• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.29-36
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of 6-week sensorimotoor training on balance ability and lower limb muscle activation during gait in older adults. Methods: Twenty-four community-dwelling older adults between 65 and 90 years of age participated in this study. In the older adults of the experimental group (n=12), the sensorimotor training program was performed bare feet. General exercise was performed in the control group (n=12). Then, both groups exercised three times a week for forty minutes over a 6-week period. Balance ability was evaluated by One leg stand (OLS) test for determining the static balance and Timed Up & Go (TUG) test for determining the dynamic balance. In addition, muscle activation of the dominant lower limb tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius medialis muscles were measured by surface EMG to evaluate muscle activation during gait. Results: A significant improvement was seen in the one leg standing (OLS) time after exercise in both the sensorimotor training (SMT) group and general exercise (GE) group (p<0.05) and the change in the SMT group was greater than that in the GE group (p<0.05). A significant reduction was seen in the Timed Up & Go (TUG) test time after exercise in both the SMT group and GE group (p<0.05). Also, a significant increase was seen in muscle activation of tibialis anterior muscle after exercise in the SMT group (p<0.05), but no such significant increase was seen in the GE group (p>0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that sensorimotor training improves the balance in older adults and has a more positive effect on muscular strength and gait. Sensorimotor training provided a variance of training environment and COG exercise of the body is thought to be a more effective exercise program that improves balance and gait ability in older adults.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.392-403
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relations between HbA1c level and health risk factor. For analysis, 330 elderly women aged 65 years and over were recruited in Jeonla province, Korea. The subjects were classified into two groups according to their HbA1c level; the diabetic group (HbA1c level${\geq}6.5%$, n=68, 20.6%) and control group (HbA1c level<6.5%, n=262, 79.4%). Demographic characteristics were collected, as well as information on physical measurements, blood tests for biochemical indicators, a health status and health-related life style, dietary behavior, favorite food groups, consumption frequency of food groups and nutrient intake. Educational level of the diabetic group was significantly lower than that of the control group. The height of the diabetic group was shorter, and percentage fat of the diabetic group was higher than those of the control group. In the diabetic group, the higher concentrations of creatinine and activity of alkaline phosphatase were found to be significantly unfavorable factors. Therefore, the diabetic group was assumed to be at risk of decreased liver and renal function. The self-rated health level of the diabetic group has a declining tendency, while the medicine intake was significantly higher than that of the control group, but there are no significant differences in visiting frequency of hospital and community health center. The distribution of physical activity showed a significant difference between the groups. Although there are no significant differences in nutrient intake, the diabetic group had relatively inferior nutrient intake of diet, especially vitamin C, as contrasted with the control group. In conclusion, the weight control and increasing physical activity may be effective in the prevention of the diabetes and continuous education and intervention by specialized nutritionists will be needed for diabetic patients. These results could be useful to plan effective strategies to increase the health-life expectancy and the prevention of the diabetes of Korean elderly people living in rural areas.

• Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.59-75
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• 2008

This study is designed to support the development and the teaching of revised curriculum of 2007 "Technology & Home Economics" by investigating the actual condition and the necessity of education for elderly housing education. Questionnaire survey was conducted with 488 high school students in Gyeongnam in 2008. The data analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, One-way ANOVA, Duncan's multiple range test by using SPSS 14 program. The results showed that most of the students were dissatisfied with their middle school education of elderly housing due to the lack of interesting and practical contents. Thus, various teaching-learning methods where student can experience and experiment is needed. Also, the students demanded more of factors of elderly housing, spacing plan, elderly welfare service and less of three-generation housing and senior housing in their elderly housing education. The needs of education contents differed among students depending on variables such as sex, graduated middle school, household income, dwelling space and length of residential years. Therefore, revised 2007 curriculum of "Technology & Home Economics" should include required contents in related chapters. Because there are significant differences among textbooks about elderly housing, further attention needs to be paid to the new textbooks in order to include education contents evenly. At the same time, teachers should organize their teaching contents considering the divergence of variables. The effect of elderly housing education will be maximized if the revised curriculum consists of more experimental activities such as elderly simulation in the local community.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.275-284
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• 2017

As the 3D Greenery system is known to improve the urban environment, it works as new alternative for eco-friendly building and warrants further study for application to the domestic field. This study aimed to apply the design components for eco-friendly composition by investigating the spatial characteristics of the 3D Greenery System reflected in interior and exterior of buildings and to analyze the organization and design elements of domestic and foreign cases. The results showed that instances of the Greenery System tended to be a large scale and high-density development in order to expand various exterior spaces. Although its early forms were often found in such public facilities as exhibition and education purpose, cases of multi-unit dwelling have been growing. Allowing apartment residents to prefer intimate space by providing various such spaces for residential units and offering independent green spaces would induce diverse residents' lifestyles rather than monotonous design. The analysis also indicated that community space composed of various outdoor spaces and atmosphere would change life patterns of multi-housing and establish a real neighborhood through social interaction. Moreover, further investigation of the design patterns of outdoor space arrangement is needed since the Greenery system actively reflects the environmental characteristics of building sites and clearly shows a tendency to utilize natural terrain and slope in building shapes.

• Annals of Geriatric Medicine and Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.167-175
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• 2018

Sarcopenia, a common clinical syndrome in older adults, is defined as decreased muscle mass, strength, and physical performance. Since sarcopenia is associated with the incidence of functional decline, falls, and even mortality in older adults, researchers and health care providers have been keen to accumulate clinical evidence to advocate the screening and prevention of sarcopenia progression in older adults. The factors that may accelerate the loss of muscle mass and function include chronic diseases, inactivity, and deficiency in appropriate nutritional support. Among these, nutritional support is considered an initial step to delay the progression of muscle wasting and improve physical performance in community-dwelling older adults. However, a nationwide study suggested that most Korean older adults do not consume sufficient dietary protein to maintain their muscle mass. Furthermore, considering age-associated anabolic resistance to dietary protein, higher protein intake should be emphasized in older adults than in younger people. To develop a dietary protein recommendation for older adults in Korea, we reviewed the relevant literature, including interventional studies from Korea. From these, we recommend that older adults consume at least 1.2 g of protein per kg of body weight per day (g/kg/day) to delay the progression of muscle wasting. The amount we recommend (1.2 g/kg/day) is 31.4% higher than the previously suggested recommended daily allowance (i.e., 0.91 g/kg/day) for the general population of Korea. Also, evidence to date suggests that the combination of exercise and nutritional support may enhance the beneficial effects of protein intake in older adults in Korea. We found that the current studies are insufficient to build population-based guidelines for older adults, and we call for further researches in Korea.

• Korean Public Health Research
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.99-109
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• 2018

Objective : Health literacy (HL) is, defined as "the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions." Being old is one of the main risk factors with limited health literacy. This study aims to adapt Chew's health literacy scale into the Korean language and validate the scale for the use of the elderly. Methods : Data were drawn from the '2016 Seoul Survey on Elderly Health and Functional Assessment, which includes a total of 725 people aged 60 to 79. The sample was randomly divided into two groups for reliability and validity tests of the modified Chew's scale of 8 items. The Korean version of the questionnaire was developed by group translation, expert reviews, and forward-backward translation. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to assess and validate the factor structure of the scale. Results : Results suggest the two-factor structure ("Understanding" and "Applying" of HL) with 8 items. Exploratory factor analyses of the first sample (n=400) revealed that the internal reliability of the scale was high (Cronbach's ${\alpha}=.904$). Principal axis factoring extracted two factors ("Understanding" and "Applying" of HL) and explained 78.3% of total variance (KMO=.872, Bartlett's ${\chi}^2=2431.3$, df=28, p<.001). Confirmatory factor analysis of the second sample (n=325) was performed and the two-factor model was supported (GFI=.960, CFI=.979, TLI=.969, RMSEA=0.075). Conclusions : This study provides evidence for adequate criterion and validity of the health literacy scale for the community dwelling elderly in Korea.

• 재활복지
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.69-91
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• 2018

This study aims to identify factors of life satisfaction of the adults with developmental disabilities, focusing on the comparison between young and old. Data are collected through in-depth interview of the adults with developmental disabilities as well as via workers proxy responses at the group home. Regression model analysis is conducted based on 387 cases. The result shows that the young adults with developmental disabilities are more likely to satisfied with life when they evaluate job performance of workers at the group home and when they are more actively involved in community activities. For the old adults with developmental disabilities, life satisfaction is positively associated with their evaluation of job performance of workers at the group home as in the young adults. In addition, life satisfaction of the old adults is higher when they feel less fatigue. It is also higher for those with more choices on residence and higher level of social activities. The findings reveals that enhancement of life satisfaction for the old adults with developmental disabilities dwelling at group home require supports and services for health and social activities different from other ages. It shares the general ideas that service efforts should be made for needs and desires of the recipients. The present study suggests to expand our research interests to include the disabled in danger of early aging, such as the persons with Down Syndrome and the persons with intellectual disability and cerebral palsy, and look into their particular needs.

• 한국노년학
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.593-605
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• 2018

This study examines factors that influence older drivers to consider stopping driving in advance and whose advice plays an important role in the driving cessation decision. Data came from a nationally representative cross-sectional survey of community-dwelling older adults (N=2,076). About two thirds reported that they have considered stopping driving (62.8%) and they preferred to decide by themselves (66.0%). Logistic regression results showed that women and residents in urban areas were twice as likely to consider voluntary driving cessation compared to their counterparts. Each one year increase in age contributed to the probability that respondents would consider driving cessation by five percent. Those with greater difficulties in ADLs due to chronic illnesses were also more likely to consider driving cessation. No sociodemographic and health factors were related to whether older drivers preferred to decide by themselves or listen to others. These results imply that policies to promote self-motivation to stop driving among older drivers would be effective. Furthermore, they suggest it could be important to help older drivers plan their driving cessation in advance while still at a young-old age, and that more attention needs to be paid to men and those living in rural areas among older drivers.

• 한국노년학
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.991-1007
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare depression and quality of life(QOL) according to the severity of insomnia in elderly. Method: The survey participants were 463 community-dwelling adults aged 65 or older. Severity of insomnia was measured by assessing a time-length to get to sleep, the number of breaks in sleep, a time-length to get to sleep after awakening, and a usual sleep pattern. Depression and QOL was measured, respectively, a modified Zung's depression scale and SF-36. The data were collected from May to June in 2005 and analyzed using the SPSS program for descriptive statistics, ${\chi}^2$-test, t-test, and ANOVA with Scheffe test. Results: A majority of the participants(75.6%) presented mild(65.0%) or severe(10.6%) insomnia. Severity of insomnia was different depending on sex, a marriage status, and sleep patterns such as hours of sleep on average, time to go to bed, and time of awakening(p<0.05). Depression and QOL were related to the severity of insomnia(p<0.05). The elderly suffering from insomnia needs nursing interventions considering demographics and sleep patterns in oder to prevent depression and to improve QOL. Future research is in need for predicting and preventing depression and QOL in elderly.

• 한국노년학
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.819-834
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to examine the degree of successful aging and to investigate influencing factors of it in elderly to types of gender. Subjects were 73 male elderly and 77 female elderly, total 150 elderly living at K city in C province, from May to June, 2012. The data were analyzed using the SPSS Win 18.0 program for $X^2$ test, t-test, Pearson's correlation coefficients and multiple regression analysis. The correlated factors of successful aging among male elders included life satisfaction(r=.525, p<.001), family support(r=.355, p=.004), depression(r=-.555, p<.001) and loneliness(r=-.437, p<.001). Those of successful aging among female elders included life satisfaction(r=.607, p<.001), leisure satisfaction(r=.679, p<.001), family support(r=.784, p<.001), depression(r=-.516, p<.001), loneliness(r=-.644, p<.001) and self-transcendence(r=.576, p<.001). Life satisfaction and depression were statistically significant influencing factors of successful aging in male elders. Especially in the cases of female elders, life satisfaction, depression, family support and self-transcendence affected to successful aging. Life satisfaction, depression, family support, and self-transcendence were explained 52.9% in perception of successful aging among elders. This study suggests that life satisfaction, depression, family support, and self-transcendence will be considered in enhancing the successful aging promoting care and welfare designed for types of gender.