• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• 제25권4호
• /
• pp.413-421
• /
• 2015

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate biomechanical changes of the lower limb including dynamic stability with changes in illumination (300Lx, 150Lx, and 5Lx) and slope (level and $15^{\circ}$ downhill) as risk factors for elderly falls. Method : Fifteen elderly females were selected for this study. Seven infrared cameras (Proreflex MCU 240: Qualisys, Sweden) and an instrumented treadmill (Bertec, USA) surrounded by illumination regulators and lights to change the levels of illumination were used to collect the data. A One-Way ANOVA with repeated measures using SPSS 12.0 was used to analyze statistical differences by the changes in illumination and slope. Statistical significance was set at ${\alpha}=.05$. Results : No differences in the joint movement of the lower limbs were found with changes in illumination (p>.05). The maximum plantar flexion movement of the ankle joints appeared to be greater at 5Lx compared to 300Lx during slope gait (p<.05). Additionally, maximum extension movement of the hip joints appeared to be greater at 5Lx and 150Lx compared to 300Lx during slope gait (p<.05). The maximum COM-COP angular velocity (direction to medial side of the body) of dynamic stability appeared to be smaller at 150Lx and 300Lx compared to 5Lx during level gait (p<.05). The minimum COM-COP angular velocity (direction to lateral side to the body) of dynamic stability appeared smaller at 150Lx compared to 5Lx during level gait (p<.05). Conclusion : In conclusion, elderly people use a stabilization strategy that reduces walk speed and dynamic stability as darkness increases. Therefore, the changes in illumination during gait induce the changes in gait mechanics which may increase the levels of biomechanical risk in elderly falls.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• 제17권4호
• /
• pp.99-106
• /
• 2007

The gait instability in the elderly has been associated with age-related deterioration in physical strength and reducing the potential for elderly falls requires regular exercise. In 2005, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control(NCIPC) reported that most elderly falls occur during activities in daily living(ADL). To better reveal biomechanic mechanisms underlying age-related degeneration in gait stability, and to enhance the assessment of falls risk, an accurate quantification of a person's balance maintenance during locomotion is needed. Instantaneous orientation of the line connecting COP and COM can characterize whole body position with respect to the supporting foot during gait and the angle between this line and the vertical line passing through the COP known as a good assessment to detect the elderly gait instability. Therefore the purpose of this study was to investigate a 6-month walking exercise effects in reducing elderly fall risk factors by using COP-COM inclination angles. Twenty-two community-dwelling elderly participated this study. The participants performed a walking exercise(3 times/week, 1 hour/visit) for 6 months. Laboratory kinematics during walking was assessed at months 0, 3 and 6. Significant increased in gait velocity was found among periods(p=.011, $1.25{\pm}.03$, $1.32{\pm}.03$, and $1.39{\pm}.04\;m/s$ in 0-, 3-, and 6-month, respectively). Also, significant differences in anterior and posteriror inclination angles were found among the periods(p<.05; posterior inclination angles: $12.8{\pm}2.2$, $11.0{\pm}2.9$, & $10.9{\pm}1.9$; anterior inclination angles: $13.7{\pm}1.7$, $14.6{\pm}3.2$, & $1.46{\pm}.21$ in 0month, 3month, & 6month, respectively). These findings provide evidence of significant reduced fall risk factors of community-living older adults associated with a systematic walking program.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
• /
• 제12권3호
• /
• pp.55-65
• /
• 2022

Elderly people with Parkinson's disease have higher rates of physical and mental risk factors for falls than non-Parkinson's disease elderly. The purpose of this study is to investigate this by using national data that includes the entire population of the elderly in Korea. As a secondary analysis study using data survey on the elderly by the Ministry of Health and Welfare in 2017, there were a total of 103 elderly people with Parkinson's disease, and a total of 96 subjects were analyzed excluding missing values. In the elderly with Parkinson's disease, the factor most influencing the fall was IADL, and IADL is related to motor control function. Decreased motor control limits physical movements essential for daily life, and even affects self-protective behavior in emergency situations, affecting falls. Based on the research results that IADL can affect falls, various exercise therapies for fall prevention interventions in the elderly with Parkinson's disease can be suggested.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
• /
• 제22권1호
• /
• pp.16-24
• /
• 2015

Purpose: This study was done to identify essential nursing diagnoses using NANDA and their related factors and defining characteristics of patients who were cared in an emergency room. Methods: The research checklist developed by the researcher consisted of 44 nursing diagnoses with defining characteristics and related factors and was applied to 235 patients who were admitted to an emergency room from November 1 to December 31, 2012. Results: Forty-one of forty-four nursing diagnoses were identified. The most frequent nursing diagnoses were acute pain, risk for falls, and activity intolerance. The most frequent defining characteristic for the nursing diagnosis of 'acute pain' was verbal report of pain. The agreement rate with NANDA (2009)'s defining characteristics was 66.7%. Conclusion: Results indicate that identification of essential nursing diagnoses and their defining characteristics and related/risk factors is important for emergency patient nursing care to facilitate use of NANDA taxonomy in the emergency nursing practice and documentation systems.

• Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
• /
• 제25권1호
• /
• pp.96-104
• /
• 2018

Purpose: This study compared factors related to fear of falling among women in the early phase of old age based on hand grip strength. Methods: Researchers obtained data of 1,071 women who had participated in the 4th Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging. Data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis. Results: In both groups, fear of falling was positively correlated with falling experience within two years, osteoarthritis-related leg pain, depression, and instrumental daily life abilities; however, self-rated health was negatively correlated. In the low hand grip strength group, self-rated health, osteoarthritis-related leg pain, and hand grip strength accounted for 21.3% of the variance regarding fear of falling. In the normal hand grip strength group, age, self-rated health, fall experience within two years, osteoarthritis-related leg pain, and depression significantly accounted for 16.6% of the variance regarding fear of falling. Conclusion: In applying interventions to prevent falling in women in the early phase of old age, health care workers must verify if women have low hand grip strength and determine whether to focus on fitness improvement through exercise interventions or consider psychological interventions for depression.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
• /
• 제29권3호
• /
• pp.205-217
• /
• 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the factors affecting the subjective health status (SHS) of low-income older adults living alone. Methods: This is a cross-sectional correlational study using secondary data analysis. Sociodemographic and health-related characteristics were included in this analysis. The health-related characteristics were categorized into three domains: physical, characterized by the number of chronic diseases and fall-related factors, timed up and go, and grip strength; psychological, in terms of depression and loneliness; and social, in terms of social support. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression analysis. Results: The mean SHS score was 2.46 out of five. Several factors influenced the SHS of low-income older adults living alone, including sex, age, level of education, monthly income, and the three domains. Four significant predictive factors of SHS in low-income older adults living alone were identified (42.5%): the number of chronic diseases, fear of falling, depression, and social support. Conclusion: SHS is a critical factor for older adults living alone on a low-income. Hence, evaluating SHS and developing interventions to improve it periodically is necessay. Such interventions should consider chronic disease management, screening and mediation for depression and fear of falling, and strengthening their social support systems.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
• /
• 제25권4호
• /
• pp.269-281
• /
• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to build a model to predict the fall prevention behavior of nurses in small and medium sized hospitals. Methods: Participants were 382 nurses from 13 hospitals who responded to the structured self-reported questionnaire. The research model was based on previous study of fall prevention, theory of planned behavior, and the health belief model. Results: The modified model generally showed higher levels than recommended level of model fit indices and acceptable explanation. Of 17 hypothetical paths, 14 were supported. Predicting variables explained 51.6% of fall prevention behavior. The fall prevention behavior of nurses showed a direct influence of fall prevention expectations, fall prevent threats, perceived behavioral control for fall prevention, and intention to prevent falls and an indirect of influence of patient safety culture, attitude toward fall prevention, and the subjective norm. Conclusion: Findings show a need to identify a range of barrier factors to increase the benefits of fall prevention behavior and enhance the perceived control of fall prevention so that nurses will be able to promote fall prevention behavior in hospitals. Also, it is critical to increase awareness of patient safety culture among nurses.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
• /
• 제7권1호
• /
• pp.48-57
• /
• 2004

Introduction : The purposes of this study was to examine physical function and psychological status in the elderly caused by a fall. Method : The study was designed as a descriptive survey. Its subjects consisted of the 299 elderly over 65 years. Collected data were analyzed by the SPSS 10.0 program package. Results : The result of this study are as follows : 1) The score for ADL was significantly lower in the fall group. 2) Grip strength was significantly lower in the fall group. 3) Lapse of the motion sitting and standing was significantly longer in the fall group. 4) One-leg-standing time with the eyes open and closed was significantly shorter in the fall group. 5) Return time of 3m walk was significantly longer in the fall group. 6) The score for dizziness was significantly higher in the fall group. 7) The score for fear for a fall and depression were significantly higher in the fall group. 8) The score for falls efficacy was significantly lower in the fall group. Conclusion: ADL, muscle strength, balance, dizziness, fear for a fall, falls efficacy and depression turned out to be closely related to the fall of the elderly. Therefore, it would be required to develop and applicate the fall prevention program regarding these above risk factors.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
• /
• 제31권spc호
• /
• pp.563-576
• /
• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify personal factors, social factors, and environmental factors related to physical activity in older adults in urban and non-urban areas. Methods: We used source data from the 2017 Community Health Survey. The subjects of this study included some older adults aged 65 and over, and analyzed the data of 23,043 older adults living in the urban and 34,063 older adults living in the non-urban area. Results: The common factors influencing physical activity in older adults by region include current smoking and drinking, BMI, sleep duration, and subjective health status, help with neighbors, frequency of meeting with neighbors and friends, participation in social and leisure activities, and falls experience (p<.001). However, the living environment, public transport satisfaction, and medical service use significantly associated with physical activity for only older adults living in the urban area (p<.001). Conclusion: In order to improve physical activity in older adults in the community, it is necessary to consider not only the improvement of individual factors that practice health behaviors but also health promotion strategies that take into account social and environmental factors because there are environmental differences among regions.

• Journal of Bone Metabolism
• /
• 제25권4호
• /
• pp.267-274
• /
• 2018

Background: This prospective cohort study used nationwide claims data to investigate the incidence of fall and fragility fractures in association with urinary incontinence (UI) in the elderly, and to compare mortality after fragility fractures in elderly patients with or without incontinence. Methods: A total of 39,854 Korean adults (age, 66-80 years) who participated in health examinations between 2007 and 2012 and were followed up until 2015 were analyzed. Patient and comparison groups were classified according to the presence or absence of UI. The cumulative incidence of osteoporotic fragility fractures and falls in the 2 groups was assessed and compared. Hazard ratios for fragility fractures were calculated for the risk of UI in association with falls using a Cox proportional hazards model. Results: Of 39,854 elderly participants, 5,703 were classified in the UI group, while 34,151 were placed in the comparison group. Fall rates were significantly higher (20.8%) in the incontinence group than in the comparison group (4.7%) (P<0.001). Women in the incontinence group (13.9%) showed a significantly higher incidence of all types of fragility fractures than those in the comparison group (11.8%) (P=0.005). After adjustment for confounders, UI was not a significant risk factor for fragility fractures in men (P=0.878) or women (P=0.324). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that elderly women with UI have a significantly higher incidence of osteoporotic fragility fractures. In addition, elderly women are at higher risk for falls.