• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.119-126
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• 2018

Objectives : The aim of this study is to investigate correlation between degree of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) and neurocognitive function along with behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in Korean patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods : Participants were 115 elderly subjects diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment in this retrospective study. WMH in brain MRI were rated with standardized visual rating scales (Fazekas scales) and the subjects were divided into two groups according to Fazekas scale. Cognitive function was evaluated with Korean version of the consortium to establish a registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD-K), and BPSD was evaluated with Korean neuropsychiatric inventory (K-NPI). Independent t-test was performed to analyze the relationship between the degree of WMH and neurocognitive functions & BPSD. Results : Especially, the group with high severity of WMH showed significantly lower language fluency (p<0.05). In addition, the group with high severity of WMH showed significantly higher score in K-NPI. Conclusions : There was a significant association between WMH and neurocognitive test related with executive function. Moreover, WMH seems to affect BPSD severity. Evaluation of WMH would provide useful information in clinical settings.

• 한국노년학
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.1189-1208
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to explore the factors related to social participation of Korean young-old adults residing in urban area with a focus on the effects of various motivations. In addition, this study examined gender differences in the relationships between social participation and motivations of social participation. Self-oriented motivation, network-oriented motivation, and society-oriented motivation were considered as motivations of social participation. The study subjects were 836 men and 877 women aged 50-69. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires in 2009. Hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationships between motivations and the level of social participation using the SAS program. Main results were as follows: 1) The network-oriented motivation and society-oriented motivations were significantly related to the level of social participation; 2) Although men and women significantly differed in the patterns of social participation, gender differences were not found in the relationships between the social participation and motivations. These findings imply that network-oriented motivation and society-oriented motivation are important for facilitating the social participation of Korean young elderly. Further implications were discussed.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.21-26
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• 2010

Background: Although quantitative sensory test (QST) is being used with increasing frequency for measuring sensory thresholds in clinical practice and epidemiologic studies, there has been no age-matched normative data in Korean adults. The objective of this study is to evaluate the value of QST in diabetic polyneuropathy with normal range in Korean adults. Methods: The Computer Aided Sensory Examination IV 4,2 (WR Medical Electronics Co., Stillwater, Minnesota, U.S.A.), with 4,2,1 stepping algorithm was used to determine vibration and cold perception threshold in 70 normal controls and 19 patients with diabetic polyneuropathy aged from 21 to 79 years. The data were used to define age-matched upper and lower normal limits and normal range of side to side difference. We also evaluated the duration of diabetes, serum HbA1C level, and findings of nerve conduction study (NCS) and QST in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy. Results: In normal adults, sensory thresholds slightly increased with age, and a slight side-to-side difference was observed. The diagnostic sensitivity of QST was not higher than NCS in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy (36.8% vs. 42.1%, p=0.716), especially among elderly patients. Conclusions: QST might be used as a complementary test for NCS in the diagnosis of diabetic polyneuropathy. Although the QST is a simple method for the evaluation of peripheral nerve function, there are some limitations. Most of all, because the QST measuring is dependent on the subjective response of patients, the degree of concentration and cooperation of the patients can significantly affect the result. And thus, attention should be paid during the interpretation of QST results in patients with peripheral neuropathy.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.701-707
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• 2010

To analyze the effectiveness of horticultural therapy reported in research papers, a meta-analysis was carried out with 108 of 377 Korean and overseas research papers on horticultural therapy from 1985 to February 2009 (196 Korean dissertations, 113 Korean journal articles, 5 overseas dissertations, and 63 overseas journal articles). The results revealed a large effect size of 0.71. The effectiveness according to the type, age and number of participants were also analyzed. The therapy was most effective in children, and it was more beneficial for children with special needs and elderly people affected by dementia than for the typical population. The greatest effect was found with group sizes of five people or less, and when carried out by researchers from departments related to horticultural therapy than by researchers from unrelated fields of study. The most effective horticultural therapy programs involved floral decorations; and participants who took part in 21 to 30 sessions or at least 31 sessions benefited the most. Among the main effects of short-term horticultural therapy are cognitive, social, physical and emotional; the greatest effect was observed in the physical domain.

• 한국노년학
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.479-487
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• 2011

This study was a descriptive study to investigate factors affecting quality of life in the Korean elders with diabetes mellitus. A secondary data analysis was conducted using the data of "The Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2008." The survey included 9774 adults aged over 64 years with diabetes mellitus and 226 samples were used for this study. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 12.0 program and descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlations, and multiple regression analyses were performed. Correlation analysis showed that quality of life was associated with the amount of alcohol intake, the level of stress awareness, walking time, and suicidal thoughts. The amount of alcohol intake, the level of stress awareness, walking time, and suicidal thoughts accounted for 34.5% of quality of life. These findings suggest that nursing researchers need to consider age, suicidal thoughts, and drinking as important factors affecting quality of life of Korean elders with diabetes mellitus and nursing intervention focusing on the issues needs to be developed.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.69-83
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• 2024

Objective : This study investigated the prevalence of dysphagia in older adults in Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province and its impact on Quality of Life (QoL) and educational needs. Methods : A cross-sectional survey was conducted from August 1 to 15, 2023, with 207 cognitively normal older adults from three senior welfare centers. Data included general characteristics, Korean-version of the Eating Assessment Tool (K-EAT-10), Swallowing-QoL, and educational needs related to swallowing disorders. Dysphagia was defined by a K-EAT-10 score of 3 or higher. Participants were divided into normal and risk groups for analysis using chi-square and Independent t-test. Results : The prevalence of dysphagia risk (K-EAT-10 score of 3 or higher) was 41.5% (86 individuals). Among the 92 individuals reporting dysphagia symptoms, 64 (69.6%) were at risk. QoL was significantly lower in the risk group, especially among those living alone or with denture discomfort. The most preferred educational need was training in eating solid foods (Mean = 4.27), with higher needs in the dysphagia risk group. Conclusion : This study underscores the prevalence of dysphagia, its impact on QoL, and the need for educational programs. Emphasizing prevention, public awareness, and early detection, along with the role of dysphagia rehabilitation experts and community collaboration, is essential for supporting healthy aging.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.304-315
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• 2012

Today, suicide by self-poisoning of prescribed or non-prescribed drugs on purpose has been increasing and is a major cause of mortality. It is very important to treat promptly and properly for saving the lives from those suicides. There is neither an organization such as poison control center nor measurement in S. Korea, though. The object of this study was to evaluate information of frequently used substances for suicide attempt in S. Korea. Our results also can provide healthcare provider including pharmacists and doctors, etc and contribute to increasing health and welfare for Korean. From June $1^{st}$ 2006 to April $30^{th}$ 2012, we retrospectively studied patients visiting emergency room due to suicide attempt. We collected information of underlying disease, history of past medical condition and suicide attempt, ingredient and getting route of ingesting substances, emergency treatment, and outcome by reviewing electronic medical record. We also evaluated actual treatment of self-poisoning and made guide information about antidote medication for S. Korean healthcare provider. Among total 242 cases of suicidal attempts, cases ingesting substances including prescription, non-prescription drugs and agricultural chemicals were 86.4%. The most frequently used drugs for suicide attempt were sedatives-hypnotics (53.6%), followed by analgesics (16.7%) and antidepressants (12.4%). Analgesics including acetaminophen and aspirin were most in teenagers but sedatives-hypnotics including benzodiazepines, non-benzodiazepine (zolpidem) and antihistamine were most in other ages including elderly people. Most frequently used antidote was activated charcoal (62.7%) and specific antidotes for some substances (acetaminophen, aspirin, agricultural chemicals) were also treated properly, accompanying with medication for supportive care. In conclusion, the most used substances for suicide attempt were sedatives-hypnotics and treatments for self-poisoning in emergency room were appropriate based on existing references. Therefore, information of frequently used substances and antidote reflecting these results will be useful for South Korean healthcare provider.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.3 no.5
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• pp.748-758
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• 1998

The Recommended Dietary Allowances(RDAs, Nutrient standards), dietary guidelines, and food guides, each define aspects for a healthy diet in different ways. The RDA and food guide for Koreans were first established in 1962 by the Food and Nutrition Committee of the Korea FAO Association. The committee released the RDA and suggested ways to intake the recommended nutrients. Every five years, the committee has added more data and released revisions. The latest edition of the RDA is the 6th revision. In the beginning, the concept of basic food groups was emphasized as basic data for planning means based on RDA. In the 5th revision, the basic food groups and dietary guideline for public health from the Ministry of Health and Welfairs(December, 1990) suggests that, 1) Eat a variety of foods with a recommended fat intake equaling or less than 20% of total calories ; 2) Maintain ideal body weight and prevent obesity ; 3) Eat foods low in salt. Salt intake should not exceed 10g ; 4) Do not drink too much ; 5) Eat regularly and enjoy meals. After these guidelines were established, the first nutritonal education efforts guidelines were developed in 1984. Despite broad possibilities for application, they had limited use, mainly as a nutritional assessment and food balance sheet preparation. They were not well utilized in public nutritional education and nutritonal policy through the media because of the weakness of the government's food and nutriton policy. Also a lack of administrative support and dietitians in the health department and administrative organizations was partly to blame. In regard to public health and nutrition status, life expectancy has increased 10 years since the 70's and the elderly population increased threefold in 1995 compared to 1960. The common causes of death in 1996 by 19 Chapters classification, were first disease of the circulatory system ; the second, neoplasms ; the third, external causes fo mortality ; the forth, diseases of the digestive system ; and the fifth, respiratory system diseases, In food intake, grain and complex starch intake has decreased while fruit and animal foods have considerably increased. Therefore, energy from carbohydrates has decreased while energy from protein and fat has increased. Energy intakes from protein, fat and carbohydrates were respectively 12.5, 7.2 and 80.3% in 1969 but 16.1, 19.1 and 64.8% in 1995. 62.9% of the householes had the fat energy less than 20%, while 37.1% had the fat energy above 20%. The only intakes of vitamin A and calcium were below RDA levles. Therefore, nationwide attention should be focused on public nutriton education and public activities with supplementation of the RDAs, according to the food guide and the dietary guideline.

• The Journal of Korean society of community based occupational therapy
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.49-57
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• 2018

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the level of human rights sensitivity of occupational therapist and to compare the difference of the human rights sensitivity according to their characteristics and to provide basic data for the development of human rights education programs for occupational therapists in the future and to emphasize their role as human rights advocates. Methods : The subjects for this study were occupational therapists who chosen by snowball sampling method. The questionnaire consisted of 5 episodes and 30 questions to measure the level of occupational therapist's human rights sensitivity and 7 questions for identifying general characteristics of subjects. We distributed the questionnaire by on-line. 165 copies were collected and used to final data analysis. Results : The average of occupational therapists' human rights sensitivity was $33.52{\pm}14.96$. According to the subcategories, the average of perception of situation was $20.44{\pm}2.32$, perception of result was $19.85{\pm}2.32$, and the perception of responsibility was $19.14{\pm}2.21$. Among 5 episodes, The highest score was the right to pursue one's happiness of the elderly($12.72{\pm}1.56$), and the lowest score was the right to personal freedom in disabled ($11.04{\pm}2.23$). There were significantly differences of the subjects' age, educational level, organization type, and the level of clinical experiences. Conclusion : Occupational therapists' human rights sensitivity increased with age and the level of clinical experiences. And the human rights sensitivity increased as they were exposed to various human rights related circumstances. The reason of the highest score for situational awareness was that empathy for the client-centered intervention is important. This study confirmed that it is necessary to have human rights education and various educational programs.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.141-148
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• 2006

Objectives : We wanted to evaluate the medical underutilization for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) among Korean elderly men and we wanted to determine their associated factors. Methods : This study was conducted on 239 men with LUTS and 116 men with BPH who were compatible with the diagnostic criteria from a total of 641 participants. These participants were over 50 years old and they were randomly chosen in a community-based study for estimating the prevalence of BPH. Using a self-reported questionnaire, we surveyed the sociodemographics, health status, quality of life, lower urinary tract symptoms, medical utilization and reasons for not seeking treatment. Results : Only 27.6% of the men with LUTS and 31.0% of the men with BPH reported having visited a doctor for urinary symptoms. The reasons for not visiting a doctor were, in order of responses from the group with LUTS: 'considered the symptoms as a part of the normal ageing process', 'not enough time to visit a doctor', 'financial difficulty' and 'the symptoms were not severe or bothersome'. Regarding BPH, the responses were the same as those of the group with LUTS however, 'financial difficulty' placed second. Among the men with experience of visiting a doctor for urinary symptoms, 33.3% of those with LUTS and 28.1% of those with BPH were not treated. The most common reason in both groups was 'the symptoms were not severe to be treated'. On a multiple logistic regression analysis, the larger size household (odds ratio (OR) 3.03, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.40-6.54) and an unsatisfactory quality of life related with urinary symptoms (OR 2.98, 95% CI=1.23-7.21) were associated with medical utilization in the group of LUTS. For BPH, the current employment status was related with the medical utilization (OR 2.80, 95% CI=1.10-7.11), in addition to the larger size household (OR 3.24, 95% CI=1.14-9.21). Conclusions : Many men with urinary symptoms do not visit a doctor. This medical underutilization for people with LUTS and BPH may be associated with economic status in Korea.