• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.475-486
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• 2007

Objectives : Socioeconomic position (SEP) refers to the socioeconomic factors that influence which position an individual or group of people will hold within the structure of a society. In this study, we provide a comprehensive review of various indicators of SEP, including education level, occupation-based SEP, income and wealth, area SEP, life-course SEP, and SEP indicators for women, elderly and youth. Methods and results : This report provides a brief theoretical background and discusses the measurement, interpretation issues, advantages and limitations associated with the use of each SEP indicator. We also describe some problems that arise when selecting SEP indicators and highlight the indicators that appear to be appropriate for health inequality research. Some practical information for use in health inequality research in South Korea is also presented. Conclusions : Investigation into the associations between various SEP indicators and health outcomes can provide a more complete understanding of mechanisms between SEP and health. The relationship between specific SEP indicators and specific health outcomes can vary by country due to the differences in the historical, socioeconomic, and cultural contexts of the SEP indicators.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.167-175
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• 2016

This study analyzed empirically the same data through SPSS statistic(regression analysis) and AMOS program(structural equation model) used for cause and effect analysis. The result of empirical analysis was as follows. The different outcome of coefficients and p-values were deducted. Especially, in the mediated effect testing, meanwhile, SPSS statistic(regression analysis) pictured mediated effect, AMOS program(structural equation model) did not picture mediated effect on the reject zone of null hypothesis(absolute t-value and C.R.-value were nearby 1.96). Eventually, this study showed that what program used determined the outcomes of coefficients and p-values(In particular, the outcomes were differentiated further in the increasing measurement error) though using the same data.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.257-269
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of aquatic exercise and to identify directions for future research. Methods: Twenty one articles from 2 sites of article database (1990-2010) and 6 from Korean nursing journals were reviewed. Results: There were 20 quasi experimental design and 1 randomized controlled design. Major subjects of research were older women with arthritis. The most common type of exercise was Kim (1994)'s form. The most frequent duration of exercise was over 6 weeks. Outcome measurement was classified to physical and psychosocial variables. For physical outcomes, pain release was found in 13 articles among 15 articles, muscle strength improvement in 5 articles among 10 articles, flexibility improvement in 5 articles among 9 articles, and balance improvement in 3 articles among 6 articles. For psychosocial outcomes, improvement of quality of life was found in 3 articles among 7 articles and self-efficacy improvement in 5 articles among 7 articles. Conclusion : The effect of aquatic exercise over 6 weeks improves the physical and psychosocial functions. It is suggested that meta analysis needs to be done to integrate the various results.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.393-405
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was conducted to plan and apply simulation-based practice for raising the achievement of program outcomes (POs) in nursing students. Methods: Using convenience sampling, 95 nursing students participated in this descriptive study. A self-reported questionnaire was used to measure the achievement of POs (self-directed learning, problem-solving ability, critical thinking) and usefulness of curriculum in addition to observing tracheal suction skills using a checklist. Results: A scenario with a pneumonia patient was developed to observe tracheal suction skills during simulation-based practices. Self-directed learning, problem-solving ability, and critical thinking were then scored. The mean scores of performance skill, self-directed learning, problem-solving ability, critical thinking were $37.82{\pm}6.03$. $3.61{\pm}0.38$, $3.61{\pm}0.33$, and $3.73{\pm}0.32$, respectively. All students passed the simulation-based practice in terms of performance ability and met the required achievement level for the POs at this university. Students with good suction skills showed significant differences in problem identification (p=.044) and alternative development (p=.019), which are components of problem-solving ability, compared to students with only fair skills. Conclusion: These findings indicate that simulation-based practice related to an adult nursing respiratory course was useful for evaluating the achievement of POs in nursing students. Further study is needed to develop a universal method of outcome measurement.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2020

Background Eyelids vary in morphology and structure depending on age, sex, and race. Usually, one-dimensional measurements are used to evaluate blepharoplasty outcomes. However, in recent years, three- or four- directional enlargements of the eyelid have been used for blepharoplasty in Asian patients, and the outcomes of techniques such as lateral canthoplasty or canthotomy and medial epicanthoplasty with increased scleral area cannot be analyzed using marginal reflex distance 1 or the area of corneal exposure. Therefore, we describe the use of a measurement method based on the eyeball exposure area (EEA). Methods To obtain normal EEA values by age and sex, 320 individuals were recruited. The participants were divided into eight age groups (n=40 in each group: female subjects, n=20; male subjects, n=20): 10-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, and 80-89 years. The EEA value was obtained by dividing the exposed area by the total eyeball area. The normal EEA values and differences in EEA according to age and sex were calculated. Results The mean EEA values for male and female subjects were 66.86% ±9.20% and 71.48%±10.48%, respectively. In each age group, the EEA values of females were higher than those of males. EEA decreased significantly with age in both male and female subjects (P<0.05). Conclusions We determined normal EEA values according to age and sex. EEA can be used as an indicator of the outcome of blepharoplasty.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.153-164
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• 2021

Objectives: Despite the low cost and high accessibility of manual acupuncture (MA) treatments for the carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), this intervention has not been uniformly evaluated in systematic reviews (SR), and no SR has evaluated MA monotherapy for CTS. This review was conducted to summarize the findings and undertake a quality assessment of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture treatment methods for mild-to-moderate CTS to identify clinical evidence for the use of MA in CTS. Methods: We searched five databases for articles on relevant RCTs that were published until June 2021 without imposing specific restrictions, such as age or sex, on CTS patients. RCTs that evaluated MA were included without any restriction on comparator interventions. Measurement tools for evaluating pain reduction and functional improvement or for evaluating efficacy using electrophysiological indicators were included as outcome measures. Results: We included seven RCTs, of which three studies reported both post-treatment improvement effects and statistical significance using p-values for all outcomes. Five studies reported statistically significant intergroup differences (p-values for all outcomes) in posttreatment improvement. None of the studies reported severe adverse effects of MA. In all of the RCTs, the reporting rates of the 2c, 2a, and 6a items of STRICTA 2010 were 14%, 29%, and 29%, respectively. PC7 (Daereung) was used to treat CTS in all of the included studies. Conclusion: MA can be used for CTS treatment without serious adverse effects. PC7 was the most commonly used acupoint. In order to ensure objective and reliable reporting, accurate standardization of acupuncture treatment methods acupoint terms should be undertaken in future RCTs.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.106-113
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• 2022

Background: Coccygodynia is one of the chronic, refractory painful musculoskeletal disorders. Interventional procedures are applied to patients unresponsive to initial treatment in coccygodynia. This study aims to compare the treatment outcomes of ganglion impar block (GIB) and caudal epidural steroid injection (CESI) in patients with chronic coccygodynia. Methods: This study was a prospective randomized comparison study conducted between June 2019 and January 2021. Patients diagnosed with chronic coccygodynia were randomly divided into two groups: the GIB group and the CESI group. The severity of pain, presence of neuropathic pain, and quality of life were evaluated using the Numeric Rating Scale, Leeds Assessment of the Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs Scale, and Short Form-12 Health Survey (SF-12), respectively. Results: A total of 34 patients in each group were included in the final analyses. While there was a significant decrease in pain intensity in both groups in the 3-month follow-up, this decrease was more significant in the GIB group at the 3rd week. There was a significant improvement in the SF-12 physical score and the number of patients with neuropathic pain in both groups in the 3rd week, but this improvement was not observed in the 3rd month. Conclusions: Although GIB may provide more pain relief in short term, both GIB and CESI are useful treatment methods in coccygodynia unresponsive to more conservative treatments.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.8
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• pp.455-467
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• 2020

This study was a systematic review examining the effect of empowerment intervention studies among patients with chronic physical health conditions in Korea. The PICOT-SD (Participants, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes, Timing of outcome measurement, Setting, Study design) strategy was applied. A total of 19 studies published between January 2000 and April 2020 were selected. Study participants were rheumatoid arthritis patients, hemodialysis patients, stroke patients, diabetes mellitus patients, chronic pulmonary disease patients, hypertensive patients, cancer patients, chronic kidney disease patients, and kidney transplantation patients, etc. A total of 17 studies were found to have presented a conceptual framework. Empowerment skills were participation, dialogue, experience, interaction, support, and problem solving, etc. The most frequently used dependent variables were self-care (n=13), empowerment (n=10), self-efficacy (n=7), and depression (n=5). Self-care, empowerment, and self-efficacy showed significant improvement among patients in at least 60% of the included studies. Based upon this review, there is evidence that empowerment intervention studies are an effective method to improve the health of patients with chronic physical health conditions. This study further suggests the development of an empowerment intervention program to verify the effects of the various variables identified in this study.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.42-52
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• 2010

Purpose: This report aims to administer methodologic issues around recently conducted multicenter study for evaluating the effects of acupuncture on menopusal hot flashes and discuss practical issues for further implementation of acupuncture clinical trial for hot flashes. Methods: Study process were mentioned, and issues related to avoiding risk of bias, designing appropriate control group, optimal outcome measurement, potential different effects of menopausal status on study outcomes, and suggestions for developing future clinical trials are discussed. Results: Shortcomings of our multicenter study include lack of allocation concealment and assessor blinding, subjective outcome measurement, short-term follow-up, and fixed acupuncture regimen despite pragmatic purpose of this study. Improving trial design, using objective or validated outcomes, assessing long-term effects of acupuncture, and individualizing acupuncture regimen are needed in future clinical trials. Conclusion: We expect these practical discussions to enable researchers to plan and develop future well-designed clinical trials for evaluating the effects of acupuncture on hot flashes or other women's health issues.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.59 no.2
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• pp.197-222
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• 2007

The study aims to evaluate the outcomes of the Centers for Independent Living(CILs) demonstration program and to recommend future directions for CILs in 2006. The framework for the evaluation is a logic model, which facilitates outcome-based performance measurement. The measures associated with the logic model include input, activity, output, and outcomes. The data were collected by interviewing the executive directors of 10 CILs and conducting telephone survey with 231 consumers with disabilities. The study found that 69% consumers acquired new knowledge and skills for independent living. The study also revealed that 87% consumers experienced the positive changes in their lives and 83% consumers were satisfied with the services of the Centers. After using the services, consumers reported significant increases in self-confidence, and in the number and the level of involvement in the activities. In addition, the study found that the employment status of the consumers was improved, and the number of persons who were living in institutions was decreased. The study supports the advancement of policy to institutionalize Centers for Independent Living, and points to the importance of developing the capacity of the Association of Centers for Independent Living to ensure high quality services. In addition, it is suggested that the development of a manual for these services is necessary, and that services should be provided across disabilities and throughout the country, especially in rural areas.