This study evaluated the efficacy of Web-based diabetes self-management education for newly diagnosed patients with type II diabetes as an alternative to group lectures. Using a non-equivalent control group, pretest-post-test design, the participants in the Web group (n = 15) took part in a Web-based diabetes self-management program, while those in the lecture group (n = 16) attended 3 h of group lectures provided by health-care professionals specializing in diabetes care. The outcome variables were measured at the baseline (T0), and 6 weeks (T1) and 3 months (T2) after the interventions. The glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) percentage and diabetes care knowledge in the Web group improved significantly from T0 to T1, while the diabetes care behavior improved significantly from T0 to T1 and from T1 to T2. The diabetes care knowledge and diabetes care behavior in the lecture group improved significantly from T0 to T1, but the HbA1c percentage did not change significantly between any times. These results show the potential of the Web-based program as an alternative to group lectures for diabetes self-management education.

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Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a Korean version of Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (K-PASE) from PASE and to evaluate the validity and reliability of the K-PASE. This scale was originally developed by Washburn et al. (1993). A valid and reliable physical activity scale for the elderly is needed to assess accurately physical activity of the elderly, because there has been no valid and reliable physical activity scale for the elderly in Korea. Methods: The K-PASE was developed from PASE through linguistic validation and cultural adaptation for use with this population. Convenient sampling was used to recruit participants. Reliability was evaluated by conducting the test-retest and convergent validity was evaluated by Pearson correlation. Results: Test-retest reliability, assessed over a 2 week interval, was r=.94. Convergent validity was established by correlating the K-PASE scores between related variables which were the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence (TMIG-IC) and hand-grip strength. Scores of the K-PASE had a low significant correlation with TMIG-IC (r=.246, p<.001), and hand-grip strength (r=.251, p<.001). The mean score of physical activity of Korean elderly assessed by the K-PASE was 96.5. Conclusion: We conclude that the K-PASE is a reliable and valid instrument to assess physical activity for Korean elderly.

Depression among minority older adults is a prevalent underrecognized medical illness. Changes in cultural norms and social conditions because of immigration have a significant influence on mental health. The purpose of this study was to assess the interrelationships between acculturation, geographical location, gender, and depressive symptoms in community-dwelling elderly Korean immigrants and elderly Koreans. In this cross-sectional study, a convenience sample of 88 elderly Korean immigrants and 295 elderly Koreans was recruited separately from senior centers and senior apartments. Depressive symptoms were assessed with the Korean Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form and acculturation with years of living in the United States. Acculturation had no significant relationship with depressive symptoms (r = 0.01, p = 0.94). Depressive symptoms were highly present in both elderly Korean immigrants and elderly Koreans. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was higher in women. This study provides baseline data for development of culturally specific, community-based intervention programs for better management of mental health of elderly Korean immigrants.