PURPOSE
To identify the effects of the aromatherapy on stress of nurses working in operating room.
METHODS
The study design was nonequivalent control-group pretest-posttest design. The subjects were 45 nurses working in the operating room. Experimental group were 24 nurses in G Hospital and control group were 21 nurses in U Hospital. All of the subjects were measured of the subjective stress, stress responses and the job stress. For aromatherapy, lavender, bergamot, and ylang were mixed in the ratio of 2:2:1.
RESULTS
1) "The subjective stress of experimental group is lower than that of the control group" was supported(t=-2.70, p=.01). 2) "The stress responses of experimental group is lower than that of the control group" was supported(t=-2.49, p=.01). 3) "The job stress of experimental group is lower than that of the control group" was supported(t=-7.97, p=.00).
CONCLUSION
This study suggested that such aroma inhalation method could be effective on stress of nurses working in operating room.

PURPOSE
The purpose of the present study was to explore the meaning of quality of life in patients with chronic cardiovascular disease.
METHODS
A grounded theory method guided data collection and analysis. A total of 16 adult outpatients with chronic cardiovascular disease was participated. Data were collected through individual in-depth interviews. All interviews were audio taped and transcribed verbatim. Coding was used to establish different concepts and categories. A theoretical sampling technique was used to obtain diverse data from many relevant categories.
RESULTS
Seven categories were extracted, and they divided into constructing and intervening factors of quality of life. Constructing factors were uncertainty, recovery in the sense of control and maintaining social life. Intervening factors were symptom experiences, social support, taking care of themselves, and reflecting life. 'Keeping restrictive conditions under control' was emerged as a core category. The meaning of quality of life in patients with cardiovascular was explained according to the levels of keeping restrictive conditions under control.
CONCLUSION
The result of this study may contribute for health professionals to understand the quality of life in patients with cardiovascular disease.

PURPOSE
The objective of this study was to define the predictors of health related quality of life(HRQoL) of women caregivers of the demented elderly patients.
METHODS
The subjects of this study were 140 pairs of patients with dementia and their caregivers. The characteristics of dementia patients and caregivers, Barthel index and SF-36 were measured in this study. T-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient, and stepwise multiple regression were used for data analysis.
RESULTS
The health related quality of life(HRQoL) score of women caregivers was 288.35+/-66.10 for norm based scoring. HRQoL of women caregivers was correlated with patients' ADL, severity of dementia, caregivers' age, burden, and family support. The major factors that affected the physical components of women caregivers of patients with dementia was the age of the caregiver, burden, and ADL which explained 36.0% of HRQoL. The main predictors of women caregivers' emotional state was the caregiver's burden.
CONCLUSION
Patients' support systems must be implemented to improve the physical HRQoL of caregivers. A caregivers' burden relief program needs to be prepared to increase their emotional HRQoL and further studies and efforts will be needed to evaluate those effects.

PURPOSE
This study was conducted to examine the knowledge level and assessment experience of nurses in regards to delirium, and to utilize the study results as baseline data for planning delirium education programs for nurses.
METHODS
Subjects were 465 nurses who were working in a general hospital. A 'delirium related knowledge and assessment experience' questionnaire was used to collect data.
RESULTS
Knowledge levels regarding delirium averaged 70 out of 100, and at each domain, they scored 87 for etiology of delirium, 62 for symptoms, and 69 for nursing management. The knowledge level of delirium was significantly different according to educational level (F=3.851, p=.022), past education related to geriatrics(t=2.471, p=.014), and awareness of need for in-service education on geriatric nursing(F=2.663, p=.032). About 85% of nurses had past experience of dealing with delirious patients and only 7.7% of nurses used delirious state assessment tools.
CONCLUSION
According to the above results, it is necessary, not only to provide delirium related educational programs for nurses, but also to emphasize the usefulness of applying the assessment tool.

PURPOSE
This study was to identify the significant acute physiological predictors of mortality and of functional and cognitive recovery in hemorrhagic stroke patients.
METHODS
The subjects were 108 hemorrhagic stroke patients admitted to Neurological Intensive Care Unit of a university hospital.
RESULTS
The significant physiological predictors of mortality and of functional and cognitive recovery were quite different upon admission Glasgow Coma Scale scores: respiratory rate, hematocrit, serum pH, osmolality, and PaCO2 were the predictors in the subjects with a high Glasgow Coma Scale scores while blood pressure, PaO2, respiratory rate, and hematocrit in the subjects with a low Glasgow coma scale scores.
CONCLUSION
The physiological derangements induced by acute stroke are undoubtedly influence clinical outcome. More study is required to determine their diverse impacts on clinical outcomes.

PURPOSE
The study was conducted to survey intensive care unit nurse's knowledge, nursing performance, and stress involving delirium.
METHODS
The subjects of this study were 278 nurses from three hospitals in Seoul, who had worked at the intensive care unit more than six months. Data were collected using questionnaire from December, 2005 to January, 2006.
RESULTS
The mean score of knowledge about delirium was 31.60 out of 50 and it was significantly lower among those with clinical experience of 12-35 months and 60-119 months and those who didn't experience conflicts with patients' families. The mean score of nursing performance for delirium was 16.10 out of 23, and it was significantly higher among those who took care of 2 patients. The mean score of stress related to delirium was 63.92 out of 100, and it was significantly higher among those aged over 40, nurses who were university graduates, nurses who experienced conflicts with patients' families, and nurses who took care of 5 patients.
CONCLUSION
We need to develop systematic education programs in charge of patients with delirium.

PURPOSE
This study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of a pain assessment education program developed for nurses.
METHODS
Research design of this study was nonequivalent control group quasi-experimental study. Subjects for this study were 56 nurses for control group, and 53 nurses for experimental group. The experimental group participated in pain assessment education program. Data were collected before and 6 months after the program and analyzed using the SPSS 12.0 program.
RESULTS
The results of this study were as follows: In pretest, there were no significant differences in general characteristics, knowledge of pain, attitude toward pain and pain assessment behaviors. In post test, the experimental group had significantly higher scores of pain knowledge scores and pain assessment behaviors than control group. However, attitude toward pain remained unchanged.
CONCLUSION
According to the results, pain assessment education program was effective in improving pain knowledge and pain assessment behavior.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to find out the degree of cognitive function among the elderly and to confirm its correlated factors.
METHODS
The subjects consisted of 392 elderly people over the age 65 who were living in Busan. Data were collected by the interview method, using a structured questionnaire and the K-MMSE scale.
RESULTS
The average points of the elderly's cognitive functions measured by K-MMSE were 23.76(+/-4.02). With the cut-off point for cognitive impairment set as 24 points below using K-MMSE scale, 38.8% of the subjects have cognitive impairments. Among the variables related to cognitive functions, literacy showed the highest correlation with cognitive function(beta=.330, t=7.249, p<.001), followed in order by educational level, age, depression level, attendance of elderly's college, and religious activity. The total explanatory power of these variables is 36%.
CONCLUSION
In order to prevent cognitive impairment among the elderly, elderly people have to maintain social relationships continuously, and expand the social network by participating in the related programs. Some efforts to prevent the occurrence of depression and to stimulate patients' brain activity need to be recommended.

PURPOSE
This study was to examine the differences in the degree of premenstrual syndrome, dysmenorrhea, and stress according to the gender role identity of female university students.
METHODS
Data were collected by self-reported questionnaires from 308 female university students. Data analysis was done with SPSS 10.1 for descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and Duncan's multiple-range test.
RESULTS
The most prevalent type of premenstrual syndrome was androgenic(33.8%), followed by undifferentiated(25.0%). There was a significant difference in dysmenorrhea according to residence. In addition, there were significant differences in premenstrual syndrome according to age, and in stress according to age and economic status. Also, there was no significant difference according to dysmenorrhea and there were significant differences in premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea according to gender role identity. Premenstrual syndrome and stress were the most prevalence in female type, but the lowest severe in masculine type.
CONCLUSION
The study variables can be influencing factors in the gender role identity of female university students. Also, the findings can provide the basis for the development of nursing interventions to establish the gender role identity of female university students.

PURPOSE
To compare the health promoting behavior in rural elderly people by complementary alternative medicine(CAM) utilization.
METHODS
The data were collected from March 06th to May 26th, 2006. The participants were 207 rural elderly persons in Korea. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed with the SAS win 8.0 program.
RESULTS
The rate of using CAM was 60.9%. Non-religious, perceived poor health and high concerns about health group used it more. The most common type was oriental medicine(35.7%), the most common motive was body protection(21.2%) and major source of information was other patients(35.9%). Almost all the subjects(90%) were satisfied with using CAM. The average score for the health promoting behavior was 2.67+/-.32(range 1.65-3.71). The average scores for each subscale were, personal communication 2.98, self-actualization 2.79, nutrition 2.78, health responsibility 2.58, exercise 2.40, stress management 2.38. Significant differences in health promoting behavior were found according to CAM utilization: personal communication ,self actualization.
CONCLUSION
There were differences health promoting behavior between the elderly CAM utilization: Systemic guidelines of CAM use are needed.

PURPOSE
This study was conducted to investigate factors related to middle-aged women's health beliefs and their intention to practice health behaviors for preventing and improving hypertension.
METHODS
The participants were 319 middle-aged(40-59 years) women who lived G city. Data was collected from January to February, 2005. Personal interviews were performed. The data was analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe's multiple comparison test and hierarchial multiple regression analysis.
RESULTS
Perceived susceptibility of health belief was high in those who had higher educational level, disease history and health education experience, significantly(p<0.05). Perceived seriousness was high in those who had higher educational level, middle economic status and health education experience, significantly(p<0.05). Perceived benefits was high in those who had higher educational level and perceived barriers was low in those who had disease history and hypertension, significantly(p<0.05). The subject's intention to practice health behaviors was significantly high in those who were younger, who had higher educational level and menopausal status(p<0.05). In hierarchial multiple regression analysis, the subject's intention was related to perceived seriousness, perceived benefit and educational level, significantly(p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
It is necessary to develope the education programs which can increase the subject's health belief and intention to practice health behaviors towards hypertension in middle-aged women.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to develope and evaluate the effects of an AIDS education program among health care workers on knowledge, attitudes and care intention about AIDS.
METHODS
This study was conducted by self reporting with a 44 items of structured questionnaire by 291 health care workers. The research was a quasi-experimental study using one group pre-post design. AIDS education program was consisted of phases for 50 minutes, using power point by a researcher and research assistants. Data were collected before and after education and was analyzed by descriptive statistics and paired t-test.
RESULTS
The level of general cognition about AIDS was low. There were a statistically significant increases in the mean of knowledge(t=-22.17, p=.000) and care intention(t=-2.74, p=.006). However, there was no significant difference in the mean of attitudes(t=-.57, p=.569) between the pre-post test.
CONCLUSION
The findings of this study showed the benefits of providing educational interventions for improving knowledge and care about AIDS, while there not any significant changes in attitudes, especially in items based on Korean socio-cultural values. Therefore, to increase attitude about AIDS, various teaching strategies need to be further studied and evaluated.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify effects of a self-management program on symptom and functional status, health perception, and quality of life(QOL) of patients with CHF.
METHODS
Patients with CHF as defined through clinical judgment using the Framingham criteria and EF<50% were enrolled in the study (experimental: 21, control: 20). The symptom focused self-management program consisted of coping behaviors for symptoms including dyspnea, chest discomfort/pain, dizziness, ankle edema, and basic self-management including medications, diets, activity, lifestyle changes. Experimental group received an educational booklet after survey, and periodic telephone follow-up by a trained nurse. Data were collected the 3rd day after admission and at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after discharge using questionnaires.
RESULTS
Significant differences were found in the presence of symptoms, health perception, and QOL between groups during follow-up. Although no significant difference was found in functional status, the experimental group reported better functional status than the control group.
CONCLUSION
By facilitating self-management of CHF using tailored interventions including education programs and telephone monitoring, it is expected that patients will be able to monitor their symptoms routinely, adhere to therapeutic regimen, and have a better QOL.

PURPOSE
This descriptive study was conducted to identify the use of complementary and alternative therapies, and the perception and attitudes toward CAT in Korean adults.
METHODS
The 1,010 study subjects were recruited from ten regions in South Korea. Data were collected from July to September, 2004.
RESULTS
The 43.2% of the sample(n=436) had an experience of using CAT. The subjects using CAT was more likely to have high score in the CAT perception compared to the subjects with no experience of CAT(p=.001). The primary source of information about CAT was mass media(59.7%). The 52.4% of the sample answered that CAT was supplementary and the 27.7% answered CAT was applicable to chronic pain or musculoskeletal disorders. Subjects(34.8%) pointed out that the greatest problem was no scientific informant in the use of CAT. The primary reason of using CAT was to maintain their health or to prevent disease(44.0%), and the 59.0% of the subjects responded that CAT was effective. Majority of subjects were satisfied with CAT(63.3%) and experienced no side effects of CAT(90.6%).
CONCLUSION
This study suggests that professional counseling and education for CAT is needed for Korean public as well as the research approach to test the effects of CAT.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships of pain cognition, performance status, and hope with health-related quality of life.
METHODS
Patients(n=149) with various cancer diagnoses completed the SF-36 standard Korean Version and the Herth Hope Index. The Perceived Meanings of Cancer Pain Inventory was used to measure the cognition dimension of pain, whereas the Brief Pain Inventory Korean version was used to represent the sensory dimension of pain.
RESULTS
The patients in the pain group had significant differences in the three dimensions(loss, threat, spiritual awareness) of pain cognition. There were statistically significant negative correlations between the three dimensions(loss, threat, and spiritual awareness) of pain cognitions and SF-36 dimension, and the positive correlations between challenge dimension and SF-36 dimension. Hope had the positive correlation with SF-36 dimensions.
CONCLUSION
Pain has a negative impact on health-related quality of life, especially on physical health. However, patients who ascribed more positive meaning to their pain, tended to have a higher quality of life. Therefore, nursing intervention to reinforce the positive aspects of pain cognition is to empower patients to create a sense of control and assume an active role in pain management and quality of life.