• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.13 no.5
• /
• pp.399-409
• /
• 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to provide scientific evidence on the effectiveness of worksite-based dietary intervention to reduce obesity among overweight/obese employees. MATERIALS/METHODS: Electronic search was performed using Ovid Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL databases. The keywords used were "obesity," "nutrition therapy," and "worksite." The internal validity of the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was assessed using the Cochrane's Risk of Bias. Meta-analysis of selected studies was performed using Review Manager 5.3. RESULTS: A total of seven RCTs with 2,854 participants were identified. The effectiveness of dietary interventions was analyzed in terms of changes in weight, body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol, and blood pressure. The results showed that weight decreased with weighted mean difference (WMD) of -4.37 (95% confidence interval (CI): -6.54 to -2.20), but the effectiveness was statistically significant only in short-term programs < 6 months (P = 0.001). BMI also decreased with WMD of -1.26 (95% CI: -1.98 to -0.55), but the effectiveness was statistically significant only in short-term programs < 6 months (P = 0.001). Total cholesterol decreased with WMD of -5.57 (95% CI: -9.07 to -2.07) mg/dL, demonstrating significant effectiveness (P = 0.002). Both systolic (WMD: -4.90 mmHg) and diastolic (WMD: -2.88 mmHg) blood pressure decreased, demonstrating effectiveness, but with no statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: The worksite-based dietary interventions for overweight/obese employees showed modest short-term effects. These interventions can be considered successful because weight loss was below approximately 5-10 kg of the initial body weight, which is the threshold for the management of obesity recommended by the Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network (SIGN).

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
• /
• v.48 no.6
• /
• pp.371-381
• /
• 2022

Objectives: This study determined the effect of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) on extraction socket bone regeneration and assessed the patterns and determinants of bone regeneration after the surgical extraction of impacted mandibular third molars. Materials and Methods: This prospective study randomly allocated 90 patients into two treatment groups: A PRF group (intervention group) and a non-PRF group (control group). After surgical extractions, the PRF group had PRF placed in the extraction socket and the socket was sutured, while the socket was only sutured in the non-PRF group. At postoperative weeks 1, 4, 8, and 12, periapical radiographs were obtained and HLImage software was used to determine the region of newly formed bone (RNFB) and the pattern of bone formation. The determinants of bone regeneration were assessed. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05. Results: The percentage RNFB (RNFB%) was not significantly higher in the PRF group when compared with the non-PRF group at postoperative weeks 1, 4, 8, and 12 (P=0.188, 0.155, 0.132, and 0.219, respectively). Within the non-PRF group, the middle third consistently exhibited the highest bone formation while the least amount of bone formation was consistently observed in the cervical third. In the PRF group, the middle third had the highest bone formation, while bone formation at the apical third was smaller compared to the cervical third at the 8th week with this difference widening at the 12th week. The sex of the patient, type of impaction, and duration of surgery was significantly associated with percentage bone formation (P=0.041, 0.043, and 0.018, respectively). Conclusion: Placement of PRF in extraction sockets increased socket bone regeneration. However, this finding was not statistically significant. The patient's sex, type of impaction, and duration of surgery significantly influenced the percentage of bone formation.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.16 no.sup1
• /
• pp.147-159
• /
• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Complementary and alternative medicines can be used to alleviate climacteric symptoms that significantly affect the quality of life of postmenopausal women. Isoflavones are the most common plant-based therapies for postmenopausal changes, but the results of previous studies have been controversial. MATERIALS/METHODS: To investigate whether isoflavones would affect menopausal symptoms as well as ovarian hormones, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis. The PubMed and EMBASE databases were used to perform the systematic search. Included studies were limited to randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the impact of isoflavone supplementation on menopausal symptoms. RESULTS: Eleven studies were included for the final quantitative assessment. Isoflavone intervention was varied between 49.3 and 135 mg of isoflavones per day for 12 wk-2 yrs. The meta-analysis showed that supplementation of isoflavones significantly increased the estradiol levels (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.615, P = 0.035) and Kupperman index (SMD = 3.121, P = 0.003) but had no significant effect on hot flashes, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone. However, both estradiol and the Kupperman index showed significant heterogeneity among studies (I² = 94.7%, P < 0.001 and I² = 98.1%, P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Although the results showed a significant SMD in estradiol and the Kupperman index, the results should be interpreted with caution due to the high heterogeneity. Further validation with a larger RCT will be necessary. Overall, isoflavone supplementation has distinct effects on the climacteric symptoms and hormonal changes in postmenopausal women.

• Hip & pelvis
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.157-163
• /
• 2023

Purpose: This study examined the methods for treatment of femoral neck fracture (FNF) preferred by members of the Korean Hip Society (KHS) and identified factors that influence decisions regarding the surgical intervention of choice. Materials and Methods: A total of 97 members of the KHS responded to the 16-question survey which included questions about the mean number of surgeries performed each month for treatment of femoral neck fractures, the cut-off age for deciding between internal fixation and arthroplasty, the implant used most often, usage of cement, and factors influencing each decision. Results: The mean cut-off age used when deciding between internal fixation and arthroplasty was 64 years old. Hemiarthroplasty (HA) (70%) was the most preferred option for treatment of displaced FNFs in cases where arthroplasty was indicated (total hip arthroplasty [THA] 19% and dual mobility THA 11%). The main reasons for selection of arthroplasty over reduction with internal fixation were age and pre-fracture ambulatory status. Pre-trauma ambulatory status and/or sports activity were the main factors in selection of HA over THA. Cement was used by 33% of responders. Poor bone quality and a broad femoral canal were factors that influenced the usage of cement. Conclusion: Management of FNFs in the elderly is a major health problem worldwide; thus, remaining alert to current trends in treatment is essential for surgeons. The mean cut-off age used in deciding between internal fixation and arthroplasty was 64 years old. HA is the preferred method for treatment of displaced FNFs for members of the KHS.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.16
• /
• pp.6811-6817
• /
• 2014

Background: Breast cancer risk prediction models are widely used in clinical practice. They should be useful in identifying high risk women for screening in limited-resource countries. However, previous models showed poor performance in derived and validated settings. Therefore, we aimed to develop and validate a breast cancer risk prediction model for Thai women. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study consisted of derived and validation phases. Data collected at Ramathibodi and other two hospitals were used for deriving and externally validating models, respectively. Multiple logistic regression was applied to construct the model. Calibration and discrimination performances were assessed using the observed/expected ratio and concordance statistic (C-statistic), respectively. A bootstrap with 200 repetitions was applied for internal validation. Results: Age, menopausal status, body mass index, and use of oral contraceptives were significantly associated with breast cancer and were included in the model. Observed/expected ratio and C-statistic were 1.00 (95% CI: 0.82, 1.21) and 0.651 (95% CI: 0.595, 0.707), respectively. Internal validation showed good performance with a bias of 0.010 (95% CI: 0.002, 0.018) and C-statistic of 0.646(95% CI: 0.642, 0.650). The observed/expected ratio and C-statistic from external validation were 0.97 (95% CI: 0.68, 1.35) and 0.609 (95% CI: 0.511, 0.706), respectively. Risk scores were created and was stratified as low (0-0.86), low-intermediate (0.87-1.14), intermediate-high (1.15-1.52), and high-risk (1.53-3.40) groups. Conclusions: A Thai breast cancer risk prediction model was created with good calibration and fair discrimination performance. Risk stratification should aid to prioritize high risk women to receive an organized breast cancer screening program in Thailand and other limited-resource countries.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
• /
• v.67 no.4
• /
• pp.127-152
• /
• 2015

This study aimed to implement the enhancement program for the social work practice competency for children of community child center workers and to evaluate the program's effects. For this purpose, the program was implemented for ten community child center workers five times for five weeks(once a week, 120 minutes per session). For the quantitative evaluation, a non-equivalent control group design among quasi-experimental designs was used, and for the qualitative evaluation, the written materials related with the program were collected and analyzed. The results of the quantitative evaluation revealed that the social work practice skills and worker-client relationship empowerment of the community child center workers who participated in the competency enhancement program were significantly improved. In the qualitative evaluation, the subjective experiences were presented, including the improvement of the worker's practice competency and the worker's awareness of the changes in the child, the recognition of the strong points and the points to be improved in the program. This study is expected to raise the expertise and effectiveness of community child center workers, and ultimately, to contribute to the healthy development and the improvement of the mental health of children by improving the social work practice competency of the workers in community child centers, which comprise the representative service delivery system for children in South Korea.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.101-116
• /
• 2004

Korea has the highest traffic accident occurrence rate in the world. It means that we are forced to face a tremendous amount of economic loses and great cost of life. Even though this phenomenon consistently has arose as a public issue every year and many researchers have emphasized the importance of safety education as the fundamental solution, we are still trying to make a long-lasting and effective traffic safety education programs for children and adolescents. The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of web-based learning for traffic safety in Korea middle school. For this purpose, the instructive model was constructed based on the ASSURE model and a special web-site of education was developed on behalf of practical use of multi-media learning materials for the traffic safety. The research subject was represented by 259 students from second grade in 2 middle schools located in Seoul Korea. The traffic safety education program using web-site was preceded to the 136 students as a case group for 45 minutes total 3 times. Other 126 students are control group those who did not get with this program. The survey was conducted before and after the education. The results of this study were as follow: 1. The knowledge analysis from the comparison between before and after of the lesson showed case group and control group scored average at 11.25 points and 10.97 points. However, after they attended programs, case group scored 13.57 points and control group scored 10.85 points. The difference from the result of the case group was statistically significant(p<0.001). 2. The attitude analysis from the comparison between before and after of the lesson showed case group and control group scored averages at 29.59 points and 28.21 points. However, after they attended program, case group scored 37.23 points and control group scored 32.71 points. The difference from the result of the case group was statistically significant(p<0.05). 3. Regarding the domain analysis by means of web-based traffic safety education, only the case group had a statistically significant score in the case of knowledge 'safe utilization of bicycle' and 'The Characteristic of Automobile and Safer Mode of Walking for Pedestrian'(p<0.01, p< 0.001), and in the case of attitude 'safe walking and crossing' 'The Characteristic of Automobile and Safer Mode of Walking for Pedestrian'(p<0.01, p<0.001). 4. Web based instruction for traffic safety was effective in terms of improving students' knowledge and attitude for traffic safety.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.235-245
• /
• 2007

This study was undertaken to develop web-based nutrition information contents for the older adults. Twenty six domestic web-sites were analyzed and then 12 foreign web-sites and 4 education materials for the elderly of foreign university were benchmarked. Also a lot of literatures on elderly education program were reviewed. A card-sorting task was performed with 8 older adults to ascertain how the target audience organized information about nutrition. The results were as fellows. Among 26 domestic web-sites, 2 sites(7.7%) were only for the elderly. Main topics of information contents for the elderly included 'Importance of Healthy Eating', 'DRI', 'Dietary Guidelines'. Four of twelve foreign web-sites were for the elderly nutrition education. Topics of 'Dietary Guideline', 'Meal Program' were found in 4 sites and 'Importance of Healthy Eating', 'Diet & Disease', 'DRI, 'Food Guide Pyramid', 'Nutrition Fact Labels' were found in 3 sites. Education materials of foreign university dealt with basic information on 'nutrient needs changes related with aging', 'Heart & Bone Healthy Eating Plan', 'Food Guide Pyramid'. Also topics on 'Eating on a budget', 'Eating Out Guideline' were included for practical use for the elderly. Based on card-sorting process, contents framework for web-site was developed and 4 main menus for framework were respectively named as 'Nutrition', 'Meals', 'Foods'. 'Check up Nutritional Health' by panel discussion. Finally we developed nutrition information contents for 4 main menus. We focused on helping older adults recognize the importance of healthy eating and apply the nutrition information to practical use. We expect that the developed framework of contents can be a guideline for indentifying the information needs of older adults in developing effective nutrition intervention program. And we suggest that the survey for target people should be peformed for the web-site to be user-friendly designed and the developed contents be evaluated and revised in the near future.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.35-61
• /
• 2003

Background： The purpose of this study was to develop a structured and individualized smoking prevention program for adolescents by utilizing a multimedia computer-assisted instruction model and to empirically assess its effect. Method： For the purpose of this study, a guide book of smoking prevention program for middle and high school students was developed as the first step. The contents of this book were summarized and developed into an actual multimedia CAI smoking prevention program according to the Gane ＆ Briggs instructional design and Keller's ARCS motivation design models as the second step. At the final step, the short-tenn effects of this program were examined by an experiment. This experiment were made for middle school and high school students and the quasi experimental design was the pretest - intervention - posttest. The measured data was attitude, belief, and knowledge about smoking, interest in the program, and learning motivation. Result： The results of this study were as follows： First, the guide book of a smoking prevention program was developed and the existing literature on adolescent smoking was analyzed to develop the content of the guide book. Then the curriculum was divided into three main domains on tobacco and smoking history, smoking and health, adolescent smoking and each main domain was divided into sub-domains. Second, the contents of the guide book were translated into a multimedia CAI program of smoking prevention througn Powerpoint software according to the instructional design theory. The characteristics of this program were interactive, learner controllable, and structured The program contents consisted of entrance(5.6％), history of tobacco(30％), smoking and health(38.9％), adolescent smoking(22.2％), video(4.7％), and exit(1.6％). Multimedia materials consisted of text(121), sound and music, image(still 84, dynamic 32), and videogram(6). The program took about 40 minutes to complete. Third, the results on analysis of the program effects were as follows： 1) There was significant knowledge increase between the pre-test and post-test with total mean difference 3.44, and the highest increase was in the 1st grade students of high school(p＜0.001). 2) There was significant decrease in general belief on smoking between the pre-test and post-test with total mean difference 0.28. In subgroup analysis, the difference was significantly higher in the 1st grade of high school (p<0.001), low income class (p<0.001), and daily smokers (p<0.01). 3) There was no significant difference in attitudes on his personal smoking between the pre-test and post-test. 4) The interest in the program seemed to lower as students got older. The score of motivation toward this prevention program was the highest in the middle school 3rd grade. Among sub-domains of motivation, the confidence score was the highest. Conclusion： To be most effective, the smoking prevention program for adolescents should utilize the most up-to-date and accurate information on smoking, and then instructional material should be developed so that the learners can approach the program with enjoyment. Through this study, a guide book with the most up-to-date information was developed and the multimedia CAI smoking prevention program was also developed based on the guide book. The program showed positive effect on the students' knowledge and belief in smoking.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.6
• /
• pp.3903-3907
• /
• 2013

Background: Patients with colorectal cancer are usually treated with chemotherapy, which reduces the number of blood cells, especially white blood cells, and consequently increases the risk of infections. Some research studies have reported that aromatherapy massage affects the immune system and improves immune function by, for example, increasing the numbers of natural killer cells and peripheral blood lymphocytes. However, there has been no report of any study which provided good evidence as to whether aromatherapy with Thai massage could improve the immune system in patients with colorectal cancer. The objectives of this study were to determine whether the use of aromatherapy with light Thai massage in patients with colorectal cancer, who have received chemotherapy, can result in improvement of the cellular immunity and reduce the severity of the common symptoms of side effects. Materials and Methods: Sixty-six patients with colorectal cancer in Phichit Hospital, Thailand, were enrolled in a single-blind, randomised-controlled trial. The intervention consisted of three massage sessions with ginger and coconut oil over a 1-week period. The control group received standard supportive care only. Assessments were conducted at pre-assessment and at the end of one week of massage or standard care. Changes from pre-assessment to the end of treatment were measured in terms of white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, CD4 and CD8 cells and the CD4/CD8 ratio and also the severity of self-rated symptom scores. Results: The main finding was that after adjusting for pre-assessment values the mean lymphocyte count at the post-assessment was significantly higher (P=0.04) in the treatment group than in the controls. The size of this difference suggested that aromatherapy with Thai massage could boost lymphocyte numbers by 11%. The secondary outcomes were that at the post assessment the symptom severity scores for fatigue, presenting symptom, pain and stress were significantly lower in the massage group than in the standard care controls. Conclusions: Aromatherapy with light Thai massage can be beneficial for the immune systems of cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy by increasing the number of lymphocytes and can help to reduce the severity of common symptoms.