• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.80-87
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• 2010

Purpose: This study was aimed to analyze the contents and trend of published research in oncology nursing during the past five years in Korea and to suggest the direction for future research. Methods: Using the key words "cancer", "cancer patients", and "tumor", 391 nursing research published from 2003 to 2008 were selected for the analysis. Results: 1) Three hundred fifty-five (90.8%) of the studies used quantitative research approach, whereas most studies were descriptive in nature. 2) The main subjects of the study were cancer patients with mixed diagnosis (36.4%) and breast cancer patients (20.0%). 3) Complementary alternative therapy (28.9%), educational program (25.6%), and psycho-social and spiritual program (16.7%) were the most frequently used nursing interventions. Most frequently measured outcome variables were psycho, socio, and spiritual factors (38.8%), symptoms (28.2%) and physiological factors (14.6%). 4) Most frequently used key words were identified as quality of life, fatigue, coping, pain, anxiety, anorexia, and depression. Conclusion: The number of published research in oncology nursing in Korea has been increased. It is suggested to conduct international studies to develop, compare, and replicate nursing interventions for patients with cancer in future. Increasing funding, establishing research infrastructure, and removing methodological challenges are warranted for better research environment.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.55-68
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• 2002

While the survival rate of preterm infants and employment rates of mothers with infants have been dramatically increasing, little is known about the impact of maternal employment and having premature infants on maternal health recovery after delivery. The purpose of this longitudinal study was to examine differences in postpartum health by mother's employment and infant's prematurity over time during the first 3 months postpartum. The study used a longitudinal design and was secondary data analysis from a large study. A convenience sample of 132 mothers was recruited with mothers who had fullterm or preterm infants through the postpartum unit. They were followed up for 3 times (at 1-2 days, 6 weeks, and 3 months) during the first 3 months postpartum period. Level of fatigue and hysical symptoms were indicators for postpartum physical health; Positive affect and negative affect were assessed for postpartum mental health, and role functional status after childbirth was for role performance. Finding indicated that health indicators changed significantly over time but there was no main or interaction effect for maternal employment status. There were main effects of infant's prematurity on positive affect, negative affect, and role functional status (self-care and social and community activities). This study enhanced the understanding of postpartum health of mothers with preterm infants as well as those with fullterm infants during the postpartum period.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.119-127
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• 2004

Purpose: A Phenomenological study was conducted to investigate the experiences of infertile women who had an unsuccessful in vitro fertilization(IVF) attempt and the structure of these experiences was identified in a socio-cultural context. Method: In-depth interviews were done with five participants from Nov. 1997 to Feb. 1998. Data was recorded and analyzed by Colazzi's method. Result: Significant statements were extracted from the data resulting in 4 themes and 11 concepts. The concepts were: 'lack of information', 'unable to anticipate the outcome', 'reaffirmation of need', 'financial strain', 'emotional suppression', 'change of social relationships', 'physical fatigue', 'blaming oneself or God', 'trying different ways', 'famous place shopping', and 'praying to God'. The significant themes of the participants' experiences with IVF emerged as: "uncertainty", "burden", "blaming" and "vigorous desire". Conclusion: The results indicate that the care of infertile women with an unsuccessful IVF attempt should be based on a deep understanding of their personal experiences. Also, information on alternative choices should be offered and supported.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.135-140
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• 2012

Previous investigators have shown that the frequency compression is related to the muscle fatigue and the decreasing conduction velocity of muscle fibers. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between endurance times and frequency parameters such as mean power frequency and median frequency in the surface EMG signal during isotonic contractions. Eight healthy subjects performed voluntary isotonic contractions of biceps Brachii muscle until their endurance times which were determined when the subject could no longer follow the contraction cycle. The regressive slopes of mean power frequency and median frequency were used to describe the frequency compression of the surface EMG signal, and to test the predictability of endurance time. As results of experiment, significant correlations were found between endurance time and the regressive slopes of mean power frequency and mean frequency computed over 50%Tend of endurance time.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.760-772
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• 1998

The purpose of this study was to explore the concept of quality of life for bone marrow transplant (BMT) survivors and to gain understanding of nursing interventions that may improve QOL in this population. The data was gathered from 32 BMT survivors using seven open-ended questions. The items were based on previous research of Ferrell et al., (1992). Content analysis was performed on written responses to seven questions regarding BMT and QOL. The results were as follows : 1. The meaning of QOL for BMT survivors were "being healt", "being able to take a role", "having relationships", "self-accomplishment", "peace of mind", "spiritual well-being", "economic stability" and "being alive". 2. The impact of BMT on physical well-being were "skin impairment", "digestive problems", "infections ", "fatigue/weakness", "arthralgia", "eye dryness". "weight gain", "amenorrhea" and "hand tremor". 3. The impact of BMT on psychological well-being were "fear of recurrence", "sence of peace" and "hope". 4. The impact of BMT on socioeconomic status were "financial burden", "limitation of social activities" and "sence of withdrawal". 5. The impact of BMT on spiritual well-being were "dependency on Supreme Being", "spiritual arousal " and "spiritual maturity". The findings of the study will be useful in constructing a instrument to measure QOL in BMT and in understanding the conceptual basis of QOL for the BMT population.ency on Supreme Being", "spiritual arousal " and "spiritual maturity". The findings of the study will be useful in constructing a instrument to measure QOL in BMT and in understanding the conceptual basis of QOL for the BMT population.L for the BMT population.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.344-360
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• 2001

A quasi-experimental study was conducted to investigate the effects of health promotion program on health of the clients with arthritis. In this study. the health promotion program consisted of self appointment and confirmation. discussion, health education. group counsel, and exercise. And the program focused on self - help group meeting. A total of 68 subjects was randomly assigned into either the control group(n = 24) or the intervention group(n =44). The results of the study analyzed using a SPSS win, were as follows: 1) In physical function of physical health. there was a significant improvement in flexibility of the shoulder joint(hold the hand upward and downward behind the back). sit and reach, extension of the knee joint in the intervention group, compared to the control group, while no difference in flexibility of the shoulder joint(raising the arm), flexion of the knee joint, and grip strength. There was a significant improvement in physical functional disability in the intervention group, compared to the control group, but no difference in fatigue and pain. 2) The health promotion program resulted in improvement in psychosocial health(e.g. increase of self-efficacy and decreases of social functional disability) in the intervention group, compared to the control group. It was concluded that the health promotion program(weekly session for 6 weeks) employed in this study was appropriate for the clients with arthritis in primary health care center and had a positive effect on health in general.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.214-222
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was to identify factors predicting the occurrence of depression among patients with hepatitis C treated with Peg-interferon. Methods: The subjects were 134 patients treated with Peg-interferon after the diagnosis with hepatitis C at the D University Hospital and 3 hospitals located in Busan, South Korea. The predictors of depression were identified by measuring the general characteristics of the subjects and their disease-related characteristics, social support, sleep disorders, and degree of side effects by interferon. The data were analyzed with a t-test, ANOVA, and logistic regression using the SPSS/WIN 18.0 program. Results: Sixty-six point four percent of the subjects suffered from mild to more severe depression. Fatigue, hair loss, itching, and sleep disorders turned out to be significant predictors. In addition, the explanatory power of these variables for the occurrence of depression was 70%. Conclusion: Sleep disorders and drug side effects were determined to have significant influence on the development of depression in hepatitis C patients treated with Peg-interferon. Therefore, the development of nursing intervention programs aimed to prevent depression by effectively managing sleep disorders and side effects is mandated in future to help the given population.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.221-229
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify correlates influencing cognitive impairment in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Methods: Study subjects consisted of 102 breast cancer patients who received chemotherapy. Subjects were the members of a breast cancer self-help group. Data were collected using structured self-reporting questionnaires including scales of cognitive impairment, physical status, fatigue, quality of life, emotional status, sleeping, family support, and menopausal symptoms. Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used for statistical analyses. Results: Breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy appeared to show a high level of cognitive impairment. Among demographic characteristics, the effects of economic status and family type on cognitive impairment were found to be statistically significant. Among disease related characteristics, the effect of duration of chemotherapy on cognitive impairment was statistically significant. Menopausal symptoms were positively associated with cognitive impairment. The model including postmenopausal symptoms and caregiver type explained about 66% of variability in cognitive impairment. Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of contextual factors in understanding cognitive impairment in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and can be used to develop appropriate, effective nursing interventions.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.213-225
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• 2009

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors related on pain in female office workers. Methods : Neck pain group of 31 female subjects complained of neck and arm discomfort. Normal group of 20 female subjects had no complaints or minimal discomfort. Cervical curvature and muscle tone were assessed by whole spine x-ray, meridian-electromyography(MEMG), craniovertebral angle, and Moire. Neck pain was evaluated by Neck Disability Index(NDI) and Visual Analog Scale(VAS). The emotional and other physical factors that could effect neck pain were checked by questionnaires including Beck Depression Index(BDI), Stress Reaction Index(SRI), Holmes & Rahe Social Readjustment Rating Scale(SRRS), International Physical Activity Questionnaire(IPAQ), and Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale(GSRS). Results : The contraction and fatigue of upper trapezius by MEMG was significantly higher in the neck pain group. And BDI, SRI, SRRS, and GSRS were significantly higher in the neck pain group (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the Jackson's angle, Cobb's method, craniovertebral angle, and moire between two groups. Conclusions : The results suggest that neck pain is related to mental stress rather than physical stress and physical stress does not change cervical curvature significantly.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.73-79
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• 2014

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the burden experienced by nursing personnel working irregular shifts in Greece and to conduct the first test of a Greek version of the Standard Shiftwork Index (SSI). Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out. The SSI was completed by 365 nurses and nursing assistants working shifts, including nights. Results: Female nursing personnel and those suffering from a chronic disease were most affected by working rotating shifts as they had elevated scores on the majority of the SSI scales, such as sleep, chronic fatigue, digestive and cardiovascular problems, general health questionnaire, cognitive and somatic anxiety, shift time satisfaction, engagement and disengagement strategies, languidity, flexibility, and neurotisicm. Nurses with longer working experience and those with family responsibilities also scored higher on some of the SSI scales, such as the sleep, shift time satisfaction, social and domestic disruption, disengagement strategies, morningness, and languidity scales. Conclusion: Shiftwork affects female nurses, those with chronic disease, older age, and domestic responsibilities more severely. Therefore management should take these factors into account when designing work schedules to alleviate the burden caused by shiftwork.