• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.40-45
• /
• 2014

Objectives : Mild cognitive impairment(MCI) and dementia of Alzheimer's type(AD) are characterized by progressive decline of cognitive abilities and a wide range of neuropsychiatric symptoms like depression. Among various diagnostic tools of AD, many studies showed that elevated levels of serum total homocysteine are associated with increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, depression and other neuropsychiatric disorders. We investigated whether elevated homocysteine concentrations are associated with depressive symptoms in MCI and AD. Methods : A total of 86 patients diagnosed with MCI or AD participated. Total serum homocysteine levels in fasting blood samples were measured. We examined cognitive symptoms by MMSE-KC, Global Deterioration Scale(GDS), Clinical dementia rating(CDR) and depressive symptoms by Korean version of Geriatric Depression Scale(K-GDS). Results : The total serum homocysteine levels were significantly higher in MCI with depression than in MCI without depression. There was no significant difference in the mean homocysteine levels between AD patients with depression and AD patients without depression. The total homocysteine levels showed a negative correlation with MMSE-KC and a positive correlation with CDR, GDS. Conclusions : These findings suggest that elevated homocysteine level is a risk factor for the decline of cognitive function and depression. We found a significant relationship between elevated serum homocysteine level and depressive symptoms in MCI. But our study had several limitations, thus more research is needed to confirm this finding.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
• /
• v.27 no.7
• /
• pp.125-135
• /
• 2022

In this study, using KLoSA data, it was verified whether subjective expectations and depression had a multi-mediated effect on life satisfaction of the elderly with dementia and mild cognitive impairment. As a result of the analysis, first, it was analyzed that the higher the IADL of the elderly with dementia and mild cognitive impairment, the lower the subjective expectation, the higher the depression, and the lower the life satisfaction. Second, it was analyzed that as the subjective expectations of the elderly with dementia and mild cognitive impairment increased, depression decreased and life satisfaction increased. Third, it was analyzed that IADL in the elderly with dementia and mild cognitive impairment not only directly affects life satisfaction, but also indirectly affects life satisfaction through subjective expectations and depression, so it has a multi-mediated effect. Therefore, it is necessary to expand subjective expectations by expanding service providers that can support daily life restrictions for the elderly with dementia and mild cognitive impairment, providing regular programs by experts to reduce depression, and establishing new national pension benefits for dependents.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.37-45
• /
• 2013

This research reviewed the instrumental ADL for patients with mild cognitive impairment, which is one of the most interested topics, and hope that this research helps evaluating and treating the mid cognitive impairment patients in occupational therapy. The treatment for dementia patients are actively in progress, but there has not been treatment approach about mild cognitive impairment patients, who are in risk of moving on to dementia. In this review, we have dealt with the foundation of matching the point to instrumental ADL from the occupational areas of mild cognitive impairment patients and normal elders. We have discussed the that essential consideration about instrumental ADL is needed to prevent mild cognitive impairment developing into dementia. In conclusion, there is a need of regular evaluation about instrumental ADL considering the occupational areas of mild cognitive impairment patient groups, who are highly in risk of developing into dementia, and occupational therapeutic approach is needed as well.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.274-284
• /
• 2017

Due to aging society, the prevalence of dementia is continually increasing and, thereby, causing a serious issue. Although Long Term Care Insurance is provided on a national level, it is not available for the elderly with dementia who do not satisfy the requirements. As the use of smartphones becomes widespread, this study investigated an application that can help disease management of the elderly with the early-stage (mild) dementia and communication among the family members based on analysis of the functions found in currently-available applications and survey among the relevant subjects. As a research method, based on review of the relevant theoretical studies, the service environment of applications available for the elderly with mild dementia was analyzed. Through this analysis, it found out that there is no application for the eldery with mild dementia. On the basis of the results, this study proposed a direction for design planning of an application included many functions like managements of taking medicine, physical activity, brain activity, information on dementia and notes. for dementia management aimed to help the patients with mild dementia manage the disease on their own. If this type of services are expanded in addition to the systemic support from the government, the data collected from these applications can contribute to improving management of mild dementia.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
• /
• v.7 no.3
• /
• pp.47-58
• /
• 2018

Objective : This study was conducted to investigate the effects of iPad applications on improvement of attention and short-term memory in mild dementia. Methods : A single-case experimental study using A-B-A design was conducted. A total of 20 sessions, including 5 each for baseline phase A and A' and 10 for the intervention phase, were provided to the subject. Interventions were only provided during the intervention phase and were iOS-based iPad applications named "Memorado-Moving Balls" and "Circles." "Fit Brains-Matching Pairs" and "Fit-Brains-Spot the Difference" were used for each session to evaluate attention and short-term memory. MMSE-K, K-TMT-e A and B, and DST assessment tools were used pre- and post-intervention to assess attention and memory. Result : Fit Brains scores indicated improvement in both attention and memory during the intervention phase. K-TMT-e A showed 3 increased correct points and 3 reduced error points, and B showed 7 increased correct points and 2 reduced error points in post-tests, but the DST and MMSE-K showed no meaningful change. Conclusion : This single-case study identified improvements in attention and short-term memory in a person with mild dementia using iPad applications. Further studies regarding different applications and larger samples with long-term designs are necessary.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
• /
• 2016.10a
• /
• pp.765-767
• /
• 2016

Since the population aging process occurs very quickly, and the population who has a dementia is also increasing significantly faster. Because there is no complete cure of dementia it is very important to detect the disease at an early stage and prevent the spread of disease through evaluation of MCI. As the assessment of MCI conducts only in the form of hand-written data, there are some limitations in using derived data. Therefore it requires a system of analysis and storage of the data able to integrate and manage the data. The research conducted in this paper is aimed to develop a system to analyze and store the MCI evaluation data.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
• /
• 2016.10a
• /
• pp.749-751
• /
• 2016

Due to the advent of virtual reality, the past communication method using images and video through the expansion into three-dimensional space has been provided more realistic and seamless interaction environment. Unlike reality, virtual reality is under a full human control and due to this benefit can be used as a substitute for reality therefore medicine and healthcare area has attracted attention in the prevention and treatment of dementia utilizing virtual reality. The research provided in this paper is aimed to design a virtual reality-based mild cognitive impairment prevention training system, focusing on the Symptoms of Alzheimer's precursor, mild cognitive impairment.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.18 no.12
• /
• pp.557-563
• /
• 2017

This study aims to obtain information about the ADL and I-ADL functions of people with dementia living in the community and nursing care facilities regarding their dementia stages for the purpose of supporting occupational therapists working in dementia care centers. The information was collected from 100 people with dementia living in the community and 100 people with dementia staying in care facilities from October 1 to November 20, 2015. 15 facilities participated in this study, including nursing homes, day care centers, health centers, geriatric hospitals and metropolitan dementia centers. All of the assessors were trained in the use of the instruments, ADCS-ADL, S-IADL, S-ADL and MMSE-K, by the researcher before conducting any evaluations or interviews. In order to compare the differences in the levels of ADL according to the dementia stage, an analysis was made via the post-hoc test after conducting a one-way ANOVA. An analysis of the residence type and dementia stage was made through the independent t-test. The comparison of the level of ADL between the people with dementia living in the community and those living in nursing homes showed differences in the moderate level of dementia for all items of the I-ADL and ADL (p<.01). The post-hoc test showed that there is a difference among the minimum, mild, and moderate levels. When the differences in ADL according to the residence type were examined, there were no significant differences in any of the stages (p>.05). Considering these results, it may be critical to identify the changes in the I-ADL rather than those in the ADL for the outcome index when conducting future intervention studies on dementia.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.13 no.5
• /
• pp.322-331
• /
• 2013

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of occupational therapy with physical exercise on executive function with dementia. For eight elderly persons with mild or moderate dementia, we executed physical exercise with group activity for 10 weeks from April to June, 2012, one times per week, and 50 minutes each time. Before and after the physical activities, the old adults were tested with Verbal Fluency Test(VFT), Trail Making Test A/B(TMT A/B), Clock Drawing Test(CDT). After the physical exercise, the subjects showed significant changes in the score of CDT(p<0.1). In contrast, there was no significant effect in VFT, TMT A. The results of this study show that occupational therapy with physical exercise program for demented elderly people is a useful therapeutic approach by enhancing the their quality of life through improving and maintaining their executive function.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.94-101
• /
• 2016

Objectives : Anemia is a common problem in the management of elderly patients. Recent studies reported that anemia was associated with cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. This study was aimed to analyze the differences of hemoglobin levels in Korean patients with Alzheimer's disease(AD) dementia, mild cognitive impairment(MCI), and healthy controls. Furthermore, the study also examined if any association between hemoglobin levels and cognitive functions existed. Methods : A total of 116 Korean elderly adults were participated in this study(mean age 74.67 years ; 60.3% female). The Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE-K), Clinical Dementia Rating(CDR) and Global Deterioration Scale(GDS) were applied to all subjects. Hematological and related blood chemistry values were investigated. Results : We found that patients with AD dementia had significantly lower hemoglobin and hematocrit levels than MCI subjects and healthy control group. The hemoglobin levels showed a positive correlation with MMSE-K and negative correlation with CDR, GDS. Conclusions : Among Korean elderly, low hemoglobin level is associated with a cognitive impairment. This study indicates that AD is associated with anemia, and low hemoglobin levels may contribute to potentially useful clinical markers of AD. The risk factor for dementia needs to be confirmed by prospective longitudinal studies in a larger group of patients.