• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.94-103
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• 1996

Background : Blood pressure is an important indicator in diagnosis and assessing treatment of a patient. Clinical staffs use blood pressure on the assumption that measured value is accurate and reliable. However, whether measured blood pressure is accurate has been rarely investigated in Korea. Objectives : The aims of this study are to evaluate clinical staffs' knowledge and technique as well as accuracy of sphygmomanometer. Also the program to improve the measurement is developed. Methods : Seventy-three registered nurses were asked nine multiple choice questions including Korotkoff sound, cuff size, and deflation rate. Simultaneously characteristics of nurses were examined, age, working place, duration of employment and academic degree. A testing videotape(Standardizing Measurement Video-Tutored Course) was used for evaluating the accuracy of measurement. Testees were to read and record the 12 cases of blood pressure measurement, watching a falling mercury column and hearing Korotkoff sounds. After 10 minutes' education, they were again tested with the same cases. Additionally, 83 mercury sphygmomanometers were checked to find defects such as inaccurate calibration and zero setting, leaky bladder, etc. Results: For the knowledge testing correct response rate was 41.1%. They were the lowest in selecting the proper cuff size and Korotkoff sound. In examining accuracy of blood pressure with videotape, nurses had 67.7% correct response rate. The correct response rate was significantly improved by a session of education. About 23% of sphygmomanometers was without discernable defects. Conclusion : The knowledge and skill of clinical staffs along with the accuracy of equipment have to be improved. A properly designed education program would contribute to the accuracy improvement of blood pressure measurement. Also, more concerns should be given to the precision and maintenance of equipment.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.72-80
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• 2007

Purpose: This study was to analyze the trend of research on intervention for patients with metabolic syndrome. Method: Using Pubmed, Medline, and CINAHL search engines, a randomized controlled trial(RCT) researching titles such as 'metabolic syndrome', 'intervention', 'lifestyle modification', or 'community-based' were collected. A total of 16 researches were analyzed based on the guidelines of the National Cholesterol Education Program - Adult Treatment Panel(NCEP-ATP III). Results: 1) The total period of the intervention was from 12 to 24 weeks, the frequency was 3 to 5 times per week, and the duration of each session was from 45 to 60 minutes. The types of intervention included exercise, diet, and medication. Among these types, diet was performed most frequently. 2) The outcomes of the intervention was measured with physical aspects such as anthropometric measures, body composition, or biological markers. No studies have evaluated psychosocial outcomes such as quality of life. 3) In terms of effectiveness of the intervention, anthropometric indicators, body composition, or serological markers showed positive effects, whereas results on endothelial or urine indicators were inconsistent. Conclusion: Methodological research developing comprehensive therapeutic lifestyle modification programs and intervention studies are needed for patients with metabolic syndrome. In addition, effects should be evaluated with multidimensional perspectives.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.103-110
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• 2015

The biggest challenge of managing mobile interpretative device is that visitors do not have the mobile experience. Thus, in the research of the mobile application of the Leeum (Samsung Museum of Art), a short orientation session as a treatment was provided to survey participants to make them use of a mobile experience. The orientation solved the problem of hesitancy of using smartphone in other researches, it was simultaneously the uniqueness of the methodology. Based on the research data, their satisfaction with visiting experience and with using the application appeared to be relatively high. A half of participants used the application for 10 minutes which is accounted for 20-30% of the total viewing time. Participants (80.3%) engaged in each exhibit with the application in less than 30 sec.-1 minute. Comparing with the average time of engagement (10-30 sec.) for each exhibit without using mobile applications, it is possible to conclude that the mobile application notably contributed to make participants engage with exhibits longer.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.168-175
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• 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate and report the current status of physical therapy (PT) performed in Korean neonatal intensive care units (NICU) to present foundational data that promotes the advances in neonatal PT in Korea. Methods: Based on the Health Insurance Review and Assessment (HIRA) data, we administered a questionnaire survey to 74 hospitals (39 tertiary and 35 general hospitals) in Korea equipped with a NICU and pediatric PT unit. We developed a 32-item questionnaire with reference to previous Korean studies. The questionnaires were distributed and retrieved via regular mail and an online system. Results: Of the 74 hospitals, 58 (78%) practiced neonatal PT and the duration of each session significantly differed according to the hospital rating. PT was given, depending on clinical symptoms, to infants who were preterm and low birth-weight (96.5%), had brain and spinal cord diseases (84.5%), had pathological tonus (94.8%), with respiratory problems (65.5%), for range of motion exercises (82.8%), for neurodevelopment approaches (72.4%), and for positioning (70.7%). Interdisciplinary meetings were held to share clinical decisionmaking in 17.2% of the hospitals surveyed and parent-participating education to ensure a family-centered approach was offered in 63.8% of the hospitals. The barriers of neonatal PT included low insurance fees, insufficient awareness of colleagues, and the severity of the patient. Conclusion: This study is the first report of the current status of neonatal PT in Korea. The findings of this study will serve as foundational data to review the current neonatal PT practice and promote further advances.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.1-15
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• 2023

Purpose : This study investigates the effectiveness of digital therapy for stroke patients in Korea. Methods : A comprehensive database search was performed using KCI, Science on, e-article, RISS, KISS and Korea OpenMed databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that studied the effects of digital therapy on patients who had a stroke. This study includes RCTs published from January 2000 to July 15, 2022, which fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total 697 studies were screened and 30 studies were included in the final analysis. Methodological quality was assessed with the Cochrane's RoB (risk of bias) tool. Meta-analysis was performed using CMA 4.0 software. Results : A total of 56 effect sizes were calculated from the 30 selected studies. As a result of the analysis, the overall effect size of digital therapy was .59 (95 % CI=.43-.74). When classified according to type of intervention, VR (virtual reality) (g=.58, 95 % CI=.40-.75), and CACR (computer assisted cognitive rehabilitation) (g=.62, 95 % CI=.30-.95) were statistically significant. VR showed medium to large effect sizes in cognitive function (g=.78, 95 % CI=.20-1.37), psychosocial function (g=.63, 95 % CI=.20-1.07), and physical function (g=.61, 95 % CI=.38-.83). In the CACR, there was a large effect size in cognitive function (g=.84, 95 % CI=.52-1.15), but there was no significant difference in psychosocial function. Also, there was no significant difference between the two interventions in activities of daily living and no significant difference in the effect size of both interventions according to the intervention session. Furthermore, medium to large effect sizes were found for subacute and chronic stroke patients according to the duration of disease. Conclusion : This study presents evidence that digital therapy has a positive effect on various functions of stroke patients in Korea. The researchers expect to actively accept the new paradigm of digital therapy and continue to apply digital therapy in clinical practice.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.1101-1112
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• 2005

Purpose: This study was done to suggest directions for developing exercise interventions for fall prevention in the elderly in Korea in the future, Method: Twenty five articles for fall prevention exercises were reviewed and analyzed. Result: $84.0\%$ of subjects were older adults age 65 and older living in the community. The most frequently performed interventions were lower limb strength and balance exercises together $43.3\%$, group exercise $70.0\%$, exercise 3 times/week $60.0\%$, 60 min per session $36.7\%$, duration of 12 weeks and 1 year $23.3\%$ each. The most frequently used outcome variables were static balance $84.0\%$, lower limb muscle strength $72.0\%$, dynamic balance $56.0\%$, and falls $56.0\%$. The effect of exercise interventions on fall prevention was inconclusive. Lower limb strength exercises with resistance were effective for increasing muscle strength. Balance exercises with various movements for balance were effective for increasing balance. Conclusion: Exercise interventions for fall prevention is recommended for older adults with risk factors of falling. The desirable type of exercise intervention is lower limb strength and balance exercise together.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.13-29
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate the effects of non-pharmacological interventions on sleep disturbance amongst adults aged 55 and above. Methods: PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CINAHL and several Korean databases were searched. The main search strategy combined terms including non-pharmacological interventions and presence of insomnia. Non-pharmacological interventions included cognitive behavioral therapy, auricular acupuncture, aromatherapy, and emotional freedom techniques. Methodological quality was assessed using Cochrane's Risk of Bias for randomized studies and Risk of Bias Assessment tool for non randomized studies. Data were analyzed by the RevMan 5.3 program of Cochrane Library. Results: Sixteen clinical trials met the inclusion criteria with a total of 962 participants. Non-pharmacological interventions was conducted for a mean of 5.5 weeks, 7.7 sessions, and an average of 70 minutes per session. The effects of non-pharmacological interventions on sleep quality (ES=-1.18), sleep efficiency (ES=-1.14), sleep onset latency (ES=-0.88), awakening time after sleep onset (ES=-0.87), and sleep belief (ES=-0.71) were significant, and their effect sizes were ranged from moderate to large. However, the effects on total sleep time and insomnia severity were not significant. Conclusion: The findings of the current study suggest that non-pharmacological interventions have a positive impact on attitudes and beliefs about sleep, sleep quality, sleep duration, and sleep efficiency. Therefore, the findings of the study provide an evidence to incorporate various non-pharmacological interventions into nursing practice to improve both sleep quality and quantity in patients with insomnia.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1105-1113
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• 2017

The Purpose of this study was to determine the effects of sciatic nerve mobilization on pain and lower back muscle strength in female patients in their 40s who have been diagnosed with lumbar radiculopathy. Using a simple blinded method, 20 female patients with neuropathy in the nerve segments between L4-S1 were randomly divided into one group (n=10) that would undergo sciatic nerve mobilization, and another group (n=10) that would perform lower back segment stabilization exercises. The two groups attended 3 sessions per week, with each session taking 30 minutes, for a duration of 4 weeks. In the preliminary examinations, the pain index as well as the isometric muscle strength of the lower back extensor and flexor muscles were measured. After the passing of 4 weeks. The same method of measurement was used for the concluding examinations. Comparison of the pain indices in the two groups revealed that they both experienced a statistically significant decrease, and further inspection revealed that the there was a more substantial difference in the sciatic nerve mobilization group. Results of comparing changes in the Isometric Muscle Strength lower back muscle and bending muscle by group, In comparison between groups, the isometric strength of the lower back extensor showed a more significant difference in the sciatic nerve mobilization group (p <.05). Conclulsion, it can be inferred that application of sciatic nerve mobilization has a positive effect on the pain index and isometric muscle strength of the lower back in female patients with lumbar radiculopathy in their 40s.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.141-150
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• 2022

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of non-elastic and elastic tapes on pain, craniovertebral angle, and balance in forward head posture (FHP) patients. METHODS: A total of 44 adults with FHP were randomly assigned to a group that performed a stretching exercise after non-elastic taping (n = 22) and another group that performed the stretching exercise after elastic taping (n = 22), respectively. The stretching exercise was performed five times a week for 30 minutes per session. The visual analogue scale was used to compare neck pain, the craniovertebral angle was measured to compare alignment, and the limit of stability was measured to compare balance. RESULTS: The groups that performed the stretching exercise after both elastic and non-elastic taping showed significant positive changes in pain and the craniovertebral angle of the head in pre- post measurements (p < .05). In the follow-up test for the pain and craniovertebral angle, there was no significant difference from the post-test in the non-elastic group (p > .05), but a significant difference was seen in the elastic group (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Stretching exercises with taping for patients with a FHP are more effective in improving pain and alignment. However, the short-duration tape application did not affect the balancing ability. When the non-elastic tape was used, the effect lasted longer than that of the elastic tape, and pain relief was effective in the case of the elastic tape. Therefore, tape therapy would be more effective if customized according to the patient's condition.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.81-90
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• 2015

This study aimed to determine the effects of Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation (RAS) using music and a metronome on the gait of stroke patients. 13 female and 15 male volunteers were randomly allocated to two groups: namely a group to receive RAS using music and a metronome group (the experimental group; $n_1=14$) and a group to receive RAS using a metronome only (the control group; $n_2=14$). The affected side was the left side in 15 subjects and the right side in 13 subjects. The mean age of the subjects was 56.6 years, and the mean onset duration of stroke was 8.6 months. Intervention was applied for 30 minutes per session, once a day, 5 times a week for 4 weeks. To measure the patients' gait improvement, we measured gait velocity, cadence, stride length, double limb support using GAITRite, body center sway angle using an accelerometer, and Timed Up-and-Go test. Functional Gait Assessment were conducted before and after the experiment. The paired t-test was used for comparisons before and after the interventions in each group. Analysis of covariance was used for comparisons between the groups after the interventions. Statistical significance was set at ${\alpha}=.05$. Within each of the two groups, significant differences in all of the dependent variables before and after the experiment (p<.05) were observed. However, in the comparison between the two groups, the experimental group showed more significant improvements in all dependent variables than the control group (p<.05). Our results also suggest that in applying RAS in stroke patients, the combination of music and a metronome is more effective than using a metronome alone in improving patients' gait.