• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.103-111
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• 2022

PURPOSE: This study was performed to investigate the effects of the whole-body vibration exercise combined with ankle joint mobilization on the gait and balancing ability in patients with hemiplegic stroke. METHODS: A total of 19 patients at a rehabilitation hospital who had suffered a hemiplegic stroke were randomly assigned to the experimental group (whole-body vibration exercise combined with ankle joint mobilization, n=10) or control group (whole-body vibration exercise, n=9). All participants underwent 30 min of comprehensive rehabilitation therapy (5 × /week for 6 weeks). Additionally, the experimental group performed the whole body vibration exercise and ankle joint mobilization (15 minutes each, 30 minutes total, 3 × / week for 6 weeks). In the control group, only the whole- body vibration exercise was performed in the same manner and not the ankle joint mobilization. The gait and balancing abilities were measured before and after the 6-week training. RESULTS: Significant improvements were observed in the 10-m walk test, timed up-and-go (TUG) test, center of pressure (COP) path length, and COP path velocity in the experimental group (p < .05). The experimental group showed a larger decrease in the COP path length and velocity than the control group (COP path length, -10.27 mm vs. -3.67 mm, p < .05; COP path velocity, -.33 cm/sec vs. -.13 cm/sec, p < .05, respectively). CONCLUSION: The whole-body vibration exercise combined with ankle joint mobilization could be effective in improving the gait and balancing ability of stroke patients and could also be more effective for improving the static balance ability than the general whole-body vibration exercise alone.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.17-28
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• 2021

The purpose of the research was to examine the effect of field of view on egocentric distance perception in the real and virtual environment. The replica that mimicked the real environment condition was used to create the virtual environment condition. We manipulated field of view levels equally in both viewing conditions using glasses that limit the field of view in real-world conditions and limiting the field of view in virtual-world conditions in a manner equivalent to real-world conditions via HMD. Eighteen participants observed the target with a limited field of view in a real and virtual environment without head movement. Then, we measured perceived distance using the timed imagined walking method, which measures the time taken by each participant to mentally walk to the target. The target was shown three times at three different distances from the participants: 3, 4, and 5 m. For the analysis, we converted time estimates into distance estimates. Consequently, the estimated distance in the virtual environment condition was less than the estimated distance in the real environment condition. And as the field of view shrank, the estimated distance also decreased. The estimated distance did not vary with field of view levels in real-world conditions. In the virtual environment, the estimated distance decreased as the field of view decreased, whereas in the real environment, the estimated distance increased. The implications of the results and some future research directions are discussed below.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.99-114
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• 2023

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to determine factors that affect the quality of life (QoL) of people with diabetes. We hope to provide a basis for intervention strategies for health promotion and related research among patients with diabetes in the field of physical therapy. Methods : We selected individuals diagnosed with diabetes who were aged 19 years or higher by using data from the 2019 Korean Health Panel survey and analyzed the results of 1,527 people. The influencing factors were sex, age, household income, marital status, age, education level, subjective health status, body mass index (BMI), smoking, drinking, regular exercise, experience of depression and anxiety, suicidal thoughts, stress, and frequency of walking (days/week). Frequency analysis, descriptive statistics, independent sample t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and multiple regression analysis were performed. Results : The EQ-5D score for QoL was .87 ± .12, with pain and discomfort being the most detrimental to the QoL of people with diabetes. In terms of patients characteristics, the QoL was lower among participants who were female, older, and separated/widowed/divorced; had an education level below middle school; had a poor subjective health status; were non-smokers and drinkers; and did not walk and exercise regularly, experienced a lot of stress, and experienced depression and anxiety; and had suicidal thoughts (p<.001). Being separated/bereaved/divorced; experiencing a lot of stress, depression, and anxiety; and having suicidal thoughts were negatively associated with QoL in people with diabetes (p<.01). On the other hand, age of 65 years or younger; graduation from high school, fair or better subjective health, regular exercise and alcohol consumption, and walking (days/week) were positively associated with QoL (p<.05). Conclusion : Regarding the QoL of patients with diabetes, intervention strategies should be formulated by considering general characteristics and disease-related characteristics. Among the various factors affecting QoL, the number of walking and regular exercise were found to be the factors that improved the QoL of patients with diabetes. These results can be used as a basis for the education and management of patients with diabetes in the field of physical therapy.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.23-35
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• 2023

Purpose : Lung cancer induces a decrease in physical activity and a deterioration of respiratory ability. Exercise is an effective treatment to reduce side effects of anti-cancer treatments, also influence the survival and successful rehabilitation in lung cancer patients. However, there is insufficient evidence to show which period is the most effective to apply exercise for lung cancer patients. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of exercise-based interventions before and after surgery. Methods : Clinical trials (CTs) and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reported in PubMed database were investigated. The trials investigated in this study were published for 10 years before August 20, 2022. The risk of bias was judged according to the Cochrane guideline. The materials included in this meta-analysis were 6-minute walk test (6MWT), pulmonary function, and quality of life (QOL). Results : 1 CT and 9 RCTs were selected in current study. In the meta-analysis, exercise increased 6MWT in preoperation (mean difference [MD] 29.49; 95 % confidence interval [CI] .99 to 57.99; p=.04; I²=0 %), 3 months postoperation (MD 54.97; 95 % CI 31.85 to 78.09; p<.001; I²=45 %) and 6 months postoperation (MD 85.59; 95 % CI 45.06 to 126.12; p<.001; I²=47 %). Exercise, also enhanced the lung function such as FEV₁/FVC (%) in postoperation (MD 7.64; 95 % CI 6.26 to 9.02; p<.001; I²=19 %). Additionally, exercise improved QOL, such as preoperative EORTC-QLQ-C30-LC13 in mental function (MD 3.21; 95 % CI .64 to 5.79; p=.01; I²=0 %) and postoperative SF-36 in mental component summary (MD 9.24; 95 % CI 4.94 to 13.54; p<.001; I²=0%). Conclusion : These results indicate that exercise-based intervention can elevate the ability to exercise and the mental componentof QOL within 3 months.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.93-102
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• 2023

Objectives: With the evolution of direct reading sensors, it is possible to monitor several substances through telecommunication. However, there are some limitations on the use of direct reading technologies in the Occupational Safety and Health Act in South Korea, which only applies to detector tubes, noise, heat, and carbon monoxides. The number of chemicals and their amount of use have been continuously increasing in South Korea. The Ministry of Employment and Labor (MoEL) has concerns about worker's health because exposure is only covered for about 1.2% of all distributed chemicals. Using a direct reading monitor with photoionization detectors (PID-DRMs), gases and vapors chemicals can be measured. Based on the data, business owners are able to create corrective strategies, provide better working routines, and select correct respiratory equipment. PID-DRMs are less expensive and easier to handle for an owner voluntarily controlling chemicals emitted in the workplace. However, there are several limitations on using these PID-DRMs to the degree that the MoEL has not been able to select a legal monitor. The aim of this study was to review previous studies related to PID-DRMs and identify the characterization and limitation on PID-DRMs. Methods: To search for related studies on PID-DRMs, key words were used including direct reading monitors/instruments and/or photoionization detectors. Through that, four domestic and 15 international studies were reviewed. Results: Studies on PID-DRMs were conducted by chamber (enclosed, dynamic, walk-in) and in the field (experimental environment, actual environment). The concentration of PID-DRMs and charcoal tubes were compared for a single substance or mixture, or within the PID-DRMs. There was a high correlation between the two concentrations, but it did not meet the accuracy criteria (95% confidence interval, within 25%) of the NIOSH technical report (2012). In addition, differences in measured values occurred according to environmental factors (temperature, humidity) and high concentration, and concentration values tended to be underestimated due to contamination of the sensor. As a way to improve the accuracy of PID concentration, it was proposed to use correction factors, charcoal tube-based correction factors, or to calibrate the PID-DRMs in the same environment as the workplace. Conclusions: PID-DRMs can likely be used by business owners for the purpose of voluntarily managing the workplace environment, and it is expected that it will be possible to use them as legal equipment if a PID sensor can be upgraded and the limitations of the sensor (temperature, humidity, high concentration evaluation, sensor pollution) can be overcome in the near future.

• 한국체육학회지인문사회과학편
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.643-655
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigate biomechanical differences between young and old adults during downhill walking on a treadmill in order to understand the mechanisms of elderly falls. Eighteen healthy young females(YG: yrs: 21.17±1.5) and eighteen healthy old females(OG: yrs: 66.67±1.33) participated in this study. They were asked to walk at their preferred speed on a treadmill at level, 7.5° and 15° decline. OG walked more wobbly in the medial and lateral directions than YG(p<.05). As slope got steeper, OG had smaller ROM(range of motion) of ankle and knee joints compared with YG. However, there was no difference in ROM of the hip between OG and YG, but maximum extension angle of OG was smaller compared with YG(p<.05). Smaller extensor moment was generated on OG during downhill walking(p<.05). It was hypothesized that more risk factors would be found on older people compared to young people during downhill. However, older people actually walks with a safer strategy compared to young people during downhill. Finally, current findings about biomechanical characteristics of elderly walking would provide useful fundamental information for a follow-up study regarding the prevention of elderly fall during their daily life.

• 한국노년학
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.1397-1411
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• 2009

This study was aimed to examine the effects of intermittent walking on health related fitness and metabolic syndrome risk factors in elderly women. Forty five elderly women were randomly assigned to three groups: three 10-min walks per day, one 30-min walk per day or no exercise, respectively. Both walking groups exercised three days a week at moderate intensity for 12 weeks. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to test the hypothesis with a significant level of α = .05. The results indicated that body composition(body weight, body mass index, percent body fat), muscle endurance, flexibility and cardiorespiratory fitness significantly increased after 12 weeks for both walking groups. However, it was found that muscle strength significantly increased only in a continuous walking group. Metabolic syndrome risk factors comprised of waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, and fasting glucose were significantly improved in both walking groups. In addition, there was a difference in these metabolic syndrome risk factors between pre and post exercise. The results of this study support the hypothesis that intermittent walking has a significant impact on health related physical fitness and metabolic syndrome rick factors in elderly women as continuous walking does.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.53-65
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• 2023

Objective : This study aimed to identify the experiences and practices of occupational therapists in mental health and provide interventions for improving body function in individuals with mental illness. Methods : Data were collected from mental health therapists between November 7 and November 14, 2022. A survey was distributed via email and 46 responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlations. Results : The majority were female (58.7%), aged 20-30 years (84.8%), working in mental health centers (41.3%), and undergoing mental health occupational therapy training (91.3%). They had 1-3 years of mental health experience (65.2%) and were commonly involved in programs (71.1%), case management (62.2%), and administration (57.8%). Interventions for physical functioning were common (73.9%), including group interventions (41.2%), such as stretching, aerobic exercise, and walk training, and individual interventions (38.1%), such as walking, stretching, and aerobic exercise. Conclusion : Occupational therapists play a crucial role in enabling individuals with mental illness to engage in daily life activities. However, relevant studies in this field are lacking. This study emphasizes the importance of mental health occupational therapy and the need for evidence-based services for physical function improvement interventions to provide more effective treatments for mental illnesses.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.243-249
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• 2023

This case study showed improvement both in pain and gait disturbance caused by SCH. KM can be a positive treatment for reducing pain or improving gait disturbance caused by SCH, and it can be considered a treatment option for SCH. Future studies with a larger number of cases and longer period of follow-up in SCH with gait disturbance and rigidity are needed.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.26 no.7
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• pp.306-316
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• 2007

Based on a concept of soundscape, this study aims to investigate Koreans' preference for auditory elements, features, and impressions depending upon the season, and examine how these auditory factors of soundstape and seasons interact with each other and attempt to discover their influence on people's auditory preferences. According to an environmental psychological approach called the caption evaluation method, 45 college students examined the soundscape of Namwon City while racing the streets in four seasons. In order to analyze the interactions between seasons and such auditory factors as elements, features, and impressions, it was conducted the GLM univariate analysis and the NPAR tests for independent samples. The results of the analyses show that there are interactive effects between seasons and auditory factors like elements, features, and impressions and that the auditory factors have an effect on auditory preference. Moreover, as for seasonal preference for auditory elements, it was found that people prefer natural sound in spring, summer, and fall while they prefer social sound in winter. Concerning seasonal preference for auditory features, people place a focus on the behaviors in spring, summer, and winter while they stress the surroundings in autumn, as for seasonal preference for auditory impressions, they make much of sound characteristics in spring and winter but they value the atmosphere of streets in summer and fall. The results of this study can he utilized as useful data in determining which auditory factors among elements, features, and impressions to take into consideration in a soundscape design.