• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.37-44
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• 2011

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an exercise program using a virtual reality game and a gait exercise program using a treadmill on % maximum voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC) and static and dynamic balancing capabilities. Methods: A total of 26 elderly women were included in the study. 13 women were assigned to an exercise program using a virtual reality game, and 13 to a gait exercise program using a treadmill. The subjects performed the exercise for 40 min per session, three sessions per week, for eight weeks. Results: The %MVIC of the vastus medialis was significantly increased from $28.91{\pm}2.03%$ to $32.98{\pm}2.6%$ in the virtual reality game exercise group (p<0.00). The %MVIC of the vastus lateralis was significantly increased from $27.17{\pm}1.93%$ to $31.50{\pm}2.18%$ (p<0.00) in the gait exercise program group. The whole path length with both feet on the floor and eyes open was significantly decreased from $1570.92{\pm}820.6mm$ to $1343.62{\pm}242.41mm$ (p<0.00). The whole path length with both feet on the floor and eyes closed was significantly decreased from $1819.85{\pm}361.14mm$ to $1581.05{\pm}285.11mm$ (p<0.00). The length of a functional reach was significantly increased from $25.2{\pm}4.23cm$ to $27.68{\pm}4.04cm$ (p<0.00). Conclusion: The exercise program using a virtual reality game is effective for improving the %MVIC and static and dynamic balancing capabilities in elderly women aged 65 years and more.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.37-42
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of physical performance on bone mineral density (BMD) in elderly women. Methods: Twenty-one elderly women participated in this study. After testing functional ambulation category (FAC), they were classified into two groups: dependent walking group, those who could not walk independently (FAC 0~2, n=11) and independent walking group those who could walk independently (FAC 3~5, n=10). Outcome measures were: general characteristics, physical performance and BMD. General characteristics included age, body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratio. Physical performance included the chair rise test (CRT) and the modified fall efficacy scale (MFES). BMD was represented in the osteoporosis index (OI), T-score and Z-score. BMD was evaluated in calcaneal bone, using OsteoPro. The data was analyzed using SPSS 12.0 software and the Mann-Whitney U test and the Spearman correlation. Results: Age, BMI and waist hip ratio, which all affect BMD, showed no significant differences between groups (p>0.05). But the FAC 3~5 group showed a significantly higher score for CRT, MFES and T-score, compared with the FAC 0~2 group (p<0.05). The T-score was correlated with CRT and MFES scores (p<0.05). Conclusion: There is a positive relationship between physical performance and BMD. Therefore, improved physical performance can have a beneficial effect by reducing osteoporosis in elderly women, considering a positive relationship between physical performance and BMD.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.57-63
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• 2009

Purpose: To better understand falls in elderly women, we measured differences in muscle activities of 4 lower extremity muscles (tibialis anterior, soleus, rectus femoris, biceps femoris) based on angle plantar-flexion in elderly women. Methods: Subjects were 15 healthy elderly women. No subjects had musculoskeletal or nervous disorders. EMGs were used to check muscle activity of lower extremity muscles. For statistic analysis, data were expressed as a percentage of maximal voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC). We measured %MVIC for 5 sec under 4 conditions and did not use data for the first and last second. Muscle activities of the muscles of the lower extremities were measured based on the degree of plantar-flexion of the ankle joint. The 4 conditions corresponded to different degrees of: 0, 10, 20 and 30 degrees. This was done using a 50 cm board for measuring the degrees. Results: The tibialis anterior, soleus, and bicpes femoris showed increasing muscle activity associated with increasing degree of plantar-flexion of the ankle joint. All muscles showed a significant increase in muscle activities in association with increasing degrees. Rectus femoris showed a significant increase in muscle activity for 0 degrees and for the other degrees, but there were no further changes when plantar flexion of the ankle joint was over 10 degrees. Conclusion: Activities of the muscles of the lower extremities except rectus femoris were higher with increasing degree of plantar flexion. High muscle activity may result in muscle fatigue. Thus, increasing degree of plantar flexion may be risk factors of falls in elderly women.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.1-9
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• 2018

PURPOSE: This study investigated the relationship between the daily physical activity level and fall-proof-related fitness in older female adults. METHODS: This study promoted and sampled the subjects who participated in the study for 2 weeks, and developed a basic information questionnaire to select the subjects to be excluded from the research. The amount of energy expenditure through daily physical activity was examined, and the elderly physical fitness, and balance test were analyzed. The subjects were divided into group A (${\geq}1,500kcal/week$), group B (<$1,500-{\geq}1,000kcal/week$), and group C (<1,000 kcal/week) according to their daily physical activity level. RESULTS: A significant difference in the daily physical activity level (energy expenditure), Chair Stand Test (lower body strength), 8-Foot Up-and Go Test (dynamic balance), and CTSIB-M (modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction in Balance) was observed among groups A, B, and C (p<.5), but there was no significant difference in the Chair Sit-and-Reach Test (lower body flexibility) (p>.5). CONCLUSION: The increase in physical activity is an essential factor for preventing falls and it provides many health benefits for the elderly. On the other hand, considering that elderly people cannot access exercise programs easily in Korea, it can be predicted that increasing elderly people's physical activity in daily life rather than specific exercises may help prevent falls.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.117-125
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• 2020

PURPOSE: Aging causes changes in the postural alignment and gait due to changes in the nervous and musculoskeletal systems. On the other hand, the relationship between the changes in posture alignment and gait is unclear. This study examined the relationship between the postural alignment and spatiotemporal gait parameters in Korean elderly women. METHODS: Thirty-two-healthy elderly women participated in this study. All subjects were assessed for their posture alignment and gait ability. Stepwise multiple linear regression was performed to determine to what extent the postural alignments could explain the spatiotemporal gait parameters. RESULTS: Coronal head angle was moderately correlated with the velocity (r = -.51), normalized velocity (r = -.46) and gait-stability ratio (r = .58) (p < .05). The trunk angle was moderately correlated with the normalized velocity (r = -.32) and gait-stability ratio (r = .32) and weakly correlated with the velocity (r = -.28) (p < .05). The coronal shoulder angle was moderately correlated with the swing phase (r = -.57), stance phase (r = .56), single limb stance (r = -.56) and double limb stance (r = .51) (p < .05). The coronal head angle and trunk angle accounted for 36% of the variance in velocity, 33% variance in normalized velocity and 46% variance in the gait-stability ratio (p < .05). The coronal shoulder angle accounted for 32% variance in the swing phase, 32% variance in the stance phase, 31% variance in the single limb stance and 26% variance in the double limb stance (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Changes in posture alignment in elderly women may serve as a biomarker to predict a decrease in walking ability due to physical aging.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.105-116
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• 2017

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Korean medicine based arthritis management program for community dwelling elderly women with osteoarthritis. Methods : A Nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used for this study. Elderly people who agreed to participated in the study were assigned to a experimental group(n = 29) or a control group (n = 30). The Korean medicine based arthritis management program conducted for 12 weeks, 2 times a week. Study outcomes were measured by structured questionnaires from April, 2016 to July. For data analysis, independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U test and ANCOVA were performed using SPSS version 21.0. Results : Pain, stiffness, balance, strength of lower extremity, and self care activity were significant difference between the two groups in pretest and posttest(F = 8.23, p = 006), (F = 9.13, p = .004), (F = 5.74, p = .020), (F = 4.98, p = .030), (F = 8.47, p = .005). Conclusions : The Korean medicine based arthritis management program was effective on decreasing joint pain, stiffness, and increasing balance, strength of lower extremity and self care activity of community dwelling elderly women with osteoarthritis. This program was found to be useful in alleviating and managing joint symptoms of elderly women with osteoarthritis.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-4
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• 2015

Background: This study was conducted in order to see if muscle strength is different according to fall experience in female elders by comparing their muscle strength of waist and knee, which is one of factors inducing fall. Method: For this study, 22 female elders aged over 65 sampled from senior centers in D City were surveyed on their fall experiences using a questionnaire asking clinical history. Then, 8 elders with fall experience (FE) and another 8 without (NFE) were selected and participated in the research. Isokinetic muscle strength was measured with isokinetic equipment BIODEX SYSTEM 3 PRO, and the peak torque was obtained from the highest of 9 measurements at angular velocity $60^{\circ}/sec$ according to the method recommended in the manual. Measured items were waist flexion and extension, and knee flexion and extension. Results: The FE group showed higher extensor and flexor muscle strength of the waist, but the difference was not significant (p<.05). In addition, no difference was observed in extensor muscle strength of the knee (p<.05). In flexor muscle strength, however, the FE group was significantly higher than the NFE group (p<.05). Conclusion: The application of regular exercise programs for improving muscle strength, endurance, etc. to those with fall experience will be effective in preventing falls among them.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.1-15
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• 2011

The prolongation of life expectancy has expanded the duration of marriage in old age. In the meanwhile, the change of life style emphasizing privacy and sociodemographic environment favoring independent living has increased the number and proportion of the elderly living with spouse only. This study, focusing on those aged 60 and over who live with spouse only the elderly, explores their marital relationship. The study pays a special attention to compare whether and how the satisfaction on the relationship with spouse would differ between husband and wife. The ordered logit model analysis is conducted based on the nationwide survey '2008 Korean National Survey of Welfare Need in the Elderly'. The results show that the marital relationship satisfaction of husbands is influenced by their own characteristics but hardly affected by his wife's. In contrast, the satisfaction of wife is influenced by husband's characteristics as well as hers. These finding reflect that women are more strongly family-centered and dependent on their husband.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.192-202
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• 2011

Purpose: This study examined the effects of heat therapy combined with aromatherapy on pain, flexibility, sleep, and depression in elderly women with osteoarthritis. Methods: This study was designed as a nonequivalent control group quasi-experimental study based upon data acquired through a pre-post test. The experimental group (n=21) was treated using an aroma-permeated hot compress applied to the knee. The cotton towel was heated in a microwave to $45^{\circ}C$, and 2~3 drops of lavender were applied on it. The towel was wrapped with plastic bag to prevent aroma leakage and retain heat. The treatment was applied the towel for 20 minutes, three times a day for 3 weeks. The control group (n=24) was not given any treatment. Data were collected using a VAS(100mm) for pain, questionnaire for sleep and depression, and a goniometer for knee flexibility. The data were analyzed with ${\chi}^2$-test and t-test using SPSS/Win18.0. Results: There were significant differences in knee pain (p=.001) and flexibility (p<.001), subjective quality of sleep (p=.020) and depression (p=.003) between the groups. Conclusion: Heat therapy combined with aromatherapy may be an effective nursing intervention and self-care technique to ameliorate pain and depression and to improve flexibility and sleep in elderly suffering from osteoarthritis.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.119-129
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of Tai Chi exercise program on pain, fatigue, depression, self-efficacy, and quality of life in elderly women. Method: A quasi-experimental design, a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest was the method of this study. Elderly women who agreed to participate in the study were conveniently placed into an experimental group (n=33) or an control group (n=34). The experimental group participated in Tai Chi exercise program, which was held for 60 minutes per session and 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Tai Chi exercise program consisted of a 10 minute warm-up, a 45 minute main session, and a 5 minute cooling down. In order to evaluate the effects of Tai Chi exercise program, pain, fatigue, depression, self-efficacy, and quality of life were measured with a questionnaire. The data were analyzed using Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, t- test, and ANCOVA by SPSS WIN 13.0 program. Results: Compared with the control group, the experimental group reported higher level of quality of life (F=7.67, p=.007) and self-efficacy (F=20.9, p=.000) and lower level of pain (F=10.93, p= .002), fatigue (F=6.28, p=.015), and depression (F=10.02, p=.002). Conclusions: This study suggests that Tai Chi exercise program may be one of the effective nursing interventions for elderly women.