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A Study on the Environment for Lowbirth Weight Infants in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in the United States (신생아집중간호단위 환경과 저체중출생아의 반응에 대한 연구)

  • Han Kyung Ja
    • Child Health Nursing Research
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    • v.4 no.2
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    • pp.159-176
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    • 1998
  • In effort to conduct comparative study on the caregiving environment of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit(NICU) in both U. S and Korea, this study was been conducted first in the U.S. Purpose : The purpose of this study is to identify the physical environment and direct caregiving practices to lowbirth weight infants in NICU in the US. It also aims to examine the NICU outcome status and behavioral reponses of lowbirth weight infants. Methods : A study design using descriptive and inferential statistics was been conducted through an observational, field method. A sample of 15 preform infants admitted to NICU were recruited for the study. The subjects were those with birth weight between 1,000 gm to 1,500 gm, born at the gestation period of 27 to 33 weeks, and without any chromosomal or other genetic anomalies, major congenital infections, or maternal illness. Thirty minutes observation(three times of ten minutes of continuous observation)of the infant's behavior and physiological status, and an four-hour observation of the physical environment and direct care giving procedures were been conducted on the 3rd and 10th day after birth, and on the day of discharge from the NICU or at 34weeks postconception. The data to be collected were in four areas : the demograghic characteristics of the infants, the physical environment and care giving procedures, the frequency of the infant's designated behavior and physiological response, and NICU outcome variables. A descriptive analysis and Kruskal-Wallis, Pearson r were been applied according to variable characteristics. Results : 1. Mother's mean age was 29.47. The sample consisted of 6 males and 9 females. Mean gestational ages were 29.17 weeks. Mean birth weight was 1236.33g. Mean Apgar scores at one minute were 6.6, and 7.8 at five minutes. 2. The location for the incubator was in the distance from the light, X-ray screens and nursing station, in proximity to side-lamp, telephone and faucet on the third day after birth. The location for the incubator was in the distance from the light and radio on the tenth day and in proximity to nursing station on the day of dischage from the NICU or at 34weeks postconception. 3. Nesting was the most applying aids to the infants. And foot roll, shielding and plastic frame were frequently using by nurses for facilitating well modulated restful posture. 4. There were statistically significant changes in the patterns of physical environment included locating the infant's incubator and bedding, specific aids to self regulation on the 3rd and 10th day after birth, and on the day of discharge from the NICU or at 34weeks postconception. 5. Statistically significant changes were not appeared in the patterns of direct caregiving procedure to the infants included stress inducing or reducing manipulations on the 3rd and 10th day after birth, and on the day of discharge from the NICU or at 34weeks postconception. 6. The stress response of the infants in NICU were significantly reduced as the infants grow older. 7. There were not statistically significant correlation between the physical envronment and the stress responses of the infants in NICU. 8. There were statistically significant correlation between the direct caregiving procedure to the infants and the stress response of the infants in NICU in the second and third observation on the day three. 9. Average weight gain per day from birth to discharge was 38.73g, number of days in the hospital was 42.60, number of days before bottle feeding was 3.6. Postconception age starting bottle feed ing was 31/sup +5/ weeks. Number of days on mechanical ventilator was average 7.64, 11.42 was an average number of days of oxygen need. Conclusion : It, thus, appears that to minimize the sensorymotor stimulation for the low birthweight preterm infant in NICU, manipulation of care giving practices to the babies whatever the stress inducing or reducing procedures, have to be limited in the immediate early stage after birth. And it needed to be reexamine to identify the appropriate and specific physical environment and the patterns of direct caregiving to the low birthweight preform infant as the infants grow older in NICU.

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An Analysis of Nursing education Research in China : 1990-1998 (중국 간호교육관련 연구실태 분석)

  • Ko Il-Sun;Li Chun-Yu;Kim Jing-Ai
    • The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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    • v.5 no.2
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    • pp.177-190
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    • 1999
  • This study has been conducted on the basis of the literature review of Nursing Education Research in China from 1990 through August 1998. Its purpose was to support the basic data of nursing education which is risen as major revolutionary of nursing in China and those for exchange of information between Korea-China nursing education. It is retrospective and descriptive research analyzing one hundred eighty articles published in The Journal of China Nursing. The results of the study were as follows. 1. Only 33.3% of the professors of Technical Nursing School who have played of major role of nursing education in China have carried out the study related to nursing education. Baccalaureate program professors have marked 22.2% of all studies, and diploma program professors have done 12.2% of all. Therefore, the professors of above the diploma program have done total 44.4%. It explains that the professors of baccalaureate and diploma programs have done more studies related to nursing education than those of Technical Nursing School. 2. In terms of the study design, most of the studies(38.8%) were case studies introducing the curriculum contents that were done at education institutions. And then, 28.5% were reviewing the articles, and 15.6% were descriptive studies. 3. In terms of the content of the study, 38.3% were relevant to education of Technical Nursing School, 15.0% were about baccalaureate education, and 10.4% is about diploma. 4. To analyze the specific contents of the studies ; a. In baccalaureate program, human resources (professor or teaching), course extension, lab, classes, teaching method, education philosophy, goal of education, evaluation method, and human resource development were included. b. In diploma program, teaching contents evaluation method, teaching method, and educational system were included c. In the technical school, there were qualification of professors , teaching method, evaluation method, opening the courses, teaching contents, goal of education and so on. d. Beyond these, there were practice guidance and appraisement, teaching method, and opening new courses which were not specially indicated as educational curriculum and score management as continuing education. What is above tell us that the study regarding development of university system has been progressed actively and widely. It has been for the effort of revolution which based on the China government force to reform of nursing education process during last 10 years. On the base of the result, we suggest the following questions and the alternatives. 1) Since most articles are case studies related to teaching methods and the others doesn't propose the research method. the study which is applied more exact research method is needed. 2) No study is regarding social change and health policy. Because University program, founded in 1983 is on the beginning point, the research about curriculum have to be taken as a top priority as well as to reflect social needs which are based on social changes and national health policy 3) Only one review article study tells nursing Human resource. To appear in large numbers in nursing manpower, avoid the present hospital nurses training system. Then, the study for manpower development which is able to accomplish in many fields has to be advanced. 4) Most studies did not have literature review processes, so it was impossible for researcher to know the past study tendency and there is no relation among studies as to same subject, the education about research method is needed.

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COMPARISON OF THE CHRONOLOGY OF ROOT RESORPTION OF DECIDUOUS TEETH BETWEEN EARLY 1990S AND EARLY 2000S (1990년대 초와 2000년대 초의 유치 치근 흡수의 연령 비교)

  • Lee, Keun-Hye;Nam, Dong-Woo;Kim, Hyun-Jung;Nam, Soon-Hyeun;Kim, Young-Jin
    • Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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    • v.31 no.3
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    • pp.362-371
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    • 2004
  • It is essential to have adequate knowledge of the timing of root resorption of deciduous teeth for diagnosis and treatment planning in pediatric and orthodontic dentistry. Dental development is also influenced by hereditary characteristics, environmental factors, race, sex, endocrine reaction, nutrition, socioeconomic condition and secular factor. The aims of the present study were to determine the mean age of root resorption of deciduous teeth in contemporary Korean children and to compare the mean age of root resorption time of deciduous teeth between early 1990s and early 2000s. The study population was made up of Korean children attending the pediatric dentistry ward of Kyungpook National University Hospital. One thousand thirty seven children's panoramic radiograph (girls: 528 persons, boys: 509 persons) in $1990{\sim}1992$ and one thousand sixty five children's panoramic radiograph (girls: 394 persons, boys: 671 persons) in $2001{\sim}2003$ were examined. This study utilized a cross-sectional design. Due to the problems of imaging in the maxillary region and the mandibular incisor region, the mandibular deciduous canine, the mandibular deciduous first molar and the mandibular deciduous second molar were chosen for examination. The results were as follows. 1. There is a tendency for the teeth to resort earlier in the early 2000s group than the in early 1990s group. At the Res c stage, the difference of the mean age was 0.4 years. 2. At the Res c stage, the order of difference of the mean age from smaller to larger for the girls was the mandibular deciduous canine, the mandibular first deciduous molar, and the mandibular second deciduous molar. On the other hand, for the boys, the order was the mandibular second deciduous molar, the mandibular first deciduous molar, and the mandibular deciduous canine. The difference was larger with aging in girls and smaller with aging in boys. 3. There is a tendency for the teeth to resort earlier in girls in both the early 1990s group and the early 2000s group. The difference of the mean age between girls and boys was 0.3 year. 4. The commencement of root resorption of the mandibular deciduous canine was slower than that of the mandibular first deciduous molar. However, the completion of root resorption of the mandibular deciduous canine is faster than that of the mandibular first deciduous molar. The total elapsed time of root resorption from commencement to completion was shortest in the mandibular deciduous canine. 5. For each of the teeth in the early 1990s and the early 2000s groups, the speed of root resorption was in the later stage faster than in the earlier stage. In order to know about the exact timing of root resorption of deciduous teeth, periodic and longitudinal studies preferably covering the entire period of growth, is required.

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The Effects of the Breast Self-Examination Participant Education program on Breast Self-Examination Compliance and Health Promoting Behaviors in Adult Women (유방 자가 검진 참여 교육 프로그램이 유방 자가 검진 이행과 건강 증진 행위에 미치는 영향)

  • Park, Eun-Hwa;Ryu, Eun-Jung;Choi, Kyung-Sook
    • Asian Oncology Nursing
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    • v.3 no.2
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    • pp.133-144
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    • 2003
  • This study is carrying out a before and after experiment design for the non-equal comparative group to identify the effects of the breast self-examination education on breast self-examination participant education compliance and health promotion in women. The subject of this study was 58 women residing in Chungju. Their age ranged from 20 to 40. These women were not pregnant or did not breast feed, as well as they did not have any breast disease, at the time of survey. They were available for the response to the questionnaires, and understood the purpose of this study. They also agreed to participate in the study, and responded to the 3rd time questionnaires to the end. Thus, brochures and lectures were provided side by side to a group of 19 of those women, and only brochures were provided to another group of 39 of those women. With regard to education, a brochure and a program using a breast model were applied. Then, the frequency of the breast self examination compliance, breast self examination capability and the relations between the breast self examination and activities to promote health were measured, before the education, after 4 weeks of education and after 12 weeks of education. Before education and after 4 weeks of education. I collected the questionnaires myself visiting them, and after 12 weeks of education, the questionnaires were collected by mail. In relation to the study tool, the breast self examination activity was measured by two measuring tools: breast self examination activity frequency and breast self examination compliance capability. As for the frequency, the number of self examination for the period of 3 months, before the questionnaire survey, was measured in the form of self report. In relation to the tool to measure the breast self examination capability, the BSEPRI tool, which was developed by Wood in 1994, was used. Here, as the score was higher, the capability was indicated to be higher. The translated and revised version of Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (Walker, Sechrist & Pender. 2002) was used as a tool for health promotion. As the measured score was higher, the health promoting activity was indicated to be higher. The results of this study were as follows: 1. As a result of checking the breast self examination compliance frequency between the experiment group that received the breast self examination participant education and the comparative group that did not receive the education, there was a significant difference in interaction between groups by time, as time passed by. 2. As a result of checking the breast self examination compliance capability between the experiment group and the comparative group, there was a significant difference in interaction between groups by time, as time passed by. 3. As a result of carrying out a repetitive measurement analysis, between the experiment group that received the breast self examination education and the comparative group that did not receive the education, which was carried out to validate the hypothesis that the former would have higher health promoting activities than the latter, there was no significant difference after the breast self examination education was conducted.

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Effects of Foot Massage and Supportive Communication by Hospice Volunteers on Depression, Anxiety, and Mood of Cancer Patients Who Undergo Intravenous Chemotherapy at Out-patient Department (호스피스 자원봉사자의 발마사지와 지지적 의사소통이 외래 항암화학요법 환자의 우울, 불안 및 기분에 미치는 효과)

  • Hur, Hea-Kung;Song, Hee-Young
    • Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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    • v.13 no.4
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    • pp.232-242
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    • 2010
  • Purpose: This study was done to investigate effects of foot massage and supportive communication provided by hospice volunteers on depression, anxiety, and mood of cancer patients who are going under intravenous chemotherapy at out patient department (OPD). Methods: A non-equivalent control group non-synchronized design was used. Sixty-four participants were recruited from out-patients setting in a university hospital by a convenient sampling. Two trained- hospice volunteers first provided regular hospice volunteer service to 34 patients in the control group. Subsequently, foot massage and supportive communication were provided to 30 participants in the experimental group. After the intervention, all participants answered the structured questionnaire with visual analog scales on depression, anxiety, and mood including general characteristics. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, two sample t-test, and paired t-test by PASW 17. Results: After the intervention, changes in negative moods, i.e. strain and powerlessness in the experimental group were significantly different from those in control group; strain and powerlessness in the experimental group were significantly decreased by foot massage and supportive communication provided by hospice volunteers. Conclusion: The current findings provide an empirical evidence of a brief and efficacious intervention for cancer patients. Further studies are warranted with larger sample size to validate the effectiveness of foot massage and supportive communication as a solid intervention for cancer patients who are undergoing intravenous chemotherapy at OPD.

Difference in the Set-up Margin between 2D Conventional and 3D CT Based Planning in Patients with Early Breast Cancer (조기유방암환자의 이차원치료계획과 삼차원치료계획의 방사선조사범위의 차이)

  • Jo, Sun-Mi;Chun, Mi-Son;Kim, Mi-Hwa;Oh, Young-Taek;Kang, Seung-Hee;Noh, O-Kyu
    • Radiation Oncology Journal
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    • v.28 no.3
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    • pp.177-183
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    • 2010
  • Purpose: Simulation using computed tomography (CT) is now widely available for radiation treatment planning for breast cancer. It is an important tool to help define the tumor target and normal tissue based on anatomical features of an individual patient. In Korea, most patients have small sized breasts and the purpose of this study was to review the margin of treatment field between conventional two-dimensional (2D) planning and CT based three-dimensional (3D) planning in patients with small breasts. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five consecutive patients with early breast cancer undergoing breast conservation therapy were selected. All patients underwent 3D CT based planning with a conventional breast tangential field design. In 2D planning, the treatment field margins were determined by palpation of the breast parenchyma (In general, the superior: base of the clavicle, medial: midline, lateral: mid - axillary line, and inferior margin: 2 m below the inframammary fold). In 3D planning, the clinical target volume (CTV) ought to comprise all glandular breast tissue, and the PTV was obtained by adding a 3D margin of 1 cm around the CTV except in the skin direction. The difference in the treatment field margin and equivalent field size between 2D and 3D planning were evaluated. The association between radiation field margins and factors such as body mass index, menopause status, and bra size was determined. Lung volume and heart volume were examined on the basis of the prescribed breast radiation dose and 3D dose distribution. Results: The margins of the treatment field were smaller in the 3D planning except for two patients. The superior margin was especially variable (average, 2.5 cm; range, -2.5 to 4.5 cm; SD, 1.85). The margin of these targets did not vary equally across BMI class, menopause status, or bra size. The average irradiated lung volume was significantly lower for 3D planning. The average irradiated heart volume did not decrease significantly. Conclusion: The use of 3D CT based planning reduced the radiation field in early breast cancer patients with small breasts in relation to conventional planning. Though a coherent definition of the breast is needed, CT-based planning generated the better plan in terms of reducing the irradiation volume of normal tissue. Moreover it was possible that 3D CT based planning showed better CTV coverage including postoperative change.

Interstitial Vaginal Needle Implantation in Gynecological Tumors : Design and Construction of Applicator (부인과암에서 조직내 삽입 방사선치료 - Applicator의 고안 및 제작-)

  • Kang, Seung-Hee;Chun, Mi-Son;Kang, Hae-Jin;Jung, Chil;Son, Jeong-Hyae
    • Radiation Oncology Journal
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    • v.16 no.2
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    • pp.167-175
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    • 1998
  • Purpose : It is not a simple task to achieve the ideal isodose curve with a standard vaginal applicator or sing1e plane needle impant in the paravaginal tissue when primary or recurrent gynecological neoplasms(cervical cancers, vaginal cancers and vulvar cancers) are treated as a boost following external beam radiotherapy. The authors introduce the development and construction of a simple, inexpensive, customized applicator for volume implant to maximize the radiation dose to the tumor while minimizing the dose to the rectum and the bladder. Materials and Methods : Nine patients underwent Ir-192 transperineal interstitial implantation for either recurrent(5 cases) or primary(3 cases) cervical cancers or primary vaginal cancer(1 case) between August 1994 and February 1998 at Ajou university hospital. First 3 cases were performed with a sing1e plane implant guided by digital palpation. Because of inadequate isodose coverage in the tumor volume in first 3 cases, we designed and constructed interstitial vaginal applicator for volume implant to improve tumor dose distribution and homogeneity while sparing the surrounding normal tissue. Our applicators consist of vaginal obturator and perineal template that made of the clear acrylamide and dental mold material$(Provil^{(R)})$. The applicators were customized individually according to the tumor size and its location Both HDR and LDR irradiation were given with these applicators accomodating 6 Fr needles(Microselectron Nucletron). The pretreatment planning prior to actual implant was performed whenever possible. Results : Needles can be inserted easily and evenly into the tumor volume through the holes of templates, requiring less efforts and time for the implant procedure. Our applicators made of materials available from commercial vendors. These have an advantage that require easy procedure, and spend relatively short time to construct. Also it was possible to fabricate applicators to individualize according to the tumor size and its location and to achieve the ideal isodose coverage. We found an accurate needle arrangement and ideal dose distribution through the CT scan that was obtained in 3 cases after needle implant. Three patients with primary cervical and vaginal cancers were controlled locally at final follow up. But all recurrent cases failed to do so. Conclusion : The authors introduce inexpensive, simple interstitial vaginal templates which were self-designed and constructed using materials available from commercial vendors such as acrylanide and dental mold material $(Provil^{(R)})$.

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Analysis of Prognostic Factors in Glioblastoma Multiforme (다형성 교모세포증 환자의 예후인자 분석)

  • Chang Sei Kyung;Suh Chang Ok;Lee Sang Wook;Keum Ki Chang;Kim Gwi Eon;Kim Woo Cheol
    • Radiation Oncology Journal
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    • v.14 no.3
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    • pp.181-189
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    • 1996
  • Purpose : To find the more effective treatment methods that improving the survival of patients with glioblastoma multiforme(GBM), we analyze the prognostic factors and the outcome of therapy in patients with GBM. Materials and Methods : One hundred twently-one patients with a diagnosis of GBM treated at Severance Hospital between 1973 and 1993 were analyzed for survival with respect to patients characteristics, that is, duration of symptom, age, and Karnofsky performance status, as well as treatment related variables such as extent of surgery and radiotherapy. Results : The median survival time(MST) and 2-year overall survival rate (OSR) of the patients with GBM were 13 months and $20.8\%$, respectively. Duration of symptom, age, Karnofsky performance status(KPS), radiotherapy, and extent of surgical resection were associated with improved survial in a univariate analysis. Patients whose duration of symptom was longer than 3 months, had the 2-year OSR of $47.2\%$(p=0.0082), who were younger than age 50, $32.9\%$(p=0.0003) In patients with a KPS of 80 or higher, the 2-rear OSR was $36.9\%$(p=0.0422). Patients undergoing radiotherapy had the 2-year OSR of $22.9\%$(p=0.0030), and surgical resection of $23.3\%$ (p<0.000). A Cox regression model confirmed a significant correlation of duration of symptom, age, radiotherapy, and extent of surgical resection with survival, excluding KPS(P=0.8823). The 2-year OSR were $22.3\%$ and $19.4\%$, combined with chemotherapy or without, respectively(p=0.6028). The duration of symptom of 3 months or shorter, 50 years of age or older, and undergoing stereotactic biopsy only were considered as risk factors, then patients without any risk factors had the MST of 29 months and 2-year OSR of $53.9\%$ compared to 4 months and $0\%$ for Patients who had all 3 risk factors. Most of all treatment failures occurred in the primary tumor site($80.4\%$). Conclusion : The duration of symptom, age, radiotherapy, and extent of surgical resection were a prognostically significant indeuendent variables. To get a better survival, it seems to be reasonable that the study design which improves the local control rates is warranted.

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The Effect of Home Rehabilitation Exercise Program of Home Stayed Chronic Hemiplegic Stroke Patients (재가 만성 뇌졸중 편마비 환자의 가정 재활운동 프로그램의 효과)

  • Roh Kook Hee
    • Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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    • v.16 no.1
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    • pp.77-94
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    • 2002
  • This study was a quasi-experimental study of nonequivalent control group pretest- posttest design to investigate the effect of home rehabilitation exercise program on the physical and psychological functions of home stayed chronic hemiplegic stroke patients. The data were collected during the period of May 20th to August 15th, 200l. The subjects for this study were 40 hemiplegic stroke patients with the experimental group consisting of 19 patients and the control group being composed of 21 patients. The patients selected for this study were: (a)living in J city who had been diagnosed with stroke and at home after being discharged from the hospital, (b) suffering from stroke for 6 months to 5 years, (c) without recognition disorder with the MMSE-K(Mini-Mental State Examination-K)score above 25, (d) below 2 on the modified Ashworth scale, (e)free from heart and pulmonary disease, (f)able to walk beyond 15 minutes for themselves, (g) not taking regular exercises. The program for the experimental group provided 8 weeks' home rehabilitation exercise, two times of group education during the first week and individual education and supportive care after the second week through home visiting and telephoning more than once a week. The amount of time spent on rehabilitation exercise by the experimental group was 35 to 50 minutes a day, three times a week. In order to understand the effects of experiment the two groups were compared and verified by measuring the physical and psychological functions of both groups. The data were analysed by $\chi^{2}-test$, paired t-test and unpaired t-test and ANCOVA through SAS/PC program. The results of the study were as follows: 1. In terms of physical variables: grip strength. lower extremity muscle strength, walking time, ADL and serum lipid levels 1) There was no significant difference in the unaffected and affected grip strength between the two groups, even though the unaffected and affected grip strength was more improved in the experimental group than in the control group. 2) There was no significant difference in the unaffected lower extremity muscle strength between the two groups, even though the unaffected lower extremity muscle strength was more improved in the experimental group than in the control group. There was no significant difference either in the affected lower extremity muscle strength between the two groups, even though the affected lower extremity muscle strength was more improved in the experimental group than in the control group. 3) There was significant difference in walking time between the two groups. Walking time was significantly reduced in the experimental group whereas it increased in the control group. 4) There was significant difference in ADL score between the two groups. ADL score was significantly increased in the experimental group, but it significantly decreased in the control group. 5) There was significant difference in serum total cholesterol level between the two groups. After experiment the serum T-C level became lower in the experimental group whereas it became sigficantly higher in the control group. 2. In terms of psychological variables: depression and self-esteem 1) There was no significant difference in the depression between the two groups, even though the depression showed constant in the experimental group, but it showed a significant increase in the control group. 2) There was no significant difference in the self-esteem between the two groups, even though the self-esteem showed some increase in the experimental group, but it significant decrease in the control group. As shown above, the results of 8 weeks' home rehabilitation exercise program for chronic hemiplegic stroke patients produced positive effects on walking time, ADL score and serum T-C level, shortening walking time, improving activities of daily living(ADL) and lowering serum total cholesterol level.

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Development of a Home-based Nursing Intervention, Mothering Program for Low-Birth-Weight Infants (저체중출생아를 위한 가정간호형 모성역할중재 프로그램 개발과 그 효과에 대한 연구)

  • Han, Kyung-Ja
    • Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
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    • v.8 no.1
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    • pp.5-24
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    • 2001
  • The purpose of this study was to develop a parenting intervention program and determine the efficacy of the program with low-birth weight infants and their mothers. Nine dyads for the experimental group and twelve dyads for the control group discharged from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of a University Hospital in Seoul were recruited for the study. For the intervention group, programmed education and support which focused on the maternal sensitivity of the infant's behavior. rearing environment. motherinfant interaction and infant care were given to each subject. Individual counseling and home visits were provided at discharge, one week after discharge. and one and three months of corrected age in every infant. Structured questionaires were administered and feeding interactions were videotaped and coded by a blinded certified observer. A Quasi-experimental design was conducted for this study. Postpartum depression, maternal self esteem. infant care burden, HOME. mother-infant interaction, and infant development were measured. Results were in favor of the intervention versus the control group. On the Beck depression inventory, intervention mothers showed decreasing trends in depressive symptom vs control mothers although, there were statistically no significant differences between the two groups at each time. The mean score of experimental group was 11.55(mild depression state) at discharge and became 8,6(normal state) at 1 month of corrected age. On the other hand, the mean score of the control group was 13.92(mild depression state) at discharge and became 14.0. Maternal self esteem in both groups improved over time. Infant care burden in both groups was also shown to increase over time. There was a significant difference between the two groups in HOME(p=.0340) at 3 months of corrected age. HOME scores of the experimental group and the control's were 31.10 and 25.58, respectively. Mothers' emotional and language responses were significantly high in the intervention group compared with the control group(p=.0155). Intervention group (53.33) showed a significantly high quality of motherinfant interaction compared with the in control group (42.80)(p =.0340). Intervention group mothers appeared have a better quality of mother-infant interaction behaviors. On the other hand, there was no statistical difference in the infant part between groups. Intervention group infants had higher trends in a general developmental quotient: although, there was no statistical difference between groups. The general developmental quotient of intervention infants was 102.56 and control's was 91.28. However, the developmental quotient of the domain of 'individuality-sociality' was higher in the intervention group infants compared with the control's(p=.0155). The concerns identified by parents revealed two domains of an infants' health management -knowledge and skills in caregiving of lowbirthweight-infants, characteristics of lowbirthweight infants, identifying a developmental milestone, coping with emergency situations and relaxation strategies of mothers from the infant care burden. Interview data with the mothers of low-birth weight infants can be used to develop intervention program contents. Limited intervention time and frequency due to time and cost limitations of this study should be modified. The intervention should be continuously implemented when low-birth weight infants become three years old. An NNNS demonstration appeared to be a very effective intervention for the mothers to improve the quality of mother-infant interactions. Therefore intervening in the mothers of low-birth weight infants as early after delivery as possible is desirable. This study has shown that home visit interventions are worthwhile for mothers only beyond the approach as an essential factor in ability of facilitating a growth fostering environment. In conclusion. the intervention program of this study was very effective in enhancing the parenting for the mothers of low-birth weight infants, resulting in health promotion of low-birth weight infants. The home-visit outreach intervention program of this study will contribute to the health delivery system in this country where there is a lack of continuous follow-up programs for low-birth weight infants after discharge from NICU, if it is activated as part of the home visit programs in community health systems.

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