• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.338-346
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between oral health impact profile, depression and quality of life among community-dwelling elderly persons in South Korea. Methods: The design of this research was cross-sectional descriptive study. The participants were 266 community-dwelling individuals aged 65 and older. Data were collected from November 20 to December 20, 2011. The measurements for assessing the subjects' oral health, depression, quality of life were OHIP-14, GDS-SF and QOL. Data were collected using self-administered or interviewer-administered questionnaires. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficient and stepwise multiple regression. Results: The participants' mean age was 77.68, and 86.5% were female, 42.9% were living-alone elders. Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis found that oral health impact profile was significantly associated with depression (r=-.622, p<.001), QOL (r=-.400, p<.001), number of disease (r=.298, p<.001), age (r=.198, p=.002), education (r=-.149, p=.015), eating habit (r=.185, p=.003). The QOL was explained 54.7% by depression (${\beta}$=-.619), oral health impact profile (${\beta}$=-.127), number of benefited welfare service (${\beta}$=.235), perceived health (${\beta}$=-.327), eating habit (${\beta}$=-.094) using stepwise multiple regression analysis. Conclusion: These results indicate that the intervention program of oral health promotion for community-dwelling elders is needed from now on.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.7-15
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• 2016

Purpose: There are the number of color tactile walking surface indicators installed in Korea, because of indefinite regulation in blind and vision-impaired persons' tactile walking surface indicators. In case of yellow tactile walking surface indicators, it shows a deviation severe color. In this study, the researchers suggested color and brightness reference for helping blind and vision-impaired persons' walking through analyzing the color references of tactile walking surface indicators and the color luminance between tactile walking surface indicators and sidewalk currently used. Method: Reasonable luminance contrast criteria is suggested by examining ways of improving the recognition and recognition of objects according to color contrast visually impaired through literature review and analyzing standards of tactile walking surface indicators and the Europe, Japan and Australia of color and luminance contrast criteria. And by examining the color of the tactile walking surface indicators reported in Korea currently used to derive the problem presented by the luminance contrast in the reference and comparison. Finally, the visually impaired tactile walking surface indicators is set for color selection criteria for the recognition rate improves. Results: In order to improve the recognition rate to be tactile walking surface indicators of the contrast of the visually impaired and the environment than the color of the tactile walking surface indicators itself to secure always a certain level or more of brightness contrast values in the set of the color of the tactile walking surface indicators so important. Implication: In order to set the blind tactile walking surface indicators color recognition based on the verification of the real pedestrian based on the results presented in this paper it is required. It is to be understood as an element of the barrier free configuration for securing the walking pedestrian safety.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.29-36
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• 2016

Purpose: Considering the proportion of the population such as the elderly, pregnant women, infants companion and constantly increasing foreign tourists, there is a high need for implementing an environment without barriers. In terms of policy and institutional aspects, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province is striving to create an environment without barriers and to promote the safety and convenience of Vulnerable Pedestrians. But it is not enough to create a viable barrier-free environment. Methods: Method of this research is to analyze the general population status and installed facilities status for the disabled in Jeju. And analysis of policy research needs and level of barrier-free. By applying the barrier-free environment certification standards should conduct an assessment of the level of the current public office buildings in Jeju. It presents the environmental improvement of public office buildings for barrier-free environment. Result: Barrier-free environment status of the five public office buildings research surveyed all buildings have shown low levels of installed facilities for the disabled. In particular, it was analyzed that represents a very low level in the intermediate facilities and other facilities. The development of a specific installation manual for the facilities for the disabled is required to improve public office buildings. And barrier-free criteria need to reflect on the implementation of regulations. Implications: Through continuous research to analyze the barrier-free level and problems of public office buildings, it will be made to improve the comprehensive and reasonable alternative.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2010.05a
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• pp.437-440
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• 2010

In modern society, people will obtain the necessary goods and find meaning of himself and his community through jobs. The meaning of job for people with disabilities is identical with people's with non-disabilities and people with disabilities will live as a member of society through jobs. Because people with hearing impairment have a problem about job such as the short longevity and high turnover, vocational aptitude test which evaluates psychological characteristics, aptitudes and interests is necessary for them. In this paper, we design and evaluate the picture vocational interest inventory supporting the Internet as a vocational aptitude test for people with hearing impairment. We use the picture vocational interest inventory of Korean Employment Development Institute as a implementation target. The previous tests for people with hearing impairment have a problem which an examinee, an examiner and a sign language interpreter are involved in the test at the same space and time. Therefore, our picture vocational interest inventory has no limitation of time and space because it processes on the Internet.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.24 no.6 s.81
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• pp.501-507
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• 2003

Medical devices for helping the rehabilitation of the patients such as orthoses and prostheses should be designed to be strong enough. For the strength design, operational load should be identified first. Furthermore. medical devices are susceptible to dynamic load or shock frequently due to its characteristics. These type of the load may be identified by installing the sensors directly. However, it can modify the natural properties of the structures. Therefore, operational load should be identified indirectly from the system characteristics and responses such as vibrations. In this paper, the basic formulation of the indirect load identification is reviewed and the problems of conventional approach are checked. Then, the new approach based upon the principal component analysis is proposed and the validity of the proposed method is demonstrated using experiments.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 2014

Objective: To study the effects of gait training with additional weight and gait training with non-additional weight on balance ability and gait ability in patients with chronic stroke through comparative analysis. Design: Randomized controlled trials. Methods: The subjects were divided randomly into two groups: additional weight group (AWG, n=12), and non-additional weight group (NAWG, n=10). Both groups received general physical therapy for 30 min in 1 session, 5 sessions per week during 6 months. The AWG practiced gait training with additional weight of 0.1 and 0.5 kg for 20 min a day, 3 days per week for 6 months and the NAWG practiced gait training with non-additional weight for 20 min a day, 3 days per week for 6 months. Patients in both groups were instructed to walk as fast as they could along a 35 m long track (straight for 20 m and curved for 15 m). Patients walked with their hemiplegic side on the inside of the track while a physical therapist followed along to instruct patients to maintain a straight posture. Balance ability was tested with the Functional Reach Test, the Timed Up and Go test, and the Berg Balance Scale, and gait ability was tested with GAITRite. The results of balance and gait ability were analyzed before and after interventions. Results: A significant increase in FRT, TUG, BBS was seen in both groups after intervention (p<0.05). A significant increase in gait ability was seen in the AWG after intervention (p<0.05). For balance and gait ability, the results from the AWG was significantly improved compared with the NAWG (p<0.05). Conclusions: Gait training with additional weight improves balance ability and gait ability in stroke patients, this gait training method is effective and suitable for stroke patients to increase the ability of functional performance.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2014

Objective: This study aimed to identify how various applications of weight bearing on the affected side of hemiplegia patients affect the ability of balance keeping of the affected leg and the gait parameters. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Eighteen patients with hemiplegia participated in this study. There were twelve males and six females. This study investigated the effects of the single-leg stance exercise on dynamic balance, weight bearing, and gait ability compared with four conditions. Dynamic balance and weight bearing were measured using the step test (ST) of the affected side in stroke patients. In addition, gait parameters were measured using the optogait system for analysis of the spatial and temporal parameters of walking in stroke patients. Results: This study investigated the effect of the single leg stance exercise on the paralysis side. The ST showed significant findings for all conditions (p<0.05). Therefore, knee extension and flexion exercise on the affected side single-leg stance (condition 4) significantly improved dynamic balance and weight bearing on the affected side (p<0.05). In the condition of moving the knee joint in a single-leg stance was discovered that the stance phase time significantly increased more than in the condition of supporting the maximal voluntary weight on the affected side (p<0.05). Conclusions: Single-leg stance on the paralysis side with knee flexion and extension increased symmetry in weight bearing during stance phase time. This study suggests that single-leg stance exercises augments improved gait function through sufficient weight bearing in the stance phase of the affected side.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.43-48
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• 2014

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the influences on gait features during mobile phone use while ramp walking. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Thirty-three healthy adult subjects performed four walking conditions on an outside ramp with a 5 m length, 1.5 m width, and a $5^{\circ}$ angle. All participants were touch screen mobile phone users. Four walking conditions were used: 1) ramp ascent, 2) ramp descent, 3) texting during ramp ascent, and 4) texting during ramp descent. In conditions 3) and 4), subjects texted the words of "Aegukga"-the song of patriotism-while walking. Upon the signal of start, the subjects walked the ramp during texting. Gait parameters were measured at the length of 3 m excluding 1 m of the start and end of the total length. Each situation was repeated three times for each subject, and mean values were calculated. For gait examination, a gait analyzer was used (OptoGait). Results: Subjects ranged in age from 23 to 38 years (mean age, 27.73). Eighty-three percent of subjects in our study had experienced an accident during mobile phone use. Texting on a mobile phone while walking significantly decreased ramp gait, speed, cadence, stride length, step length, and single support (p<0.05) and significantly increased stride time, step time, gait cycle, and double support (p<0.05). There was a significant difference in cadence, step length, stride time, step time, and single support during ramp ascent and descent (p<0.05). Conclusions: Texting on a mobile phone while walking significantly decreased gait quality.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.125-133
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• 2014

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of patellar taping on balance and gait abilities in chronic stroke patients. Design: Randomized placebo-controlled trial. Methods: Thirty chronic stroke patients who have been diagnosed at least six months or before were recruited from R hospital. These study subjects were randomized to the experimental group (n=15) or placebo group (n=15). In the experimental group, patellar taping was applied while for the placebo group, placebo taping was applied. The Balance System SD was used for measuring dynamic standing balance in these two groups. In addition, the GAITRite (CIR System Inc.) system was utilized for calculating gait performance in these patients. Results: After application of taping, the patellar taping group showed a significant decrease in dynamic standing balance in their sway area (p<0.05). However, in the placebo group, there was no significant difference in dynamic standing balance ability and gait ability before and after application of taping. Comparison of the patellar taping group and placebo group showed significant differences in dynamic standing balance ability and gait performance (p<0.05). Conclusions: From the results of this study, it appears that application of patellar taping in chronic stroke patients significantly improved dynamic standing balance ability and gait ability in these patients. Based on these results, patellar taping is thought to be useful in real clinical settings where there are many chronic patients who are in need of improvement in their balance and gait ability.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.77-85
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• 2014

Objective: In the present study, the effects of progressive body weight support treadmill forward & backward walking training (FBWT), progressive body weight support treadmill forward walking training (FWT), and progressive body weight support treadmill backward walking training (BWT), and on stroke patients' ambulatory abilities were examined. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: A total of 36 chronic stroke patients were divided into three groups with 12 subjects in each group. Each of the groups performed one of the progressive body weight supported treadmill training methods for 30 minute, six times per week for three weeks, and then received general physical therapy without any other intervention until the follow-up tests. For the assessment of the step length, total double support, cadence, gait were measured using optogait and the 10-m walk test (10MWT), 6 minutes walk test (6MWT). Results: In the within group comparisons, all the three groups showed significant differences between before and after the intervention (p<0.05). In the comparison of the three groups, there were significant differences among the three groups in stride length, double limb support stance, cadence, 10MWT, and 6MWT in the third week, and only in stride length, 10MWT, and 6MWT test in the sixth week (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study verified that progressive body weight-supported treadmill gait training positively affected the gait ability of stroke patients in an actual gait environment. It also showed that FBWT group was more effective than FWT group and BWT group training.