Biomedical subjects

Midori Sotoyama

Publications and source records attributed to Midori Sotoyama.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

[VDT worker's posture and workload in free-address office system].

A free-address system is a new office layout in which a worker can freely sit in their favorite place with a computer and materials. Since this layout has recently been introduced in offices, we conducted a questionnaire survey which aimed to clarify the effects of the free-address system on visual display terminals (VDT) workers' posture and workload. A total of 203 male VDT workers who were system engineers aged 20 to 59 using a notebook computer were evaluated, of whom 150 used the free-address layout, and 53 used the fixed-address layout. The free-address layout was effective in the improvement of individual work space compared with the fixed-address layout. Also, in this layout the worker did not feel dissatisfaction with communication or support between workers. However, workers using the free-address layout assumed an unsuitable work posture, without adjusting the height of their chairs. Furthermore, this layout might have risk factors which increase neck/shoulder and low back stiffness and/or pain. Therefore, the free-address layout may have incipient problems, and it will be necessary to examine further the effects of this layout on VDT worker's health.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Arm pain and daytime sleepiness among nursing home employees.

We investigated the relationship between musculoskeletal disorders and sleep problems among 98 employees (79 women) at three nursing homes. Self-reported data were collected regarding pain in the neck, shoulders, arms, legs, and low back, sleep disturbances, daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale), and the level of workload on the hands, legs, and low back by type of care. Pain in the arms was significantly associated with less difficulty initiating sleep, fewer symptoms of insomnia, and a higher level of daytime sleepiness. After adjusting for age and gender, only the association between arm pain and daytime sleepiness remained significant (Odds Ratio 6.70, 95% Confidence Interval 1.40-31.97). Participants with both arm pain and daytime sleepiness showed significantly greater levels of workload in some kinds of care in a systemic manner than counterparts without either complaint. These findings suggest that arm pain is associated with elevated sleep propensity/fatigue in nursing home work.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

[Survey on visual and musculoskeletal symptoms in VDT workers].

With the spread of visual display terminals (VDT) in offices, the numbers of workers using VDT and the working hours at such equipment have increased rapidly in recent years. Also, preventive measures for fatigue have been proposed and the office-working environment has been improved. To examine the effects of the rapid changes in working conditions and environment on the health of VDT workers, we conducted a questionnaire survey in 2002. A self-reported questionnaire was distributed to 3,927 office workers; 2,374 (60.5%) responded. Subjects whose questionnaires had missing data were excluded from analysis. As a result, 1,406 (male: 1,069, female: 337) workers aged 20 to 59 were subjected to analysis. By a logistic regression model, we examined the association between VDT use and visual and musculoskeletal symptoms. Prevalence of eye strain and/or pain (72.1%) was the highest, followed by neck stiffness and/or pain (59.3%), low back stiffness and/or pain (30.0%) and hand or arm strain and/or pain (13.9%). Women consistently reported more discomfort than men. As a result of the logistic regression model, eye strain and/or pain was associated with dissatisfaction with airflow, but not with factors affecting visual symptoms as reported in previous studies, for example, reflection of light and blurred characters on the screen. It was thought that airflow appeared as a risk factor because the lighting environment had been improved in offices to prevent reflection of light on the screen. Neck stiffness and/or pain was associated with raising the shoulders during VDT work, the unsuitable shape of the computer mouse for a hand, and the inconvenient arrangement of the mouse in relation to the body. Hand or arm strain and/or pain were associated with the arrangement of the mouse and inappropriate height of the desk. Low back stiffness and/or pain were associated with dissatisfaction with the chair and using the keyboard without a wrist rest. Although measures to prevent fatigue had been implemented for VDT workers, risk factors for musculoskeletal symptoms would be the same as in previous studies.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Shape and thickness of cushion in a standing aid to support a forward bending posture: effects on posture, muscle activities and subjective discomfort.

In order to prevent low back pain (LBP) during dishwashing, we developed three types of aid with a thick cushion for supporting the shins and evaluated the effects of the standing aid on the subjective discomfort and muscle activities. Nine female volunteers were asked to wash plates in each of four working postures: (a) without the standing aid, (b) with the round type of aid, (c) with the small rectangular type of aid, and (d) with the large rectangular type of aid. With the three types of aid, the subjects were instructed to support the shins with the standing aid and to support the abdomen with the edge of a kitchen counter. In the three postures with the standing aid, 21.5 +/- 10.0% of the weight was supported with the standing aid and the kitchen counter. The subjective discomfort was milder and the muscle activity level in the low back was lower in the three postures with the standing aid than in the posture without the aid. It was thought that the round type of aid would be more effective in decreasing the discomfort in many of body regions and the muscle load on the low back than either of the rectangular types of aid. Therefore, it was suggested that the standing aid had the desired effect in decreasing discomfort and muscle load on the low back during dishwashing.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Development of action checkpoints for comfortable computer work.

We developed a manual including a checklist format for undertaking measures to prevent fatigue in visual display terminals (VDT) workers. With this manual, problems related to VDT work can be recognized by using checklists which allow for self-evaluation by the workers. The manual helps the workers to consider measures for improvement by themselves and will contribute to better occupational health education.

Computer Terminals↗

PubMed2002

An ergonomic questionnaire survey on the use of computers in schools.

A questionnaire was sent out to elementary, junior high and high schools in Yokohama and Kawasaki Cities from January to March 1998 regarding the use of personal computers by pupils and students. The survey included the questions that asked how often and in what environment computers are used, whether any instructions are given as to their use, children's working posture, and the effect on health. The results show that most schools are slow to develop instructive programs from the environmental or ergonomic point of view. So far there are not many children who complain of any serious symptoms such as pain in the neck, head or shoulders, but a future increase in the number of classes which involve computing, as well as the widespread popularity of home computers, will surely arouse a legitimate concern about the health of pupils and students, since they will spend more and more time operating the devices. An effective way to anticipate the problem is to provide young students with adequate knowledge of easy-on-body usage and environmental design, and now there is an urgent need for specific guidelines to protect them.

Adolescent↗