• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.99-106
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• 2007

The gait instability in the elderly has been associated with age-related deterioration in physical strength and reducing the potential for elderly falls requires regular exercise. In 2005, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control(NCIPC) reported that most elderly falls occur during activities in daily living(ADL). To better reveal biomechanic mechanisms underlying age-related degeneration in gait stability, and to enhance the assessment of falls risk, an accurate quantification of a person's balance maintenance during locomotion is needed. Instantaneous orientation of the line connecting COP and COM can characterize whole body position with respect to the supporting foot during gait and the angle between this line and the vertical line passing through the COP known as a good assessment to detect the elderly gait instability. Therefore the purpose of this study was to investigate a 6-month walking exercise effects in reducing elderly fall risk factors by using COP-COM inclination angles. Twenty-two community-dwelling elderly participated this study. The participants performed a walking exercise(3 times/week, 1 hour/visit) for 6 months. Laboratory kinematics during walking was assessed at months 0, 3 and 6. Significant increased in gait velocity was found among periods(p=.011, $1.25{\pm}.03$, $1.32{\pm}.03$, and $1.39{\pm}.04\;m/s$ in 0-, 3-, and 6-month, respectively). Also, significant differences in anterior and posteriror inclination angles were found among the periods(p<.05; posterior inclination angles: $12.8{\pm}2.2$, $11.0{\pm}2.9$, & $10.9{\pm}1.9$; anterior inclination angles: $13.7{\pm}1.7$, $14.6{\pm}3.2$, & $1.46{\pm}.21$ in 0month, 3month, & 6month, respectively). These findings provide evidence of significant reduced fall risk factors of community-living older adults associated with a systematic walking program.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.13-29
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to describe about elders with dementia, their families, and their living environment by visiting the households where demented elders resided. The findings will be used as a basis to develop future individualized adjustment programs for demented elders and their families living in communities. The study participants were 64 demented elders and their families who were registered to a dementia counseling center at Nam-Gu community health center located in Inchon, Korea. Data were collected for two months, from May to June 2001. The length of data collection for each home visit ranged from 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Conclusion are as follows based on these study findings: Those demented elders had more than one chronic health problem in addition to their pre-existing dementia condition. Two thirds of the demented elders were not receiving any specific treatment for dementia. They showed a moderate level of independence in basic ADL, but were mostly residing at home because of lack of ability to perform more delicate and complicate routine daily activities by themselves. In addition, the primary caregivers were not well adjusted to the care-giving activities for their demented family members due to the lack of knowledge and information about dementia. The caregivers were mostly women including daughters-in-law, woman spouses and daughters, over a half of whom perceived their physical and mental health status as poor. Their image toward the demented elders was considerably negative. while their level of knowledge on dementia was moderate. The burden for the care-giving was high, whereas their coping method was passive. As the difference in image toward elderly before and after the onset of dementia in their family member increases, the caregiver burden also increased. The main resource of social support for the caregivers was their children. The caregivers showed high level of needs for knowledge and information on dementia, and day care service was the most preferred type of service by the caregivers. There was lack of safety in the living environments for the demented elders and their families, and in the surrounding environments to prevent dementia-related symptoms. Considering that home-based family care-giving is the most culturally appropriate model of providing care for the demented elders in Korea, we need to develop and apply an individualized adjustment program for the demented elders and their families.

• The Journal of Korean society of community based occupational therapy
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.31-42
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• 2015

Objective : The aim of this study is to prove the effects of mental practice in balance ability of elderly population, and to investigate the possibility of application as an effective intervention method for fall prevention. Methods : This study provided mental practice to 3 subjects over 65 years old who have experienced fall, but do not have cognitive dysfunctions and independent in gait without any use of assistive devices from July to October, 2013. Within the individual case study, 4 sessions of initial baseline process (A), 5 sessions of mental practice (B), 4 sessions of re-initial baseline process (A') were proceeded using ABA design. Independent variable used mental practice for enhancing balance ability and fall efficacy in elderly population, and dependent variable were Berg Balance Scale (BBS) to find out the change in overall balance ability, Fall Efficacy Scale (FES) to see the change in fall efficacy, One-Leg Standing test(OLS), and Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) to determine the changes in both static and dynamic balance. Analysis of the results were provided via mean value and graph. Results : After the application of mental practice method, all of the subjects have shown increase in fall efficacy baseline values, and in addition, overall balance ability and both static and dynamic balances either increased or maintained. Conclusion : This study demonstrated that mental practice has positive effects on fall efficacy improvement and maintenance in elderly, thereby suggesting mental practice for fall prevention in elderly populations.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.15-25
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• 2010

Objectives : The Big Five Inventory(BFI) and the Big Five Inventory-10(BFI-10) are widely used instruments for the evaluation of personality in various cultures, while they have not been formally validated in Korea. This study aimed to develop the Korean versions of BFI(BFI-K) and BFI 10(BFI-K-10) with a Korean elderly population. Methods : The study sample consisted of 1,038 community dwelling elders. BFI-K and BFI-K-10 were administered. For the reliability analyses, scores on Guttmans' split half and Cronbach's ${\alpha}$ were estimated. For the validity analyses, the Korean version of Geriatric Depression Scale(KGDS) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory(STAI) were investigated. Results : The reliability of the BFI-K was good(Guttmans' split half=0.59-0.78, Cronbach's ${\alpha}$=0.52-0.75). Scores on the BFI-K-10 were significantly correlated with the scores on BFI-K. Scores on the BFI-K and the BFI-K-10 were significantly correlated with the scores on KGDS and STAI. Conclusion : Both BFI-K and BFI-K-10 might be reliable and valid instruments to evaluate the personality in Korean community elders. BFI-K-10 is short and easy to be administered, and therefore it would be very convenient to use.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.120-129
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• 2011

The purposes of this study were to measure health related quality of life (HRQOL) of persons disabled by stroke dwelling in Gyeongju-si using EQ-5D and to estimate total QALYs loss of persons disabled by stroke in Korea. The eligible subjects were 982 persons with stroke aged 50 and over in Gyeongju-si disabled registry, as of March, 2008. Interviewers measured HRQOL of study subjects using EQ-5D. EQ-5D index, utility weight, was derived from the Korean valuation set. In order to compare the results of this study, we selected two comparison groups representing Korean healthy population and general population of Korean using the 4th Korean National Health & Nutrition Examination Survey. Finally, after age and gender standardization, we estimated the total QALYs losses of persons disabled by stroke in Korea. Of 982 eligible subjects, 566 persons participated in the survey (response rate: 57.6%). In both of female and male, utility weights in the 70s or 80s were lower than those of the 50s or 60s. Utility weights differences among persons with disability, general population, and healthy population in male were larger than those differences in female. Total estimated QALY losses of persons disabled by stroke were 67,011.6 QALYs lower than healthy control group and 54,167.1 QALYs lower than general population, respectively.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.561-571
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• 2016

Purpose: This study reviewed the innovative educational strategies that have been implemented successfully in US baccalaureate nursing education programs to facilitate appropriate attitudes about caring for older adults. Methods: The data were collected through a search of PubMed and CINAHL using the key words, gerontological or geriatric, attitudes about aging or older people, baccalaureate or undergraduate nursing education or curriculum. Results: The successful strategies are categorized as follows: 1) a multidisciplinary approach integrating aging issues and gerontological contents into diverse nursing courses, 2) active participation of community-dwelling healthy older individuals as an educational mentor, 3) use of audiovisual materials to investigate the misconceptions and attitudes about aging, and 4) discussion through critical thinking and self-reflection toward aging. Implications: For the interdisciplinary approach within nursing courses, it is essential to derive the key contents for gerontological nursing applicable to integration into diverse nursing courses. In addition, it is necessary to provide administrative support for implementing innovative strategies and constructing consistent partnerships with the community for active participation of the elderly as a mentor. Lastly, recognizing the significance of educational strategies for enhancing desirable attitudes toward gerontological nursing and supporting the development of educational capability of a faculty are key issues.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.142-162
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• 2014

Objectives: To evaluate the critical environmental factors on healthy-aging of Korean people, we investigated the significant factors influencing health status of septuagenarians living in rural area of Jeonla province, known to be one of the representative longevity regions in Korea. Methods: We divided subjects into healthy group (36M/25F) or poor-health group (26M/73F) based on self-reported health status, body mass index, a number of prescription, and blood test data. General characteristics, physical measurements, lifestyle, dietary behavior and nutrient intake, physical health and mental health data were statistically compared between the two groups. Results: Average age was not different between healthy group and poor-health group in men and women, respectively. In men, significantly favorable factors to health were observed to be higher education, regular exercise, higher grip strength and walking function, body mass index (${\geq}18.5kg/m^2$), moderate frequency of drinking and eating-out, non-smoking, normal red blood cell (RBC) count, higher serum dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEAS) level, good digestive function and appetite, normal hearing function, regular meals, adequate vegetable and fruit intake, diverse food intake, adequate energy and nutrients (protein, vitamin $B_1$, $B_6$, C and E, folate, niacin, P, Zn and K) intake, higher mini-nutrient status assessment (MNA) score and low level of depression. On the other hand, in women, those were literacy, living arrangement, moderate frequency of drinking, healthy teeth, higher grip strength and walking function, bone mineral density, normal RBC and white blood cell (WBC) count, higher DHEAS concentration, higher MNA score, normal cognition and memory function, having snack and adequate fruit intake. Conclusions: These results could be useful to plan effective strategies to increase health-life expectancy of Korean old people living in rural areas.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.197-207
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to identify the predictors of death anxiety among community-dwelling elderly cancer survivors in Korea. This study was a descriptive correlation study with 216 elderly cancer survivors who live in the jurisdiction of community health centers in Chugbuk province. Data of this study were collected from February 27 to March 15 2019 by a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and hierarchical multiple regression. In the results, the mean score of death anxiety was 2.47±0.39 out of 4.0, while that of ego integrity was 2.60±0.29, depression 6.35±4.0, and awareness of a good death 2.97±0.35. Based on the hierarchical multiple regression analysis, subjects' awareness of a good death had the greatest impact on death anxiety (β = 0.255, p < .001), followed by depression (β = 0.185, p = .020) and religion (no= 1; β= 0.148, p = .021). These factors explained 16.4% of death anxiety (F=8.04, p<.001). Therefore, the results of this study are expected to be utilized as basic data for developing an intervention program that will be designed to reduce the death anxiety in elderly cancer survivors.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.359-374
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• 2002

Objectives : To develop a physical functioning instrument for older adults living in the community. Methods : A representative sample of 979 people aged 65 years or over were interviewed in-person. Of these, 199 people also completed a detailed in-hospital examination. The scale items were selected based on the frequency of endorsement, along with the item-total and inter-item correlations. The associations of the scale with their physical performance and clinical examination were analyzed to evaluate the criterion-related validity. Construct validity was assessed using factor analysis, and internal consistency through Cronbach's alpha and item-total correlations. Test-retest reliability was measured by agreement between the household survey and the repeat survey at the in-hospital examination. Results : Initially, 23 items on the level of difficulty, ranging from no difficulty to an inability to complete a task, with the specific mobility and self-care tasks were included. Those with a high frequency of endorsement and a low inter-item or item-total correlations were excluded, resulting in a 10-item Physical Functioning (PT) scale. Equal weights were given to each item and a summated score was calculated. Significant associations were found between the PF scores and the physical performance, surrey and clinical data. The scale revealed a 2-factor (mobility and self-care) structure. Cronbach's alpha was 0.92 and the item-total correlations were in the 0.63 to 0.78 range. Pearson's correlations for the test-retest ranged between 0.56 and 0.61. Conclusions : The newly developed Physical Functioning (PF) scale showed good psychometric properties in older people. Further work, however, is needed to improve its sensitivity to discriminate higher levels of functioning, in addition to assessing its predictive value in detecting changes in health.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.77-92
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• 2019

Objective : This study aims to obtain the validation of Korean version of HOME FAST using the translation-back translation process and to evaluate the reliability. Methods : Total three stages were conducted which includes forward translation to Korean, test for degree of understanding of translated version, back translation to English, and then review and proof reading process. 21 occupational therapists were participated in the evaluation of understanding of Korean-translated HOME FAST, then some of expressions were modified for better understanding. Korean version was went through back-translation to English. Similarity between the original version and re-translated version were evaluated. Total 75 data from community dwelling elderly group were collected to assess internal consistency. Two occupational therapists simultaneously evaluated for the inter-rater reliability. Results : 11 items of Korean-translated scale were responded as having confused meaning by occupational therapists. There was some modification on expression. In the evaluation of similarity between original version and re-translated version, 3 items were selected as dissimilar items in terms of syntax and 6 items were selected in terms of semantic similarity. After the repetitive modification process, items were obtained conceptual equivalence between two different languages. Internal consistency was .62(KR20) (p<.01) and inter-rater reliability was .97(ICC) (p<.01). Conclusion : Korean version of HOME FAST was finalized through translation-retranslation process. The conceptual equivalence was established and Korean version showed highly reliable. In further study, The modification of items reflecting Korean house and life style should be conducted.