• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.81-90
• /
• 2008

Objectives: Since 80% of the information we get from the environment comes in through our eyes (Anshel JR, 1999), uncorrected visual problems negatively affect children's educational process and perceptual development. The objectives of this study were: 1st, to document the prevalence of learning related vision problem in primary school children. 2nd, to compare responses of children with those of parents on visual symptoms. Lastly, to determine if there is an association between visual symptoms and academic performance. Methods: We administered visual-symptom quality of life questionnaire developed by Oklahoma College of Optometry in Vision Development to 1031 primary school children and their parent. Visual symptoms responded by children and their parents were compared using Independent Sample t-test and the relation between visual symptoms and academic performance were calculated using Pearson Correlation tests. Results and Conclusions: The number of children who need further professional evaluation, that is visual-symptom scores were ${\geq}20$, reported by children(25%) was greater than that reported by parents(16%). And visual-symptom scores reported by children were significantly higher than those reported by parents in every grade(p<0.01, p<0.001). Visual symptoms reported by both children and parents were found to be inversely correlated to academic performance in every academic area and most of their correlations were statistically significant(p<0.05). Therefore, children with more visual-symptom reported by both group had negative effects on children's academic performance.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.221-230
• /
• 2015

Purpose: This study was done to examine how laughter therapy impacts serotonin levels, QOL and depression in middle-aged women and to perform a path analysis for verification of the effects. Methods: A quasi-experimental study employing a nonequivalent control group and pre-post design was conducted. Participants were 64 middle-aged women (control=14 and experimental=50 in 3 groups according to level of depression). The intervention was conducted five times a week for a period of 2 weeks and the data analysis was conducted using repeated measures ANOVA, ANCOVA and LISREL. Results: Results showed that pre serotonin and QOL in women with severe depression were the lowest. Serotonin in the experimental groups increased after the 10th intervention (p=.006) and the rise was the highest in the group with severe depression (p=.001). Depression in all groups decreased after the 5th intervention (p=.022) and the biggest decline was observed in group with severe depression (p=.007). QOL of the moderate and severe groups increased after the 10th intervention (p=.049), and the increase rate was highest in group with severe depression (p<.006). Path analysis revealed that laughter therapy did not directly affect depression, but its effect was indirectly meditated through serotonin variation (p<.001). Conclusion: Results indicate that serotonin activation through laughter therapy can help middle-aged women by lessening depression and providing important grounds for depression control.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.148-156
• /
• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a motivation-enhanced self-management (MESM) intervention for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and to evaluate its effects on female college students with IBS. Methods: The program was constructed to reflect the conceptual framework of the self-determination theory including autonomous motivation enhancement strategy through the satisfaction of psychological needs. The experimental group (n= 24) participated in the all eight weekly MESM sessions, and the control group (n= 25) received one hour education of IBS. Primary outcome measures were the IBS symptom severity scale (IBS-SSS) and the IBS specific quality of life (IBS-QOL), and assessed at the baseline and at eight and 16 weeks after the allocation. Others were autonomous motivation, self-determined behavior, and psychological distress assessed at the baseline and at eight weeks. Results: The experimental group showed improvement in the IBS-SSS (p< .001) at 16 weeks compared to the control group. They showed markedly more improvement in the IBS QOL (p= .008), but the magnitude of this difference decreased at 16 weeks. The experimental group showed improvements in autonomous motivation (p= .035), self-determined behavior (p= .023), and psychological distress (p= .044) compared to the control group. Conclusion: Study results suggest that the MESM intervention for female college students may effectively improve the IBS-SSS and the QOL.

• 한국노년학
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.1023-1039
• /
• 2008

The purpose of this study was to develop a group validation therapy(V/T) which could be implemented for the elderly with dementia in nursing home, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the program on cognition, ADL(Activity of Daily Living), depression, problematic behavior and QOL(Quality of Life). Subjects were recruited from 4 nursing homes in D city. The sample comprised forty elderly with dementia, capable of verbal communication. Each twenty were in an experimental and control groups. However, four elders with dementia dropped out in experimental and control groups due to personal affairs. Experimental group completed twelve consecutive group validation therapy sessions that combined centering, asking factual questions, rephrasing, identifying and using the preferred sense, asking the extreme, imagining the opposite, reminiscing, touching, maintaining eye contact and a caring tone of voice, observing, matching and expressing the emotion with emotion, using ambiguity, linking behavior with a basic human need, using music and mirroring techniques. Following the intervention, experimental group experienced a significant improvement in cognition, ADL, depression, and QOL. But it is a nonsignificant in problematic behavior on statistically. As a result, a group validation therapy should be applied as an effective and practical psychosocial intervention for the elderly with dementia.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.86 no.2
• /
• pp.111-119
• /
• 2023

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate whether alcohol consumption might affect the quality of life (QOL), depressive mood, and metabolic syndrome in patients with obstructive lung disease (OLD). Methods: Data were obtained from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2014 and 2016. OLD was defined as spirometry of forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity <0.7 in those aged more than 40 years. QOL was evaluated using the European Quality of Life Questionnaire-5D (EQ-5D) index. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was used to assess the severity of depressive mood. Alcohol consumption was based on a history of alcohol ingestion during the previous month. Results: A total of 984 participants with OLD (695 males, 289 females, age 65.8±9.7 years) were enrolled. The EQ-5D index was significantly higher in alcohol drinkers (n=525) than in non-alcohol drinkers (n=459) (0.94±0.11 vs. 0.91±0.13, p=0.002). PHQ9 scores were considerably lower in alcohol drinkers than in non-alcohol drinkers (2.15±3.57 vs. 2.78±4.13, p=0.013). However, multiple logistic regression analysis showed that alcohol consumption was not associated with EQ-5D index or PHQ-9 score. Body mass index ≥25 kg/m², triglyceride ≥150 mg/dL, high-density lipoprotein <40 mg/dL in men and <50 mg/dL in women, and blood pressure ≥130/85 mm Hg were significantly more common in alcohol drinkers than in non-alcohol drinkers (all p<0.05). Conclusion: Alcohol consumption did not change the QOL or depressive mood of OLD patients. However, metabolic syndrome-related factors were more common in alcohol drinkers than in non-alcohol drinkers.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.353-361
• /
• 2014

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare job satisfaction, quality of life (QOL), incident report rate and overtime hours for 12-hour shifts and for 8-hour shifts in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Methods: A descriptive survey was conducted with a convenience sample of 36 staff nurses from a PICU in a regional hospital in Korea. Data were collected using self-administrated questionnaires regarding job satisfaction and QOL at 6 months before and after the beginning of 12-hour shifts. Incident report rate and overtime hours for both 12-hour and 8-hour shifts were compared. Comparisons were made using $x^2$-test, paired t-test and Mann-Whitney U test. Results: After 12-hour shifts were initiated, job satisfaction significantly increased (t=3.93, p<.001) and QOL was higher for nurses on 12-hour shifts compared to 8-hour (t=7.83, p<.001). There was no statistically significant change in incident report rate ($x^2=0.15$, p=.720). The overtimes decreased from $36.3{\pm}34.7$ to $17.3{\pm}34.9$ minutes (Z=-8.91, p<.001). Conclusion: These results provide evidence that 12-hour shifts can be an effective ways of scheduling for staff nurses to increase job satisfaction and quality of life without increasing patient safety incidents or prolonged overtime work hours.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.15-26
• /
• 2011

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of Intranasal acupuncture treatment in allergic rhinitis patients. Methods: This study was carried with the 42 pediatric allergic rhinitis who had been treated in our hospital. Inner young-hyang was used for the intranasal acupuncture points. Their nasal cavity was observed via anterior rhinoscopy. We induced patient's inferior turbiante bleeding by acupuncture. Patients nasal symtoms and QOL(quality of life) were assessed by the Total Nasal Symptom Score(TNSS) and Quality of Life Questionnaire for Korean Rhinitisian(QLQKR). Results: Total Nasal Symptom Score(TNSS) and Quality of Life Questionnaire for Korean Rhinitisian(QLQKR) were significantly improved. Conclusions: Intranasal acupuncture treatment is relatively effective in treating pediatric allergic rhinitis.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.43-50
• /
• 2021

Background/Objectives: Shoulder function is an important aspect of health related quality of life (QOL). Neck dissection impairment index (NDII) is a simple shoulder-specific questionnaire. This study aimed to evaluate the association between QOL and NDII in patients who underwent neck dissection to validate the Korean version of NDII. Materials & Methods: This study enrolled 74 patients with head and neck cancer who underwent neck dissection from December 2013 to April 2014. Patients completed questionnaires on QOL including the European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer 30-item Core QOL questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and NDII which was translated into Korean. Validity was evaluated by calculating the Pearson correlation coefficient between NDII and EORTC QLQ-C30. Results: We compared preoperative, postoperative within a week, 1st and 3rd months NDII scores. The total NDII scores were 14.7, 47.4, 33.7 and 34.3 each. Clinical variables including gender, site of primary tumor, performing revision neck dissection, radiotherapy and flap reconstruction were not significantly associated with NDII. However NDII mean score of patients who underwent unilateral neck dissection over 3 levels is most increased after operation. During all periods NDII scores were significantly associated with functioning score. Although other scores are lower correlation than function scores, global health status scores and symptom scores are also correlation with NDII. Conclusion: NDII was valid instrument and can be used not only in the clinical practice to assess shoulder dysfunction but also in the simple instrument to evaluate global QOL in Korea patients with having neck dissection.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.75-79
• /
• 2012

Purpose: the study aimed to compare the quality of life (QOL) and radiotherapy complications among Chinese nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients at different 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) stages adjusting for other variables. Methods: 511 NPC patients at different 3DCRT stages were enrolled. They were interviewed regarding SF-36, complications and socio-demographic variables and cancer- or treatment-related variables. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) based on SF-36, complications scores as dependent variables, 3DCRT stages as independent variables, and other variables as covariate were established. Results: The influencing factors of PCS included 3DCRT stages and age group. The influencing factors of MCS included 3DCRT stages and income. Most QOL scores of NPC patients were significantly associated with 3DCRT stage, after accounting for other variables. QOL scores of the patients receiving 3DCRT were the lowest, QOL scores of people after 3DCRT gradually increased. PCS scores of people greater than 5 years after 3DCRT was improved to or even better than the level before 3DCRT. The complications with significantly different scores of patients at different 3DCRT status included xerostomia, throat ache, hypogeusia, caries, hearing loss, snuffles. Conclusions: Clinicians should pay more attention to older NPC patients and patients with lower income. When patients receive 3DCRT, measures should be taken to reduce radiation injury to improve the patients' QOL.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.363-373
• /
• 2020

The purpose of this study was to improve the gait ability and quality of life of stroke patients by combining virtual reality technology and a visual feedback gait training program with entertainment elements. Ten stroke patients with circumduction gait were selected. The visual feedback treadmill gait training program using virtual reality technology and a force plate measurement system was conducted 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, with 25 sessions in 5 weeks. To investigate the effects of this gait training program, evaluations using the joint range-of-motion test, muscle activity tests, Berg balance scale (BBS), gait analysis, and stroke-specific quality-of-life scale (SS-QOL) were performed before and after intervention. Statistically significant differences were found in the joint range of motion and muscle activity of the affected side from the initial swing phase to the mid-swing phase of the gait cycle, dynamic balance, gait function, and quality of life (p <0.05). The results of this study indicate that the gait training program improved the foot drop, muscle activity, dynamic balance, and gait ability of stroke patients with circumduction gait, thereby improving the quality of life of the patients. Therefore, we recommend the application of the visual feedback treadmill gait training program using virtual reality technology and a force plate measurement system to improve gait ability and quality of life of stroke patients with circumduction gait.