• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.46-54
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to compare the effects of the Tai Chi self-help program with a self-help program on pain, stiffness, physical functioning, and fear of falling in women with osteoarthritis. Method: Total of 82 women with Osteoarthritis recruited from outpatient clinics or community health centers were randomly assigned either to a Tai Chi self-help group or a self-help group. Thirty subjects in the Tai Chi self-help group and 39 in the self-help group completed posttest measures(pain, stiffness, physical functioning, and fear of falling) at 6 months. Results: After the 6 month study period, the subjects in the Tai Chi self-help group reported significantly less difficulties in performing daily activities(mean difference=-0.16 vs. 6.19 for the self-help), and less fear of falling(mean difference=-3.20 vs. 0.27 for the self-help) than those in the self-help group. There were no significantly differences in pain and stiffness between the groups. Conclusion: The Tai Chi combined with self-help program was more effective than the self-help only program in reducing difficulties in performing daily activities and fear of falling in women with Osteoarthritis. Whether these changes prevent fall episodes requires further study.

• 한국노년학
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.243-258
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• 2009

Background: Falls are among the most common and serious health problems of older people. The psychological symptoms of falling have received relatively little attention compared to physical problems. Objective: The purpose of this study is to test a model to explain the factors that influence fear of falling among older adults living in a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) in Baltimore city, United States. Methods: A secondary analysis was conducted using data obtained from a Health Promotion Survey done on 149 older adults living in a CCRC. Data was originally obtained during face to face interviews with each participant. Descriptive statistics and bivariate correlations were used to describe the sample and evaluate simple correlations. A path analysis was done using the AMOS 4.0 statistical program. Results: Of the 49 hypothesized paths, 13 were statistically significant, and the model accounted for 22% of the variance in fear of falling among the elderly. There was support for the fit of the model to the data with a nonsignificant chi square at 0.478 (df=2, p=0.79), and the ratio of chi-square to degrees of freedom was 0.24, a CFI of 0.99 and RMSEA of 0.00. In particular, gender, a history of falling, and exercise were significant predictors of fear of falling. Conclusions/Implications: As anticipated, exercise is an important factor to prevent fear of falling. As a modifiable variable, self-efficacy and outcome expectation indirectly influence fear of falling through exercise.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.7
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• pp.193-199
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to provide basic data for the development of fall prevention programs for the elderly and for improvement of quality of life based on history of falls, chronic diseases, location, fear of falling, daily living activities, and quality of life. This study was conducted from 15th August to 17th September of 2016 on 185 elderly subjects above the age of 65 living in four centers of J city and four centers of J rural. The results of this study are as follows: There were no statistically significant differences in daily living activities, fear of falls, and quality of life regarding falls in the past. There were statistically significant differences in fear of falling and quality of life regarding chronic diseases. There were statistically significant differences in daily living activities and quality of life regarding residence. This study confirms that there were relations among daily living activities, fear of falling, and quality of life, and there was a negative correlation between fear of falling and accomplishment of daily living activities(r=-.386, p<.000). There was also a positive correlation between accomplishment of daily living activities and quality of life(r=.513, p<.000). Therefore, avoiding outings on slippery roads and creating safe environments for the elderly are important to reduce fear of falling. Additionally, a system should be developed for the elderly to acquire necessary information for daily life.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.266-275
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• 2015

Purpose: The objective of this study was to verify the effects of elastic-band exercise on pain, range of motion, and fear of falling in patients with total knee replacement. Methods: The study design was a nonequivalent control group non-synchronized quasi-experimental design. Data were collected from December 10, 2014 to January 10, 2015 in an orthopedic specialty hospital located in the C city. Forty-eight patients participated in the study, and each twenty-four were assigned to the experimental group and the control group. The elastic-band exercise was used with the experimental group for 10 days. The numeric rating scale was used to measure pain, goniometer to measure range of motion, and a questionnaire to measure fear of falling. The data were analyzed using $x^2-test$, Fisher's exact, t-test and paired t-test. Results: Compared to the control group, pain in the experimental group decreased (t=-2.89, p=.006), range of motion increased (t=2.98, p=.005), and fear of falling decreased (t=-4.63 p<.001). Conclusion: The elastic-band exercise for total knee replacement patients is considered to be an effective nursing intervention to decrease pain and fear of falling, and to increase range of motion.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.141-149
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify risk factors of accidental falls by age in the Korean elderly. Methods: The study subjects included 10,242 community-dwelling elders aged 65 or over. The data were analyzed by logistic regression analysis. Results: The risk factors of accidental falls in the younger old group (aged 65~74) include fear of falling (OR=16.28, 95% CI: 12.03~22.03), depression (OR=1.24, 95% CI: 1.06~1.44), and hearing impairment (OR=1.20, 95% CI: 1.01~1.43). The risk factors of accidental falls in the older old group (aged 75~84) include fear of falling (OR=11.54, 95% CI: 7.04~18.93), muscle strength (OR=1.36, 95% CI: 1.15~1.60), number of chronic disease (OR=1.65, 95% CI: 1.09~2.50), and presence of spouse (OR=1.27, 95% CI: 1.06~1.51). The risk factors of accidental falls in the oldest old group (aged 85 years old or older) include fear of falling (OR=8.05, 95% CI: 1.85~34.98) and exercise (OR=2.91, 95% CI: 1.36~6.24). Fear of falling is defined as a common factor in the all age groups. Conclusion: Different strategies should be developed for age groups to prevent elderly falls with understanding of contributing factors of falls in each group.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.259-266
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on gait speed and genu recurvatum episodes in stroke patients. Methods: The patient is a 58-year-old woman with left hemiplegia who presented with genu recurvatum while walking. Each week the patient received two sessions of PNF that each lasted 45 minutes. During a six-week interval the patient underwent therapeutic exercises and occupational therapy five times a week between the two PNF treatments. During each treatment a preand post-test (a 4 m walk test) was conducted, the patient described their fear of falling down (10-point visual analogue scale), and the number of genu recurvatum episodes was recorded. Results: After the first PNF treatment, the fear of falling down was decreased from 8 points to 7 points, and the number of genu recurvatum episodes decreased from 11 to 6. After the second PNF treatment, the fear of falling down decreased from 6 points to 5 points, and the number of genu recurvatum episodes decreased from 5 to 1. The 4 m walking test time also decreased from 30 seconds to 24 seconds. Conclusion: The PNF treatment is beneficial for reducing the fear of falling down, reducing the number of genu recurvatum episodes, and improving the gait speed of stroke patients.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.105-113
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this case study was to examine the effects of an intervention based on the concept of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on the weight-supporting ability, fear of falling, and stair-walking ability of stroke patients. Methods: One pretest, three intervention sessions, and one posttest were conducted. In the tests, weight-supporting ability, manual muscle strength, the fear of falling, and the time to go up and down a 'ㄱ'-shaped stair-walking machine were measured and compared. The intervention was implemented for 30 minutes per day for three days in combination with general rehabilitation. The intervention was planned and implemented based on the concept of PNF, and the goal was for the subjects, after their consent, to walk backward down the stairs. Results: After the intervention, functional improvement was seen in weight-supporting ability and the fear of falling felt when walking down the stairs. Whereas the subjects could not perform the task of walking down the stairs on the 'ㄱ'-shaped stair-walking machine in the pretest, they could perform the task in the posttest, and their stair-climbing speed was greater than before the intervention. Conclusion: This study verified that a PNF-based intervention can improve stroke patients' weight-supporting ability and stair-walking ability. Therefore, this intervention can be clinically applied to stroke patients.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.137-146
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to compare the effects of Tai Chi exercise program on arthritic pain, difficulties in performing activities of daily living, and fear of falling in women with osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Method: A quasi-experimental design with two intervention groups was used. According to the inclusion criteria, 35 women with OA and 22 with RA were recruited and participated in the Tai Chi for arthritis program for 12 weeks. In 12 weeks, 21 in the OA group and 15 in the RA group completed both pretest and posttest measures. Outcome variables consisted of pain, difficulties in performing activities of daily living, and fear of falling for both groups. Results: The women with OA (64 years) were significantly older and perceived better health than those with RA (49 years) with more than 6 years of diagnosis. The pain scores and the performance of activities of daily living were significantly improved in the OA group at the completion of 12 week Tai Chi exercise, but RA group decreased pain only. The improvements in pain and activities of daily living were significantly more in women with OA than those with RA. No significant changes were found in fear of falling for both groups. Conclusion: The 12 week Tai Chi exercise was more effective on pain and activities of daily living for women with OA than those with RA. Considering that the women with RA perceived more pain and had limited activities of daily living, Tai Chi exercise should be applied slowly and gradually for longer period of time than those with OA.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.61-69
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aims to determine the association between fear of falling, falls efficacy, and fall prevention behaviors in older adults in outpatient and identify the factors affecting fall prevention behaviors. Methods: This was a descriptive study. A total of 137 older adults aged 60 or older with more than one disease in an outpatients setting were recruited from a university hospital in Seoul. Data were collected from March 11 through April 8, 2016. Results: The experience of a fall was significantly associated with age (t=-2.71, p=.008), gender (𝛘²=14.32, p<.001), education (𝛘²=6.05, p=.049), income (𝛘²=9.93, p=.019), physical activity status (𝛘²=16.84, p<.001), and the number of diseases (t=-2.89, p=.004). Fall experience was not significantly associated with marital status (𝛘²=3.79, p=.285). Multiple regression analysis revealed that the most influential factor of fall prevention behaviors was the fear of falls (β=-.37, p<.001), followed by the number of diseases (β=-.20, p=.013). Conclusion: It is necessary to provide preventive fall education with older adults in outpatients settings considering the fear level of falling and the numbers of accompanying diseases.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.14-22
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• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the experience of falls, the fear of falling and fall efficacy and identify the predictors of falls in the elderly at senior citizens' centers. Method: The subjects of this study were 106 elders who used senior citizens' centers in Chungcheongbuk-do, Korea. Data were collected from May to June, 2006 through a survey using a structured questionnaire. Result: Of the elderly sampled, 35.8% experienced falls during the last 1 year. Of falls experienced by the elderly, 53% occurred indoors, 47% outdoors, 15.8% in the bathroom or toilet. In addition, 57.8% of the elderly had injuries on the hip and waist related with falls. The fear of falling was higher in those with experience in falls than in those without. Factors affecting the elders' falls were age (OR=1.113, 95% CI=1.012-1.224), the number of chronic disease (OR=2.342, 95% CI=1.365-4.019) and the fear of falling (OR=4.279, 95% CI=1.901-9.634). The predictor of the frequency of falls was fall efficacy ($R^2=24.9$). Conclusion: As a result, it is essential to develop fall prevention programs based on the fear of falling, fall efficacy, chronic diseases and medication state. And in senior citizens' centers, fall prevention safety education should be activated as a health promotion program.