• PNF and Movement
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.383-392
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• 2020

Purpose: Balance and gait dysfunction caused by aging affect elderly individuals' independent life, which, in turn, can reduce their overall quality of life. The purpose of this study is to compare the differences in the vestibular function of healthy elderly and young adults based on the subjective visual vertical (SVV) test as well as to compare and analyze the gait ability between these two groups to study the differences and association between vestibular, dizziness, and balance ability. Methods: The subjects were 18 young and 16 elderly adults with no neurological or musculoskeletal damage. To evaluate vestibular function, a subjective visual vertical test was performed. To evaluate the gait function, the step time, step length, stride length, stance phase ratio, and swing phase ratio were measured. Balance was evaluated using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and dizziness was evaluated using a dizziness handicap inventory (DHI). Results: There were significant differences in the SVV, BBS, and DHI between the young and elderly adults (p < 0.05). The gait variables of the older adults were all significantly different (except for the swing phase ratio) than those of the young adults (p < 0.05). As the result of correlation analysis, the SVV values of the young adults showed a significant negative correlation with step length and stride length (p < 0.05), while the SVV values of the elderly adults only showed a significant positive correlation with the DHI (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The elderly appeared to show a decrease in vestibular function when compared to the young adults, and it is thought that walking and balance function declined, while dizziness increased. Moreover, it is believed that these results can be used as basic data for vestibular rehabilitation in the future.

• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.37-50
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• 2023

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify factors influencing communication satisfaction between geriatric caregivers and older adults in urban-rural complex communities. The ultimate goal was to design local community educational programs and policies to enhance communication satisfaction among geriatric caregivers and improve the quality of care services for older adults. Methods: To identify factors influencing communication satisfaction between elderly caregivers and older adults, a survey titled "CCEP: Assessment of Communication Status between Elderly Care Service Providers and Recipients" was conducted from February to July 2020, focusing on rural-urban complex areas. The survey was administered based on providers of elderly healthcare services. The survey targeted 131 respondents involved in providing care services for older adults. The dependent variable of this study was the communication satisfaction reported by elderly caregivers in their interactions with the elderly. The independent variables included perceptions of older adults, factors associated with communication difficulties, and communication efforts. Additionally, gender, working environment, working experience, and the proportion of face-to-face interactions with older adults during caregiving were controlled for the hierarchical multiple regression analysis. Results: The analysis revealed that communication efforts with older adults significantly influenced communication satisfaction (β=.09, p<0.01). However, perceptions of the elderly and communication hindrance factors did not have a significant impact on communication satisfaction among geriatric caregivers. Conclusion: Effective communication between geriatric caregivers and older adults is crucial for identifying and meeting the needs and demands of caregiving services, and it plays a vital role in overall caregiving service satisfaction. To enhance communication skills and satisfaction among geriatric caregivers and ensure the appropriate fulfillment of elderly care needs in the local community, the development of community-centered, specialized health communication programs and other initiatives will be necessary in the future.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.64-70
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• 2023

Purpose: This study investigated the influence of attention-demanding tasks on gait and measured differences in the temporal, spatial and kinematic characteristics between young healthy adults and elderly healthy adults. Methods: We recruited 16 healthy young adults and 15 healthy elderly adults in this study. All participants performed two cognitive tasks: a subtraction dual-task (SDT) and working memory dual-task (WMDT) during gait plus one normal gait. Using the LEGSys+ system, knee and hip-joint kinematic data during stance and swing phase and spatiotemporal parameter data were assessed in this study. Results: In the elderly adult group, attention-demanding tasks with gait showed a significant decrease in hip-joint motion during the stance phase, compared to the normal gait. Step length, stride length and stride velocity of the elderly adult group were significantly decreased in WMDT gait compared to normal gait (p<0.05). In the young adult group, kinematic data did not show any significant difference. However, stride velocity and cadence during SDT and WMDT gaits were significantly decreased compared to those of normal gait (p<0.05). Conclusion: We determined that attention-demanding tasks during gait in elderly adults can induce decreased hip-joint motion during stance phase and decreased gait speed and stride length to maintain balance and prevent risk of falling. We believe that understanding the changes during gait in older ages, particularly during attention-demanding tasks, would be helpful for intervention strategies and improved risk assessment.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.235-244
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to examine the elderly generation's understanding of game information and for recognition of computer based games as a recreation activity for the mid-to late adults. This study investigated game use and personal thoughts about the influences of computer games on each generation. The study was conducted by survey with the subjects being 242 adults aged 40 to 72 living in Busan and Kyung-nam area. Findings indicated that 43.5% of adults used computers to access games. The purposes for computer use were: business, searching portal sites, and games. 44.8% of adults knew about game information education. 67.4% of adults who had someone as a game information resource reported that their children provided the game information. Most adults used arcade games and recognized the influences of game information as positive to adults and the elderly but negative to children and adolescents. Finally, the adults aged "after mid-life" who knew about game information education showed higher ego-integrity and psychological well-being. These findings have implications for the development of elderly education programs aimed at promoting quality of life for older adults.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.257-261
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare plantar foot pressure distribution in adults and elderly according to obstacle height. Methods: Nine healthy adults and nine older adults were recruited and the subjects provided written informed consent consent prior to participation. Both groups walked and crossed obstacles with heights of 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% of their height. Foot pressure was measured by peak pressure using the Pedar System (Novel Gmbh, Germany) during obstacle walking with barefeet in shoes. Three trails were calculated on eight areas and then averaged for data analysis. Results: A significant difference in great toe, little toes, and lateral metatarsal area was observed between adults and elderly groups, but other areas did not show significant differences. Foot pressure was increased in groups according to obstacle height. Conclusion: These findings showed that change in foot pressure distribution is more lateral in elderly in order to maintain postural control during obstacle crossing.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 2007

Sleep disordered breathing is highly prevalent in the elderly and affects older men and women similarly. Nocturia, cardiovascular diseases, cognitive impairment, traffic accidents and repeated falls are common manifestations of sleep apnea in the elderly and sleep study may be indicated in these patients. When a sleep study is planned, reliable markers of respiratory efforts and a tibial EMG should be included because central sleep apneas and periodic leg movements are common in the elderly patients. Although cardiovascular morbidity and mortality seem to be lower in the elderly than in middle-aged adults, these may not be as low as commonly believed. Excessive daytime sleepiness, cognitive dysfunction and nocturia can be improved by effective treatment with continuous positive airway pressure and a therapeutic trial should be recommended to all symptomatic patients. It is still unclear whether sleep apnea in older adults is a specific entity or the same disease as in younger adults. Further clinical research is warranted.

• Journal of Integrative Natural Science
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.121-127
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• 2020

To investigate the effects of wearable near-infrared ray-emitting knee pads on knee pain among elderly adults in Korea. Randomized controlled trial evaluating the effects of near-infrared rays (NIR) on knee pain in Korean elderly adults. Five community-based research facilities (two welfare centers, a senior citizen center, and two churches). Forty-seven participants aged 65 years and older who had experienced knee pain. The experimental group (n = 25) wore NIR-emitting knee pads for one month at nighttime while sleeping. The control group (n = 22) wore knee pads without NIR. Demographic characteristics, intensity and duration of knee pain, amount of analgesic medication used, range of motion, gait speed, and health-related quality of life were collected using questionnaires. The experimental group showed decreased intensity (t = -6.17, p < 0.001) and duration (t = -3.34, p = 0.002) of knee pain and reduced analgesic use (t = -2.30, p = 0.026) compared to the control group. NIR may be an effective non-pharmacological option for relieving knee pain in elderly adults.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.12-21
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this secondary data analysis study was to compare what factors influenced individual's satisfaction with emergency medical services (EMS). Methods: Data were obtained from the Korea Health Panel Survey 2013 with 20,641 participants. A total sample of emergency room (ER) users (n=1,709) aged 20 and over were selected and divided into two age groups, one for 1,046 adults and the other for 663 elderly. Participants' responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, ${\chi}^2$ test and logistic regression. Results: Among adults and elderly who were transferred to other hospitals instead of being admitted or returned to their homes reported less satisfaction (${\chi}^2=10.18$, p=.006). Further, the adults who perceived their arrival to the ER as not delayed (${\chi}^2=3.74$, p=.049) or visited the ER for treatment for illness (${\chi}^2=5.32$, p=.021) reported more satisfaction than those who perceived their ER service being delayed or visited the ER for accident or poisoning. The elderly who visited ER by non-ambulance reported higher satisfaction than those who arrived by ambulance (${\chi}^2=14.15$, p<.001). Conclusion: In both adults and the elderly, satisfaction of EMS can be increased by avoiding transferring patients to other hospital. For adults to be satisfied with EMS, efficient and rapid EMS might be needed to avoid delay in ER arrival, especially for adults with accidents or poisoning.

• 재활복지
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.229-246
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• 2016

The aim of this study is to conduct superordinate word selection task to compare their performance and reaction time, and superordinate word writing task to compare the differences in their performance and error pattern in 40 elderly adults and 43 young adults. As a result, first, in both tasks, elderly adults had a smaller number of correct responses. Second, elderly adults showed slower reaction time than young adults. Third, in superordinate word writing task, elderly adults showed more relevant errors than irrelevant errors. The reason elderly adults had a smaller number of correct responses in both tasks was that the links among the pieces of information in the semantic lexicon weakened or deteriorated due to normal aging. Slower reaction time was based on neurophysiological changes of the brain and cognitive processing speed. In addition, the relevant errors showed that they could access the lexicon for target words and produce explanation the relevant characteristics, even though they could not retrieve the target words.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.329-339
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• 2020

Objectives: This study was undertaken to evaluate the intake of vitamins and minerals from dietary supplements (DSs) in Korean adults and elderly. Methods: Data for this study was generated from the 2017 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). We analyzed 4,204 individuals aged 19 years and older (2,579 users and 1,625 non-users). The survey included 24-h recall questions on food and DS intakes, as well as questions on DS use over the past year. The nutrient DSs evaluated were calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin C. Total nutrient intakes were obtained by combining nutrient intakes of foods and DSs consumed by each subject. Results: Most micronutrient intakes from food (except for thiamin) in adult users, and the four micronutrient intakes (iron, vitamin A, vitamin B₂ and vitamin C) in elderly users, were significantly higher than values obtained in non-users. For total intake of nutrients and DSs, both adult and elderly users had a significantly higher intake than non-users. While proportions below Estimated Average Requirements for all micronutrients by adding respective DSs in users were significantly reduced in adults and elderly as compared to non-users, the proportions of above Tolerable Upper Intake Levels for calcium and vitamin A in adults, and vitamin A in elderly, were significantly increased. In the total subjects examined, consumption of DSs was associated with lower odds ratios of undernutrition of micronutrients, and with higher odds ratios of overnutrition of calcium, iron, and vitamin A, as compared to non-users of DSs. Conclusions: Although DSs consumption by adults and the elderly improves the micronutrient status, it also increases the risk of excessive intake of certain vitamins and minerals.