• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.41-51
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• 1992

The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychosomatic health status of working girl students. The instrument of the study was the Todai Health Index(THI), modified from CMI(Cornell Medical Index) and developed by Tokyo University Research Team in Japan. The results obtained were summarized as follows : 1. Compared with the scores of complaints subjective symptoms of mind and body according to working years, the group under 1 year had the highest scores of complaints in almost all items. 2. According to their departments, the group in office job had the higer scores of complaints than the group in production job in all items with the exception of items of RESP(A), EYSK(B), MENT(J) and AGGR(F). 3. For daily working hours, the group working for more than 9 hours had the higher scores of complaints than the group working for less than 8 hours in the remaining items with the exception of items of IMPU(H), LISC(L), MENT(J), and NERV(E). 4. According to working environmental, it appeared to had high scores with worse environmental in the items of SUSY(I), RESP(A), EYSK(B), MOUT(D), MENT(J), DEPR(K), AGGR(F), and LIFE(G). 5. As for the scores of the comlaints according to the degree of satisfaction, the group complaining about the work was incliend to had the highest scores of the complaints in all items indicating the mental subjective symphtoms.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.72-82
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• 1995

The purpose of this study was to review health and adjustment issues of Korean students in the context of international students' health in the United States. The number of international students studying in the United States has increased. In addition, more and more Koreans come to the United States for education. Korean students formed the fifth largest international group found on American campuses. As more and more international students study on American campuses, their health needs and problems became a concern to health professionals. Most health problems international students experience are stress related and psychosomatic. These students also have difficulties in using health care services. International students face barriers to obtaining health care because of differences in language and differences in cultural beliefs toward health. Korea manifests an eastern culture which is quite different from the western culture, so many Korean students studying in the United States experience difficulties in adjustment and using health care services. The study on the needs of Korean students in the U.S. reviewed in this research was a survey of 105 Korean students at the Pennsylvania State University, 1990. Korean students' health problems included stress, colds, fatigue, and headaches. Homesickness, financial problems, and academic problems were also important problems the Korean students faced. Korean students usually did not participate in any activities with Americans as much as with Koreans. Most Korean students did not participated in any health education workshops held on campus. This may be because the students had not participated previously in health education workshops conducted on campuses in Korea. Korean student's confidence with the English language appeared to be an important variable in using or not using the university health services. University health professionals in the United States need to develop better information system for international students so that they may better use the health services provided on campus. Also, university health professionals working on campuses in Korea need to put more attention on health of college students and provide on-campus health education workshops which meet the student's needs.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.18-21
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• 2004

Six volunteers (mean $age=25.7{\pm}1.7$, $height=173{\pm}1.9$ and $weight=63.4{\pm}2.3{\;}kg$) participated in a graded exercise test and one hour of basic form of ChunDoSunBup (CDSB) Qi-training to investigate the cardiorespiratory responses and exercise intensity of Qi-training, a Korean traditional psychosomatic training. In the maximal exercise, the trainee showed $96.2{\pm}8.89{\;}l/min$ in ventilation (VE), $46.0{\pm}4.4$ in breath frequency (BF), $1.31{\pm}0.05$ in respiratory exchange ratio (RER), $180.7{\pm}3.0$ in heart rate (HR), and $2.6{\pm}1.1{\;}l/min$ or $40.7{\pm}2.3{\;}ml/kg/ml$ in oxygen consumption $(VO_2)$. Qi-training induced significant changes in BF, RER, HR, and $VO_2$. The exercise intensity of Qi-training were 42.3%, 46.9% and 38.7% of $HR_{max}$ during the sound exercise, slow motion (haeng-gong) and meditation respectively and the average was 46.2% of $HR_{max}$. We conclude that Qi-training is an aerobic exercise of a light (mild) intensity exercise, and it leads to decrease the metabolic rate in the trainee by breathing efficiently and relaxing them. In addition, Qi-training may affect cardiorespiratory function of BF, RER, HR and $VO_{2max}$ in trainees.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.87-100
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• 2011

Objectives : Neurosis, psychosomatic disease from which most of out-patients suffer originated marital problem in clinical setting, In Oriental medicine, concept and clinical cases of the couple therapy is insufficient. So we suggest the theoretical background and evidence of oriental medical approach. Methods : We searched the theoretical perspectives of recent couple therapy and suggested the psychotherapy with couples in oriental medicine and its clinical utilization. Results : 1. Advantages of the couple therapy in oriental medicine were easy to relationship and emotional communication. because oriental medicine were available to approach of symptom pattern about somatic symptom due to marital problem. 2. Oriental medical therapy, for example, acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, herbal medicine, etc. connects doctors and the patients easily, unlike dialogue-centered western psychotherapy. 3. The Ii-Gyeung-Byun-Qi Therapy(移精變氣療法) resolve the marital suppressed feeling easily, Gi-Un-Go-Roen Therapy (至言高論療法) is useful in four principle-marital role, communication, sex life, theory of Hwa-Byung. 4. The principle of 'sorrow restraints anger(悲勝怒)' and 'pleasure restraints sorrow(喜勝悲)' in Oh-Ji-Sang-Seung Therapy(五志相勝療法) accords with forgiveness and recovery that is ultimate goal of the couple therapy. Conclusions : Except existing therapy for recovery of marital relation, We suggest the somatic symptom centered approach based on mind and body unification in oriental medicine. This principle would bring the benefit from the marital to familial relation. From now on, we should correct the theory, need the theorical systematization. Then we should develop the program for recovery of marital relation and examine the hypothesis.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.59-65
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• 2012

Objectives : The present study takes part of the agricultural district cohort study of a certain county located in Gyeonggido and aims to investigate the difference of the heart rate variability(HRV) according to the social support level. Methods : We used data from 1727 participants of a health promotion program who are older than 40 years old. A physical examination, as well as a one-to-one interview to obtain sociodemographic characteristics, was performed with each participant. In addition, the participants completed the Medical Outcomes Study-Social Support Survey(MOS-SSS) for their the social support level to be assessed, and their HRV were measured to evaluate their autonomic function. The entire group was divided in two groups according to its MOS-SSS points to facilitate the research. Those who were evaluated as the high 25%(432 persons) were denominated as high social support (HSS) group and those who were evaluated as the low 25%(425 persons) were denominated as poor social support(PSS) group. Results : The two groups showed significant differences on the sociodemographic factor such as mean age and gender composition(p<0.05). Comparing the indices related to the HRV, the HSS group had the following values higher than the PSS group : SDNN(F=4.938, p=0.027), TP(F=8.088, p=0.005), VLF(F=6.220, p=0.013) LF (F=3.873, p=0.049). Conclusion : According to the research, the PSS group showed dysfunction on their autonomic nervous system comparing to the HSS group. The social support helps an individual overcome difficulties, helps the adaptation during the changes of circumstances and in stressful situations it serves like a buffer. Based on that, it's possible to define that a low social support level gave an impact on the autonomic function. Also, using the fact that the HRV can evaluate the autonomic function in an objective view, it was possible to visualize that it has a potential to be used as an assistant factor to evaluate the social support.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.77-88
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• 2003

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare reliability and validity of three Korean versions of the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia scale and to confirm the most reliable and validated Korean translation of the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale for both clinical and research purpose in Korea. The first one was a Korean version of the 20-Item Toronto Alexithymia Scale developed by Lee YH et al in 1996 which was designated as TAS-20K(1996) in this study. This scale had a problem with one item due to the cultural difference regarding the word 'analyzing' between western culture and Korean culture. The second one was the revised version of TAS-20K(1996) on that point by Lee YH et al in 1996 without validation which was designated as TAS-20K(2003) in this study. The third one was a 23-item Korean version developed by Sin HG and Won HT in 1997, which was somewhat different from the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale(TAS-20) in the number of total item, the content of some items and the scoring method. This scale was designated as S-TAS here. Methods: 408 medical students were tested with one scale composed of all the different items randomly arranged from the three versions. We evaluated goodness-of-fit and Cronbach $\alpha$ coefficients of three scales for reliability. We used confirmatory factor analysis to compare validity. Results: TAS-20K(2003) showed that it had better internal consistency than TAS-20K(1996), which implied that the cultural difference should be considered in the Korean translation. Both TAS-20K(2003) and S-TAS replicated three-factor structures and had adequacy of fit, good internal consistency and acceptable validity. However, S-TAS had one item with poor item-factor correlation and didn't show high correlation between item 2 and factor 1 as before in 1997. Conclusion: Although S-TAS had added 3 items and changed the content of two items, it didn't show better reliability and validity than TAS-20K(2003). Therefore it is proposed to use TAS-20K (2003) as the Korean version of the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale(TAS-20K) for international communication of results of Alexithymia research. It has good internal consistency and validity and maintains original items, the same construct and scoring method as the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.62-71
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of drinking patterns and the prevalence of hazardous drinking and alcohol use disorder with the assessment of alcohol policy needs in community population of urban city in Korea. Methods : Data was collected from 1,000 residents in a single urban city in Korea, from June 1 to July 31, 2011 by a questionnaire. As research tools, socio-demographic characteristics composed of variables based on study purpose, alcohol problems and alcohol use disorder state scales composed with Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test(AUDIT) and Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye-opener(CAGE), and the assessment of alcohol policy needs in community population questions were used. Results : The lifetime experience of alcohol drinking was 97.4%. For the frequency of drinking, 21.9% of population responded 2 to 4 times per weekly. 24.4% of male had one time or more high risk drinking, defined as having four or more drinks in a sitting, per week. 51.6% experienced the first time drinking of alcohol in adolescence. The lifetime prevalence of hazardous drinking and alcohol use disorder were 14.9% and 3.3%, respectively using AUDIT. Alcohol use disorder were 9.6% with the CAGE scale. Problem drinking were 8.4% in this study. They requested the program such as prevention education(57.2%), construction of liaison system to treatment facilities(50.1%), alcohol counseling and intervention(41.7%), and rehabilitation program(39.8%). Conclusions : These results demonstrate that alcohol problem and alcohol use disorder were much prevalent, and these problem started in the earlier age. It is necessary to develop an effective alcohol prevention program or policy with considering the needs in community population.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.210-217
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• 2017

Objectives : Although the Attention Network Test(ANT) has been widely used to assess selective attention including alerting, orienting, and conflict processing, data on its test-retest reliability are lacking for clinical population. The objective of the current study was to investigate test-retest reliability of the ANT in healthy controls and patients with schizophrenia. Methods : Fourteen patients with schizophrenia and 23 healthy controls participated in the study. They are tested with ANT twice with 1 week interval. Test-retest reliability was analyzed with Pearson and Intra-class correlations. Results : Patients with schizophrenia showed high test-retest correlations for mean reaction time, orienting effect, and conflict effect. Also, they showed moderate to high test-retest correlations for mean accuracy and moderate test-retest correlations for alerting effect and conflict error rate. On the other hand, healthy controls revealed high test-retest correlations for mean reaction time and moderate to high test-retest correlations for conflict error rate. In addition, they revealed moderate test-retest correlations for alert effect, orienting effect, and conflict effect. Conclusions : The mean reaction time, alerting effect, orienting effect, conflict effect, and conflict error rate of ANT showed acceptable test-retest reliabilities in healthy controls as well as patient with schizophrenia. Therefore, the analyses of these reliable measures of ANT are recommended for case-control studies in patients with schizophrenia.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.118-136
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• 2003

Objective: This study is to examine the neuropsychological and developmental characteristics of the Computerized Neurocognitive Function Test among normal children in elementary school. Methods: K-ABC, K-PIC, and Computerized Neurocognitive Function Test were performed to the 120 body of normal children(10 of each male and female) from June, 2002 to January, 2003. Those children had over the average of intelligence and passed the rule out criteria. One-way ANOVA and Bonferroni were used for statistical analysis. Results: In sampling of normal children in elementary school, the control of intelligence level and strict rule out criteria were applied. As a result, although 21.1% were excluded from of total participants, the children that passed the rule out criteria had over the average of intelligence and not differ in the intelligence level among the graders. Comparing Computerized Neurocognitive Function Test results among the graders, almost of variables had significant difference among the graders and especially between the 1st to 2nd and the 5th to 6th graders. In the attention tests, as rising the graders, the performance of tests were improved. In the short-term memory tests, the difference between forward and backward tests were same as the previous research result. The verbal auditory learning test composed of recall task and visual figure memory test composed of recognition task were same as the previous research result using the individual power or achievement test and also as rising the graders, the performance of those tests were improved. The higher cognitive function tests had the same results with other tests. Conclusion: The Computerized Neurocognitive Function Test devised for adult can be used of assessing child neuropsychological characteristics. For this objective, more strict sampling criteria, control of the intelligence and psychopathology were needed.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.28-42
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• 2016

Objectives : The author tried to find out reasons why and how hysteria(and conversion disorder) patient numbers, which were so prevalent even a few decades ago, have decreased and the phenotype of symptoms have changed. Methods : The number of visiting patients diagnosed with conversion disorder and their phenotype of symptoms were investigated through chart reviews in a psychiatric department of a University hospital for the last 12 years. Additionally, the characteristics of conversion disorder patients visiting the emergency room for last 2 years were also reviewed. Those results were compared with previous research results even if it seemed to be an indirect comparisons. The research relied on Briquet P. and Charcot JM's established factors of the vicissitudes of hysteria(and conversion disorder) which has been the framework for more than one hundred and fifty years since hysteria has been investigated. Results : The author found decreased numbers and changes of the phenotype of the hysteria patients(and conversion disorder) over the last several decades. The decreased numbers and changes of the symptoms of those seemed to be partly due to several issues. These issues include the development of the diagnostic techniques to identify organic causes of hysteria, repeated changes to the symptom descriptions and diagnostic classification, changes of the brain nervous functions in response to negative emotions, and the influence of human evolution. Conclusions : The author proposed that the evolutionary brain discord reaction theory explains the causes of disappearance of and changes to symptoms of hysteria(conversion disorder). Most patients with hysteria(conversion disorder) have been diagnosed in the neurological department. For providing more appropriate treatment and minimizing physical disabilities to those patients, psychiatrists should have a major role in cooperating not only with primary care physicians but with neurologists. The term 'hysteria' which had been used long ago should be revived and used as a term to describe diseases such as somatic symptom disorder, functional neurological symptoms, somatization, and somatoform disorders, all of which represent almost the same vague concept as hysteria.