• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.324-333
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• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a quality of life scale for Korean patients with cancer (C-QOL). Methods: The C-QOL was developed and validated as follows, item generation, pilot study, and psychometric tests. A total of 337 patients diagnosed with stomach, liver, lung, colon, breast, or cervix cancer were recruited. The patients were asked to complete the preliminary questionnaire comprising the content-validated items, the SF-36, and the ECOG performance status. The obtained data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, factor analysis, multidimensional scaling (MDS), multitrait/multi-item matrix, ANOVA, t-test, and Cronbach's alpha. Results: Preliminarily twenty-six items were generated through content validity and a pilot study. Factor analysis and MDS extracted a total of 21 items with a 5-point Likert-type scale (C-QOL). The C-QOL included five subscales: physical status (6 items), emotional status (6 items), social function (3 items), concern status (2 items), and coping function (4 items). The C-QOL established content validity, construct validity, item convergent and discriminant validity, known-groups validity, reliability, and sensitivity. Conclusion: The Newly developed C-QOL is an easily applicable instrument which established psychometric properties and reflected Korean culture. It is recommended for further study to examine the responsiveness of the C-QOL using a longitudinal research design.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.63 no.6
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• pp.757-766
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• 2020

Objective : Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is a severe and life-threatening disease. Although commonly performed, the effect of timing in surgical treatment on patient outcome is still unclear. With this study, we aim to provide evidence for early surgical treatment in patients with SEA. Methods : Patients treated for SEA in the authors' department between 2007 and 2016 were included for analysis and retrospectively analyzed for basic clinical parameters and outcome. Pre- and postoperative neurological status were assessed using the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS). The self-reported quality of life (QOL) based on the Short-Form Health Survey 36 (SF-36) was assessed prospectively. Surgery was defined as "early", when performed within 12 hours after admission and "late" when performed thereafter. Conservative therapy was preferred and recommend in patients without neurological deficits and in patients denying surgical intervention. Results : One hundred and twenty-three patients were included in this study. Forty-nine patients (39.8%) underwent early, 47 patients (38.2%) delayed surgery and 27 (21.9%) conservative therapy. No significant differences were observed regarding mean age, sex, diabetes, prior history of spinal infection, and bony destruction. Patients undergoing early surgery revealed a significant better clinical outcome before discharge than patients undergoing late surgery (p=0.001) and conservative therapy. QOL based on SF-36 were significantly better in the early surgery cohort in two of four physical items (physical functioning and bodily pain) and in one of four psychological items (role limitation) after a mean follow-up period of 58 months. Readmission to the hospital and failure of conservative therapy were observed more often in patients undergoing conservative therapy. Conclusion : Our data on both clinical outcome and QOL provide evidence for early surgery within 12 hours after admission in patients with SEA.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.134-140
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• 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of exercise therapy and bedside ergometer exercise on muscle strength, function level, and quality of life of persons in intensive care. Design: Randomized Controlled Trial Methods: Sixteen patients in the ICU were randomly assigned to either the exercise group (n=8) or the bedside cycle ergometer group (n=8). Activities in the ICU exercise group (rolling, sitting at the edge of the bed, transfer from sitting to standing, standing balance training, ambulation) and bedside cycle ergometer group were performed 5 times a week for 30 minutes during the ICU admission period. Medical Research Council (MRC) and Functional Status Scale-Intensive Care Unit (FSS-ICU) parameters were assessed at the time of admission to the ICU, and reevaluation was assessed on the day of ICU discharge. The Short Form-36 (SF-36) was assessed at the time of discharge from the ICU. Results: MRC and FSS-ICU were significantly increased before and after intervention in both the experimental and control groups (p<0.05). There was a significant difference between MRC and FSS-ICU in the comparison of the changes before and after the intervention (p<0.05). SF-36 was compared between groups after intervention and there was a significant difference between the experimental and the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: Muscle strength and functional levels improved after intervention in both the experimental and control groups. The ICU exercise group was more effective than the bedside cycle ergometer group to improve muscle strength, functional level, and quality of life performance of persons in the ICU.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.705-712
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• 2007

Purpose: Transsexualism is considered to be the extreme end of the spectrum of gender identity disorders characterized by, among other things, a pursuit of sex reassignment surgery (SRS). We evaluated psychologic status, health-related quality of life in female-to-male (FTM), male-to-female (MTF) transgender individuals. Methods: We used the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, Moudsley obsessive-compulsive Inventory, SCL-90-R, Short-Form 36-Question Health Survey version 2 (SF-36v2). We enrolled 40 transsexual participants. Results: Analysis of quality of life health concepts demonstrated statistically significant (p<0.01) diminished quality of life among the transsexual participants as compared to the Korea male and female population. FTM transgender participants reported more higher hostile, phobic than MTF transgenders. Overall, in all psychologic status examination, Transgender individuals are within normal population boundary. On all category, result is improved post-operatively. Conclusion: Transgender participants reported mental status within normal boundary. SRS improved their quality of life and mental stability.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.73-83
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a comprehensive health promotion program for North Korean young adult defectors in South Korea. Methods: The comprehensive health promotion program consisted of nutrition, mental healthcare, physical activity and sexual behavior was developed on the basis of need assessment results. For the evaluation of the program, 70 North Korean young adults who were attending two alternative schools for North Korean defectors were recruited. The program had taken place once a week for 13 or 19 weeks. Effectiveness of the health promotion program was evaluated using anthropometric measurement, 3-day food records and a questionnaires that comprised the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Short Form with 36 questions (SF-36) and health behaviors. The surveys were proceeded at the beginning and after the program. Results: After health promotion program, participants' height was significantly increased (p=0.004) and body fat mass (0=0.004) and percentage of body fat mass (p=0.003) were significantly decreased. The number of subjects who ate breakfast alone was decreased whereas the number of subjects who ate breakfast with friends was increased (p<0.001). There were no significant changes in dietary intakes, mental health status and quality of life. North Korean young adult defectors' willingness to participate and interests in the health promotion program were high, however the practice rate was low. Conclusion: The health promotion program could induce interests and willingness to participate, but bring about limited effects on the health behaviors. These results imply that a health promotion program for North Korean young adult defectors should have a long-term strategy as well as short-term plan. Furthermore, it should be based on their health problems, health related behaviors, academic performance and daily life matters.

• Asia-pacific Journal of Multimedia Services Convergent with Art, Humanities, and Sociology
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• v.6 no.12
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• pp.55-67
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• 2016

Purpose: The aims of this were to analyse the quantitative research trends and describe the factors influencing health related to quality of life (HRQoL) and instruments used to HRQoL after Intensive care units (ICU) discharge. Methods: This study were included 84 published papers regarding HRQoL after ICU discharge from initial data to December 2015. Results: The majority of papers were performed abroad. Only 4 papers with regard to HRQoL of ICU survivors were performed by nurses. 36 studies (42.8%) were used to measure HRQoL ICU survivors using the SF-36. 29 studies (34.5%) were used to measure HRQoL at 3~6 months after ICU discharge. Older age, longer length of stay at ICU, severity of illness, anxiety and depression were main risk factors to lower HRQoL in ICU patients. Conclusions: This study provides a better understanding of quality of life follwing critical illness. Therefore, further stduy is needed to develop patient centered intervention considered patients'health status and recovery phase. Additionally, large prospective multicenter cohort studies should be required.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.98 no.1
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• pp.26-32
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• 2009

The use of natural environments to change lifestyle and health has been long recognized. In particular, forests, trees, and open space have been shown to promote mental health. In this study, we examined the effectiveness of the structured psychotherapeutic program using forest environment ("forest activity program") to improve the symptoms of nine patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) who were taking variable doses of antidepressants. We assessed the depressive symptoms, quality of life, and autonomic nerve regulation among the MDD patients. Hamilton Rating Scales for Depression (HRSD) scores significantly decreased after the forest therapy (13.56 vs. 5.56, p=0.003), and some subscores of Short Form 36 health survey questionnaire (SF-36) and heart rhythm coherence are improved as well. Combined with antidepressant pharmacotherapy, the structured psychotherapeutic program using forest environment showed an improved health status for MDD patients and thus has potential as an adjuvant treatment for MDD, especially for rehabilitation and relapse prevention.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.490-497
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• 2015

The aim of this study was to examine the quality of life (QOL) and its related factors in veterans with physical dysfunction. The survey data was collected from 412 patients with physical dysfunction managed at five veterans' hospitals in Seoul, Pusan, Daegu, Gwangju, and Daejeon city. The baseline for the quality of life was measured using the SF-36 (Short-Form 36), activities of daily living was measured using a Modified Barthel Index (MBI), pain level was determined using Quadruple Visual Analogue Scale (QVAS), and the depression level was assessed using Korean version of the Geriatric Depression Scale: Short-Form (SGDS-K). The SF-36 scores showed a significant correlation with age (r=-0.132), self-rated current health status (r=-0.545), active daily living (r=0.514), pain level (r=-0.243), and depression level (r=-0.565) (p<0.05). The most influential variables on the QOL were the depression level (B=-.969, p<0.001), QVAS (B=-0.163, p<0.001), and MBI (B=0.140, p<0.001). The results of this study showed that that depression, pain and activities of daily living are significant predictors of the QOL in veterans with a physical dysfunction. Therefore, healthcare providers need to consider these parameters for interventions to improve the QOL in veterans with a physical dysfunction.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.60 no.1
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• pp.5-27
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• 2008

Purpose: This study aims to better understand the quality of life (QOL) for Korean breast and gynecological cancer survivors by examining the differences in multi-dimensional QOL outcomes according to stage of cancer survivorship. Methods: To identify the multiple dimensions of health status and psychosocial outcomes, three standardized QOL and psychological distress measures were administered to 110 Korean breast and gynecological cancer survivors. These participants were divided into three groups based on the stage of cancer survivorship. Results: Analyses of covariance revealed that once important confounders were controlled for, QOL outcomes were partially different depending on the stage of cancer survivorship. Results for SF-36 measure showed significant differences between acute and long-term survival stages, indicating that QOL for cancer survivors had gradually improved in the physical domain. However, there were no significant group differences in the psychological domain of SF-36. Additionally, QOL-CS and BSI-18 measures did not show significant QOL differences according to the stage of cancer survivorship. Conclusions: Evidence that, for Korean survivors, QOL outcomes differ according to the stage of cancer survivorship serves as a rationale for developing discriminatory strategies and interventions that take into account survival stage.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.946-956
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• 1999

The iron nutritional status of 328(20-70 years old) women in Seoul and Puyo areas was evaluated using a dietary information and a measurement of hematological indices. The serum iron was measured by Red Blood Cell(RBC), Hemoglobin(Hb), Hematocrit(Hct), Serum Iron(S-Fe), Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC), Transferrin Saturation(TS) and Serum Ferritin(SF) and was analyzed with the information obtained by interviews which included socio-demographic variables and the dietary pattern of the subjects. The mean Hb was 12.6 $\pm$ 1.21g/dl(Seoul : 12.4 $\pm$ 1.14g/dl, Puyo : 13.2 $\pm$ 1.28g/dl), Hct was 38.7 $\pm$ 3.84%(Seoul: 37.5 $\pm$ 3.28%, Puyo: 4.19 $\pm$ 3.48%), S-Fe was 76.8 $\pm$ 31.49ug/dl(Seoul: 68.8 $\pm$ 27.3ug/dl, Puyo: 78.8 $\pm$ 32.3ug/dl) and TIBC was 277.7 $\pm$ 86.15ug/dl(Seoul: 354.1 $\pm$ 129.8ug/dl, Puyo: 259.0 $\pm$ 59.55ug/dl). The mean Ts(%) was 30.9 $\pm$ 17.9% (Seoul: 21.7 $\pm$ 10.52%, Puyo: 33.2 $\pm$ 18.68%) and the level was significantly higher in Puyo women(p<0.05). The mean SF was 45.4 $\pm$ 46.21ng/ml(Seoul: 53.6 $\pm$ 50.21ng/ml, Puyo: 36.1 $\pm$ 39.83ng/ml). The Red Blood Cell(RBC) showed a negative correlation with age and Hb, Hct showed a negative correlation with education and income level. However TIBC showed a and total energy expenditure per day. Energy, protein, carbohydrate, iron and vit.C intake showed a positive correlation with Hb and Hct. In particular, heme iron showed a positive correlation with RBC and nonheme iron of Hb, income level and iron intake affected on the level of Hct. In Seoul women, the age of menarche affected on the level of TIBC, total energy expenditure affected on the level of Hct. In Seoul women, the age of menarche affected on the level of TIBC, total energy expenditure affected on the level of S-Fe.