• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.349-360
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• 2018

This study analyzed variations of learning stress by comparing the salivary cortisol levels of students who participated in Earth Science inquiry activities. The cortisol concentrations between the pre- and post-inquiries of the sample of 34 university students, who had taken the course of 'Basic Earth Science and Experiments', were analyzed. The Earth Science inquiries consisted of geology and astronomy activities. The observational geology activities consisted of a session of 'structure contours and map patterns' and the cognitive astronomy activities consisted of a session of 'representations of horizontal and equatorial coordinates'. These Earth Science inquiry activities were found to cause students to have anxiety, and the thought processes that these activities involved were found to cause learning stress. The variations in cortisol concentrations of students increased by $1.6{\pm}5.9ng\;mL^{-1}$ after conducting observational activities in geology compared with $2.1{\pm}6.2ng\;mL^{-1}$ after doing cognitive activities in astronomy. The analysis of the observational activities in the geology inquiry activities indicated that they were consistent with low levels of learning stress. Conversely, the analysis of the cognitive activities in the astronomy inquiry activities showed significant individual variations in cortisol concentrations. Furthermore, individual differences in cognitive ability were reflected in the astronomy inquiry activities. While students, who received high scores, exhibited low levels of stress in the geology inquiry activities, they showed high levels of stress in the astronomy inquiry activities. It was concluded that, in the case of students with high scores in the study, the level of learning stress increased due to the raised anxiety in cognitive inquiry activities. In contrast, students, who received low scores in the study, exhibited high levels of stress in the geology inquiry activities, and low levels of stress in the astronomy inquiry activities.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.121-130
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• 2020

Purpose : The objective of the current study was to evaluate the impact of the Computer-Based Cognitive Rehabilitation Program (CoTras) on the cognitive function and daily living activities of elderly and adult stroke patients. Methods : Twenty stroke patients were divided into two groups comprising 10 elderly stroke patients and 10 adult stroke patients. The CoTras was applied as the intervention for 30 minutes at a time, three times a week, for nine weeks (i.e., a total of 27 times), to both groups. The Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination was used to assess cognitive function, and the Functional Independence Measure was utilized to evaluate daily living activities, prior to, during, and after the intervention. Results : The CoTras was demonstrated to have a statistically significant and positive effect on the cognitive function and daily living activities of stroke patients. However, the effect of the program on the restoration of weight-shifting capacity, as a component of the daily living activities of stroke patients, was without statistical significance. The program had a greater influence on improving the cognitive function and daily living activities of elderly stroke patients than adult stroke patients. Conclusion : This study makes a meaningful contribution to the literature on the topic as the intervention was demonstrated to lead to a more significant recovery of cognitive function and daily living activities in elderly stroke patients, compared to adult patients. Therefore, it is proposed that the CoTras should be used as a clinical intervention for elderly stroke patients. Future studies that evaluate the application of the CoTras, along with other occupation-based intervention programs, are warranted.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.219-226
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• 1999

Objectives : The aims of this study were to evaluate changes in plasma superoxide dismutase(SOD) activities in alcohol depedence, to find out variables to influence on the SOD activities, and finally to identify the correlation of SOD activities with the alcohol-associated cognitive disorders. Methods : For 24 male alcoholics and 21 healthy male controls, plasma SOD activities were measured by spectrophotometry on 1-2 wks after alcohol withdrawal. Structured interviews and laboratory tests were also performed. Results : 1) Upon comparing SOD activities between controls and alcoholics, the SOD activities were significantly(p<0.01) lower in alcoholics($0.308{\pm}0.140$ units/mL) than in healthy controls($0.313{\pm}0.086$ units/mL). 2) Upon comparing SOD activities according to the presence of alcohol-related cognitive disorders, the SOD activities were significantly(p<0.05) lower in alcoholics with cognitive disorders($0.247{\pm}0.049$ units/mL) than in alcoholics without cognitive disorders($0.317{\pm}0.148$ units/mL). 3) Upon comparing SOD activities according to the presence of alcoholic polyneuropathy or alcohol withdrawal seizure, the SOD activities showed no significant differences between alcoholics with polyneuropathy or epilepsy and those without. 4) Upon analyzing variables influencing on the SOD activities in alcoholics, the SOD activities had the negative correlation with hemoglobin(${\gamma}=-0.433$) and severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms(${\gamma}=-0.375$). 5) Upon comparing variables according to the presence of alcohol-related cognitive disorders, the occurrence of alcoholic polyneuropathy(p<0.05) and blood phosphorus concentrations(p<0.01) were significantly higher in alcoholics with cognitive disorders than those without. 6) Upon analyzing an association between SOD activities and variables in alcoholics with cognitive disorders, the SOD activities were positively correlated with the onset age(${\gamma}=0.995$), and negatively correlated with the severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms(${\gamma}=-0.996$). Conclusions : Lower SOD activities in alcohol dependence suggested alcohol-associated cognitive disorders and alcohol withdrawal symptoms might be caused by oxidative stress.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.511-520
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• 2021

This study was a pre and post quasi-experimental design study using a single group about the analysis of the changes in the performance level of activities of daily living and depression of the elderly with mild cognitive impairment through the participation in the cognitive program. Study subjects were the 16 elderly with mild cognitive impairment using a W welfare center in J city and they participated in cognitive program for a total of 8 weeks, twice a week. The assessment about the performance level of activities of daily living and depression were performed through the program. As the results, after participating in the program, study subjects' performance level of activities of daily living were significantly significant improved, and depression levels were statistically significantly reduced. Thus, to improve the performance level of activities of daily living and reduce the depression levels of the elderly with mild cognitive impairment, the cognitive program should be used as a intervention program and then in the process, it is necessary to actively induce the participation of the elderly with mild cognitive impairment.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.375-380
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of differences in computer-aided cognitive rehabilitation aimed at stroke patients on cognitive function and daily life. Methods: The study subjects were Gwangju, Jeonnam including the attention group (group I), memory group (group II), and visual perception group (group III), who were randomly placed in each of a 10 by one problem solving group (group IV). The PSSCogRehab was applied to all subjects who underwent eight weeks once a week after 20 minutes in each group by strengthening mediation 10 minutes 30 minutes total, with a five minute break in the middle. Results: Cognitive function and activities of daily living is security and inter-group differences before intervention, and post-test results in the memory training group II, the intervention group I, III, IV and more on cognitive function and activities of daily living compared to it was effective. Conclusion: The results of computer-aided cognitive rehabilitation measuring cognitive function and ADL in patients with stroke in accordance with the group I, III, and IV group cognitive function and activities of daily living compared to IV showed that it was more effective.

• 한국노년학
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.443-458
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• 2020

Aim: This study investigated the association between leisure activities and cognitive impairment in Korean community-dwelling older adults. Methods: Among participants of the 2017 National Survey of Older Koreans, 10,055 (male=4,277, female=5,778) were included in this cross-sectional study. To better identify the association between late-life cognition and leisure activities, individual leisure activities were categorized into 3 types including productive, consumptive, and unclassified activities. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between participation in leisure activities and cognitive impairment when controlling for possible covariates evidenced by previous studies. Results: Male participants were more likely to be cognitively impaired than female ones with significant differences in all the covariates. After controlling for confounding variables, involvement in productive leisure activities was found to be associated with cognitive function in both male and female groups, along with age, educational level, depressive symptoms, subjective hearing problems, and occupational status. Conclusion: Involvement in productive leisure activities might be associated with decreased risk of cognitive impairment in later life. Appropriate strategies to encourage older adults to participate in productive leisure activities should be established to help them maintain their cognitive function.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.55-61
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• 2012

Background : The purpose of this study is to provide the basic data according to cognitive function, that will help activities of daily living of the elderly through the comparative study of activities daily living and functional training. Methods : The subjects of this study 122 patients 65 years old or more ADL and cognitive function assessment was evaluated. They were registered in the Elderly in nursing homes and welfare centers, located in Gyeonggi. All study participants had a sufficient explanation for the purposes of research and evaluation methods and procedures for the elderly. The survey period 17 October to 11 November 2011 was conducted through face-to-face survey was conducted. Results : Cognitive function according to the K-MMSE score of 24 points or more, 23 to 18 points, 17 points or less were classified. Ability to perform activities of daily living (personal hygiene, bathing, toilet use, stair climbing, dressing, stool control, urinary control, gait, chair/bed, etc.) according to the degree of cognitive function by evaluating the ability to perform daily living compared results in all variables were statistically significant (p<.5). Conclusion : As a result, the higher cognitive functions can be seen that the higher the ability to perform activities of daily living.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.11-18
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• 2018

In the Digital Transformation infrastructure at the addition to research on mental health such as depression and well-being, research on middle-aged health requires a study consisting of specific measures of cognitive health. This study used social, mental, and physical cognitive health as a sub-domain of cognitive health. The purpose of this study was to investigate the positive effects of volunteer activities on cognitive health for middle-aged women. The questionnaire survey was conducted on middle-aged women aged 40 to 59, focusing on the question "How well does cognitive health work for middle-aged women through volunteer activities?" The goal of this study is to examine the effect of volunteer activities on the cognitive health of middle-aged women and to analyze the meaning and influencing factors of volunteer activities needed to maintain the desirable life of middle-aged women and the healthy life of the elderly. The necessity to diversify and activate volunteer activities of middle-aged women was proved through the survey.

• 한국노년학
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.549-567
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• 2019

The present study examined whether the relation between relative handgrip strength and cognitive function varied by paid employment status and participation of social activities among Korean older adults. A total of 3,376 Korean adults aged 65 or older were drawn from the 2016 Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing (KLoSA). Weighted hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to examine moderating effects of paid employment status and social activities on the relation between relative handgrip strength and cognitive function. After adjusting for covariates, results show that relative handgrip strength has a positive association with cognitive function. Both paid employment status and social activities have positive associations with cognitive function and moderate the relationship between relative handgrip strength and cognitive function. These significant moderating effects show that participating in paid employment and social activities buffer against the effect of lower handgrip strength on cognitive function. Findings from the present study highlight the significant role of active aging in older adults'cognitive function. Implications are discussed in a cultural context.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Neurotherapy
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.37-42
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• 2018

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between sleep quality and cognitive function, depression, and institutionalized elderly activity. The goal is to improve the quality of life through early intervention in the sleeping problems of the elderly hospitalized in the nursing home. Method Twentythree patients who were diagnosed with CDR (clinical dementia grade) 0.5 ~ 2 stages by a psychiatrist from September 3 to 30, 2017 were measured for sleep status, depression, cognitive function and activities of daily living at the same time once a day. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS (v.21, IBM, USA) program. Results The correlation between sleep status and cognitive function, depression, and activities of daily living was not statistically significant, and there was a moderate correlation between cognitive function and depression. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that the development and application of a program that activates the cognitive function that is institutionalized with a positive correlation between cognitive function and depression will be effective in decreasing depression in the elderly patients hospitalized in the nursing home.