• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.7-13
• /
• 2015

Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine the psychiatric characteristics of outpatients with tinnitus. Methods A total of 88 subjects were included in this study. According to Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) scores, the subjects were classified into two group ; a mild tinnitus symptoms (mild-tinnitus) group and a severe tinnitus symptoms (severe-tinnitus) group. A questionnaire was used for an assessment of demographic characteristics, and the THI, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) about tinnitus, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) are applied for evaluation of other clinical psychiatric characteristics. Results Higher THI scores were positively correlated with tinnitus course, the number of accompanying symptoms, and the VAS. BDI total scores, BDI factors, and BAI total scores were significantly higher in the severe-tinnitus group than in the mild-tinnitus group. Also suicidal ideation, interpersonal problems, sleep problems, occupational impairment, and fatigue were significantly higher in the severe-tinnitus group than in the mild-tinnitus group. Conclusions Tinnitus is a common disorder of hearing which is associated frequently with psychiatric problems. This study suggests that psychiatric interventions should be taken into consideration in the treatment of patients suffering from tinnitus.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.10-18
• /
• 2017

Occupational hazards of firefighting and rescue works include frequent exposure to emergencies and life-threatening situations. These stressful work conditions of being constantly under pressure and exposed to potentially traumatic events put them at higher risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), compared to the general population. PTSD is a potentially debilitating mental disorder, due to persistent intrusive thoughts, negative alterations of mood and cognition, hypervigilance, avoidance of similar situations and reminders, and re-experiences of the traumatic event. Previous studies have shown a relatively high prevalence of PTSD among firefighters, indicating the need for a systematic approach of early detection and prevention. Therefore, a critical review of the current literature on PTSD in firefighters would provide valuable insights into developing effective prevention and intervention programs. Literature indicated that there are risk factors of PTSD in firefighters, such as pre-existing depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, occupational stress, physical symptoms, and binge drinking, whereas social support and adequate rewards are protective factors. Although there are differences in the prevalence of PTSD across studies, partly due to various assessment tools utilized, different sample sizes, and sample characteristics, over one tenth of the firefighters were estimated to have PTSD. The current review warrants further investigations to precisely assess PTSD and co-morbid mental disorders, functional outcomes, and associated factors, and to develop evidence-based preventive and interventional programs to help firefighters with PTSD.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.171-176
• /
• 2016

Background: Much has been done to examine the psychological impact of cancer treatment, but it remains unclear to what extent anxiety and depression is related to symptom prevalence. The present study concerned the characteristics and frequency of distress as related to symptom prevalence in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in Malaysia. Materials and Methods: Participants were 303 consecutive adult cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in an academic medical center. The short form Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS-SF), which covers three domains of symptoms (global distress, physical- and psychological symptoms) was used to cross-sectionally measure symptom frequency and associated distress via self-reporting. One-way ANOVA and t-tests were used to test mean differences among MSAS-SF subscale scores. Results: Complete data were available for 303 patients. The mean number of symptoms was 14.5. The five most prevalent were fatigue, dry mouth, hair loss, drowsiness and lack of appetite. Overall, symptom burden and frequency were higher than in other published MSAS-SF studies. Higher symptom frequency was also found to be significantly related to greater distress in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Conclusions: Patients undergoing chemotherapy suffer from multiple physical and psychological symptoms. Better symptom control or palliative care is needed. Greater frequency of reported symptoms may also indicate a subconscious bid by patients for care and reassurance - thus tailored intervention to manage distress should be offered.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
• /
• v.28 no.6
• /
• pp.637-645
• /
• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the occurrences and the factors contributing to constipation in the post surgical period following major orthopedic surgery. Methods: The sample included 133 patients who had surgery of the hip, knee, or spine. Patients were excluded from the study if there was a history of bowel surgery or constipation from chart review. Data were collected using questionnaires such as Korean version of Modified Barthel index (K-MBI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Constipation Assessment Scale (CAS) before surgery and on the third postoperative day. Results: Reports of constipation occurred in 77 instances (57.9%). The first reported defecation was within $4.0{\pm}2.2days$ following surgery. Mean days of first defecation of constipation group vs. non-constipation group was $5.5{\pm}1.7days$ vs. $2.1{\pm}1.0days$. There were statistically significant differences between patients who reported than those who did not in terms of age, length of NPO period, postoperative ADL, and the reported incidents of preoperative and postoperative depressive symptoms. Postoperative ADL, age, and NPO period were significant influencing factors of constipation and explained 52.4% of the variance. Conclusion: Constipation is a very common symptom for patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. These results indicate a need for improving patient's ADL after surgery to prevent constipation.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.313-322
• /
• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify over time the changes of cancer symptom, depression and quality of life (QOL) among people who had stomach or colorectal cancer. Methods: Of the 74 participants recruited, 67 participated in the study. Participants were asked to complete three instruments at three different time. The instruments were the M. D. Anderson Symptom Inventory-Gastrointestinal Cancer Module, Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale, and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General. The questionnaires were administered before chemotherapy, toward the end of chemotherapy, and six months after the completion of adjuvant therapy. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and repeated measure ANOVA. Results: At the immediately after chemotherapy point, the most frequent symptom was lack of appetite, followed by fatigue and problem with remembering things. The mean score for depression was 8.27 with a prevalence of 31.3%. The mean score for quality of life was 61.88 out of 135. Repeated measures ANOVA showed a significant increase in cancer symptom (F=23.22, p<.001) and depression (F=35.29, p<.001) after chemotherapy. However, improvement was observed 6 months after the completion of chemotherapy. QOL (F=33.73, p<.001) also showed similar patterns as observed with cancer symptom and depression. Cancer symptom was the strongest predictor of QoL at pre-chemotherapy point. but depression was the strongest predictor at immediately after chemotherapy point. Conclusion: Chemotherapy is highly associated with cancer symptom, depression and QOL in patients with cancer. The nursing intervention is needed to relieve depression as well as cancer symptoms to improve QOL in patients undergoing chemotherapy from baseline to follow-up.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.238-247
• /
• 1992

Immigration of Koreans to the United States has increased since the 1960's. Adjusting to life in the United States produces a great deal of stress for immigrants. Despite better economic opportunites, many see the U.S. culture as threatening to their family and cultural values. Differences in culture, language, expectations and social behavior can lead to misunderstandings between health care providers and clients. These misunderstanding can leaf to frustration on the part of each. The ultimate result of this is that often Korean-immigrants do not get their health care needs met and stress response symptoms can lead to disease if there is no appropriate care. To determine the health care needs and concerns of Korean-Americans, a health needs assessment is needed. Appropriate and adequate information about the health care needs of these individuals is important as it relates to American policy changes allowing greater numbers of immigrants to enter the U.S. The purpose of this prospective study was to describe Korean-American stress response. This study focused on the primary presenting problems for which subjects reported having sought care. These included a variety of stress-related symptoms, including peripheral manifestations, cardiopulmonary symptoms, central-neurological symptoms, gastrointestinal symptoms, muscle tension, habitual patterns, depression, anxiety, emotional irritability and cognitive disorganization. Of the 300 subjects who entered the study, 80% (N＝223) completed the questionnaire in full. Demographically, the percentage of females and males was 50% each and they ranged in age from 20 to 69 years. Ninety percent of the subjects were highly educated, 25% owners of business, 25% white collar professionals, 15% employed in sales or as skilled /unskilled labor, 30% had no occupation : and 5% were housewives or students. The SOS inventory is designed to quantify self-perception of behavioral, cognitive, and physiological components of the stress response. It consisted of 94 items divided into 10 subscales. The result of this study are as follows : The total mean 505 of all subjects (N＝223 was .8129 ; the mean 505 for male(N＝114) was .7665 and for females, (N＝108) .8594. The level of symptoms for central-neurologic and muscle tension was higher for than for males. The highest stress response of all subjects was emotional irritability symptoms(1.0644) : the lowest stress response of all subjects was peripheral manifestation symptoms.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.44 no.12
• /
• pp.793-798
• /
• 2011

Recently, pluripotency induction or cellular reprogramming by introducing critical transcription factors has been extensively studied, but has been demonstrated only in vitro. Based on reports that Oct4 is critically involved in transforming neural stem cells into pluripotent cells, we used the lentiviral vector to introduce the Oct4 gene into the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) of adult mice. We examined whether this manipulation led to cellular or behavioral changes, possibly through processes involving the transformation of NS cells into pluripotent cells. The Oct4 lentivirus-infused group and the green fluorescent protein lentivirus-infused group showed a similar thickness of the DG and a comparable level of synaptophysin expression in the DG. Furthermore, our behavioral analyses did not show any differences between the groups concerning exploratory activity, anxiety, or memory abilities. This first trial for pluripotency induction in vivo, despite negative results, provides implications and information for future studies on in vivo cellular reprogramming.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.146-155
• /
• 2010

Purpose: This study was conducted in order to analyze themes, concepts, research methods and results of previous domestic research on the nursing of hematologic patients conducted through the last 10 yr, to find trends in the research, and to provide basic materials for setting the direction of future research on the nursing of hematologic patients. Methods: This study analyzed a total of 72 nursing theses related to hematology sampled from domestic theses for a master's or doctoral degree and papers published in six nursing journals registered in Korea Research Foundation from January 2000 to July 2009. Results: Of the 72 theses, 51 were for a master's degree, 7 for a doctoral degree, and 14 not for an academic degree. The concept covered most frequently in correlation research was 'quality of life' and concepts found in comparative research were stress and quality of life. In experimental research, the most common nursing intervention was oral care. The scale used most frequently was Spielberger's Anxiety Scale. Conclusion: It is necessary to expand experimental research applying nursing interventions, and to use objective physiological indexes for more effective assessment in experimental research. Furthermore, interdisciplinary research is required for enhancing the quality of clinical nursing research.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.77-82
• /
• 2004

The purpose of this study is to establish a reference for image acquisition for completion of a standard brain for diverse Korean population, and to develop a management system that saves and manage database of the acquired brain image and personal information of those who were tested. 3D MP-RAGE technique, which has excellent SNR and CNR and reduces the times for image acquisition, was selected for anatomical Image acquisition, and parameter values were obtained for the optimal image acquisition. The database management system was devised to obtain not only anatomical image data but also subjects' basic demographic factors, medical history, handedness inventory state-trait anxiety inventory, A-type personality inventory, self-assessment depression inventory questionnaires of Sasang Constitution Mini-Mental State Examination, intelligence test, and personality test via a survey questionnaire and to save and manage the results of the tests. In addition, this system was designed to have functions of saving, inserting, deleting, searching, and Printing of image da a and personal information of subjects, and to have accessibility to them as well as automatic connection setup with ODBC. This newly developed system may have major contribution to the completion of a standard brain of diverse Korean population in that it can save and manage their image date and personal information.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.31-48
• /
• 2005

Purpose: Studies focus on cancer control, prevention, or assessment of psychosocial problems and intervention methods. However, few studies exist concerning psychosocial problems, measuring tools for those problems, and interventions for cancer patients in Korea. One of the purposes of this study was to review studies in this area, to examine various psychosocial problems experienced by cancer patients. This is a crucial area to investigate, since psychosocial problems in turn negatively influence the patients' immune function, which speeds the progress of the disease. Another goal was to identify instruments used to measure psychosocial functioning and problems in cancer patients, to analyze their validity and reliability, with the aim to discover the best instruments. A final goal was to explore and compare the effects of psychosocial interventions, to determine the most effective practices. Method: Journal articles published since 1995 were searched from PubMed Data base, Google search engine, and published cancer-related studies, using search keywords "psychosocial function and intervention for the cancer patients"; whole articles of selected references were reviewed and analyzed. Result: Most common psychosocial problems were depression, fatigue, nausea, pain, distress, resulting in a low quality of life. The seven scales found in the literature to assess the psychosocial functioning were Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Symptom Checklist 90-R, Profile of Mood States, Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale, Brief Symptom Inventory, and SF-36 HRQOL(Health Related Quality of Life). Social support interventions for cancer patients were effective in improving quality of life scores. Conclusion: It is necessary to apply support intervention strategies to help cancer patients in Korea. These strategies can help to reduce the effects of psychosocial symptoms, which in turn affect the development and control of cancer. Strategies developed in Western countries may need to be modified for use within Korea. Further studies are warranted to review the support intervention strategies that were being used to for cancer patients