• Journal of muscle and joint health
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.230-239
• /
• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether subjective symptoms, physical fitness, and emotional variables were improved after participating in a 6-week Tai Chi program in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: 23 rheumatoid arthritis patients participated in the Yang style Tai Chi for arthritis patients 90 minutes session conducted twice a week at the Arthritis Center of D University Hospital. The main outcome of current studies included self-reported scores of subjective symptoms(pain, sleep satisfaction, and fatigue), physical fitness tests, and depression (PHQ-9) and self-efficacy investigated with questionnaire before and after participating in Tai Chi. Results: After participating in Tai Chi, participants perceived lesser pain (t=2.61, p=.016) and fatigue (Z=-2.32, p=.020), and reported improved sleep satisfaction (t=-3.56, p=.002). In the physical fitness test, there were significant improvement in muscle strength (upper limb: t=-7.19, p<.001, lower limb: t=-4.86, p<.001), and balance (right t=-3.70, p=.001; left t=-2.30, p=.031). Depression (t=3.87, p=.001) and self-efficacy (Z=-3.44, p=.001) improved significantly after participating in Tai Chi. Conclusion: Tai Chi had beneficial effects on subjective symptoms and emotional variables as well as physical fitness. Therefore, the program could be recommended in the patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.133-147
• /
• 2002

This study conducted an analysis of the correlations among menopausal symptoms of middle-aged women, their exercise performance and subjective health conditions on those 417 middle-aged women aged 40-59 years, residing in Seoul and the Kyongki Province area, from December 6, 2000 through Jun. 20, 2001, using the SPSS 10.00 program. Resultant findings were revealed, as follows: 1. A difference was represented in general characteristics between menopausal symptoms of middled-aged women and variables such as satisfaction with life, sexual life, diseases, the presence or absence of surgical operations; a difference between exercise performance and variables such as age, the presence or absence of vocations, weight control, satisfaction with life, and sleep; and also a difference between subjective health conditions and variables such as weight control, satisfaction with life, diseases, and the presence or absence of surgical operations. 2. Furthermore, a difference was revealed between the levels of menopausal symptoms by exercise performance and variables such as mental and physical symptoms and psychological symptoms. 3. The group of good exercise performance showed higher subjective health conditions as to subjective health conditions by the levels of exercise performance. 4. The better their subjective health conditions, the lower their menopausal symptoms as to menopausal symptoms by subjective health conditions. 5. A negative relationship was disclosed between menopausal symptoms and exercise performance; a positive relationship between exercise performance and subjective health conditions; and a negative relationship between subjective health conditions and menopausal symptoms.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.19-25
• /
• 2018

Objectives : Firefighters frequently experience traumatic events, high-tension situations and shift work. Therefore, the prevalence of insomnia of firefighters is higher than one of general population. Not only does the quality of sleep affect the satisfaction of personal life, but it also influences their performance for the public's safety. We investigated which factors affect the quality of sleep of firefighters. Methods : After personally delivering 120 questionnaires to 3 fire stations, the survey was conducted when the consents were signed. It inquired about alcohol use, smoking, shift work, sleep quality, depression, anxiety, and experience of traumatic events. We then divided the firefighting officers in two groups according to the quality of sleep and compared the variables examined to conduct the logistic regression analyses according to the results. Results : The poor sleeper group reported a higher level of current alcohol consumption, depression, anxiety and experience of traumatic events. Logistic regression analyses showed that the current alcohol intake (Crude odds ratio=3.707, 95% confidence interval=1.288-10.672, p=0.015 ; Adjusted odds ratio=3.288, 95% confidence interval=1.011-10.694, p=0.048) has a significant effect on sleep quality. Conclusions : Current alcohol consumption, depression, anxiety and experience of traumatic events were respectively associated with sleep quality of firefighters. When all significant factors considered, the current alcohol use was the only statistically significant. To improve the quality of sleep for firefighters, it will be necessary to evaluate alcohol intake, educate the poor sleep quality caused by alcohol, and provide specific interventions to reduce consumption.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.172-180
• /
• 1997

Objects : This study was carried out to investigate characteristics of patients who need hypnotics on the night before elective surgery as well as contributing variables for the necessity of hypnotics. Methods : After reviewing the clinical charts of patients who were scheduled to receive surgery by general anesthesia the following day, researchers had semi structural interviews with patients. In addition, Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory(SSTAI), Beck Depression Inventory(BDI), Zung's Self-Rating Pain and Distress Scale(ZPDS), and Presleep and Postsleep Questionnaires were administered to patients. A total of 167 patients, who gave reliable information, were divided into two groups based on subjective judgement regarding the necessity for hypnotics on the night before surgery; 29 eligibles for hypnotics and 138 non-eligibles for hypnotics. Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients, some possible factors affecting sleep, psychological characteristics of patients and daytime status and nighttime sleep before surgery were compared between the two groups. In addition, discriminant function analysis was done to find the variables which would best discriminate among patients who differ in terms of necessity for hypnotics on the night before surgery. Results : There was no difference in demographic and clinical characteristics between the two groups; however, the satisfaction level with ward environment was significantly lower in the eligible group for hypnotics than the non-eligible group. Psychologically, the eligible group for hypnotics, compared to the non-eligible group, showed significantly more severe depression, pain, and distress; whereas anxiety level was not different between the two groups. For nighttime sleep before surgery, the eligible group for hypnotics, compared to the non-eligible group, expected poorer sleep before retiring and in fact, reported poorer sleep the following morning. In discriminant function analysis, 'expectation for sleep' and 'pain and distress' were the most potent contributors to discriminate the necessity of hypnotics. Conclusion : For the improvement of the patient's sleep on the night before elective surgery, giving hypnotics and/or analgesics should be determined by patient's opinion about the necessity of the drugs rather than by the therapist's own judgement or any other objective indices.

• Journal of Industrial Convergence
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.99-106
• /
• 2023

The purpose of this study was to identify the factors affecting depression according to the causes of suicidal ideation. The data used the 2021 Community Health Survey data. The participants of the study were 5,328 adults between the ages of 20 and 60 who responded that they had suicidal thoughts in the past year. For the analysis of the data, a composite sample analysis was performed using the SPSS 25.0 program. The results of the study are as follows. 1) In the economic difficulties group, age, gender, education level, economic activity, job change due to COVID-19, life satisfaction, subjective health status, stress, sleep time, and annual unmet medical care were the main factors related to depression. 2) In the interpersonal problem group, age, gender, education level, economic activity, life satisfaction, subjective health status, smoking, drinking, stress, and sleeping time were the main factors associated with depression. 3) In the disease and disability group, age, marital status, education level, life satisfaction, smoking, stress, sleep time, and annual unmet medical care were the main influencing factors of depression. Therefore, in order to reduce the rate of suicide and prevent depression, it is necessary to establish various strategies according to the causes of suicidal ideation and the influencing factors of depression.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.42 no.1
• /
• pp.136-147
• /
• 2012

Purpose: This study was conducted to compare the degree of depression between men and women and to identify factors influencing their depression. Methods: Participants in this cross-sectional descriptive study were 263 persons over 65 years old (men: 103, women: 160). Data were collected through face to face interviews using questionnaires and were done in two urban areas in 2010. Research instruments utilized in this study were SGDS, MMSE-K, SRH, FILE, sleep pattern scale, family and friend support scale, and social support scale. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify factors influencing depression in elders. Results: The proportions of participants with depression were significantly different between men and women (52.4% vs. 67.5%). Regression model for depression in elderly men significantly accounted for 54%; disease stress (32%), economic stress (10%), perceived health status (4%), and family support, educational level, age, and hypertension. Regression model for depression in elderly women significantly accounted for 47%; disease stress (25%), perceived social loneliness (8%), friend support (5%), family stress (4%), and sleep satisfaction, and family support. Conclusion: Results demonstrate that depression is an important health problem for elders, and show gender differences for factors influencing depression. These results could be used in the developing depression prevention programs.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.35 no.6
• /
• pp.1014-1024
• /
• 2005

Purpose: This study was to exam me the effects of auricular acupuncture on insomnia in Korean elderly. Method: The study design was a triangulation study. Subjects were 40 elderly who were 65 years and over in Seoul, and 10 subjects for a qualitive study who were saturated with interviews and observation. The first auricular acupuncture was applied for three days, and this was applied to subjects on a 5 times series. The quantative data was analyzed by SPSS PC+ and the qualitive data was analyzed by driving of core meaning and abstract concepts using a semi-structural interview and observation. Result: I. The experimental group had higher significant sleep scores than that of the control group (t=32.739, p=.001). 2. The experimental group had higher significant self- satisfaction scores on sleep than that of the control group (t=30.049, p=.001). 3. In the qualitive study, insomnia characteristics before application of auricular acupressure therapy were confirmed by physical dysfunction, recall of past, and psychological dysfunction. Insomnia characteristics after application of auricular acupressure therapy were confirmed by recovery of physical dysfunction, improving recall of past, and recovery of psychological dysfunction. Conclusion: Auricular acupuncture was effective on insomnia in Korean elderly.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
• /
• v.45 no.1
• /
• pp.14-20
• /
• 2023

Purpose: This study was conducted to provide basic data for a health promotion program by analyzing the effects of high school students' mental health-related factors on oral symptom experiences. Methods: This study included 24,833 high school students who participated in the screening and health survey in the "17th (2021) Adolescent Health Behavior Survey." SPSS software (SPSS Statistics ver. 21.0; IBM) was used for statistical analysis. Multiple sample logistic regression analysis was performed. The significance level was set to 0.05. Results: The result of the analysis on the effect of mental health revealed that oral symptom experience was low in students without depression and suicidal thoughts. Oral symptom experience was high in students with stress perception. Additionally, the experience of oral symptoms was low when there was sufficient subjective sleep. Conclusion: Therefore, it is necessary to develop a customized oral health education program for early detection of oral symptoms and oral health promotion in high school students. Furthermore, it suggests the need for strategies and continuous oral health guidance to practice proper oral health habits to maintain healthy oral conditions.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.225-234
• /
• 2023

This study verified the effect of a combined forest/thermal therapy (FT/TT) program on participants with depressive symptoms and smoking or alcohol dependence. The participants included 20 people in the experimental group and 18 people in the control group. The experimental group participated in the FT/TT program for 2 nights and 3 days at the National Center for Forest Healing, in Hoengseong (National Hoengseong Supchewon), and a charcoal kiln operated by the Gangwon Charcoal Farming Association. The control group carried out their daily life for the same period. Psychological, physiological, and biochemical tests were conducted to determine the effect of the program. The results showed that there were significant improvements in stress, anxiety, depression, sleep quality, sleep satisfaction, and IL-6 levels. However, no significant difference was found in the cortisol, serotonin and melatonin levels between the experimental and control groups. Thus, the FT/TT therapy had psychological and biochemical effects on individuals with depression and nicotine or alcohol dependency. Further studies should be conducted to verify the effect of forest healing in various conditions.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.1-11
• /
• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the factors influencing the well-being of middle-aged non-shift female workers using health-determinant models. Methods: This study analyzed data from the fifth Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS), involving 5,449 participants. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was employed to examine the relationships between various factors and well-being. Results: The analysis identified key factors affecting well-being in middle-aged female non-shift workers, including supervisor support, presenteeism, satisfaction with the working environment, autonomy in working hours, support from coworkers, workplace discrimination, occupation, work-life balance, sleep problems, workplace size, weekly work hours, and sickness absence. This study confirms that the well-being of middle-aged non-shift female workers is influenced by factors at the individual, social, and community levels as well as by conditions related to love. Conclusion: To enhance the well-being of middle-aged female non-shift workers, it is essential to reinforce positive factors such as support from coworkers and superiors. Additionally, addressing and mitigating negatively influencing factors such as workplace discrimination and sleep problems is crucial in promoting well-being. By implementing measures to improve these aspects, organizations and policymakers can contribute to a healthier and more supportive work environment for middle-aged, non-shift female workers.