of the digital ergonomic simulation (DES) method as a prospective alternative to the ergonomic analyses conducted by experts. The DES method utilizes commercial digital manufacturing software, and can compute the RULA scores continuously throughout the simulated work cycle. It was shown in a case study that the accuracy and objectivity of the DES method are superior to those obtained by experts. Also, it was demonstrated that the DES method has a distinct capability to simulate and validate a proposed work plan. Major limitations of the current DES method lie in the extensive time and efforts required for accurate digital simulation, which may be overcome through an automatic module for RULA data acquisition and a motion capture system.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.81-87
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• 2013

Crane operators usually work with their necks bent forward in a seating position for a long period. They have complained of their musculoskeletal stress at their necks. The objective of this study was to find the level of stress at the neck when crane operators bend their neck forward during their work. Experiments were conducted in the laboratory where subjects bent their necks forward for 1 minute and took a rest for 0.5 minute and repeated this performance for 60 minutes. Subjective evaluation using Borg's CR-10 scale and electromyography (EMG) were used to check the level of the stress at the neck. Subjects reported that the level of pain at the end of 60 min. experiment was close to the extreme pain(level 8.95). The EMG level(amplitude) increased 80% on the average and the center frequency of EMG shifted to the lower frequency level which indicated fatigue of neck muscles. Thus, it was found that there is quite much neck stress for crane operators when they maintain their neck posture of bending forward for a long time during their work. This information will be a basis in searching for an intervention measure for the crane operators' neck stress.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.33-46
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in 119 EMT during patient-carrying tasks using a long backboard (LBB) and a variable stretcher. Methods: Manikins were used as patients, and 45 new 119 EMT from K Fire Academy were filmed performing patient-carrying tasks on stairs. The tasks were analyzed using Ovako working posture analysis system (OWAS) and Rapid entire body assessment (REBA). Results: In using LBB, the OWAS score was Mode 3(Mean 2.37, Maximum 3), requiring as soon as possible corrective action, the REBA score was Mode 11(Mean 9.16, Maximum 11), requiring immediate improvement. In using variable stretcher, the OWAS score was Mode 1(Mean 2.33, Maximum 3), non-necessity for corrective action, the REBA score was Mode 9(Mean 8.0, Maximum 11), requiring as soon as possible. Conclusion: In conclusion, improvement was needed in one task (carrying a patient using a LBB) in the OWAS and in two tasks (carrying a patient using a LBB, carrying a patient using a variable stretcher) in the REBA. Thereby, required attention and management of WMSDs during training. In addition, it is essential to carry out objective and quantitative assessments through ergonomic analysis by occupational health professionals when designing future training programs to prevent WMSDs.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.115-131
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• 2000

In the study of craniofacial deformity, it is very important that identifying the factor which can affect the morphology and which is closely related to the morphology, because it can not only improve the comprehension of growth and developmental process but also be applied in growth prediction and treatment modality. Several investigators have already mentioned the characterstics of head posture and airway space in relations to morphologic difference. But it is very meaningful work in clarifying the correlation between morphology, head posture and airway space that observing the change of head posture after morplologic change caused by operation and the change of airway space after same procedure. To investigate above correlation, I selected normal group which is consisted of 43 adults and mandibular prognathism group which is consisted of 47 adults who had been operated by sagittal split ramus osteotomy and were followed up more than 1 year. With their lateral skull radiograghs, reference lines which can evaluate each measuring points and areas without effect of postural change were first determined. And using above reference lines, change of airway space, positional change of tongue and hyoid, change of cranial and cervical angulations were measured. The results obtained from the study were as follows 1. In the change of head posture, the position of tongue and hyoid neighboring to pharynx is more closely related to the reference line of cervical column than to reference line of cranium. 2. After mandibular setback operation, the airway dimension was decreased to 81.6% of preoperative state at 1 month postoperatively and was slightly increased to 89.7% at 1 year postoperatively. 3. Posterior movement of tongue plays important role in decrease of airway dimension and inferior movement of hyoid was closely correlated with posterior movement of tongue. 4. Postoperative anterior movement of mandible, namely, morphologic relapse had correlation with relapse phenomenon of airway dimension. 5. Craniocervical angulation increased postoperatively. Especially in the postoperative early state, there was increased foreward inclination of cervical angulation rather than increase of cranial angulation. But at postoperative 1 year it was observed that cervical inclination was returned to preoperative state and cranial angulation was increased gradually. 6. Increase rate of airway dimension was correlated with the increase of cranial angulation from postoperative 1 month to 1 year. In conclusion, relapse tendency of airway dimension following increase of cranial angulation was found after mandibular setback operation and it is considered that increase of cranial angulation is one of compensatory mechanism in airway maintenance.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.95-109
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• 2008

Objectives: The study was conducted to investigate visual display terminal(VDT) and related risk factors in office workers. Method: The study subjects were 539 officers at 3 places of business in Gwangju. The data were collected by self-administered questionnaire between October 12 and October 17, 2007. and they agreed to participate in this study. The tool was developed by Moon, Jaedong(1991) for VDT syndrome. Data analysis by using SPSS/win 10.0 was performed with descriptive statistics, t-test and ANOVA. Results: The summary of results is as follows: 1) The mean score of total VDT syndrome was $1.17{\pm}.65$ of full score 4.00, which was lower than other research. 2) For relation between general characteristics and total VDT, sex (t=-5.777, p=.000), age (F=3.516, p=.015), satisfaction of job (F=9.540, p=.000), self-awareness of health (F=25.015, p=.000) had statistically significant difference. 3) For relation between behavioral work factors and total VDT, break time of work(t=-5.363, p=.000), eye movement during computer work(t=2.176, p=.031), wrist exercise during(t=2.337, p=.020), distance between monitor and eyes(F=3.682, p=.012) had statistically significant difference. 3) For relation between environmental work factors and total VDT, height of chair(F=8.801, p=.000), space under desk(F=4.244, p=.015), reflection of monitor(t=2.697, p=.008) had statistically significant difference. Conclusion: To prevent and relieve VDT syndrome and musculoskeletal disorders in office workers, it is important to teach good posture and stretching exercise during work.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.147-152
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• 2007

The aim of this study was to evaluate the musculo-skeletal symptomatic features of municipal sanitation workers and to compare differences of the musculo-skeletal symptoms by work types. We conducted descriptive cross-sectional survey concerning the musculo-skeletal symptomatic features of 315 street cleaners in Seoul and GyeongGi Province, Korea, during 2 weeks of September 2006. Questionnaires were consisted of general characteristics, occupational characteristics and musculo-skeletal symptoms. And we observed their works and evaluated their movement and posture by REBA. For work types, tools and subjective physical work loading, there were statistical difference whether or not NIOSH symptom positive on upper limb. Musculo-skeletal symptoms on upper limb were claimed from 43.2% of street cleaners, more than in 32.4% of cleaners. Musculo-skeletal symptoms on upper limb were reported higher in the group who felt their subjective physical work loading severe than in the otherwise group. The REBA results were over 'high risk stage' in street cleaners. Street cleaners had more repetitive motions than solid waste collectors on upper limbs. Works according to the criteria of musculoskeletal burdened work by the Ministry of Labor results were over 'high risk stage' of No. 2 and No. 4 in street cleaners. We found that street cleaners complained musculo-skeletal symptoms on upper limb more than solid waste collectors. This study suggests that it is necessary for street cleaners to carry out the prevention program of musculo-skeletal diseases. For street cleaner, the measure plans such as job rotation, automatic street sweepers, reducing work hours are helpful in preventing musculoskeletal symptoms on the upper limb.

• Korean Journal of Rural Living Science
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.119-124
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• 1997

In this study we tried to give a decision on propriety of working conditions, to present ideas on reducing work loads, and to grope for efficiency of agricultural works. For this we examined the actual working conditions of cultivating welsh onion in the summer ground. And we improved harmful factors that affect farmer's health by considering results of previous study and farmer's subjective sensation. And we measured. compared, and analyzed the farmer's work loads before and after improvement. The results of this study are as follows ; 1. According to examine the actual working conditions of cultivating welsh onion in the summer ground, farmers have experienced physical and mental chronic fatigue on the basis of farmer's appel to eye - fatigue and sun - burned skin on hot working environment including excessive ultraviolet rays, the rough ground condition, inconsistent arrangement of working stand and sorter, heavy - weared habits, and unsuitable working posture. 2. When we improved harmful factors that affect farmer's health, conformed the effects on important work efficiency index such as heart rate, electromyovolume, body temperature, and microclimate inside clothing and work loads were decreased by eliminating the hillock and obstacles of ground, decreasing the clothing weight, using proper clothing appliances such as hat and sunglasses, controlling height of working stand and sorter suitably, improving the working postures and methods as using assistant appliances, alloting the working time and sequence effectively and presenting the light gymnastic exercises and rest for fatigue restoration.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.183-192
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• 2006

Predicting energy expenditure (EE) is important to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). The problem to predict EE is that the standard of EE is based on western data. The authors checked average EE by job categories to provide basic data for suggesting proper work intensity for Korean workers. This study was conducted from 2003 to 2005. Study subjects were recruited from 4 car parts assembly plant, 2 car assembly plant, 2 Heavy machine manufacturing plant and 2 shipyards. Total study subjects were 515 male workers. To estimate VO2max, sub-maximal test was conducted to measure VO275%max by bicycle ergometer (Combi Co, Aerobike 75XL II). Heartbeats were recorded with heartbeat recorder (Polar Electro Co, Finland, S810) during work. EE of work was calculated by recorded heartbeat and individual regression equation which was derived from sub-maximal test. Subjects were classified into 4 industry and 8 work posture, 23 job task categories. Mean EEs (S.D.) according to industry classification (kcal/min) were 4.9 (0.7), 4.8 (0.7), 4.9 (0.7), 5.0 (0.9), and 4.0 (0.5) for Car Part manufacture, Car Assembly, Ship Building, Heavy Machinery Manufacture, and Hospital Office, respectively. The results suggest that Korean male workers of exceeding to the NIOSH criteria will be needed to plan for job rescheduling to maintain $worker^{\circ}$Øs health. Further study to establish Korean work intensity standard would be needed.