• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.329-339
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• 2020

Objectives: This study was undertaken to evaluate the intake of vitamins and minerals from dietary supplements (DSs) in Korean adults and elderly. Methods: Data for this study was generated from the 2017 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). We analyzed 4,204 individuals aged 19 years and older (2,579 users and 1,625 non-users). The survey included 24-h recall questions on food and DS intakes, as well as questions on DS use over the past year. The nutrient DSs evaluated were calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin C. Total nutrient intakes were obtained by combining nutrient intakes of foods and DSs consumed by each subject. Results: Most micronutrient intakes from food (except for thiamin) in adult users, and the four micronutrient intakes (iron, vitamin A, vitamin B₂ and vitamin C) in elderly users, were significantly higher than values obtained in non-users. For total intake of nutrients and DSs, both adult and elderly users had a significantly higher intake than non-users. While proportions below Estimated Average Requirements for all micronutrients by adding respective DSs in users were significantly reduced in adults and elderly as compared to non-users, the proportions of above Tolerable Upper Intake Levels for calcium and vitamin A in adults, and vitamin A in elderly, were significantly increased. In the total subjects examined, consumption of DSs was associated with lower odds ratios of undernutrition of micronutrients, and with higher odds ratios of overnutrition of calcium, iron, and vitamin A, as compared to non-users of DSs. Conclusions: Although DSs consumption by adults and the elderly improves the micronutrient status, it also increases the risk of excessive intake of certain vitamins and minerals.

• International Journal of Contents
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.57-64
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• 2020

We sought to compare upper extremity muscle activity between handwriting on paper and touchscreen with dominant and non-dominant hands in younger adults (age 23.90±1.12) and the elderly (age 75.55±5.76). Muscle activity (percent of maximum voluntary contraction) in the biceps brachii muscle, triceps brachii muscle, flexor carpi ulnaris muscle, and extensor carpi ulnaris muscle was measured using an electromyography device. As a result, our data indicate that muscle activity is lower in younger adults than the elderly. Besides, muscle activity is lower in the dominant versus non-dominant hand, and lower when writing using a touchscreen than on paper. These results can be used to support recommending touchscreens in the elderly. Also, they can be used as baseline data for comparing the performance of non-paretic side and paretic side in patients relative to the central nervous system.

• Journal of Integrative Natural Science
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.121-127
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• 2020

To investigate the effects of wearable near-infrared ray-emitting knee pads on knee pain among elderly adults in Korea. Randomized controlled trial evaluating the effects of near-infrared rays (NIR) on knee pain in Korean elderly adults. Five community-based research facilities (two welfare centers, a senior citizen center, and two churches). Forty-seven participants aged 65 years and older who had experienced knee pain. The experimental group (n = 25) wore NIR-emitting knee pads for one month at nighttime while sleeping. The control group (n = 22) wore knee pads without NIR. Demographic characteristics, intensity and duration of knee pain, amount of analgesic medication used, range of motion, gait speed, and health-related quality of life were collected using questionnaires. The experimental group showed decreased intensity (t = -6.17, p < 0.001) and duration (t = -3.34, p = 0.002) of knee pain and reduced analgesic use (t = -2.30, p = 0.026) compared to the control group. NIR may be an effective non-pharmacological option for relieving knee pain in elderly adults.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.673-684
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• 2024

This study aims to enhance the accuracy of severity classification by examining the usage patterns and characteristics of emergency department visits. It focuses on adult and elderly patients who visited a public hospital in Seoul. This descriptive study retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of patients who visited the emergency department of a public hospital between November and December 2023. The total number of participants was 1,033, with 46.4% (n=479) being elderly and 53.6% (n=554) being adults. The chief complaints of the participants were as follows: for the elderly, nervous system symptoms at 8.2% (n=85) and digestive symptoms at 7.5% (n=77) were the most common, while for adults, gastrointestinal symptoms at 11.0% (n=114) and trauma at 8.6% (n=89) were more prevalent. In the case of the elderly, patients classified as urgent accounted for the highest percentage at 23.9% (n=247), while for adults, non-emergency were more prevalent at 32.2% (n=333). The initial severity classification error rate for elderly patients in the urgent was 3.8%, indicating that the suitability of KTAS for elderly patients with high severity was low. To minimize severity classification errors and enhance KTAS accuracy, it's essential to address its current limitation of only classifying adults and children separately by developing a KTAS classification system that reflects the diverse characteristics of elderly patients.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.695-704
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• 2012

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate major factors influencing adoption of smartphone to promote its use by older adults. Background: Despite increasing proportion of elderly people and elderly market, the proportion of elderly smartphone user is still relatively small compared to whole smartphone users. Thus, we need to find out major factors influencing adoption of smartphone to increase proportion of elderly smartphone users. Method: Seven major factors were extracted from 36 survey questions using factor analysis. Regression analysis was also applied to determine specific factors affecting intention of use based on user versus non-user of smartphone, age, gender, and educational background. Results: As results of factor analysis and regression analysis, major factors influencing adoption of smartphone for elderly users were significantly different according to gender, age, educational background based on smartphone users or non-users. Conclusion: The result of this study identified major factors influencing adoption of smartphone for the elderly and provided basic information related to adoption of smartphone according to elderly people's characteristics. Consequently, we can expect to reduce the information gap and to improve quality of life for the elderly. Application: The development and marketing strategy could be applied differently based on the factors influencing adoption of smartphone. It is also possible to develop a prediction model for smartphone adoption according to elderly users' characteristics.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.13-27
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to review the elderly people's sexual life, their perception of sex and identify difference between perception of sex of elderly and adults. Methods: A structured questionnaire survey was conducted for 188 elderly people and 181 adults. Collected data was analyzed with frequency, percentage, $x^2$-test, t-test, ANOVA. Results: 54.0% of the elderly were keeping their sexual life. 44.6% of those keeping their sexual life had a sexual affair once or twice a month. 56.4% of them had a sexual affair with their spouses. The elderly subjects scored 2.04 on average out of the full point of 4.0 about their perception of sexual life. Specifically, male subjects scored higher(2.41) than female subjects(1.67). There was significant difference between the elderly people's perception of sexual life and adults' the perception of sexual life about the elderly. The perception of sexual life differed significantly depending on the existence and non-existence of the spouse, sex, education, health state, present sexual life, sexual frequency, sexual satisfaction, the solution of its desire, the feeling about the sex. Conclusion: It was demonstrated through this study that the elderly people were maintaining their sexual desire and life continuously, and therefore, it is conceived that the elderly people's sex should be assessed and handled from a general perspective.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.12-21
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this secondary data analysis study was to compare what factors influenced individual's satisfaction with emergency medical services (EMS). Methods: Data were obtained from the Korea Health Panel Survey 2013 with 20,641 participants. A total sample of emergency room (ER) users (n=1,709) aged 20 and over were selected and divided into two age groups, one for 1,046 adults and the other for 663 elderly. Participants' responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, ${\chi}^2$ test and logistic regression. Results: Among adults and elderly who were transferred to other hospitals instead of being admitted or returned to their homes reported less satisfaction (${\chi}^2=10.18$, p=.006). Further, the adults who perceived their arrival to the ER as not delayed (${\chi}^2=3.74$, p=.049) or visited the ER for treatment for illness (${\chi}^2=5.32$, p=.021) reported more satisfaction than those who perceived their ER service being delayed or visited the ER for accident or poisoning. The elderly who visited ER by non-ambulance reported higher satisfaction than those who arrived by ambulance (${\chi}^2=14.15$, p<.001). Conclusion: In both adults and the elderly, satisfaction of EMS can be increased by avoiding transferring patients to other hospital. For adults to be satisfied with EMS, efficient and rapid EMS might be needed to avoid delay in ER arrival, especially for adults with accidents or poisoning.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.126-138
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• 2010

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of assistive products usage on activity of daily living for the beneficiary older adults people in Korean long-term care insurance system. The study subjects were divided to assistive products users and non-users among the beneficiary older adults based on Korean long-term care insurance system to compare function improvement of the activity of daily living. Methods : In national wide 12 community elderly care center enrolled the National Health Insurance Corporation, The numbers of 281 beneficiary older adults(long-term care Grade I: 66, Grade II: 58, Grade III: 157) participated in this study. This survey assessment tool for activity of daily living was used the long-term care assessment instrument of the physical functions in the law of Korean long-term care insurance. The function items of Activity of daily living were included in clothing, washing, tooth brushing, bathing, eating, posture converting, stand sitting, move sitting, out of room, using toilet, controlling of stool, controlling of urine, washing hair. According to independence to complete dependence functioning level, remarks pointed 1 to 3 points. The data were analyzed by chi-square, two-way anova using SPSS V. 12.0. Results : The results appeared that the mean score of the functions in activity of daily living of assistive products users was a 27.60, and that of non-users was a 30.66. Assistive products were not effected in Grade I and II recipients, but that effected in Grade III recipients. Conclusion : Preparing for activation of assistive products based Korean long-term care insurance system, the result application as follows is possible. The usage of assistive products could improve the function of daily living activity in older adults. Related to Grade III beneficiary elderly people were improved function in activity of daily living by using assistive products, it is necessary to extend coverage the non-eligible elderly people in Korean long-term care insurance system.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.685-693
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was to compare and analyze sleep patterns, satisfaction of sleep, and sleep enhancement behaviors between hospitalized and non-hospitalized elderly. Methods: Subjects were 201 older adults, who were hospitalized patients or living in U-city, Gyung-gi province. Data was collected from June 10 to August 25, 2007, and was analyzed by the SAS program. Results: 1) Non-hospitalized elderly had better sleep patterns than hospitalized elderly patients. 2) There was a strong positive correlation between sleep patterns and satisfaction of sleep in both groups. 3) In hospitalized elderly, there were significant differences in sleep patterns and satisfaction of sleep by month. 4) In non-hospitalized elderly, there was a significant difference in sleep patterns by presence or absence of spouses. There was a significant difference in satisfaction of sleep by those living with others. There were significant differences in sleep enhancement behaviors by age, religion, length of time, and sponsors. Conclusion: To relieve sleep disturbances of elderly, comprehension of sleep of the aged by nursing care givers should be obtained. Also, improving environments and elder's self-esteem with religious consideration and preparation of financial conditions are needed to promote the sleep of hospitalized and non-hospitalized elderly.

• Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.308-317
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• 2017

Objectives: We aimed to examine the effects of various leisure activities on cognitive impairment in young-old (aged 65-74 years) and old-old (aged ${\geq}75$ years) adults. Methods: In total, 10,279 elderly Korean individuals from the 2014 Korean National Survey on Older Adults' cohort were enrolled in our study. Cognitive impairment was assessed using the standardized score of the Mini-Mental State Examination for Dementia Screening, whereas leisure activities were recorded via self-reporting of the extent and type of leisure activity the subjects involved in over the past year. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the effect of leisure activities on cognitive impairment, while controlling for potential covariates. Results: The subjects were more likely to participate in cognitive activities than in non-exercise physical activities. After controlling for selected covariates, involvement in cognitive activities was found to be a significant predictor of cognitive impairment in both the groups, whereas involvement in non-exercise physical activities was not a predictor of cognitive impairment in individuals aged ${\geq}75$ years. Moreover, depressive symptoms, rural residence, and hearing difficulties were common predictors of cognitive impairment among elderly-Korean-individuals. Conclusion: Leisure activity involvement may help delay cognitive impairment, which is often concomitant with aging. Hence, an early intervention service may significantly benefit both young-old and old-old individuals.