• Journal of Korean Academy of Rural Health Nursing
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.94-102
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• 2009

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a urinary incontinence management program for middle aged women living in a rural area. Method: The research design was a one-group pretest-posttest design. Forty eight women with urinary incontinence aged 40-64, who lived in a rural area were included in the study. The urinary incontinence management program was composed of urinary incontinence education, pelvic floor muscle exercise, behavior management using a voiding diary. The program had three weekly sessions. Knowledge about urinary incontinence, physical symptoms, self-efficacy, and urinary incontinence related quality of life were measured before and after the program. Results: After carrying the urinary incontinence management program, knowledge score improved significantly compared to before the program ($6.31{\pm}3.30$ vs $7.77{\pm}2.55$, p=.01). But the score for self-efficacy, and urinary incontinence related quality of life did not improve. Conclusion: The 3 week urinary incontinence program had an effect on knowledge related to urinary incontinence, but not self efficacy nor urinary incontinence related quality of life. Thus further study is required to better evaluate the effects of the urinary incontinence program.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.1-9
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• 2020

PURPOSE: The current generation has shortened hamstrings due to a sedentary lifestyle, resulting in reduced flexibility of the hamstring and dysfunction. This study was undertaken to compare effects of three different release exercises on hamstring flexibility, in participants with short hamstrings. METHODS: Totally, 20 subjects having short hamstrings were involved in this study. The inclusion criterion for study participation was active knee extension test (AKET) less than 60°. All participants were subjected to 3 methods: hamstring foam roller release (HFRR), sitting self myofascial release (sitting SMR), and standing self myofascial release (Standing SMR). All participants randomly performed all three methods to avoid bias caused by learning or fatigue. Passive knee extension test (PKET), AKET, finger to floor distance test (FTFT), and pelvic tilting angle test (PTAT) were measured pre- and post-exercises. RESULTS: The PKET, AKET and FTFT were significantly increased after HFRR, sitting SMR, and standing SMR exercise (p < .05). However, PTAT was not significantly increased after the three exercises (p > .05). Furthermore, no significant differences were observed between PKET, AKET, FTFT and PTAT subsequent to HFRR, sitting SMR, and standing SMR (p > .05). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that HFRR, sitting SMR and standing SMR were immediately effective in improving hamstring flexibility in participants with short hamstrings.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.103-109
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• 2015

Purpose: Abdominal breathing exercises are recommended to activate the breathing muscles and the pelvic floor muscles, as well as to increase postural alignment during exhalation. The purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of improving abdominal muscle strength on menstrual pain in women in their twenties using abdominal breathing exercises. Method: In this study, 32 female university students were included as the subjects. The subjects were divided into two groups based on the area of menstrual pain: lumbar pain (n=16) and lower abdomen pain (n=16). The abdominal breathing positions were divided into two positions, which included a hook lying position and hip and knee flexions at $90^{\circ}$ in the supine position. Exercises were used to strengthen the abdominal muscles during exhalation. Four sets of the exercises were completed three times a week over the course of eight weeks. The degree of pain was measured using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Muscle thickness was measured using an ultrasound. Result: The thickness of the transverse abdominis (TrA) and internal oblique (IO) increased in the lower abdomen pain group. However, thickness of the external oblique (EO) did not increased following abdominal breathing. No significant difference in posture was identified in the lower abdomen group. TrA thickness increased significantly in the lumbar pain group. However, thickness did not increase significantly in the lumbar pain group. In addition, the lumbar pain group experienced no significant effects on posture. IO thickness increased following hip and knee flexions at $90^{\circ}$ in the lumbar pain group. Menstrual pain decreased following intervention in both groups. There was no significant difference in the degree of pain reduction between both groups. Conclusion: As examples of alternative medicine, abdominal breathing exercises may be effective in decreasing menstrual pain.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.81-90
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of applying a defecation encouragement program for patients undergoing total knee replacement arthroplasty (TKRA). Methods: This program was based on the nursing best practice guideline: prevention of constipation in the older adult population by the National Guideline Clearing House (NGC) in 2011, which included fluid intake, bowel training, and abdominal and pelvic floor exercises. A team of one orthopaedic clinical nurse specialist and six orthopaedic nurses with a 10 years of clinical experience applied and assisted patients with the program. Formal counsel was provided by one orthopaedic doctor, one gastroenterologist, and one exercise therapist. Patients who defecated one day prior to or on the day of TKRA surgery were included. Data collected from 72 subjects were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 21.0. Results: Time until first defecation after surgery was 2.4±1.1 days in experimental group, which was significantly shorter than the 3.5±0.9 days in control group (t=4.28, p<.001). Constipation assessment scale showed significantly lower points (t=2.55, p=.013) in experimental group (1.3±1.2) compared to control group (2.6±2.6). The experimental group and control group were 17.3±7.67 and 23.7±14.43, respectively, and the experimental group used less laxatives (t=2.83, p=.021). Conclusion: A defecation encouragement program was proved to be an appropriate nursing intervention for patients undergoing TKRA. This study confirmed that constipation is a nursing problem that can be sufficiently prevented if nurses are interested and encourage defecation.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.439-448
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• 2003

Purpose: This study was accomplished to apply and to evaluate the 10-week Urinary tract Function Promotion for the Elderly Women (UFPE), and to suggest guideline and to be utilized on the community level. Method: Subjects were 30 persons of 16 healthy elderly and 14 hemiplegic elderly. This UFPE was composed of diagnosis of incontinence & evaluation of physical condition, understanding of urogenital system & urinary incontinence management. UFPE was evaluated by subjective urinary condition, intra-vaginal contraction power, continence self-efficacy (CSE), incontinence stress, geriatric depression. The collected data was analyzed using Wilcoxon Matched Signed-Ranks test by SPSS/WIN program. Result: 5 subjects (31.2%) in healthy group and 2 subjects(14.3%) in hemiplegic group have a daytime frequency, 14 subjects(87.5%) in healthy- group and 14 subjects(100%) have a nocturia. After program, subjective urinary condition was increased just only healthy elderly (Z=-2.545, p<0.05), while intra-vaginal contraction power and CSE were increased significantly only in the hemiplegic elderly (Z=-2.57, P<0.05: Z=-2.29, p<0.05). There were barriers not to comply program guidance such as inadequate perception of pelvic floor muscle, forget to do exercise, fatigue. Conclusion: UFPE was effective in increasing subjective urinary condition for healthy elderly and in increasing intra-vaginal contraction power and continence self-efficacy for the hemiplegic elderly women. I suggest that this UFPE be utilized at the health center and elderly center, and public health nurse counsel and guide the elderly's work through phone service.