• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.87-94
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a 16-week Self-help Tai Chi for Arthritis (SHTC) combined with health education for Korean American older women. Methods: This research was a designed quasiexperimental pre-posttest. Forty one women aged 55~79 were recruited 20 in SHTC group 21 in control group and, but twelve in SHTC group and thirteen in control group were left after 16 weeks. SHTC group was educated for 1 hour health education and 1hour TCA, once a week during 16 wks. Measurements for comparison were taken three times, at baseline, 8 wks and 16wks. The effect were evaluated with self-efficacy, shoulder flexibility, back flexibility, both hand grip strength and standing balance with closed eyes. Results: All variables except for left hand grip strength at baseline had significant homogeneity between both groups. After 16 weeks intervention, there was a significant interaction effect of time and group on right hand grip strength by repeated measure of ANOVA (F=3.398, p=.044). No significant interaction effects were found on self-efficacy, shoulder and back flexibility, left hand grip strength and standing balance with closed eyes. Conclusion: I can suggest this self-help Tai Chi program may be effective partially, but further research is needed to establish the best times and periods to intervene for a better effect.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.62-72
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• 2008

Purpose: There has been a need to integrating the self-help program for arthritis with the Tai Chi for arthritis(SHTCA). The purpose of this study was to develop and to examine the effect of SHTCA for arthritis applying the nine movement Tai Chi. Method: This study was designed the pre-post test, quasi-experimental design. A total 47 participants were recruited in W-city in Korea, an experimental group(26) and a control group(21) at pre-test, but after the eight weeks the composition of the groups were changed to 22 experimental group and 15 control group. The experimental group participated in the SHTCA once a week for eight weeks. SHTCA program consisted of understanding of the arthritis, contracting of the promise, exercise for muscle strength and joint flexibility and the nine movements of Tai Chi exercise. The measures used to examine the effect of the SHTCA were shoulder flexibility, back flexibility, grasping power, balance, abdominal obesity rates, perception of health status, and EQ-5D standardized five dimensions, mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression. Results: At The completion of the eight weeks of SHTCA applying the nine movement Tai Chi, the experimental group reported a significance in a number of variables compared to those of the control group: the right shoulder flexibility(p=.018), left shoulder flexibility(p=.031), right grasping power(p=.014), left grasping power(p=.024), the perception of health status(p=.005) and abdominal obesity rates(p=.027). Conclusion: This SHTCA applying the nine movement Tai Chi would be helpful on right shoulder flexibility, left shoulder flexibility, right grasping power, left grasping power, abdominal obesity rates and the perception of health status for arthritis patients.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.68-78
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• 2010

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine the effects of Tai-Chi exercise and self-help management program applying laughter therapy in patients with osteoarthritis. Methods: This quasi-experimental study recruited a sample of 61 patients with osteoarthritis (experimental group: 30, control group: 31) through the community healthcare centers located in Seoul and Kyung Gi area. The primary outcome measures included symptoms of osteoarthritis, basic physical performance, fatigue, and depression assessed before and after the study. The data were analyzed using SPSSWIN V. 12.0. Results: At the end of the six-week intervention, left shoulder flexibility (t=2.011, p=.049), 6m walking speed (t=3.639, p=.001), and right balance (t=-2.30, p=.025) were significantly improved in the control group. Fatigue (t=3.012, p=.004), stiffness (t=2,093, p=.041), right shoulder flexibility (t=2.138, p=.037), right balance (t=-2.065, p=.043), and 6m walking speed (t=2.683, p=.009) were significantly improved in the experimental group. Conclusion: A twice a week, 6-week tai-chi exercise self-help management program applying laughter therapy is effective in decreasing fatigue and stiffness. Osteoarthritis is one of common chronic diseases that the patients should be required to continue self management for the rest of their life. Therefore, there is a need to develop the more effective self-help management program and nursing intervention to motivate them to maintain their own self-help management.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.174-183
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• 2009

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to develop and examine the self-help and Tai Chi program for arthritis, and to identify the effect when combined with a supportive follow up phone-calls. Method: The design for this study was a 3*2 quasi-experimental design. Sixty-six participants were recruited in W-city, and assigned to Exp 1 group (n=21) or Exp 2 group (n=24) according to supportive follow-up phone call method, or to the control group (n=21). Fifty-two subjects (17 and 20 in Exp 1 and 2, and 15 in the control group) completed pretest and posttest. Both experimental groups participated in the self-help and Tai Chi program for arthritis once a week for 8 weeks. Exp 1 received automated follow up phone-calls made up in KT-SHUT program, and Exp 2 received follow up phone-calls made up by researchers. The control group received no education and no phone call. Measures used to examine the effect self-help and Tai Chi program for arthritis were joint flexibility, hand muscle strength, balance with closed eyes and self-efficacy. The final analysis of the post-test measures was conducted by ANCOVA with age and self efficacy as covariates. Results: Both experimental group had significantly increased right shoulder flexibility (p=.002), left shoulder flexibility (p=.000), right hand grip (p=.024), and self efficacy (p=.008) compared with the control group. But there were no significant differences between two experimental groups in any physical indicators and self efficacy. Conclusion: Automated follow up phone-call would be helpful in managing the self-help and Tai Chi program for arthritis as well as researcher's phone call. The automated follow up phone-call program which was a new method could be recommended for use to encourage home exercise practice and the program participation.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 2007

Purpose: There is a need to apply the Tai Chi program to help early mastectomy patients improve their upper limb functions and for the emotional state as well. Method: Participants were recruited at breast cancer centers of two general hospitals from February 17 to April 25, 2005. Twenty-five subjects in the experimental group and 23 subjects in the control group participated for 12 weeks. The Tai chi program consisted of breast cancer self management education and a Tai Chi exercise program. Range of motion of the shoulder joint was determined by the Uni-level inclinometer, and functional assessment of the shoulder was evaluated with the tool. Data was analyzed by SPSS 11. Results: The experimental group had significantly increased shoulder range of motion, especially in external rotation, upper limb function and emotional state compared with the control group after program for 12 weeks. Conclusion: This program makes it possible to be independent and have a positive everyday life. In addition, it can help keep a healthy lifestyle in mastectomy women.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.127-136
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• 2007

Purpose: There has been a need to integrating the self-help program for arthritis with the TaiChi for arthritis patient. The purpose of this study was to develop and to examine the effect of the Self-help and Tai Chi for arthritis (SHTCA) program for arthritis. Method: This study was designed non equivalent control group pre-post test, quasi-experimental design. A total 40 participants were recruited in W-city, 29 participants(14-experimental group and 15-control group) completed post test. The experimental group participated in the SHTCA once a week for 8 weeks. SHTCA program was consisted of understanding of the arthritis, contracting of the promise, exercise for muscle strength and joint flexibility and 8 movements of Tai Chi exercise. Coloring plus program to cellular phone was used to encourage the exercise and participation by the KT-SHUT twice a week. Measures used to examine the effect of the SHTCA were EQ-5D standardized five dimensions(mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain & discomfort, and anxiety & depression), and health perception, joint flexibility, grasping power, and balance. Collected data was analyzed by SPSS WIN 14.0. Results: The experimental group had significantly increased the EQ-mobility(p=.033), health perception(p=.000), right shoulder flexibility(p=.007), and left shoulder flexibility(p=.002) compared to the control group. In addition, pain was decreased(p=.052) and right grip was increased(p=.052) after 8 weeks program in the experimental group. Conclusion: This SHTCA using coloring plus program was found partially effective and satisfactory. We recommended further research on the effect of this SHTCA effects.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.83-92
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the changes of physical function, perceptual and cognitive function, emotional function, and functional independence in the institutionalized aged according to functional group activity program (self help Tai Chi exercise plus functional task). Methods: Study subjects were 20 institutionalized aged from June to October in 2010. The subjects received functional group activity program two times a week for 15 weeks. Physical function (grip strength, coordination, lower extremity strength, balance, gait, trunk flexibility), perceptual and cognitive function, emotional function(depression, social skill), and functional independence were measured before and after the program. Results: The subjects showed significantly increased physical function (coordination, lower extremity strength, gait, trunk flexibility), perceptual and cognitive function, emotional function (depression, social skill), and functional independence. The functional group activity program may be an effective strategy for institutionalized elders to enhance their functions. Conclusion: The functional group activity program may be effective on elderly institutions which have limitation in human, material, environmental resources.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.200-208
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to establish the foundations for the application of appropriate programs for pain reduction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: The literature on patients with rheumatoid arthritis were found on an electronic search site for South Korean academic papers. The search terms "rheumatism" and "rheumatoid arthritis" were used independently. The combined terms "rheumatism and pain" and "rheumatoid arthritis and pain" were also used. For the meta-analysis, the R version 3.5.1 program was utilized. Results: The meta-analysis of eight papers showed a large effect size of -4.11. The programs were most effective in the order of aquatic exercise, aromatherapy, self-help education, muscle strength exercises, and tai chi. Conclusion: This study could provide the basis for presenting appropriate programs for pain management in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.