• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.35-46
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the horticultural therapy program on patients with mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia depending on the frequency and duration of the interventions. We developed the same 15-session program to improve cognitive functions and life satisfaction and alleviate depression of the elderly women with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia. Subjects in Longer Treatment group participated in the program once a week for 15 weeks and subjects in Shorter Tratmet group participated twice a week for 7½ weeks. This study conducted pretest-posttest verification of both groups using quasi-experimental design involving 21 subjects. Elderly life satisfaction, Geriatric Depression Scale (short form), and the Korean Version of Consortium to Establish a Registry of Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD-K) were used in the evaluation. As a result, both groups showed an increase in life satisfaction, and a decrease in depression. However, there was a significant difference in the changes of the CERAD-K scores between the two groups (p < .05). In Longer Treatment group, life satisfaction increased significantly (p < .001), and depression decreased at a marginally significant level (p = .068), but no statistically significant change was observed in neurocognitive function. In Shorter Treatment group, life satisfaction increased at a marginally significant level (p = .059), and depression and CERAD-K scores decreased significantly (p < .05). However, in the case of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE-K), there was no significant change in both groups. According to these results, when planning a horticultural therapy program for persons with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia, it is effective to organize and execute the program by determining the duration of intervention as 3 to 4 months or longer, even if this reduces the number of interventions per week.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.147-156
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• 2022

Objective: Electrical stimulation is an assistive technology used to aid the recovery of upper limb use after stroke. The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the effects of electrical stimulation on upper extremity function in individuals with hemiparetic stroke and to develop an evidence base that supports the use of electrical stimulation for upper limb recovery after stroke. Design: A systematic review based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods: Studies published before April 20 2021 were collected for this review by searching PubMed, four other databases, and RCTs that reported the effects of electrical stimulation on upper extremity function in individuals with the characteristic stroke type. Information on the following parameters was extracted from each study: surname of first author, published year, country, participants, intervention, intervention's intensity, comparison, outcomes, additional therapy, and summary of results. This review also evaluated the bias within each study, including any selection bias, performance bias, detection bias, attrition bias, and reporting bias. Results: This review included five RCTs, and 208 stroke patients were included in the analysis. Stroke patients who underwent electrical stimulation showed significantly improved grip and pinch strengths, wrist range of motion, and basic daily living compared to those in the control group; however, there was no improvement in upper extremity function. Of the selected papers, 60% showed a "high risk" of performance bias, and 20% showed a "high risk" of detection bias. Conclusions: The results of this systematic review suggest that electrical stimulation provides some benefits to stroke patients, such as improved hand strength and range of motion. However, future studies are needed to provide clinical evidence of the effects of electrical stimulation on upper extremity function in stroke patients.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.105-114
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• 2023

Objective: The study examined the validity and reliability of tele-assessment of cervical range of motion (ROM) through video conferencing. Design: A cross-sectional study Methods: The study included 22 healthy adults as subjects and 10 physical therapists as evaluators. The subjects underwent both face-to-face and tele-assessment of cervical ROM. The CROM (Cervical Range of Motion) device was used for reference measurements in the face-to-face assessment. The evaluators assessed the subjects' ROM through visual inspection (VI) and using a Universal Goniometer (UG) in the tele-assessment. Results: The results showed a significant correlation between the face-to-face and tele-assessment measurements for all ROM contents. The correlation coefficients ranged from r=0.54 to 0.71 (p<0.05), indicating concurrent validity. In terms of inter-rater reliability, the ICC values for both VI and UG assessments in the tele-assessment were high, with ICCs of 0.93 and 0.92, respectively. Additionally, the study investigated the usability of the tele-assessment method and environment. The satisfaction of the participants and evaluators was assessed using the Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (TUQ), which evaluates perceptions, usability, and satisfaction with telehealth services. Conclusions: In conclusion, tele-assessment of cervical range of motion using video conferencing was valid and reliable. Also, investigated participant and evaluator satisfaction and opinions, providing insights into the clinical value of tele-assessment. It is important to note that the study was conducted only healthy adults, and further research may be needed to validate the tele-assessment method in populations with cervical dysfunction or neck pain. These findings support the potential effectiveness of telerehabilitation services in assessing and managing musculoskeletal disorders.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.487-494
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• 2023

Objectives: Community organization is a resident-led movement aimed at creating fundamental social changes in the community by resolving its problems through the organized power of its residents. This study evaluated the effectiveness of health community organization (HCO), Gangwon's Health-Plus community program, implemented from 2013 to 2019 on residents' health behaviors. Methods: This study had a before-and-after design using 2011-2019 Korea Community Health Survey data. To compare the 3-year periods before and after HCO implementation, the study targeted areas where the HCO had been implemented for 4 years or longer. Therefore, a total of 4512 individuals from 11 areas with HCO start years from 2013 to 2016 were included. Complex sample multi-logistic regression analysis adjusting for demographic characteristics (sex, age, residential area, income level, education level, and HCO start year) was conducted. Results: HCO implementation was associated with decreased current smoking (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.57 to 0.95) and subjective stress recognition (aOR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.64 to 0.97). Additionally, the HCO was associated with increased walking exercise practice (aOR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.13 to 1.71), and attempts to control weight (aOR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.12 to 1.64). No significant negative changes were observed in other health behavior variables. Conclusions: The HCO seems to have contributed to improving community health indicators. In the future, a follow-up study that analyzes only the effectiveness of the HCO through structured quasi-experimental studies will be needed.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.65 no.6
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• pp.1111-1123
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• 2023

This study aims to present a more systematic and developmental research direction by classifying animal-mediation related research trends published in Korea. We analyzed the research trends of 68 domestic animal-mediation programs published in 26 journals over the past 24 years under the premise of the necessity of animal-assisted therapy, which considered a very effective intervention method in the practice areas of various subjects. Therefore, this study examines the year of publication of animal-mediation related research conducted in various academic fields from 1998 to 2022, research data sources, characteristics of research subjects, types of interventions and research topics, research design and intervention sessions, intervention methods, and ethical consideration statements. The results of this study are as follows: First, in the source of research and research trends by year, the number of papers published in animal-related societies was the highest at 34 (50%); the number of studies has been steadily increasing since the mid-2000s. Second, regarding research trends by subject, 45 (66%) were general subjects, 23 (34%) were medically diagnosed, 60 (88%) were selected through pre-evaluation, and 8 (12%) were requested. Third, regarding research trends by method, 27 (40%) of the pretests were conducted before and after the experiment-control group, and only 3 (4%) of the 68 papers were examined later. Fourth, regarding research trends by content, depression (25%) was the most frequently applied variable, and regarding intervention sessions, 53 (78%) were less than 12 sessions. Fifth, regarding research trends and ethical consideration statements by treatment approach method, 58 cases (85%) of individual treatment approaches and 10 cases (15%) of intervention approaches integrated with individual treatment approaches, and 23 cases (34%) of studies with ethical consideration statements or the Institutional Review Board's (IRB) approval. Based on the study results, the implications and research directions of animal-assisted therapy related research are discussed.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2024

When situated in green landscapes, water bodies play a crucial role in positively influencing mood and mental health, yet research on the cognitive mechanisms underlying these therapeutic effects is lacking. This study is intended to examine differences in brain function among adult males exposed to forest landscapes with or without water bodies. The wooded landscapes included views of a waterfall, a valley, and a forest without water. The control group was exposed to a local urban landscape. Twelve adult males participated in a field experiment in which prefrontal cortex (PFC) activity was measured using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). In the experiment, participants engaged in low-intensity walking in three forested areas with similar vegetation and climatic conditions. Participants showed significant differences in left PFC activity depending on whether they were in the three forested landscapes or in the control landscape (P < 0.01). An analysis of variance (ANOVA) confirmed that significantly lower left PFC activity was recorded in the wooded landscape containing a water view . Notably, the lowest PFC values recorded in the landscape with a waterfall view suggest that landscapes with dynamic water flow may be associated with greater therapeutic benefits in terms of PFC activity than static landscapes. Our results underscore that water is a critical aspect of a landscape due to its therapeutic benefits and should be incorporated in the planning and design of green spaces for health promotion.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.223-230
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• 2024

Objective: In this study, we compared the key indices of isokinetic tests for knee joint extension and flexion according to the presence or absence of pain in elite athletes with past knee and thigh injuries. Design: Crossed-sectional study Methods: This study was conducted on 33 elite athletes. The elite athletes who participated in this study were divided into a group with pain and a group without pain due to past knee and thigh injuries. The subjects in each group performed an isokinetic muscle strength test for knee joint extension and flexion. After the isokinetic muscle strength test, the main indices of the isokinetic test were compared between the pain group and the non-pain group. Results: In the comparison of the pain group and the non-pain group for 60°/s knee flexion and extension in elite athletes, there was a significant difference only in the torque max average/kg for knee extension. However, there was no statistically significant difference in all other variables. The comparison of the pain group and the non-pain group for 240°/s also showed a significant difference in the torque max average/kg for knee extension, and there was no statistically significant difference in all other variables. Conclusions: In subjects who have experienced previous knee or thigh injuries and have mild pain during strong isokinetic strength tests, torque average/kg is affected, but other strength variables are not affected. Therefore, it would be good to consider this aspect and use it as a basis for testing and training elite athletes.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.64 no.6
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• pp.87-99
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• 2022

The meat consumption per person has continuously increased in recent years. However, the labor force in the domestic livestock industry has decreased due to the declining and ageing population. In order to increase productivity, the government have developed and distributed design standard of livestock houses. Presently, report showed that the adaptation rate of the developed livestock house design standard on the real farm was still low. Thus, this paper aimed to find ways to improve the utilization of the design standard through surveys. The survey was conducted on 650 farms across the country. Analysis of the result showed that in the poultry house, the unawareness of farmers to the design standard was found to be the biggest reason for not using the design standards. On the other hand, in the swine house, the previously built swine houses do not fit with the design standard. From these result, the following recommendations were suggested: 1) promotion and education are needed to enhance usage of design standard; 2) since it is impossible to make a design standard considering all the farm sites, it is important to consider the conditions of various farm site prior to enhancement of the design standard; 3) improvement factors such as reinforcing the ventilation design, reflecting animal welfare, preventing livestock diseases, and enhancing ICT devices can also be promoted.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2017

It was hard for a conventional care-bed to be realized to a low-floor position due to a complex actuation mechanism installed under the mattress support platform. In this paper a mechanism design to set a low-floor position as well as to adjust back- and leg-rest angles was proposed. A dual motor was applied to the back- and leg-rest mechanism of which design parameters were determined by an optimal method. An elevation mechanism was also designed to enlarge a limited stroke range up to two times of its original stroke using a pulley mechanism. An evaluation test was performed by five healthy subjects ($24.4{\pm}0.5yrs.$) when going up from a floor position to a preset best position which was set to the 240mm height for a prototype low-floor bed and to the 600mm height for a conventional bed. As a result, the moving distance was 38% lower than the conventional bed when the subject used the low-floor bed. It showed that the low-floor care-bed reduced physical burdens and was effective to assist activities of daily living of the elderly people.

• Journal of the Korean housing association
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.93-100
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• 2014

Community child center is the facility of the highest number of children in child welfare facilities. But plan for the physical environment is not considered importantly because of insufficient finance. However impact of the physical environment in growing children is very closely related in terms of the emotional as well as a functional perspective. Therefore, it is necessary to understand current physical environment and to seek to find alternative methods that can be resolved space matters. As a basic study for this, in the present study we compare and integrate the design principles of child care facility guidelines. And we set up a framework of analysis to derive the design principles that are required in the target area. It is possible to analyze the environmental characteristics of community child center located in Gwang-ju from this framework, to obtain the flowing results. First, draw items are formation of inner direction, provide of environmental supportability, flexibility of use, healthy space. It can be understood that the emotional aspects and physical aspects should be considered comprehensively. Second, as a result of the case analysis, planning elements consideration of the functional aspects appeared high fulfillment rate generally. Planning elements of low fill rate ascertain result from the process take advantage of the narrow space and it was possible to ascertain the study for flexible utilization of space is not. As a result, in order to improve the problems of the target space, increasing the functionality is necessary and also requires consideration of sensitivity of the user's face.