ABSTRACT

Objective : The purpose of this study was to know the effects of pain input from friction on proprioception, and to identify the change of proprioception, which is an occupational performance component. Methods : Twenty-two males who had participated in working practice during 1 year were recruited for this study as an experimental group. Also, twenty-two healthy university students were recruited for this study as a control group. We measured the mean positioning error using Winarm three-dimentional motion analysis equipment by having the subjects move their elbow flexion-extension and wrist flexion-extension. Next, the subjects were given an intervention of pain using a brush. We then conducted a retest. The collected data were calculated using a formula and analyzed. Results : Both the experimental and control groups showed significant increases in mean positioning error during an elbow flexion-extension and wrist flexion-extension after pain input (p<.05). However, the difference in mean positioning error before and after was not significant except for the elbow y axis error (p<.05). Conclusion : An increase of pain, which is a somathetic sensory receptor, reduced the firing of proprioceptions for positioning control. When pain appeared, a reduction of proprioception firing was constant without reference to the level of occupational performance skill. Therefore, a program for decreasing pain and increasing proprioception for the prevention of industrial injuries is needed.