• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.324-332
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• 2004

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explain differences of cesarean section rates according to San- Yin-Jiao(SP6) acupressure for women in labor. Method: A noneqivalent control group pre test - post test design was used to explain differences of cesarean section rates according to SP6 acupressure. The participants were 209 women who were assigned to one of three groups SP6 acupressure(n=86), SP6 touch(n=47), and control group(n=76). For 30 minutes, the SP6 acupressure group received SP6 acupressure, and the SP6 touch group received SP6 touch for the duration of each uterine contraction. The Control group was encouraged to deep breath and relax for the duration of each uterine contraction for 30 minutes. Result: The rates of cesarean section were 12.8%, 29.8%, and 22.4% for the SP6 acupressure group, SP6 touch group, and control group respectively. There was a significant difference among groups (p=0.049). Cesarean section rateswere significantly different between the SP6 acupressure and non-SP6 acupressure group(p=0.035). Conclusion: This finding shows that 30 minutes of SP6 acupressure was effective in decreasing the cesarean section rate. Therefore, SP6 acupressure during labor could be applied as an effective nursing intervention.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.251-258
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• 2023

Objective: The practice of breathing exercises involves altering the depth and frequency of respiration. Strengthening respiratory muscles plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health and well-being. The efficiency of the respiratory system affects not only physical activity but also various physiological processes including cardiovascular health, lung function, and cognitive abilities. The study evaluated the reliability of the developed device for inspiratory/expiratory training using pressure sensors and Bluetooth connectivity with a smartphone application. Design: Design & development research Methods: The research methodology involved connecting a custom-made respiratory sensor to an IMT-PEP BIC Breath device. Various pressure conditions were measured, and statistical analyses were performed to assess reliability and consistency. Results showed high Intraclass Coefficient Correlation (ICC) values for both inspiratory and expiratory pressures, indicating strong test-retest reliability. The device was designed for ease of use and wireless monitoring through a smartphone app. Results: This study conducted at expiratory pressure confirmed the proper operation of the IMT/PEP breathing trainer at the specified pressure setting in the product. The pressure sensor demonstrated high test-retest reliability with an ICC value of 0.999 for both expiratory and inspiratory pressure measurements. Conclusions: The developed respiratory training device measured and monitored inspiratory and expiratory pressures, demonstrating its reliability for respiratory training. The system could be utilized to record training frequency and intensity, providing potential benefits for patients requiring respiratory interventions. Further research is needed to assess the full potential of the device in diverse populations and applications.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.74-94
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of education between CAI(Computer Assisted Instruction) and lectures for smoking cessation among male students who attended vocational high schools. Conducted from February 24th to April 26th, 2003, the study design was quasi-experimental with nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. The study subjects were 60 male students in K vocational high school in Daegu city, who were present smokers and had more than 7.0 ppm concentration level of carbon monoxide. Thirty students were randomly chosen as the experimental group which applied CAI education method for smoking cessation. The other 30 students served as the control group which received lecture education method of 40 minutes on four consecutive days. CAI education for smoking cessation was composed of ready-made individual learning contents, counseling by using cyber-communication, writing a letter to stop smoking, and writing a written agreement for smoking cessation. Lecture education for smoking cessation was composed of a ready-prepared lecture for the group, writing a letter to stop smoking, and writing a written agreement for smoking cessation. To measure smoking related knowledge, Jeong Ree Roh(1996)'s smoking related knowledge scale$(Cronbach's\;{\alpha}=0.84)$ was modified and used by the researcher. To measure smoking related attitude, Jeong Ree Roh(1996)'s smoking related attitude scale$(Cronbach's\;{\alpha}=0.91)$ was modified and used by the researcher. Smoking related knowledge scale's Cronbach's $\alpha$ was 0.83 in the pilot study and 0.93 in this study. Smoking related attitude scale's Cronbach's a was 0.80 in the pilot study and 0.98 in this study. To determine the smoking amount, the number of cigarettes smoked per day was checked. The concentration level of CO in the exhaled breath was measured (Micro CO Cat. No. MCO2, UK). Data was analyzed by $x^2-test$, t-test, repeated measures ANOVA. simple main effects, and time contrast test with SPSS/Win 11.0 program. The results of this study were as follows: 1. The first hypothesis. that 'Smoking-related knowledge score in the experimental group by using CAI education for smoking cessation will be higher than that in the control group by using lecture education for smoking cessation', was not supported. 2. The second hypothesis, that 'Smoking-related attitude in the experimental group by using CAI education for smoking cessation will be higher than that in the control group by using lecture education for smoking cessation'. was supported(F=6490.79. p=0.000). 3. The third hypothesis. that 'Smoking amount in the experimental group by using CAI education for smoking cessation will be less than that in the control group by using lecture education for smoking cessation'. was supported. 1) The third-1st sub-hypothesis. that 'The number of cigarettes smoked per day in the experimental group by using CAI education for smoking cessation will be less than that in the control group by using lecture education for smoking cessation'. was supported(F=134.19. p=0.000). 2) The third-2nd sub-hypothesis. that 'The concentration level of CO by ppm per one exhaled breath in the experimental group by using CAI education for smoking cessation will be lower than that in the control group by using lecture education for smoking cessation"' was supported(F=268.55. p=0.000). From the above results. CAI education can be an effective intervention to improve smoking-related knowledge and attitude. and to reduce the number of cigarettes smoked per day and the concentration level of CO by ppm per one exhaled breath. Lecture education can be effective to improve smoking-related knowledge. In the future, when CAI education and lecture education for smoking cessation are applied on the school nursing field. the students can gain a comprehensive understanding of smoking cessation, changes in smoking-related knowledge. smoking-related attitude and reducing smoking amount. Furthermore, CAI education for smoking cessation could be developed as an individual self initiative program and could give a guideline to apply CAI education for smoking cessation in other field.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.79-92
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• 2003

Objectives: To investigate the reinfection rate of Helicobacter pylori and the factors related to reinfection of H. pylori, 86 persons were examined in April 2000 after 1 year follow-up period and 77 persons were examined in October 2001 after two and a half-year follow-up period in Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea. Methods: The subjects were confirmed as H. pylori negative by urea breath test(UBT), and asked to answer the questionnaire regarding demographic characteristics, dyspepsia symptoms, health-related behaviors and family history. Results: The reinfection rate on the first year of the eradication of H. pylori was 15.6%, when the 77 subjects have finished follow-up observation for one year. In the urea breath test performed after two and a half year, 13 out of 77 were positive, with the reinfection rate of 16.9%. Age, sex, socio-economical status, educational level and family history were not associated with the reinfection, while there was significant association between the reinfection and postprandial fullness and epigastric bloating in subjective dyspepsia that the subjects who were determined to be negative in the urea breath test for the following year. The treatment compliance and drinking were significant variables in univariate analysis. Meanwhile, the cases in which the dyspepsia symptom scores for the recent year were 2 to 3 points served as the only statistically significant variable in multiple logistic regression analysis, with the odds ratio of 4.5. The cases in which salt intake during meals was exceeded were 8.7 in the odds ratio, but statistically insignificant. Conclusions: Conclusively, the first-year reinfection rate was 15.6%, and the second-year reinfection rate was 16.9%. Thecomplaints of subjective dyspeptic symptoms and the treatment compliance, as the basis for predicting the H. pylori reinfection in communities, can be used as the basis to screen the subjects for follow-up examination to find out H. pylori infection.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.74-82
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to compare the anaerobic threshold (AT) between subjects with and without non-specific chronic low back pain (NCLBP). The patient group included 15 women with NCLBP. The normal group included 15 women without NCLBP who were age-, height-, weight-, and activity level-matched. The subjects performed a Balke treadmill protocol which was symptom-limited progressive loading test. Their heart rate (HR), ventilatory gas and metabolic equivalents (METs) were measured using the automatic breath gas analyzing system. After the test, each subjects' ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were evaluated. The visual analog scale (VAS) was assessed pre- and post-test. The independent t-test and Wilcoxon's signed-rank test were used for analysis of the data. Time, HR, the volume of oxygen consumption ($VO_2$), relative $VO_2$, and METs at the AT level of the patient group were significantly lower than those of the healthy group (p<.05). However, there were no significant differences in RPE, VAS, and breathing frequency at the AT level (p>.05). The findings of this study indicate that patients with NCLBP had a lower aerobic fitness than healthy subjects. Thus, implementation of rehabilitation program to increase aerobic fitness may be considered in patietns with NCLBP, and further studies are required to determine the etiological factors of decreased aerobic fitness.

• IE interfaces
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2011

The purpose of this research was to develop an integrated interface for the usability test of systems or products in the design process. It is capable of automatically creating GOMS models which can predict human task performances. It can generate GOMS models to be interacted with the prototype interfaces. It can also effectively manage various design information and various usability test results to be implemented into the new product and/or system design. Thus we can perform usability test for products or system prototypes more effectively and also reduce time and effort required for this test. For usability tests, we established an integrated interface based on GOMS model by the LabVIEW program. We constructed the system that the linkage to GOMS model is available. Using this integrated interface, the menu structure of mobile phone can be constructed easily. User can design a depth and a breath that he want. The size of button and the label of the button is changable. The path to the goal can be defined by the user. Using a designed menu structure, the experiment could be performed. The results of GOMS model and the actual time are presented. Besides, values of operators of GOMS model can be defined as the value that user wants. Using the integrated interface that we developed, the optimal menu structure deducted. The menu structure that user wants can be established easily. The optimal layout and button size can be decided by comparison of numerous menu structures. User can choose the method of usability test among GOMS model and empirical data. Using this integrated interface, the time and costs can be saved and the optimal menu structure can be found easily.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.160-166
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics of urea, a new potential diagnosis reagent of Helicobacter pylori infection. Methods: Considering the mechanism of urea breath test, we determined the excretion of urea in expired air after its oral administration in rats and beagle dogs at the dose of 2 mg/kg (including 50 mCi/mmol $^{14}C$-urea 50 ${\mu}Ci/kg$ for rats and 13.5 ${\mu}Ci/kg$ for dogs). Results: Urea was rapidly disappeared from the blood circulation by 1 hr after its i.v. bolus injection, followed by a slow disappearance by 24 hr. The half-lives at the distributive phase ($t_{1/2{\alpha}}$) and post-distributive phase ($t_{1/2{\beta}}$) were 2 min and 6 hr, respectively. The bioavailability of urea was 64.3% after its oral administration. The values of the volume of distribution ($V_{dss}$) and the total body clearance ($CL_t$) after the oral administration were compatible with those after i.v. administration. The recovery of urea in the bile was about 0.1% of the dose by 24 hr after its oral administration. Urea was extensively eliminated in the urine by 48 hr. The recovery ratios of urea in the urine and expired air were about 86.8% and 2.99% of the dose by 48 hr, respectively. Moreover, urea was mostly distributed from the blood circulation to the kidney, followed by being eliminated in the urine without metabolism. The concentration of urea in the kidney was 4.0 times higher than that of plasma at 40 min after its oral administration. Conclusions: These findings indicated that oral route appears to be available for the administration of urea. Orally administered urea, thus, was considered to be useful for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.10-16
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• 2015

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the changing prevalence rate of Helicobacter pylori infection in children, of different age groups, with recurrent abdominal pain over a 10-year period. Methods: Children with recurrent abdominal pain who visited the pediatric outpatient clinic at university hospital were screened for H. pylori. Children were divided into 3 age categories of 4-5, 6-11, and 12-16 years. To study the changes in the annual prevalence rates of H. pylori infection, the study period was divided into 3 time periods: 2004-2007, 2008-2010, and 2011-2014. Urea breath test was performed for all children aged 4-16 years, with a cut-off value of 4.0‰ for children aged ${\geq}6$ years and 7‰ for children aged <6 years. Results: A total of 2,530 children (1,191 boys) with a mean age of $10.0{\pm}3.0years$ (range, 4.0-16.9 years) were included in the study. The total prevalence of H. pylori infection was 7.4% (187/2,530). The prevalence rate of H. pylori infection in children with recurrent abdominal pain was 8.0% (70/873) in 2004-2007, 7.7% (51/666) in 2008-2010, and 6.7% (66/991) in the 2011-2014. Nevertheless, a significant difference was observed in the prevalence rate between children <12 years old and ${\geq}12$ years of age (p=0.018). Conclusion: The prevalence of H. pylori infection in Korean children with recurrent abdominal pain was 7.4%, showing no significant decrease in the last 11 years; however, the prevalence rate in children <12 years old was significantly lower than that in those ${\geq}12$ years old.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.87 no.1
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• pp.65-79
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• 2024

Background: Exhaled condensates contain inflammatory biomarkers; however, their roles in the clinical field have been under-investigated. Methods: We prospectively enrolled subjects admitted to pulmonology clinics. We collected exhaled breath condensates (EBC) and analysed the levels of six and 12 biomarkers using conventional and multiplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Results: Among the 123 subjects, healthy controls constituted the largest group (81 participants; 65.9%), followed by the preserved ratio impaired spirometry group (21 patients; 17.1%) and the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) group (21 patients; 17.1%). In COPD patients, platelet derived growth factor-AA exhibited strong positive correlations with COPD assessment test (ρ=0.5926, p=0.0423) and COPD-specific version of St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ-C) score (total, ρ=0.6725, p=0.0166; activity, ρ=0.7176, p=0.0086; and impacts, ρ=0.6151, p=0.0333). Granzyme B showed strong positive correlations with SGRQ-C score (symptoms, ρ=0.6078, p=0.0360; and impacts, ρ=0.6007, p=0.0389). Interleukin 6 exhibited a strong positive correlation with SGRQ-C score (activity, ρ=0.4671, p=0.0378). The absolute serum eosinophil and basophil counts showed positive correlations with pro-collagen I alpha 1 (ρ=0.6735, p=0.0164 and ρ=0.6295, p=0.0283, respectively). In healthy subjects, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁)/forced vital capacity demonstrated significant correlation with CC chemokine ligand 3 (CCL3)/macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha (ρ=0.3897 and p=0.0068). FEV₁ exhibited significant correlation with CCL11/eotaxin (ρ=0.4445 and p=0.0017). Conclusion: Inflammatory biomarkers in EBC might be useful to predict quality of life concerning respiratory symptoms and serologic markers. Further studies are needed.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.19-29
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• 2021

Purpose: To assess parent perspectives of the current and potential future tests for their child with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: New Zealand parents of a child with IBD were invited to complete an anonymous online survey. Experiences relating to their child's blood or faecal tests, medical imaging (abdominal ultrasound [US], abdominal computerised tomography [CT] and magnetic resonance enterography) and colonoscopy were collected. Perceived attitudes to potential future testing of urine, saliva, and breath, were sought. Results: Twenty-eight parents, 93% female completed the survey, and 86% were aged between 35 and 54 years. Baseline information was provided by parents for 27 of 28 children, 70.3% had Crohn's disease with a mean disease duration of 2.67 years. Blood tests were the most requested and completed tests, while CT was the least ordered and most refused test. Colonoscopy was rated as the least comfortable and generated the most worry. Explanation of test significantly improved parent's levels of understanding when their child had blood, faecal, imaging (US) or colonoscopy tests. Providing an explanation, test invasiveness and the impact of the blood results may have on their child's treatment significantly improved parents' comfort levels. However, explanation of colonoscopy generated a significant parental concerns. Saliva, urine and blood tests were chosen as the most preferred disease monitoring tests. Conclusion: Parents preferred any tests less invasive than colonoscopy for monitoring their child's IBD. Although providing explanation of their child's tests enhanced parents' understanding, it can also affect parents' levels of concern and comfort.