Search

Abstract Background Since the quality of work life of healthcare workers is affected by various factors, an improvement in their work environment can reduce the burden on them, increasing their performance. This study aimed to identify the current problems in working environments for registered nurses (RNs), nurse aides (NAs), and caregivers using the 5th Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS), presenting measures to improve working conditions by analyzing their predictors: 1) degree of exposure to work-related risk factors (musculoskeletal and mental), 2) working patterns, 3) work-family balance, 4) work situations, and 5) self-rated health. Methods The sampling frame was a list of apartment and general survey zones, excluding islands, dormitories, special social facilities, tourist hotels, and foreigner zones, among the total survey zones of the 2010 Population and Housing Census. The KWCS was given to 50,205 participants of various occupations, and responses from 494 RNs, 201 NAs, and 505 caregivers were extracted to compare their 1) degree of exposure to work-related risk factors (musculoskeletal and mental), 2) working pattern, 3) work-family balance, 4) work situations, and 5) self-rated health. Results The response rate was 0.449. There were significant differences in all the variables (exposure to musculoskeletal and mental work-related risk factors, working pattern, work-family balance, work situations, self-rated health, and satisfaction with working conditions) among RNs, NAs, and caregivers (p

Background. People with disabilities face considerable obstacles when exercising, which precludes them from the social and health benefits of physical activity. Especially for individuals with paraplegia with spinal cord injuries, it is necessary to maintain continuous participation in physical activity even after discharge, as it helps to maintain mobility and daily living activities through upper body strength. However, the participation rate of people with disabilities in physical activity in Korea is still low, mainly due to the lack of exercise equipment and facilities. Objectives. The aim of this study is to identify aspects that can be improved for better accessibility to exercise equipment for individuals with paraplegia with spinal cord injuries and to reach a consensus on possible guidelines for accessible exercise equipment. Methods. This study reviews and evaluated the usability of four existing upper-body exercise equipment for individuals with paraplegia with spinal cord injuries. To assess usability, task performance scores and time were measured, and a survey was conducted on safety and satisfaction. Based on these results, areas for improvement were identified. Through literature review, usability results, and opinions from various stakeholders, eight requirements for universal accessibility were proposed. Results. It is necessary to consider how wheelchair users access the exercise equipment. The access method to the exercise area (facility regulations, auxiliary equipment to be provided, etc.) and placement of exercise equipment should also be considered. Information such as explanations of the exercise equipment and how to use it should be located within the wheelchair user’s field of vision. Considering the participation rate in sports for people with disabilities in Korea, it is necessary to explain the exact exercise equipment and exercise method. It is also necessary to consider how wheelchair users transfer from the wheelchair to the seat of the exercise equipment. Parts that require manipulation of each exercise equipment must be within the wheelchair user’s range of motion. Various supports or assistive devices that provide body support according to each piece of equipment are needed. In addition to the wheelchair’s own brake, it is necessary to provide a fixing device so that the wheelchair does not move during the exercise. Conclusion. For people with spinal cord injuries, the arm ergometer, aerobic exercise equipment, showed higher scores in performance, stability, and satisfaction compared to other exercise equipment. Among the strength exercise equipment, shoulder press had an effect on performance, seated lat pull-down had an effect on stability, and seated chest press had an effect on satisfaction. Therefore, when selecting exercise equipment, it is necessary to recommend aerobic and strength exercise equipment according to the preferences of people with spinal cord injuries. When developing strength exercise equipment, it is necessary to consider usability evaluation factors for individuals with spinal cord injury.

This study aimed to analyse the types and characteristics of rehabilitation specialists’ experience in administering virtual reality (VR) programs using Q methodology as well as provide basic data regarding the introduction of VR programs in rehabilitation therapy. Thirty-three statements were derived based on a literature review and an in-depth interview with rehabilitation specialists. Q-sorting was performed by a Q-sample of 22 rehabilitation specialists with experience administering VR programs. Data were analysed using the QUANL Program. Rehabilitation specialists’ experience with administering VR programs were classified into three types: type 1 was labelled ‘the need to develop VR programs customised for disability level and type’, type 2 was labelled ‘emphasis on experts’ role of paying attention continuously and their experience’, and type 3 was labelled ‘the need to develop safety equipment by disability type’. The study’s findings demonstrate that there are a variety of rehabilitation specialists’ perceptions on their experience administering VR programs. This study is of significance because it suggests ways to improve VR programs for disabled people, with the consultation of rehabilitation specialists. In addition, rehabilitation specialists’ perceptions on VR programs have not been explored before.

In this paper, we propose an interactive mobile gait training system that allows trainees to interact actively with its content (the gait training content). The proposed system is a new type of gait training one combining a mobile robot with virtual reality (contents). It is a mobile system that projects virtual contents (for example, virtual footprints) for gait training on the actual ground (or floor). The performance and effectiveness of the proposed system were examined through a trainee’s foot recognition test and usability evaluation. The test results confirmed that the proposed system showed an average recognition ratio of more than 97%, meaning that the system could accurately recognize the trainee’s foot. In addition, as a result of usability evaluation, the overall satisfaction was 86%, confirming that the proposed system is effective.

The population of Korea is aging rapidly, and this has led to a care burden for caregivers. Without adequate caregivers to address the increased burden, people with significant disabilities and older adults with disabilities who have greatly reduced mobility are at risk. The aim of this study was to determine suitable types of care robots for care applications in Korea and formulate a strategy for a future care robot R&D plan through a user participation study. We categorized nine types of care robots that are suitable for the care needs in Korea. By adopting a mixed research methodology involving user participation, we conducted discussions with caregivers, care receivers, and other stakeholders under a public-private-people partnership model. We also identified five primary strategies for care robot R&D: (1) intensive investment to match the needs of people with very severe disabilities to care robot technologies, particularly for transfer, repositioning, toileting, and feeding; (2) translational research and technology development; (3) realization of smart-care through fourth industrial revolution (i.e., digital) technologies; (4) user-centered research with stakeholders; and (5) building of a care robot ecosystem. The formulated plan would be shared with other developers and clinical experts to drive development of suitable care robots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gait training is an important rehabilitation exercise for lower-extremity patients to recover their ability to walk. However, existing gait training that makes use of treadmills or robotic assistive systems differs from the actual walking environment on the ground because they repeat similar treatments in restricted treatment rooms. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a new type of gait training system that combines a mobile robot with virtual reality. The proposed system is a mobile system that augments virtual content for gait training on real ground. Our proposed system differs from conventional robotic-assisted gait training in terms of making a patient interact with the content. In addition, there is another advantage in that the space is not limited during gait training because a mobile robot is used. Two experiments were conducted, and the results were used to examine the performance of our proposed system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hand function for persons with cervical spinal cord injury (PCSCI) is most frequently cause difficulties in leading normal lives. The purpose of this study was to test the usability of a new writing assistive device (NWAD) for PCSCI. To access its usability, the authors design usability testing method and test the NWAD to five individuals with cervical spinal cord injury. From the usability testing, we have found number of issues that lead us to key design concept about developing the NWAD. The NWAD will be redesigned based on the result of the present study. We expect that the NWAD will help PCSCI use their affected hand better and improve the level of independence and quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]