PURPOSE: This study was done to develop a postural-stability patient transfer technique for care helpers in nursing homes and to evaluate its effectiveness. METHODS: Four types of patient transfer techniques (Lifting towards the head board of the bed, turning to the lateral position, sitting upright on the bed, transferring from wheel chair to bed) were practiced in accordance with the following three methods; Care helpers habitually used transfer methods (Method 1), patient transfer methods according to care helper standard textbooks (Method 2), and a method developed by the author ensuring postural-stability (Method 3). The care helpers' muscle activity and four joint angles were measured. The collected data were analyzed using the program SPSS Statistic 21.0. To differentiate the muscle activity and joint angle, the Friedman test was executed and the post-hoc analysis was conducted using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank test. RESULTS: Muscle activity was significantly lower during Method 3 compared to Methods 1 and 2. In addition, the joint angle was significantly lower for the knee and shoulder joint angle while performing Method 3 compared to Methods 1 and 2. DISCUSSION: Findings indicate that using postural-stability patient transfer techniques can contribute to the prevention of musculoskeletal disease which care helpers suffer from due to physically demanding patient care in nursing homes.
Adult ; Aged ; *Caregivers ; Female ; Humans ; Knee Joint/physiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle, Skeletal/physiology ; Nursing Homes ; Patient Transfer/*methods ; Posture ; Shoulder Joint/physiology

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the influence of awareness regarding particulate matter, perceived respiratory symptoms, and physical activities on health promotion behavior in elementary school children. Methods: Data were collected from 639 4th~6th grades students from 8 elementary schools in Busan and analyzed using independent t-test and ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple regression analysis. Results: The average for awareness regarding particulate matter was 29.84±5.63, for perceived respiratory symptoms, 0.66±0.95, and for health promotion behavior, 7.85±1.76. The mean amount of time the students spent in sleeping or sitting on an easy chair and/or activity while sitting were 10.71±3.04 and 6.60±2.84 hours a day. Factors influencing health promotion behavior in elementary school children were being a girl (β=.09, p=.015), in 4th grade (β=-.09, p=.025), residence in Busanjingu (β=-.10, p=.005), residence in Bukgu (β=-.12, p=.001), more than 10 years residence period (β=-.09, p=.020) and awareness regarding particulate matter (β=.42, p<.001). The explanation power of these variables was 23% (F=22.21, p<.001). Conclusion It is recommended that for health education programs, gender, grade, length of residence and area’s air pollution level be considered and education program including guideline for particulate matter be provided continuously to elementary students to increase their level of awareness regarding particulate matter and proper physical activity.