• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.28-36
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• 2016

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to achieve a vision for autistic children and their parents aimed at generating interest in ideas such as "Sanitas Per Aquam" (SPA), massage and music therapy, which has begun to have widespread use and to attract attention. Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive study was carried out with autistic children and their parents from February to April 2015 in $Mu{\breve{g}}la$, Turkey. The study was began by interviewing experts in the field and by developing a suitable assessment questionnaire. In order to direct the flow of conversation between the researchers and the autisitc children and their parents, the researchers conducted semi-structured face to face interviews in a form that had been determined by using reports in the literature and the opinions of experts in the field. Results: Forty two boys (84%) and eight girls (16%) with autism participated in our study. Children in the 0 - 7 age group spent long time in the bathroom (P = 0.001). Boys liked to be hugged more than girls (P = 0.01). Children ages 0 - 7 years liked bright lighting while those 15 years of age and older liked gloomy lighting (P = 0.009). Except for these statistically significant sex- and age-related differences, no other statistically significant differences were noted in the parameters of this study. Although the result was not statistically significant, more children with mild autism disorder obeyed commands like inhale or exhale (P = 0.051). Conclusion: Treatment for autism spectrum disorders is not yet fully possible, so many studies are being done to alleviate some symptoms and to improve the quality of life for individuals with autism and their families. As a result of our study, whether touching the areas the children want touched and listening to their favorite music are required to stimulate the brain remain as questions in our minds.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.81-86
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• 2020

Background: The number of patients with dementia continues to increase as the age of aging continues to grow. Psychiatric symptoms caused by senile dementia are controlled using antipsychotics. However, these antipsychotics can lead to Parkinson's disease, and abuse of dopamine derivatives such as levodopa among Parkinsonian drugs can lead to psychosis. Therefore, we evaluated the patterns of prescribed antipsychotics and antiparkinsonian drugs in patients with senile dementia. Methods: We used data from the sample of elderly patients from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA-APS-2016). We analyzed the patterns of prescribing antipsychotics and antiparkinsonian drugs including prescribed daily dosage, period of prescription, and number of patients with both antipsychotics and antiparkinsonian drugs for senile dementia. Results: Among the 159,391 patients with dementia included in this analysis, 4,963 patients (3.1%) and 16,499 patients (10.4%) were prescribed typical and atypical antipsychotic drugs, respectively. The most frequently prescribed typical antipsychotic was haloperidol (4,351 patients with dementia), whereas the atypical agent was quetiapine (12,719 patients). The most frequently prescribed antiparkinsonian drugs were in the order of levodopa/carbidopa, benztropine, and ropinirole. In addition, 1,103 and 3,508 patients prescribed typical and atypical antipsychotics, respectively, were co-prescribed antiparkinsonian drugs. Conclusions: Atypical antipsychotics were the preferred prescription in patients with senile dementia. The prescription dose was relatively low; however, the average treatment duration was mostly long-term. Selection of antipsychotics and/or antiparkinsonian drugs should be made carefully in senile dementia and the causal relationship of adverse drug reactions needs further study.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.97-103
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• 2007

Objective : The present study was carried out in order to assess the effects of Cognitive-Behavioral Group Therapy (CBGT) on victims of school violence, as assessed by the CAPS-CA. Methods : The subjects were 14 children who had experienced school violence and were subsequently diagnosed with PTSD and partial PTSD using the Clinician-Administered PTSD scale for Children and Adolescents (CAPS-CA). Seven children agreed to participate in CBGT, and they received 10 sessions of therapy. After CBGT, both the CBGT and non-CBGT groups were assessed using the CAPS-CA and School Adaptation Test. Results : The study results showed significant decreases in avoidance (p=0.010) and hyperarousal in the CBGT group (p=0.009) following the completion of CBGT. The analysis of school adaptation showed that there was a significant improvement in peer relationships after CBGT in the CBGT group (p=0.045). Conclusion : CBGT is effective in improving PTSD symptoms in children who experience school violence and subsequently suffer from PTSD.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.65-76
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• 1996

Natural sleep pattern and its physiology in childhood are much different from those in adulthood. Several aspects of clinical evaluation for sleepiness in childhood are more difficult than in adulthood. These difficulties are due to several factors. First, excessive sleepiness in childhood do not always develop functional impairments. Second, objective test such as MSLT may not be reliable since it is hard to be certain that the child understand instructions. Third, sleepiness in children is often obscured by irritability. paradoxical hyperactivity, or behavioral disturbances. Anseguently, careful clinical evaluation is needed for the sleepy children. Usual causes of sleepiness in children are the disorders that induce insufficient sleep such as sleep apnea syndrome, schedule disorder, underlying medical and psychiatric disorder, and so forth. After excluding such factors, we can diagnose the hypersomnic disorders such as narcolepsy, Kleine-Levin syndrome, and idiopathic central nervous system hypersomnia. Among the variety of those causes of sleepiness, I reviewed the clinical difference of narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in childhood compared with in adulthood. Recognition of the childhood narcolepsy is difficult because even severely sleepy children often do not develop pathognomic cataplexy and associated REM phenomena until much later. Since childhood narcolepsy give srise to many psychological, academical problem. Practicers should be concerned about these aspects. Childhood obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is different from adult obstructive sleep apnea syndrome too. Several aspects such as pathophysiology. clinical feature, diagnostic criteria, complication, management, and prognosis differ from those in the adult syndrome. An important feature of childhood obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is the variety of severe complications such as behavioral disorders, cognitive impairment, cardiovascular symptoms, developmental delay, and ever death. Fortunately, surgical interventions like adenotosillectomy or UPPP are more effective for Childhood OSA than adult form. CPAP is a "safe, effective, and well-tolerated" treatment modality too. So if early detection and proper management of childhood OSA were done, the severe complication would be prevented or ever cured.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.11 no.11
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• pp.221-230
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to determine whether parenting stress is related to anxiety in children with ADHD. The data were provided by 112 children between the ages of 7 and 9. Forty nine children with a diagnosis of ADHD were recruited through 3 departments of child psychiatry and 63 normal children were recruited from elementary schools from the same city. The Korean version of Parenting Stress Index-Short Form was used to assess parenting stress and the Korean version of the State Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children was used to assess the level of anxiety. The results show that children with ADHD have significantly higher levels of anxiety and parenting stress than normal children. However, no significant differences in parenting stress and anxiety were found across gender, age, and the type of ADHD. Significant correlation was found between trait anxiety and parental distress and between state anxiety and difficult child. Parenting stress didn't significantly influence on anxiety in children with ADHD. Occupational therapist need to consider that the anxiety level of children with ADHD is different from normal children. It is needed for interventions for children with anxiety symptoms and also consultation and intervention for parents with parenting stress.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.22-28
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• 2011

Purpose: To investigate the clinical characteristics of late-onset epilepsy combined with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and the relationship between certain types of electroencephalography (EEG) abnormalities in ASD and associated neuropsychological problems. Methods: Thirty patients diagnosed with ASD in early childhood and later developed clinical seizures were reviewed retrospectively. First, the clinical characteristics, language and behavioral regression, and EEG findings of these late-onset epilepsy patients with ASD were investigated. The patients were then classified into 2 groups according to the severity of the EEG abnormalities in the background rhythm and paroxysmal discharges. In the severe group, EEG showed persistent asymmetry, slow and disorganized background rhythms, and continuous sharp and slow waves during slow sleep (CSWS). Results: Between the two groups, there was no statistically significant difference in mean age (P=0.259), age of epilepsy diagnosis (P=0.237), associated family history (P=0.074), and positive abnormal magnetic resonance image (MRI) findings (P=0.084). The severe EEG group tended to have more neuropsychological problems (P=0.074). The severe group statistically showed more electrographic seizures in EEG (P=0.000). Rett syndrome was correlated with more severe EEG abnormalities (P=0.002). Although formal cognitive function tests were not performed, the parents reported an improvement in neuropsychological function on the follow up checkup according to a parent's questionnaire. Conclusion: Although some ASD patients with late-onset epilepsy showed severe EEG abnormalities, including CSWS, they generally showed an improvement in EEG and clinical symptoms in the longterm follow up. In addition, severe EEG abnormalities tended to be related to the neuropsychological function.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.129-138
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• 2009

purpose : The purpose of this paper is to report that the fasting treatment was quick and effective against the menopausal depression. So that the further study on the fasting treatment for the menopausal depression is expected. methods : This fasting treatment included three periods. The first was to reduce the food intake and the sodium intake as well. The second was for fasting for two weeks. During this period, the patient drank 250cc of the fermented herbal juice and 2500cc of water a day and had the lactobacillus supplement twice a day. Then, the third was for rebuilding. During the rebuilding period, the patient followed the limited sodium diet for two weeks. results : After the fasting treatment done, the symptoms that patient complained before went away. The BDI score went down from 19 to 3. And, of course, the patient lost her body weight and the fat. conclusions : The 49-year-old female patient in the menopause period was suffering from the lack of energy, depression, sleeping disorder, constipation, and weight gain. She took the fasting treatment along with the acupuncture at the holistic medical clinic, 'The Seasons' from Jan 16th 2009 to Feb 27th(the main fasting period was for 14 days). The BDI score indicated that she had the depression as her score was 19 at the first examination. After the treatment was completed, the BDI score dropped to 3. Therefore, I report the immediate effect of the fasting treatment again the depression. Women are twice as likely to get the depression as men. Especially, the women in menopause period tend to get the depression as they are facing the physical, mental, and social changes which can act as the stressors. Besides, women tend to get depressed when they gain weights. Thus, I suggest the further study on the fasting treatment should be carried on so to apply it more positively to various problems in the field of the psychiatry.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.157-166
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• 2011

Objectives: Anxiety and depression are known to be associated with hypertension, and blood pressure can vary spontaneously throughout the day. The aim of this study was to evaluate anxiety, depression and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (24-h ambulatory BP) in employees at their worksite. Methods: A total of 107 volunteers among 136 employees at a hotel in Gyeongju, Korea were enrolled in this study between December 2009 and March 2010. The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were used to assess anxiety and depression, respectively. Blood pressure was measured using a 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring system. Results: No significant differences in either BAI or BDI scores were found when hypertensive individuals were compared to normotensive individuals. The frequency of diastolic non-dipper was significantly higher in individuals with depressive symptoms compared to those without (p<0.05). Depression was significantly associated with diastolic non-dipper (OR: 6.85, 95% CI: 1.50-30.01). Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that depression should be considered when deciding upon blood pressure control regimens, and appropriate additive psychotherapy may be beneficial in the treatment of hypertensive patients.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.54-60
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• 2016

Alexithymia is characterized by difficulties identifying and describing feelings, impoverished fantasy life, and concrete and poorly introspective thinking. Alexithymic patients have been reported to show a stable deficit with regard to processing and regulating emotions. Eating disorders are characterized by a persistent disturbance of eating or eating-related behavior that significantly impairs physical health or psychosocial functioning. Like alexithymic patients, patients with eating disorders show the impaired capacity to process and regulate emotions. There is a robust body of literature showing patients with eating disorders are more alexithymic than healthy controls. Specifically, patients with eating disorders experience difficulties identifying and describing emotions. Childhood maltreatment can increase the risk for depression and alexithymia, which can in turn lead to disordered eating symptoms. Also, higher levels of alexithymia are correlated with a less favorable clinical outcome in patients with eating disorder. Therefore, treatments to help processing and regulating emotions of eating disorder patients with pronounced alexithymic traits may seem to lead to a higher possibility of recovery.

• Psychiatry investigation
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.1053-1063
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• 2018

Objective This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Korean Anxiety Screening Assessment (K-ANX) developed for screening anxiety disorders. Methods Data from 613 participants were analyzed. The K-ANX was evaluated for reliability using Cronbach's alpha, item-total correlation, and test information curve, and for validity using focus group interviews, factor analysis, correlational analysis, and item characteristics based on item response theory (IRT). The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the K-ANX were compared with those of the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7). Results The K-ANX showed excellent internal consistency (${\alpha}=0.97$) and item-total coefficients (0.92-0.97), and a one-factor structure was suggested. All items were highly correlated with the total scores of the BAI, GAD-7, and Penn State Worry Questionnaire. IRT analysis indicated the K-ANX was most informative as a screening tool for anxiety disorders at the range between 0.8 and 1.6 (i.e., top 21.2 to 5.5 percentiles). Higher sensitivity (0.795) and specificity (0.937) for identifying anxiety disorders were observed in the K-ANX compared to the BAI and GAD-7. Conclusion The K-ANX is a reliable and valid measure to screen anxiety disorders in a Korean sample, with greater sensitivity and specificity than current measures of anxiety symptoms.