DeokJu Kim

Effect of an exercise program for posture correction on musculoskeletal pain.

[Purpose] The present study investigated the effect of an exercise program for posture correction on musculoskeletal pain. [Subjects] Between September 2, 2013 and November 3, 2013, an exercise program was performed in 88 students from S University in K city (male students, n = 34; female students, n = 54). [Methods] The exercise program for posture correction was performed for 20 minutes per session, 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Pain levels were measured using a pain scale, and pain levels before and after the exercise program were compared. [Results] Overall, pain levels of the participants were lower after the exercise program than before the program, and significant differences in pain levels were noted in the shoulders, middle back, and lower back. [Conclusion] In conclusion, shoulder pain, mid back pain, and low back pain were relieved with the exercise program for posture correction. Therefore, the findings of this study can be used to improve the work efficiency of students as well as people engaged in sedentary work.

Effects of a cognitive-enhancement group training program on daily living activities, cognition, and depression in the demented elderly

[Purpose] The effects of a cognitive enhancement group training program on daily living activities, cognition, and depression in the demented elderly population of a local Korean community were investigated. [Subjects and Methods] The study included 22 elderly subjects who were 65 years of age or older, had been diagnosed with dementia, and were attending a daily care center in K City, Republic of Korea. Eleven subjects participated in the program, which was conducted twice a week for 8 weeks for a total of 16 sessions. Eleven subjects in a non-training group did not receive any interventions. [Results] The MMSE-K, MBI and KDS scores of all of the eleven subjects who participated in the program improved, and the improvements were statistically significant. [Conclusion] Cognitive enhancement group training programs may have positive effects on daily living activities, cognition, and depression.

Effects of mental practice on stroke patients’ upper extremity function and daily activity performance

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of mental practice on stroke patients’ upper extremity function and activities of daily living (ADL). [Subjects and Methods] In this study, 29 stroke patients were randomly assigned to two groups: an experimental group (n=14) and a control group (n=15). The experimental group performed 10 minutes of mental practice once a day, 5 days a week for 2 weeks in combination with conventional rehabilitation therapy. For the control group, general rehabilitation therapy was provided during the same sessions as the experimental group. The Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) and the Fugl-Myer assessment (FMA) were used to measure upper extremity function, and the Modified Bathel Index (MBI) was used to measure daily activity performance. [Results] After the intervention, the mental practice group showed significant improvements in upper extremity function on the affected side and ADL scores compared to the control group. [Conclusion] The results of this study demonstrate mental practice intervention is effective at improving stroke patients’ upper extremity function and daily activity performance. In follow-up studies, securing a greater number of experimental subjects, and evaluation of the intervention’s therapeutic durability are required.

Study of the Physical Condition of Middle-aged Office and Field Workers Aged 50 and Older.

[Purpose] We investigated the physical condition of middle-aged workers in Korea by job category (office job vs. production job). [Subjects] In total, 3,650 middle-aged workers (production job, n = 2,615; office job, n = 1,035) ≥50 years of age from eight geographical areas were evaluated from 2007 to 2008. [Methods] The subjects’ subjective physical condition, exercise status, smoking status, and drinking status were investigated, and precise physical measurements, cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, reflexes, and reactions were measured. [Results] Subjectively, the physical condition and exercise status of those with office jobs were superior to those of production job workers. Office workers exhibited a higher rate of drinking than production workers, and also had better cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, reflexes, and reactions. However, production workers were more flexible than office workers. [Conclusion] Middle-aged production job workers in Korea have poorer overall physical condition than middle-aged office job workers. The physical condition of middle-aged and elderly workers must be managed through various health management programs to secure a productive aging society.

A study on the relationships between age, work experience, cognition, and work ability in older employees working in heavy industry.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation of age, work experience, cognition, and work ability in older employees working in heavy industry. [Subjects and Methods] The study was conducted using 100 subjects who were over 55 years old and worked in heavy industry. To obtain data, we first had the subjects complete the MoCA-K test and Work Ability Index (WAI). The data were then analyzed by frequency and correlation using statistical software (SPSS 21.0). [Results] Through this study, we discovered a significant positive correlation between WAI and MoCA-K, age, and work experience. [Conclusion] This study revealed that work ability in older employees increases not with the number of years worked but with the enhancement of cognitive ability. Special management that focuses on cognition is therefore required for senior employees working in the field of heavy industry.

The effects of a combined physical activity, recreation, and art and craft program on ADL, cognition, and depression in the elderly

[Purpose] To determine the effects of a combined physical activity, arts and crafts, and recreational program on the activities of daily living (ADL), cognitive function, and depression in the elderly. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-eight elderly persons aged 65 years or older who live in P City, South Korea participated in a program combining arts and crafts and physical and recreational activities, twice weekly for eight weeks (a total of 16 sessions). The subjects’ ADL, cognitive function, and depression were measured before and after the program using the following assessment instruments: the FIM, MMSE-K, and BDI, respectively. [Results] The results showed that, after the program intervention, ADL were remarkably improved for both men and women, cognitive function increased considerably, and depression levels significantly decreased, especially for elderly women. [Conclusion] The results of the present study indicate that a program combining physical and recreational activities, as well as arts and crafts, had positive effects on the health of the elderly and provide evidence for managing their health.

The effects of hand strength on upper extremity function and activities of daily living in stroke patients, with a focus on right hemiplegia

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of hand strength on upper extremity function and activities of daily living in patients with right hemiplegia, as well as to provide important fundamental data for rehabilitation after stroke. [Subjects and Methods] This study was conducted from May 1 to December 30, 2013, at the Department of Rehabilitation of P Hospital in Seoul and included subjects hospitalized with a diagnosis of stroke. Patients with right hemiplegia were selected, and their hand strength, upper extremity function, and activities of daily living were evaluated. Hand strength was measured by grip, lateral pinch, and three-point pinch strength. [Results] The effects of hand strength on upper extremity function were evaluated. The results showed that all types of hand strength significantly influenced upper extremity function. However, only grip strength influenced activities of daily living. [Conclusion] In rehabilitation of stroke patients, it is necessary to first improve their general physical condition and basic activities of daily living, and then improve hand movement and hand muscle strength for instrumental activities of daily living training, which requires detailed hand movements.

Effects of visual perceptual intervention on visual-motor integration and activities of daily living performance of children with cerebral palsy

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to find the effects of a visual perceptual intervention on visual-motor integration and activities of daily living performance of children with cerebral palsy as subjects. [Methods] This study was conducted with 56 children who were diagnosed as having cerebral palsy. The visual perceptual intervention was implemented for 8 weeks, 3 times a week, for 30 minutes per session, for a total of 24 sessions. All children were assessed using the VMI and WeeFIM to evaluate visual motor integration and activities of daily living skills, immediately before and after the 8-week intervention. [Results] The VMI and WeeFIM scores of all of the 56 children with CP who participated in the study improved, and the improvements were statistically significant. [Conclusion] Visual perceptual intervention had a positive influence on the visual-motor integration and activities of daily living performance of children with cerebral palsy.

Study of the physical condition of middle-aged workers by gender.

[Purpose] The purpose of this research was to investigate the physical condition of middle-aged workers in Korea by gender. [Subjects] In total, 2,644 middle-aged workers (male, n = 2,175; female, n =469) ≥50 years of age from eight geographical areas were evaluated from 2007 to 2008. [Methods] The subjects’ physical condition, muscular endurance, reaction, flexibility, agility and age of physical strength were evaluated. [Results] The physical condition and exercise status of males were superior to those of female workers. Male workers exhibited a higher rate of smoking than female workers, but had better muscular endurance, reaction, agility and age of physical strength. [Conclusion] Middle-aged female workers in Korea have a poorer overall physical condition than middle-aged male workers. The physical condition of middle-aged and elderly workers must be managed through various health management programs to maintain a productive aging society.

The relationship between obesity and health-related quality of life of office workers.

[Purpose] This study aimed to understand how office workers’ obesity, anxiety and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) affect each other. [Subjects] The study was conducted from February 1 of 2013 to March 31 of 2014 and targeted a total of 143 office workers working in Seoul, Republic of Korea. [Methods] The study collected data using both an assessment tool and questionnaire in order to learn the subjects’ obesity index, anxiety and HRQOL. [Results] The study revealed a significant difference in the total scores in regard to how the obesity index influences anxiety, mental HRQOL and total HRQOL. The more overweight and the heavier the subjects were, the more severe was the anxiety observed, which resulted in decreased scores for mental HRQOL and total HRQOL. Obesity turned out to be significantly correlated with anxiety, mental HRQOL and total HRQOL, and in terms of how much anxiety the subjects felt, there was a significant correlation with the total scores for physical HRQOL, mental HRQOL and total HRQOL. [Conclusion] The present study found that overweight and obese office workers are more anxious than office workers with normal weights, as the former have a lower mental HRQOL. It also suggests that overweight and obese office workers should improve their mental HRQOL through professional workout programs, which would help with their obesity problem. The study also suggests that subsequent research should be carried out to observe the results of any such workout programs applied in the future.