Physical Comfort Research Articles

Physical and nonphysical effects of weekly music therapy intervention on the condition of radiooncology patients.

In oncology settings, music, especially music therapy (MT), is frequently used to improve patients' quality of life, pain situation, anxiety, depression, fatigue, and comfort. However, to date, there are no prospectively collected data correlating regular standardized MT sessions during radiotherapy (RT) to physical parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation and corresponding quality of life measures using quantitative descriptive scales in oncological patients. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of MT on the condition of radiooncology patients using these parameters. During this study, patients participated weekly MT sessions guided by aboard-certified music therapist. Data such as pain, physical comfort, and respiratory comfort based on the visual analogue scale (VAS) were collected before and after MT sessions. Furthermore, vital signs including heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation as well as RT side effects were recorded. A total of 57patients (age 61 ± 11years) were enrolled in the study. Median VAS score was significantly different before and after MT for pain: VAS1 (interquartile range [IQR]: 0-3) vs. VAS0 (IQR: 0-2; p < 0.001); physical comfort: VAS7 (IQR: 6-7) vs. VAS8 (IQR: 7-9; p < 0.001); and respiratory comfort only in the patients with pre-existing symptoms (VAS < 10 before therapy): VAS8 (IQR: 6-8) vs. VAS9 (IQR: 8-10; p = 0.002). Furthermore, vital signs were significantly reduced from pre-session to post-session (p > 0.001): heart rate 81 ± 14 min-1 to 76 ± 13 min-1 and respiratory rate from 12 ± 5 min-1 to 10 ± 4 min-1. RT-related side effects did not interfere with participation in MT sessions. In our study cohort of radiooncology patients, weekly MT sessions improved defined physical parameters as well as pain, physical comfort, and respiratory comfort. Establishing MT in the routine clinical setting should be more readily considered to further improve patient outcomes.

Nurses' comfort care of transarterial chemoembolization patients based on their perceptions around postembolization syndrome and symptom interference.

Post-embolization syndrome is a common adverse event following trans-arterial chemoembolization, which negatively impacts the daily life of the patients involved. This study examined whether perceptions around post-embolization syndrome and symptom interference among nurses affect their comfort care performance toward patients who have undergone this procedure. A descriptive cross-sectional study. One hundred and fifty registered nurses were surveyed from September to November 2020. Perceived post-embolization syndrome, symptom interference, and comfort care (including physical, psychospiritual, sociocultural, and environmental dimensions) were measured. Data were analyzed using t-tests, analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation, and a multivariate analysis of variance. There were no individual effects found of perceived post-embolization syndrome or symptom interference on nurses' comfort care performance. However, statistically significant interaction effects were found in terms of their sociocultural and environmental care. Nurses who recognized both high post-embolization syndrome and symptom interference among their patients were found to provide greater sociocultural and environmental care. As such, nurses should improve their early symptom and symptom interference detection protocols based on current care guidelines and provide physical, psychospiritual, sociocultural, and environmental comfort care.

HOW DOES THE INTERSECTION OF RACE AND GENDER AFFECT HOSPICE CARE AT THE END OF LIFE?

Abstract Research in the palliative and end-of-life-care field has shown that hospice care in the final months of life can improve outcomes such as pain, emotional well-being, and physical comfort. Yet, researchers often find significant disparities in the ability to access hospice care, with Black individuals being less likely to have hospice care at the end of life. The theory of intersectionality suggests that the combination of multiple vulnerable identities may add to the number of hardships and stressors that an individual experiences across the lifespan. To test the theory, this study aimed to access whether gender moderated the relationship between race and the receipt of hospice care at the end of life. Data were derived from Round 3 to Round 10 of the National Health and Aging Trends Study, and two multivariate regression models were used to assess the relationship between the race/gender interaction and hospice care at the end of life (Model 1: main effects, Model 2: interaction term). Results showed that the effect of race on hospice care was indeed dependent on gender, with Black women being the least likely to have hospice care at the end of life. This points to the combined disadvantages resulting from membership in two vulnerable groups (i.e., being a woman and being Black), including fewer hospice facilities in Black-populated areas, race and gender discrimination in hospice referrals, and other factors that combine to reduce hospice access for Black women. Implications for research, practice, and policy are provided.

Systematic and evaluative review of school climate instruments for students, teachers, and parents

AbstractThis study involved a systematic and evaluative review of school climate measures to catalog main domains and subdomains and rate parameters of instrument presentation and psychometric quality. Four databases were used (Web of Science, Scopus, ERIC, and PsycINFO) and 37 instruments (studies) met inclusion criteria (instrument measured school climate; psychometric properties of the instrument were provided; every instrument included in the review has its original version published; the article was in English or Spanish; the article was a peer‐reviewed publication). Information was synthesized according to instrument presentation and psychometric quality. The expansion of literature search routes was designed to mitigate publication bias. Analysis revealed four main domains among extant school climate measures: relationships (social relationships, school connectedness, leadership, and culture), environment (school facilities, physical comfort, and cleanliness), safety/discipline (school safety, fairness of rules, bullying and aggression, disciplinary harshness, and general drug use), and academic (academic outcomes, equality of opportunity, engagement, and cohesiveness/competitiveness). This domain/subdomain architecture could serve as a touchstone for conceptualizing school climate and developing and refining future assessment devices for this construct. The domain/subdomain architecture could also help guide school reform efforts. Limitations included possible publication bias and an exclusive focus on questionnaires and not other methods to assess school climate.

Factors Affecting Patient Satisfaction in Dermatology Clinics in Saudi Arabia.

Background A methodical approach to health services called "quality of care" places an emphasis on both interpersonal and technical competence in the delivery of medical care. One of the key elements of high-quality care is the client's or patient's satisfaction, which includes treating them with respect, being aware of their needs, and meeting those needs. Dermatologists are forced to expand service availability and respond to patients' needs and desires as required through satisfaction surveys as a result of an increase in the number of insured patients and demand for services. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in Saudi Arabia to measure patient satisfaction with the medical care provided to patients in dermatology clinics affiliated with the government and private hospitalsby recording the responses received from a questionnaire assessing the doctor's attitude, such as whether the dermatologist was punctual and had the patient's medical records. The modified Arabic language digitally administered questionnaire with 17 closed-ended items was used to collect data from respondents. Results In total, 1002 patients, including 70.76% females and 29.24% males, participated in the study; 83.33% of patients visited a dermatology clinic of which 74.61% visited private clinics, and the disease had already developed in 64.55% of patients.A 5-point Likert scale with six statements was used to measure patient satisfaction with the visiting doctor. Overall, the mean score was very high (4.41 ± 0.92). Conclusion According to the results of this study, respect for patients' wishes, emotional support, and physical comfort appear to be the most crucial factors in determining patient happiness. Healthcare systems should strive to achieve a balance in services that not only offer clinically effective care but are also perceived by the patients as acceptable and beneficial. This is true regardless of demographic status.

Barriers and Facilitators for Patient-Centered Care for Hospitalized COVID Patients: Lived Experiences from Ex-hospitalized Patients and Health Care Professionals

The COVID pandemic has challenged patient-centeredness, an increasingly valued approach in the pursuit of high-quality care. This research aimed to explore barriers and facilitators for patient-centered care (PCC) in the context of the COVID pandemic. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven ex-hospitalized COVID patients and ten health care professionals (HCPs) who have cared for this patient group. A phenomenological design was used with a photo-elicitation method to capture participants’ lived experiences. Findings indicate that COVID entailed multiple and interrelated barriers across all dimensions of PCC. COVID care practices like intubation and isolation also negatively impacted patients’ physical comfort, ability to communicate, and emotional well-being. Despite HCPs’ motivation to improve patients’ well-being, they were hampered by serious barriers, including a lack of time and challenges in care coordination. Due to these difficulties, the question can be raised whether PCC during a communicable disease pandemic is feasible. Nevertheless, as shown in this study, key facilitators such as digital communication tools and a holistic and personal care approach demonstrate that rendering PCC remains vital and should be aimed for and that this could be informed by the lived experiences of HCPs and patients.

Study of healthy architecture in integrated clinical architectural design

This study examines the Healthy Architecture approach and its application in processing clinical architectural designs that respond to the pandemic. This study's results contribute to architectural ideas and reference materials that are easy to understand and can be used to consider the development of clinical architecture in Indonesia that responds to the pandemic. The issue behind this research is the existence of a global pandemic. The pandemic has had a significant impact on the architectural order, especially for the architecture of health facilities such as health centers, clinics, rehabilitation centers, and hospitals. The clinic is one of the health facilities that are the first level service center to improve the quality of public health. Currently, clinics are also the front line during a pandemic in Indonesia before patients deliver to advanced health facilities such as hospitals. This study uses a descriptive qualitative method that describes implementing the healthy architecture approach in clinical architectural design. In the research process, the researcher reviewed several relevant pieces of literature. Then, during the analysis process, the author tries to connect the relationships between the literature to conclude the variables used in producing research conclusions. Healthy architecture is applied to produce a healthy, effective, optimal architecture in its application to the clinic's environment and the patient's healing process. The scope of achievements from the implementation of the healthy architecture is the idea of a healthy and practical design, both physical comfort, user behavior, and social. This application aims to support the patient's healing process and support the performance of medical personnel at the clinic during a pandemic and in the future. Keywords: Architecture, healing, healthy architecture, health facilities, pandemic, the clinic

Kemampuan Perawat Dalam Menerapkan Patient Centered Care Di RSUD Dr. M. Haulussy Ambon

Patient-focused services or commonly called Patient Centered Care (PCC) have become the main focus in providing health care today. The PCC concept was first introduced by Picker in 1988 through the Picker Institute Europe in England. Regional General Hospital (RSUD) Dr. M Haulussy Ambon is a hospital that has been accredited and is required to be able to implement PCC in its services. Purpose this study was to determine the ability of nurses to apply PCC at RSUD dr. M. Haulussy Ambon. The research design used is descriptive quantitative using observational. The population in this study were nurses at RSUD Dr. M Haulussy Ambon as many as 302 nurses. The number of samples is 113 respondents. data collection techniques using a questionnaire. Results: Most of the nurses' ability to apply PCC showed good results but there were still a number of PCC dimensions that had sufficient results. The PCC dimensions that get good results are respecting patient choices and assessments, physical comfort, information and education, service coordination, and involving family and friends. It can be concluded that most nurses are capable of implementing PCC.

School Built Environments and Bullying Behaviour: A Conceptual Model Based on Qualitative Interviews.

Interest in how the school built environment impacts bullying behaviour has gained momentum in recent years. While numerous studies have identified locations within schools where bullying frequently occurs, few studies have investigated the potential conceptual pathways linking school locations to bullying behaviour. This study aimed to (i) identify school built environment factors that may prevent or facilitate bullying behaviour in primary and secondary schools; and (ii) develop a conceptual model of potential pathways between the school built environment and bullying behaviour for future anti-bullying intervention research. Seventy individual semi-structured interviews were conducted between May and December 2020, with policymakers (n = 22), school staff (n = 12), parents (n = 18), and students (n = 18). School staff, parents and students, were recruited from six metropolitan primary and secondary schools in Perth, Western Australia. Interviews were conducted online and face-to-face using semi-structured interview guides. A thematic analysis was undertaken. Participants identified school bullying locations (e.g., locker areas, bathrooms, corridors) and built environment factors linked to bullying behaviour via (i) visibility and supervision; (ii) physical and psychological comfort and safety; and (iii) social-emotional competencies. The findings have policy and practice implications regarding the design of school built environments to prevent bullying behaviour.

Aggressive Behavior and Its Triggers Among Hospitalized Stroke Patients’ Entourages Toward Healthcare Staff

Background: Aggression toward staff and workplace violence are common problems worldwide that not only affect individuals' dignity but also affect their physical and emotional well-being. Objectives: The study was conducted aimed to investigate aggression correlations of hospitalized stroke patients' entourage toward healthcare staff. Methods: The cross-sectional study data were obtained by examining 194 hospitalized stroke patients’ entourages in a hospital in Iran from September to December 2020. A list of demographic information and patients' records, national institutes of health stroke scale, and hospital satisfaction questionnaire were used for data collection. To analyze data statistical tests such as chi-square tests, t-test, and multinomial logistic regression analysis were used. Results: Prevalence of subjective anger and verbal aggression were 49.5% and 16.5%, respectively. After adjustment for confounding variables, the entourages with an academic education (P &lt; 0.001), spouses of the patients (P = 0.029), and those having less satisfaction with stay aspects and physical comfort of the hospital (P &lt; 0.0005) report more subjective anger and those with academic education (P &lt; 0.001), less satisfied with staff behavior (P &lt; 0.001), and more satisfied with physician care (P &lt; 0.001) showed verbal aggression. Conclusions: Subjective anger and verbal aggression are common up to 50% among the entourages of hospitalized stroke patients. Likely paying more attention to the high-risk entourages and providing necessary training in the field of appropriate behaviors with entourages by the medical staff can reduce tension and aggression in stroke patients' entourages.

Thermal Comfort Assessment of An Office Room Under High Air Conditioning Setting Temperatures with Fan-Assisted Ventilation

The usage of the air-conditioning system to provide comfortable indoor conditions is found necessary especially for hot-and warm countries. However, the excessive use of the air-conditioning system or without properly controlled will significantly affect the energy consumption of the building and also the environment badly. This study investigates the strategy to reduce energy for cooling in an office room by utilizing the high setting temperature of the air conditioning system with the addition of fan ventilation by field measurement. About 9 study cases have been investigated which includes the air-conditioning setting of 27°C to 28°C, with and without fan-assisted ventilation. The measured physical thermal comfort parameters are air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and black globe temperature. The operative temperature and Predicted Mean Vote value (PMV) have been calculated for each study case for analysis. The results revealed that the comfortable condition with neutral sensation can be achieved by air-conditioning setting of 28°C with an air speed of 1 m/s-1.2m/s. Moreover, the results showed that the room with 27°C-28°C setting temperature was in a comfortable condition before afternoon hours, while fan-assisted ventilation is required to enhance the comfortable hours through the rest working hour. By this practice, it is expected the energy consumption and cooling load of the building can be reduced.

The identification of clusters of risk factors and their association with hospitalizations or emergency department visits in home health care.

To identify clusters of risk factors in home health care and determine if the clusters are associated with hospitalizations or emergency department visits. A retrospective cohort study. This study included 61,454 patients pertaining to 79,079 episodes receiving home health care between 2015 and 2017 from one of the largest home health care organizations in the United States. Potential risk factors were extracted from structured data and unstructured clinical notes analysed by natural language processing. A K-means cluster analysis was conducted. Kaplan-Meier analysis was conducted to identify the association between clusters and hospitalizations or emergency department visits during home health care. A total of 11.6% of home health episodes resulted in hospitalizations or emergency department visits. Risk factors formed three clusters. Cluster 1 is characterized by a combination of risk factors related to "impaired physical comfort with pain," defined as situations where patients may experience increased pain. Cluster 2 is characterized by "high comorbidity burden" defined as multiple comorbidities or other risks for hospitalization (e.g., prior falls). Cluster 3 is characterized by "impaired cognitive/psychological and skin integrity" including dementia or skin ulcer. Compared to Cluster 1, the risk of hospitalizations or emergency department visits increased by 1.95 times for Cluster 2 and by 2.12 times for Cluster 3 (all p < .001). Risk factors were clustered into three types describing distinct characteristics for hospitalizations or emergency department visits. Different combinations of risk factors affected the likelihood of these negative outcomes. Cluster-based risk prediction models could be integrated into early warning systems to identify patients at risk for hospitalizations or emergency department visits leading to more timely, patient-centred care, ultimately preventing these events. There was no involvement of patients in developing the research question, determining the outcome measures, or implementing the study.

Modeling Brain Functional Connectivity Patterns during an Isometric Arm Force Exertion Task at Different Levels of Perceived Exertion: A Graph Theoretical Approach.

The perception of physical exertion is the cognitive sensation of work demands associated with voluntary muscular actions. Measurements of exerted force are crucial for avoiding the risk of overexertion and understanding human physical capability. For this purpose, various physiological measures have been used; however, the state-of-the-art in-force exertion evaluation lacks assessments of underlying neurophysiological signals. The current study applied a graph theoretical approach to investigate the topological changes in the functional brain network induced by predefined force exertion levels for twelve female participants during an isometric arm task and rated their perceived physical comfort levels. The functional connectivity under predefined force exertion levels was assessed using the coherence method for 84 anatomical brain regions of interest at the electroencephalogram (EEG) source level. Then, graph measures were calculated to quantify the network topology for two frequency bands. The results showed that high-level force exertions are associated with brain networks characterized by more significant clustering coefficients (6%), greater modularity (5%), higher global efficiency (9%), and less distance synchronization (25%) under alpha coherence. This study on the neurophysiological basis of physical exertions with various force levels suggests that brain regions communicate and cooperate higher when muscle force exertions increase to meet the demands of physically challenging tasks.

The ABCs of a gynaecological teaching associate (GTA) programme

Gynaecological/Male Urogenital Teaching Associate (GTA/MUTA) methodology is considered the gold standard of invasive genital examination technique. Lay persons are trained in the technique of invasive genital examinations and patient-centred, trauma informed communication, and autonomously instruct learners on how to comfortably perform this examination using their own bodies as a teaching tool. GTAs/MUTAs function simultaneously as an autonomous instructor and a simulated patient during the exam. GTAs and MUTAs instruct clinical invasive examination techniques in a structured educational setting with a predetermined curriculum on which they have been trained, while letting learners perform these exam techniques on their bodies. Existing alternatives to GTA/MUTA education include the use of anesthetized patients, cadavers, plastic anatomical models (task trainers) and/or voluntary examinations on peers. There are unique benefits to the GTA/MUTA programme from both an institutional and learner perspective. Learner’s benefits unique to GTA/MUTA education include decreased learner anxiety [1], immediate feedback on examination technique with regard to patient’s physical comfort, and the opportunity to practise patient communication skills while performing such examinations. Institutional benefits unique to GTA/MUTA methodology are that after the initial setup cost, funds are saved removing the need for faculty to perform the examination instruction. Learner proficiency is higher compared to learners taught by physicians [1], and increased proficiency saves time and cost associated with learners being taken off clinical rotation to receive supplemental genital examination technique instruction. The use of simultaneous patient-instructors also introduces ‘elements of sensitivity and humanism’ to the examination [2] by having students learn to involve their patient and incorporate their perspective with regard to comfort and patient education information. By learning this examination from GTAs/MUTAs, a new model of physician patient relationship is taught, with GTAs/MUTAs functioning as informed collaborators rather than docile, uninformed patients [3]. In order to implement such a programme in an institution, among the first tasks is to obtain funding. This funding can be sought from grants or via institutional funds. Institutions may even choose to grow their GTA/MUTA programme to contract with outside institutions where this clinical examination instruction is needed. Other preparatory steps include establishing a curriculum, observing an established GTA/MUTA programme session to assess the format, and recruitment and training of GTAs and MUTAs. Once the programme is established, a clinical skills training day may be implemented. Implementing such a programme improves the learners’ experience and provides them with an increased understanding of sound technique that will benefit their patients in the long term. 1. Theroux R, Pearce C. Graduate students’ experiences with standardized patients as adjuncts for teaching pelvic examinations. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. 2006;18(9):429–35. 2. Kretzschmar RM. Evolution of the Gynecology Teaching Associate: an education specialist. American Journal of obstetrics and gynecology. 1978;131(4):367–73. 3. Underman K. Feeling Medicine: How the Pelvic Exam Shapes Medical Training. New York, New York University Press; 2020.

Design Principles for Natural Lighting

Natural day light has important qualities that we need for our physical comfort, biological health, and psychological wellbeing. Modern lighting addresses our physical need for light and human centric lighting our biological needs, but both lack qualities of natural daylight we need. The Design Principles for Natural Lighting references Biophilic design theory and focuses on our experience of light and its psychological effect through our senses. A model is proposed for composing natural light experiences practically and various examples assessed. NatureConnect is presented as a purposely designed lighting system based on the design principles and its approach discussed.

텍스트 마이닝을 활용한 의과대학생의 비대면 문제바탕학습 경험 분석

Objectives This study aimed to analyze medical students’ experiences with problem-based learning (PBL) in a non-face-to-face environment using text mining. Methods A total of 157 students’ open-ended responses regarding their experiences with problem-based learning in a non-face-to-face environment were collected and analyzed using term frequency and latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA)-based topic modeling. Results The result of the term-frequency analysis showed that keywords, such as discussion, learning, opinion, thought, process, and tutor, were prominent ones. The LDA-based topic modeling generated nine topics: physical comfort, technical discomfort, challenges of a lack of knowledge, improvement of problem-solving ability, psychological comfort, technical advantages, differences in students’ participation, experiences with tutors, and parallel schedule problems. Conclusions The results of this study can provide suggestions to enhance the quality of students’ experiences with PBL in a non-face-to-face environment.

The Role of Organizational Climate, and Work–Family Conflict in Burnout: The Case of Teachers

Burnout is a major concern for the scientific and educational community, as it leads to harmful consequences, both at a personal and organizational level. Several studies showed that burnout is influenced by multiple factors, including organizational climate and work–family conflict. However, studies analyzing these three variables together in the educational sector are scarce. Thus, this study aimed to analyze whether the organizational climate influenced burnout through work–family conflict. We collected data in two-time points with 253 teachers. The results showed that only the organizational climate dimensions of involvement, control, autonomy, task orientation, and physical comfort were associated with burnout. Plus, only the physical comfort and autonomy climates significantly reduced burnout via the decreases in work–family conflict. Thus, these organizational climates’ dimensions seem to be essential factors to reduce not only work–family conflict but also burnout in the educational sector. This study tested the mediating role of work–family conflict on the link between organizational climate and burnout, with a group of teachers. Additionally, the data was collected during the pandemic crisis of COVID-19.

Validation of a national checklist for continuous service improvement in a decentralised framework

Abstract Background Previous studies allowed defining a novel checklist for the participatory evaluation of person-centredness in hospital care using 243 items, grouped in 4 main areas, 12 sub-areas and 29 criteria. We aimed to validate a reduced set of core items that could be continuously used for service improvement in Italy. Methods Validation was performed using data collected during the last national survey carried out in 2017-2018 in N = 387 acute care hospitals from 16 out of 21 Italian regions. Descriptive measures for each item were used to assess eligibility for factor analysis, applied separately on each of the 4 main areas originally identified. Varimax rotation with eigenvalues&amp;gt;1 was used to optimise factor structure. Items with an item-total correlation&amp;gt;0.30 and factor loadings&amp;gt;0.4 were attributed to individual factors. Items with inter-item correlation coefficient&amp;gt;0.70 were included in a list of candidate mergers, submitted to expert opinion. Cronbach's alpha was used to assess overall internal consistency. Results A total of 183 out of 243 items included in the original checklist were submitted to factor analysis. Overall values of Cronbach's alpha ranged between 0.77-0.90, indicating a high consistency. A total of 67 items were finally attributed to 4 main areas, allocated as follows: 16 items in 4 sub-areas for ‘Person-oriented organisational and care processes’, 16 items in 4 sub-areas for ‘Physical accessibility, livability and comfort of the facilities’, 15 items in 3 sub-areas for ‘Access to information, streamlining and transparency’, and 20 items in 4 sub-areas for ‘Taking care of the relationship with patients and citizens’. Conclusions A simplified checklist including a manageable number of items that can be easily managed to evaluate hospital services was identified through an objective validation process. The national experience can provide valuable lessons for the application of participatory approaches of person-centred care. Key messages • A standardised checklist has been validated using survey data collected through a participatory process in Italian regions. • The checklist can be used to evaluate and improve person-centered hospital services through a manageable number of items and factors.

Quarantining: a mentally distressful but physically comfortable experience in South Korea

ObjectiveQuarantine is the first response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Restricting daily life can cause several problems. This study aimed to measure the impact of the COVID-19 quarantine on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) by comparing to the pre-pandemic.MethodsHRQoL during COVID-19 quarantine was surveyed online using EQ-5D index and matched to that of the pre-pandemic-extracted from nationwide representative data of the Korea Community Health Survey- with propensity scores. A beta regression for the EQ-5D scores and a logistic analysis for individual dimensions of the EQ-5D index were performed to measure the impact of the COVID-19 quarantine on health utility.ResultsThe overall scores of the EQ-5D index were significantly higher in the group under quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic (0.971 SD 0.064) than those before the pandemic (0.964 SD 0.079, Diff. 0.007 SD 0.101, p = 0.043). The beta regression for the overall scores of EQ-5D revealed that quarantining during the COVID-19 pandemic increased by 52.7% compared to normal life before the outbreak(p = 0.045). Specifically, “Depression/Anxiety” deteriorated significantly during quarantining (OR = 0.62, 95% CI:0.48–0.80). However, “Pain/Discomfort” and “Mobility” significantly improved (OR = 5.37, 95% CI:3.71–7.78 and OR = 2.05, 95% CI:1.11–3.80, respectively).ConclusionAlthough the world is facing a challenging moment that it has never been through before, mandatory quarantine has served as an experience that provided mental distress but physical comfort in the Korean context.

A Study of the Impact of APTS on Service Quality Perceptions of Elderly and Disabled Riders

New transportation technology that directly impacts consumers should be evaluated by the people who are affected. Automated dispatching has become standard practice for paratransit services. This article summarizes a study analyzing consumer response to the Mobility Manager at a demonstration site in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.The Mobility Manager was applied to the TransAID demand-responsive mini-bus service for people who are elderly or who have disabilities. Survey data from two questionnaires, before and after the implementation of the Mobility Manager for the same subjects, were used to examine travel behavior and perceived service quality. These travelers reported service improvements such as easier telephone access and shorter travel times. The respondents’ travel patterns after implementation of the Mobility Manager remained stable. This article also provides econometric estimates of the change in the number of trips as a function of the change in travel attributes affected by implementation of the Mobility Manager. Changes in the number of trips by survey respondents were treated as a Poisson random variable. Results from a Poisson regression show that the primary beneficiaries of the Mobility Manager were riders with disabilities. Perceived service attributes that significantly affected changes in trips were length of trip, number of stops picking up additional passengers, and physical comfort.