• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.186-194
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• 2005

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of aromatherapy on pain, depression, and feelings of satisfaction in life of arthritis patients. Method: This study used a quasi-experimental design with a non-equivalent control group, pre-and post-test. The sample consisted of 40 patients, enrolled in the Rheumatics Center, Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital, South Korea. The essential oils used were lavender, marjoram, eucalyptus, rosemary, and peppermint blended in proportions of 2:1:2:1:1. They were mixed with a carrier oil composed of almond (45%), apricot(45%), and jojoba oil(10%) and they were diluted to 1.5% after blending. The data were analyzed using an 2-test, Fisher's exact test, t-test and paired t-test. Result: Aromatherapy significantly decreased both the pain score and the depression score of the experimental group compared with the control group. However, aromatherapy didn't increase the feeling of satisfaction in life of the experimental group compared with the control group. Conclusion: The result of this study clearly shows that aromatherapy has major effects on decreasing pain and depression levels. Based on our experiment's findings, we suggest that aromatherapy can be a useful nursing intervention for arthritis patients.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.32-43
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to identify the long-term effects of the self-help program for arthritis patients. The subjects were 126 patients who have participated in the 6-week self-help program from 1997 to 2000, agreed to participate in this study by telephone interview and responded the mailed questionnaires. The measurement tools of this study were all self-reported questionnaires such as Numerical Pain Rating Scale, the number of pain sites, Korean Health Assessment Questionnaire, Numerical Fatigue Rating Scale, CES-D depression scale, Self-efficacy scale, Social support scale. The repeated measure ANOVA revealed the significant differences among the pre post follow-up pain and fatigue. Whileas there were no significant differences the pre post follow-up pain site and physical functioning. And there were also no significant differences the pain, pain site, fatigue and physical functioning among three groups according to the duration of follow-up. These results suggested that the follow-up program after the self-help program was completed would be helpful for the physical wellbeing of arthritis patients.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.431-451
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• 2000

In this paper, I will examine the variables influencing the Quality of Life of arthritis patients and present basic materials which help arthritis patients have positive thinking in life and ultimately lead a satisfactory life. The subjects for this study are 231 inpatients and outpatients with arthritis living in J and K city in Chonbug Province. For the analysis of collected data I employed the SAS program. The variables for characteristics and the quality of life were analysed by descriptive statistics, T-test and ANOVA, and the relations among variables were analysed through Pearson Correlation; the Regression method was employed to predict the factors affecting quality of life. For the validity of reliance on measuring equipment Cronbach Alpha was used. The results of the study are as follows : (1) The mean score of quality of life of arthritis patients is 3.09(5 in the maximum). The general characteristics which affect the quality of life are age(F=5.13, p=0.0006), standard of education(F=6.49, p=0.0003), marriage status(F=7.77, p=0.0005), monthly pay(F=4.37, p=0.0020), medical benefits (F=4.85, p=0.0087), and supports(F=4.39, p=0.0050). For the disease-related characteristics, there is a significant difference in the 6 items: pain control method(F=5.92, p= 0.0002), physical therapy(F=3.25, p=0.013), whethere or not patients exercise(F=4.62, p=0.0000), regularity of exercise(F=4.79, p=0.0000), frequency of exercise(F=6.29, p=0.0001), and amount of exercise(F=4.62, p=0.0043). Depending on the type of arthritis, there is also a significant difference in the degree of pain felt. The patients with infectious arthritis suffer from pain the most, followed by those with gout, rheumatism and degenerative arthritis, in that order. Although statistics don't show any convincing evidence, those with gout perceive that they are in best health condition, followed by those with rheumatism, degenerative arthritis, and infectious arthritis, in that order(F=2.23, p=0.0669). (2) The quality of life of arthritis patients is correlated positively with perceived health status(r=0.56, p=0.0001), health promoting behavior(r=0.53, p=0.0001), family support (r=0.46, p=0.0001), amount of exercise (r=0.36, p=0.0001), ADL(r=0.36, p=0.0001), HLOC(r=0.32, p=0.0001), frequency of exercise(r=0.32, p=0.0001)in that order, while correlated negatively with the degree of pain felt(r=-0.32, p=0.0001), the number of pain regions(r=-0.19, p= 0.0041), and the duration of pain(r=-0.14, p=0.0279). (3) Regression analysis reveals that the most powerful predictor of the quality of life is perceived health status, which account for 31.11%. The other predictors of the quality of life, which account for 60.22%, are health promoting behavior(16.51%), family support(3.81%), ADL(2.52%), gender(1.86%), the number of family members(1.36%), level of pain(1.24%), duration of pain (1.08%), and level of education(0.67%). The results of the study show that perceived health status and health promoting behavior are the two most important variables. However, considering that the perceived health condition is difficult to control by nursing intervention, it is suggested that the level of expectation for patients, must be decided first, and the health promoting behavior and the family support influencing the quality of life must be taken into account as targets for nursing intervention. As a way of controlling the quality of life, I think that a more comprehensive approach comprising the above important variables along with demographic and general characteristics is needed. I also suggest that we must continue to explore the variables affecting the quality of life and include those variables in nursing intervention.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.377-385
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics and grip strength of people with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Methods: This was a retrospective study that analyzed raw data from the first year of the 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2019). The study population was 780 people in total, ranging in age from their teens to their 80s. These were people who had been diagnosed with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, and the presence of arthritis in and grip strength of these subjects were determined using the average value of three measurements. Results: According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the prevalence of arthritis in Korea was 2.5% in men, 10.7% in women, and 13.1% overall. More women than men had osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, and the number of people with osteoarthritis increased with age. In this study, of those with osteoarthritis, 13.5% were men and 88% were women of those with rheumatoid arthritis, 19.3% were men and 56.3% were women. The number of patients with osteoarthritis increased with age, and rheumatoid arthritis was more common in older people. Subjects with osteoarthritis had lower grip strength than those without the disease, and the older the age at which rheumatoid arthritis was first diagnosed, the lower the grip strength. Conclusion: Grip strength is lower in patients with osteoarthritis than in those without osteoarthritis, and it is possible to estimate the degree to which muscle strength decreases.

• 대한근관절건강학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2001.04a
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• pp.179-190
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of GEAP on pain, joint function, activities of daily living(ADL) and fatigue in chronic arthritis patients. The GEAP was held twice a week for 6 weeks for chronic arthritis patients at one university hospital in Seoul, Korea. Thirty four subjects completed the program, who were recruited at four times from September, 1999 to September, 2000. The effect of GEAP were evaluated as follows: Pain severity and number of painful joints ADL, fatigue were measured before and after the GEAP. In order to examine the joint flexibility and strengthening, the followings were measured: the extent of the upward arm reach in both sides(flexibility of shoulder), the ability to touch fingertips of the both hands in back pat and rub(flexibility of arm), the degree of range of motion (ROM) of both ankles in their dorsiflexion(flexibility of ankle) and plantarflexion with standing with toe(strengthening of ankle), and the degree of knee extension, and the grip strength. Paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed rank test were used for data analysis and the significance of the differences in the variables was examined to compare the data obtained before and after the GEAP. After the GEAP, followings were found: 1. Pain severity and number of painful joints was significantly decreased. 2. The flexibility of both shoulders and arms, knee, both ankle were significantly improved. 3. The strengthening of both arms was significantly improved, but the strengthening of ankle was not changed. 4. ADL was significantly increased. 5. Fatigue was significantly decreased. In conclusion, GEAP used in this study was clearly proved to be an effective exercise program to reduce pain and fatigue, to enhance joint function and ADL in people with chronic arthritis. It is suggested that the GEAP should be recommended as one of the useful and appropriate nursing interventions for chronic arthritis patients.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.67-75
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of quadriceps femoris flexibility exercise which would improve the degree of knee flexion range of motion, extension torque, and the activities of daily living (ADL) in elderly subjects with degenerative knee arthritis. Fourteen elderly patients (two men and twelve women) with degenerative knee arthritis participated and had a quadriceps femoris flexibility exercise intervention program in this study. The mean age of the patients was 70.00 years for men and 71.16 years for women. This study carried out the experimental study of one group pretest-posttest design, which evaluated the degree of knee flexion range of motion, extension torque, the ADL ability of the patients before and after applying the exercise intervention for five weeks. The results of this study are as follow: 1. The knee flexion ranges of motion of the patients were measured before and after the intervention and the ranges increased significantly both in the left and right knee flexion range of motion (p < 0.05). 2. The peak torque of the knee muscle, the peak torque/body weight, and average power of the patients showed significant increases in both in the left and right knee after applying the intervention (p < 0.05). 3. The intervention produced a significant reduction in pain of the patients (p < 0.05). Their functional activities of ADL improved significantly compared with before the intervention (p < 0.05). It has been shown that the quadriceps femoris flexibility exercise intervention program increased significantly the knee flexion range of motion, and extension torque, as well as an increase in performance of functional activities of ADL of the patients. Thus, the quadriceps femoris flexibility exercise should be considered as one of the therapeutic exercises for the elderly patients with degenerative knee arthritis applied.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.198-210
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• 1999

This study is to investigate sleep patterns of rheumatoid arthritis patients through a survey research. The subjects for this study were 97 patients registered in Hanyang University Hospital Rheumatoid Arthritis Center, and the period of data collection was from July 15, 1998 to August 30, 1998. The research instruments used in this study were the measures of sleep, pain, and fatigue, and SPSSWIN 8.0 Program was used for data analysis. The research results are as follows ; The patients went to bed between 11 and 12 p.m., but many of them found difficulty in falling asleep within 5 minutes. They woke up quite early at around 4 to 6 o'clock in the morning and remained in bed about 1 hour. Only 39 percent of the subjects reported satisfaction with their sleep. Fifty six percent of the subjects took a nap, generally did in the afternoon and 22.7 percent of them napped for half an hour. They suffered sleep disturbance, but their sleep environments were calm and comfortable, and they turn off the light when they went to sleep. As for the quality of sleep, over 50 percent of the subjects reported not being able to sleep deeply, 30 percent of the subjects woke up frequently during sleep, 60 percent experienced frequent arousal after sleep onset. Over 90 subjects slept for 6 to 8 hours. This shows that even though they had rheumatoid arthritis, the patients remained in bed for a sufficient period of time. They also reported waking up or turning frequently during sleep. The sense of fatigue from sleep disturbance scored a relatively high 35.84 points on average against the possible score of 64 points. Behavior for sleep promotion was very active. Sleep disturbance occurred in proportion to the sense of fatigue and pain, and was negatively correlated with quality of sleep. The pain had positive correlations with the illness duration, sleep disturbance and had a negative correlation with the quality of sleep.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.93-97
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• 2017

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the radiological and clinical outcomes of scarf osteotomy for hallux valgus (HV) deformity in elderly patient with osteoporosis. Materials and Methods: A total of 58 elderly patients (mean age, 72.6 years) underwent scarf osteotomy for HV deformity between 2008 and 2015. The mean follow-up period was 24.4 months. Of the 58 patients, 42 were diagnosed with osteoporosis and 16 were diagnosed as normal. The radiological and clinical outcomes were assessed preoperatively, postoperatively, and at final follow-up, including HV angle, intermetatarsal (IM) angle, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, patient satisfaction, visual analogue scale (VAS), and complication. Results: There was no significant difference in HV angle and IM angle between the osteoporosis group and normal bone mineral densitometry group at all time points, preoperative, postoperative, and final follow-up. Moreover, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups with respect to the AOFAS score and VAS evaluations. In the osteoporosis group, the mean HV angle improved from $36.7^{\circ}$ preoperatively to $11.3^{\circ}$ at the time of final follow-up, and the mean IM angle improved from $13.2^{\circ}$ to $5.7^{\circ}$. The mean AOFAS score improved from 52.6 preoperatively to 89.1 at the time of final follow-up. With respect to satisfaction, 83.4% of patients were very satisfied or satisfied. There were no serious complications, and all cases showed complete union at the osteotomy site. Conclusion: We believed that scarf osteotomy is a safe, effective procedure for the correction of elderly patients with osteoporosis.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.249-259
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• 2002

Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of mastery on appraisal of uncertainty in women patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods : The study subjects consisted of 168 patients who were recruited from the outpatient clinic of a rheumatic center in Seoul. Self report questionnaires were used to measure the study variables that included uncertainty, mastery, danger appraisal of uncertainty, and opportunity appraisal of uncertainty. Cronbach's alpha reliabilities of these instruments ranged from .72 to .93. For data analysis. the SPSSWIN 10.0 program was utilized to exam descriptive statistics. Pearson's correlation. and regression analysis. Results: The results were as follows.: 1) The uncertainty scores of the subjects ranged from 33 to 87 with the mean score of 63.27. 2) The mastery scores of the subjects ranged from 10 to 27 with a mean score of 18.70. 3) The danger appraisal of uncertainty scores of the subjects ranged from 8 to 32 with a mean score of 20.22. 4) The opportunity appraisal of uncertainty scores of the subjects ranged from 7 to 28 with a mean score of 17.80. 5) Significant factors that explained the danger appraisal of uncertainty were mastery (=-.444. p<.001), and education level (=-.184. p<.05). 6) Significant factor that explained the opportunity appraisal of uncertainty was level of uncertainty (=-.328. p<.001). Conclusion: Among the independent variables. the most significant factor that explained the danger appraisal of uncertainty in the women patients with rheumatoid arthritis was mastery. Therefore, a nursing intervention with strategies to improve sense of mastery should be developed for women patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.131-141
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of self-help program on patients with chronic arthritis. This study was performed from 13th of August to 29th of October 2002. 30 arthritis patients with an average age of 56 years were participated in the self-help program. At the completion of 6 weeks, 23 patients completed both pretest and posttest, overall dropout rate was 23%. Outcome measures were status of daily living, self-care activities, flexibility, grip strength and depression. Data were analysed by percentage, paired t-test, Pearson's correlation coefficient. There were statistically significant in self-care activities, flexibility, grip strength after the self-help program. However no significant differences were found in daily living and depression. There were significant relationships between daily living and depression. There were significant relationships between right flexibility & left flexibility and right and left grip strength. In conclusion self-help program was proved to be an effective nursing intervention to increase the self-care activities, flexibility and grip strength. These results of this study suggested that the follow-up program after the self-help program should be run to help the physical psychological wellbeing of arthritis patients.