• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.27-40
• /
• 2024

Objective : This study aimed to conduct a systematic review of the assessment tools used to assess the housing environment of older adults. Methods : Data were collected from January 2015 to August 31st, 2023, by searching databases including the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and ProQuest. From the 267 articles, nine assessment tools were selected for analysis based on their original instruments. These tools were categorized and systematically organized for analysis based on their frequency of use, assessment purposes, sub-domains, scales, and other relevant criteria. Results : Among the nine tools, HOME FAST and IPAQ-E were the most frequently used (20% each). The objectives of these tools are to assess friendliness, physical barriers, fall prevention, dementia-friendly environments, physical activity, and accessibility. The measurement scope encompassed various factors, such as outdoor spaces, buildings, transportation, housing, and community support. Conclusion : When considering the suitability of housing for the older adults population, providing foundational data for the rational selection of evaluation tools with logical validity is important. This includes factors such as the objectives and measurement scopes of housing environment assessment tools.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.53-67
• /
• 2024

Objective : This study aimed to identify common activities with similar participation levels between community-dwelling individuals in the United States (US) and South Korea (Study 1), and analyze the changes in activity participation patterns across the adult lifespan in South Korea (Study 2). Methods : We administered the online survey-based Activity Card Sort version 3 (ACS-3) to adults living in the US and South Korea. In Study 1, we computed the average participation level and visualized 100 activities of the ACS-3 from both the US and Korean samples. The average participation level across the four age groups in Study 2 was calculated and visualized to understand the changes in patterns of involvement across the four ACS-3 domains in a Korean sample. Results : In Study 1, data from 161 Americans and 163 Koreans were analyzed. Of the 100 activities, 48 (instrumental: 20; leisure: 13; fitness/health: 6; social: 9) demonstrated similar levels of participation between the two samples. In Study 2, data from 420 Koreans were analyzed and a tendency for decreased participation with age was found in all domains, except for the instrumental domain. Conclusion : Common daily activities may be used as a means of intervention across cultures in occupational therapy. Protective approaches and support are recommended to optimize older adults' participation in daily life.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.69-84
• /
• 2024

Objective : This study aimed to categorize the lifestyles of older adults into two types - healthy and unhealthy, and use machine learning to identify the personal values that influence these lifestyles. Methods : This cross-sectional study targeting middle-aged and older adults (55 years and above) living in local communities in South Korea. Data were collected from 300 participants through online surveys. Lifestyle types were dichotomized by the Yonsei Lifestyle Profile (YLP)-Active, Balanced, Connected, and Diverse (ABCD) responses using latent profile analysis. Personal value information was collected using YLP-Values (YLP-V) and analyzed using machine learning to identify the relative importance of personal values on lifestyle types. Results : The lifestyle of older adults was categorized into healthy (48.87%) and unhealthy (51.13%). These two types showed the most significant difference in social relationship characteristics. Among the machine learning models used in this study, the support vector machine showed the highest classification performance, achieving 96% accuracy and 95% area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The model indicated that individuals who prioritized a healthy diet, sought health information, and engaged in hobbies or cultural activities were more likely to have a healthy lifestyle. Conclusion : This study suggests the need to encourage the expansion of social networks among older adults. Furthermore, it highlights the necessity to comprehensively intervene in individuals' perceptions and values that primarily influence lifestyle adherence.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.193-203
• /
• 2013

The social welfare service is expanding to different field as the social welfare budget is increasing. By this opportunity, it needs to make clear of the basis of argument that the necessity of development of korean government's support and aid by social policy should be worked. Welfare economics perspective, this study used by the operating expenditure in welfare facilities for the elderly old people to effect social benefits to be gained, in other words, business value analysis. Local elderly people, provide opportunities to participate in the economic activities of the family welfare services offered to attainment of the elderly welfare policy, and provide disease prevention and health promotion opportunities, to enhance the satisfaction of life, including a wide range of impact will cause. In this study, elderly people use the welfare facilities for the elderly when they get the benefits by applying the AHP analysis techniques operating value was calculated. Elderly Welfare Center operated by the result of applying P senior welfare center Case of the metropolitan area value was estimated 248.4 billion won. Contribute to the effects caused by the cost factor of the analysis was 23.1% of the total 57.3 billion won. Independence elements 57.6 billion (23.2%), the analysis of the therapeutic elements 133.4 billion (53.7%) of the net was. The result of the study anticipates the role of basic research material for the necessity of intervention, support, and aid by the Welfare facilities for the elderly field at this point in time where the welfare budget policy in terms of universal social service is reinforced, rather than the trend, until recently, of realizing the Elderly welfare budget and service as Consumption expenditure and consumable benefits and the function of performing the effect and evaluation in tentative action of social conflict.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Sensory Integration
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.37-46
• /
• 2009

Background : Theory of Sensory Integration (SI) was initially developed with an effort to understand children's behavior by Jean Ayres and has been evolved with extensive research by occupational therapist practitioners and researchers since in the latter of the 20 century. With extension of recognition to SI, various professions begin to refer their clients who are children with sensory integration dysfunction. Upon those referrals, occupational therapists normally use Short Sensory Profile (SSP) to screen and decide whether SI therapeutic intervention is needed or not. Objective : Purpose of this study is (1) to examine any difference between different age groups and genders for children who are seven to nine years old; (2) to compare the score results of those Korean children with the original Standard which is established for American children: and (3) to compare tendency of response for each item between children with- and without SI dysfunction. This study was intended to validate test items of the SSP and determine whether the original standard of SSP is applicable for Korean children. Method : 155 students (81 for male, 74 for female) underwent SI evaluation using the Korean-translated SSP. 52 student (22 for male, 30 for female) were 7 years old, 54 students (32 for male, 22 for female) were 8 years old, 49 students (27for male, 22 for female) were 9 years old. Results : There is no significant difference of SSP score by neither age nor gender. In comparison the average score and sensory integrative disorder with the American Standard, there is significant difference on score of sub-item and total score. For six items, there is no significant difference on the tendency of response between children with- and without SI dysfunction. Conclusions : It is concluded that the original standard is suitable for Korean children aged seven to nine. The six test items that children without SI dysfunction shown similar tendency to respond are questionable to be appropriate as screening test item. It is suggested to proceed to do further item analysis study and extend the study to broad age groups, so develop the most appropriate Standard of SSP for Korean children.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.36-45
• /
• 1999

Purpose : Cancer, one of the major causes of death in Korea, tends to become chronic due to the rapid development of diagnostic and therapeutic methods. As a result, the number of home-based cancer patients is in the increasing trend. However, on account of the insufficiency of continuous and comprehensive cancer patient management system, a number of cancer patients are left in a defenseless state. This study was designed for need assessment of home-based cancer patient to establish the community-based health care system for the comprehensive and continuous health care service to improve the quality of life of cancer patients and reduce rare burdens of their families. Methods : Through making a survey for needs assessment toward the health care service, the 455 respondents among home-based cancer patients answered the given enquetes to analyze the management status and problems of home-based cancer patients Results : 1) Unsatisfaction rates of pain control is 25.5 percent for mild cases, 46.5 percent for severe cases. 2) According to the needs assessment of home-based cancer patients, most of the respondents want to receive economical support, alleviation for the pain and symptoms, and the information of health care and consultation. So these needs account for the main contents of the home-based cancer patient management plan. 3) In the aspect of the satisfaction rate for basic care need, most items account for $20{\sim}30%$ of satisfaction. And the proportion of need for special case is under 5%, satisfaction rate for special care need is about 50% of satisfaction. So the home-based cancer patients are not being cared sufficiently. Conclusion : According to the result of need assessment, many home-based cancer patients received inadequate pain and symptom management. And Satisfaction rate for basic and special care need is low. So development of comprehensive and continuous health care service to improve the quality of life of cancer patients and reduce care burdens of their families is very necessary.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.176-184
• /
• 2017

Objectives : Middle aged women with depression often experience hot flush symptoms. It is still unclear about the association between depression and hot flush symptoms. Therefore, we investigated hormonal profile, functional somatic symptoms, coping styles and attitude for menopause between depressed women with hot flush and those without hot flush. Methods : This study included 33 depressed patients with hot flush symptoms and 33 depressed patients without hot flush symptoms. Hot flush was confirmed through prospective daily symptom ratings for a week. Subjects' coping styles were assessed by the stress coping checklist. Somatic symptoms were assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-15(PHQ-15). Sex hormonal levels were assayed by a radioimmunoassay. The Brief World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Instrument(WHOQOL-BREF) was used to evaluate quality of life. Results : In coping style, depressed women with hot flush symptoms used less 'problem-centered coping'($13.15{\pm}3.17$) and 'search for social support'($11.83{\pm}2.84$) than those without hot flush symptoms($15.17{\pm}3.1$, p=0.028 ; $14.25{\pm}3.22$, p=0.009 ; respectively). Depressed women with hot flush symptoms showed more negative attitude toward post-menopause, but its statistical significance was marginally insufficient(p=0.059). We did not find any group differences in sex hormonal levels and somatic complaints assessed by the PHQ-15. The score of social relationship domain of WHOQOL-BREF was significantly lower in subjects with hot flush symptoms($8.62{\pm}2.04$) than subjects without hot flush symptoms($9.71{\pm}1.65$ ; p=0.044). Conclusions : Among middle aged women with depression, the manifestation of hot flush symptoms was associated with coping styles and attitude for menopausal transition. Hot flush symptoms in depressed women negatively influence quality of life, so clinicians actively perform therapeutic approach in case of depressed patients with hot flush symptoms. In case of depressed patients who present hot flushes, cognitive behavior therapy or stress management might be an effective treatment option in company with antidepressants or hormonal treatment. Later, longitudinal study will be needed to evaluate risk factor, cause and effect associated with hot flush and depression.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.52 no.2
• /
• pp.181-186
• /
• 2009

Purpose : Inflammation plays a potential role in the pathogenesis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Strategies for preventing BPD include respiratory management, antioxidants, nutritional treatment, and others such as anti-inflammatory agents. We aimed to assess the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of montelukast (MK), a cysteinyl leukotriene 1 receptor antagonist, as an add-on therapy in BPD. Methods : In addition to currently available standard measures such as oxygen supplementation, bronchodilators, nutritional support, and/or diuretics, montelukast was administered to 15 preterm infants with BPD. MK was given orally (1 mg/kg/d) for a mean period of 12 weeks. We compared safety and efficacy parameters with historical controls. Results : All 15 patients survived, and no differences were found in the incidence of adverse reactions between the 2 groups. The ventilation index was significantly improved after 2 weeks in MK group compared with historical controls. There were no significant differences in other respiratory parameters (MAP, oxygen dependency, and ventilator dependency) between the groups, but the MK group showed trends of greater improvement. Conclusion : Administration of MK 1 mg/kg/d was well tolerated in preterm BPD patients as an add-on therapy. We demonstrated that after 2 weeks of MK administration of 1 mg/kg/d, MK had beneficial therapeutic effects on BPD patients as an add-on to the standard therapy. Further multicenter randomized controlled clinical trials are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of MK as a useful supplement to standard therapy for BPD patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.66 no.6
• /
• pp.444-450
• /
• 2009

Background: Biomarkers for cancer have several potential clinical uses, including the following: early cancer detection, monitoring for recurrence prognostication, and risk stratification. However, no biomarker has been shown to have adequate sensitivity and specificity. Many investigators have tried to validate biomarkers for the early detection and recurrence of lung cancer. To evaluate plasma G-CSF as such a biomarker, protein levels were measured and were found to correlate with the clinicopathological features of primary lung tumors. Methods: Between December 2006 and May 2008, 100 patients with histologically-validated primary lung cancer were enrolled into this study. To serve as controls, 127 healthy volunteers were enrolled into this study. Plasma G-CSF levels were measured in lung cancer patients using the sandwich ELISA system (R & D inc.) prior to treatment. Results: The mean plasma G-CSF levels were 12.2$\pm$0.3 pg/mL and 46.0$\pm$3.8 pg/mL (mean$\pm$SE) in the normal and in the cancer groups, respectively. In addition, plasma G-CSF levels were higher in patients with early lung cancer than in healthy volunteers (p<.001). Plasma G-CSF levels were higher in patients who were under 65 years old or smokers. Within the cancer group, plasma G-CSF levels were higher in patients with non small cell lung cancer than in patients with small cell lung cancer (p<.05). Overall, plasma G-CSF levels were shown to increase dependent upon the type of lung cancer diagnsosed. In the order from highest to lowest, the levels of plasma G-CSF tended to decrease in the following order: large cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and bronchioloalveolar carcinoma. Plasma G-CSF levels tended to be higher in patients with advanced TNM stage than in localized TNM stage (I, II

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.1-20
• /
• 2007

Mothers of Children with Disabilities have many difficulties in parenting because of their children's disabilities. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a Group music psychotherapy programs on parenting stress and self efficacy, and to explore the experiences of the mothers who participated in the program. Twenty mothers of children with disabilities participated in this study. These twenty mothers were divided into 10 mothers of each group. The Experimental group participated in the Group music psychotherapy programs, while the control group did not. The Group music psychotherapy program was implemented for 8 weeks. To prove the effects of the program, pretest-posttest control group design was applied. The differences between pre-test and post-test of two groups were analyzed using independent t-test. The quantitative results of the study were as follows: First, a significant differences was found between the experimental group and control group in parenting stress level. Second, a significant differences was found between the experimental group and control group in self-efficacy level. From the qualitative analyses, four themes emerged from the decrement of parenting stress; Positive change of recognition about their children, Getting rid of stress, Keeping their composure, and Sharing of their emotions. And three themes emerged from the increment of self-efficacy; Discovery of oneself, New stimulus, and Mental support. All the result described above shows that group music psychotherapy program gives positive effect to decrease in parenting stress and also to increase in self-efficacy. And new possibility and effectiveness can be proposed in the music therapeutic approach to the parents of children with disabilities.