Ki-Jong Kim

The relationship between stroke and quality of life in Korean adults: based on the 2010 Korean community health survey.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of stroke in the Republic of Korea and its relationship with QOL based on standardized data. [Subjects and Methods] This study utilized raw data from the 2010 KCHS. In total, 229,229 individuals participated in the 2010 survey. The final analysis identified 4,604 individuals who had been diagnosed by a doctor with stroke. To identify the correlation between the aftereffect-related characteristics of stroke patients and QOL, a multiple linear regression analysis was performed. [Results] Participants experiencing aftereffects had a statistically significantly lower QOL than participants who had not experienced aftereffects. Regarding the types of aftereffects, participants experiencing palsy in the arms and legs, facial palsy, communication disabilities, swallowing or eating disabilities, and visual disabilities had a statistically significantly lower QOL than participants without aftereffects. The QOL of participants with one, two, three, four, or five aftereffects was statistically significantly less than that of participants without aftereffects [Conclusion] Stroke directly influences QOL and the number of types of aftereffects experienced by patients. Therefore, it is highly important that physical therapists seek to end the occurrence of one or more types of aftereffects in stroke patients.

Effects of virtual reality programs on balance in functional ankle instability.

[Purpose] The aim of present study was to identify the impact that recent virtual reality training programs used in a variety of fields have had on the ankle’s static and dynamic senses of balance among subjects with functional ankle instability. [Subjects and Methods] This study randomly divided research subjects into two groups, a strengthening exercise group (Group I) and a balance exercise group (Group II), with each group consisting of 10 people. A virtual reality program was performed three times a week for four weeks. Exercises from the Nintendo Wii Fit Plus program were applied to each group for twenty minutes along with ten minutes of warming up and wrap-up exercises. [Results] Group II showed a significant decrease of post-intervention static and dynamic balance overall in the anterior-posterior, and mediolateral directions, compared with the pre-intervention test results. In comparison of post-intervention static and dynamic balance between Group I and Group II, a significant decrease was observed overall. [Conclusion] Virtual reality programs improved the static balance and dynamic balance of subjects with functional ankle instability. Virtual reality programs can be used more safely and efficiently if they are implemented under appropriate monitoring by a physiotherapist.

The relationship between stroke patients’ socio-economic conditions and their quality of life: the 2010 Korean community health survey

[Purpose] The relationship between stroke patients’ socio-economic conditions and quality of life (QOL) using the 2010 Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS) statistics was examined. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 4,604 stroke patients were analyzed. Socio-economic conditions were sex, age, educational level, monthly household income, occupation, residential area, and living with family. [Results] The results show a statistically significant lower QOL for men than for women, for those aged 75 years or over compared to individuals between 19 years and 64 years, and for elementary (or lower) or middle school graduates compared to higher education graduates. QOL was also significant lower among patients whose household income was KRW4 million (US

Effectiveness of Sling Exercise for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review

3,746.72) or less a month. Finally, QOL was significantly lower for patients without an occupation compared to those with an occupation, for patients in rural areas compared to urban areas, and for patients who did not live with family compared to those who lived with family. [Conclusion] We showed the importance of the relationships between socio-economic conditions and QOL of stroke patient.

Factors Related to Stages of Exercise Behavior Change among University Students Based on the Transtheoretical Model

[Purpose] This study investigated effects of sling exercise for patients with chronic low back pain. [Methods] We reviewed all relevant papers indexed in PubMed, SCOPUS, and the Cochrane Registered Trials. Eligible trials were randomized controlled trials that compared sling exercise with any type of treatment. We extracted data on muscle thickness, muscle activation, pain, and disability, and assessed the methodological quality of the data. Seven studies met our inclusion criteria. [Results] When sling exercise had an impact on activation of the trunk muscles, increasing the trunk muscle thickness, and the reduction in pain and disability had been assessed shortly after the final exercise session, it was more effective than general exercise at activating trunk muscles, but not more effective at increasing trunk muscle thickness and improving pain and disability than general exercise. [Conclusion] As sling therapy studies are based on a small number of trials, we cannot draw conclusions about the therapeutic effects of sling exercise. When segmental stabilizing exercise and individually designed programs are added to sling exercise, it increases the effectiveness of sling exercise at improving low back pain. This should be the focus of future studies.

The relationship between fracture and quality of life in Korean adults receiving treatment for osteoporosis based on the 2010 Korean Community Health Survey

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to identify the distribution of stages of change in the exercise behavior of university students the transtheoretical model. [Subjects and Methods] Study subjects at four universities in G city were surveyed. A total of 1,000 questionnaires were distributed, and 959 responses were analyzed. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression analysis. [Results] Factors that contributed to the transition from the pre-contemplation stage to the contemplation stage included change-experimental processes (C-EP) and change-behavioral processes (C-BP). Factors that contributed to the transition from the contemplation stage to the preparation stage were C-BP and decisional decisional balance-cons (DB-C). Self-efficacy was the factor that contributed to the transition from the preparation stage to the action stage. However, there was no factor that contributed to the transition from the action stage to the maintenance stage. [Conclusion] When exercise behavior change is low, strategies such as giving one-to-one training, having the subjects read relevant books, and providing information are needed. When exercise behavior change is high, it is necessary to heighten self-efficacy by having subjects select and freely conduct appropriate kinds of exercises.

Association between osteoporotic fractures and quality of life based on the Korean Community Health Survey of 2010.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between fracture and quality of life in Korean adults receiving treatment for osteoporosis based on the 2010 Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS). [Subjects and Methods] This study utilized the raw data of the 2010 KCHS. In the survey, osteoporosis was assessed in 228,903 subjects, excluding 326 for whom there was insufficient data. There were 17,387 subjects with osteoporosis confirmed by a doctor’s diagnosis and 9,419 of them were being treated for osteoporosis at the time of the survey. [Results] Among the patients being treated, those with fractures had a significantly lower QOL than patients who did not experience fractures. The lower QOL scores were caused by hip, vertebral and wrist fractures, and in all cases, QOL was significantly lower. Greater numbers of fractures significantly lowered QOL scores compared to participants without fractures. [Conclusion] Fractures in patients receiving treatment for osteoporosis have a direct impact on QOL. Among the different types of fractures, hip fractures resulted in the lowest scores. Therefore, to avoid additional fractures caused by inappropriate management of osteoporosis, we suggest that there is a need to improve fall related self-efficacy and prevention programs.

Effects of Nintendo Wii Fit Plus training on ankle strength with functional ankle instability

[Purpose] To assess the relationship between fractures and quality of life (QOL) of osteoporosis patients as well as the treatment methods and locations of fractures following osteoporosis diagnosis. [Subjects and Methods] Participants were selected from a cohort consisting of 229,229 subjects who participated in the Korean Community Health Survey. Those who were not diagnosed with osteoporosis by a doctor were excluded from the study (326) and the final analysis included 17,387 previously diagnosed participants with osteoporosis. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted. [Results] The QOL was significantly lower for subjects receiving treatment for osteoporosis compared to those who had not previously received treatment. Subjects who experienced a fracture similarly had a lower QOL compared to those who did not have a fracture. In addition, the QOL of subjects who experienced a fracture in the pelvis, spine, or wrists was significantly lower compared to those without fractures in these areas. [Conclusion] Better knowledge of osteoporosis leads to early recognition of symptoms and timely treatment. This results in better treatment outcomes and improved QOL for patients. Therefore, the need for physical therapy that is based on research evidence of osteoporosis treatment methods should be presented.

Correlations between the sequelae of stroke and physical activity in Korean adult stroke patients.

[Purpose] The objective of this study was to examine the effects of a training program using the Nintendo Wii Fit Plus on the ankle muscle strengths of subjects with functional ankle instability. [Subjects and Methods] This study was conducted using subjects in their 20s who had functional ankle instability. They were randomized to a strengthening training group and a balance training group with 10 subjects in each, and they performed an exercise using Nintendo Wii Fit Plus for 20 minutes. In addition, every participant completed preparation and finishing exercises for 5 minutes, respectively. [Results] The muscle strengths after conducting plantar flexion and dorsiflexion significantly increased at the angular velocities of 60° and 120° in the strengthening training group. Furthermore, the muscle strengths after conducting plantar flexion, dorsiflexion, eversion, and inversion significantly increased at the angular velocities of 60° and 120° in the balance training group. [Conclusion] The balance training group using Nintendo Wii Fit Plus showed better results than the strengthening training group. Consequently, it is recommended to add the balance training program of the Nintendo Wii Fit Plus to conventional exercise programs to improve ankle muscle strength in functional ankle instability at a low cost.

Effects of breathing exercises on lung capacity and muscle activities of elderly smokers

[Purpose] The present study investigated a wide range of stroke patients living in South Korea using the Korean Community Health Survey raw data to determine the correlation between stroke and physical activity. [Subjects and Methods] This study used raw data from the 2012 Korean Community Health Survey. The total number of participants was 228,921; of the 4,475 stroke patients who had been diagnosed by a medical doctor or an oriental medical doctor, the data for 4,460 patients, excluding 15 whose amount of physical activity was unclear, were used in the analysis. [Results] The amount of physical activity performed by patients who had sequelae was significantly lower than that performed by patients who no longer had sequelae. Similarly, for the type of sequelae, palsy in the arms and legs, facial palsy, communication disability, swallowing or eating disability, and visual disability were associated with lower physical activity. Furthermore, as the number of sequelae increased, patients performed significantly less physical activity. [Conclusion] The findings suggest that when decisions on national policies and budgets are made, methods for increasing the physical activity of patients with a history of stroke should be considered.