Effects of Tai Chi Exercise Program on Physical Fitness, Fall related Perception and Health Status in Institutionalized Elders / 간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose was to identify the effects of a Tai Chi exercise program on physical fitness, fall related perception and health status among institutionalized elderly. METHODS: A quasi-experimental research was carried out with a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. There were 23 subjects in the experimental group and 24 in the control group. The data was gathered by structured questionnaires about fall related perception, and health status. Physical fitness was measured by an exercise therapist with a blind principle. RESULTS: At the completion of the 12 weeks Tai Chi exercise program, flexibility (F=4.50, p=.00), and ability to balance (F=3.27, p=.00) had increased significantly. Fall related perception showed significant improvement in the fear of falling (F=-3.52, p=.00). Physical functioning (F=3.38, p=.00), role limitationphysical (F=2.67, p=.01), role limitation-emotional (F=2.47, p=.02). and general health (F=3.88, p=.00) in health status showed significant differences between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The study findings revealed Tai Chi exercise as a useful nursing intervention for elderly that enhances flexibility and balance, decreases fall related perception and also increases the health status. Further research is warranted to compare the potential effects of Tai Chi exercise and its health benefits from other types of exercise or martial arts.

Comparing Multidimensional Analysis Methods in Cognitive Function of Korean-Chinese Stroke Patients in China / 재활간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was to explore the cognitive function of Korean-Chinese stroke patient in China. METHOD: The study sample was 100 who were possible to communicate and agreed. The data were collected from one Brain's hospital at Yanji in China and by trained nurse from December 12, 2005 to April 28, 2006. The measurement tools were Digit span, Trail making, and MMSE-K. The data were analysed by SPSS Win 11.5 using frequency, t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson's correlation coefficients. RESULTS: The mean score of DSF was 5.07, 3.42 of DSB, 161.37 of TMA, 229.28 of TMB, 22.64 of MMSE-K. There was a significant difference in DSF (F=6.35, p=.001), DSB (F=6.10, p=.001), TMA (F=3.53, p=.018), TMB (F=3.26, p=.025), MMSE-K score (F=12.97, p=.000) according to age, and DSF (F=6.67, p=.000), DSB (F=6.01, p=.000), TMA (F=5.82, p=.001), TMB (F=6.23, p=.001), and MMSE-K score (F=13.02, p=.000) according to educational level, and DSF (F=5.35, p=.006), DSB (F=3.16, p=.047), TMA (F=3.30, p=.041), TMB (F=3.42, p=.037), and MMSE-K score (F=4.95, p=.009) according to duration of disease, and DSB (F=3.54, p=.018), and MMSE-K (F=6.05, p=.001) according to frequencies of hospitalization. There was high correlation between DSF and DSB (r=.581, p=.000), TMA and TMB (r=.936, p=.000), MMSE-K and DSF (r=.579, p=.000), MMSE-K and DSB (r=.591, p=.000), DSF and TMA (r=.727, p=.000), and DSF and TMB (r=.721, p=.000). CONCLUSION: The cognitive evaluation score of Korean-Chinese stroke patients in China was in normal limit. The age, educational level, duration of disease and income were significant demographic characteristic affecting cognitive function. Further study need to compare the cognitive function of Korean-Chinese stoke patients in China and stoke patients in Korea.

Health Status of Elderly Living in a City / 재활간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study examined the health status of elderly. METHOD: This is a survey using cross-sectional design. The subject were 122 elders who were 65 and over in Daejeon. Instrumental activity of daily living, nutrition and Body mass index for physical health status, social engagement for social health status, and depression and loneliness for emotional health status were measured. RESULTS: Independent level was medium, and nutrition and BMI were normal level. Social engagement score was 2.38 which means low. Mean depression level was 7.71 and mean loneliness level was 56.77, which means high. The risk factors for vulnerable health status were no spouse, lower pocket money, living at institution, poor subjective health status. CONCLUSION: This finding indicates that the elderly subjects were in normal physical health status, but social and emotional health status were poor.