Myung Soon Kwon

Effects of a Fall Prevention Program on Physical Fitness and Psychological Functions in Community Dwelling Elders

PURPOSE This study was done to identify effects of a fall prevention program on physical fitness and psychological functions in community dwelling elders. METHODS A quasi-experimental study was carried out with a nonequivalent control group pre & post-test design. The program, which included exercises and education, consisted of a 12-week group program and an 8-week self-management program using a health calendar. An experimental group (32) and a control group (21) participated. RESULTS There were significant differences in SPPB (t=-3.92, p<.001), TUG test (t=4.94, p<.001), standing with right leg (t=-3.60, p=.001), standing with left leg (t=-3.74, p<.001), front and rear maximum step length test (t=-4.34, p<.001), right-left maximum step length test (t=-2.65, p=.011), and fall efficacy (t=-2.42, p=.019). Fall efficacy, fear of falling and depression showed significant differences following the 12-week exercise program and 8-week self-management program in the experimental group. CONCLUSION Study findings indicate that the fall prevention program is an effective nursing intervention to enhance physical fitness and psychological functions for elders. Using a health calendar, the self-management program was more effective for psychological functions compared to only the group program. Therefore, health providers should develop diversified fall prevention programs which include motivation plans to encourage clients in participating.

The Effects of Kangaroo Care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit on the Physiological Functions of Preterm Infants, Maternal–Infant Attachment, and Maternal Stress

UNLABELLED This study was conducted to identify the effects of kangaroo care on the physiological functions of preterm infants, maternal-infant attachment, and maternal stress. DESIGN AND METHODS For this study, a quasi-experiment design was used with a nonequivalent control group, and a pre- and post-test. Data were collected from preterm infants with corrected gestational ages of ≥33weeks who were hospitalized between May and October 2011. Twenty infants were assigned to the experimental group and 20 to the control group. As an intervention, kangaroo care was provided in 30-min sessions conducted thrice a week for a total of 10 times. The collected data were analyzed by using the t test, repeated-measures ANOVA, and the ANCOVA test. RESULTS After kangaroo care, the respiration rate significantly differed between the two groups (F=5.701, p=.020). The experimental group had higher maternal-infant attachment scores (F=25.881, p<.001) and lower maternal stress scores (F=47.320, p<.001) than the control group after the test. In other words, kangaroo care showed significantly positive effects on stabilizing infant physiological functions such as respiration rate, increasing maternal-infant attachment, and reducing maternal stress. CONCLUSION This study suggests that kangaroo care can be used to promote emotional bonding and support between mothers and their babies, and to stabilize the physiological functions of premature babies. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Kangaroo care may be one of the most effective nursing interventions in the neonatal intensive care unit for the care of preterm infants and their mothers.

A Study on Relationships between Health Literacy, Disease-related Knowledge and Compliance to Medical Recommendations in Patients with Hypertension

Purpose: To survey relationships between health literacy, disease-related knowledge and compliance to medical recommendations in patients with hypertension. Methods: The subjects were 315 patients conveniently selected from public health centers in Gangwon province. Data were collected through a questionnaire (from January 10, 2013 to February 10, 2013) and analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Duncan test and Pearson`s correlation coefficient using the PASW statistics 18.0 program. Results: There were significant differences in health literacy according to age, marital status, monthly family income and education. In regard to disease-related knowledge, there were significant differences according to gender, marital status and monthly family income. There were positive correlations between health literacy and disease-related knowledge (r

The Effect of the Telemedicine Service System Application for the Patients with Hypertension at Community Health Practitioner Posts in Gangwon Province

Objectives: This study is to identify the effects of utilizing a telemedicine service system on patients with hypertension at home in rural areas. Methods: The study was designed to be a retrospective case-control study. The subjects of this study were 152 patients with hypertension who were managed by community health practitioner posts; using telemedicine service system group (n=76), usual care group (n=76). The data was collected through EMR (electric medical record) from September to December, 2013, and analyzed by descriptive statistics of x 2 /t-test and ANCOVA. Results: The analysis showed that telemedicine service system was an effective way to deal with body weight (F=4.723, p=.031) and BMI (F=5.225, p=.024). Conclusions: This study provides evidence for utilizing the telemedicine service system based on information technology as intervention method in the hypertension management.

Gender Differences in the Relationship Between Drinking Motives and Drinking Behaviors Among Korean College Students

ABSTRACT College drinking is an important public health issue in many countries, especially in South Korea. This study aims to explore drinking motives and their relationship with drinking behaviors and drinking outcomes among Korean college students (N = 553). Utilizing a Web-based survey, this study found some similarities and differences relative to studies conducted in Western cultures. As previously observed, social and enhancement motives were the primary reasons for drinking, and enhancement motives were associated with drinking-related problems among Korean students. However, results differing from those of previous studies were revealed by comparing males and females: Korean male college students who drink to cope with stress tend to experience more alcohol-related problems, whereas Korean female college students tend to experience alcohol-related problems when drinking for enhancement motives. Implications for future research are discussed.

Development of a School Adaptation Program for Elementary School Students with Hearing Impairment

Background and Objectives Although new technology of assistive listening device leads many hard of hearing children to be mainstreamed in public school programs, many clinicians and teachers still wonder whether the children are able to understand all instruction, access educational materials, and have social skills in the school. The purpose of this study is to develop a school adaptation program (SAP) for the hearing-impaired children who attend public elementary school. Subjects and Methods The theoretical framework of the SAP was a system model including microsystem, mesosystem, and macrosystem merged with Kellers ARCS theory. Results The SAP consisted of 10 sessions based on five categories (i.e., school life, activity in the class, relationship with friends, relationship with teacher, and school environments). For preliminary validity testing, the developed SAP was reviewed by sixteen elementary school teachers, using the evaluation questionnaire. The results of evaluation showed high average 3.60 (±0.52) points out of 4 while proving a reliable and valid school-based program. Conclusions The SAP indicated that it may serve as a practical and substantive program for hearing-impaired children in the public school in order to help them achieve better academic support and social integrations.