PURPOSE: This study determined the effect of head and neck massage on anxiety, pain, and discomfort for hysterectomy patients. METHODS: Subjects consisted of 48 hysterectomy patients at K hospital. Experimental group (n=23) received head and neck massage at 8 minutes per massage for five times: (at admission, before sleeping on preoperative day, at 4 hours after operation, before sleeping on operation day, before sleeping on the first postoperative day). Control group (n=25) received conventional treatment. As an effectiveness of this intervention, state of anxiety and BP was measured before sleeping on preoperative day. Pain and discomfort were measured before sleeping on the day of surgery and then on the first postoperative day. Data was analyzed descriptive statistics using chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, paired t-test, unpaired t-test, repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni multiple comparison. RESULTS: 1. State of anxiety score and BP at post-treatment decreased significantly in the experimental group. 2. Pain score in experimental group was lower than that in control group, with no significant difference; whereas, 3. Discomfort level decreased significantly in the experimental group. CONCLUSION: Results indicate that head and neck massage could be an effective intervention for reducing preoperative anxiety and postoperative discomfort in hysterectomy patients.
Anxiety ; Head ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Massage ; Neck

PURPOSE: This study was to investigate the knowledge and learning needs of chemotherapy in gynecological cancer patients. METHOD: The subjects consisted of 103 gynecological cancer patients receiving chemotherapy from April 2005 to August 2005. Data was collected using a questionnaire about knowledge and learning needs of chemotherapy. The data was analyzed by t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe test, and Pearson's correlation coefficient using SAS. RESULT: Average scores of knowledge and learning needs of general treatment and care were 2.74, and 3.30 respectively. Average score of knowledge and learning needs of chemotherapy were 2.54, and 3.23 respectively. Learning needs of general treatment and care and of chemotherapy were significantly different in relation to marital status, educational level, family support, the operation, and the amount of chemotherapy received. Items with the highest level of learning needs were the symptoms of recurring illness of general treatment, and minimizing side effects of chemotherapy. There were a negative correlation between knowledge and learning needs on general treatment and a positive correlation between knowledge and learning needs on chemothearpy but there were not significant statistically. CONCLUSION: The level of learning needs related to cancer treatment was high, whereas, that of knowledge was low. Therefore, when designing an educational program for gynecological cancer patients, understanding of learning needs is necessary. Also, consideration of a patient's characteristics, and a systematic and detailed educational program should be provided.
Adult ; Aged ; Demography ; Female ; Genital Neoplasms, Female/*drug therapy/psychology ; Humans ; *Knowledge ; *Learning ; Middle Aged ; Needs Assessment ; *Patient Education as Topic ; Program Development/standards ; Questionnaires ; Translating

BACKGROUND: Generation of perfluorocarbon-exposed sonicated dextrose albumin (PESDA), the custom-made contrast agent, is performed under certain conditions that have been proposed by its original developer. We doubted whether the known composition and manufacturing method of PESDA is ideal and if there is an optimal method of storing batches of PESDA for a significant time duration. METHODS: PESDA was generated with several different composition of ingredients (5% human serum albumin, 5% dextrose water, and perfluorocarbon (PFC) gas), where various ratios of each were used. Sonication was performed for various durations. After manufacturing, the mean size and concentration of the microbubbles were evaluated by hemocytometer and compared. The generated PESDA was stored for 48 hours under 4 degrees C or -20 degrees C and changes in size and concentration of microbubbles were evaluated and compared. RESULTS: The best concentration of microbubbles was found with a mix ratio of albumin: PFC: dextrose of 1:1:1 and sonication time of 90 sec. The microbubble concentration of the optimal PESDA was not different to that of the conventionally manufactured one (9.47+/-1.70 x 10(8) /mL vs. 8.34+/-0.87 x 10(8) /mL, p>0.05) but the mean microbubble size was significantly smaller (1.22+/-0.31 um vs. 1.66+/-0.32 um, p<0.01). After 48 hours, the concentration of microbubbles was reduced by 34+/-3% (p=NS) and 55+/-0.2% (p<0.05) and the size increased by 77+/-25% and 108+/-41% (p=NS in both) in the 4 degrees C -stored and -20 degrees C -stored PESDA, respectively. CONCLUSION: The optimal composition of PESDA ingredients is 1:1:1 for albumin, PFC, and dextrose water, and the best duration of sonication is 90 seconds. Refrigeration under 4 degrees C may be the best way for storage of PESDA for 48 hours.
Echocardiography ; Glucose* ; Humans ; Microbubbles ; Refrigeration ; Serum Albumin ; Sonication ; Water

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle exercise using biofeedback and electrical stimulation after normal delivery. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 49 (experimental group: 25, control group: 24) postpartum women who passed 6 weeks after normal delivery without complication of pregnancy, delivery and postpartum. The experimental group was applied to the pelvic muscle enforcement program by biofeedback and electrical stimulation for 30 minutes per session, twice a week for 6 weeks, after then self-exercise of pelvic floor muscle was done 50-60 repetition per session, 3 times a day for 6 weeks. Maximum pressure of pelvic floor muscle contraction (MPPFMC), average pressure of pelvic floor muscle contraction (APPFMC), duration time of pelvic floor muscle contraction (DTPFMC) and the subjective lower urinary symptoms were measured by digital perineometer and Bristol Female Urinary Symptom Questionnaire and compared between two groups prior to trial, at the end of treatment and 6 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: The results of this study indicated that MPPFMC, APPFMC, DTPFMC were significantly increased and subjective lower urinary symptoms were significantly decreased after treatment in the experimental group than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that the pelvic floor muscle exercise using biofeedback and electrical stimulation might be a safer and more effective program for reinforcing pelvic floor muscle after normal delivery.
Adult ; Analysis of Variance ; Biofeedback (Psychology)/*methods ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Delivery, Obstetric/adverse effects/methods ; Electric Stimulation/*methods ; Exercise Therapy/*methods ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Muscle Contraction ; Nursing Evaluation Research ; Parity ; *Pelvic Floor/physiopathology ; Pregnancy ; Puerperal Disorders/etiology/physiopathology/*prevention & control ; Risk Factors ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress/etiology/physiopathology/*prevention & control ; Urodynamics

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the concept, 'palliation', in order to enhance understanding of palliative care and ultimately lead to the provision of timely quality palliative care. METHOD: This study used Walker and Avant's methods for concept analysis. RESULT: The defining attributes of palliation identified in this study were 1) being limited, 2) responsiveness, 3) leading to positive effects, 4) relativity, and 5) being unsettled. The antecedents of palliation were 1) a problematic condition, 2) appropriate management for the problematic condition, and 3) interaction between the problematic condition and the appropriate management. The consequences of palliation included 1) improvement of a problematic condition and 2) dependency on a management of the problematic condition. CONCLUSION: Although further studies are required to refine the diverse attributes of the concept of palliation, according to this concept analysis of palliation, palliative care should be introduced at the early stage of disease and constantly provided for the improvement of its negative symptoms.
Palliative Care

BACKGROUND: It is well known that ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury enhances immunogenicity. But, its influence on innate immunity is still undetermined. This study was performed to evaluate whether I/R injury activates innate immunity in rat kidneys. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Ischemic injury was induced by clamping both renal arteries for 45 minutes. Sham operation was performed in a similar manner, except clamping the renal vessels. Rats were sacrificed on day 1, 3, 5, and 7 after I/R injury. Activation of innate immunity was evaluated in terms of toll-like receptor (TLR), dendritic cells and MHC class II antigen. TLR2 mRNA expression was detected by RT-PCR, and in situ hybridization. Dendritic cells and MHC class II antigens were detected with OX62 and OX6 monoclonal antibodies by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: TLR2 mRNA was significantly increased in on day 3 and 5 after I/R injury (1 d: 120+/-2%, 3 d: 137+/-5%, 5 d: 173+/-5% 7 d: 120+/-8% vs. 100+/-11%, p<0.05 vs. sham), and in situ hybridization signal was observed on proximal, distal tubules, and interstitial cells. Compared to the sham-operated rat kidneys, number of dendritic cells significantly increased from day 1 to day 7 after I/R injury (1 d: 22.9+/-2.4, 3 d: 25.8+/-4.9, 5 d: 26.5+/-2.3, 7 d: 24.3+/-1.6 vs. 13.3+/-1.1, p<0.05 vs. sham) with peak value at day 5. Increased expression of MHC class II antigen was observed in the proximal tubules and interstitial cells in I/R injured rat kidney and there was maximal MHC class II protein level on day 3 after I/R injury. CONCLUSION: Ischemia-reperfusion injury itself can activate innate immunity on early period after injury.
Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Constriction ; Dendritic Cells* ; Histocompatibility Antigens Class II ; Immunity, Innate ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization ; Kidney* ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Renal Artery ; Reperfusion Injury* ; RNA, Messenger ; Toll-Like Receptors

PURPOSE: This study was designed to identify recognition and the performance level for nosocomial infections amongst student nurses and to provide data for preparing on efficient policy and control program for nosocomial infections. METHOD: 191 senior nursing student participated in this research from 5 nursing college which allowed data collection, in the city of Seoul. The questionnaire was composed of 73 items (likert scale) about eight areas; aseptic technique, disinfection, precaution, hand washing, urinary tract infection, respiratory infection, catheter related infection, and self care about nosocomial infections. RESULTS: The mean score of recognition and performance level for management of nosocomial infection were 4.29 and 3.41 respectively. The mean score of the recognition level was significantly lower than the performance level in the eight areas. The mean score of both recognition and performance were highest in the area of disinfection. However, the mean score of recognition was lowest in the area of aseptic technique and the mean score of performance was lowest in the area of catheter related infections. The correlationf of recognition and performance level was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: These research findings should be useful in promoting an intensive and continuous educational program on nosocomial infection for nursing students and to establish an efficient policy for preventing nosocomial infections.
Catheter-Related Infections ; Catheters ; Cross Infection* ; Data Collection ; Disinfection ; Hand Disinfection ; Humans ; Nursing* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Self Care ; Seoul ; Students, Nursing* ; Urinary Tract Infections

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of foot reflexzone massage on state - anxiety and discomfort of ovarian cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. METHOD: A quasi experimental design with a non equivalent control group and non synchronized design was used. The experiment was conducted from October 1, 2003 to September 30, 2004. The subjects consisted of 40 patients admitted to C University Hospital. Twenty subjects were assigned to the experimental group and received foot reflexzone massage everyday for 3 days. The other 20 subjects were in the control group and received routine care. Foot reflexzone massage was done on both feet of the subjects for 30 minutes for 3 days using standard protocol. The 'State-Anxiety Inventory' developed by Spielberger was used to measure the degree of state-anxiety. Discomfort was assessed using the 'Symptom Distress Scale' of McCorkle and Young. Data was analyzed by a SAS program using t-test, Wilcoxon signed rank sum test and Wilcoxon rank sum test. RESULTS: State-anxiety and discomfort of subjects receiving foot reflexzone massage were significantly lower than those of the control group. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that foot reflexzone massage could be an effective nursing intervention for relieving state-anxiety and discomfort in ovarian cancer patients.
Anxiety ; Drug Therapy* ; Foot* ; Humans ; Massage* ; Nursing ; Ovarian Neoplasms* ; Research Design

This thesis explores the actual circumstances of Korean nursing by investigating its present situations. Ultimately, the intent of this study aims to establish a future direction of Korean Nursing. As such, the current conditions of Korean nursing is analyzed in he following categories: education, practice, research, nursing policy, expansion of nursing field, and entrepreneurship. In the final conclusion, an appropriate orientation of the future of Korean nursing is discussed. There are two primary Nursing programs, a three-year (63) and a four-year (53), in Korean Nursing education. Master's programs are available at 32 nursing schools or 32 professional graduate schools. A total of 15 nursing schools have a doctoral program in Korea. The ratio of graduates between the three-year and four year programs is 76: 24. Hence, it is highly encouraged to expand four-year nursing programs, because it will help raise the social status of nursing professionals as well as the quality of nursing. In the clinical nursing field, independency and self regulation are critical. As such, organizational change, implementation of a standardized nursing information system, appropriate workforce, and improvement of the reimbursement system in nursing is recommended. In community nursing, the following should be resolved to provide better nursing services: improvement of working condition and benefits, establishment of a law enforcing the hiring of nurses, and providing continuing education. The number of nursing research has increased and nursing studies are in great quantity. However, research in practices and theories are more in demanded. Hence, research that integrates theories and practices are very significant. Ultimately, it is critical to support nursing studies that will influence nursing policy. The Korean Nurses Associatio (KNA) is an organization that supervises the nation's nursing policy. The primary focus of KNA is to combine the three and four year undergraduate education systems into 4 years and to establish the Nursing Practice Act. The Ministry of Health and Welfare has adapted a system to educate and certify nurse specialists in 10 nursing areas in 21 nursing graduate schools expecting high-quality nursing services and a decrease of cost. The government also allowed nurses to operate facilities for health management or welfare agencies.
Education ; Education, Continuing ; Education, Nursing ; Entrepreneurship ; Humans ; Information Systems ; Jurisprudence ; Korea ; Nursing Research ; Nursing Services ; Nursing* ; Organizational Innovation ; Primary Nursing ; Schools, Nursing ; Self-Control ; Specialization

BACKGROUND: Cyclosporine (CsA) used in a dual or triple regimen is the current primary immunosuppressant for prevention of renal allograft rejection. Although the introduction of CsA into clinical practice has resulted in a 10 to 15% increase of the 1-year graft survival rate, little has been gained to improve long-term graft survival. Long-term administration of CsA causes a progressive renal failure, a renal striped interstitial fibrosis, a tubular atrophy, and a hyalinosis of the afferent arteriole. Previous studies have shown that apoptotic cell death is increased in CsA-treated kidneys and plays a role in interstitial fibrosis. This study evaluates the effect of CsA withdrawal on CsA nephrotoxicity. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats on low-salt diet had been treated with CsA (7.5 mg/kg/day) for five weeks and then CsA had been withdrawn for the next five weeks. The weights, systolic blood pressure, plasma CsA concentration, renal function (serum creatinine, creatinine clearance) and histologic parameter (arteriolopathy, interstitial fibrosis) of the rats were compared. Apoptotic cell death was detected by TUNEL assay. RESULTS: CsA-treated rats showed decreased renal function compared with vehicle (VH) group. With CsA withdrawal, renal function was significantly improved compared with the CsA-treated rats. CsA-treated rats showed increased arteriolopathy and interstitial fibrosis compared with VH group. With CsA withdrawal, renal histology was significantly improved. CsA-treated rats showed increased TUNEL-positive cell compared with VH group. With CsA withdrawal, apoptotic cell death was decreased. Using bivariate correlation analysis, CsA induced apoptotic cell death correlated with arteriolopathy and interstitial fibrosis. CONCIUSION: CsA withdrawal in CsA nephrotoxicity decreased apoptotic cell death and improved renal function and renal histiology. This finding provides a rationale for CsA withdrawal in CsA nephrotoxicity. Further investigation should be directed to explore the effects of the accumulated CsA dose and the timing of CsA withdrawal for regression CsA nephrotoxicity.
Allografts ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Arterioles ; Atrophy ; Blood Pressure ; Cell Death* ; Creatinine ; Cyclosporine* ; Diet, Sodium-Restricted ; Fibrosis ; Graft Survival ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Kidney ; Plasma ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Renal Insufficiency ; Weights and Measures