• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.620-628
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose was to identify the effects of a Tai Chi exercise program on physical fitness, fall related perception and health status among institutionalized elderly. Methods: A quasi-experimental research was carried out with a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. There were 23 subjects in the experimental group and 24 in the control group. The data was gathered by structured questionnaires about fall related perception, and health status. Physical fitness was measured by an exercise therapist with a blind principle. Results: At the completion of the 12 weeks Tai Chi exercise program, flexibility (F=4.50, p=.00), and ability to balance (F=3.27, p=.00) had increased significantly. Fall related perception showed significant improvement in the fear of falling (F=-3.52, p=.00). Physical functioning (F=3.38, p=.00), role limitation-physical (F=2.67, p=.01), role limitation-emotional (F=2.47, p=.02). and general health (F=3.88, p=.00) in health status showed significant differences between the two groups. Conclusion: The study findings revealed Tai Chi exercise as a useful nursing intervention for elderly that enhances flexibility and balance, decreases fall related perception and also increases the health status. Further research is warranted to compare the potential effects of Tai Chi exercise and its health benefits from other types of exercise or martial arts.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.97-105
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the link between health-related physical fitness level and cardiovascular disease-related risk factors in adult male workers. Methods: We tested cardiovascular disease-related risk factors (waist circumference, SBP, DPB, fasting glucose, TC, HDL-C, TG, LDL-C) and health-related physical fitness ($VO_2max$, grip, Sit-up, Flexibility, Body fat) and divided health-related physical fitness level of the subjects into 3 groups - A (very good, n=56), B (good, n=59), and C (below-average, n=57) according to the criterion of the Health and Fitness counseling guidelines of KOSHA. The statistical techniques such as standard deviation, one-way ANOVA and multiple regression (p<.05) were used. Results: There were significant differences between group C and group B & A (p<.001) in waist circumference, DBP, Fasting glucose, HDL-C, TG, LDL-C. In TC/HDL-C, TG/HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C, Group C was higher than group B and A. Conclusion: On the basis of these results, we identified that improvement of health-related physical fitness level positively effects on the decrease of cardiovascular disease-related risk factors.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.105-120
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the perception of Korean Medicine (KM) doctors toward infertility treatment evaluation tools and develop a standard evaluation tool for mental and physical function improvement following Korean medicine treatment. Methods: An online survey (Moaform) was conducted, and responses were analyzed for members of the Society of Korean Medicine Obstetrics and Gynecology and KM doctors who participated in the 2021-2022 traditional Korean medicine treatment infertility support program in Gyeonggi-do. Results: In fertility treatment, the most effective indicators that KM doctors wanted to evaluate other than pregnancy and childbirth were reproductive health indicators, overall health improvement, and stress improvement (33.1%, 21.2%, 18.9%). Furthermore, 45.1% of the respondents had experience using the presented infertility stress evaluation tools. For each evaluation tool, 52.1% and 54.6% of the respondents answered that it 'does not reflect the changing circumstances of the times' and that there were 'too many questions'. As for the developing a standard evaluation tool for infertility treatment in KM, KM doctors expected a simple and clear tool focusing on the pregnancy rate. They also wanted the tool to include a reproductive health index, overall function improvement and stress improvements. Conclusions: The survey confirmed the need to evaluate indicators for reproductive health, mental health, and infertility stress in addition to pregnancy rate to assess the effectiveness of KM infertility treatment. It also confirms the necessity of developing an infertility stress evaluation tool with simplified questions that reflects the changing time.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.47-64
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• 1998

The purposes of this research were to understand the realities of health management and to analyze the subjective, functional, psychological, and social health effects of the application of an exercise and education program to manage health on an elderly population residing in an agricultural community. The specific purposes of this research were: 1. to determine the subjective, functional, psychological health conditions, and performance level of instrumental activities of daily living of both the experimental and control groups before introducing a health management program, and then 2. to compare these with both the experimental and control groups' subjective, functional, psychological health condition and performance level of instrumental activities of daily living after applying the health management program. The health management program was introduced to the experimental group (50 people) but not to the control group (50 people). The health management program was composed of a health exercise program and a health education program. A comparative study of subjective health conditions was done to examine the effect of the health management program and the characteristics of health related variables before and after the program application. The results were as follows: 1. When the experimental group, which had received the 8-week health management exercise and education program, was compared with the control group, which had not, the experimental group's subjective health condition scored higher than that of the control group (p

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.391-399
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• 2022

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of fall-prevention exercise programs on fall efficacy, depression and health-related quality of life in elderly. Design: a randomized controlled trial Methods: A total of 57 participants over 65-years-old have been allocated to control and experimental groups. The experimental group received 8 weeks of fall-prevention exercises that included strengthening of lower extremities, balance and gait training. They received the exercises twice a week for 50 minutes as a group.Both groups were assessed using Modified Falls Efficacy Scale (MFES), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) prior and post to the intervention. The control group also received the same exercise program after the post evaluation. Results: The experimental group showed overall improvement in MFES, GDS, and physical components of SF-36 (p<0.05). The MFES was significantly increased in the experimental group after the intervention (p<0.05). The GDS was significantly decreased in the experimental group after the intervention (p<0.05). The SF-36, only physical Function, Role limitations due to physical health, general health, and energy and fatigue categories were improved in the experimental group after the intervention (p<0.05). Conclusions: The results showed 8 weeks of fall-prevention exercise programs can increase fall efficacy and physical related quality of life while reducing depression of elderly over 65.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.101-105
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of group exercise, manual therapy, and a home exercise program on VAS (visual analogue scale), ROM (range of motion) of shoulder, and functional outcome in adhesive capsulitis. Methods: The study was conducted with 45 patients. All subjects were randomly assigned to 3 groups: group exercise (n=15), manual therapy (n=15), home exercise (n=15). The subjects performed an intervention program 3 times a week for 4 weeks a total of 12 times. Outcome measurements were VAS, ROM, and Constant-Murley score outcome measures. Measurements were taken four times, at baseline, 4 weeks later, 8 weeks later, and 12 weeks later. Results: VAS, ROM of the shoulder, and functional outcomes showed improvement in all groups at the final follow-up (p<0.05). VAS and ROM showed greater improvement with group exercise and manual therapy than home exercise, however, there were no significant differences between the two groups (p>0.05). Functional outcomes showed the greatest improvement in group exercise at the final follow-up. This improvement was greater than with manual therapy or home exercise (p<0.05). Conclusion: Group exercise and manual therapy were more effective for improving pain, ROM, and function than home exercise in adhesive capsulitis. In particular, group exercise is more effective in functional recovery than other physiotherapy interventions.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.331-343
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of short-wave therapy (SWT) for treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA) as compared to placebo and control, and to assess the question of whether the effects are related to the mode, dosage, and application method. Methods: We searched randomized, placebo-controlled trials using electronic databases. We also manually reviewed sources in order to identify additional relevant studies. Results: Eight studies (597 participants) with OA were included in the meta-analysis. Pulse SWT had a significant effect on pain relief compared with control treatment, while did not favour compared with the placebo group. Pulse SWT had a significant effect on functional improvement compared with control and placebo treatment. Continuous SWT had no effect on pain relief and functional improvement. Capacitive SWT a significant effect on pain relief, functional improvement, and muscle strength. Continuous and capacitive SWT had increased muscle strength significantly. We found no clinical significance of all outcomes except pain and functional improvement in pulsed SWT with low dose. There was no difference in adverse events. None of the participants experienced any serious adverse events. Conclusion: Low dose pulsed SWT provided a short-term clinical benefit for pain relief and functional improvement. Pulsed SWD with low and high dose had effects on pain and function. There seems to be a placebo effect. We found significant effects on pain and function in capacitive SWT. Despite some positive findings, this analysis lacked data on how effectiveness is affected by mode, dosage, and application method of SWT. Further well-designed clinical studies are required in order to confirm the effectiveness of SWT.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.557-571
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• 1998

The purpose of the study is (i) to investigate the operating situation of physical therapy department in public health centers, (ii) to analyze the difference of elderly satisfaction from non-elderly satisfaction of physical therapy services among the public health center visitors, and finally (iii) to suggest facilitating improvement on programs that can supply the elderly health service through public health centers. A questionnaire survey was carried out 212 patients of 25 public health center in Seoul, Korea from 15 July to 10 August 1996. Major results of the study are as follows : 1. Among the respondents. the largest group was the elderly who are over 65 years old (72.6%). 2. The averge of general patients' satisfaction for physical therapy services was 3.98, especially fee of treatment(4.76), attitude of physical therapist(4.33), and reliance of physical therapist(4.20) were higher by 5-score Likert scale. 3. The correlation factors with general patients' satisfaction were process of treatment (r =.6301). results of treatment(r=. 6186), and guide facilities(r=.5999). 4. The results of multiple-regression analysis between general patients' satisfaction and affecting factors identify following variables as the statically significant determinants : general stisfaction comparing with other physical therapy services, physical therapy services using forwardly, fee of treatment. 5. There was no significant defference between elderly and non-elderly patients' satisfaction of physical therapy service, except attitude of physical therapist(t=-2.07), explanation of treatment for disease(t=-2.19), fee of treatment(t=6.29).

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.31 no.spc
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• pp.563-576
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify personal factors, social factors, and environmental factors related to physical activity in older adults in urban and non-urban areas. Methods: We used source data from the 2017 Community Health Survey. The subjects of this study included some older adults aged 65 and over, and analyzed the data of 23,043 older adults living in the urban and 34,063 older adults living in the non-urban area. Results: The common factors influencing physical activity in older adults by region include current smoking and drinking, BMI, sleep duration, and subjective health status, help with neighbors, frequency of meeting with neighbors and friends, participation in social and leisure activities, and falls experience (p<.001). However, the living environment, public transport satisfaction, and medical service use significantly associated with physical activity for only older adults living in the urban area (p<.001). Conclusion: In order to improve physical activity in older adults in the community, it is necessary to consider not only the improvement of individual factors that practice health behaviors but also health promotion strategies that take into account social and environmental factors because there are environmental differences among regions.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.54-68
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of environmental perception in neighborhood parks on user's recognition of health improvement. This study used objective field survey data and subjective user survey data at 8 neighborhood parks in Changwon City. According to the results, the perceptions of distance and street environment from home to park were evaluated highly but the perception of water spaces and various attractions within the parks were rated lowly in most of parks. As a result of factor analysis, 23 environmental perception variables were classified into 6 factors such as scenery, comfort, accessibility, activity, convenience and amenity. For the result of regression analysis between environmental perceptions and user's recognition of health improvement based on 6 factors, the recognition of physical health improvement was significantly influenced from environmental perception factors in 4 parks among 8 parks. 'Accessibility' and 'activity' were analyzed as the meaningful factors in 3 parks. Also, recognition of mental health improvement was significantly influenced from environmental perception factors in 5 parks among 8 parks and especially 'accessibility' was showed as the significant factor in 4 parks. The findings from this study can contribute to improve the physical environments of the present parks and can be a basic data for new park development.