• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.127-135
• /
• 2021

Background: Dialysis patients are prone to having disabilities. We aimed to evaluate the association between disability and various clinical outcomes in Korean dialysis patients. Methods: This study consisted of 1,615 dialysis patients from 27 centers. We evaluated disability by using four questions on the activities of daily living (ADLs) concerning whether help was needed for feeding, dressing/undressing, getting in/out of bed, or taking a bath/shower. We divided the patients into three groups: no disability (Non-D, none of the four ADL domains required help; n=1,312), mild disability (Mild-D, one ADL domain required some/full help; n=163), or moderate to severe disability (MS-D, two or more ADL domains required some/full help; n=140). We evaluated falls, frailty, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), mortality, and hospitalization. Results: The numbers of participants with a fall during the last 1 year were 199 (15.2%), 42 (25.8%), and 44 (31.4%) in the Non-D, Mild-D, and MS-D groups, respectively (p<0.001). The numbers of participants with frailty in the Non-D, Mild-D, and MS-D groups were 381 (29.0%), 84 (51.5%), and 93 (66.4%), respectively (p<0.001). In both univariate and multivariate analyses, the physical component scale and mental component scale scores decreased as the grade of disability increased (p<0.001 for both scores). Hospitalization-free survival rate at 500 days was 64.2%, 56.7%, and 51.1% in the Non-D, Mild-D, and MS-D, respectively (p=0.001 for trend). Patient survival rate at 500 days was 95.3%, 89.5%, and 92.3% in the Non-D, Mild-D, and MS-D, respectively (p=0.005 for trend). Conclusion: Disability was associated with falls, frailty, HRQoL scales, and survival trends in Korean dialysis patients.

• The Journal of the Institute of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.163-173
• /
• 2021

In the era of digital transformation, the transportation underprivileged remains as an underprivileged class without the benefits of technological advances. Electric assist devices for the People with disability are inadequate to provide services suitable for the current traffic environment, although the mobility of the People with disability is improved. In this paper, we develop IoT smart mobility by deriving essential elements through user satisfaction surveys to efficiently move physical distances based on the experience of users using existing electric assistive devices. Based on the data collected through user satisfaction survey, quantitative analysis using TF-IFD and qualitative analysis based on QFD are performed to determine the importance of user requirements. For the evaluation of IoT smart mobility design results reflecting essential functions, usability verification is conducted by forming an expert evaluation team in various fields. In the future, we plan to conduct a service design study that can improve mobility convenience and provide mobility service solutions by designing to provide efficient public services by utilizing IoT smart mobility to the People with disability.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.22 no.6
• /
• pp.541-556
• /
• 2022

Exercise programs conducted for people with stroke disabilities tend to be monotonous as they are mainly focused on therapeutic effects in the form of physical therapy performed in hospitals. However, the news sports program conducted in this study is thought to deform the intensity and difficulty of exercise in consideration of the exercise ability of each subject and to participate safely and interestingly to use equipment made of special materials. The purpose of the present study was to understand new sports program participation experiences in people with stroke. The qualitative data on eleven participants' new sports program participation experiences were acquired through in-depth interviews. As a result of the study, four subcategories (expectations for the program, experience in participating in the program, and program improvement plan) and ten core concepts were derived. Based on the results of this study, the new sports program for people with stroke living in the community after discharge is expected to be the basis for the development of community-based exercise programs considering the characteristics of stroke.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.21 no.11
• /
• pp.193-202
• /
• 2021

Barrier-free is defined as inclusive design of built environments such as building and its facilities that can be approached, entered and used by persons with disabilities. The purpose of this paper develops the content that can identify the physical barriers in the way of movement and provide information associated with barrier-free by using both Geospatial Information and Virtual Reality technology. For this, we conducted literature reviews to find the tackling barriers in terms of barrier-free access and extracted main functions to construct the content. Then, the prototype model which composed of VR engine and 3D geospatial data was implemented, and finally the utilization of the prototype was checked in accordance with barrier-free scenario. The developed prototype model of this study would be contributed to design the barrier-free of public places and access to public buildings for the mobility-disabled people.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.214-230
• /
• 2022

Loss and damage have become a vital contemporary issue in climate change studies and actions in developing countries. However, studies are scant on this in the fisheries sector around the world. In Bangladesh, there is no study on the loss and damage in fisheries dependent communities. This study assesses economic and non-economic loss and damage to coastal shrimp farms due to cyclone Bulbul in Gabura Union of Shyamnagar Upazila, Satkhira district, using a mixed method approach. Results show that all shrimp farms' dependent communities are affected by cyclone Bulbul to some extent. About 14%, 57%, and 29% of the farms were totally, heavily and moderately damaged due to farm inundation and dyke damage. The estimated mean loss and damage per shrimp farm was worth USD 4,633. Around 31% and 72% of the farms' fencing nets and traps were lost, which was worth USD 333 per farm. There were also loss and damage to other resources such as houses, solar panels, livestock and agricultural crops where the estimated mean loss and damage per household was worth USD 3,170. This study reported that the rich shrimp farmers encountered proportionately more economic loss and damage than their poor counterparts. However, this does not mean that the poor suffered less. The current study found a range of non-economic loss and damage in different aspects of the shrimp farmers' household members such as unbearable mental pain, deterioration of health, physical injuries, disabilities, etc. and access to services (e.g., inadequate food, lack of safe drinking water, lack of medical facilities, disruption of education systems), social infrastructure (e.g., damage of roads and markets) and disturbance of cultural functions. The findings suggest that urgent short- and long-term actions may be taken to save the aquaculture farms and dependent livelihoods from economic and non-economic loss and damage to cyclones in future.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.280-290
• /
• 2022

Background: This study aimed to determine the impact of complex decongestive therapy applications on upper extremity function in breast cancer patients who developed adhesive capsulitis after lymphedema. Methods: Thirty patients who developed adhesive capsulitis due to lymphedema were divided into two groups as study (n = 15) and control (n = 15) groups. Both groups received 20 minutes of exercise five days a week for three weeks using a Biodex isokinetic dynamometer, as well as a hot pack and TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) treatment to the shoulder joint. The study group received 45 minutes of intensive decongestive therapy along with the adhesive capsulitis treatment. The visual analogue scale was used to assess pain, circumference, and volumetric measurements were used to assess edema, and the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Problems Questionnaire (DASH: Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand) was used to assess upper extremity functionality. The shoulder range of motion was evaluated. Results: Both groups had improvements in pain (P < 0.001), shoulder joint range of motion (P < 0.001), and upper extremity functionality (P < 0.001) after the treatment. There was a significant decrease in circumference and volumetric measurements in the study group (P < 0.001). However, no differences were seen in measurements in the control group. Conclusions: The results showed that complex decongestive therapy was beneficial in reducing lymphedema in breast cancer patients who acquired adhesive capsulitis due to lymphedema. Consequently, the authors believe that supplementing conventional physiotherapy with complex decongestive therapy will benefit patients.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.40 no.1
• /
• pp.30-36
• /
• 2023

Background: Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is the leading cause of preventable physical and intellectual disabilities. This study aimed to assess the incidence and clinical characteristics of CH in newborns. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all newborns delivered at the Pusan National University Hospital between January 2011 and March 2021. The incidence of CH was compared according to gestational age, birth weight, and small for gestational age (SGA). The patients aged ≥3 years who could not maintain normal thyroid function and required levothyroxine treatment were diagnosed with permanent CH. Logistic regression analysis was performed to compare CH risks. Results: Of 3,722 newborns, 40 were diagnosed with CH (1.07%). Gestational age and birth weight were significantly associated with CH incidence. The odds ratios (ORs) of CH in infants delivered at 32-37, 28-31, and <28 weeks were 2.568 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.141-5.778), 5.917 (95% CI, 2.264-15.464), and 7.441 (95% CI, 2.617-21.159) times higher, respectively, than those delivered at term. The ORs of CH in infants weighing 1,500-2,499 g, 1,000-1,499 g, and <1,000 g were 4.664 (95% CI, 1.928-11.279), 11.076 (95% CI, 4.089-29.999), and 12.544 (95% CI, 4.350-36.176) times greater, respectively, than those in infants weighing ≥2,500 g. The OR of CH was 6.795 (95% CI, 3.553-13.692) times greater in SGA than in non-SGA infants. Conclusion: The CH incidence in South Korea has increased significantly compared with that in the past. Gestational age, birth weight, and SGA were significantly associated with CH incidence.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare Studies
• /
• v.40 no.1
• /
• pp.63-86
• /
• 2009

This research aims to focus on how the perception of discrimination changes through the mediation effect of various leisure activities between the characteristic of disability and perception of discrimination. This research is based on the 2005 survey of the disabled conducted by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, which studied 1,241 seniors over 65 with physical disabilities. The results of the study are as follows. First, the type of disability, duration of disability, and IADL are the influencing factors to the relation between the characteristic of disability and individual perception of discrimination. Second, the type of leisure activities was influenced by the characteristics of their disability. Especially, the degree of IADL was statistically significant in choosing the type of leisure. Third, leisure activities with specific purposes, such as amusement and self-development, have only partial mediation effect on the relation between the characteristic of disability and individual perception of discrimination.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
• /
• v.39 no.3
• /
• pp.158-167
• /
• 2023

As digital technology has advanced in the field of dentistry, the use of computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) has brought changes to the stages of dental treatment. The use of CAD/CAM technology in dental restoration offers clinical efficiency and convenience by reducing production time and appointment intervals, while also simplifying the fabrication process to reduce errors. In this case, digital replication and printing of temporary teeth were used to aid a patient with complex medical histories and physical disabilities. The final impression obtained with silicone impression material included information on the vertical dimension, centric relation, and the angle and length of the anterior teeth, which shortened the production time and appointment intervals and increased patient satisfaction. The final restoration was fabricated using milling and monolithic disc techniques, demonstrating appropriate stability, retention, and support, resulting in functional and aesthetic satisfaction.

• The Transactions of the Korea Information Processing Society
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.140-147
• /
• 2024

In the Republic of Korea, people with hearing impairments are the second-largest demographic within the registered disability community, following those with physical disabilities. Despite this demographic significance, research on sign language translation technology is limited due to several reasons including the limited market size and the lack of adequately annotated datasets. Despite the difficulties, a few researchers continue to improve the performacne of sign language translation technologies by employing the recent advance of deep learning, for example, the transformer architecture, as the transformer-based models have demonstrated noteworthy performance in tasks such as action recognition and video classification. This study focuses on enhancing the recognition performance of sign language translation by combining transformers with 3D-CNN. Through experimental evaluations using the PHOENIX-Wether-2014T dataset [1], we show that the proposed model exhibits comparable performance to existing models in terms of Floating Point Operations Per Second (FLOPs).