• KIPS Transactions on Computer and Communication Systems
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• v.10 no.9
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• pp.251-260
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• 2021

Gait analysis is one of the research fields for obtaining various information related to gait by analyzing human ambulation. It has been studied for a long time not only in the medical field but also in various academic areas such as mechanical engineering, electronic engineering, and computer engineering. Efforts have been made to determine whether there is a problem with gait through gait analysis. In this paper, as a pre-step to find out gait abnormalities, it is investigated whether it is possible to differentiate whether experiment participants wear elderly simulation suit or not by applying gait data to machine learning models for the same person. For a total of 45 participants, each gait data was collected before and after wearing the simulation suit, and a total of six machine learning models were used to learn the collected data. As a result of using an artificial neural network model to distinguish whether or not the participants wear the suit, it showed 99% accuracy. What this study suggests is that we explored the possibility of judging the presence or absence of abnormality in gait by using machine learning.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2018

This study is intended to identify how horseback riding affect the bone density of the elderly. A total of 31 normal senior citizens participated in the research, who were randomly divided into two groups: 15 in horseback riding exercise group and 16 in horseback riding machine exercise group. A horseback riding exercise program was carried out for 25 minutes twice a week for 12 weeks. A pre-test was conducted before starting the program and two post-tests were conducted 6 weeks and 12 weeks after exercises in the same way as the pre-test. Measured items were bone density of lumbar vertebrae and femur. In order to identify the changes in measurement variables before exercises and 6 weeks and 12 weeks after exercises, two-way repeated analysis of variance were used. The comparison of changes in the bone density in both groups revealed that there were significant differences in lumbar vertebrae L3, L4, femur trochanter in both groups over time. This study suggests that three-dimensional movements of horses through horseback riding exercises induce normal movements of senior citizens, providing positive effects on their bone density. If appropriate horse riding exercise programs are used considering the health status, time and economic conditions, and preferences of senior citizens, it would improve their quality of life.

• Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.2
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• pp.60-76
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• 1995

The purpose of this study was to analysis level on family caregiver's burden for the elderly with senile dementia in a rural area and to choose priority care group, thereby facilitating the development of interventions to reduce the caregiver's burden. For this purpose, data were collected by questionaire from June 10 to October 8, 1994. The instruments for data collection were Caregiver Burden Inventory by Novak(1989) and Zarit et al(1982), severity of dementia by Hughes Scales (1982), ADL by Lawton (1971), patients' family caregiving activity by pre-survey and reference review(Lee, 1993 ; Jang, 1990 ; Yoo, 1982). The subjects were 60 family caregiver of senile dementia in a rural area. The data was analysed by the use of t-test, ANOVA, correlation and multiple regression. The results were as follows : 1. Total burden was evaluated over average, the mean of family burden was 61.24. 2. Significant variables which were correlated to the family caregiver's burden were the severity of dementia(F=30.52, p<0.001), ADL(F=5.43, p<0.01), PADL(F=6.14, p<0.01), caregiver's health status(F=6.05, p<0.01), a view of patient's prognosis(F=4.08, p<0.05), the number of hours per day spent on caregiving(F=19.64, p<0.001), level of intimacy of caregiver and patients(F=7.16, p<0.001), the frequency of caregiving activity(F=5.31, p<0.01). 3. ADL was the most important predictor to family caregiver burden(R2=0.6611). In addition to this, the severity of dementia, level of intimacy of caregiver and patient, relationship with the patient accounted for 79% of family caregiver burden. 4. The criteria of priority care group were as follows ; the mean of family caregiver burden was above 58, above of moderate ADL, the number of hours per day spent on caregiving above of 8 hours, above of moderate dementia. By the the severity of dementia, number of priority care group, mild dementia was 10(43.4%), moderate dementia 23 (92.0%), sever dementia 12(100.0%).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.1-6
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• 2019

With the increase in number of the athletic population and elderly demographic, the demand for orthopedic splints, which are used to support a damaged body, has rapidly increased. Current splints mainly consist of inner and outer parts, which are multiple fabrics covered with polyurethane and nonwoven fabrics, respectively. However, the laminated materials with directly applied pre-polymer coating lead to a high defect rate because of the uneven thickness on the surface. Thus, this study proposes an indirect coating method using a precise clearance controller, which enables the even application of the coating material on multiple inner parts while maintaining a constant thickness. In addition, a roll-to-roll (R2R) technique is applied instead of the sewing mechanism to bond the inner and outer materials together and enhance the productivity in the final stage. In the advanced methods, there is a storage tank that contains polyurethane, a clearance controller, and pairs of rollers in the upper and lower rows. To improve the quality of the products and optimize the equipment, three controllable factors are determined: the viscosity of polyurethane, angle of the gap controller and number of pairs of rollers in the R2R system.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.121-129
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• 2020

Objective: This study was conducted with the aim of verifying the effectiveness of the duocock exercise, which is being utilized at the newly developed site to promote balance maintenance, basic physical strength and muscle strength among various age groups, in order to prevent fall and successfully age. Method: In this study, we conducted the duocock Exercise Program for 12 weeks (twice a week for an hour) for 10 senior citizens aged 65 or older (68.8±4.76 yrs, height: 15±6.00 cm) using Western-based health institutions in Daejeon, and compared the pre- and post- effects on basic physical strength and posture balance. All the data obtained from this study were used in statistical program SPSS 24 to perform paired t-test. The significance level for all statistical analyses was set at the level of p<0.05. Results: The 12 week duocock program showed statistically significant improvements in lower extremity muscle strength, equilibrium, agility, balance, and coordination in the basic fitness factors underlying successful aging (p<0.05). In addition, the trunk imbalance, which acts as a factor of falls and body balance, was statistically significant (p<0.05) and the posture balance of the sagittal plane also showed the effect of proper body adjustment. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, duocock provides a new exercise program in the form of a sustainable sport as a two-handed exercise, and is very effective for the elderly to improve their basic physical strength as well as to control postural imbalances, strengthen and increase muscle strength.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.203-214
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study to develop a fringed fall prevention program based on King's goal attainment theory and education. This study is applied to the personal, interpersonal, and social systems of fall high-risk patients to test its effects. Methods: This study was a nonequivalent control group pre- and post-test design. There were 52 fall high-risk patients in the experimental group and 45 in the control group. The experimental group received six sessions, with the group sessions lasting 60 minutes and the individual sessions lasting 20~30 minutes. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, an ${\chi}^2-test$, a paired sample t-test, and a Wilcoxon signed-ranks test utilizing IBM SPSS software. Results: For the 3-month intervention period, the fall prevention program was found to be particularly effective for patients in the experimental group (from 3.38 to 1.69 per 1000 patient days; p=.044), as opposed to the control group (from 1.94 to 1.49 per 1000 patient days; p=.300). For the 6-month follow up period, the fall prevention program was again found to be effective for patients in the experimental group (from 3.26 to 0.76 per 1000 patient days; p=.049) compared to the control group (from 1.98 to 1.01 per 1000 patient days; p=.368). Conclusion: These results indicate that the fringed fall prevention program is very effective in reducing falls, not only during the intervention period, but also after the intervention period has ended. We can therefore recommend this program for use concerning fall high-risk patients in long-term care hospitals.

• Urogenital Tract Infection
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.79-83
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• 2018

Purpose: The 5 alpha reductase inhibitor (5ARI) reduces the size of the prostate and alleviates lower urinary tract symptoms. After stopping 5ARI, the prostate quickly recovers to its pre-medication size. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors affecting the restoration of prostate size after 5ARI discontinuation. Materials and Methods: Between March 2009 and May 2017, patients who visited an outpatient clinic and were diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia were selected and start 5ARI medication. After 6 months of medication, the patients stopped medication for 1 year. Meanwhile, we measured the prostate volumes of patients 3 times (before and after medication, after discontinuation) and divide the patients into 3 groups (maintained, intermediate, and restored) with recovered prostate volume ratio. After classification, we investigated the relationship between the variable factors (age, serum prostate-specific antigen, initial volume, reduced volume after medication) between groups. Results: Among the 147 selected patients, the mean age and plasma PSA level were $61.6{\pm}7.9$ and $0.8{\pm}0.6$, respectively. The mean initial prostate volume was $32.3{\pm}4.2ml$, which reduced to $23.2{\pm}3.2ml$ after medication. After one year of discontinuation, the mean volume was $31.4{\pm}6.4ml$, with restoration to 101.5% of the reduced size. We noticed a tendency that patients with faster prostate volume recovery were generally older than those with slower recovery; however, this was not statistically significant. Other factors showed no relationship with prostate recovery. Conclusions: When using 5ARI in elderly patients, continuous treatment seems better than intermittent treatment. If discontinuation is needed, short term follow-up is recommended.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.702-712
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• 2008

The aim of this study is to develop Casual Hanbok design made of Hanji yarn textiles for New Silver generation women. The New silver generation is a coined word which has meaning of a newly silver generation and it is distinguished from pre-silver generation. New silver generation is a generation that is independent and given active role by their age groups and generational characteristic. The concept of silver generation was introduced from maturity market in Japan. This study was based on analysis about their preference of forms, colors, and materials of Casual Hanbok. The survey target were 270 female over age 50 living in Daejeon City. The analysis methods used frequency and percentage. The results were summarized as following. Although almost of them haven't worn Casual Hanbok, they had the positive recognition on wearing one. They preferred longer length jacket to traditional Korean style, shorter length of skirt. They also preferred the traditional sleeve shape and knotted buttons. On the foundation of this fact, 2 styles consist of 5 Casual Hanbok design items made of functional material - Hanji yarn textiles that have antimicrobial, deodorant, quick drying, far infrared radiation which are not harmful to health - for New silver women were suggested. One style was 3 items - blouse, vest, skirt - which are the sense of Korean tradition with activity by patch. The other was 2 items - jacket and skirt - which are the sense of Korean tradition with modern way by quilting. Lastly, these garments were evaluated by 13 experts, they were satisfied with 2 styles and all items. As this study were based on the Elderly women living in Daejeon city, it had the limitation on applying of preference styles to all the New silver generation.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.214-226
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• 2023

PURPOSE. This study aimed to compare the bite force (BF) between complete dentures and implant overdentures (IODs) retained by two mandibular implants. Additionally, we evaluated the quality of life (QoL) and patient satisfaction among individuals using IODs. In addition, the effects of demographic parameters such as age and sex, and clinical parameters such as implant length, implant diameter, attachment height, attachment color, and interimplant distance on BF, QoL, and patient satisfaction were evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS. A total of 51 edentulous patients rehabilitated with the maxillary complete dentures and mandibular IODs retained by two implants were included in this study. BF was measured using a force meter pre- and post-implant in the same patients. Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) was assessed with the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) and patient satisfaction was assessed with the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) questionnaires. RESULTS. It was found that BF values were statistically higher for IODs than complete dentures (P < .001). In terms of attachment height of the OHIP scores, there was a significant difference in the psychological disability and social disability domains (P < .05). When examining the change in patient satisfaction as a function of sex, it was found that mandibular retention satisfaction differed significantly by sex (P < .05), but there was no significant difference in the other domains. CONCLUSION. Within the limitations of this study, it was observed that the BF increased after the use of IODs. Several factors, including age, interimplant distance, attachment height, and attachment color, were found to impact OHRQoL. Sex and implant diameter were identified as factors affecting patient satisfaction.

• Korean Journal of Artificial Intelligence
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.9-13
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• 2023

In this study, we explored the potential of integrating interactive AI callbot technology into the medical consultation domain as part of a broader service development initiative. Aimed at enhancing patient satisfaction, the AI callbot was designed to efficiently address queries from hospitals' primary users, especially the elderly and those using phone services. By incorporating an AI-driven callbot into the hospital's customer service center, routine tasks such as appointment modifications and cancellations were efficiently managed by the AI Callbot Agent. On the other hand, tasks requiring more detailed attention or specialization were addressed by Human Agents, ensuring a balanced and collaborative approach. The deep learning model for voice recognition for this study was based on the Transformer model and fine-tuned to fit the medical field using a pre-trained model. Existing recording files were converted into learning data to perform SSL(self-supervised learning) Model was implemented. The ANN (Artificial neural network) neural network model was used to analyze voice signals and interpret them as text, and after actual application, the intent was enriched through reinforcement learning to continuously improve accuracy. In the case of TTS(Text To Speech), the Transformer model was applied to Text Analysis, Acoustic model, and Vocoder, and Google's Natural Language API was applied to recognize intent. As the research progresses, there are challenges to solve, such as interconnection issues between various EMR providers, problems with doctor's time slots, problems with two or more hospital appointments, and problems with patient use. However, there are specialized problems that are easy to make reservations. Implementation of the callbot service in hospitals appears to be applicable immediately.