• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.1347-1354
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• 2018

A bedridden patients, elderly people, and dementia who are subject to special care at a medical institution can not handle the feces themselves and need the help of a guardian or care-giver. In particular, toxic substances are contained in the stools, which can cause eczema, dermatitis and urticaria, so it is important to replace diapers. In this paper, we propose a wearable device design for the detection of excretions in consideration of the various excretion requirements of the elderly. The device is a form in which a module are attached to an adult diaper used in a nursing hospital to detect excreta, and the presence or absence of a wearer can be confirmed by an LED. The measured data is transmitted to the smartphone app in real time via Bluetooth in the module and can be checked for popup notification. The validity of this study was verified by comparing the actual excretion with the data collected through the designed module.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.165-173
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• 2022

Purpose : This study was conducted to apply a 12-week resistance exercise program to obese elderly people with sarcopenia and verify the risk factors of sarcopenia and metabolic syndrome as well as the effects of this program on improving muscle function, and thus to serve as basic data for preventing and improving sarcopenia. Methods : Forty elderly people aged 65 or older were recruited and underwent dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Based on the criteria of appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM/Height²: less than 5.4 kg/m²) and body fat percentage (at least 30 % for women and 25 % for men), 18 obese elderly people with sarcopenia were finally selected after excluding 22 elderly people who did not meet the criteria. Variables related to sarcopenia, metabolic syndrome, and muscle function were measured before the 12-week resistance exercise program. Results : The 12-week resistance exercise program significantly increased the bone density and muscle mass and decreased the fat mass and fat percentage in obese elderly with sarcopenia. The 12-week resistance exercise program significantly increased the HDL-C and decreased the LDL-C and waist circumference in obese elderly people with sarcopenia (p<.05). The 12-week resistance exercise program significantly increase grip strength, static balance, and 6-minute walking in obese elderly people with sarcopenia (p<.05). Conclusion : Accordingly, resistance exercise is considered a way to reduce the exorbitant medical expenses of patients who are bedridden for long and improve the lowered quality of individuals in a super-aged society.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.165-171
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• 2023

COVID-19 infection heightens the risk of thromboembolism. To see the similarities between the COVID-19 infection and Taeyang blood retention pattern, we conducted a PubMed search using specific terms related to blood circulation issues in the context of COVID-19, summarizing findings from 13 cases and 4 observational studies involving actual patients. Patients with COVID-19 are at risk of blood coagulation due to factors such as viral-induced cytokine storms, vascular endothelial dysfunction, reduced mobility in bedridden or isolated individuals, and resulting constipation. Additionally, cytokine storms and severe inflammation can lead to delirium in COVID-19 patients. The Taeyang blood retention pattern manifests as symptoms arising from delirium and an increased blood coagulation tendency in patients with a robust immune response. According to the Sanghan theory, certain herbal treatments can alleviate symptoms in patients with a tight lower abdomen who do not experience urinary issues. Studies show that components like Persicae Semen and Rhei Redix et Rhizoma in these prescriptions enhance blood circulation and reduce hypercoagulability. Additionally, these treatments aim to promote blood flow by relieving abdominal pressure through facilitating bowel movements. The excessive inflammation and heightened blood coagulation tendency in COVID-19 resemble the Taeyang blood retention pattern, although they are caused by different pathogens. Reinterpreting classical oriental medicine's principles in a modern context may enhance our understanding of traditional East Asian Medicine and foster future developments.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.106-120
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• 1999

Japan has been prepared for aging society from 1970. In 1970, the percentage of distribution of population of 65 years old and over was 7.1%. It is similar to present percentile of the elderly in Korea. Therefore, it will be needed to study about home care and home visiting nursing in Japan at present. This study was aimed to prepare the fundamental documents for home care nursing in Korea and to know the background of new health care system of Long-term Care Insurance in Japan, by studying home care and home visiting nursing in Japan. With the continuing aging of the population, especially the increase in the number of latter stage elderly, it is predicted that there will be an increase in the number of the elderly who are bedridden and suffering senile dementia. To ensure that these people will be able to continue living in the communities and homes they are accustomed to, surrounded by their families and neighbors, Japan substantially improve and expand in-home services. There were also long-term effort to reach the level of services outlined in the Gold Plan and the New Gold Plan within the decade between FY 1991 and FY 1999 in the field of health care and welfare. Under this plan, the most noticeable change was occurred in home care, home was permitted as the field of care and visiting nursing was established in law. Through this 10- Year Strategy for Promotion of Health and Welfare Services for the Aged, many problems have been improved and solved, but some problems remained such as inadequate service supply and consumption of medical insurance for the elderly. Japan will be a society composed 25% of elderly people of total population in 2020, and it will be soon faced with a shortage of welfare and medical facilities and manpower. As for equalizing the benefits and cost burdens, and other future arrangements for health care and welfare, Long-term Care insurance system was established in 1994. This system will be enforced from April 2000 and use present facilities and services. To know home care and home visiting nursing in Japan, we need to consider present conditions well and to take notice of changes and measures to cope with an aging society continuously.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.394-405
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• 2016

Objectives: The survival outcomes of antiretroviral treatment (ART) programs have not been systematically evaluated at the state level in India. This retrospective study assessed the survival rates and factors associated with survival among adult human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients in Andhra Pradesh, India. Methods: The present study used data from 139 679 HIV patients aged ${\geq}15$ years on ART who were registered from 2007 to 2011 and were followed up through December 2013. The primary end point was death of the patient. Mortality densities (per 1000 person-years) were calculated. Kaplan-Meier and Cox-regression models were used to estimate survival and explore the factors associated with survival. Results: The overall median follow-up time was 16.0 months (2.0 months for the deceased and 14.0 months for those lost to follow-up). Approximately 13.2% of those newly initiated on ART died during follow-up. Of those deaths, 56% occurred in the first three months. The crude mortality rate was 80.9 per 1000 person-years at risk. The CD4 count (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR],4.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.36 to 5.46 for < $100cells/mm^3$ vs. > $350cells/mm^3$), functional status (aHR, 3.05; 95% CI, 2.82 to 3.30 for bedridden vs. normal), and body weight (aHR, 3.69; 95% CI, 3.42 to 3.97 for <45 kg vs. >60 kg) were strongly associated with the survival of HIV patients. Conclusions: The study findings revealed that high mortality was observed within the first three months of ART initiation. Patients with poor baseline clinical characteristics had a higher risk of mortality. Expanded testing and counseling should be encouraged, with the goal of ensuring early enrollment into the program followed by the initiation of ART in HIV-infected patients.

• Asian Journal for Public Opinion Research
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.228-249
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• 2018

In 2015, the population of elderly people in Thailand was 16% of the total population and is predicted to be over 20% by 2021 and nearly 28% by 2031. The increase of the elderly population in Thailand has also increased the proportion of dependent elderly people, and caring for them poses many challenges for both families and the government. This descriptive method research aimed to survey the health status of dependent older people in the rural community of Lampang province in northern Thailand. The participants consisted of 62 older people and 62 primary family caregivers from Hong Ha Health Promoting Hospital, Lampang, Thailand (totaling 124 people). The researchers assessed the health status of older people and their activities of daily living (ADL). In addition, researchers assessed the health status and stress of caregivers. All the participants were interviewed about their experiences with caregiving. The results showed that most of the older respondents were female with an average age of 78.15 years. Based on the ADL assessment, 50 of the 62 older persons were homebound while the rest were bedridden. The majority of older people had chronic or long-term conditions that required hospitalization from time to time. Their frequent health problems included oral disorders such as tooth decay or caries/gum disease/no teeth, reduced sight, psychological disorders, knee pain and risk of falling, low BMI, risk of malnutrition, and urinary leakage and incontinence (58.06%, 66.13%, 62.90%, 70.97%, 38.71%, 66.13%, and 37.10%, respectively). Usual care provided by the family members included personal hygiene care, food preparation and feeding, medication management, housekeeping and organizing necessary equipment, supply of needed equipment, prevention of falls, helping with travel for medical checkups and treatment, and providing companionship. Families experienced shortages of medical supplies, daily use equipment, lack of employment, inadequate income, and difficulty accessing health care services due to lack of transportation. Some caregivers experienced caregiving stress related to a lack of social interactions as well as routine caregiving activities. Families need different types of support in order to promote the well-being of older people and caregivers. This highlights the need for a community participation model for the care of older people in order to reflect sustainable long-term outcomes.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.50-59
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• 2018

Recently, huge life losses occurred in the elderly long-term medical care fires due to lack of escape safety. As part of the measures to enhance the effectiveness of fire escape safety, while they prolong the available safe egress time (ASET) of non fire compartments, a measure to shorten fire-fighter's arrival time by fire alarm notifying device should be implemented in these facilities. The four categories from the aspects of fire prevention/protection engineering were provided with the necessary component technologies for carrying out these helper-guided evacuations. Fire prevention engineered technology was presented by two provisions; one for ensuring small compartment sections by installing the fire rated wall between bed rooms and another for ensuring the fire retardant or/and non-flammable performance of finishing materials. Also fire protection engineered technology was presented by two items; one for imposing cooling effects by sprinklers and another for providing automatic fire alarm notifying functions to fire stations. In order to improve the escape safety of these facilities in Korea, alternative revisions may presented by considering insufficient provisions in the architectural/fire law provisions by analyzing the provisions of Japanese and domestic laws in detail.

• Journal of Industrial Convergence
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• v.20 no.10
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• pp.51-59
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• 2022

This study aims to investigate the changes in health status of inpatients before and after a fall accident, and it is a retrospective study using data from 328 inpatients who fell from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2020, reported to the patient safety reporting system. The average age of the study subjects was 68.57(±14.13), and those in their 70s accounted for the most at 30.49%. Falls occurred on average 13.86(±25.03) days after hospitalization, and the time when the most falls occurred was between 22:30 and 06:59 with 42.99%. Before and after a fall during hospitalization, bowel problems (x²=314.0, p<.001), urination problems (x²=284.0, p<.001), intravenous fluid therapy (x²=85.16, p<.001), and walking (x²=69.77. p<.001), bedridden state (x²=51.60, p< .001), mental state and performance (x²=17.52, p<.001) patient's attitude (x²=220.17, p<.001), there was a statistically significant difference. It is necessary to develop an appropriate method and education program for fall prevention in hospital by considering the individual characteristics of inpatient.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.345-356
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• 2023

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of physical therapy combined with a virtual reality (VR) game on pain, quality of life (QOL), engagement, and knee function in post-knee-surgery patients. Methods: Twenty-four patients who had undergone knee surgery four weeks or more before the study were recruited. Two withdrew from the study during the four-week experimental period, and a total of 22 patients were included in the final analysis. Routine physical therapy consisting of electrostimulation (10 min.) and therapeutic massage (10 min.) was the base intervention for all groups. The experimental group (n = 10) was additionally exposed to a VR game intervention, while the control group (n = 12) underwent an intervention involving similar motions as the experimental intervention but with no VR. The intervention for the experimental group used the game Rig Fit Adventure on Nintendo switch. Both groups underwent their respective interventions 3 times a week (35 min. per session) for 4 weeks. Pain was assessed using the numeric rating scale (NRS), and QOL was assessed using the EuroQol five-dimensional five-level questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L). Engagement was assessed using the Korea flow state scale (K-FSS). Finally, knee movement and function were assessed based on knee flexion and extension, range of motion (ROM), and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC). Results: After the four-week physical therapy, both groups showed significant reductions in pain (on the NRS), increased knee ROM (flexion), better WOMAC scores, and increased EQ-5D-5L scores (p < 0.05), with the experimental group showing significantly better improvements in EQ-5D-5L and K-FSS scores (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study confirm that a VR-game-integrated intervention is effective for improving pain, QOL, engagement, and knee function in post-knee surgery patients and that VR-game-integrated interventions could be therapeutic alternatives for patients bedridden for prolonged periods with little motivation for rehabilitation.

• The Korean Nurse
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.59-76
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• 1997

The purposes of this study were to identify the contents and satisfaction level of the patients received home care service, and to compare the differences of the contents by the characteristics of the patients. Seventy eight patients received home care service from 1st Jan. to 30th Sept., 1996 were data-collected to analyze the contents and outcomes of home care service. Sixty-nine patients currently receiving home care service were participated to evaluate the satisfaction level of home care service. The data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, $x^2$ test, and ANOVA by SPSS $PC^+$ program. The findings of this study were as follow : 1. The contents & outcomes of home care service 1) The mean age of the subjects was 64.4 years: 58% of them were female. Those who living in Seoul were 83% and the rest of the subjects was living in Kyung-Gi. 2) The subjects who had one diagnosis were 41%. Over 60% of them had the disease of neurologic & sensory system. 3) The mean number of visit was 6. Only one visit was 22%. The mean time of care was 79 minutes. Duration of visit from 31 minutes to 60 minutes were 47 %. The subjects who terminated the visit because of death were 67.3%. 62% of the persons who referred them to the home care service were nurses. 4) The pain after the service was more relieved than before. The amounts of intake, the degree of bed sore, edema & fracture after the service were more improved than before. Health status after the service was improved in general. 5) There were significant differences between initial and last conscious level in tracheostomy care & oxygen inhalation care. There was significant difference between initial and last degree of activity in blood sugar check. 6) There were significant differences on the number of visit in assessment of the status, evaluation & observation, vital sign check, skin care, injection, medication, bed sore care, colostomy care, relaxation therapy for pain relief, patient education, family care, exercise therapy, position change, supply of disinfected equipments and infection control. There were significant differences on visiting time in nasogastric tube care, drainage tube care and oxygen inhalation care. 2. The satisfaction level of home care service 1) 50% were male. Over 60 years of the subjects was 61 %. Those who living in Seoul were 82%. 2) The subjects who had one or two diagnosis were 32% respectively. 55% of the persons who referred them to the home care service were nurses. 3) Total level of satisfaction of home care service was very high. 4) The older the age, the higher the satisfaction level. The larger the number of visit, the higher the satisfaction level. 5) The subjects who were in cloudy state were higher level of satisfaction than in alert or coma state. The subjects whose activity were normal or who needed assistance were higher level of satisfaction than bedridden or immobilized subjects. These findings suggested that the patients had substantial need for posthospital care. They tended to be elderly and to have experienced the wide range of health problems associated with aging, chronicity, including limitations in activities, and other serious health problems. So, the nationwide home care systems beyond the limit of demonstration program by local association and the development of the effective financial system of home based health care are necessary for the clients who are in need of home care.