• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
• /
• v.10 no.4
• /
• pp.37-50
• /
• 2016

Objectives : The aim of this meta-analysis was to draw overall conclusions on the correlation between the organizational effectiveness (OE) of healthcare employees and related factors by summarizing recent studies and to provide a baseline for future research. Methods : A literature search for original articles published from 2005 to 2014 including doctoral theses and KCI journal articles was done in KERIS' RISS, etc. in a systematic manner. From 77 studies which met the inclusion criteria 190 effect sizes (ESs) were calculated for the analysis. A meta-analysis was done with CMA 3 (Biostat company, USA). Results : The overall ES was moderate for all, positively and negatively related factors. For all related factors, job characteristics, group-leader relations, personal and organizational characteristics had a moderate ES. The ES for work experiences was small. Conclusions : Although the results of this study were meaningful it is necessary to perform follow-up analyses (1) based on a longer data period and more articles, (2) including moderating variables with higher explanatory power and (3) adopting a study model with more specific and simplified variables.

• Textile Coloration and Finishing
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.131-138
• /
• 2017

Most of high performance fabrics for the car racing protective clothing have been developed to have thermal resistance, flame retardant property, impact resistance and anti-frictional properties to protect the racer from the crucial accident. In this study, the meta-aramid fabric, which has inherent flame retardant, was coated with nanoparticles of SiC to enhance the impact resistance and anti-friction properties. Uniform coating of the nanoparticles onto the fabrics was obtained by using tape casting method. As the experimental parameters, size and content of the SiC nanoparticle were varied with the coating conditions of the fabric surface. The effects of the nanoparticle coating on the properties of meta-aramid fabric were examined with various instrumental analyses such as SEM, tensile strength and abrasion test.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.21-27
• /
• 2021

Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Kinesio taping (KT) for balance and gait in patients with stroke through meta-analysis of studies conducted in Korea. Methods: RISS, Science on, and DBPia were the three databases used to collect articles on KT. Keywords such as "Stroke," "Kinesio taping," "Elasticity taping," and "Taping" were used to search for published articles. We systematically searched from the inception of each database to November 2020. Interventions and comparisons were KT and without KT. Outcome measures were the timed up and go (TUG) and 10-meter walking tests (10MWT). Consequently, six studies were selected for the second screening using meta-analyses. Results: Based on the results of the meta-analysis, comparison between patients with and without KT showed that KT was effective for TUG (ES: 2.51, 95% CI: 2.12 to 2.90); however, it was not effective for 10MWT (ES: 0.79, 95% CI: -0.04 to 1.62). Conclusion: The current evidence suggests that KT is more effective than without KT interventions for balance function in post-stroke patients. However, more well-conducted randomized controlled trials are required in the future.

• Knee surgery & related research
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.356-363
• /
• 2018

Purpose: A meta-analysis was performed to assess the outcomes following surgical intervention for medial knee plica. Materials and Methods: A literature search of Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL and Cochrane CENTRAL was performed using relevant key words. The primary outcome was patient-reported postoperative scores of "good" and "excellent". Meta-analyses were performed using a random effects model. Results: The literature search identified 731 articles. After removing duplicates and those not meeting the inclusion criteria, 12 articles reporting on a total of 643 knees were included for analysis, and of these, 7 articles including 235 knees were used for meta-analysis. The overall rate of good and excellent outcomes following surgery was estimated at 84.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 72.8-91.4). In those cases that had non-surgical therapy prior to surgery, the rate of good and excellent outcomes of surgery was estimated at 76.1% (95% CI, 60.1-87). Conclusions: Arthroscopic surgical management of symptomatic medial knee plica results in favourable outcomes. Our results suggest that arthroscopic surgical excision should be considered as a treatment modality in patients with pathological medial plica disease of the knee either as a first-line treatment or when symptoms have not responded to non-surgical interventions. Level of Evidence: IV.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.192-205
• /
• 2023

Objectives: Previous studies have evaluated the association between mercury exposure and obesity but have yielded mixed conclusions. The aim of this study was to systematically review and summarize scientific evidence regarding the association between mercury exposure and obesity in the human population. Methods: We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Science Direct for articles related to mercury exposure and obesity. Meta-analyses of the highest and lowest categories of mercury levels were evaluated using a random effects model. Begg's test was used to detect publication bias. Results: A total of 9 articles were included. The pooled random effects odds ratio (OR) for mercury exposure and obesity of all 9 studies was 1.66 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16-2.38). This positive association was evident in adults (OR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.02-2.54) and among studies with Asian populations (OR: 2.00, 95% CI: 1.53-2.59), but not among those with North America/African populations (OR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.50-1.65). Conclusions: The present meta-analysis identified a positive association between mercury exposure and obesity. These findings suggest that toxic environmental metals such as mercury may be an important risk factor for obesity along with dietary habits and lifestyles.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.71-82
• /
• 2024

Purpose: This study systematically analyzed the impact of aromatherapy on pain in individuals with diabetes. Methods: A search was performed in seven electronic databases based on the PICO-SD (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, Study Design) framework. The population (P) of interest was individuals with diabetes, and the intervention (I) included aromatherapy targeting pain reduction. The comparison (C) consisted of control groups that received no intervention, another intervention, or usual care. The outcome (O) measured was pain. The quality of the selected literature was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist. In MIX 2.0 Pro, the pooled overall effect of pain was calculated using Hedge's g and a random-effects model, and heterogeneity was calculated using the Q statistic and Higgin's I2 values. Meta-regression and exclusion sensitivity analyses were performed. Results: Five articles and seven studies were included, showing a significant pooled overall effect of aromatherapy on diabetes-related pain (Hedge's g = -1.83, 95% CI: -2.76 to -0.91). Meta-regression demonstrated that effectiveness in reducing pain was associated with studies conducted in West Asia, those with IRB approval, and those receiving funding. Additionally, interventions involving subjects under 60, lavender oil (vs. turpentine oil or blended oils), massage therapy (vs. topical application), fewer hours per session, and more repeated measurements (vs. pre/post measurements) were associated with pain reduction. Conclusion: Aromatherapy, especially with lavender oil, effectively manages diabetes-related pain. Short-duration massage application is also effective. A personalized selection of oil type and application method could optimize therapeutic outcomes for individuals with diabetes.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.17 no.10
• /
• pp.158-167
• /
• 2016

This study was conducted to evaluate the quality of meta-analysis of social work in South Korea using the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Review (AMSTAR). Electronic databases including the Korean Studies Information Service System (KISS), DBpia, and RISS4U were searched for 'meta-analysis', 'social work', and 'social welfare' from 2000 to December 2015, and 42 meta-analysis studies were included. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, and ANOVA. The mean score for AMSTAR evaluation was $4.766{\pm}1.66$, while 19 studies (45.2%) were classified at the low-quality level, and 22 (52.4%) were at the moderate-quality level. The scores of quality assessment were analyzed by publication year, participants, number of studies included, number of DB, reporting study quality, extraction diagram and topics. The findings indicated that the following changes should be implemented to improve the quality and reliability of meta-analysis results in social work research: 1) common reporting guidelines should be provided for the social work field, 2) quality analyses of each study should be conducted to achieve a high level of evidence of effectiveness of social work interventions, 3) the characteristics of the included studies should be provided, and 4) a consensus and procedure based on at least two independent data extractors should be reported.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.9
• /
• pp.4071-4077
• /
• 2014

Background: The effects of CYP1A1 gene polymorphisms on the risk of bladder cancer (BC) remain controversial. We carried out a meta-analysis to clarify the role of CYP1A1 gene polymorphisms in BC. Material and Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted up to November 20, 2013. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to estimate the strength of the association. Meta-regression, subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis and publication bias were also performed. Results: Eight studies involving 1,059 BC cases and 1,061 controls were included. The meta-analysis showed that there was no significant association between the two common mutations of CYP1A1 and BC risk. For the I1e462Val A/G polymorphism with GG vs. AA the OR was 1.47 (95 % CI= 0.70-3.07, P =0.308). For the MspI T/C polymorphism, though a slight trend was found this was not statistically nonsignificant (CC vs.TT, OR = 1.24, 95 % CI= 0.98-1.58, P =0.078). Subgroup analyses by ethnicity also found no obvious association between CYP1A1 and BC risk. Conclusion: The present meta-analysis suggests that CYP1A1 polymorphism is not associated with bladder cancer risk.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.21
• /
• pp.9085-9091
• /
• 2014

Background: Epidemiology studies have shown an inconclusive relationship between phytoestrogen intake and ovarian cancer risk and there have been no relevant meta-analyses directly regarding this topic. The purpose of the present meta-analysis was therefore to investigate any association between phytoestrogen intake and ovarian cancer in detail. Materials and Methods: We conducted a search of PubMed, EMBASE, EBSCO, the Cochrane Library, CNKI and Chinese Biomedical Database (up to April 2014) using common keywords for studies that focused on phytoestrogen and ovarian cancer risk. Study-specific risk estimates (RRs) were pooled using fixed effect or random-effect models. Results: Ten epidemiologic studies were finally included in the meta-analysis. The total results indicated higher phytoestrogen intake was associated with a reduced ovarian cancer risk (RR, 0.70; 95%CI: 0.56-0.87). The association was similar in sensitivity analysis. Meta regression analysis demonstrated sources and possibly types and regions as heterogeneous factors. Subgroup analysis of types, sources and regions showed that isoflavones (RR: 0.63; 95%CI: 0.46, 0.86), soy foods (RR: 0.51; 95%CI: 0.39, 0.68) and an Asian diet (RR: 0.48; 95%CI: 0.37, 0.63) intake could reduce the incidence of ovarian cancer. Conclusions: Our findings show possible protection by phytoestrogens against ovarian cancer. We emphasize specific phytoestrogens from soy foods, but not all could reduce the risk. The habit of plentiful phytoestrogen intake by Asians is worthy to recommendation. However, we still need additional larger well designed observational studies to fully characterize underlying associations.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.21
• /
• pp.9241-9247
• /
• 2014

Background: Rs31489 in the cleft lip and palate transmembrane1-like gene (CLPTM1L) has been identified to be associated with lung cancer through genome-wide association studies (GWAS). However, some recent replication studies yielded inconclusive results. Thus, we undertook this study to investigate the precise effect of rs31489 on lung cancer susceptibility. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based case-control study in 1,673 Chinese subjects (611 individuals with lung cancer and 1,062 controls) and a meta-analysis among 32,199 subjects (16,364 cases and 15,835 controls) were performed in this study. Results: In our case-control study, rs31489 was inversely associated with lung cancer (AC versus CC: OR=0.68, 95%CI=0.52-0.88; additive model: OR=0.68, 95%CI=0.54-0.85; dominant model: OR=0.65, 95%CI =0.51-0.84). Stratification analysis by smoking status showed a significant association and strong genetic effect in non-smokers but not in smokers. Our meta-analysis further confirmed the association, although with significant heterogeneity contributed by study design and source of controls, as shown by stratified analysis. Sensitive and cumulative analyses both indicated robust stability of our results. In addition, there was no observable publication bias in our meta-analysis. Conclusions: Overall, the findings from our replication study and meta-analysis demonstrated that CLPTM1L gene rs31489 is significantly associated with lung cancer.