A Meta-analysis of the Effect of Walking Exercise on Lower Limb Muscle Endurance, Whole Body Endurance and Upper Body Flexibility in Elders

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether walking exercise improved physical function in elderly people using meta-analysis. METHODS: Medical and nursing literature databases were searched to identify the studies on the effectiveness of walking exercise on physical function. In the databases, there were 16 articles reporting 21 interventions. Overall effect sizes for three outcome variables, elders' physical function in lower limb muscle endurance, whole body endurance and upper body flexibility, were calculated. Effects of study characteristics on outcome variables were analyzed. RESULTS: The meta-analysis showed that walking exercise generally had positive effects on CST (chair stand test), 6MW (6 min walking), and SRT (standing or sitting reach test) with overall weighted effect sizes of 1.06, 0.41 and 0.29 respectively. This study also showed that the chronic disease status of the elders, intervention methods, and type of residence had different effects on CST, 6MW and SRT. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that walking exercise improves physical function in elders. Walking exercise which can be done at any time and any location is indeed a very effective exercise for elderly people.

A Meta-Analysis on the Effectiveness of Computer-Based Education in Nursing / 대한의료정보학회지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to conduct a comparative analysis of education effectiveness between computer-based education and traditional education methods in nursing. METHODS: Medical and nursing literature databases were searched to identify studies regarding the effectiveness of computer-based education in nursing. Overall effect sizes for three outcome variables (knowledge, attitude, and practice level) were calculated. The effects of study characteristics on the outcome variables were analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-seven studies published from 1990 to February 2009, which that met the inclusion criteria, were included in the analysis. The meta-analysis showed that computer-based education generally had positive effects on knowledge, attitude, and practice, with overall effect sizes of 0.43, 0.35, and 0.34, respectively. This study also showed that the type of learner and the total education period had different effects on knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: This metaanalysis found that computer-based education in nursing had positive effects on knowledge, attitude, and practice.

A Review of the Trends of Journal Research on Dementia and Nursing Interventions for Demented Elders

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to review research trends and show the developmental direction of studies on dementia and nursing interventions for demented elders. METHODS: This study analyzed 104 articles on dementia and 23 on nursing interventions for demented elders published until 2007. RESULTS: These dementia studies increased in quantity after 1996, mainly in studies on demented elders and their families and in quantitative studies. Nursing intervention methods were music, light, horticultural therapy, reminiscence and complex therapeutic program, etc. There were experimental studies after 1996, but non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design was 8(34.8%) of 23(100.0%). The medium sample size was 16.6 for experimental groups, 13 for control groups. The experimental time range was 10-120 minutes a day, frequency was 1-18 a week, and the total frequency was 4-72. The result variables were cognitive function, dementia behavior, emotion, depression, ADL, social behavior, etc. CONCLUSION: The findings of this review suggest that studies on dementia have been improved in quantity since 1996, but various and effective research methods should be developed as a way to further improve the quality of studies.

The Effect of Rhythmic Dance Movement Training on the Gait Length, Dynamic Valance, Depression, Quality of Life / 재활간호학회지

This study was a quasi-experimental study of nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design to investigate the effect of rhythmic dance movement training on the physical and psychological functions of the elderly. The data were collected from November, 2001 to February. 2002. The subjects for this study were 34 elderly who was over 65 years old and was living in J city. The elderly selected for this study were: free from heart and pulmonary disease and not regular exercise. The rhythmic dance movement training in watching video tape was rhythmic dance movement and education and supportive care. The rhythmic dance movement was 40-60 intensity. 8 weeks' period. three times a week, 60 minutes a day. The data were analysed by chi2-test, paired t-test and unpaired t-test and ANCOVA through SAS/PC program. The results of the study were as follows: 1. There was insignificant difference in the gait length experimental and control group. 2. There was significant difference in the gait speed between the two groups. 3. There was significant difference in the dynamic valance between the two groups. 4. There was no significant difference in the depression between the two groups. 5. There was no significant difference in the Quality of life between the two groups. As shown above. the results of the 8 weeks' rhythmic movement program for the elderly produced positive effects on gait speed. dynamic valance. And this program was expected that it was more effective in different intervention period. verified program. Also it was needed follow study.

The Effect of Home stayed Stroke Patients' Gait, Valance, Activities of Daily Living, Depression in the Aerobic Walking Exercise Program / 재활간호학회지

This study was a quasi-experimental study of nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design to investigate the effect of aerobic walking exercise program on the physical & psychological functions of home stayed stroke patients. The data were collected during the period of May 20th to August 15th. 200l. The subjects for this study were 40 hemiplegic stroke patients with the experimental group consisting of 19 patients and the control group being composed of 21 patients. The patients selected for this study were: (a)living in J city who had been diagnosed with stroke and at home after being discharged from the hospital. (b) suffering from stroke for 6 months to 5 years. (c)without recognition disorder with the MMSE-K score above 25, (d) below 2 on the modified Ashworth scale, (e)free from heart and pulmonary disease, (f)able to walk beyond 15 minutes for themselves. The aerobic walking exercise program for the experimental group was aerobic exercise and education and supportive care. The aerobic exercise was 8 weeks' period, three times a week. 35 to 50 minutes a day. And the education and supportive care was consisted of one home visiting and 2 times telephoning a week. The data were analysed by chi2test. paired t-test and unpaired t-test and ANCOVA through SAS/PC program. The results of the study were as follows: 1. There was insignificant difference in the gait length experimental and control group. There was significant difference in the gait speed between the two groups. 2. There was significant difference in the dynamic valance between the two groups. 3. There was significant difference in ADL score between the two groups. 4. There was no significant difference in the depression between the two groups. As shown above. the results of 8 weeks' the aerobic walking exercise program for home stayed stroke patients produced positive effects on gait speed. dynamic valance, ADL score. And this program was expected that it was more effective in different intervention period. verified program. Also it was needed follow study.