PURPOSE: We comprehensively analyzed domestic studies on the effects of death preparation education in order to present objective data. METHODS: Meta-analysis was conducted with a total of 22 master's and doctoral theses published between 2004 and 2014. RESULTS: According to our analysis, the death preparation education had a mid-size effect. The effect size of a moderator variable was the greatest in infants and children, and the effect size was bigger in younger ages. The effect size was the greatest when education was given through a total of 10~15 sessions, twice a week, and less than 60 minutes per session. The effect variable and death-related variable showed a significant effect size, and sub-variables were equivalent to the death-related variable with a biggest effect size. Non-death related variables had a mid-level effect size and sub-variables were found to have the highest ego integrity. CONCLUSION: The significance of this study lies its systematic integration of advanced research on the effects of death preparation education through meta-analysis. By suggesting guidelines for the design of a death preparation education program, evidence-based basic data were proposed which will more likely strengthen intervention effects. Based on these results, more studies are needed to develop and extensively carry out a death preparation program which can meet needs of specific age groups from children to seniors.
Child ; Education* ; Effect Modifier, Epidemiologic ; Ego ; Humans ; Infant

As the placebo effect is inevitable in almost all types of treatment implemented in the context of the doctor-patient relationship, it would be a wise strategy to try to enhance the treatment effect by understanding its mechanism and applying it clinically. However, for various reasons there is resistance to therapeutical application of placebos. The main reason for this resistance comes from the confusion about the concept of the placebo, and it is necessary to differentiate the placebo response and the placebo effect and understand them clearly. Meta-analytical reviews of clinical studies showed that the placebo effect accounts for part of clinical effect of drugs. Authors reviewed meta-analytic studies dealing with the placebo effect on depression, sleep disorders, dementia, anxiety and addiction. In addition, we discussed the current state of placebo use and also the way to promote the placebo effect.
Antidepressive Agents ; Anxiety ; Dementia ; Depression ; Effect Modifier, Epidemiologic ; Placebo Effect ; Placebos* ; Sleep Wake Disorders

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the changes of conditional survival (CS) probabilities and to identify the prognostic parameters that significantly affect CS over time post-surgery in upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 330 patients were examined in the final analysis. Primary end point was conditional cancer-specific survival (CSS), overall survival (OS), and intravesical recurrence-free survival (IVRFS) after surgery. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for calculation of CS. Cox regression hazard ratio model was used to determine the predictors of CS. RESULTS: UTUC patients who had already survived 5 years after radical nephroureterectomy had a more favorable CS probability in all given survivorships compared to those with shorter survival times. Patients with unfavorable pathologic features showed a higher increment of 5-year conditional CSS and OS compared to their counterparts. For 5-year conditional CSS, several factors, including high-grade tumor, lymphovascular invasion, and tumor location showed significant association with risk elevation over time. Only age remained as a predictor of 5-year conditional OS with increased risk in all given survivorships. For 5-year IVRFS, no variables remained as significant predictive factors over time after surgery. CONCLUSION: Our study provides valuable information for practical survival estimation and relevant prognostic factors for patients with UTUC after surgery.
Carcinoma, Transitional Cell ; Effect Modifier, Epidemiologic ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies* ; Survival Rate ; Urinary Tract ; Urologic Surgical Procedures

PURPOSE: Although magnetic attachment is used frequently for overdenture, it is reported that attractive force can be decreased by abrasion and corrosion. The purpose of this study was to establish the clinical basis about considerations and long term prognosis of overdenture using magnetic attachments by investigating the change in attractive force of magnetic attachment applied to the patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among the patients treated with overdenture using magnetic attachments in Dankook University Dental Hospital, attractive force records of 61 magnetic attachments of 20 subjects who re-visited from July 2013 to June 2014 were analyzed. Dental magnet tester (Aichi Micro Intelligent Co., Aichi, Japan) was used for measurement. The magnetic attachments used in this study were Magfit IP-B Flat, Magfit DX400, Magfit DX600 and Magfit DX800 (Aichi Steel Co., Aichi, Japan) filled with Neodymium (NdFeB), a rare-earth magnet. RESULTS: Reduction ratio of attractive force had no significant correlation with conditional variables to which attachments were applied, and was higher when the maintenance period was longer (P<.05, r=.361). Reduction ratio of attractive force was significantly higher in the subject group in which attachments were used over 9 years than within 9 years (P<.05). Furthermore, 16.39% of total magnetic attachments showed detachment of keeper or assembly. CONCLUSION: Attractive force of magnetic attachment is maintained regardless of conditional variables and reduction ratio increased as the maintenance period became longer. Further study on adhesive material, attachment method and design improvement to prevent detachment of magnetic attachment is needed.
Adhesives ; Corrosion ; Denture, Overlay* ; Effect Modifier, Epidemiologic ; Humans ; Neodymium ; Prognosis ; Steel

BACKGROUND: Direct observation of healthcare workers is commonly used in hospitals to investigate hand hygiene compliance. However, the hand hygiene compliance rate may increase due to the Hawthorne effect, which is the modification of behavior simply because subjects become aware that they are being observed. The objective of this study was to investigate the occurrence of the Hawthorne effect when directly observing hand hygiene compliance in intensive care unit (ICU) healthcare personnel. METHODS: A total of 87 staff members from the coronary care unit and cardiac surgery ICU of a general hospital in Seoul were included in this study: 24 residents and interns, 55 nurses, and 8 nursing assistants. Both covert and overt observations, where subjects were either unaware or aware of any direct observation, were performed on separate occasions. RESULTS: A total of 1,052 covert and 1,336 overt observations were documented over 30 and 34 occasions, respectively. Overall hand hygiene compliance was significantly higher with overt observation than with covert observation (1,041/1,336, 77.9% vs. 659/1,052, 62.6%, P<0.001). The Hawthorne effect was present in all professions and behaviors, with the exception of nursing assistants, and prior to touching a patient. CONCLUSION: Direct observation of hand hygiene compliance was associated with the Hawthorne effect when observations were made overtly and this was likely to contribute to an overestimation of compliance rate.
Compliance ; Coronary Care Units* ; Delivery of Health Care* ; Effect Modifier, Epidemiologic* ; Hand Hygiene* ; Health Personnel ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units* ; Nursing ; Seoul ; Thoracic Surgery*

BACKGROUND: Given the important repercussions that sociodemographic factors can have on physical activity, especially in the field of leisure, and cardiometabolic risk, it seems relevant to analyze the implications of these variables on the relationship between physical activity in leisure time (LTPA) and cardiometabolic risk. In this sense, the present study aims to verify the moderating role of biologic and socioeconomic factors in the relationship between LTPA and cardiometabolic risk in adolescents in southern Brazil. METHODS: Cross-sectional study that included 1596 adolescents selected at random (58.2% girls), aged between 10 and 17 years. LTPA, biological and socioeconomic factors were assessed using a self-reported questionnaire and the cardiometabolic risk score (total cholesterol/HDL-c ratio, triglycerides, fasting glucose, systolic blood pressure, and waist circumference, considering the participant's age and sex) was included as an outcome. Associations and moderations were tested by multiple linear regression models. RESULTS: It was observed a positive interaction of LTPA and sex (p = 0.048) and LTPA and school system (p = 0.037), and negative interaction of LTPA and skin color (p = 0.040), indicating that these factors were moderators in the relationship between LTPA and clustered cardiometabolic risk score (cMetS) in adolescents. A reduction in cardiometabolic risk was observed according to the increase in weekly minutes of LTPA among boys, non-white adolescents, and students from municipal schools. CONCLUSIONS The association between LTPA and cardiometabolic risk was moderated by sex, skin color, and school system in adolescents from southern Brazil.
Adolescent ; Age Factors ; Brazil/epidemiology* ; Cardiometabolic Risk Factors ; Child ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Effect Modifier, Epidemiologic ; Exercise ; Female ; Humans ; Leisure Activities ; Male ; Sex Factors ; Skin Pigmentation ; Socioeconomic Factors