Background Textile dyeing workers are at an increased risk of developing occupational respiratory diseases owing to frequent exposure to harmful chemicals, irritants, and high humidity in the workplace. Pulmonary rehabilitation is essential but associated with access and adherence challenges. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness, accessibility, and safety of an app-based pulmonary telerehabilitation program for this population.
Methods Forty-five textile dyeing workers with respiratory symptoms underwent a 4-week pulmonary telerehabilitation program consisting of daily gamified respiratory muscle training using a Bluetooth-enabled device and video-guided flexibility exercises. The program was delivered through a mobile application and adherence was monitored using an online platform. Pulmonary function tests, 6-minute walk test, hand grip strength, and St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) scores were assessed at baseline (T0) and post-intervention (T1). The adherence, adverse events, and system usability were evaluated.
Results Improvements were observed in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), FEV1/forced vital capacity, maximal inspiratory pressure, and maximal expiratory pressure at T1 compared to T0. The SGRQ activity scores improved after the intervention. The mean adherence rate was 95.69%; three participants had adherence rates <80% for ≥1 week each. The mean System Usability Scale score was high.
Conclusion The program resulted in significant improvements in pulmonary function and quality of life with high adherence rates and good usability. This may be a promising approach for managing occupational respiratory diseases among textile dyeing workers. Further studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are warranted to validate these results and assess the long-term outcomes.
Public Health, Environmental, and Occupational Health
Background This study investigated the prevalence and associated factors of musculoskeletal pain among professional dancers who experienced a lapse in group practice due to coronavirus disease 2019.
Methods General characteristics, practice time, region of musculoskeletal pain due to injury using the visual numeric scale (VNS), and causative motion were surveyed among professional dancers. Pain of VNS 0 to 3 was categorized as “no or minor,” 4 to 6 was categorized as “moderate,” and 7 to 10 was categorized as “severe.” The causal motions of musculoskeletal pain were analyzed according to body region. Factors other than motion associated with pain were also analyzed.
Results In total, 368 participants were included. In the univariate analysis, age and practice time were positively associated with “moderate” pain. Practice time, dance experience, and postural accuracy were positively associated with “severe” pain, as was performing Korean traditional dance. In the multivariable analysis, practice time, group practice, and age were positively associated with pain of VNS 4 to 10, and practice time, group practice, and Korean traditional dance were positively associated with pain of VNS 7 to 10.
Conclusion Among the factors related to dancer training, practice time, group practice, and dance type affect the occurrence of pain.
Review article
Public Health, Environmental, and Occupational Health
There has been a growing concern and subsequent interest surrounding numerous reproductive toxic agents found in various working and non-working environments. Meanwhile, there have been many efforts in medical fields such as toxicology and epidemiology applying experimental studies to elucidate reproductive toxic agents’ characterization and health effects. However, there remains insufficient research data and inadequate evidence in humans. Adverse reproductive outcomes vary from transient, moderate health effects to severely detrimental consequences, such as permanent infertility or childhood cancer of one’s offspring. Furthermore, upon exposure to toxic agents, the latent period before reproductive health effects are observed is relatively short compared to other occupational diseases (e.g., occupational cancer); instant action is required once exposure to reproductive toxic agents is detected. Therefore, it is very important for workers and healthcare professionals to know about the reproductive toxic agents they are likely to be exposed to. In this review, we discuss the general epidemiology of reproductive health in Korea, and the information regarding these reproductive toxic agents.
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