Soohee Park

Study of the Physical Condition of Middle-aged Office and Field Workers Aged 50 and Older.

[Purpose] We investigated the physical condition of middle-aged workers in Korea by job category (office job vs. production job). [Subjects] In total, 3,650 middle-aged workers (production job, n = 2,615; office job, n = 1,035) ≥50 years of age from eight geographical areas were evaluated from 2007 to 2008. [Methods] The subjects’ subjective physical condition, exercise status, smoking status, and drinking status were investigated, and precise physical measurements, cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, reflexes, and reactions were measured. [Results] Subjectively, the physical condition and exercise status of those with office jobs were superior to those of production job workers. Office workers exhibited a higher rate of drinking than production workers, and also had better cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, reflexes, and reactions. However, production workers were more flexible than office workers. [Conclusion] Middle-aged production job workers in Korea have poorer overall physical condition than middle-aged office job workers. The physical condition of middle-aged and elderly workers must be managed through various health management programs to secure a productive aging society.

Comparison of Muscle Activation during Dominant Hand Wrist Flexion when Writing

[Purpose] This study investigated the difference in muscle activation of the dominant upper extremity in right-handed and left-handed persons during writing. [Subjects] There were 36 subjects (16 left- handers/ 20 right- handers), and the study was conducted from 03/01/2012 to 30/3/2012. [Methods] Six electrodes were attached to the FCU (flexor carpi ulnaris), FCR (flexor carpi radialis), ECU (extensor carpi ulnaris), ECR (extensor carpi radialis), and both UT (upper trapezius) muscles. [Results] FCU muscle activation was 16.77±9.12% in left-handers and 10.29±4.13% (%MVIC) in right-handers. FCR muscle activation was 19.09±9.43% in left-handers and 10.64±5.03% in right-handers. In addition, the UT muscle activation on the writing hand side was 11.91±5.79% in left-handers and 1.66±1.19% in right-handers. [Conclusion] As a result of this study, it was discovered that left-handers used more wrist flexion in performance of the writing task with the dominant upper extremity than right-handers, and that the left-handers activated the wrist and shoulder muscles more than the right-handers. These results indicate a potential danger of musculoskeletal disease in left-hander.

Systematic review of the effects of mirror therapy in children with cerebral palsy

[Purpose] To provide data for systematic intervention plans in occupational therapy practice by objectivity showing the value of mirror therapy interventions in children with cerebral palsy. [Subjects and Methods] Medline and EMBASE databases were searched for the key words “cerebral palsy,” “mirror movement,” “mirror therapy,” and “mirror visual feedback.” Nine studies that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were identified. The qualitatively determined level of evidence, period of research, comparisons and interventions, tools used to measure the intervention, and the effects were analyzed. [Results] According to the results analyzed, one (1/9, 11.1%) study showed the same result as the control group, one (1/9, 11.1%) showed a negative effect, and seven (7/9, 77.8%) showed positive effects of mirror-mediated therapy, with meaningful improvement in function, such as hand strength, movement speed, muscle activity, and accuracy of hand matching. [Conclusion] Through this study, the value of mirror-mediated therapeutic interventions in occupational therapy practice targeting cerebral palsy was confirmed. It is expected that this result will be useful in establishing mirror therapy as an interventional program.

Study of the physical condition of middle-aged workers by gender.

[Purpose] The purpose of this research was to investigate the physical condition of middle-aged workers in Korea by gender. [Subjects] In total, 2,644 middle-aged workers (male, n = 2,175; female, n =469) ≥50 years of age from eight geographical areas were evaluated from 2007 to 2008. [Methods] The subjects’ physical condition, muscular endurance, reaction, flexibility, agility and age of physical strength were evaluated. [Results] The physical condition and exercise status of males were superior to those of female workers. Male workers exhibited a higher rate of smoking than female workers, but had better muscular endurance, reaction, agility and age of physical strength. [Conclusion] Middle-aged female workers in Korea have a poorer overall physical condition than middle-aged male workers. The physical condition of middle-aged and elderly workers must be managed through various health management programs to maintain a productive aging society.

An Analysis of Factors Affection of Elderly`s Speed of Mobile Phone Ability

ABSTRACT Objective: This study is to analyze the factor affecting elderlys speed of mobile phone ability. Method: Sixty healthy senior citizens who live in Kim-hye participated in Cognition, Visual perception, Speed of mobile phone ability and the collected data was analyzed by an independent multiple regression analysis. Result: The findings can be summarized as follows; 1. Although men were faster than women while using mobile phone, there was little satisfical significance( p <0.05). 2. Although people in their sixties were faster than people in their seventies while using mobile phone, there was minial difference( p <0.05). 3. The primary factor which affect mobile phone using speed is figure ground, visual memory, visual processing and the most beneficial discovery in the entire project is figure ground( p <0.05). Conclusion: The result of study showed that in order to enhance figure ground, visual memory, visual processing in mobile phone using speed. These results will be consider useful for elderlys mobile phone ability. Keyword: Mobile phone, Citizens, Figure ground

A study on physical status and life satisfaction of workers

[Purpose] This study was conducted to examine physical status and life satisfaction of workers in Korea. [Subjects] In total, 25,455 workers from eight geographical areas were evaluated from 2007 to 2008. [Methods] Physical status of the subjects was measured based on cardiopulmonary endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and explosive muscular strength, and a life satisfaction index was used to measure life satisfaction. [Results] Higher levels of cardiopulmonary endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and explosive muscular strength of workers were correlated with higher life satisfaction. [Conclusion] The result suggests it is necessary to improve life satisfaction through continuous health management of workers.

The relationship between obesity and health-related quality of life of office workers.

[Purpose] This study aimed to understand how office workers’ obesity, anxiety and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) affect each other. [Subjects] The study was conducted from February 1 of 2013 to March 31 of 2014 and targeted a total of 143 office workers working in Seoul, Republic of Korea. [Methods] The study collected data using both an assessment tool and questionnaire in order to learn the subjects’ obesity index, anxiety and HRQOL. [Results] The study revealed a significant difference in the total scores in regard to how the obesity index influences anxiety, mental HRQOL and total HRQOL. The more overweight and the heavier the subjects were, the more severe was the anxiety observed, which resulted in decreased scores for mental HRQOL and total HRQOL. Obesity turned out to be significantly correlated with anxiety, mental HRQOL and total HRQOL, and in terms of how much anxiety the subjects felt, there was a significant correlation with the total scores for physical HRQOL, mental HRQOL and total HRQOL. [Conclusion] The present study found that overweight and obese office workers are more anxious than office workers with normal weights, as the former have a lower mental HRQOL. It also suggests that overweight and obese office workers should improve their mental HRQOL through professional workout programs, which would help with their obesity problem. The study also suggests that subsequent research should be carried out to observe the results of any such workout programs applied in the future.

3D motion analysis comparison of left handers' wrist flexion and cutting accuracy according to scissors type

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to research the difference in wrist flexion and accuracy of left-handers when using regular scissors made for right-handed persons versus scissors made for left-handers. [Subjects and Methods] Eighteen left-handers participated in the experiment. There were ten males and eight females subjects. The degree of wrist flexion of 18 left-handers was analyzed when using scissors designed for left-handers and when using scissors designed for right-handers. [Results] When left-handers used left-handed scissors, they carried out the task while extending the wrist at 4.67±14.60°, but when they used right-handed scissors, they carried out the task while flexing the wrist at 1.19±12.41°. When left-handers used left-handed scissors, the error rate was 1.39±1.29 times on average, but when they used right-handed scissors, the rate was 0.72±0.67 times on average. [Conclusion] When left-hand dominant persons used left-handed scissors rather than right-handed scissors, the degree of wrist flexion decreased, which created more functionality, and the accuracy of the cutting increased. For improved cutting accuracy and wrist stability and to protect the wrist from extensive flexion, it is necessary for left-handers to use scissors that are made for left-handed people.

3D motion analysis of the wrist splint effect to wrist joint movement

[Purpose] This study aimed to investigate the degree of straightness of the wrist joint, depending on the use of a wrist splint while opening a bottle cap. Its results may provide data for later studies on preventing accidents at workplaces and improving efficiency. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty Male and Female in their twenties who did not have hand-related diseases, fractures, or history that included neurological impairments associated with the hand were selected as subjects of the study. Wrist splints were made to fit the hand and lower arm of each subject. Evaluation assignments were carried out without and with the splints after 10 minutes of rest. To analyze the wrist movement in opening the bottle cap, a three-dimensional movement analyzing system by Zebris was used. [Results] Wrist angle decreased while opening caps of four different diameters while wearing splints, but not when splints were not worn. This means that wearing a splint may aid weakened wrist muscles. [Conclusion] Future studies should be conducted among subjects with damaged wrist muscles and evaluate the subjects in actual workplaces to obtain more objective and more valid data.

Grip strength in post-stroke hemiplegia.

[Purpose] This study was performed in order to investigate the grip strength of the unaffected hand of hemiplegic post-stroke patients. [Subjects] This study conducted on 83 hemiplegic post-stroke patients from May to August 2012. [Methods] This study was measured the mean grip strength of the unaffected hand of patients with hemiplegia and comparatively analyzed this with the mean normal grip strength. [Results] The grip strength of the unaffected hand of patients with hemiplegia was weaker compared to the of normal. [Conclusion] Patients with hemiplegia demonstrated problems in both their unaffected and affected sides. Based on the results of this study, it is necessary to expand treatment from the affected to unaffected areas of patients with hemiplegia.