• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.772-781
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• 2012

In order to supply the reference data to define the quality of life of the rural agricultural elderly population in the simplified steps, the data were collected by personal visits to 232 elder people over 65 (89 males and 143 females) in Sunchang area. The survey was conducted with written questionnaires concerning the quality of life, health-related habits, basic physical functions and cognitive behavior. The prevalence of the degenerative diseases were assessed by anthropometric and biochemical determinations. The averaged overall quality of life represented by EQ-5D index with Nam's model was calculated to be $0.865{\pm}0.1509$, and the percentages of people below the average were 38% (low QOL group) and 62% (high QOL group) were found to be the above the average. Generally, the subjects with male gender, higher educational background, higher self-rated health status, higher social activities were belonged to the high QOL group. The high QOL group had higher scores of daily living activities KADL and IADL, and lower risks in cognitive functions K-MMSE and depression scale GDS. There was no statistically significant correlation between biochemical indexes of blood and cognitive function and EQ-5D scores when the results were adjusted for age and gender. There were significant differences in nutritional assessment determined by the MNA between the high and low QOL groups. The low QOL group showed inferior nutritional status. The rapidly measurable factors of the quality of life of rural elderly were turned out to be physical activity scores and the simplified nutritional status measurement.

• Dementia and Neurocognitive Disorders
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.69-77
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• 2023

Background and Purpose: The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) has been known as a screening test for detecting mild cognitive impairment (MCI) better than Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). However, in previous domestic studies, no significant difference was found in the discriminability between MoCA and MMSE. Researchers have suggested that this might be because older Koreans are less educated than older Westerners. This study was conducted to examine the effect of education on the discriminability of MoCA compared to the MMSE. Methods: Participants were 123 cognitively normal elderly, 118 with vascular MCI, 108 with amnestic MCI, 121 with vascular dementia, and 113 with dementia of the Alzheimer's type. The Korean-MoCA (K-MoCA) and Korean-MMSE (K-MMSE) were administered. Multiple regression analyses and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed. Results: In all participants, education significantly affected both K-MoCA and K-MMSE scores along with age. The effect of education was re-examined by subgroup analysis after dividing subjects according to the level of education. Effect of education on K-MoCA and K-MMSE was only shown in the group with <9 years of education. ROC curve analyses revealed that the discriminability of K-MoCA to differentiate between vascular MCI and normal elderly was significantly higher than that of K-MMSE. When re-examining subgroups divided by education level, however, this higher discriminability of K-MoCA disappeared in the group with <9 years of education. Conclusions: These results indicate no difference in discriminating cognitive deficits between K-MoCA and K-MMSE in Korean elderly with <9 years of education.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.290-304
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• 2023

Background: Innovative Alzheimer's disease drugs received approval in the United States in 2021 and 2023. This study aims to assess the safety and efficacy of these novel treatments, elucidate their mechanisms of action, and compare their impact on cognitive function improvement with approved drugs. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of pivotal clinical studies related to Alzheimer's disease treatments in PubMed/Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases from January 1st, 2020 to December 31st, 2022. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software. Results: A total of 14 studies were included in this systematic review. When compared to the placebo, the new drugs did not exhibit a statistically significant effect on MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination) (mean difference= -0.04, 95% confidence intervals [CIs]: -0.31, 0.23, N=3662, I²=0%). However, they demonstrated a significant impact on ADAS-cog (Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale) (standardized mean difference= -0.15, 95% CIs: -0.2, -0.1, N=6710, I²=17%). When compared to the approved drugs, the new drugs showed a statistically significantly lower effect on MMSE (test for subgroup difference Chi²=23.13, N = 5870, p<0.00001) but showed only a trend of decreased efficacy on ADAS-cog (Chi²=1.16, N = 8670, p=0.28). Conclusion: New drugs yielded diverse clinical endpoint results compared to the placebo, and in comparison to existing approved drugs, they exhibited lower efficacy in improving cognitive function. The safety profile of these new drugs, as reported in clinical trials, was generally well-tolerated.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.104-111
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• 2014

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between metabolic syndrome and cognitive functions among chronic schizophrenia patients. Methods : The survey participants were 105(40 metabolic syndrome and 65 non-metabolic syndrome) chronic schizophrenia patients at Yang-san Hospital. Each score of cognitive test(A Korean version of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Packet, stroop test), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Hamilton rating scale for Depression were assessed. Statistical analysis of the relationship between various tests of A Korean version of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Packet and metabolic syndrome were performed using ANCOVA and logistic regression. Results : Schizophrenia patients with lower score on construction praxia were likely to be included in Metabolic syndrome group. However, there were no significant relationships in other tests between the two groups. Conclusions : This study found metabolic syndrome caused cognitive decline in chronic schizophrenia patients, especially Construction praxia. This study could be a basis to show metabolic syndrome has to be treated appropriately in schizophrenia patients and suggests the necessity of following longitudinal designed study.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.402-411
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• 2017

To develop a more efficient computer-based empathy program that enables medical students to increase their empathy levels, and to test its applicability to medical students. We developed PACP (the Pain Assessment Computer Program) for measurement of medical students' levels of recognition of another's pain. An empathy questionnaire was administered to 145 medical students before and after the PACP. In the high empathy group, the scores for cognitive empathy increased significantly after completion of the PACP, while affective empathy scores showed no significant change. In contrast, in the low empathy group, both cognitive and affective empathy scores increased significantly after the PACP. The PACP effectively increased cognitive empathy for the high empathy group, and increased both cognitive and affective empathy, particularly for the low empathy group. Given the fact that existing empathy education programs are time-consuming and costly, and the demand for more efficient empathy education is high, the PACP as a useful tool can be applicable to medical students, particularly those with low empathy in order to enhance their empathic abilities within a short period of time.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.9
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• pp.358-372
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• 2020

This study examined the effect of cognitive reserve on the cognitive function in adults. In addition, this study investigated the direct and indirect effects of factors, such as subjective memory decline, depression, and quality of life on the cognitive function. The participants consisted of 253 adults who were 40 to 80 years of age. The assessment tools included the cognitive function scale, depression scale, quality of life scale, subjective memory decline, and cognitive reserve scale. The data results were analyzed using SPSS 25.0, and PROCESS macro for SPSS Version 3.3 and bootstrapping were used. The results of multiple mediating of the cognitive reserve and cognitive function in adults did not have a mediating effect in depression and subjective memory decline, and the quality of life showed a complete mediating effect in the relationship between the cognitive reserve and subjective cognitive function. Based on the results of this study, adults must accumulate cognitive reserve continuously through various activities and continuous training so that the cognitive function can lead to a positive direction. Nevertheless, more studies on cognitive reserve and cognitive function in healthy adults are needed.

• Korean Journal of Cognitive Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.221-245
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• 2016

Peer assessment refers to having students, rather than the instructor, make assessments of one another's work. Peer assessment is often used as a tool to train writing skills or a tool to apply or extend learning in higher education. Park(2016) recently proposed a system which utilizes peer assessment as a part of preparatory activity for college courses. Before weekly class, students studied given material on their own, wrote a one page essay on a given question based on their reading, and assessed the essays of other students. In this study, the system was implemented in undergraduate courses at S University over 2 semesters and the results were analyzed. The reliability of weekly scores given by students was not very high, but the correlation was high between the cumulative scores given by students across weeks and the scores of the end of the term paper assessed by the instructor. Based on these findings, the possibility of utilizing the results of the peer assessments as part of the final grades was discussed.

• Korean Journal of Comparative Education
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.1-19
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• 2018

The purpose of educational assessments such as the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is to compare groups such as countries. When the unit of measurement is above the student level, group-level diagnostic assessment based on multilevel item response theory (ML-IRT) can be considered just as cognitive diagnosis models are developed from item response theory. This study suggests an ML-IRT-based group-level diagnostic assessment model by modifying an item feature model by Park and bolt (2008). The model is illustrated on the recently released TIMSS 2015 Grade 8 mathematics assessment. The results provide skill profiles for the studied countries and the nine cognitive attributes; that is, the attribute effects can be compared across the countries and also across the attributes. By controlling unexplained variance, the suggested model may provide more reliable and more informative group-level comparisons. The results are interpreted using an example. Limitations and directions for future research are also discussed.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.34-43
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• 2007

Background: Previous research has suggested that single doses of a standardised Panax ginseng extract can decrease fasted blood-glucose levels and modulate cognitive performance in healthy young volunteers. The latter has generally been seen in terms of improved secondary memory performance. However, both the cognitive effects of chronic administration of ginseng and the potential modulation of working memory have received comparatively little research attention. Aims: The current double-blind, placebo-controlled, balanced cross-over study investigated the effects of 8-weeks administration of Korean ginseng extract (200 mg) on cognitive performance, gluco-regulatory parameters and ratings of subjective mood and 'quality of life'. Methods: 'Eighteen healthy young participants were assessed pre-dose and 3 hours post-dose on the mornings of Day 1, Day 29 and Day 57 of 8 week treatment regimens of both placebo and ginseng. A four-week placebo wash-out separated the treatment phases. Each assessment included the Cognitive Drug Research battery, computerised working memory tasks, and Bond-Lader mood scales. The WHO Quality of Life scale (WHOQOL-BREF) was completed once per visit. Gluco-regulatory parameters were assessed with assays of blood glucose, insulin and HbA1c. Results: Data from the 16 participants that completed the study showed that there were no significant, acute treatment related differences on Day 1 of treatment, or in gluco-regulatory parameters throughout the study. However, time related performance improvements were evident following chronic administration of ginseng on the '3-Back' and 'Corsi-block' computerised working memory tasks. Ginseng was also associated with an improved score on the 'social relations' subscale of the WHOQOL-100, and a significant shift on the 'calm' factor of the Bond-Lader mood scales (from calm/relaxed towards excited/tense). Conclusion: The results of the current study suggest that Korean ginseng extract can modulate working memory performance and subjective ratings of 'quality of life' and mood. Replication with a larger sample size may further elucidate the actions of this product.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.202-212
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between cognitive function impairment and quality of life (QoL) among patients with breast cancer. Specifically, the intention was to verify the mediating effects for promoting behaviors leading to better health and QoL. Methods: A purposive sample of 152 patients undergoing chemotherapy was recruited. A cross-sectional survey design was used. Data were collected using four instruments: Everyday Cognition Scale, Korean Mini-Mental State Examination, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast Cancer Version 4, and Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile. Results: The mean score for subjective cognitive decline was 65.84; the health promotion behavior was 95.89, and 83.34 for QoL. Health promotion behavior was directly affected by cognitive decline ($R^2=6.0%$) as was QoL ($R^2=43%$). Subjective cognitive decline (${\beta}=-.57$ p<.001) and health promotion behavior (${\beta}=.37$, p<.001) were seen as predicting factors in QoL and explained 56% ($R^2=56%$). Health promotion behavior had a partial mediating effect in the relationship between self-reported cognitive decline and QoL (Sobel test: Z=-3.37, p<.001). Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, nursing intervention programs focusing on managing cognitive decline and promoting health promotion behavior are highly recommended to improve QoL in cancer patients.