• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.388-398
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• 2016

Purpose: To compare the changes in activities of daily living (ADLs) in older adults with stroke in different modalities of long term care (LTC) services, which include home care and institutional care. Methods: This is a comparative study using secondary data from the Korean national LTC insurance. Home care (HC) services users (n=3,494) and institutional care (IC) users (n=1,428) were extracted and compared in terms of ADLs and changes in ADLs to investigate the effects of HC and IC services in LTC. Results: All of the ADLs and LTC services benefit levels for 2 years had improved in both HC and IC services. The ADLs of older adults with stroke who received HC improved, while those who received IC experienced deterioration. The LTC services benefit levels of the HC and IC groups were significantly different after 2 years. Conclusion: The study has found that HC services may lead ADLs better for older adults with stroke. We recommend LTC policy makers to further develop HC and IC service programs to deliver quality LTC services.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.191-201
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• 2010

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the predictors of physical activity between urban and rural dwelling Korean older adults. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional descriptive survey. A self-report questionnaire or face to face interviews were used to collect data from 336 older adults (urban: 129, rural: 207) who visited public health centers or welfare centers in 2008. Results: About half of the participants (urban: 50.4%, rural: 47.3%) were classified as the minimally active group. Cognitive function (odds ratio [OR]=1.106, p=.004) and loneliness (OR=0.965, p=.044) were predicting factors for physical activity in rural elderly. Age (OR=0.326, p=.037), gender (OR=2.841, p=.021) and depression (OR= 0.799, p<.001) were significant factors predicting physical activity in urban elders. Conclusion: These findings provide information that is relevant in designing interventions to enhance physical activity in older adults. There is a need to develop effective mutifaceted physical activity interventions that include reducing psychological barriers such as depression, loneliness.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.71-77
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of elastic band resistance training for muscle strength among community-dwelling older adults. The systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted by following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA). Data were pooled using fixed effect models. Sit to stand, arm curl, and grip strength were analyzed for main effects. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed using the I2 statistics and publication bias was evaluated by funnel plots. Twelves studies were included representing 611 participants. Elastic band resistance training was effective for lower (d=3.89, 95% CI: 3.03, 4.75) and upper extremity muscle strength (d=4.08, 95% CI: 2.94, 5.23). Heterogeneity was moderate and no significant publication bias was detected. Based on these findings, there is clear evidence that elastic band resistance training has significant positive effects on muscle strength among community-dwelling older adults. Further study will be needed to perform subgroup analysis using number of sessions and exercise intensity as predictors.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.75-80
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of an obstacle height on the balance control of older adults while stepping over an obstacle from a position of quiet stance. Methods: Fifteen community-dwelling healthy older adults (mean age, $74.4\pm4.27$ yrs; age range, 67-82 yrs) volunteered to participate in this study. The subjects performed gait initiation (GI) and they stepped over obstacles of two different heights (10 cm and 18 cm) at a self-paced speed from a position of quiet stance. Their performance was assessed by recording the changes in the displacement of the COP in the anteroposterior (A-P) and mediolateral (M-L) directions using a force platform. Results: The M-L displacement of the COP significantly increased for an 18 cm obstacle height condition as compared to the GI and a 10 cm obstacle height condition (p<0.01). Furthermore, the M-L displacement of the COP for a 10 cm high obstacle was significantly greater for that for the GI (p<0.01). However, the mean of the A-P displacement of the COP was similar between the stepping conditions for the A-P displacement of the COP (p>0.05). Conclusion: This study suggests that the M-L COP displacement could be a better parameter to identify the dynamic balance control in older adults when negotiating obstacles.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2016

Objectives: This study was to examine by gender the clustering patterns and correlates of healthy lifestyle clusters and the relationships between healthy lifestyle clusters and depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older adults. Methods: The observed/expected ratio of physical activity, smoking, and alcohol consumption were calculated to analyze clustering effects. The correlates of those healthy lifestyle clusters were evaluated using logistic regression models, and the relationship between those healthy lifestyle clusters and depressive symptoms was investigated using multiple regressions by gender. Results: Based on the guidelines this study adopted, we obtained three healthy lifestyle clusters: active healthy lifestyle; passive healthy lifestyle; and unhealthy lifestyle. All three clusters were found in men, but two in women, who did not have an unhealthy lifestyle cluster. High socio-economic status was positively related to healthy lifestyle clusters. Social participation and residence location (in men) and marital status (in women) were significant factors. Having an active or a passive healthy lifestyle was negatively associated with depressive symptoms in women, but such a relationship was not observed in men. Conclusions: The study findings imply that health promotion programs for middle-aged and older adults in Korea should be comprehensive and integrated, considering healthy lifestyle clusters and gender differences.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.15
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• pp.6195-6198
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• 2014

Purpose: We examined tobacco use pattern and its correlates among older adults. Materials and Methods: We used data of 9,852 older adults (${\geq}60$ years) (men 47% mean age 68 years) collected by the United Nations Population Fund on Ageing from seven Indian states. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the correlates of tobacco use. Results: Current use of any form of tobacco was reported by 27.8% (men 37.9%, women 18.8%); 9.2% reported only smoking tobacco, 16.9% smokeless tobacco only and 1.7% used both forms. Alcohol users (OR:5.20, 95% CI:4.06-6.66), men (OR:2.92, CI :2.71-3.47), those reporting lower income (OR:2.74, CI:2.16-3.46), rural residents (OR 1.34, CI 1.17-1.54) and lower castes (OR:1.29, CI:1.13-1.47) were more likely to use any form of tobacco compared to their counterparts. Conclusions: Tobacco cessation interventions are warranted in this population focusing on alcohol users, men, those from lower income, rural residents and those belonging to a lower caste.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.5-12
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Korean version of the General Practitioner Assessment of Cognition (K-GPCog) scale. Method: The K-GPCog consists of the 2 subscales, patients and caregivers. Using a sample of 412 community-based Korean older adults, internal consistency reliability was estimated using Cronbach's alpha. To evaluate validity of the K-GPCog, correlational analysis was conducted using Pearson r between K-GPCog and the Korean Dementia Screening Questionnaire (KDSQ). Results: Cronbach's alpha coefficients of the K-GPCog patients' and caregivers' subscales .788 and .794 respectively. Pearson's correlation coefficients were r=-.374, r=-.481, and r=-.493, respectively for the subscales of patients and primary caregivers, and total K-GPCog. The degree of diagnostic agreement about the risk for cognitive disorders of older adults showed 11.7% and 11.2% respectively for the K-GPCog and the KDSQ. Conclusion: The findings provided preliminary evidence of the K-GPCog as a useful screening measure for detecting mild cognitive disorders of Korean older adults. The K-GPCog is particularly useful to identify cognitive disorders from primary caregivers when it is difficult to assess the level of cognition of older adults.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine changes in functional assessment measures (FAMs) and spatiotemporal gait parameters (STGPs) in healthy older adults before and after a 6-week intervention of a proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) training program. Methods: Thirty healthy older adults (mean age: $73.37{\pm}1.21$ age range: 65-79) were randomly assigned either to an experimental group (participating in a 6-week intervention of PNF training) or a control group (only performing daily activities). Participants in the control group did not receive any training program. Performance was assessed by recording changes in the FAMs and STGPs using functional assessment tools and GAITRite. Results: Participants in the PNF group showed significantly improved functional assessment measures and increased stride length, cadence, velocity, and step width (p<0.05). No significant differences in FAMs and STGPs were found in the control group (p>0.05). Conclusion: Participation in a PNF training program improves FAMs and STGPs, thereby increasing the ability of healthy older adults to maintain dynamic balance during functional performance and gait. These findings support the use of PNF training programs as effective fall-prevention programs for the elderly.

• Journal of Internet Computing and Services
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.97-104
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• 2017

This study explored the potential associations among older adults' online community uses, socialization, and social isolation. Results from the hierarchical regression analysis indicated that the quality and size of personal networks composed of online community members positively influences older adults' socialization and reduces social isolation. However, the frequency of meeting with online community members in offline settings was not significantly associated with socialization. Moreover, the amount of time using online communities indirectly and significantly affected social isolation, mediated by socialization. Results from this study address the positive roles of online community uses in overcoming psychological difficulties among elderly people.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.161-171
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• 2007

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of footwear on gait in older adults. Methods : The footwear consists of loafer with fixation and mule and slipper without fixation. Twenty one female older adults voluntarily participated in this study. Each participant walked on the gait system GAITRite and measured temporal-spatial gait parameters. And the participants wore loafer, mule, slipper randomly. We measured stance time, swing time, heel-to-heel BOS, double support time, velocity, cadence, FAP as temporal-spatial gait parameters. Results : Three gait parameters showed significant difference statistically among 7 gait parameters. The stance time increased as loafer, mule, barefoot, slipper orderly. And there was a significant difference statistically (p<.05). The swing time increased as slipper, barefoot, mule, loafer orderly. And there was a significant difference statistically(p<.05). And the heel-to-heel BOS increased as barefoot, loafer, mule, slipper orderly. And there was a significant difference statistically(p<.05) according to footwear type. Conclusion : The footwear type with high stability like loafer is considered better than footwear type with low stability like mule and slipper for the elderly.