• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.115-123
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• 2012

Purpose : To evaluate white matter abnormalities on diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in patients with mild Alzheimer disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), using tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) and voxel-based morphometry (VBM). Materials and Methods: DTI was performed in 21 patients with mild AD, in 13 with MCI and in 16 old healthy subjects. A fractional anisotropy (FA) map was generated for each participant and processed for voxel-based comparisons among the three groups using TBSS. For comparison, DTI data was processed using the VBM method, also. Results: TBSS showed that FA was significantly lower in the AD than in the old healthy group in the bilateral anterior and right posterior corona radiata, the posterior thalamic radiation, the right superior longitudinal fasciculus, the body of the corpus callosum, and the right precuneus gyrus. VBM identified additional areas of reduced FA, including both uncinates, the left parahippocampal white matter, and the right cingulum. There were no significant differences in FA between the AD and MCI groups, or between the MCI and old healthy groups. Conclusion: TBSS showed multifocal abnormalities in white matter integrity in patients with AD compared with old healthy group. VBM could detect more white matter lesions than TBSS, but with increased artifacts.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.351-360
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was done to compare demographic characteristics, comorbidity, and health habits of elders with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and elders with cognitively normal function (CNF). Methods: Secondary data analysis was conducted using data from the Database of the Seoul Dementia Management Project for 5,773 adults age 60 and above. Results: The MCI group showed an older age distribution, but there was no significant education difference between the two groups. Elders with MCI had more diabetes and stroke than elders with CNF. In subgroups, the same findings were observed in women, but not in men. While more men with MCI had hypertension compared to men with CNF, there was no significant difference in hypertension between the two groups for women. Elders with MCI, men in particular, had a lower prevalence of obesity than men with CNF. MCI individuals did less exercise compared to individuals with CNF. While there were no significant differences in alcohol consumption and smoking between MCI and CNF groups, the over 80's subgroup with MCI reported more alcohol consumption. Conclusion: Findings from this study could be helpful in designing community-based dementia prevention programs and health policies to reduce the prevalence of dementia or related cognitive impairments.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.60-68
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• 2019

Objectives : The association between thyroid-related hormones and cognitive function has been controversial. The purpose of this study is to compare the levels of thyroid-related hormones in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Furthermore, we investigated the relationship between thyroid-related hormones and cognitive function. Methods : From January 2011 to December 2018, we retrospectively reviewed 105 patients who were diagnosed with AD and MCI by visiting a dementia clinic at Ilsan Paik Hospital. Thyroid-related hormones [triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)] was measured using chemiluminescent immunoassay. An independent sample t-test was performed to analyze the mean value of thyroid-related hormones in patients of AD and MCI. To investigate whether thyroid-related hormones correlate significantly with Global deterioration scale (GDS), Clinical dementia rating (CDR) and scores of each The Korean version of the consortium to establish a registry for Alzheimer's disease items, we conducted a partial correlation analysis with geriatric depression scale-Korean version (GDS-K) scores as covariates. Results : There was no significant difference in the mean serum T3, T4 and TSH levels between patients of the AD and the MCI, but the Construction Praxis Test (CPT) showed a significant positive correlation with the serum TSH concentration (p-value=0.004). Conclusions : In our study, the positive correlation between serum TSH level and the CPT associated with executive function was found to be helpful in understanding the association between thyroid-related hormones and the pathophysiology of dementia. Prospective studies in regard of the pathophysiology of thyroid-related hormones on cognitive function will be necessary in the future.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.119-129
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to develop and evaluate the effects of a multifaceted cognitive training program on cognitive function, depression, and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) in community dwelling elders with mild cognitive impairment. Methods: A non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. The subjects were recruited from a community health center in D metropolitan city and were assigned to the experimental or control group. Weekly 50-minute session intervention was delivered to the experimental group over 12 weeks. 8 weeks and 12weeks after intervention, the changes in cognitive function, depression, and IADL in the groups were measured and compared. Data were analyzed with Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon Signed Rank test, and post-hoc test with Bonferroni correction using SPSS/WIN 23.0. Results: When compared with their counterparts (n=15), the elders in the experimental group (n=12) showed significant improvement in cognitive function and depression at week 12. The mean scores of IADL at week 12 were not significantly different between the groups. Conclusion: The results indicate that this multifaceted cognitive training program is effective in improving cognitive function, depression, and avoiding deterioration of IADL among elders with mild cognitive impairment.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.691-700
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• 2016

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a computerized cognitive training on older adults affected by mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in terms of cognitive function, depression, self-esteem, and activities of daily living (ADL). Methods: This study used a non-equivalent control group non-synchronized design. A total of 53 older adults who reside in long-term care facilities were recruited, 26 subjects for an experimental group and 27 subjects for a control group. A computerized cognitive training was performed for 20~40 minutes/day, three days/week for ten weeks. Data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 21.0 with $x^2$ test, Fisher's exact test, and t-test. Results: Scores of MMSE (t=3.30, p=.002), depression (t=-2.15, p=.036), and self-esteem (t=2.76, p=.008) were significantly better in the experimental group than the control group. However, the difference in ADL (t=-1.01, p=.316) was not significant between the two groups. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the computerized cognitive training can be used as an effective nursing intervention to improve cognitive function and self-esteem and lower depression among older adults with MCI.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.40-49
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• 2011

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) among a group of community-dwelling elderly and to determine if there were differences in general characteristics, activities of daily living (ADL), perceived health status (PHS) between the MCI group and group of elderly with normal cognitive function. Methods: This study utilized a descriptive survey design. Six hundred and five subjects over the age 65 were recruited from an S public health center, Seoul. Data were gathered through a variety of instruments: MoCA-K, K-MMSE, K-MBI, S-IADL, and PHS scale. Data were analyzed by SPSS/WIN 18.0 using descriptive statistics, Chi-Square test and t-test. Results: The prevalence of MCI among the subjects was 46.0%. Differences in IADL, PHS, age, education, sex, and residing with a spouse were statistically significant between groups. The MCI group had lower IADL, lower PHS, were older, and had lower educational levels than the group with normal cognitive function. Further, the MCI group was less likely to live with a spouse. Conclusion: It is suggested that MCI group should be targeted in developing and implementing nursing strategies to prevent dementia and improve the elderly cognitive function.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.81-95
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• 2018

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify the effects of a group cognitive improvement program on cognitive function, depression and self-esteem in elderly individuals with mild cognitive impairment. Methods: This was an experimental study that employed a pre-post design of a non-equivalence control group. The subjects were 52 elderly people with mild cognitive impairment, 25 of whom were assigned to the experimental group and 27 to the control group. The program was conducted for a total of 12 sessions for 60 minutes each. Data were analyzed using the ${\chi}2-test$, Fisher's exact test, and Independent t-test with the SPSS 20.0 program. Results: After the intervention, the group who participated showed improvement in all areas of cognitive function based on MMSE-KC (F=26.37, p.<0.001), the Rey Complex Figure Test: copy (F=20.66, p.<0.001), Immediate memory of Seoul Verbal Learning Test-Elderly's version (F=29.68, p.<0.001), delayed memory (F=45.79 p.<0.001), memory recall (F=28.97, p.<0.001), Forward of Digit Span Test (F=9.25, p=.004), backward (F=8.33, p.=0.006), language comprehension (F=13.42, p.<0.001), and digit symbol coding (F=17.74, p.<0.001) relative to the control group. Moreover depression (F=24.09, p.<0.001) was decreased in program participants, whereas self-esteem (F=40.24, p.<0.001) was increased. Conclusion: The program could be a useful intervention because the results show that the group cognitive improvement program has a significant effect on cognitive function, depression and self-esteem in elderly with mild cognitive impairment.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.219-230
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• 2015

Purpose: This research study not only examine the relationship between cognitive function, IADL, depression and quality of life, but also clarifies factors impacting quality of life for the elderly. The purpose of this study is to administer health promotion programs and to improve quality of life for the elderly. Methods: Data were collected from May 20, to June 10, 2014. The participants were 157 elderly persons with mild cognitive injury (MCI), who had under 23 points on MoCa-K from three different senior welfare centers in Daejeon. The questionnaires were conducted by four university students after receiving instruction from the researcher and consisted of general characteristics, cognitive function, depression and quality of life. SPSS WIN 19.0 program was used for data analysis. Results: Cognitive function showed positive correlation with quality of life (r=175, p=.028). IADL did not show correlation with quality of life (r=-.005, p=.947). However cognitive function(r=-.344, p<.001) and depression (r=-.623, p<.001) showed negative correlation with quality of life. In addition, the factors impacting quality of life were cognitive function (${\beta}=.14$, p=.29) and depression (${\beta}=-.61$, p<.001) which accounted for 39% of quality of life. Conclusion: These findings showed that the participants had depression and their cognitive function was low. As a result, the more participants' cognitive function decreased, the more their quality of life decreased. In addition, the more their depression decreased, the more their quality of life improved.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Rural Health Nursing
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.106-112
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• 2023

Purpose: This study developed a shelter for dementia programs based on primary health care posts; and examined its effectiveness in rural older adults. Methods: This study used a case report provided by a primary healthcare post in Jeonnam, Korea, in 2023. A single group pre-test post-test design was used; for three months, and 10 older adults participated in the shelter for dementia programs based on the primary health care post. The effectiveness of the intervention was measured immediately after entering the shelter for dementia programs. Results: There were significant differences between the pre-test and post-test on the cognitive impairment screening test (p=.005). Conclusion: The shelter for dementia programs based on primary health care posts was effective in improving cognitive impairments of rural older adults.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.171-182
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• 2012

Purpose: This study aimed to identify depression and its predictors among Korean community-dwelling elderly with mild cognitive impairment. Methods: Secondary data analyses of the data collected by the "Study on tailored integration program for reinforcing cognitive and physical function of the frail elderly. The study used data from one-to-one interviews using structured questionnaires. The subjects were 346 community-dwelling elderly who visited a healthcare center in Seoul, Korea. A descriptive correlational study design was utilized to explore depression and its predictors including physical factors and psychosocial factors among the elderly with mild cognitive impairment. Data were analyzed using t-test, Pearson's correlation, and hierarchical regression. Results: Mean score of depression was within normal limit $11.61{\pm}6.69$. Somatic symptoms, negative life events (severity), social support were shown as significant predictors of depression. The most influential predictor for depression was somatic symptoms (${\beta}$=.340, $p$ <.001). Conclusion: To prevent and relieve depression in the elderly with mild cognitive impairment, nursing intervention strategies which consider well-balanced physical and psychosocial aspects are needed. In particular, a specific nursing intervention strategy is required to improve physical health of the elderly with mild cognitive impairment.