Showing 9 results for Function
Majid Jalili, Farzad Nazem,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (9-2017)
Abstract
Introduction: Application and correct interpretation of the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) in medical, therapeutic, and exercise settings requires normal values of the 6MWT. The aim of this study was to develop and cross-validate the 6MWT prediction equation in Iranian healthy children and adolescent males.
Methods: The 6MWT and anthropometric variables were measured in 391 males (8 to 17 years old) with standard methods. Pearson correlation was used to assess the relationship between distances walked in the 6MWT and independent variables. Multiple regression analysis was used to design 6MWT prediction equation from dependent variables. Furthermore, accuracy of the present 6MWT prediction equation was cross-validated.
Results: Significant correlation was found between distances walked in the 6MWT and anthropometric characteristics (P < 0.001). Multiple stepwise regression reviled that age and Body Mass Index (BMI) could explain 63% of the variability of 6MWT in children and adolescent males (r2= 0.627, SEE= 36 m, P < 0.001). Accuracy of native 6MWT prediction equation was approved by good correlation between measured and predicted distance walked in the 6MWT (r2 = 0.79, P < 0.001).
Conclusions: This is the first study on the development of native 6MWD reference values. With application of this 6MWD prediction equation, physicians, physical therapists, and fitness coaches could receive correct feedback of pharmacological, rehabilitation, and exercise interventions.
Reza Khani Jazani, Mostafa Hasanvand,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (3-2018)
Abstract
Background: The purpose of this study was to identify and prioritize some factors affecting the trainers' satisfaction of Technical and Vocational Training Organization (TVTO) by integrating QFD and Kano models.
Methods: In this study, 435 trainees, aged 18 to 22 years old, were selected to complete the Kano questionnaire through direct communication and interview with the user in one of the centers of technical and vocational education in Tehran, Iran. In this study, Kano model and quality function development (QFD) integration methods were used to improve the design of technical and vocational institutions' workshops ergonomically and based on the needs of users. After completing the Kano questionnaire by these individuals, the responses were analyzed and the results were entered into the house of quality (HOQ) matrix.
Results: The results of the house of quality (HOQ) matrix in this study showed that design and safe application factor, as one of the most important safety features, had a weight coefficient of j=7.35. However, the furniture adjusting criterion with a weight coefficient of j= 1.09 had the lowest importance from the user's viewpoint. In addition, the thickness of materials and furniture with an absolute significance of AI=52.1 had no significant relation with ergonomics and comfort.
Conclusion: This results showed that both the Kano model and QFD integration method can be used in identifying and determining the priorities of the product design and work environment from the users' perspective.
Dr Adel Mazloumi, Leila Hajizadeh, Vafa Feyzi,
Volume 7, Issue 1 (5-2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: These days, due to increasing of old people’s population, elderly is a world widely issue. According to World Health Organization (WHO) people older than 60 years old are called elderly. Becoming old leads to decline in physical ability and increase in physical limitations and therefore there is a need for matching the environment with elderly users. The aim of this study is to develop and valid of check lists for screening the environment risk factor and assessing of elderly functional ability for environment and tools designing.
Methods: Present study is an analytical and descriptive study, which was performed in 20 houses for old people in Lar city. Data collection was done on existing articles and checklists, and also interview and observation with elderly. Existing checklist was evaluated in validity and reliability with high acceptable level.
Results: Based on findings of this study, height of mirror of wash-stand, height of wash-stand, dimension of yard and doorway was considered in ergonomics risk factors checklist. Items like opening door personally was involved in Functional Ability checklist. Validity score was lower than 0.78.
Conclusion: According to findings, it’s necessary to consider elderly limitations and ability in designing environment and tools in order to resolve their problems and increase their quality of life.
Iraj Alimohammad, Reza Pourbabaki, Kazem Rahmani, Mehrdad Souri, Fakhradin Ahmadi Kanrash,
Volume 7, Issue 1 (5-2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Studies have shown the effect of smoking on mental and cognitive performance of the individuals who need to concentrate on their work. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of smoking on cognitive performance of the automotive industry workers.
Methods: In this case-control study conducted in 2018, 280 automotive industry workers were selected through the simple random sampling and then assigned to two groups of smokers (100 cases) and non-smokers (180 controls). All the subjects were selected from the environments with the sound levels of 82 to 88 dB. The workers’ cognitive performance was also tested using the CPT, Stroop and Tower of London tests.
Results: The mean age of the case group was 36/02 (3/7) and that of the control group was 36/25 (3/65) years. The results showed that the scores of the TOL test in the case group (smokers) were lower than those of the non-smokers (OR=0/903, P<0.01), and other items of the TOL test had no significant relationship with the individuals’ smoking status (P>0/05). The Stroop and continuous performance tests also had a significant relationship with the individuals’ smoking status in terms of the number of correct responses and the response time as well as interference (P<0.01). Other items had no relationship with the individuals’ smoking status (P>0/05).
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the use of cigarettes and nicotine substances significantly decreased the workers’ mental and intellectual performance, and smokers were more likely to suffer from concentration interference, low brain processing speed in decision-making, and low precision at work, compared to non-smokers.
Azadeh Sadat Masoumi, Mahdieh Akoochakian,
Volume 7, Issue 2 (9-2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Given the increasing prevalence of smart phone usage, it can be considered as an important and significant issue in all aspects of human life. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to study the effect of duration of smartphone use on head and shoulders’ posture of young adults aged 20-35 years.
Methods: The statistical population of this study was young people aged 20 to 35 with smart phones who were resident of Kish Island in 2018. A sample of 50 people (25 men and 25 women) were selected voluntarily and purposefully. Low- user and High- user groups were identified by completing the form of addiction to smart cell phone, in assessing the status of upper limb, the shoulder position was measured by Scapular index and head position was measured by photogrammetric method technique and Kinovea software. Independent t-test was used for comparison of experimental variables between two groups. Data were analyzed with SPSS 22. P<0.05 was considered significant.
Results: The findings showed that there is a significant difference between upper limb posture in Low- user and High- user groups (P=0.033). There was also a significant difference in shoulder position between men and women (P=0.002). But regarding head positioning, there was no significant difference between men and women (P=0.436).
Conclusion: Thus, it seems that considering the significant difference between the two groups mentioned for upper limb posture, we can use the results of this study to inform, prevent and improve the upper.
Noori Kaabomeir, Arezo Pirzadeh,
Volume 8, Issue 3 (10-2020)
Abstract
Background and Aim: One of the major challenges in the health sector, especially in relation to nurses, is shiftwork that can have many negative consequences for this group. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to comparison of marital satisfaction, intimacy and sexual function in female married nurses with fixed and changing shiftwork in Abadan city government hospitals.
Methods: The research method is a descriptive comparative design. The statistical population of the study consisted of all the female married nurses of Abadan city government hospitals, which was about 400 people. From this, 140 people were selected by simple random sampling method, of which 57 people had fixed shiftwork and 83 people had changing shiftwork. The instruments of the present study included Hudson’ Marital Satisfaction Questionnaire, Vaker and Thompson’ Intimacy Questionnaire, and Rosen et al’ Sexual Function Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using MANOVA analysis and SPSS software version 24.
Results: The results of data analysis showed that there is no significant difference in marital satisfaction (F=0.29, P=0.589), intimacy (F=0.13, P=0.724) and sexual function (F=0.07, P=0.795) between female married nurses with fixed and changing shiftwork.
Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, it seems that there are mechanisms that moderate the effect of shiftwork on different outcomes. Therefore, it is necessary to provide the conditions for strengthening these mechanisms.
Mostafa Rahmiani-Iranshahi, Mohsen Aliabadi, R Rostam Golmohamadi, Alireza Soltanian, Mohammad Babamiri,
Volume 9, Issue 1 (4-2021)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Noise is known as an intruder in job environments and has non-hearing effects. The impact of noise on cognitive functions depends on the type of noise and the dose of noise exposure. This study aims to investigate the effect of noise exposure on cognitive functions and sleep quality.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was performed on 169 workers in three metal, chemical, and food industries in Hamedan in 1399. A continuous performance test was used to evaluate cognitive functions. The Petersburg questionnaire assessed participant's sleep quality. Using SVAN 971 analyzer and TES dosimeter, the level of noise exposure and the dominant frequency was measured. Data were also analyzed using linear and multiple regression in SPSS software (version 16).
Results: There is a significant difference in the level of noise exposure with changes in cognitive functions and sleep quality in the present study (P<0.001). The results of linear regression showed that there is a significant relationship between cognitive function and the level of exposure to sound (P<0.001). After identifying and determining the input variables, using multiple regression, an appropriate model was developed to predict sleep quality and sustained attention in the face of noise.
Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, predictive models with the appropriate coefficient of determination can be good models for assessing the quality of sleep and attention of people in the face of noise, which can be implemented and measured in a shorter time.
Nooshin Atashfeshan, Prof Mohammad Saidi-Mehrabad, Hamideh Razavi,
Volume 9, Issue 3 (12-2021)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Despite contribution to catastrophic accidents, human errors have been generally ignored in the design of human-machine (HM) systems and the determination of the level of automation (LOA). This paper aims to develop a method to estimate the level of automation in the early stage of the design phase considering both human and machine performance.
Methods: A quantitative method is used to evaluate the performance of the whole human-machine system by the human-in-the-loop fault tree analysis while a qualitative and cross-sectional method is used to estimate human errors using the CREAM technique. The data are collected from real cases that happened in the control room of the Ferdowsi power plant.
Results: Full automatic option with an average error of 0.013 had the lowest error rate, i.e. 1/8 of the error rate of the manual design. In addition, the CREAM analysis showed that the control room operators were not satisfied with the availability of procedures and Man-Machine Interface and operational support in general. Thus, on average, the reliability of the manual design is less than the reliability of the automatic setting.
Conclusion: High machine reliability has led to the fact that the fully automatic design would be one of the best design choices for human-machine systems. However, based on the previous studies, high automation may have some human-out-of-the-loop shortcomings. Thus, this study proposed solutions to overcome these disadvantages based on the importance of the control parameters or the essence of human involvement in some decision-making and execution tasks.
Sinaz Niazi, Farzaneh Gandomi, Laila Ghazaleh, Parviz Soufivand,
Volume 11, Issue 1 (5-2023)
Abstract
Objectives: Chronic neck pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders that has a great impact on people's quality of life, health, and work efficiency. Due to the high costs of drug treatments, the search for simple and low-cost treatment solutions is inevitable. Stretching and tissue release techniques are effective solutions for correcting skeletal-muscular disorders. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate their effectiveness in controlling pain and improving the performance of people suffering from non-specific chronic neck pain.
Methods: In this semi-experimental study with parallel groups and pre-test-post-test design, 39 patients with non-specific chronic neck pain with an average age of 25 to 45 years, in a non-random and available form, were selected from the office workers. Individuals were randomly assigned into three groups of traction stretch, release, and control, and received interventions for six weeks. At the beginning and after the completion of the interventions, pain intensity, qualitative fatigue, and quality of life were evaluated using the visual measure of pain, multidimensional fatigue questionnaire, and SF36 questionnaire, respectively. To compare the averages, one way ANCOVA a mixed analysis of variance test was used.
Results: Intra-group comparisons showed that pain intensity, quality of life, and fatigue improved significantly in both intervention groups (P<0.05). Stretching and release exercises both had a significant effect on improving the variables (P<0.05). However, the results of the release exercises group were more significant.
Conclusion: Six weeks of releasing and stretching techniques in non-specific chronic neck pain patients reduces pain and fatigue and increases their quality of life.
