• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.63-76
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• 2022

Objective : The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship with employment of the disabled considering the severity and the type of disability. Methods : Data from the 4th data of the 2nd wave Panel Survey of Employment for the Disabled (PSED) by Korea Employment Agency for Persons with Disabilities (KEAD) were used. The odds ratio of employment in disability types according to severity of disability was calculated by logistic regression analysis. Results : When the related variables were adjusted, the employment of internal disability type was significantly lower than that of external disability type by 0.413(95% CI:0.271-0.629) times in the group with severe disability. On the other hand, in the group with less severe disability, internal disability was 0.475(95% CI:0.327-0.690) times lower than that of external disability (p=<.001). Conclusions : Employment may vary depending on the type of disability, even if the disability severity level is the same. It is necessary to prepare judgment criteria that can reduce the variation in employment by considering both the type and severity of the disability.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.90-99
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• 2013

Purpose: This study aimed to examine influence of cognitive function, disease severity and disability on ability to perform activity of daily living (ADL) after ischemic stroke. Methods: A total of 88 patients with ischemic stroke were recruited from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2012 and assessed with the standardized cognitive test battery and self-reports about disease severity, disability, and ADL. To analyze the data, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple regression were conducted using SPSS/WIN program. Results: Significant correlations were found between ADL and visuospatial function, visual memory, executive function, and disability (r=.29~.38). Executive function and disability explained 17.3% of total variability in ADL performance after ischemic stroke. Conclusion: Executive function may be a promising target for cognitive rehabilitation after ischemic stroke. Thus, effective therapeutic interventions such as cognitive training for stroke patients should be considered to improve their ability to perform ADL.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.45-55
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• 2022

Background: This study compared the effects of trunk stabilization exercise and hip joint exercises on the range of motion of the lumbar spine, pain severity, and severity of disability in patients with chronic lower back pain. Methods: A total of 30 participants were enrolled and divided into group 1 (n=10), group 2 (n=10), and group 3 (n=10) were performed by each group thrice a week for a total of 8 weeks. Group 1 performed warm-up exercise (15 min), trunk stabilization exercise (25 min), finish-up exercise (15mins). Group 2 performed warm-up exercise (15 min), hip exercise (25 mins, finish-up exercise (15mins). Group 3 warm-up exercise (15 min), trunk stabilization and hip exercise (25 min), Finish-up exercise (15 min). Participants were assessed for the range of motion of the lumbar spine, pain severity (visual analog scale score; VAS), and severity of disability (Oswestry disability index score; ODI) before and after the interventions. Results: All three groups showed a significant increase in the range of motion of the lumbar spine, but there was no significant difference among the groups. Moreover, the severity of pain and ODI were significantly decreased in all groups; however, the intergroup differences were non-significant. Conclusion: The results from this study confirmed the effectiveness of trunk stabilization and hip joint exercise in improving the lumbar range of motion, pain severity, and chronic lower back pain in patients. Thus, trunk and pelvic stabilization exercises and hip joint exercise can be used as clinical practices to treat and prevent chronic lower back pain.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.137-246
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• 2023

Background: To investigate the relationship between cutaneous allodynia (CA) and kinesiophobia, gastrointestinal system (GIS) symptom severity, physical activity, and disability, and to determine whether CA, pain, and disability were influencing factors for kinesiophobia, GIS symptoms, and physical activity in individuals with migraine. Methods: The study included 144 individuals with migraine. CA, kinesiophobia, GIS symptoms, physical activity level, and migraine-related disability were evaluated with the Allodynia Symptom Checklist, the Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale (TKS), the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-7, and the Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS), respectively. Results: The CA severity was only associated with TKS (r = 0.515; P < 0.001), GSRS-total (r = 0.336; P < 0.001), GSRS-abdominal pain (r = 0.323; P < 0.001), GSRS-indigestion (r = 0.257; P = 0.002), GSRS-constipation (r = 0.371; P < 0.001), and MIDAS scores (r = 0.178; P = 0.033). Attack frequency (P = 0.015), attack duration (P = 0.035) and presence of CA (P < 0.001) were risk factors for kinesiophobia. Attack frequency (P = 0.027) and presence of CA (P = 0.004) were risk factors for GIS symptoms. Conclusions: There was a relationship between the CA and kinesiophobia, GIS symptoms, and disability. CA and attack frequency were found to be risk factors for kinesiophobia and GIS symptoms. Migraine patients with CA should be assessed in terms of kinesiophobia, GIS, and disability. Lifestyle changes such as exercise and dietary changes and/or pharmacological treatment options for CA may increase success in migraine management.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.17-21
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• 2012

Objectives: Asbestos-related diseases (ARDs) have increased globally over the decades, causing an economic burden and increased health care costs. It is difficult to predict the risk of development of ARDs and of respiratory disability among workers with a history of asbestos exposure. Blood based biomarkers have been reported as promising tools for the early detection of malignant mesothelioma. This study investigated whether serum soluble mesothelin-related peptide (SMRP) would reflect severity of disablement in compensable ARDs. Methods: SMRP levels were measured in a cohort of 514 asbestos-exposed subjects. Severity of ARDs was assessed by a Medical Authority comprising four specially qualified respiratory physicians. Severity of ARDs and SMRP levels were compared. Results: Mean (standard deviation) serum SMRP level in the population with compensable ARDs (n = 150) was 0.95 (0.65) nmol/L, and was positively associated with disability assessment (p = 0.01). Mean SMRP level in healthy asbestos-exposed subjects was significantly lower than those with pleural plaques (p < 0.0001) and in subjects with ARDs who received compensation (p < 0.01). Conclusion: This study indicates that serum SMRP levels correlate with severity of compensable ARDs. Serum SMRP could potentially be applied to monitor progress of ARDs. Further prospective work is needed to confirm the relationship between SMRP and disability assessment in this population.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.119-126
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• 2004

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify health problem and joint bleeding, disability according to severity in patients with hemophilia. Method: The research design was survey study for conformed severity in patients with hemophilia, health problem and bleeding of joint and degree of limitation. The subjects were 186 men in patients with hemophilia by convenience sampling. These results were analyzed statistically by frequency, percentage, t-test, chi-square. Result: 1. Health problem of severe hemophilia patients were significantly higher than moderate group(t=3.17, p=.002). A severe hemophilia patients were significantly higher than moderate group in health problem of socio-psychological, emotional, physical, interpersonal. 2. There was relation between severity and the frequency of bleeding($X^{2}=7.642$, p=.054). 3. A severe hemophilia patients were more than moderate group in disability of ankle joint(t=2.52, p=.013). Conclusion: A severe hemophilia patients has more severe problems than moderate patient in case of health problem, joint bleeding and degree of disability.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.331-339
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• 2002

Objectives : To measure DALE (Disability-Adjusted Life Expectancy) in Korea to find out how long Koreans live in a state of full heath. Methods : DALE was calculated using the life table of 1999 and the disability prevalence from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), which was conducted with a sample of 13,523 households in 1998. The disability prevalence was measured using the annual prevalence of the long-term limitation of activities, which were divided into classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 according to the severity of the limitation. The disability weights were measured for each 6 class by conducting a survey of 16 healthcare professionals. The severity-adjusted disability prevalence was calculated by multiplying the disability prevalence of each class by the disability weights respectively. Healthy life years lost due to disability was calculated by multiplying the life expectancy by the severity-adjusted disability prevalence. Finally DALE was measured as the life expectancy minus healthy life years lost due to disability. Results : DALE for 1999, which refers to the expectation of equivalent years of good health, were 72.5, 69.5 and 75.3 years, for total, for males and for females, respectively. The percentages for DALE out of the life expectancy were 95.8, 96.6 and 94.4% for total, for males and for females, respectively. Conclusions : DALE is a newly developed indicator, which could effectively show the healthy life expectancy of populations. A greater notice and use of DALE would be expected as life expectancies increase and the quality of life changes in Korea.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.455-461
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• 2016

This study intends to provide basic evidence needed to establish plans to help disabled children and youth adapt to school by analyzing factors to influence on their school adjustment. To accomplish this goal, raw data of Survey of Disabled People in 2014 conducted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare was utilized for analysis to identify determining factors among level of school, type of school, type of disability, severity of disability, subjective health status, experience of discrimination on disabled children's school adjustment. Results of the analysis are as follows. Level of school, type of school and severity of disability are influencing factors on disabled children's school adjustment. This result shows that the introduction of peer support programs and expansion of special class and auxiliary personnel are needed to assist disabled students' school adjustment.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.362-369
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• 2019

Background: Chronic nonspecific symptoms attributed to indoor nonindustrial work environments are common and may cause disability, but the medical nature of this disability is unclear. The aim was to medically characterize the disability manifested by chronic, recurrent symptoms and restrictions to work participation attributed to low-level indoor pollutants at workplace and whether the condition shares features with idiopathic environmental intolerance. Methods: We investigated 12 patients with indoor aire-related work disability. The examinations included somatic, psychological, and psychiatric evaluations as well as investigations of the autonomic nervous system, cortisol measurements, lung function, and allergy tests. We evaluated well-being, health, disability, insomnia, pain, anxiety, depression, and burnout via questionnaires. Results: The mean symptom history was 10.5 years; for disabling symptoms, 2.7 years. Eleven patients reported reactions triggered mainly by indoor molds, one by fragrances only. Ten reported sensitivity to odorous chemicals, and three, electric devices. Nearly all had co-occurrent somatic and psychiatric diagnoses and signs of pain, insomnia, burnout, and/or elevated sympathetic responses. Avoiding certain environments had led to restrictions in several life areas. On self-assessment scales, disability showed higher severity and anxiety showed lower severity than in physician assessments. Conclusion: No medical cause was found to explain the disability. Findings support that the condition is a form of idiopathic environmental intolerance and belongs to functional somatic syndromes. Instead of endless avoidance, rehabilitation approaches of functional somatic syndromes are applicable.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.128-136
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• 2014

Objective : This study aimed to examine impact of anxiety and demographic factors on relationship between severity of depressive symptom and quality of life and disability. Methods : One hundred ninety five patients who met DSM-IV-TR criteria for depressive disorder were enrolled. It includes "Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD)", "State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-State (STAI-S)", "General Health Questionnaire/Quality of Life-12 (GHQ/QL-12)", and "Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS)". Correlation analysis was used to see the correlations of each variable. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to see mediating effect of anxiety in the relationship. Sobel test was used to verify mediating effect. Multiple regression analysis was used to see moderating effect of demographic factors in the relationship. Results : There was partial mediating effect of anxiety on the relationship between severity of depressive symptoms and decreased quality of life (z=-11.68, p<.001)/increased disability (z=10.42, p<.001). Only religion was found to be moderating effect on the relationship between depressive symptoms and decreased quality of life. Conclusion : Rapid relief of anxiety along with depressive symptom had important implications for the treatment of patients with depression.