Comprehensive risk assessment of the patient transfer task using the walking belt and floor lift.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) during bed-to-wheelchair and wheelchair-to-commode transfers are a significant concern, yet prior assessments often focused on specific subtasks, overlooking potential cumulative risks. This study employed Xsens Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) and force plates integrated with an automated Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) system to provide a continuous and comprehensive evaluation of WMSDs risks associated with the use of a walking belt and a floor lift. The continuous assessment revealed peak REBA scores ranging from 8.

A preliminary biomechanical assessment and user perceptions of a motorized lifter for patient transfer.

A "no-lift" policy in healthcare discourages manual patient lifting to reduce worker injuries. This study explores modifications to a floor lift (NEAR-1) to align with this policy. NEAR-1 features a shorter lower lifting arm and a redesigned sling, enabling patients to (a) transfer in a sitting position, unlike a floor lift's semi-reclining position, and (b) feel more in control by removing the sling's rotational degree of freedom and letting the patient's feet rest on the lifter base.

Preliminary results of COVID-19 vaccination among Taiwanese pregnant women: A single-center, prospective, case-control study.

Objective: To evaluate the impacts of messenger RNA coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines in Taiwanese pregnant women in terms of obstetrical and neonatal outcomes.

Methods: The authors prospectively followed up 450 pregnant women receiving vaccination at a single center. Patients recorded prespecified adverse reactions via a mobile application up to 30 days after the first and second doses.

Evaluation of a motorised patient transfer device based on perceived workload, technology acceptance, and emotional states.

Purpose: The high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among healthcare workers is partly attributed to the low adoption of patient transfer assistive devices. This study aimed to evaluate the nurses' perceived workload, technology acceptance, and emotional states during the use of the sliding board (SB) and mechanical intervention in the form of a Motorised Patient Transfer Device (MPTD).

Methods: The SB and MPTD activities were performed by seven nurses on a simulated patient.

Depression and anxiety in the Malaysian urban population and their association with demographic characteristics, quality of life, and the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The prevalence of depression and anxiety has been shown to be higher in the urban population compared with the rural population. The present study investigated the prevalence of depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and depression with comorbid anxiety symptoms and their associated factors in a random sample drawn from several urban communities in Malaysia. This study also determined the association between the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and depression with comorbid anxiety symptoms.

The effect of wearing sanitary napkins of different thicknesses on physiological and psychological responses in Muslim females.

Background: Menstruation is associated with significant unpleasantness, and wearing a sanitary napkin (SN) during menses causes discomfort. In addition, many Muslim women use a thick type of SN during menses due to the religious requirement that even disposable SNs be washed before disposal. Therefore, the objective of this study was to measure the physiological and psychological responses to wearing SNs of different thicknesses during menstruation and non-menstruation phases at rest and during physical activity/exercise among Muslim women.

The effects of virgin coconut oil (VCO) as supplementation on quality of life (QOL) among breast cancer patients.

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer amongst Malaysian women. Both the disease and its treatment can disrupt the lives of the woman and adversely affect all aspects of life and thus can alter a woman's quality of life. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of virgin coconut oil (VCO) on the quality of life (QOL) of patients diagnosed with breast cancer.

Efficacy and safety of Labisia pumila var alata water extract among pre- and postmenopausal women.

This study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of Labisia pumila var alata (L. pumila) water extract for improving quality of life, cardiovascular and hormonal balance. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group, 16-week study in healthy pre- and postmenopausal women aged 40-60 years was conducted in Kelantan, Malaysia.

Non-cytotoxic and sublethal paclitaxel treatment potentiates the sensitivity of cultured ovarian tumor SKOV-3 cells to lysis by lymphokine-activated killer cells.

Background: The standard treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer is tumor debulking by surgery, followed by six cycles of chemotherapy consisting of cisplatinum and paclitaxel. However, this therapy protocol is not satisfactory, since about 50% of the treated patients eventually experience recurrence within a few years of follow-up. Thus, a more innovative treatment modality is urgently needed for patients with this malignancy.