• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.464-472
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• 2023

Middle-aged women experience a lot of physical and mental stress during their developmental cycle. This stress reduces the quality of life because it leads to chronic pain and disease. Forest therapy is attracting attention as an alternative to this. Forest therapy refers to improving human health through the therapeutic elements of forests. Accordingly, this study was conducted to determine whether a sensory insight-based forest therapy program was effective in reducing stress in middle-aged women. For this purpose, middle-aged women who wanted to participate in the forest therapy program were recruited, 20 each were randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group, and pre- and post-tests were conducted. The forest therapy program consisted of 8 sessions of 6 hours based on sense and insight. The forest therapy program was held at Saryeoni Forest in Jeju, and the measurement tools were compared by measuring perceived stress, leisure satisfaction, and stress index through pulse wave testing. The results of the study showed that the forest therapy program lowered stress and improved leisure satisfaction.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.563-573
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• 2020

This study aimed to provide basic data to assist in developing programs to improve the quality of life after identifying the factors affecting aging anxiety among middle-aged women. The subjects were 256 middle-aged women in Korea. Data were collected from March 8 to April 11, 2019, and analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, One-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and stepwise multiple regression with SPSS/WIN 18.0. This study found that the aging anxiety of the subjects differed significantly according to job and marriage satisfaction. Aging anxiety had a negative correlation with health perceived health (r=-.300, p<.001), resilience (r=-.537, p<.001), satisfaction of married life (r=-.316, p<.001), and self-esteem (r=-.424, p<.000). The factors affecting aging anxiety were as follows: resilience (β=-.47, p<.001), occupation (β=-.19, p=.003), and self-esteem (β=-.19, p=.014) with 36.9% explanatory power (F=14.34, p<.001). To reduce the aging anxiety of middle-aged people, programs will be needed to improve participation in post-middle-aged jobs or social activities and resilience, self-esteem, thereby providing education and mediation that can allow middle-aged women to accept aging positively.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.628-638
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• 2020

This study develops a cool-touch functional Dancesport top for middle-aged women by using cool-touch materials in areas where surface temperature becomes high after exercise. The post-exercise surface temperature of the developed research product was compared and analyzed. In addition, subjective evaluation of cool-touch as well as appearance and movement evaluations were performed. The results are as follows. In designing the research product, a detachable neckband was made using highly-preferred hydrated polymer crystals. A material with high moisture absorption speed was also used in F1, S1, under arm and B5, while a material with good thermal conductivity was used in other parts of the bodice. Deodorant tape with antibacterial and deodorant effects was incorporated in the armpit for additional comfort. As for wear evaluation of the research product, significant differences were found in 10 areas using a material with high moisture absorption speed to compare and analyze the post-exercise surface temperatures of the clothing. The temperature difference between the compared top and the research product in the neckband area was 9.16℃, demonstrating clear cool-touch function in using cool-touch material. In the subjective evaluation of cool-touch function, the results showed high scores when asked about the efficiency of the detachable neckband and the ease of movement when wearing the product. In the appearance evaluation, significant differences were found in 11 items, including redundant folds, tightfit, fit, and design line. The overall mean score of the movement evaluation was 4.6, indicating excellent function for movement.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.29-37
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• 2020

Background: This study evaluated the efficacy of three intraoral topical anesthetics in reducing the injection needle prick pain from local anesthetic among children aged 7-11 years old. Methods: It is a prospective, Interventional, parallel design, single-blind, randomized clinical trial in which subjects (n=90) aged 7-11 years were included in the study based on an inclusion criteria. Subjects were divided into three groups based on computer-generated randomization with an allocation ratio of 1:1:1. Groups A, B, and C received benzocaine 20% jelly (Mucopain gel, ICPA health products Ltd, Ankleshwar, India), cetacaine anesthetic liquid (Cetylite Industries, Inc, Pennsauken, NJ), and EMLA cream (2% AstraZeneca UK Ltd, Luton, UK), respectively, according to manufacturer's instructions, for 1 minute prior to local anesthetic injection. After application of topical anesthetic agent, for all the groups, baseline pre-operative (prior to topical anesthetic administration) and post-operative scores (after local anesthetic administration) of pulse rate was recorded using Pulse oximeter (Gibson, Fingertip Pulse Oximeter, MD300C29, Beijing Choice Electronic). Peri-operative (i.e., during the administration of local anesthesia) scores were recorded using Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) Scale, Modified Children hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale (CPS) behavior rating scale, and Faces Pain Scale (FPS-R) - Revised (For self-reported pain). Direct self-reported and physiological measures were ascertained using FPS-R - Revised and Pulse oximeter, respectively, whereas CPS and FLACC scales assessed behavioral measures. To test the mean difference between the three groups, a one way ANOVA with post hoc tests was used. For statistical significance, a two-tailed probability value of P < 0.05 was considered as significant. Results: The Cetacaine group had significantly lower pain scores for self-report (P < 0.001), behavioral, and physiological measures (P < 0.001) than the other two groups. However, there was no significant difference between the Benzocaine group and EMLA group during palatal injection prick. Conclusion: Cetacaine can be considered as an effective topical anesthetic agent compared to benzocaine 20% jelly (Mucopain gel) and EMLA cream.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.81-88
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• 2008

Objectives To investigate the relationship between Heart Rate Variability and menopause among obese middle-aged women in Korea. Subjects and Methods Forty middle-aged women (age 49.05 $\pm$ 2.64 years) with BMI > $23kg/m^2$ were recruited by local advertisement. Blood profiles of estrogen, FSH, LH, glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and triglyceride were measured. Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) was estimated by short-term spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV). Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) were accessed using Computerized Tomography (CT), Bioimpedance Analysis (BIA), and anthropometry. To scrutinize the influence of ANS on obesity-related factors, we divided the subjects into pre- and post-menopausal women. Results The total cholesterol, FSH and LH were significantly higher in post-menopausal obese women group. The estradiol and standard deviation of all normal R-R intervals (SDNN), high-frequency components (HF) of the HRV were significantly lower in postmenopausal obese women group (P<0.05). Adipose tissue distribution and blood profiles were not significantly different between two groups. Conclusion Menopause induced a decrease in SDNN and HF values and increase in total cholesterol level in obese women although the VAT itself was not related with ANS in obese women.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.155-164
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• 2007

This study is aimed at determining the effects of rehabilitation training on lumbar extension strength and relief of back pain in middle-aged women of low back pain. Twenty-nine subjects(total 29 people; CLBP 16, HLD 13) were trained twice per week for eight weeks and completed a maximum isometric test at various flexion angle(the degree of $0^{\circ}$, $12^{\circ}$, $24^{\circ}$, $36^{\icrc}$, $48^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$, $72^{\circ}$) by lumbar extension machine. The result showed that. 1. Patient group of CLBP were increased the maximum lumbar extension strength at a range of 7 flexion angles after rehabilitation rather than no rehabilitation(on the average 60.75%). The operated patient group in HLD also showed an increase of 56.55%. In view of these cases, all of two groups showed a significant increase of muscle strength(p<.05). But there is no difference between pre-exercise and post-exercise groups. 2. Patient group of CLBP were increased higher rate than 41% for maximum lumbar extension strength(91.79% at $0^{\circ}$, 79.41% at $12^{\circ}$, 65.89% at $24^{\circ}$) at all angles after 8 weeks training. Both groups indicated a significant increase(p<.05) of lumbar extension strength at all degrees. There is no difference between pre-exercise and post-exercise groups. 3. Relief of back pain in Patient group of CLBP showed a decrease of average 105.2% and patient group of HLD indicated a decrease of average 64.57% two groups showed a significant reduction (p<.05, p<.05). But in case of a decrease of pain, CLBP group got 3.44 points and HLD group got 4.77 points. In view of these results, two groups showed remarkable reduction of back pain, however HLD group had residual pain relatively.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.18-25
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify changes in physical activity, sleep quality, and quality of life (QOL) during COVID-19 in adults by age group. Methods: An online survey was conducted on a total of 160 participants who were divided into three groups by age; young adults, middle-aged adults, and old adults. The participants responded to the self-reported assessment of the impact of social distancing during COVID-19, International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF36). Descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, and Pearson's correlation were used for data analysis. Results: There were significant differences between the three age groups in physical activity (p<0.05) and PSQI (p<0.01) and a post hoc analysis showed that the young adults' group had significantly higher physical activity than the old adults' group, while the old adults' group had significantly lower scores of PSQI (better sleep quality) than the others. The young adults' group showed a significant negative correlation between the stress from social distancing and QOL (r=-0.27, p<0.05) and between PSQI and QOL (r=-0.48, p<0.05). For the middle-aged adults' group, there was a significant negative correlation between PSQI and QOL (r=-0.53, p<0.05). The old adults' group showed a significant negative correlation between the stress from social distancing and physical activity (r=-0.35, p<0.05) and PSQI (r=-0.50, p<0.05), while there was a significant positive correlation between physical activity and PSQI (r=0.30, p<0.05) and QOL (r=0.30, p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study could be used as basic data for the promotion of physical and mental health in the post-COVID-19 era.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.196-204
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• 2005

Menarche is a main indicator of sexual maturity which relates to a reproductive function. The onset of the menstrual cycle differs individually and is influenced by many variables such as socio-economic situation, race, genetics, climate, altitude, nutritional status, and physical growth. Among them physical growth has been known to be the most influencing factor, particularly when expressed as body fat designated by weight. This study intended to investigate the body composition of girls around the menarche period and to evaluate the minimal levels of weight and fat percentage needed for the onset of menarche. A total of 101 female subjects, aged 11 to 13 years, were recruited from the 5th and 6th grades of an elementary school, in Mokpo, Korea. The subjects were placed into one of two groups Pre-menarche and Post-menarche groups according to their experience with menarche. Thereafter, the subjects in the Post-group were placed into 4 subgroups based on the number of menstruations they experienced: Post-I (1-3 times), Post-II (4-6 times), Post-III (7-9 times), and Post-IV (> 10 times). The average age at the onset of menarche of the subjects in Post groups was $11.2 \pm 0.6$ years. There were significant differences in the data of anthropometry and body composition between the Pre and Post groups, although the mean ages of both Pre and Post groups were the same. Weight, waist, hip and thigh girths, fat percentage, and lean body mass of the Post groups were significantly higher than those of the Pre group. Height was not significantly different between the groups. Weight was highly correlated with body fat mass (r = 0.92. p < 0.001), fat percentage (r = 0.85, p < 0.001), and body mass index (r = 0.91, p < 0.001) These results indicate that weight, compared with height, reflects body composition well and influences the onset of the menstrual cycle. It could also be suggested that the minimal weight and fat percentage needed for the onset of menarche in Korean females are 41 kg and $17\%\;to\;19\%$, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.1-11
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• 2019

PURPOSE: This study compared the changes in the range of motion (ROM ) on the knee joint according to three different isometric contraction intensities when applying Evjenth - Hamberg stretching (EHS) to the hamstring muscles of healthy subjects. METHODS: Forty eight healthy subjects aged between 20 and 39 years were allocated randomly to four groups; performing EHS at 10% maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) group, EHS at 50% MVIC group, EHS at 100% MVIC group, and control group (CG) pre-, and post-intervention. The flexibility of the hamstring muscles was evaluated using a digital goniometer for measuring the knee joint ROM motion. A Chattanooga stabilizer was used to adjust the MVIC intensity by 10%, 50%, and 100%, respectively. RESULTS: These results show that the pre- and post-intervention knee joint ROM were significantly different in all four groups (p<.05). The post-intervention knee joint ROM showed a significant difference between the 100% MVIC group and non-MVIC group (p<.05). The knee joint ROM difference between the pre- and post-interventions was similar in the 10% MVIC and 50% MVIC groups but significant differences were observed among the other groups (p<.05). CONCLUSION: EHS of the hamstring muscles was effective in improving the knee joint ROM with an isometric contraction intensity of 10%, 50%, or 100% MVIC, and of these, 100% MVIC was most effective.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.149-158
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• 2021

Purpose : Forward head posture (FHP) is one of the most common postural malalignment of the cranio-cervical region. Previous studies have reported that FHP might affect both temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and cervical muscles, but still remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to compare the changes of craniovertebral angle (CVA) and muscle properties after smartphone use in healthy individuals with and without FHP. Methods : Fifteen healthy individuals aged 18 to 22 years were included. CVA was evaluated using Dartfish motion analysis, and the subjects were divided into two groups according to their CVA: a FHP group (n = 7, CVA less than 48 °) and a control group (n = 8, CVA more than 48 °). MyotonPro was used to measure muscle properties of masseter, digastric and sternocleidomastoid muscles (SCM). Each subject underwent 15-minutes of smartphone task (web browsing or video watching) in relaxed sitting posture. CVA and muscles properties were assessed both before and after the smartphone task. Results : There were significant changes in post measurements of CVA between the groups. Masseter muscle showed significant differences in pre and post measurements of all muscle properties, and digastric muscle showed significance only in muscle tone. Amount of changes (post-pre), however, showed no significant difference in this study. Conclusion : 15-minutes of smartphone task did not affect CVA and muscle properties of masseter, digastric and SCM in both groups, however, there were significant changes in pre and post measurements of CVA and some muscle properties of masseter and digastric muscles. Therefore, CVA, masseter and digastric muscles might be significantly changed in a heavy duration of smartphone usage more than 15-minutes. Further studies are needed regarding duration of smartphone task, assessments in other various TMJ muscle groups, and participants with pathological FHP conditions.