• Korean Journal of Hospice Care
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.55-68
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• 2006

In Korea, there are constantly increasing number of cancer patients with reaching 65,000 deaths and it was 26.3% of the total number of death in 2004. Many cancer patients suffer from surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy after being diagnosed as cancer. And many of them are facing fear of death because they can't be perfectly cured. Due to patients' physical, psychological, and spiritual pain, quality of life drops dramatically. Patients' families also suffer from huge medical expenses while they have to take care of patients's suffering from pain. At the same time, family's attitude can influence on the quality of patients' life. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between the death orientation of first care giver and the quality of life of hospice patient. The subjects of the study were 80 hospice patients registered at ten hospice institutions with hospice team and medical practitioners in six cities including Seoul as well as their first care givers. This study used 13 questions for the hospice patients and nine questions for the first care givers to recognize general characteristic. To measure death orientation of the first care giver the tool developed by Noh, Soon-hee (2003) was used. And to measure quality of life of the hospice patients Yoo, Seung-yeon's structured tool was used. The data were collected for a month through interview method. SPSS win 12.0 was used to analyze the data by using frequency, percentage, t-test, Pearson correlation. The study result is as follows. In relationship between general characteristic of hospice patient and quality of life, the highest suffering was pain (60%) and the second suffering was anorexia (23.8%). There was no significant relationship between physical pain and general characteristics of hospice patient. In psychological aspects, religion (p=.044) showed significant difference (p<.05). In existential aspects, age (p=.035) showed significant difference (p<.05). There was no significant difference variable in support aspects. And religion (p=.000) was statistically significant variable in spiritual aspects (p<.001). Age (p=0.025) and religion (p=.050) were the variable showed significant difference according to general characteristics of first care giver's death orientation. Although the relation between death orientation of first care giver and quality of life of hospice patient was not statistically significant correlation. In conclusion, while death orientation of first care giver and hospice patient's quality of life are not statistically significant in correlation analysis.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.765-771
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• 2010

This study was carried out to examine relationships between financial pressures, depression, the quality of life related with economic stress factors on patients suffering from chronic strokes residing in Daejeon. 209 patients with chronic stroke being treated in genernal hospital were selected as subjects for this study. Data were collected by conducting 1:1 interviews through questionnaires. The study examined differences in patients' economic stress, depression, standard of living and the quality of lives through collected data. The results showed statistically meaningful analysis in standard of living(p<.000), economic pressure (p<.000), depression (p<.05), the quality of life (p>.05), the standard of living (p<.05). The higher the economic pressure, depression indexes or very severe the standard of living the lower the quality of life index, so the economic stress meaningfully increases. If an objective economic stress index is devised by measuring the level of economic burdens in common with guardians of patients and patients themselves, the index will become clinically important data. Furthermore, there requires the development of medical mediation that can reduce economic stress and increase the quality of life for patients suffering from strokes.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.222-231
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• 2003

The ACL(Anterior cruciate ligament) is the smallest of the four main ligaments of the knee, but it is the primary stabilizer. Injuries have a tendency to occur when the foot is firmly planted and the knee is twisted. Any sports that requires acceleration, change of direction and deceleration can increase the chances of suffering an ACL tear. The incidence of severe knee sprains that involve the ACL are at an all-time high. Since 1980, the number of these injuries have increased at least three-fold. Although the rate of increase has been much less dramatic since the middle 1980s, even the ultra-modem releasable ski binding has not been able to start reducing the incidence of ACL injuries. An ACL injury prevention program developed for downhill skiers by the Vermont Safety Research group emphasized increasing awareness of situations that can potentially result in an ACL injury and pre-planning strategies if events, leading to these situations, begin to fall in place. As part of the above study by Ettlinger et al., an educational prevent program was developed to teach these principles and thus reduce the rate of serious knee injuries. Four thousand instructors and patrol at 20 ski resorts who received the training had a 62% decline in serious knee injuries compared to a similar group that did not receive this training. Whenever you fall, try not to fully straighten your legs. Don't try to get up until you've stopped sliding(unless you are try to avoid an obstacle or other skier). When you're down, stay down. And don't land on your hand. So, if you feel yourself falling: arms forward, ski plates together, hands over knee. Then you will be able to save your ACL.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.64-73
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• 2011

After stroke, many people have problems with balance during movement. Balance is essential for the optimal functioning of the locomotor system and the performance of many activities of daily living. The Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) is a clinical tool for evaluating balance ability during walking. The test consists of ten tasks, seven tasks of the Dynamic Gait Index and three additional tasks. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability and internal consistency of data obtained with the Korean version of the FGA when used with people after suffering a stroke. One-hundred participants, at least three months poststroke and able to walk at least six meters with or without a walking aid, participated in the study (age range=30~83 years; $mean{\pm}SD=58.8{\pm}10.9$). Two physical therapists and two physical therapy students rated the FGA. Intrarater and interrater reliability of the FGA were assessed using kappa statistic and intraclass correlation coefficients (2,1). The internal consistency of the FGA was assessed using the Cronbach alpha. The Cronbach alpha was good (${\alpha}$=.86~.93). The intrarater (intraclass correlation coefficient=.92~.95) and interrater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient=.91, .95) of the total scores administered by the therapists and students were good, whereas the reliability for single item scores when administered by the physical therapists was moderate to good (kapa value=.42~.97). This study found that intrarater and interrater reliability for total FGA scores and internal consistency were good. Therefore, the Korean version of the FGA can be used as a reliable tool to assess the functional gait performance of patients after stroke.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.477-488
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• 1997

The purpose of this study was to understand the subjective breastfeeding experience of primiparous women to identify how breastfeeding was started and to explore the process of breastfeeding. The Grounded theory methodology was used. Data was collected from 6 primiparous women who had breastfed their infants for at least over 8weeks, recently breastfeeding or having breatfed their infants within the last 6 months. With the permission of the subjects, the interviews were recorded and transcribed. The data were analysed in the framework of grounded theory method as mapped out by Strauss and Corbin(1990). 105 concepts and 21 subcategories were confirmed in the analysis. In the process of data analysis, "Identity as a mother" was found to be the core phenomenon. The 21 sub-categories were as follows : natural food, neighbour inducement, self purpose, good feeling, tenderness, breast pain, change of breast shape, physical discomfort, loss of physical energy, confirmation of maternal role, formation of affection feeling of adhesion, one body through coupling, tie, capacity, role performance, mental comfort, healthy mother, healthy infant, confidence of breast milk, feeling of satisfaction. The sub -categories were again grouped into 14 categories including infant nutritious food, formation of breastfeeding opportunity, feeling of satisfaction, injury of the breast, physical suffering, awareness of mothering, formation of maternal affection, connecting, coupling, acceptance, effort, emotional stability, mother and child health and feeling of achievement.hievement.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.110-120
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• 1999

Lymphedema, regardless of etiology, is essentially incurable but different treatment approaches which serve to contain swelling exist. The objectives of treatment are to reduce swelling, restore shape, educate about the self-maintenance methods, and prevent inflammatory episodes, eg, recurrent cellulitis. The purpose of this report is to provide therapists and other medical staff with a general guideline through the example treatment procedure of two patients with lymphedema admitted to Samsung Medical Center. This study demonstrates the effects of the various treatments used and how they helped to achieve improvement in mobility and reduction in swelling of the lower limbs. The basic conservative treatments were sequential intermittent pneumatic pumps, elevation, and CDP (complex decongestive physiotherapy). The surgical procedures (Homan's operation) were carried out after maximal volume reduction through conservative programs. In these cases, we can see greater than 50% reduction in the lymphedema in those treated by conservative and surgical procedures. This presents a simple, reliable, variable method yielding satisfactory cosmetic and functional results for patients suffering from chronic both-leg lymphedema. Futhermore, I suggest that the outcomes are best when treatment is administered by a multidisciplinary team including a physiotherapist, surgeon, nurse, et al.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.37-42
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• 2011

Purpose: The aim of this study is to suggest the basic materials for proposing effective and efficient methods when stretching by measuring isokinetic muscular strength according to static, dynamic and PNF stretching. Methods: This study was conducted on 45 healthy persons (male and female) in their twenties who are attending universities. The subjects are randomly divided into three (3) groups, and static stretching is applied in group 1, dynamic stretching is applied in group 2 and PNF stretching is applied in group 3. After carrying out static, dynamic and PNF stretching, peak torque was measured using isokinetic muscular strength measurement. Results: According to the results, at $60^{\circ}$/sec and $180^{\circ}$/sec isokinetic peak torque of the knee joint according to types of stretching, the largest changes were shown in Group 2 extension and flexion, and the least changes were shown in Group 1. There were significant differences among the three groups (p<0.05), and the result of after-analysis by LSD showed that there were significant differences between Groups 1 and 2, and Groups 1 and 3 (p<0.05). Conclusion: The intention of this study was to determine the peak torque using Cybex after applying three stretching methods to hamstring muscles, and the case of dynamic and PNF stretching was found to be more significant in both the $60^{\circ}$/sec and $180^{\circ}$/sec angular speeds than that of static stretching. Using the results of such studies, if dynamic and PNF stretching are applied together with warming-up before performing sports, the risk of suffering wounds would reduce and the exactness of sports would increase.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.145-154
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• 2003

As the life-expectancy is ever-increasing, and the proportion of the elderly population is growing steadily in every society of the world, it is ever more important to establish what factors allow certain elderly people to age successfully and remain relatively independent while others grow old less successfully and require extensive intervention. However, there is no consensus yet as to what successful aging means. Researchers have defined successful aging in a variety of ways. This study attempted to define the concept of successful aging and to clarify some dimensions of it through literature review. Previous approaches of studying successful aging and related themes were examined. Early perspectives including activity, disengagement, and continuity theories, Selective Optimization with Compensation (SOC) model by Baltes and Baltes, three different conceptions of successful aging, that is, psychological well-being, physical health, and wisdom, and MacArthur research on successful aging have been reviewed for this study. The definition derived from the review is: Keeping up continuous developmental processes to achieve wisdom or ego-integrity, without suffering any major disabilities in either physical or mental functioning, while maintaining psychological well-being and employing SOC strategies, and participating in positive relationships with significant others. The dimensions of successful aging are 1) personal resources, including physical health, cognitive competences, self esteem, and social support 2) adaptation process of SOC, and 3) psychological aspects, including psychological well-being and wisdom.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2022.05a
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• pp.660-662
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• 2022

Due to the prolonged aftermath of COVID-19, the number of modern people suffering from stress and mental illness is increasing. Recently, various methods of color therapy are being studied using LED lighting to improve concentration, relieve stress, manage skin, and improve sleep quality. In this paper, pulse waves are measured and heart rate variability is extracted using a PPG (Photoplethysmogram) sensor to analyze a person's mental and physical state. Using RGBLED and Arduino, we propose a mood lighting system that automatically changes colors according to changes in mental and physical conditions by producing color lighting of various wavelengths, which are mainly used to stabilize the mental state.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.293-299
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• 2023

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the potential benefits of microcurrent stimulation as a non-invasive therapeutic approach for managing pain and improving the quality of life in women suffering from primary dysmenorrhea. Design: A case study. Methods: This study was conducted, involving a cohort of 6 women diagnosed with primary dysmenorrhea, aged between 20 to 30 years. Participants were received microcurrent stimulation using low-intensity microcurrents for 30 minutes every day for 4 weeks. The intensity of microcurrent stimulation was 25 μA and the frequency was 8 Hz. The intervention was administered between the menstruations, with pain intensity and quality of life being assessed at baseline, and then at the end of menstrual cycle. Pain intensity was evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAS) and menstrual symptom questionnaire (MSQ), while the quality of life was assessed through the stress response inventory (SRI), state trait anxiety inventory (STAI), center for epidemiologic studies depression (CES-D), and menstrual distress questionnaire (MEDI-Q). Results: After the intervention, participants demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in pain intensity, as evidenced by improved VAS scores (p<0.05). However, the changes in MSQ scores did not reach statistical significance. Regarding quality of life measures, no statistically significant differences were found in the SRI, STAI, CES-D, and MEDI-Q scores after the intervention (p>0.05). Conclusions: This study suggest that microcurrent stimulation holds promise as a potential treatment option for alleviating pain associated with primary dysmenorrhea.