Associations between Vasomotor Symptoms and Depression, Stress and Quality of Life in Midlife Women / 정신신체의학

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between vasomotor symptoms and factors such as sociodemographics, health behaviors, medical condition, depression, stress, anxiety, attitude toward menopause, and quality of life. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in peri- and post-menopausal women enrolled by the Korean Association of Health Promotion. Subjects submitted self-report questionnaires about vasomotor symptoms and other clinical symptoms. Associations between vasomotor symptoms and clinical variables were analyzed using stepwise multiple regression analyses. RESULTS: 1951 women completed self-report questionnaires and 1022 women were enrolled in the study. The prevalence of vasomotor symptoms in peri- and post-menopausal women was 63.9%. Variables showing significant differences between subjects with vasomotor symptoms and subjects without them were score of Beck Depression Inventory, Brief Encounter Psychosocial Instrument-Korean Version, proportions of clinically significant depression(Beck Depression Inventory≥16), Menopausal rating scale, attitude towards menopause, the 4 subscales of World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF(Physical health, psychological, social relationships, environment), and a History of Premenstrual syndrome/Premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Stepwise multiple regression analyses indicated that Beck Depression Inventory, Brief Encounter Psychosocial Instrument-Korean Version, Menopausal Rating Scale, and the Psychological subscale of World Health Organization Quality of Life -BREF show associations with vasomotor symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Menopausal vasomotor symptoms are associated with various psychological factors, especially with depression. Midlife women suffering vasomotor symptoms should therefore be screened for depression. Future prospective studies where clinical subjects are diagnosed using structured interviews, focusing on the causal relationship between depression and vasomotor symptoms are necessary.

The Effect of the Dan-Jun Breathing Exercise Program on pulmonary function and psychological Health of Women in Midlife / 간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was to examine the effects of the Dan-Jun Breathing Exercise Program on pulmonary function and psychological health promotion of women in midlife. METHOD: Experimental group(20) was matched to control group(20) according to age, education, religion and marital status. The Dan-Jun Breathing Exercise Program was carried out for 80 minutes a day, 3 times a week for 12 weeks. FVC and FEV1.0/FVC(%) were measured by using the Health Management System developed by the Korean Physical Science Institution. The scores of depression, anxiety and hostility were measured by the Korean Manual of Symptoms-Checklist -90 revision. RESULT: 1) FVC of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group, FEV1.0/FVC(%) was not higher than that of the control group. 2) The scores for depression, anxiety and hostility in the experimental group were lower than those of the control group. 3) FVC of 6 weeks and 12 weeks experiment in the experimental group was higher than that of pre-experimental group. CONCLUSION: The Dan-Jun Breathing Exercise Program promotes the Pulmonary function and psychological health of women in midlife.

The Effect of the DanJeon Breathing Exercise Program Applied to Health Promotion in Women in Midlife / 성인간호학회지

The purpose of this study was to develop a DanJeon Breathing Exercise Program for health promotion and to examine the effects of a DanJeon Breathing Exercise Program on the physical and emotional health promotion of women in midlife. The design utilized for this study was quasi-experimental with a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. This study was done between February 1 and July 4, 2000 and the subjects of the study were 40 women in midlife living in Seoul. There were 20 members in experimental group who participated in the DanJeon Breathing Exercise Program and 20 members in the control group who were chosen as matched to members of the experimental group according to age, education and religion. The DanJeon Breathing Exercise Program was carried out for 80 minutes a day, 3 times a week for 12 weeks. The percent of body fat, back strength, flexibility (trunk flexion), balance and vital capacity were measured using the Health Management System developed by the Korea Physical Science Institution. Blood tests were done at D infirmary for total cholesterol, and the atherogenic index was calculated using an established formula. The scores of anxiety and depression were measured by a questionnaire with 10 questions on anxiety and 13 questions on depression. It was developed from the Korean Manual of Symptoms-Checklist-90 revision. The collected data were processed using the SPSS PC program and analyzed using X2-test and t-test. The result of this study are as follows: 1. The percent of body fat for the experimental group who participated in the DanJeon Breathing Exercise Program was lower than that of the control group. 2. The degree of back strength, flexibility (trunk flexion) and balance of the experimental group that participated in the DanJeon Breathing Exercise Program was higher than that of the control group. 3. The vital capacity of the experimental group that participated in the DanJeon Breathing Exercise Program was higher than that of the control group. 4. The total cholesterol level and atherogenic index of the experimental group that participated in the DanJeon Breathing Exercise Program were lower than those of the control group. 5. The scores for anxiety and depression in the experimental group that participated in the DanJeon Breathing Exercise Program were lower than those of the control group. In conclusion, DanJeon Breathing Exercise Program promotes the physical and emotional health of women in midlife. The DanJeon Breathing Exercise Program can be utilized as a nursing intervention for the promotion of health in women in midlife.