• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.643-654
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop and psychometrically test the Korean Geriatric Loneliness Scale (KGLS). Methods: The initial items were based on in-depth interviews with 10 older adults. Psychometric testing was then conducted with 322 community-dwelling older adults aged 65 or older. Content, construct, and criterion-related validity, classification in cutoff point, internal consistency reliability, and test-retest reliability were used for the analysis. Results: Exploratory factor analysis showed three factors, including 15 items explaining 91.6% of the total variance. The three distinct factors were loneliness associated with family relationships (34.3%), social loneliness (32.4%), and a lack of belonging (24.9%). As a result of confirmatory factor analysis, 14 items in the three-factor structure were validated. Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated that the KGLS' cutoff point of 32 was associated with a sensitivity of 71.0%, specificity of 80.2%, and area under the curve of .83. Reliability, as verified by the test-retest intraclass correlation coefficient, was .89, and Cronbach's ${\alpha}$ was .90. Conclusion: As its validity and reliability have been verified through various methods, the KGLS can contribute to assessing loneliness in South Korean older adults.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.76-84
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• 2021

Background: In clinical practice, active knee extension (AKE) test has been widely used to measure hamstring flexibility. During the AKE test, the knee extension is repeated six times. The first five repetitions are considered as warm-up, and the sixth is used as baseline. In order to accurately measure the subject's inherent flexibility, warm-up trials have been proposed as mentioned above; but currently, the evidence is insufficient. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Forty-three healthy adults participated in this study. The AKE was performed slowly after flexing the hip and knee joints by 90° in a supine position. The knee was extended as far as could be done without causing discomfort or pain. When reaching the end range, knee flexion was performed without stopping. As per standard protocol, the subjects performed the knee extension six times. Results: There was no significant difference between the AKE value in the first trial with those in the other five trials. During the repetitions, the average value in the group with higher flexibility tended to decrease and the Intraclass correlation coefficient gradually decreased. Conclusion: Successive repetitions of the AKE test can misrepresent an individual's inherent hamstring flexibility. In order to avoid a decrease in hamstring flexibility, it is strongly recommended that individuals with high initial hamstring flexibility avoid unnecessary repetitions of the AKE test.

• 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 Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.144-151
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• 2023

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the repeatability of the electrical measurement of taste detection on different dates and in different sessions in healthy young females. Methods: The sites of electrical stimulation were the tip of the tongue, the posterolateral border of the tongue and the soft palate on the right side unilaterally. The measurements were repeated over three consecutive days, three sessions per day and three times for each session in seventeen healthy females. The repeatability of the measurement was assessed by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: In the dB unit, the ICC of the tip of the tongue and the soft palate was good (61.03 and 66.03, respectively); however, the lateral border of the tongue was a little lower (58.07). In the ㎂ unit, all three test sites had poor ICC. Variability was more significantly associated with the subject factor than with other factors such as trials, sessions and days in dB and ㎂ units. Conclusions: Electrogustometry, which measures electrical taste detection thresholds in the dB unit, is repeatable and acceptable for clinical use in assessing taste function in healthy young females.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.1052-1065
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• 2020

Objectives: To evaluate the reliability of a pattern identification tool for benign prostatic hyperplasia and to examine the relationship between pattern identification tool readings and IPSS and uroflowmetry. Methods: We analyzed 56 patients diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia from December 27th, 2017 to December 26th, 2018 by two different Korean medical doctors and followed with a pattern identification tool and by IPSS and uroflowmetry. One week later, the patients were retested to analyze the reliability of the pattern identification tool, determined with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) using the test-retest method. The correlation between IPSS and uroflowmetry was analyzed with the Pearson coefficient. Result: The reliability of the pattern identification tool for benign prostatic hyperplasia was evaluated as "poor agreement beyond chance" (ICC=0.349). The reliability of each pattern identification score was evaluated as "good" for Yang Deficiency of Kidney, Yin Deficiency of Kidney, Deficiency of Middle Qi, and Dampness-heat of Lower Energizer. The internal consistency was evaluated as "good" for Yang Deficiency of Kidney, Yin Deficiency of Kidney, and Dampness-heat of Lower Energizer, and as "excellent" for Deficiency of Middle Qi. The correlation between pattern identification and IPSS was evaluated as a "moderate positive correlation" for all pattern identifications. The average flow rate and maximum flow rate using uroflowmetry was evaluated with "moderate negative correlation" for Yang Deficiency of Kidney and Dampness-heat of Lower Energizer. Conclusion: The reliability of a pattern identification tool for benign prostatic hyperplasia was evaluated as "poor agreement beyond chance." Further research is needed.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.215-223
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• 2013

Purpose : To evaluate the effect of gadoxetic acid on the measurement of the stiffness value of MR elastography (MRE) used to evaluate hepatic fibrosis (HF). Materials and Methods: MRE was obtained in 32 patients with clinically suspected chronic liver disease, both before and after injection of gadoxetic acid. Two independent reviewers measured the stiffness values of the liver parenchyma on elastograms. The mean liver stiffness values were compared in the pre- and post-contrast MREs using the paired t-test. Intra-rater and inter-rater correlation was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of both pre- and post-contrast MREs was evaluated for the diagnosis of significant HF (${\geq}F2$) using cut off value of 3.1 kPa. Results: There were no significant differences in the stiffness values of the liver parenchyma on pre- and post-contrast MREs (p = 0.15 and 0.38 for each reader, respectively). Regarding intra-rater correlation, excellent agreement was noted on rater 1(ICC = 0.998) and rater 2 (ICC = 0.996). Excellent correlation regarding the measured stiffness values was noted on both pre- and post-contrast MREs (ICC = 0.988 for pre-contrast, ICC = 0.993 for post-contrast). The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the pre- and post-contrast MREs for differentiating significant HF (${\geq}F2$) from ${\geq}F1$ were same as 71%, 60%, and 100%, respectively. Conclusion: As there was no significant difference in the stiffness measurements seen on MREs before and after administration of gadoxetic acids, it is therefore acceptable to perform MRE after contrast injection in order to evaluate HF.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.4595-4599
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• 2014

Background: Colorectal cancer is a serious health problem. Early detection of colorectal cancer is crucial for treatment and reducing mortality. Beliefs related to colorectal cancer have been found to be a factor in a person's decision about colorectal cancer screening programs. To determine such beliefs, a valid and reliable instrument is necessary. Objective:The aim of this study was to adapt and determine the psychometric properties of the Persian version of Champion's Health Belief Model Scale of breast cancer screening in the measurement of beliefs toward colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. Materials and Methods: The 'forward-backward' procedure was applied to translate the instrument from English into Persian. This study was conducted in Iran from June 2012 to May 2013. A convenience sample of 200 individuals aged 50 years and older was recruited from the population at the outpatient clinics in the three teaching hospitals. Validity was assessed using content, face and construct validity. To test reliability, the internal consistency was assessed by using Cronbach's alpha coefficient and test-retest (intraclass correlation coefficient) analyses. Exploratory factor analysis was used to assess the construct validity and determine the factors of adapted Champion's Health Belief Model Scale. Results: The mean age of the participants were 62.5 years (SD=10.8 years) and the majority of them (75.5 percent) were female. The results of exploratory factor analysis indicated a six-factor solution for the questionnaire (benefits, motivation and confidence, seriousness, susceptibility, emotional barriers and background barriers) that jointly accounted for 55.52% of variance observed. Cronbach's alpha of the subscales ranged from 0.57 to 0.89 and test-retest reliability ranged from 0.81 to 0.93 indicating a good range of reliability. Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that the Persian version of Champion's Health Belief Model Scale of CRC screening has good psychometric properties and could be an appropriate measure for health beliefs related to CRC screening in national and international studies.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.365-370
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• 2016

Background There is a growing concern in the field of aesthetic surgery about the need to measure patients' expectations preoperatively. The present study was designed to develop and validate the Expectations of Aesthetic Rhinoplasty Scale (EARS), and to compare expectations between rhinoplasty patients with and without body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). Methods In total, 162 college students and 20 rhinoplasty candidates were recruited. The measures included the newly developed EARS, a measure of psychopathology, and demographics. The DSM-IV structured clinical interview for BDD was used to confirm the diagnosis in rhinoplasty patients. Results The EARS was constructed of six items based on their significant content validity. In the scale development phase, Cronbach's alpha was 0.87. The test-retest reliability coefficient of the scale was satisfactory (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.94; 95% confidence interval, 0.82-0.98) over a four-week period. Scores on the EARS were significantly positively correlated with psychopathological symptoms (r=0.16; P<0.05). Moreover, comparison of EARS scores between BDD (M=25.90, standard deviation [SD]=6.91) and non-BDD rhinoplastic patients (M=15.70, SD=5.27) suggested that BDD patients held significantly higher expectations (P<0.01). Conclusions The expectations of aesthetic rhinoplasty patients toward surgery may play a crucial role in their postoperative satisfaction. While the value of patients' expectations is clinically recognized, no empirical study has measured these expectations in a psychometrically sound manner. The current study developed and validated the EARS. It may be easily used as a valid and reliable instrument in clinical and research settings.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.77-85
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• 2008

The self-report measure is a useful tool for evaluating self-recognized disability and difficulty in daily living activities. Although many studies and clinics used the Neck Pain and Disability Scale (NPDS) for measuring neck pain and functional impairment, there has not been much adaptation of this for use with Korean patients. The purpose of this study was to establish the reliability and validity of NPDS among Korean neck pain patients. Fifty-five subjects (32 males, 23 females) with neck pain enrolled in this study. They completed standardized self-administered questionnaires. The NPDS measures pain intensity; its interference with vocational, emotional, recreational, social, and functional aspects of living; and the presence and extent of associated factors. Reliability was determined by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency. Validity was examined by correlating the NPDS scores to the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score. The test-retest reliability of the translated versions of the NPDS was good ICC (2,1)=.86 (95%CI .76~.92). Cronbach's alpha value for NPDS was found to be .93, and this was statistically significant (p<.05). The criterion-related validity coefficient was .79 (p<.Oll. We conclude that the Korean version of NPDS has been shown to be a reliable and valid instrument for the assessment of neck pain. Successful linguistic and cultural translation will admit appropriate cross-cultural comparison for clinical analysis. Therefore, this study can be expected to be used as an adequate evaluation scale for neck pain related studies and treatments.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.20-25
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• 2017

Objective: During the physical therapy education, if we can understand the student's attitude then we can make valuable suggestions with respect to the teaching in the universities and professional employment in the country. The aim of the current study is to develop a questionnaire to test the physical therapy students' attitudes towards their education and profession and to test its test-retest reliability and content validity. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: A total of 47 physical therapy students who were in their final year were randomly selected to participate in the study. After the making of the questionnaire, it was given to 6 professional experts teaching in the field of physical therapy to obtain their responses for each question with a 5-point Likert scale grading. Their answers were used in making the content validity of the questionnaire. Afterwards, the physical therapy students were asked to fill the questionnaire. Instrument reliability and test-retest reliability were also assessed by having the students complete the questionnaire after one month of taking the questionnaire. Results: The content validity index was 0.71 for the whole scale and values of individual subdivisions were ranging from 0.69 to 0.75. Instrument reliability measured by Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.86 for the whole scale and subdivision values were ranging from 0.32 to 0.86. Test-retest reliability was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficient, which was 0.71 for whole scales and subdivision values were ranging from 0.38 to 0.70. Conclusions: This questionnaire, which assesses the physical therapy student attitude towards their education and profession, has good content validity, instrument reliability, and test-retest reliability.