• Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine
• /
• v.39 no.6
• /
• pp.957-963
• /
• 2015

Objective To compare the pain-reducing effect of forest bathing alone versus forest bathing in combination with stretching and strengthening exercises in patients with chronic posterior neck pain. Methods Sixty-four subjects with posterior neck pain that had lasted more than 3 months were enrolled. They were randomly divided into a forest bathing alone (FBA) group and a forest bathing with exercise (FBE) group; each group included 32 subjects. All subjects from both groups walked every morning in the forest for about 2 hours for 5 days. In the afternoon, the FBE group did a stretching and strengthening exercise for about 4 hours; the FBA group had free time in the woods. Visual analog scale (VAS) on one day, VAS over the previous week, neck disability index (NDI), EuroQol 5D-3L VAS (EQ VAS) and index (EQ index), McGill pain questionnaire (MPQ), the number of trigger points in the posterior neck region (TRPs), and the range of motion of the cervical spine were evaluated on the first and last day of the program and compared between the two groups. Results The number of TRPs were significantly reduced in the FBE group compared with the FBA group (p=0.013). However, the other scales showed no significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion When patients with chronic posterior neck pain underwent a short-term forest bathing (less than 7 days) program, FBE was more effective in the reduction of the number of TRPs than FBA. However, all other pain measurement scales we evaluated showed no statistically significant difference between the two protocols.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.12-20
• /
• 2019

Background: This study was conducted to verify the effectiveness and effectiveness-related factors of Korean medicine (KM) treatment for patients who have been involved in traffic accidents (TA). Methods: The medical records of 150 TA patients hospitalized in Dongguk University Bundang Oriental Medicine Hospital from September 2017 to May 2018 were reviewed. Medical records included information on patient demographic characteristics, TA situations, use of KM treatment, clinical characteristics, 4 scales [numeric rating scale (NRS), visual analogue scale (VAS), EuroQol-visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS) and neck disability index (NDI)]. Statistical analyses were performed to determine the effectiveness and effectiveness-related factors of treatment. Results: The 150 patients (almost 1:1 gender ratio) were typically in their 40's (26.67%), had rear impact to their vehicle (37.33%), were in the driver's seat (70.00%), and without head trauma and loss of consciousness (83.33%). The main symptoms were neck pain (60.66%) and lower back pain (54.00%). All 150 patients showed significant improvement after KM treatment. 4 scales significantly improved when the treatment started within 3 days from the accident and patients were hospitalized longer and took more diverse treatments. The patients experiencing a higher initial pain level (NRS 8-10, $VAS{\geq}70$) showed significant improvement of NRS and VAS scores with faster and longer inpatient treatments than the other patients. The patients with higher initial pain levels ($VAS{\geq}70$) also showed significant improvement in EQ-VAS scores. Conclusion: KM treatment was effective for TA patients in this study. Treatment initiation time, hospitalization period, treatment diversity and initial pain level are related to the degree of improvement of a patient's symptoms.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
• /
• v.10 no.4
• /
• pp.25-38
• /
• 2021

Objective : This study aimed to establish an analytic methodology that can objectively evaluate the proverb comprehension levels that vary based on the aging process. Method : This study recruited 70 normal elderly aged ≥ 65 years and performed proverb comprehension tasks using an explanation method. A scoring estimation method was designed on 3 and 5-point scales. The difficulty and discrimination levels were calculated based on the two scales, thereby selecting the final questions and evaluation scale. Results : First, the item discrimination index on the 5-point scale was relatively higher than that on the 3-point scale, and 10 items were finally selected. Second, in terms of proverb comprehension ability, the elderly group aged 70 ~ 84 years showed significantly lower performance than those aged 65 ~ 69 years. Additionally, subjects with ≥ 10 years of education showed significantly higher performance than those with 9 ≤ years of education. Third, the performance of the proverbs comprehension task negatively correlated with the reaction time of the executive function task. Conclusion : Proverb comprehension is a task that can distinctively show a deterioration of brain functions in line with the aging process even among the normal elderly group and therefore, can estimate the difference more effectively with an increase in the score of the evaluation scale.

• Korean Journal of Health Psychology
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.1-26
• /
• 2009

This paper deals with fundamental questions how we should understand and approach the gambling addiction problems optimally. We attempted to define the nature of gambling behaviors first and to understand gambling addiction as an extreme class of behaviors on a behavioral continuum. This frame of reference would allow researchers to diagnose, classify, and evaluate gambling problems clearly, and to estimate prevalence rate and incidence rate more accurately from a perspective of behavioral sciences. Also, we emphasized to get out of a dichotomy in classifying gambling behaviors(i.e., either pathological or non-pathological). In addition, we introduced multi-agent and multi-level approaches to understanding gambling problems. With these approaches, each of the agents pertinent to the gambling problems can take its own responsibility and collaborate with other agents to solve the problems together. Also it is a proper time to develop a new scale overcoming the limitations of existing scales. So we presented several cautions in developing new scales for evaluating gambling problems. Lastly, in building a gambling policy, the estimation of prevalence and incidence rate is an important issue. So we suggested various ways for accurate estimation of prevalence and incidence rates reflecting the nature of gambling problems.

• Korean Journal of Schizophrenia Research
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.10-16
• /
• 2016

Objectives : This article aims to describe the development of smartphone application for the case management of patients with schizophrenia. Methods : Gwangju Bukgu-Community Mental Health Center developed and launched a smartphone application (HYM) for cognitive-behavioral case management and symptom monitoring. The development of the application involved psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, psychologists, and software technicians from a software development company (Goosl Corp.). Results : The HYM application for clients includes six main modules including Thought record, Symptom record, Daily life record, Official notices, Communication, and Scales. The key module is the 'Thought Record' for self-directed cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT). When the client writes and sends the self-CBT sheet to the case manager, the latter receives a notification and can provide feedback in real time. 'Communication' and 'Official notices' are useful for promoting communication between case managers and clients with schizophrenia. Ratings in 'Symptom record', 'Daily life record', and 'Scales' modules are stored in graphic or table form representing changes in them and shared with case managers. Conclusion : The interactive function of this application is the key characteristics that distinguishes it from other mobile self-treatment tools. This smartphone application may contribute to the development of a youth- and customer-friendly case management system for individuals with early psychosis.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.429-453
• /
• 2023

Due to recent demographic changes, employees from diverse generations now work together in organizations. Thus, there is a need for research on intergenerational cooperation. However, the lack of valid and reliable measures to capture intergenerational climate in the workplace is an obstacle to research. Therefore, we translated the Workplace Intergenerational Climate Scale(WICS) into Korean and validated it with a sample of 1,052 Korean full-time employees. Firstly, we conducted an exploratory factor analysis by using sample 1(N = 460) and revealed a five-factor solution. Secondly, the confirmatory factor analysis(sample 2; N = 592) showed a good model fit of the correlated five-factor model. Thirdly, the scale's discriminant and convergent validity was supported by negative correlations with four types of existing ageism scales and by positive correlations with trust, organizational commitment, work engagement, psychological safety, intention to remain, job satisfaction, and communication satisfaction. Moreover, it further demonstrated significant incremental validity in predicting positive outcome variables even when controlling for pre-existing agism scales. Lastly, we confirmed strict measurement invariance of the scale between the age groups(below 40 versus above 40). The findings support the reliability and validity of the Korean version of WICS among Korean employees. The scale will be broadly applied to measure intergenerational climate of organizations and provide practical implications for HR management.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.47 no.4
• /
• pp.228-240
• /
• 2023

Growing complexity in ecosystem structure and functions, under impacts of climate and land-use changes, requires interdisciplinary understandings of processes and the whole-system, and accurate estimates of the changing functions. In the last three decades, observation networks for biodiversity, ecosystems, and ecosystem functions under climate change, have been developed by interested scientists, research institutions and universities. In this paper we will review (1) the development and on-going activities of those observation networks, (2) some outcomes from forest carbon cycle studies at our super-site "Takayama site" in Japan, and (3) a few ideas how we connect in-situ and satellite observations as well as fill observation gaps in the Asia-Oceania region. There have been many intensive research and networking efforts to promote investigations for ecosystem change and functions (e.g., Long-Term Ecological Research Network), measurements of greenhouse gas, heat, and water fluxes (flux network), and biodiversity from genetic to ecosystem level (Biodiversity Observation Network). Combining those in-situ field research data with modeling analysis and satellite remote sensing allows the research communities to up-scale spatially from local to global, and temporally from the past to future. These observation networks oftern use different methodologies and target different scientific disciplines. However growing needs for comprehensive observations to understand the response of biodiversity and ecosystem functions to climate and societal changes at local, national, regional, and global scales are providing opportunities and expectations to network these networks. Among the challenges to produce and share integrated knowledge on climate, ecosystem functions and biodiversity, filling scale-gaps in space and time among the phenomena is crucial. To showcase such efforts, interdisciplinary research at 'Takayama super-site' was reviewed by focusing on studies on forest carbon cycle and phenology. A key approach to respond to multidisciplinary questions is to integrate in-situ field research, ecosystem modeling, and satellite remote sensing by developing cross-scale methodologies at long-term observation field sites called "super-sites". The research approach at 'Takayama site' in Japan showcases this response to the needs of multidisciplinary questions and further development of terrestrial ecosystem research to address environmental change issues from local to national, regional and global scales.

• Journal of the Korean Regional Science Association
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.79-99
• /
• 1993

This paper identifies the mechanisms governing the industrial location changes in Korea by focusing upon the emergence of the country's large conglomerate business organizations (chaebols). As the country has distinctive industrial organization, production systems, and government-business relations, this study tries to develop an ideal conceptual framework for the analysis of industrial location changes in Korea. It perceives the Korean economy as a system within which 'space-organizing', lage business organizations interact over time with government, smaller firms and multinational corporations at different geographical scales. The usefulness of the model is assessed using a case study of Korea's most representative chaebol, the Samsung Group. This study identifies chaebols as the dominant institutions in Korean society. Their growth and business strategies have been influenced by the Korean Government through its power to allocate capital resources. Regional dynamics of industry and labor, therfore, have been strongly influenced by changes in the location, industrial structure, and production system of chaebols. With econmic power concentrated within a few giant business groups and their major areas of operation restricted, unbalanced regional development has resulted. Dissatisfaction from residents in less-developed areas has pressured the Government to advise chaebols to disperse their production facilities. Most small and medium-sized firms are closely linked to large corporations through subcontracting. By forming hierarchical subcontracting. By forming hierarchical subcontracting systems, chaebols have indirectly exploited scattered, part-time, home-based, female and lower-paid laborers organized by subcontractors. Further, chaebols have expanded their business arena to encompass overseas locations in a bid to overcome the problem of a small domestic market, trade regulations and increased market, trade regulations and increased labor costs. Through their international business networks Korea's local and regional economies are integrated into the world economy. Indeed, the identification of the changing relationships of chaebols with both the Korean Government and smaller firms is the key to explaining the nations's spatial dyanmics of industry and labor.

• Journal of Korean Society of Coastal and Ocean Engineers
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.45-53
• /
• 1991

The nonlinear forward diffraction of a modulated wave train by a thin wedge has been studied analytically. Since the physical variables involved in the problem have vastly different scales, the multiple scale expansion method has been used to obtain an approximate solution. To simplify the problem. the wedge is assumed to be thin and the parabolic approximation is utilized. The wave evolution can be described by a kind of the cubic Schrodinger equation. which consists of the linear time evolution. the lateral dispersion and the nonlinearity. Numerical results indicate that the nonlinearity. which it defined by the ratio of the ratio of the incident wave to the wedge angle. governs the amplitude and the stability of diffracted waves. The instability of dirffracted waves becomes more pronounced as the nonlinearity increases and the modulation ratio decreases. It is also found that the stem waves. initially developed along the wedge. can not sustain for a long time.

• Journal of the Korean Society for information Management
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.7-29
• /
• 2014

The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a measuring scale for the effect of reading programs for children. First, in literature review, the effects and children's reading programs performance scales were analyzed, and then independent variables, dependent variables, and control variables for children's reading achievements were defined. Second, survey questionnaires for children, librarians, program instructors, and heads of child centers were designed to measure dependent variables and control variables on the scale. Third, the questionnaires for children were distributed to 10 public libraries participating in <2013 The Reading with Library> programs for two times in the early and the late time of the programs. Also, the survey questionnaires of 30 librarians, program instructors, and heads of the child centers were carried. Finally, all of the data were collected and analyzed in time series, and the improvements for the scale were proposed.