Background: Smartphone addiction has emerged as a significant social problem. Numerous studies have indicated the association between smartphone use and discomfort in the musculoskeletal system of the upper extremities. Objects: This cross-sectional survey aimed to compare the characteristics of musculoskeletal pain in the neck, trunk, and upper limbs between individuals with smartphone addiction and those without addiction. Methods: We collected a total of 326 healthy individuals’ data from China and Korea who had owned and used smartphones for more than 5 years between 20–50s through an online questionnaire consisting of 84 questions in four major sections. The first part contained basic information on the participant's personal characteristics and smartphones. The second part contained questions about smartphone use and posture. The third part was the smartphone addiction. The fourth part was to investigate musculoskeletal pain in various upper body parts. Results: Smartphone addiction has a weak negative correlation with age (r = –0.20, p < 0.01) and a weak positive correlation with the hours of smartphone use (r = 0.376, p < 0.01). Frequent musculoskeletal pain symptoms related to smartphone use were observed in the neck, shoulder, lower back, and wrists. The hours of smartphone use was slightly positively associated with the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in the shoulder (r = 0.162, p < 0.05) and lower back (r = 0.125, p < 0.05). The prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in the neck (χ2 = 3.993, p < 0.05), shoulder (χ2 = 6.465, p < 0.05), and wrist (χ2 = 4.645, p < 0.05) was significantly higher among females than males. Conclusion: The results suggest that smartphone addiction should be recognized as a dual concern encompassing both physical health and psychosocial aspects. Furthermore, healthcare professionals, including physicians and physical therapists, should consider clients' smartphone usage patterns when assessing and treating with musculoskeletal pain.

Background:Agricultural work is physically demanding and is associated with a high frequency of musculoskeletal disorders. It is challenging to comprehensively understand the present status of work-related diseases and injuries among farmers in underdeveloped countries.Objects:This study aimed to elucidate the current status of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in local farmers in Tigray, Ethiopia, and identify the agricultural factors associated work-related musculoskeletal pain (AFWMP) and healthy living and healthy behavior factors associated work-related musculoskeletal pain (HFWMP).Methods:The Institute for Poverty Alleviation and International Development at Yonsei University conducted a survey of 126 households in Tigray, Ethiopia in 2014. A total of 116 individuals (73 men, 43 women) representing each household answered the questionnaires.Results:1) Work-related musculoskeletal pain (WMSP) most commonly occurred when performing heavy lifting and most frequently occurred in the lower back. 2) Age, self-perceived labor intensity, and months of farming work were significantly higher in the pain group than those in the non-pain group. 3) Overall work-related musculoskeletal pain intensity (WPI) showed positive and negative correlations with years of farming experience and self-perceived health status, respectively. 4) In binary logistic regression, the occurrence of WMSP showed significant associations with self-perceived labor intensity. 5) On multiple linear regression analysis, age, months of farming work, and self-perceived health status had a significant impact on overall WPI.Conclusion:The WMSP of farmers in Tigray, Ethiopia was related to the characteristics of farm working and health status. Furthermore, HFWMP and AFWMP were the chief factors affecting the occurrence of WMSP in farmers in Tigray. Therefore, both HFWMP and AFWMP should be considered for clinical health assessments of farmers with WMSP in underdeveloped African countries.

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.

목적 : 본 연구는 대학생을 대상으로 강의실의 의자 형태와 앉은 자세에 따른 근골격계 통증에 대해 알아보고자 하였다. 연구방법 : 재학 중인 대학생 84명을 대상으로 2014년 3월부터 6월까지 사용하고 있는 강의실 의자에 대한 적합도 측정과 설문을 실시하였다. 결과 : 강의실에서 사용되는 의자 중에는 좌면의 높이, 깊이, 너비가 적절하지 못한 의자가 있었고 학생들은 허리, 어깨, 목 등에 통증을 느끼고 있는 것으로 나타났다. 성별, 나이에 따른 통증 정도의 차이는 나타나지 않았으나 고학년인 경우 1학년보다 허리 부위에 통증을 더 느끼는 것으로 나타났다. 의자의 형태에 따라 허리 부위의 통증에 차이가 있었으며, 스 툴형 의자를 사용하는 경우 허리 통증을 더 많이 느끼는 것으로 나타났다. 그러나 앉은 자세에 따른 통증 정도의 차이는 나타나지 않았다. 결론 : 앞으로 강의실 의자 형태를 보다 적합한 것으로 변경할 필요가 있으며 학생들에게는 올바른 앉는 자세에 대한 적극적인 인식 교육이 실시되어야 한다.

목적 : 본 연구의 목적은 사무직 근로자들을 대상으로 현재 호소하는 통증 및 증상과 작업환경을 평가하고, 이를 바탕으로한 인간공학 프로그램의 적용이 통증 감소에 미치는 효과에 대해 알아보고자 하였다. 연구방법 : 총 20명의 사무직 근로자가 설문에 참여하였으며, 이들 중 근골격계 통증이 있는 12명의 대상자를 선정하여 인간공학 프로그램을 적용하였다. 인간공학 프로그램은 6주간 실시하였으며, 프로그램 적용 전과 후에 증상 조사(Symptoms Survey)를 이용하여 통증 정도를 측정하였다. 결과 : 인간공학 프로그램을 적용한 후에 어깨, 목, 팔/팔꿈치, 손/손목 부위에 통증이 감소하였고, 가장 많은 대상자들이 통증 감소를 보고한 신체부위는 어깨와 목이었다. 그리고 근골격계 통증 감소를 위한 스트레칭으로 구성된 체조를 실시한 1일 평균 횟수와 통증 감소간의 유의한 상관관계(p<.05)가 있었다. 결론 : 포괄적인 인간공학 프로그램(업무환경 개선, 자세 및 운동 교육 등) 제공이 사무직 근로자의 통증 감소에 영향을 주는 것으로 나타났다. 따라서 지속적인 프로그램 제공을 통해 근로자 본인의 건강 유지와 증진에 대한 관리를 할 수 있도록 해야 할 것이다.

Importance of the work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) has been increasing in the hospital industry such as health care industry and financial industry. This study investigated in order to identify the factors like general, occupational and ergonomically characteristics of the subjects related to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) of physical therapists (PTs). Ergonomic tools of rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) were used for evaluation workload of the tasks. Prevalence of MSDs were 13 PTs (26.0%) for neck, 31 PTs (62.0%) for shoulder, 9 PTs (18.0%) for arm/elbow, 27 PTs (54.0%) for hand/wrist, 28 PTs (56.0%) for back, 14 PTs (28.0%) for leg/foot. The analysis of the rate of the pain intensity showed that 53.5% subjects experience moderate pain and 14.0% subjects experience severe pain. Factors which were general characteristics, for example, height, ergonomically characteristics such as 'Posture Score A' were related musculoskeletal subjective symptoms in logistic analysis (p<.05). Among physical therapists, action level of RULA were action level 2 (6.0%), action level 3 (52.0%), action level 4 (42.0%). Physical therapists were estimated one of the highest risk factor in this study. This study suggested that the need of preventive education and program for PTs (physical therapists). Comprehensive and systematic management plans should be established to include both ergonomic and sociopsychological aspects.

목적 : 본 연구는 작업·물리치료사들의 근골격계질환 유해인자를 확인하고 이에 따른 근골격계질환 예방프로그램의 적용이 통증 및 직무스트레스에 미치는 효과에 대해 알아보고자 하였다.연구방법 : 2010년 5월부터 동년 7월까지 경남 창원에 위치하는 C병원에 근무하는 21명의 작업·물리치료사들을 대상으로 근골격계질환 유해인자를 Quick Exposure Checklist(QEC)를 통해 확인한 후, 이에 따른 근골격계질환 예방프로그램을 8주간 적용하였다. 대상자들의 중재 전·후의 통증과 스트레스 변화를 측정하기 위해 시각적 상사척도(Visual Analogue Scale; VAS)와 한국인 직무스트레스 측정도구를 각각 사용하였다.결과 : QEC를 통해 작업·물리치료사들의 업무환경은 개선이 필요한 수준임을 알 수 있었고, 중재를 적용 후 중재 전에 비해 VAS와 한국인 직무스트레스 측정도구의 결과가 유의하게 감소함을 알 수 있었다(p<.05). 또한 VAS와 한국인 직무스트레스 측정도구의 상관관계 분석을 통해 통증변화와 직무스트레스변화 간에 양의 상관관계가 있음을 확인하였다(p<.05). 결론 : 본 연구는 작업·물리치료사의 업무환경 분석을 통한 근골격계질환 예방프로그램을 적용함으로써 근골격계질환 예방활동이 작업·물리치료사의 통증 및 직무스트레스 감소에 긍정적인 효과가 있음을 제시하였다.

This study investigated the relationships between Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), contributing factors, and the occupational stress of physical therapists. Self-reported questionnaires were given to 180 physical therapists in Gangwon Province. Variables examined included the prevalence of pain sites related to WMSDs; pain intensity; pain pattern; and job stress, which is thought to involve the physical environment; job demand; insufficient job control; interpersonal conflict; job insecurity; organizational system; reward system; and occupational culture. Among physical therapists, work-related musculoskeletal pain commonly affected the low back (30.1%), shoulder (29.3%), and wrist (12.2%). The sites of work-related musculoskeletal pain treated medically were the low back (22.8%), shoulder (19.8%), neck (12.7%), and wrist (12.1%). "Repeating the same work constantly" was suggested to be the major cause of the pain. The younger therapists were significantly more likely to feel high job stress due to the physical environment (p<.05), job demand (p<.05), and organizational system (p<.01). Women were more likely to feel greater job stress related to job demand, insufficient job control, the organization system, and job rewards. Men were more likely to feel greater job stress related to job insecurity. Weak positive relationships were observed between work-related musculoskeletal pain and job stress, which is thought to involve the physical environment; job demand; insufficient job control; interpersonal conflict; job insecurity; organizational system; reward system; and occupational culture. Physical therapists appear to be at higher risk of WMSDs because 80.1% of the physical therapists studied experienced work-related musculoskeletal pain. To reduce the risk, we need intervention strategies such as preventive education, ergonomically designed medical equipment, a psychosocial approach to work conditions, improved mechanical conditions related to therapeutic patterns, and an institutional infrastructure with sufficient personnel and scheduling.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics and the current condition of musculoskeletal pain sufferers among fitness center users. The investigation used self-reporting questionnaire with the 797 subjects. On average, the subjects were 30.6 years old, 168.8 cm in height and 65.2 kg in weight. Among them, 423 were male (53.1%) and 374 were female (46.9%). Out of them, 276 suffered from pain, (35.2%). More men felt muscle aches than women (p<.05). In terms of pain, lower back area topped the list with 44.9%, followed by the lower extremities (30.1%), the neck (17.8%) and the upper part of the body (17.8%). Dieters suffered the most from pain (86.2%) while those exercising to build strength suffered the least with 26.8%. There was a significant relationship between the purpose for exercising and the amount of pain suffered (p<.05). By kind of exercise, pain stroke aerobic exercisers disproportionately with 42.4% while it almost steered clear of exercisers for strengthening with 26.9%. There was significant relationship between the kind of exercise and pain suffered (p<.05). The type of suffering differed by body shape. A significantly higher number of overweight people experienced pain than underweight people (p<.05). 32.8% of pain sufferers commented that the pain affects their workout, and on this issue there was no gender difference (p>.05). The pain caused more difficulties in doing activities of daily living for overweight or obese peoples than underweight peoples (p<.05). More than a third of health club and fitness center users are experiencing musculoskeletal pains. Measures such as professional training or information provision is required to prevent injury or disorder caused by improper exercise.

본 연구에서는 근골격계 통증이 자세유지와 균형능력에 핵심이 되는 중력중심 이동에 미치는 영향에 대해 알아봄으로서, 균형과 자세에 영향을 주는 다양한 요소들에 대한 새로운 접근을 시도해 보고자 한다. I-병원의 입원 및 외래 환자 중 신경계 손상이 없고 중력중심 이동에 직접적인 영향을 줄 수 있는 하지에 정형외과적 장애가 없으며, 전정계 손상이나 시력장애로 인한 균형에 문제가 없이 근골격계 질환으로 요통과 견통을 주소로 하는 71명의 환자(남자 38, 여