• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.340-350
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• 2007

Purpose: This study was done to construct a quality of life (QOL) model for recipients of a liver transplant. Method: In consideration of the main factors influencing QOL in recipient of liver transplants, a hypothetical model was constructed with 16 paths. A questionnaire was used to collect data from recipients of liver transplants who were being followed at one of 3 university hospitals. For the final analysis, there were 189 completed questionnaires and the hypothetical model was verified through covariance structure using LISREL program. Results: Overall fitness indices of hypothetical model were GFI= .99, AGFI= .97, NNFI= .96 and RMR=.020. After considering modification indices and paths that proved not to be significant and to improve model fitness, the hypothetical model was modified. In the final model, 3 paths from the hypothetical model were excluded. Overall fitness indices of the final model were GFI= .99, AGFI= .98, NNFI= .98 and RMR= .020. Eleven of fifteen paths proved to be significant. QOL was influenced by duration after transplantation, perceived health status, self-esteem, uncertainty, social support, self efficacy and depression and these variables explained 65% of the variance. Conclusion: This study presents a theoretical model for QOL for recipients of a liver transplant. Based on the results of this study and to improve QOL for recipients of a liver transplant, it is suggested that interventions to re-enforce self efficacy and self-help are needed.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.705-717
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify symptom clusters in patients with breast cancer and to investigate the associations among them with functional status and quality of life (QOL). Methods: A convenient sample of 303 patients was recruited from an oncology-specialized hospital. Results: Two distinct clusters were identified: A gastrointestinal- fatigue cluster and a pain cluster. Each cluster significantly influenced functional status and QOL. Based on these two clusters, we identified subgroups of symptom clusters using K-means cluster analysis. Three relatively distinct patient subgroups were identified in each cluster: mild, moderate, and severe group. Disease-related factors (i.e., stage, metastasis, type of surgery, current chemotherapy, and anti-hormone therapy) were associated with these subgroups of symptom clusters. There were significant differences in functional status and QOL among the three subgroups. The subgroup of patients who reported high levels of symptom clusters reported poorer functional status and QOL. Conclusion: Clinicians can anticipate that breast cancer patients with advanced stage, metastasis, and who receive mastectomy, and chemotherapy will have more intense gastrointestinal-fatigue or pain symptoms. In order to enhance functional status and QOL for patients with breast cancer, collective management for symptoms in a cluster may be beneficial.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.167-178
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• 2005

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe quality of life (QOL) in Korean school-age children by identifying dimensions and attributes of QOL from the child's point of view. Method: In-depth interviews with focus questions were used for the study. Twelve children, aged 10 to 13 years, were recruited from Seoul and rural areas. The interviews were audio-taped and transcribed before content analysis. The data were analyzed for themes and attributes. The researchers read the data together and discussed their conclusions until a consensus was reached. Results: Eight dimensions, 57 subdimensions and 101atttributes were identified for QOL in school-age children. The eight dimensions of QOL were physical, social, emotional, learning, leisure, family, self-value, and material aspects. Conclusion: The study results can be utilized in developing reliable instruments to measure quality of life specific to school-age children. It is proposed that a consistent and unified policy should be established by school, family, and community for the purpose of improving the QOL of school-age children.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.5-12
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the uses of complementary and alternative therapies(CAT), pain, and quality of life(QOL) in patients with chronic back pain. Method: A descriptive survey was conducted using convenient sample. One hundred sixty two patients with chronic back pain participated in this study. Types and satisfaction of CAT, pattern of back pain, and QOL were investigated. Result: 83.3% of all participants reported in the use of CAT. The most common types of CAT used were acupuncture and half-bath. Yoga were the most high satisfaction among the types. The mean score of back pain was 4.12, QOL was 3.10, that was mostly low score. There was no significant difference back pain and QOL between CAT user and nonuser. Correlation with satisfaction of CAT according the most using types were a negative correlation with back pain and a positive correlation with QOL. Conclusion: These result indicate that the mostly patients with back pain feels the satisfaction of CAT use. It is important that provide the obvious information about CAT which can be helpful to patient.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.205-215
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was to compare the effects of individual and group intervention programs on the demented elderly and their families. Methods: The programs were applied to two groups, one by home visiting and the other by group intervention. The groups were composed of 14 elders and 12 elders, respectively, with their families. The programs were applied twice a week, ninety minutes per session for four weeks. Programs consisted of cognitive therapy, music and art therapy, and massage for the demented elderly, education on dementia, cognitive-behavioral intervention for problematic behavior, methods to lessen stress, and counselling for the families. Results: AER, problematic behavior, QOL of pts and QOL, caregiving burden, and relationship with the pts of caregivers were improved after each program but not significantly except QOL of pts (Z=-3.37, p=.00) in the group intervention. When the two interventions were compared with each other, the group intervention program was more effective than the home visiting program in all variables but not significantly except QOL of pts (U=32.00, p=.00). Conclusion: In summary, both the individual and group intervention programs were helpful to both pts and families, and even though there was no statistically significant difference between the two intervention programs except in QOL of pts, the group intervention was more effective.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.243-248
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• 2006

Objectives: The Quality of Life-Alzheimer's Disease (QOL-AD) scale is a reliable and valid tool for assessing the quality of life (QOL) in the elderly with dementia. This study aimed to develop the Korean version of Quality of Life-Alzheimer's Disease (KQOL-AD) scale for the demented elderly living in the community. Methods: KQOL-AD was administered to two groups: 24 demented elderly and 72 cognitively impaired elderly with no dementia (CIND) who were living in the community Each elderly person and their caregiver rated the elderly QOL. The Korean version of mini-mental state examination (MMSE-K), the clinical dementia rating (CDR), the activities of daily living (ADL), and the neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI) were also assessed. The reliability and validity of the KQOL-AD were examined. Results: In the dementia group, the internal consistency (Cronbach's $\alpha$), the split half and the test-retest reliabilities of the KQOL-AD were excellent. Scores on the KQOL-AD were significantly correlated with the scores of the NPI, but they were not significantly correlated with scores of the MMSE-K, CDR and ADL. In addition, the CIND group showed similar results to the dementia group. Conclusions: KQOL-AD might be a reliable and valid instrument for assessing QOL in the elderly with dementia It could be used as an important outcome measure for research on the demented elderly.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.132-138
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the performance status and quality of life (QOL) of patients after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) according to period of survival. Methods: Participants consists of 83 HSCT patients who were being treated regularly at out-patient clinic in two general hospitals in D city. Data were collected using questionnaires that were modified by Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Bone Marrow Transplabtation (FACT-BMT) scale and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG). Results: The unrelated HSCT group's survival period was significantly worse than related HSCT group and autologous HSCT group. Performance status of the group with more than 3 years survival was significantly higher than that of the group with less than a year survival. The mean score of total QOL of HSCT patients was 2.69 out of 4. Total QOL was not significantly different among period of survival less than 1 year, 1-3 years, and more than 3 years. But BMT QOL was shown that the group with more than 3 years survival was higher than the groups with less than a year survival. Conclusion: Performance status and BMT QOL of the group with less than 1 year survival was significantly lowered than the groups with more than 3 years survival.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.153-165
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the relationships between physical activity, health status, and quality of life (QOL) of University students. Methods: The research design was based on a descriptive research design model. This study sample consisted of 183 K University students in D city. Data was collected from December 2012 to January 2013 and analyzed with descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, analysis of variance (ANOVA), t-test, and Pearson's correlation analysis) using SPSS 19.0. Subjects completed questionnaires on their demographics, physical activity, health status, and QOL. Results: The overall physical activity of participants was $2529.40{\pm}5057.896$ min/week on average. The average health status was $28.66{\pm}6.3$ and the average physical health and mental health were $16.45{\pm}3.955$ and $12.31{\pm}3.446$, respectively. The overall degree of QOL was $3.429{\pm}0.379$. A positive relationship existed between moderate and vigorous activity and health status. In addition, QOL positively correlated with physical health (under health status). However, physical activity was not related with both mental health (under health status) and QOL. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, health educational programs are needed to promote sufficient physical activity in university students.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.63-76
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• 2000

The aim of this study was to investigate the difference in the level of ADL & QOL by family support in the patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The subjects of the study consisted of fifty-six outpatients with rheumatoid arthritis at a university hospital in Taegu. The instrument used in this study were the family support scale developed by Kang(1984), the ADL scale by Katz et al.(1970) and Barthel(1973), the QOL scale developed by Jo(1993). Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson Correlation, Chi-square, ANOVA with SPSS program. The major findings are as follows : 1. There was not significant differences in the level of ADL by family support in the patients with rheumatoid arthritis(F=.436, p=.649). 2. There was significant differences in the level of QOL by family support in the patients with rheumatoid arthritis(F=3.782, p=.029). This study showed that the higher level of family support contributed to the better level of QOL in the patients with rheumatoid arthritis. It is recommended to promote the level of family support of rheumatoid arthritis patients with low family support QOL.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.180-188
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore family function, social support, perceived quality of life(QOL) in adolescent period and to find out the correlations between family function, social support, perceived QOL in adolescents. Method: The questionnaire to get some information for this study consisted of adolescents'general characteristics, 20 questions regarding family function, 11 questions regarding social support, 8 questions regarding perceived QOL in adolescents. The subjects of this study consisted of 128 adolescents who were living in S area. The data were analyzed by percentage, mean, t-test, ANOVA and Pearson's correlation using the WINSPSS program. Result: The mean score for family function was 3.07(max. : 5) and there was significant difference according to middle-high school student. The mean score for social support was 2.86(max : 5) and there was no significant difference. The mean score for perceived QOL was 4.02(max score: 7) and there was significant difference according to disease condition. There was a positive correlation between family function, social support, perceived QOL in adolescents. Conclusion: Consequently, the development of program, policy assistance and policy implementation to elevate juveniles' perceived quality of life is strongly required.