• Journal of the Korean Institute of Intelligent Systems
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.181-188
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• 2010

This paper presents the control algorithm of active walking aids estimating external torque of the wheels from user's will. Nowadays, interest of the walking aids is increased according to the increase in population of elder and handicapped person. Although many walking aids are developed, most of walking aids don't have any actuators for its movement. However, general walking aids have weakness for its movement to upward/download direction of slope. To overcome the weakness of the general walking aids, many researches for active type walking aids are being progressed. Unfortunately it is difficult to precision control of walking will during its movement, because it is not easy to recognize user's walking will. Many kinds of methods are proposed to recognize of user's walking will. In this paper, we propose control algorithm of walking aids by using torque estimation from wheels. First, we measure wheel velocity and voltage at the walking aids. From these data, external forces are extracted. And then walking will that is included by walking velocity and direction is estimated. Finally, walking aids are controlled by these data. Here, all the processes are verified by simulation.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.746-764
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• 2022

Communication breakdown has been mentioned causing a heavy burden for dementia caregivers. This study aims to inspect and structure the process and results of communication between people with dementia and their caregivers. The impeding/facilitating elements of communication are also extracted. Interviews with 21 of dementia care experts about the direct and indirect experiences of communication with people with dementia were analyzed based on the grounded theory. Results show that combination of the cognitive and communication decline of the people with dementia, confusing environment and caregivers' inappropriate attitude and lack of communication skills leads to communication breakdown and relations severance. Minimal contacts and task-oriented conversation results in conflicts and people with dementia's increasing agitation, anxiety and violent behaviors while understanding of individuality and listening with heart lead to recovered lucidity in the state of serious dementia, recovered pleasure and voluntary participation in the daily activities for people with dementia. Core paradigm was defined as 'Person Centered Care through relation formation'. There are 4 types of communication with people with dementia : partnering, patronizing, conflicting, avoiding types. Researchers suggest that Person Centered based communication skills be educated and trained for dementia caregivers.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.103-110
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• 2019

The present study investigated the effects of AD on stereoscopic vision. Sixty participants (20 AD patients, 20 mild cognitive impairment patients, 20 healthy elderly controls) participated in the study. Two cubes, one on the left and the other on the right of the center of the monitor, appeared at varying distances from the observer with their relative distances controlled in two disparity conditions (absolute vs relative disparity) combined with two disparity directions (crossed vs uncrossed disparity). Participants identified the object that appeared closer to them. Results demonstrated comparable performance with all three groups performing accurately, suggesting that the effect of AD on stereopsis is negligible. Discussion focused on brain pathology affected by AD involving high level visual processing.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.515-525
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• 2019

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a customized health promotion program (CHPP) on depression, cognitive functioning, and physical health of elderly women living alone in the community. Methods: A randomized comparison of pre-and post-test design was used with 62 participants assigned to either an intervention (n=32 in seven clusters) or a control group (n=30 in seven clusters) in 14 areas of a town. The final sample included 30 intervention participants who completed the CHPP for 10 weeks, and 26 control participants. The intervention group participated in the CHPP weekly; they were provided with instructions about coping with their chronic illnesses, lifestyle modification, risk management, providing emotional support to each other, and floor-seated exercise, which they were encouraged to do three times a week in their homes. Results: Significant group differences were found in depression (U=48.50, p<.001), cognitive functioning (U=2.50, p<.001), left arm flexibility (U=251.50, p=.023), right arm flexibility (U=225.00, p=.007), static balance (U=237.00, p=.012), and gait ability (U=190.50, p=.004). However, there were no significant differences in bothgrip strength and muscle mass between the two groups. Conclusion: The findings indicate that CHPP was overall effective at improving depression, cognitive functioning, and physical functioning of elderly women living alone, and could therefore be considered a positive program for community-dwelling elderly women living alone.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.613-625
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of the tailored group exercise program on perceived health status, physical strength, depression and cognitive function in seniors. Methods: The subjects were 42 seniors of the experimental group and 28 seniors of the control group. The exercise program tailored by physical fitness was carried out for 16 weeks. The dependent variables were measured by Perceived Health Status Scale, The Senior Fitness Test, MMSE-K, and GDS-K. The collected data were analyzed by Fisher's exact test, Chi-square test and t-test, and ANCOVA using the SAS program. Results: In terms of physical strength and depression there was significant difference among groups. Perceived health status and cognitive function were not significant different among groups. Conclusion: In this study, the tailored exercise program was effective and safe for the elderly, and resulted in improving physical and psychological health status in the elderly. This demonstrated that the tailored group exercises program on the basis of the subject's fitness, played an essential role in maintaining and improving the health.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.115-123
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• 2019

Objective: This study was conducted to examine the effects of a health promotion program on the health condition of rural elderly women implemented at primary health care posts using Korean Frailty Index. Methods: The research was designed a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest setting. The participants in this study were 50 residents (intervention group: 25, control group: 25) selected from 4 villages 2 primary health care posts in J city Gyeongsangnam-do. The health promotion program was conducted at the primary health care posts twice a week for 12 weeks. This program consisted of basic exercises(Gukseondo + Theraband muscle strength training) and additional activities(including modified Theraband activity, rubber ball exercise, ball massage, nutrition class, singing class). Collected data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, paired t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA with SPSS 21.0. Results: Results of the health promotion program showed that the health conditions(measured by perceived health status, frailty score, upper/lower flexibility, maximum grip strength, dynamic balance test Timed Up and Go) of the experimental group(25) all statistical significantly improved. Conclusion: Study findings indicate that the health promotion program implemented at primary health care posts on rural elderly women is effective and can contribute to a developed health promotion program for local residents in the future.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.168-176
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• 2020

Objectives : Loneliness and poor sleep quality are common phenomena in old age and are associated with negative physical and mental health. However, little is known regarding the relation between loneliness and sleep quality. The aim of this study was to examine the association of loneliness and sleep quality among the elderly living alone. Methods : This is a cross-sectional study that enrolled 1,090 subjects who are the community-residing elderly living alone. Sociodemographic status, medical condition, cognition, mood disorder, sleep quality and levels of loneliness were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and a specific semi-structured interview conducted by trained nurses. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data regarding sociodemographic variable and loneliness. Univariate and Multivariate regression analyses were applied to examine the association between loneliness and sleep quality after adjustment for multiple confounding variables. Results : The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) mean score of "lonely group" (9.2±4.2) was significantly higher than that of "not lonely group" (7.3±3.7) (student-t test, p<0.001). Loneliness was significantly associated with PSQI (standardized β=0.065, p=0.025), sleep disturbance (standardized β=0.086, p=0.005), use of sleep medication (standardized β=0.065, p=0.034) after adjustment for possible confounding variables including sex and mood disorder. Conclusions : Loneliness was associated with sleep disturbance and this finding implied negative impact of loneliness on sleep quality of older adults. Public health promotion efforts to reduce loneliness may improve sleep quality and mental health in the elderly living alone.

• 한국노년학
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.617-638
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• 2020

It is important to maintain a healthy dietary habit to enjoy better health and quality of life in later life. However, taking care of one's dietary lifestyle at an older age may be a challenge. Especially, community dwelling low-income older adults are one of the most vulnerable population in regards to holding a well balanced healthy diet. The purpose of this research is to identify the current status of food delivery services for low-income older adults and explore related issues. In order to achieve the aim, this study conduced two sets of focus group interviews with 8 nutritionists and 7 social workers in Seoul. According to the research results, there are issues related to meals on wheels such as vague eligibility, poor operation conditions, work overload, and difficulty in realizing customized meal delivery. Food security for low-income older adults is a prerequisite for aging in place. It is necessary to discuss the ways to create favorable operating conditions to deliver customized meals and manage nutrition and hygiene from the perspective of social work.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.21-29
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• 2016

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of LOTCA-G and ADL by individualized cognitive program in elderly with vascular dementia, alzheimer dementia and mild cognitive impairment. Method : The subjects of this study, old man and woman diagnosed with vascular dementia, alzheimer dementia and mild cognitive impairment, 24 patients were picked up, who were agreed with this research and were having hospital care for 3weeks at nursing care centers. Individualized cognitive program was applied to 8 patients of vascular dementia, 8 patients of alzheimer dementia and 8 patients of mild cognitive impairment. Cognitive function measured by LOTCA-G and performance measured by FIM. The SPSS Ver. 22.0 statistical program was used for data processing. The significance level for statistical inspection was set as 0.05. Result : In comparison of LOTCA-G was significant increased after intervention and among three groups were significant difference. But FIM was no significant difference after intervention and among three groups were no significant difference. Conclusion : Therefore, the individualized cognitive program is useful to improve the cognitive function in elderly with dementia and mild cognitive impairment.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.100-111
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• 2019

This study was undertaken to recommend a dementia education program for college students, and to understand the outcome on knowledge and attitude towards dementia, awareness of aged support, and cognitive-affective empathy. Totally, 40 college students in C city, K do, were enrolled for the study, and divided into two groups of 20 each: experimental group and control group. The experimental group subjects were provided a 12-hour dementia education program; effectiveness of this program has been verified in later studies. Data were collected from November 5, 2018 to December 7, 2018; collection was before, after, and 4 weeks after the program was provided to the experimental group. Control group data were also collected in the same time frame. Data analysis was done using IBM SPSS WIN/21.0, and the percentage, mean and standard deviation were analyzed using Shapiro-Wilks test, $x^2$-test, Fisher's exact probability test, Independent t-test, Friedman test, Mann-Whitney U and Repeated Measure ANOVA. Knowledge of dementia (F=19.80, p<0.001), attitude toward dementia (z=-4.10, p<0.001), and awareness of aged support (F=6.26, p=0.017) had a significant interaction between group and time; however, cognitive-affective empathy showed no correlation (F=1.32, p<0.256). We therefore suggest strengthening the contents of future education program for dementia, developing a customized program for cognitive-affective empathy by considering subject characteristics, and further research verifying the effectiveness of the program.