• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.61 no.6
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• pp.379-387
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to identify the effects of a group integrated intervention program that simultaneously conducts cognitive activities, physical activities, emotional activities and social interactions by integrating animal-assisted therapy (AAT) and integrated elderly play therapy based on the cognitive functions and depression of the elderly who live alone. This study follows a pre-test post-test design with a nonequivalent control group, to verify the effectiveness of a group integrated intervention. It applies a group integrated intervention program to 20 elderly people who live alone, aged 65 and above (10 in the experimental group, 10 in the control group), once a week for 90 minutes across eight weeks. The study went through MMSE-K, TMT-A and GDSSF-A to assess cognitive functions and the level of depression. The group integrated intervention increased the cognitive functions of the experimental group and decreased levels of depression. Therefore, this study verified that a group integrated intervention program of AAT and integrated play therapy of the elderly, is an effective for increasing cognitive functions and decreasing depression levels of the elderly who live alone. Based on these findings, the study suggests that there is a need to continuously expand group integrated intervention programs and provide relevant political support.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.758-771
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• 1996

This study attempted to define reference data for the distribution of vitamin d status and to explore the relationship between vitamin D status and related biochemical indices in Korean women. The vitamin D status of 179 Korean women aged from 20 to 75 years was analyzed by using HPLC(High Pressure Liquid Chromatography). Related biochemical indices such as iPTH, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, albumin, Ca, Mg and P were also measured. The mean serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D were s25.8ng/ml and 89.8pg/ml, respectively. Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D (<25nmol/L) was found in 29 subjects(16.5%). There was a significantly progressive decrease in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D with increasing age(p<0.05). After in their, there was a dramatical reduction in 25-hydroxyvitamin D(p<0.05). It was also significant in post-menopasusal women compared with pre-menopausal women(p<0.000). Serum alkaline phosphatase levels increased significantly with age(p<0.001). Whereas serum calcium and phosphorus levels remained constant with age. Serum 250-hydroxyvitamin D was invesely related to iPTH (p<0.05) and alkaline phophatase (p<0.001).

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.223-232
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• 2015

Purpose: Parkinson's disease (PD) has a high incidence of psychiatric comorbidity, specifically depression and anxiety. This study examined the effectiveness of group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in treating depression and anxiety. Methods: The study included 42 participants, aged between 52 and 77 years, who were diagnosed with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) and reported suffering from depression and anxiety. Patients were attending a department of outpatient neurology at D University Schools of Medicine in B Metropolitan city. A structured telephone-administered cognitive behavioral therapy was conducted for eight weeks. A repeated measure ANOVA was used to analyze results at pretest, post-test, and four weeks follow up. Results: According to service method, there were significant differences between the two groups in depression, anxiety and stigma was significant difference between time (p<.05). Analysis of the interaction between time and service method revealed significant differences in depression and anxiety (p<.05). Conclusion: The results suggest that telephone-administered cognitive behavioral therapy may be effective and may provide opportunity to adapt to individual needs for treating depression and anxiety in patients with Parkinson's disease.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2013

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is one of the most widely used therapeutic agents based on its pharmacological actions, including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-pyretic, and anti-thrombotic effects. In this study, we investigated the effects of aspirin on seizure susceptibility and hippocampal neuropathology following pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE). SE was induced by pilocarpine hydrochloride (280 mg/kg, i.p.) administration in C57BL/6 mice (aged 8 weeks). Aspirin was administered daily (15 mg/kg or 150 mg/kg, i.p.) for 10 days starting 3 days before SE, continuing until 6 days after SE. After pilocarpine injection, SE onset time and mortality were recorded. Neuronal cell death was examined using cresyl violet and Fluoro-Jade staining, and glial responses were observed 7 days post SE using immunohistochemistry. In the aspirin-treated group, the onset time of SE was significantly shortened and mortality was markedly increased compared to the control group. However, in this study, aspirin treatment did not affect SE-induced neuronal cell death or astroglial and microglial responses in the hippocampus. In conclusion, these results suggest that the safety of aspirin should be reevaluated in some patients, especially with neurological disorders such as temporal lobe epilepsy.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.32-42
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• 2012

1. Objectives : This investigation compares the subjective appetite ratings across male groups of different Sasang constitutional types. 2. Methods : We recruited 36 male participants aged 20-36 with BMI 18.5-30. The subjective appetite ratings was assessed using VAS before and after standard meal.(6 time points : 30 Minutes Pre-prandial, Immediately before Meal, 15, 30, 60, 120 Minutes Post-prandial) 3. Results : In comparison of subjective appetite ratings between Sasang constitutional types, Soyang-type showed a pattern like high appetite, high hunger, low satiety, high 'how much I can eat', Soeum-type showed a pattern like low appetite, low hunger, high satiety, low 'how much I can eat', and Taeeum-type showed a pattern like low appetite, low hunger. 4. Conclusions : The results of this study suggest that the subjective appetite ratings could be different across different Sasang constitutional types.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.42 no.7
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• pp.1009-1018
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was done to evaluate effectiveness of home healthcare services (HHCS) specialized for elders who received spinal surgeries. Methods: A non-equivalent control group pre-post test quasi-experimental study was performed. HHCS was developed based on the Rice model of dynamic self-determination for self-care. For data collection, a control group (n=23) and an experimental group (n=23) were selected by matching age, BMI, pain, general characteristics and type of spine surgery. Measurement tools to evaluate uncertainty and knowledge were developed by the authors. The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and Japanese Orthopedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ) were used to evaluate pain levels. Muscular strength in the legs was measured using a digital muscle tester and tape ruler. Questionnaires were used to evaluate disability in performing ADL and psychological distress levels. Results: The experimental group showed significant decrease in uncertainty (p=.028), increased knowledge (p=.038), and partially decreased pain (p=.003-.331). Partial muscle strength increased significantly (p=.021-.644). Disability in performing ADL and psychological distress in the experimental group decreased significantly compared to control group (p=.002, p=.004). Conclusion: Results indicate HHCS is an efficient home care nursing program for these elders. Further experimental studies with larger samples are required to confirm effects of HHCS.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.380-389
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was conducted to describe the risk of dysphagia and to evaluate the effects of a singing intervention for women elderly in community. Methods: One-group pre test-post test design was used. The subjects were 29 women over the age of sixty and residing in a local area. A singing intervention consisted of breathing, vowel production and singing. The one hour intervention occurred once a week for eight weeks. The variables of dysphagia risk, a swallowing test, and nutritional status were measured. Analysis was done by paired t-test. Results: There was a significant decrease in the score of dysphagia risk (p<.001). There were significant increases in the swallowing test scores [modified water swallowing test (p=.032), food test (p=.001)]. There were no significant differences in nutritional status (triceps skin fold thickness, mid arm muscle circumference). Conclusion: The findings support that a singing intervention can be helpful in reducing the risk of dysphagia may improve deglutition for the women elderly. These results suggest that this study may contribute to the use of a singing intervention for women elders with dysphagia risk.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.1427-1433
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• 2004

Purpose. The elderly with UI experienced urine leakage for a long time. The prevalence of UI has increased and it makes costly. Particularly, the elderly were reluctant to visit a hospital or a clinic for the reasons of modesty and poverty. To solve this problem, incontinence intervention programs should be provided at the elderly welfare center. The purpose of this research was to develop Incontinence Intervention Program for the Elderly Women (IIPE) and evaluate in its effect. Methods. The study design was quasi-experimental with pre and post-test. The study was performed for ten weeks at one elderly welfare center, Seoul, Korea. The subjects were gathered through an official announcement and informed consent was obtained. IIPE, in this study, was consisted of diagnosis, education, exercise and evaluation. The study variables were PFM exercise adherence, pelvic muscle strength, Continence self-efficacy, geriatric depression and incontinence stress. The effects of the IIPE on PFM exercise adherence, pelvic muscle strength, Continence self-efficacy, geriatric depression and incontinence stress were also evaluated. Results. The mean age of the subjects was 75.2 years. The average attendance was 6.2 times. The IIPE improved PFM exercise adherence, intra-vaginal contraction power and CSE significantly. But it was not significant in incontinence stress and geriatric depression. Other important results were that the two-finger test and urine stream interruption were more useful for elderly women with rigid vaginas in teaching and evaluating. Conclusion. The Findings suggest that IIPE is effective to the community-residing elderly. Further investigation is needed on a long-term basis with control group.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.165-174
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• 2011

Purpose: This study was done to identify effects of a fall prevention program on physical fitness and psychological functions in community dwelling elders. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was carried out with a nonequivalent control group pre & post-test design. The program, which included exercises and education, consisted of a 12-week group program and an 8-week self-management program using a health calendar. An experimental group (32) and a control group (21) participated. Results: There were significant differences in SPPB (t=-3.92, p<.001), TUG test (t=4.94, p<.001), standing with right leg (t= -3.60, p=.001), standing with left leg (t=-3.74, p<.001), front and rear maximum step length test (t=-4.34, p<.001), right-left maximum step length test (t=-2.65, p=.011), and fall efficacy (t=-2.42, p=.019). Fall efficacy, fear of falling and depression showed significant differences following the 12-week exercise program and 8-week self-management program in the experimental group. Conclusion: Study findings indicate that the fall prevention program is an effective nursing intervention to enhance physical fitness and psychological functions for elders. Using a health calendar, the self-management program was more effective for psychological functions compared to only the group program. Therefore, health providers should develop diversified fall prevention programs which include motivation plans to encourage clients in participating.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.146-159
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the internet based coaching program for obesity management on weight control related knowledge, self-efficacy, eating habits, physical activity and obesity related physiological indexes in hypertensive patients. Methods: The study design was non-equivalent control group pre-test-post-test design. A total of 43 subjects were overweight or obese hypertensive patients aged 30 or older, who were divided into experimental group (n=23) and control group (n=20). This program lasting 12 weeks consisted of a weight control related education, internet based individual coaching for diet, exercise and behavior modification, offering internet community and health counseling. The variables were measured three times (before the treatment, after 6 weeks, and after 12 weeks) and the collected data were analyzed by SPSS/WIN 17.0 program. Results: The experimental group had significantly improved weight control related knowledge, self efficacy, eating habits, body composition, and systolic blood pressure with time. Conclusion: The internet based coaching program was effective in improving obesity management, also this program will help to prevent cardiovascular disease of obese hypertensive patients.