Ego-integrity in Erikson's stage theory is used frequently among health team members related to the care of the elderly and has specific meanings within the context of quality of life in later life. However, the concept of ego-integrity in the elderly has not been well articulated in the literature. This study was conducted clarify and conceptualize the phenomena of ego-integrity in the elderly.

A Hybrid Model of concept development was applied to develop a concept of ego-integrity, which included a field study carried out in Seoul, South Korea using in-depth interviews with old adults who were admitted as a right person for research subject according to attributes of ego-integrity analysed in the theoretical phase.

The concept of ego-integrity emerged as a complex phenomenon having meanings in several different dimensions which encompassed several attributes.

Ego-integrity is a concept having needs that should be treated in a specific way and it is possible to enrich the meaning and methods to manage ego-integrity in nursing interventions for promoting quality of life so that its application may have effects that have positive impacts on the elderly's well being.

The study was done to compare effects of two endotracheal tube (ET tube) fixation methods (rotated fixation versus conventional) on unplanned extubation and skin integrity for orally intubated patients in intensive care units.

The research design was a non-equivalent control group with repeated measures design. Participants were 80 patients; 40 participants assigned to each group. ET tube for the experimental participants fixed with rotated method every morning. Unplanned extubation was assessed by bedside nurses using the unplanned extubation report form. Oral mucosa and facial skin integrity were assessed using oral assessment guide and facial skin integrity assessment guide at day 3, 7, 10 and 14.

There was no difference in the unplanned extubation rate between the two groups. Oral mucosa impairment scores for the rotated fixation method were significantly lower at day 7 (p=.044), 10 (p=.048) and day 14 (p=.037). Also facial skin integrity impairment scores for the same group were significantly lower at day 7 (p=.010), 10 (p=.003), and 14 (p=.002).

Results of the study suggest that the rotated fixation method is effective for these patients, to prevent impairment of oral mucosa and facial skin integrity. Further research is needed to prevent unplanned extubation.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of ‘Logotherapy with Exercise’ on the meaning of life, ego integrity and IADL's in the Elderly.

This quasi-experimental study was designed for a nonequivalent control group repeated measurement study. This study was done from Oct. 13. 2004 to Dec. 18. 2004. The subjects were between the ages of 65 to 75, who were literate in Korean and able to communicate and participate in physical exercise without any discomfort. The experimental group was 25 subjects and the control group was 26. The 5-week ‘Logotherapy with Exercise’ program was given to the experimental group. Data was analyzed by X², t-test, ANCOVA, ANOVA, and post-hoc comparison by Bonferroni correction with the SPSS/WIN 12.0.

The experimental group had a greater difference in meaning of life, ego integrity and IADL's than the control group. The experimental group had differences in changes in meaning of life, ego integrity and IADL's during time period.

‘Logotherapy with Exercise’ can be recommended as an effective nursing intervention for the elderly.