• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.9-16
• /
• 2023

Background: Bedridden patients and disabled persons need help from a guardian or caregiver even in performing simple activities of daily living. In particular, for body transfer of them, the use of a transfer lift has been recommended. However, the devices currently in use have limitations in terms of support according to the individual's characteristics. This study aimed to develop a transfer lift device utilizing the patients' body-fitting sling equipped with an air tube inside the sling. In addition, we have conducted usability tests to examine the safety, effectiveness, and satisfaction with this device. Design: This study conducted usability tests with 10 healthy adults. Methods: Customized sling lifts are generally floor-based devices that consisted of a sling that holds the patient's body and a lift that moves the sling to the desired position. One characteristic feature of the device is an air tube, which is used on the sling to allow the patient's body can be adjusted. A usability test was performed in terms of the operators, who operated the device to transfer the patients. Ten operators tried the device and tested its usability. Results: The mean of 10 question for Questions was 4.18. Conclusion: The device can be useful in the advance- ment and commercialization of customized sling lifts, to ensure the safe and efficient transfer of persons with disabilities.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.44 no.6
• /
• pp.384-391
• /
• 2023

Among the elderly, fatal injuries and deaths are significantly attributed to falls. Therefore, a pre-impact fall detection system is necessary for injury prevention. In this study, a robust threshold-based algorithm was proposed for pre-impact fall detection, reducing false positives in highly dynamic daily-living movements. The algorithm was validated using public datasets (KFall and FARSEEING) that include the real-world elderly fall. A 6-axis IMU sensor (Movella Dot, Movella, Netherlands) was attached to S2 of 20 healthy adults (aged 22.0±1.9years, height 164.9±5.9cm, weight 61.4±17.1kg) to measure 14 activities of daily living and 11 fall movements at a sampling frequency of 60Hz. A 5Hz low-pass filter was applied to the IMU data to remove high-frequency noise. Sum vector magnitude of acceleration and angular velocity, roll, pitch, and vertical velocity were extracted as feature vector. The proposed algorithm showed an accuracy 98.3%, a sensitivity 100%, a specificity 97.0%, and an average lead-time 311±99ms with our experimental data. When evaluated using the KFall public dataset, an accuracy in adult data improved to 99.5% compared to recent studies, and for the elderly data, a specificity of 100% was achieved. When evaluated using FARSEEING real-world elderly fall data without separate segmentation, it showed a sensitivity of 71.4% (5/7).

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.35 no.5
• /
• pp.156-161
• /
• 2023

Purpose: This study examined the effects of subjective visual vertical perception and head orientation on static balance control. Methods: The subjects were 25 young and healthy adults. The vertical perception was measured using a subjective visual vertical (SVV), and the Center of pressure (COP) parameter was analyzed by continuously measuring the movement of the COP to determine the changes in static postural control. The group was divided based on a deviation of 3° in SVV (11 of SVV≥3°, 14 of SVV<3°) and measured with different head orientations: front, up, down, left, and right in the upright and tandem positions, respectively. Results: In the upright position, the SVV≥3° group had significantly larger values for all COP parameters (Sway length, Surface, Delta X, Delta Y, and Average speed) compared to the SVV<3° group (p<0.05). In the tandem stance, only the Ellipse Surface value was significantly larger among the COP parameters in the group with SVV≥3° compared to the group with SVV<3°(p<0.05). In contrast, the other COP parameters were not significantly different (p>0.05). The effects of static balance control on the head orientation were not statistically significant (p>0.05), and the interactions between the subjective vertical perception and head orientation were not significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that pathological deviations in SVV are associated with impaired static balance performance. This study can provide a therapeutic rationale for using visuospatial cognitive feedback training to improve the static balance.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.1-13
• /
• 2023

Background: The bridge exercise prevents repeated damage to the tissues around the spine by reducing stimulus transmission to the ligaments and joint capsules, thereby alleviating back pain. It also contributes to strengthening the muscles of the lower extremities. Design: A Single Subject experience design. Methods: This study was conducted on 28 healthy adults in their 20s to 30s and conducted at St. Mary's Hospital in C City from May to July 2021. Four types of bridge exercise were performed in this study: the normal bridge exercise and bridge exercises with 0.5%, 1%, or 1.5% body weight resistance applied on the pelvis through manual resistance during the bridge exercise and to determine the effect of resistance applied in the bridge exercise on the activation of the trunk and lower extremities muscles. Results:This study showed that the muscle activity of the trunk and lower extremities improved significantly in response to stronger resistance when manual resistance equivalent to 0.5%, 1%, or 1.5% of body weight was applied during the bridge exercise compared to when the normal bridge exercise was performed. Conclusion: This study shows that manual resistance can be applied as an effective method of bridge exercise since muscle activity in the trunk and lower extremities increases when manual resistance causing isometric contraction is applied.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.28 no.5
• /
• pp.392-403
• /
• 2023

Objectives: This study was intended to investigate adults' health behaviors and eating habits according to their levels of social media use. Methods: From May 27 to July 11, 2022, an online survey was conducted of 452 male and female social media users in their 20s and 30s, and their eating habits and health behaviors were compared and analyzed according to their degree of social media use. For each of the three levels of food content use, the frequency of social media content use, and the total score range of average social media viewing time per day were divided into three parts, and a group with a score of less than 2 points was classified as low-use; a group with a score of 2 or more and less than 3 points was classified as middle-use; and a group with a score of 3 points or more was classified as high-use. Results: The use of food content was higher in women than in men (P < 0.001), and higher in those in their 20s than in those in their 30s (P < 0.001). The group with a high level of food content use showed a higher rate of post-use hunger than the group with a low level (P < 0.01). The experience of eating after using food content was also higher in the group with a high level of use than in the group with a low level of use (P < 0.001). The group with a normal or high level of food content use had more negative eating habits than the group with a low level. Conclusions: The study highlighted the need to provide desirable food content to people in their 20s and 30s with negative eating habits and to promote them so that they can use the right healthy nutrition-related content.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.17 no.5
• /
• pp.945-958
• /
• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Food literacy (FL) is a crucial skill for selecting sustainable and healthy food options, necessitating the identification of vulnerable groups in the community using valid measurement tools. Identifying weak domains in FL is essential for enhancing the overall FL. This study examined the FL levels of Seoul citizens based on their sociodemographic characteristics and assessed the relationship between FL, food intake, and weight status. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study utilized the data from the Seoul Food Survey, a cross-sectional study employing representative samples of Seoul citizens. Data collection occurred from September to October 2021, with 4,039 citizens aged 18 yrs and above participating in face-to-face surveys. Thirty-three FL items were assessed, comprising 14 items in the nutrition and safety (NS) domain, eight items in the cultural and relational (CR) domain, and 11 items in the socio-ecological (SE) domain. In addition, data on food intake sufficiency and obesity status were collected. The descriptive statistics, t-tests, analysis of variance, and logistic regression analysis were used for analysis. RESULTS: Men, students, young adults, older citizens, and people experiencing food insecurity had the lowest scores for all the FL domains. The highest quartile group of NS scores had a higher probability of consuming adequate servings of vegetables and fruits, with significant linear trends observed (P for trend < 0.05). In all three FL domains, the odds ratio for obesity was significantly lower in the groups with high FL scores (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A close relationship was observed between low FL, obesity, and food intake, even after controlling for other covariates. Vulnerable groups with low FL were also identified. Therefore, it is essential to develop programs to improve FL and the health and well-being of these groups.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.17 no.5
• /
• pp.984-996
• /
• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Prior studies, mostly conducted in Western countries, have suggested that the low cost of energy-dense foods is associated with an increased risk of obesity. This study aimed to investigate the association between food costs and obesity risk among Koreans who may have different food cost and dietary patterns than those of Western populations. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We used baseline data from a cohort of 45,193 men and 83,172 women aged 40-79 years (in 2006-2013). Dietary intake information was collected using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Prudent and Western dietary patterns extracted via principal component analysis. Food cost was calculated based on Korean government data and market prices. Logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the association of daily total, prudent, and Western food cost per calorie with obesity. RESULTS: Men in the highest total food cost quintile had 15% higher odds of obesity, after adjusting for demographic characteristics and lifestyle factors (adjusted odds ratio, 1.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-1.22; P-trend < 0.001); however, this association was not clear in women (P-trend = 0.765). While both men and women showed positive associations between prudent food cost and obesity (P-trends < 0.001), the association between Western food cost and obesity was only significant in men (P-trend < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In countries in which consumption of Western foods is associated with higher food costs, higher food costs are associated with an increased risk of obesity; however, this association differs between men and women.

• Human Ecology Research
• /
• v.62 no.2
• /
• pp.233-248
• /
• 2024

The purpose of this study was to describe the family life and relationships of national family center users in 2023. A sample of 1,086 adults was recruited from 48 family centers across South Korea. Participants, both online and offline, reported on various aspects of family life, including satisfaction, gender equality, work-home-life balance, family leisure, and internet usage for family and household purposes. Additionally, family relationships were explored in terms of dynamics with a spouse, children, and adult children. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and t-tests. In the family life domain, center users reported a high level of satisfaction, with women exhibiting greater awareness of gender equality and higher engagement in household chores than men. Furthermore, although a moderate balance among work, home, and life was reported, time emerged as a significant challenge for family leisure. Regarding technology, center users frequently utilized the internet for family communication, leisure, shopping, and household management. In the family relationships domain, men were more satisfied with spousal relationships than women. Center users reported high satisfaction with parent-child relationships. Parents of school-aged children perceived economic burdens, while those with adult children frequently provided psychological and instrumental support. These findings suggest the need for program modification and the development of new initiatives within national family centers to better support the diverse needs of families in terms of life satisfaction and relationship dynamics.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.8-17
• /
• 2024

Background: Sleep accounts for approximately one-third of a person's lifetime. It is a relaxing activity that relieves mental and physical fatigue. Pillows of different sizes, shapes, and materials have been designed to improve sleep quality by achieving an optimal sleep posture. Objects: This study aimed to determine which pillow provides the most comfortable and supports the head and neck during sleep, which may enhance sleep quality. Methods: Twenty-eight healthy adults (19 males and 9 females) with an average age of 29 years participated in this cross-sectional study. This experiment was conducted while the participants laid down for 5 minutes in four different pillow conditions: (1) no pillow (NP), (2) neck support foam pillow (NSFP), (3) standard microfiber filled pillow (SFP), and (4) hybrid foam pillow (HFP). The head-neck peak pressure, cranio-vertebral angle in supine (CVAs), cranio-horizontal angle in supine (CHAs), chin-sternum distance (CSD), and muscle tone of sternocleidomastoid were analyzed using one-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). The significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results: The head-neck peak pressure was the highest in the NSFP condition, followed by the NP, SFP, and HFP conditions. The CVAs, CHAs, and CSD of the SFP were lower than those of the other pillows. Muscle tone was the highest in the NP condition, followed by the of NSFP, HFP, and SFP conditions. The participants subjective comfort level in both the supine and side-lying postures was highest in the HFP condition, followed by the SFP and NSFP conditions. Conclusion: This study can be used to establish the importance of pillow selection for high-quality sleep. The results of this study, suggest that a hybrid pillow with a good supportive core and appropriate fluffiness can maintain comfort and correct cervical spine alignment during sleep.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Health Science
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.1654-1659
• /
• 2024

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine Correlation analysis of central corneal thickness, anterior chamber volume, and anterior chamber depth in Koreans aged 20 to 24 years using the Pentacam tool. Methods: The subjects of this study were 53 Korean adults with healthy eyes. The central corneal thickness(CCT), anterior chamber volume(ACV), and anterior chamber depth(ACD) was measured with Pentacam device. Data was analyzed by means of the Pearson's correlation cofficient. P-values<0.001 were considered statistically significant. Results: Mean age of subjects was 22.0±2.01 years. The mean +/- central corneal thickness of the right eye and left eye were 546.66±32.221mmg and 545.70±32.759mm, respectively. Also The mean central cornea thickness was 546.19 um in the whole sample. The mean anterior chamber volume the right eye and left eye was 181.66±33.738 mm³ and 180.12±30.84 mm³, respectively. The mean anterior chamber depth was 3.158±0.257 mm and 3.122±0.233 mm in right eye and left eye, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between anterior camber volume and anterior chamber depth(p<0.001, Pearson's correlation). However there was no statistically significant difference between central cornea thickness and anterior chamber volume. Also there was no statistically significant difference between central cornea thickness and anterior chamber depth. Conclusion: The results of this study could be used as a clinical reference data for diagnosis and treatment of cornea in Korean adolescents.