Background: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is an involuntary leakage of urine from the urethra when intra-abdominal pressure increases, such as from sneezing, coughing, or physical exertion. It is caused by insufficient strength of the pelvic floor and sphincter muscles, resulting from vaginal delivery, obesity, hard physical work, or aging. The pelvic floor electrical stimulator is a conservative treatment generally used to relieve the symptoms of urinary incontinence. it recommended to applied before surgery is performed.
Objects: The purpose of this study was to determine if the transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TCES) would be effective for the physiological symptoms and psychological satisfaction of women with SUI for an 8-weeks intervention.
Methods: Easy-K is a specially designed user-friendly TCES. Five female who were diagnosed with SUI by a gynecologist but who did not require surgical intervention were included in this study. Intervention was implemented over an 8-week period. Outcome measures included vaginal ultrasonography, Levator ani muscle (LAM) contraction strength, incontinence quality of life (I-QOL), and female sexual function index (FSFI) questionnaires.
Results: The bladder neck position significantly decreased across assessment time. Funneling index and urethral width significantly decreased after 8 weeks of intervention (p<.05). The bladder necksymphyseal distance and posterior rhabdosphincter thickness statistically increased and the anterior rhabdosphincter thickness showed a tendency to increase. All participants demonstrated a significant increase in the LAM contraction score across three assessment times (p<.05). Although the total score of the I-QOL did not show significant improvement, it steadily increased and among I-QOL subscales, only the “avoidance” subscale showed statistical improvements (p<.05). The total score of the FSFI statistically improved and the “desire” score significantly changed (p<.05).
Conclusion: The TCES is recommended for women who want to apply conservative treatments before surgery and who have suffered from SUI in aspects of sexual function and quality of life.
The purpose of this study was to examine the differentiation of proprioception, invertor and evertor muscle strength, and time to peak torque at a velocity of 300 °/sec of the ankle joint in people with or without functional ankle instability (FAI). Nineteen subjects with a history of ankle sprain participated. All subjects were divided into FAI group (n1=9, Cumberland ankle instability tool (CAIT)≤24) and a control group (n2=10) based on their CAIT scores. Isokinetic dynamometer was used to measure the sense of active joint position of the ankle at mid-range and end-range of an inversion motion and invertor as well as the evertor muscle strength and time to peak torque at 300 °/s. The FAI group showed a statistically reduction in invertor and evertor muscle strength and time to peak torque when compared to the control group (p<.05). Muscle strength and time to peak torque of the invertor and evertor, as well as the sense of active joint position at end-range were also lower in the FAI group than in the control (p<.05). Correlations between CAIT score and position sense at end-range (r=-.577) and invertor muscle strength (r=.554) were statistically significant (p<.05). Individuals with FAI showed reduction in invertor and evertor muscle strength and recruitment time as well as in proprioception of the ankle joint. Thus, proprioception and invertor and evertor muscle strength of the ankle joint at fast angular velocity may be investigated when examining and planning care for individuals with FAI.
The purposes of this study were to examine the reliability and validity of Korean translation of Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI-K) in school-aged children with cerebral palsy (CP). The PEDI-K, Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM) and Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMIFCS) were completed in 104 school-aged children with CP by therapists. The internal consistency of the PEDI-K was calculated by Cronbach's alpha () for assessing reliability. Concurrent validity was evaluated by correlation with the subsets of WeeFIM. Discriminant validity was assessed by comparing GMFCS levels with tests of the PEDI-K. The results showed that internal consistency was good (Cronbach's ranged from .97~.98). Concurrent validity was demonstrated. The correlation with WeeFIM was high in the Functional Skills (self-care, r=.74~.94; mobility, r=.59~.91; social function, r=.65~.93) and in the Caregiver Assistance (self-care, r=.75~.94; mobility, r=.63~.90; social function, r=.78~.96). Discriminant validity was demonstrated on significant decreases in domain scores with increasing GMFCS levels. Reliability and validity have been demonstrated on the PEDI-K. This study extends usage of PEDI-K in clinical activities and research.
The WeeFIM is an outcome measure used worldwide to evaluate the functional abilities of children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of WeeFIM in Korean children with cerebral palsy (CP) using the Rasch model. The mean age of the participants (92 boys and 53 girls) was 10.6 years (SD=2.3, range 5~15 years). The Winsteps software was used for analyzing the internal construct validity and reliability of WeeFIM. For analyzing the internal validity the motor and cognitive area items of the WeeFIM were analyzed both together and separately. When all 18 items were analyzed 4 were considered to be misfits; upper extremity dressing, lower extremity dressing, toileting, and comprehension. When only the 13 motor items were analyzed, toileting, bladder management, and bowel management were considered misfits. In addition, only comprehension was considered as a misfit among the 5 cognitive items. The most difficult motor items were stair climbing, and bathing. The simple ones were eating, bowel management, and bladder management. The most difficult cognitive item was problem solving, and the simplest one was comprehension. The person separation indexes and reliability for combined and divided instruments were reported as excellent. These results demonstrated the applicability of WeeFIM to Korean CP children with satisfactory reliability and validity. Further studies should include young children with CP and compare item difficulty among the different types of CP. In addition, the Korean normative data of nondisabled children should be used to compare the cultural differences between Korea and other countries.
The purposes of this study were to compare the reliability and validity of an 88-item version of the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88) and a 66-item version of GMFM (GMFM-66) in children with cerebral palsy (CP). The GMFM was completed in 154 children with CP (age range = 6~12). The internal consistency of the GMFM was calculated by Cronbach's for judging reliability. The reliability of GMFM-88 and GMFM-66 were both above .99. The validity of measurement obtained by the GMFM was assessed by examining the unidimensionality of items and by comparing Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels with tests of the GMFM. Both the GMFM-88 and GMFM-66 were satisfied with unidimensionality. Discriminant validity was demonstrated on significant decreases in scores with increasing GMFCS levels in both measurements. However, GMFM-66 was a more sensitive discriminant in GMFCS level 1 and level 2 and in level 2 and level 4. This study reported a comparison of the reliability and validity of GMFM-88 and GMFM-66. The results of this study have implications for the information on the psychometric properties of two versions of GMFCS. This information will be useful for the selection of tools in clinics.
The purposes of this study were to examine inter-rater reliability of the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) by children's age and to identify the correlation between the MACS and the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Twenty-six children with CP older than two years participated. Children with CP were classified according to the MACS and the GMFCS by two physical therapists. Inter-rater reliability was analyzed using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICCs). The results showed that the reliability of the MACS for children aged 2~3 years was .88 and for children aged above 4 years was .98 (p<.05). Children with quadriplegia had a higher level of MACS than children with spastic hemiplegia and diplegia. A moderate relationship between the MACS and the GMFCS was found in all children (rater 1, r=.631; rater 2, r=.438). The MACS will be used for classification of children with CP according to the manual abilities. Thus, it offers a reliable method for communicating between therapists about the manual ability of children with CP who are older than 2 years.
The purpose of this study was to examine the path analysis of factors related to musculoskeletal diseases of shipbuilding workers by considering related factors synthetically. The survey was completed by 1,536 shipbuilding workers and except for poor responses, 1,532 were analyzed. The survey consisted of questions about lifestyle, duration of service, physical and mental stress, and musculoskeletal diseases. The collected data was analyzed with SPSS/PC+ (a descriptive statistics program) and with AMOS 4.0 (a statistical program for path modeling) to test whether the hypothesized path model fitted the collected data. The results of the correlation analysis showed that musculoskeletal disease was associated with duration of service (r=-.095), physical stress (r=.077), and mental stress (r=.602). The results of the hypothesized path model satisfied the criteria required in relation to fitting the collected data. Musculoskeletal disease was directly affected by mental stress but not by physical stress, duration of service and life style. Thus, it is suggested that reducing mental stress is a strategy for the prevention for musculoskeletal disease.
The purposes of this study were to provide the basic data and investigate the reliability of functional reach test and identify correlation of Berg balance scale (BBS) and functional reach test (FRT). The subjects were twenty healthy young adults and forty-five over 65 years old in order to compare balance ability. These data were analyzed by independent t-test and Pearson's correlation test using SPSS WIN 10.0. The results were as follows. Intrarater reliability coefficients of FRT was .976 and interrater was .942. FRT was significantly correlated with age, height, and BBS (p<.05). There were no significant differences in FRT and BBS by sex. There was significant difference in reach distance between below 74 elderly and above in FRT. FRT is very reliable test for balance and significantly correlated with BBS. Therefore, it is suggested that FRT is a clinically useful tool to substitute for BBS measuring balance ability in the elderly.
The purpose of this study was to investigate electromyographic activities of the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) and the flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) by the shape of the ultrasound head. Twelve healthy subjects participated and performed ultrasound therapy with a round head and a long handled head during each 5-minute application. Electromyographic activities of the FDS and FCU were recorded by surface electrodes and normalized by maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) values. There was no difference in the muscular fatigue of FDS and FCU as determined by the shape of the ultrasound head (p>.05). Without the shape of head, the mean power frequency decreased with the time. There also was no difference in %MVIC of the FDS and FCU as determined by the shape of the ultrasound head (p>.05), but the force exerted exceeded 20%MVIC. There was however a significant difference in the amount of cumulative workload of the FDS and FCU as determined by the shape of ultrasound head (p<.05). The workload was however not affected by the shape of the ultrasound head. Constant static grasp of ultrasound transducer head during ultrasound therapy is considered a high risk factor of work-related musculoskeletal disease.
The purpose of this study was to investigate effect of hospital-based physical and occupational therapy on Modified Barthel Index (MBI) score in stroke inpatients at least 3 months after stroke, to predict MBI score at discharge from subscales of MBI, and determine the characteristics of stroke at admission. Forty-five stroke inpatients participated and received physical and occupational therapy for two months. All participants were assessed on MBI at admission and discharge. The collected data was analyzed by dependency level (MBI≤74 and MBI≥75) at admission. The results revealed that the MBI score at discharge was significantly improved compared to the MBI score at admission in the group with more than moderate dependency level (MBI≤74). In particular, personal hygiene, dressing, ambulation, and chair/bed transfer were improved. But only ambulation was improved significantly in the group with a less than mild dependency level (MBI≥75). The chair/bed transfer, dressing, ambulation, and Mini-Mental State Exam-Korea score at admission were important factors in the MBI score at discharge. Eighty-six percent of the variation in MBI score function at discharge can be explained. Therefore, it is suggested that hospital-based physical and occupational therapy in subacute stroke improve independent living status, especially for patients with a more than moderate dependency level.
Purpose - Previous studies on the influence of appeal types of advertising messages on pro-social behavior have shown inconsistent results. The purpose of this study is to examine whether the appeal type of advertising affects consumer’s prosocial behavior. In particular, the authors investigated whether the social exclusion moderates the relationship between the appeal type of advertising and prosocial behavior.
Research design, data and Methodology - To verify the hypothesis, two experimental study were conducted. The experimental study was 2(appeal type : self-benefit vs. other-benefit) by 2(social exclusion : being ignored vs. being rejected) between-subject design. Participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions. The experiment was conducted using a computer. First, the participants was exposed to the advertising image used in the social campaign, and then responded to questions about social behavior. The participants completed the experiment after further responding to the item for manipulation check and demographic measure. The experiment took about 10 minutes in total.
Results - In Study 1, a global warming campaign with participation intention variable, other-benefit ads rather than self-benefit ads drive consumers who feel socially rejected to be more willing and likely to participate, but consumers who feel socially ignored are more likely to participate the campaign in self-benefit ad than other-benefit ad. Study 2 replicates the findings, a child poverty relief campaign with an amount-to-donate variable: consumers who feel explicitly rejected allocate more dollars to the charity in response to other-benefit rather than self-benefit ads, but consumers who being ignored are willing to donate more money.
Conclusion - This study has theoretical contribution in that it expands existing theories by explaining the existing inconsistent results of the message appeal influence on pro-social behavior through new control variables. In addition, the results have important managerial implications, suggesting marketers should tailor their marketing message to match the consumer situation.