Stroke survivors suffer from disease-associated symptoms. Tai Chi can be a beneficial approach to provide an adapted form of intervention to manage their symptoms. The study aimed to determine the effects of a Tai Chi-based stroke rehabilitation program on symptom clusters, physical and cognitive functions, and stroke-specific quality of life among stroke survivors in Korea. Thirty-four stroke survivors were randomly assigned to receive either the Tai Chi-based program or the stroke-symptom management program. The feasibility of the program and its effects on the outcomes were assessed at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Repeated measures ANOVA showed that most symptoms improved in both groups during the 6-month period, but swallowing-related symptoms improved significantly in the Tai Chi group. Based on the interaction effect, Tai Chi was more effective on flexor muscle strength, ambulation, and activities of daily living and cognitive function over 6 months than their counterparts. Among SS-QOL dimensions, the Tai Chi group showed significant improvements in the thinking and self-care dimensions. The Tai Chi-based stroke rehabilitation program was feasible and safely applicable to stroke survivors in the community settings. This program could improve symptoms, physical and cognitive function, leading to improvements in the self-care dimension of the SS-QOL among stroke survivors.

Background: The extension of life expectancy due to medical advancements has resulted in global aging and increased social costs for elder care. Additionally, stringent health measures related to infectious disease pandemics have adversely affected the quality of life for older adults. This study investigates AI-based interventions to address quality of life issues. Objective: This study systematically examines AI interventions for the older adults, focusing on randomized experimental studies, and aims to provide guidelines for future intervention programs through meta-analysis. Method: A comprehensive meta-analysis that examines the impact of various AI interventions on the overall quality of life experienced by older adults has been conducted, encompassing thirteen randomized controlled trials. Results: The overall effect size of AI intervention programs on the quality of life in the older adults, assessed using the random-effects model, was found to be small (Hedges’ g = 0.30, 95% CI = 0.10–0.51). Additionally, the effect size of quality of life was examined based on the subfactors of the AI intervention program, revealing a range of 5–11 weeks. Robot intervention exhibited a higher effect size than smart device intervention. Conclusion: To improve the quality of life of older adults, further investigation is warranted, including a follow-up study to develop a AI-based intervention program tailored to the type of AI program and intervention duration.

This methodological study aimed to verify the validity and reliability of the Korean version of the Holistic Nursing Competence Scale (HNCS), which comprises five dimensions and 36 items. The English version of the HNCS was forward and backward translated and administered to 251 participants with more than a year of work experience in a general hospital. Data were analyzed using SPSS WIN 24.0(Chicago, IL, USA), and AMOS program was used for confirmatory factor analysis. Additionally, the “Task Performance Evaluation Instrument for Clinical Nurses” was used for concurrent validity. Reliability assessed using Cronbach’s α was 0.969. Convergent, discriminant, and concurrent validity were good. Average variance extracted and construct reliability ranged from 0.845 to 0.932 and 0.980 to 0.987, respectively. The model was suitable with the chi-square value being 1216.563 (df = 584, p < 0.001), and Q value being less than three. Goodness-of-fit index, root mean square residual, and root mean square error of approximation were 0.784, 0.066, and 0.066, respectively. Moreover, comparative fit index, Tucker–Lewis index, and incremental fit index were 0.913, 0.906, and 0.913, respectively. Thus, this study verified the validity and reliability of the Korean version of the HNCS. Our findings suggest that the scale is helpful in measuring and developing the holistic nursing competence of clinical nurses.

The application of the concept of high-performance work system (HPWS) to nurses can improve the quality of nursing care by enhancing nurse supply and patient safety culture. This study aimed to test the validity and reliability of the Korean version of the HPWS Scale (HPWS-K) and verify its adequacy for measuring HPWS within the context of nurses working in Korean hospitals. Data analyses were performed by using data from 214 nurses engaged in patient care in Korean general hospitals with over 300 beds, with SPSS version 22.0 and AMOS version 26.0 software. The data collected were translated into Korean and the adapted Korean version was back-translated into English by bilingual nursing professionals. The content validity of the HPWS-K was tested by administering it to 10 participants, and the collected data underwent reliability and validity testing. In the exploratory factor analysis, the total variance explained was 49.97%, and the instrument’s reliability (Cronbach’s α) was 0.87. A one-factor confirmatory factor analysis showed an acceptable model fit. The results confirmed the feasibility of using the HPWS-K with Korean nurses, and its application in this context is expected to contribute to creating a safe and effective healthcare environment in Korea.

Purpose: This study aimed to develop and validate the Stroke Symptom Cluster Scale for Korean Adults (SSCS-K) for stroke survivors. Design: An exploratory sequential study with a mixed-methods design was performed. Methods: In the development stage, a qualitative study with in-depth interviews was conducted with 27 stroke patients. The validation stage involved analyzing the psychometric properties from 288 stroke patients. Findings: The SSCS-K comprising 65 items in six dimensions (mobility, cognition, sensory, mood, communication, and swallowing difficulty) demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = .92–.94). Confirmatory factor analyses with a six-factor solution showed that it explained 62% of the variance in stroke symptoms. The concurrent validity was confirmed with the Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale (r = .38–.83, p < .001). Conclusion: The SSCS-K has strong psychometric properties as a measure to assess clustered symptoms in stroke survivors during their long-term rehabilitation. Clinical Relevance: Rehabilitation nurses may consider the SSCS-K as a useful tool for assessing symptoms of stroke survivors.