Hyunli Kim

Prediction model of quality of life in elderly based on ICF model

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to identify from the International Classification of Functioning model, factors influencing quality of life in elderly persons and to describe the concrete pathway of influence and the power of each variable. METHODS The sample included 334 elders who lived in 5 districts of D Metropolitan City. A structured questionnaire was used and the collected data were analyzed for fitness, using the AMOS 18.0 program. RESULTS This model was concise and extensive in predicting the quality of life of elders. The research verified the factors influencing quality of life for elders as direct factors such as activity of daily living (ADL) (β=.13, t=2.47), leisure activity (β=.55, t=5.04), social disengagement (β=-.25, t=-2.25), and depression (β=-.62, t=-10.86). Indirect factors including economic status (γ=.17, p=.009), type of residence (γ=.19, p=.004), ADL (γ=.12, p=.027) were important factors in predicting quality of life for elders. These variables explained 75.6% of variance in the prediction model. CONCLUSION The findings indicate a need for the nursing scientific community to develop intervention programs considering these variables to improve the quality of life for elders.

The Effect of the Tai Chi Exercise Program on the Physical Function, Self-Esteem and Social Behavior of Patients with Chronic Schizophrenia

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of the Tai chi exercise program on the physical function, self-esteem and social behavior in patients with chronic schizophrenia. Methods: This study utilized a nonequivalent control group with pretest-posttest design. The 45 subjects were recruited from a mental health care facility in D city and randomly assigned either to the experimental group (n

Effect of the Tai Chi Fall Prevention Program for Elderly Women Living in the Community

Purpose: The study aimed to examine the effects of Tai Chi fall prevention program on risk factors for fall, fear of falling, and quality of life among elderly women living in the community. Methods: A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with non-equivalent control group was used. Sixty participants were recruited from 4 senior citizen centers in a city. The 1-hour Tai Chi fall prevention program was provided three times a week for 6 months to the experimental group. Risk factors for fall including fracture risk and bone mineral density, fear of falling, and quality of life were measured at the baseline and at 6 months. Results: Participants were 75 years old in average. At the completion of 6 month program, the experimental group showed lower fracture risks, less fear of falling, and higher scores in several domains of quality of life than the control group, after controlling for the pretest scores, fall experience, and regular exercise habit. Conclusion: The Tai Chi fall prevention program was safely applied to elderly women with improvement in fracture risk, fear of falling, and several domains of quality of life. Future study is necessary to confirm the longer effect of the Tai Chi program for the prevention of fall episodes.

Influences of Working Conditions and Health Status on Absence due to Sickness in Health and Medical related Workers

Purpose: This study was to examine the influences of working conditions and health status on absence due to sickness in health and medical related workers. Methods: Data from the Third Korean Working Condition Survey was used. Study participants included 929 workers who have been working in the medical and healthcare fields. Descriptive analysis, independent t-test, x 2 test, Fishers exact test and logistic regression analyses were performed using SPSS 21.0 statistical program. Results: Absence due to sickness was found in 7.8% of health and medical related workers. Absence due to sickness differed significantly depending on monthly income, company size, work-related musculoskeletal risk factors, job control, physical health problems and subjective health status would be important factors affecting absence. Conclusion: This study provides evidences that predictors of absence due to sickness in workers of medical and healthcare fields are identified. Therefore, we need the active support for health care service promotion and prevention for predictors of absence due to sickness.

Different Effects of Cognitive and Non-exercise Physical Leisure Activities on Cognitive Function by Age in Elderly Korean Individuals

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 ≥ 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 ≥ 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.