• 한국노년학
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.1279-1295
• /
• 2008

This study was done to find out the effects that group art therapy would have on low rank cognitive functions and the self-esteem of the elderly with dementia. The study subjects were four elderly females with light dementia symptoms who scored lower than 19 points on the MMSE-K(Mini Mental State Examination-Korea) test. They were chosen from the ${\bigcirc}{\bigcirc}$ Senior Welfare Service Center located in Seoul. A total of 15 sessions of a group art therapy were given once a week for 60 minutes from January 15th to April 30th of 2008, the research tools employed were the MMSE-K and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale on which a pre-test and a post-test were given. The results obtained are as follows. First, it was shown that group art therapy is effective to improve the cognitive functions of the elderly with dementia. According to the pre-tests and post -tests based on MMSE-K, the average score improved from 16.75 to 19.75, using Wilcoxon non-parameter statistics, verification resultant p-value which significant difference exhibited as .046, from the pre-tests and post-test, the average score improved in the subordinate areas of Orientation, Registration, Attention and Calculation, language function, understanding and judgment but there was no significant difference, memory recollection improved by a score of 0.70 according to the pre-test and post-test. using Wilcoxon non-parameter statistics, the verification resultant p-value which significant difference exhibited as .043. Second, it appeared with the fact that group art therapy effects the Self-Esteem of the elderly with dementia. From the verifications of a pre-test and post-test on Self-Esteem, the average score improved from 20.75 to 24.25, the effectiveness of the program was given proven by statistically considering the statistical resultant p-value of .048.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.67-76
• /
• 2021

Objectives : The aim of this study was to compare activities of daily living (ADLs) according to degenerative changes in brain [i.e., medial temporal lobe atrophy (MTA), white matter hyperintensities] and to examine the association between neurocognitive functions and ADLs in Korean patients with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods : Participants were 111 elderly subjects diagnosed with AD or MCI in this cross-sectional study. MTA in brain MRI was rated with standardized visual rating scales (Scheltens scale) and the subjects were divided into two groups according to Scheltens scale. ADLs was evaluated with the Korean version of Blessed Dementia Scale-Activity of daily living (BDS-ADL). Neurocognitive function was evaluated with the Korean version of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease assessment packet (CERAD-K). Independent t-test was performed to compare ADLs with the degree of MTA. Pearson correlation and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were performed to analyze the relationship between ADLs and neurocognitive functions. Results : The group with high severity of the MTA showed significantly higher BDS-ADL scores (p<0.05). The BDS-ADL score showed the strongest correlation with the word list recognition test among sub-items of the CERAD-K test (r=-0.568). Findings from the hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that the scores of MMSE-K and word list recognition test were factors that predict ADLs (F=44.611, p<0.001). Conclusions : ADLs of AD and MCI patients had significant association with MTA. Our study, which identifies factors correlated with ADLs can provide useful information in clinical settings. Further evaluation is needed to confirm the association between certain brain structures and ADLs.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
• /
• v.4 no.3
• /
• pp.261-267
• /
• 2018

In the present study, we assessed the effecs of fruit and vegetable bark resources rich in beneficial substances on the learning ability and memory improvement. It functions to inhibit the activity of acetylcholinesterase in brain tissue and improve cognitive functions in a simulation model of cognitive impairment induced by scopolamine. Hence, it can promote memory and learning ability. The formulation of the fruit and vegetable bark uses the extract of fruit and vegetable peels, which has long been used without causing toxicity in a wide range of food applications. Therefore, it can be used safely without a risk of side effects, even in the case of a long-term administration for the preventive purpose. Furthermore, the present study is a very beneficial study in the environment-friendly aspect in association with recycling of resources as it is based on the novel efficacies of fruit and vegetable barks which have been conventionally disposed as a refuse of fruits due to their poor sensory qualities despite the content of beneficial substances.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.140-148
• /
• 2015

Objectives The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between degenerative changes in brain [i.e., global cortical atrophy (GCA), medial temporal atrophy (MTA), white matter hyperintensities (WMH)] and neurocognitive dysfunction in Korean patients with Alzheimer's disease. Methods A total of 62 elderly subjects diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease were included in this study. The degenerative changes in brain MRI were rated with standardized visual rating scales (GCA or global cortical atrophy, MTA or medial temporal atrophy, and Fazekas scales) and the subjects were divided into two groups according to the degree of degeneration for each scale. Cognitive function was evaluated with Korean version of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD-K) and several clinical features, including apolipoprotein E ${\varepsilon}4$ status, lipid profile and thyroid hormones, were also examined. Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were performed to analyze the relationship between the degree of cerebral degeneration and neurocognitive functions. Results Demographic and clinical features, except for the age, did not show any significant difference between the two groups divided according to the degree of cerebral degenerative changes. However, higher degree of GCA was shown to be associated with poorer performance in verbal fluency test, word list recall test, and word list recognition test. Higher degree of MTA was shown to be associated with poorer performance in Mini-Mental State Examination in the Korean Version of CERAD Assessment Packet (MMSE-KC), word list recognition test and construction praxis recall test. Higher degree of white matter hyperintensities was shown to be associated with poorer performance in MMSE-KC. Conclusions Our results suggest that severe brain degeneration shown in MRI is associated with significantly poorer performance in neurocognitive tests in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Moreover, the degree of GCA, MTA and white matter hyperintensities, represented by scores from different visual rating scales, seems to affect certain neurocognitive domains each, which would provide useful information in clinical settings.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.481-487
• /
• 2013

Following breast cancer diagnosis, women often attempt to modify their lifestyles to improve their health and prevent recurrence. These behavioral changes typically involve diet and physical activity modification. The aim of this study was to determine association between healthy eating habits and physical activity with quality of life among Iranian breast cancer survivors. A total of 100 Iranian women, aged between 32 to 61 years were recruited to participate in this cross-sectional study. Eating practices were evaluated by a validated questionnaire modified from the Women's Healthy Eating and Living (WHEL) study. Physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). A standardized questionnaire by the European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life and its breast cancer module (EORTC QLQ-C30/+BR-23) were applied to determine quality of life. Approximately 29% of the cancer survivors were categorized as having healthy eating practices, 34% had moderate eating practices and 37% had poor eating practices based on nutrition guidelines. The study found positive changes in the decreased intake of fast foods (90%), red meat (70%) and increased intake of fruits (85%) and vegetables (78%). Generally, breast cancer survivors with healthy eating practices had better global quality of life, social, emotional, cognitive and role functions. Results showed that only 12 women (12%) met the criteria for regular vigorous exercise, 22% had regular moderate-intensity exercise while the majority (65%) had low-intensity physical activity. Breast cancer survivors with higher level of physical activity had better emotional and cognitive functions. Healthy eating practices and physical activity can improve quality of life of cancer survivors. Health care professionals should promote good dietary habits and physical activity to improve survivor's health and quality of life.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.307-320
• /
• 2007

In this study, we attempted to provide a distinctive cognitive, emotional 'Auditory User Interface (AUI) Design Guideline' according to home appliance groups and their functions. It is an effort to apply a new design method to practical affairs to overcome the limit of GUI centered appliance design and reflect user multimodal properties by presenting a guideline possible to generate auditory signals intuitively associable with the operational functions. The reason why this study is required is because of frequent instances given rise to annoyance as not systematic application of AUI, but arbitrary mapping. This study tried to provide a useful guideline of AUI in home appliances by extracting the relations with cognitive, emotional properties of a certain device or function induced by several properties of auditory signal and showing the empirical data on the basic mechanism of such relations.

• Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.622-635
• /
• 2022

Purpose: Due to the change of demography, the ratio of senior drivers has increased and the transition to a super-aged society is expected to make more seniors drive in the future. Method: In this research, we analyzed medical characteristics of the driver's age-specific decline in body function and saw that both the function of the physical as well as mental capacities deteriorates as people age. Among them, various functions are precipitously weakened after reaching 70, implying that those over the age of 70 are classified as seniors in a medical sense. In this context, we also could identify that based on such age criteria, various safety policies for senior drivers should be developed and set up in Korea. Result: We could find a steep fall in the physical function of body after reaching 70 from the chronological change of cognitive function and judgment ability. In particular, it is revealed that the driving license institution and aptitude test for drivers over 70 should be thoroughly examined, as physical functions necessary for driving such as eyesight and hearing ability is not strong enough in many drivers over 70. Conclusion: Focusing on the physical capacity to drive, we tried to find the hazardous age bracket of senior drivers which might influence driving behaviors. Going forward, we expect this work would help to understand the policies for senior drivers and drivers' physical differences.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
• /
• v.29 no.6
• /
• pp.121-130
• /
• 2024

In this paper, we propose and design an NCS-based job matching system for individuals with disabilities. This system allows users with disabilities to access it, input basic information (personal and disability-related details), and take a simple test related to job performance. The system then provides NCS job-related information appropriate to their type and degree of disability. To effectively link various NCS-based jobs, it is essential to consider the degree of disability for each type of disability. However, most evaluation tools target specific types of disabilities or assess the vocational abilities of individuals with disabilities in a limited manner, focusing only on cognitive levels or certain physical functions. This makes it challenging to apply these tools to an NCS-based job matching system for individuals with disabilities. Therefore, in this paper, we utilize the ICF coresets for VR to assess the cognitive levels or physical functions required for performing specific jobs. Additionally, we use the NCS vocational competency evaluation tools to determine the levels of vocational competencies required for performing specific jobs. By doing so, we match NCS-based jobs according to the type and degree of disability. The proposed NCS-based job matching system relies on the user's interaction with the system, which may pose challenges for visually impaired individuals or those with intellectual and autism spectrum disabilities who have low literacy levels. Enhancing the accessibility of this system could enable individuals with disabilities to receive recommendations for NCS-based jobs that suit their vocational abilities.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.45 no.11
• /
• pp.1552-1563
• /
• 2016

To examine the cognitive function of onion (Allium cepa L.) beverages (odourless and fortified), we analyzed in vitro neuronal cell protection against $H_2O_2$-induced cytotoxicity and performed in vivo tests on amyloid beta ($A{\beta}$)-induced cognitive dysfunction. Cellular oxidative stress and cell viability were evaluated by DCF-DA assay and MTT assay. These results show that fortified beverage resulted in better neuronal cell protection than odourless beverage at lower concentration ($0{\sim}100{\mu}g/mL$). Fortified beverage also showed more excellent acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity ($IC_{50}$: 4.20 mg/mL) than odourless beverage. The cognitive functions of odourless beverage and fortified beverage in $A{\beta}$-induced neurotoxicity were assessed by Y-maze, passive avoidance, and Morris water maze tests. The results show improved cognitive function in both groups treated with beverages. After in vivo tests, cholinergic activities were determined based on AChE inhibition and acetylcholine levels, and antioxidant activities were measured as SOD, oxidized glutathione (GSH)/total GSH ratio, and MDA levels in mouse brain tissue. In a Q-TOF UPLC/MS system, main compounds were analyzed as follows: odourless beverage (five types of sugars and three types of phenolics) and fortified beverages (six types of phenolics and two types of steroidal saponins).

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.286-295
• /
• 2015

Objective: This experiment is to study how elderly group and their various lifestyles interact with health functional foods, according to their selection behavior. Different lifestyles will be observed closely, as well as how different health conditions and consumer involvements will affect critical decision making in selecting health functional foods. Method: Theories and discoveries from original advanced research were compared parallel to the new study. Results: First, cluster analysis and exploratory analysis were performed amongst different elder lifestyles. Lifestyle exploratory analysis was used for healthy, unique, leisure, and economical-style elders. Cluster analysis was used for material trend oriented, health oriented, complacent oriented-style elders. Health Functional Foods' selection trait Exploratory Factor Analysis showed that product's originality (function, uniqueness, specialty, compatibility, distributor, expiration date), quality (amount, daily dose, visual representation, accessibility, portability, natural ingredients), and popularity (product container, brand image, taste and smell, advertised product, domestic or import, well-known function) were the three main causes. Secondly, the amount of benefits for the elderly group health lifestyle were affected by 'Interest in health', 'Notability of the health functional food', and 'Functionality approved mark'. Specifically, the importance of, 'Interest in health', 'Notability of health functional food', and 'Functionality approved mark' were noticeably high within health oriented elders. Lastly, after examining the data from elder lifestyle's relationship with health functional food selection trait, all three different results showed equal importance. If you closely examine material trend oriented elderly group, selection trait showed distinctively high regards in 'Fundamental Attribute', 'Typical Attribute', and 'Cognitive Attribute'. Health oriented elders showed their distinctively high regards in 'Natural Attribute', and less consideration in 'Typical Attribute' and 'Cognitive Attribute'. Complacent oriented-style elderly group showed less focus on 'Fundamental Attribute', and even less in 'Typical Attribute', and 'Cognitive Attribute'. Health oriented elderly group concluded with above data from the fact that they showed most importance and involvement in health beneficial products that are scientifically proven. Material trend oriented elderly group showed balanced traits in their concluded data, showing that they prefer function, safety, as well as the brand image and their reputation. Also, they consider the products' outer elements, such as design and product name, in order to sense inner functions. Conclusion: So, Silver Business corporations must develop products to fulfill the market demands, and strategize marketing plans to better target the correct audience.