• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.263-274
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• 2017

Objectives: To identify the current status of Korean medical practice pattern, diagnosis and treatment of dementia through recognition survey, and to use it as a preliminary data for various dementia research. Methods: Questionnaires were developed through expert meetings. The disease was defined as dementia and mild cognitive impairment, and areas were designated to practice pattern, diagnosis and treatment. From December 18, 2016-January 18, 2017, 221 respondents, including 36 neuropsychiatrists of Korean Medicine and 185 general physicians (including other medical specialists) were included. Results: 1. In both groups, the most commonly used KCD (Korean standard classification of disease and cause of death) were in the order of Unspecified Alzheimer's Dementia (F00.9), Mild Cognitive Impairment (F06.7), and Unspecified Dementia (F03). 2. The most commonly used pattern identification were zang-fu and qi-blood-yin-yang in both groups. 3. Diagnostic evaluation tools were mainly conducted by MMSE, radiologic examination, K-DRS, GDS and CDR in both groups. 4. Both groups reported using acupuncture and herbal medicine mainly. 5. In both groups, the acupuncture method was used extensively in the order of Body, Scalp, and Sa-Am. 6. Neuropsychiatrists used a variety of herbal medicines such as Wonjiseokchangpo-san (Yuanzhushichangpu-san), Yukmijihwang-tang (Liuweidihuang-tang), Palmijihwang-won (Baweidihuang-won), Sunghyangjungki-san (Xingxiang Zhengqi-san) and Ondam-tanggami (Wendan-tangjiawei). General physicians used a variety of herbal medicines such as Ondam-tanggami (Wendan-tangjiawei), Bojungikgi-tang (Buzhongyiqi-tang), Yukmijihwang-tang (Liuweidihuang-tang). 7. Neuropsychiatrists used a variety of Korean herbal preparation products (benefit and non-benefit) such as Ekgan-sangajinpibanha (Yigan-sanjiachenpibanxia), Yukmijihwang-tang (Liuweidihuang-tang), Jodeung-san (houteng-san), Palmijihwang-won (Baweidihuang-won). General physicians used a variety of Korean herbal preparation products such as Bojungikgi-tang (Buzhongyiqi-tang), Banhabaegchulcheonma-tang (banxiabaizhutianma-tang), Yukmijihwang-tang (Liuweidihuang-tang), Ekgan-sangajinpibanha (Yigan-sanjiachenpibanxia), Palmijihwang-won (Baweidihuang-won). Conclusions: By confirming awareness of Korean medical doctors treating dementia in clinical fields and understanding differences between neuropsychiatrists of Korean medicine and general physicians, it can be used to understand guideline users' needs and confirm clinical questions during development of future clinical practice guidelines for dementia.

• Dementia and Neurocognitive Disorders
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.107-116
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• 2022

Attention is being paid to diagnosis and treatment of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) because early diagnosis and preventive management can slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease. In particular, in the present era, the use of biomarkers for predicting conversion into dementia is permitted in medical practice. Therefore, authors aimed to propose additional considerations when updating guidelines for the management of MCI, including predictable biomarkers, revising treatment option after additional clinical trials for cholinesterase inhibitors, and detailed regimes for lifestyle interventions. After reviewing 3 patients with MCI by detailed evaluation, we realized that cholinesterase inhibitors were not recommended. In addition, regular exercise and cognitive training were only possible recommendations for patients according to current guidelines, although all 3 patients had evidence of β-amyloid accumulation and related neurodegeneration. Furthermore, caregivers for all 3 patients were worried whether patients could keep doing regular exercise and cognitive training by themselves and asked about the economic training system which monitors patients so that they can keep training. Therefore, we propose that guidelines for managing MCI need to be updated in the present era when the use of biomarkers for predicting conversion into dementia is permitted in medical practice.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.40-47
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• 2020

Because the psychophysical symptoms of hearing loss and dementia in the elderly are very similar, untrained healthcare professionals in dementia facilities can easily overlook a severity of hearing loss in their patients. The present study identifies their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) on hearing loss using a survey whether they may help hearing problem of the patients with dementia. A total of 29 health-care professionals responded to the KAP survey. Also, 2 family members participated. The results showed that most of the nurses and caregivers in elderly medical welfare facilities who worked with dementia patients did not have knowledge of their hearing loss. Even the facility managers did not know how to conduct hearing tests for their patients although they did recognize that some of their patients had a hearing loss. Eventually, actual practice was not possible at this moment by the professionals. However, our respondents did have a positive attitude toward screening for hearing loss and help their patients with dementia wear hearing aids if a clinical guideline was provided. We suggest to develop clear and precise clinical guidelines of the hearing screening test for the dementia patients due to the interrelationship between dementia and hearing loss. When these guidelines apply to elderly residents in a medical welfare facility, early diagnosis and treatment of their sensory loss will help alleviate their dementia as well.

• Korean Journal of Audiology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.40-47
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• 2020

Because the psychophysical symptoms of hearing loss and dementia in the elderly are very similar, untrained healthcare professionals in dementia facilities can easily overlook a severity of hearing loss in their patients. The present study identifies their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) on hearing loss using a survey whether they may help hearing problem of the patients with dementia. A total of 29 health-care professionals responded to the KAP survey. Also, 2 family members participated. The results showed that most of the nurses and caregivers in elderly medical welfare facilities who worked with dementia patients did not have knowledge of their hearing loss. Even the facility managers did not know how to conduct hearing tests for their patients although they did recognize that some of their patients had a hearing loss. Eventually, actual practice was not possible at this moment by the professionals. However, our respondents did have a positive attitude toward screening for hearing loss and help their patients with dementia wear hearing aids if a clinical guideline was provided. We suggest to develop clear and precise clinical guidelines of the hearing screening test for the dementia patients due to the interrelationship between dementia and hearing loss. When these guidelines apply to elderly residents in a medical welfare facility, early diagnosis and treatment of their sensory loss will help alleviate their dementia as well.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.377-388
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• 2022

Objectives: For diagnosis and evaluation, evaluation tools are needed. Various tools can be used to diagnose and evaluate mental disorders. Among them, psychological tests are widely used. For Korean Standard Classification of Diseases (KCD) diagnosis, psychological tests are also required. Currently developed critical pathway (CP) presented tools for diagnosis and evaluation of mental disorders. The CP suggests the use of tools based on the Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG). Therefore, CPG-based tools should be able to be used in the clinical scene of Korean Medicine for diagnosing and evaluating mental disorders according to CP. Methods: Tools suggested by CPs are summarized. The degree of utilization of tools in CPGs is also summarized. A review was conducted by Korean Medicine neuropsychiatrist experts on tools and user's usage plan. Results: As a result, developed CPs suggested using 19 tools for anxiety disorder, 13 tools for insomnia), 12 tools for Hwabyeong, and 9 tools for dementia. In CPG, 48, 34, 44, and 44 tools were used for anxiety disorder, insomnia, Hwabyeong, and dementia, respectively. Among tools presented in CP, HAM-A, HAM-D, CGI, SAS, and TESS for anxiety disorder, CPG, ISI, and PSQI for insomnia disorder, CPG, STAI, and STAXI for Hwabyeong were frequently used in CPG. For dementia CPG, MoCA, MMSE, HDS, ADL, and ADAS-cog were frequently used. Among them, MoCA, ADL, and ADAS-cog were suggested tools in CP. Conclusions: As a result of analyzing tools suggested and used in the developed CPs and CPGs, it was verified that various tools were used in each study. Most of them were symptom and behavioral evaluation scales. Therefore, symptoms and behavior evaluation scales used more frequently should be able to be used in the clinical scene of Korean Medicine.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.305-317
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• 2007

Purpose: The research aims to identify the roles of nurses at dementia clinics or geriatric hospitals to set their tasks. Methods: This research has been conducted through literature review and focus group methodology. The field survey has been done for 195 nurses at 36 hospitals for the aged and dementia clinics from Oct. 9 to Oct. 28, 2006. Results: The nurses were identified to play eight roles as clinical specialists, educators, researchers, counselors, consultants, collaborators, leaders, managers, and advocators. They were also known to implement 27 nursing tasks and 104 nursing activities. Conclusion: The findings of this research could provide a foundation for the nursing care work as well as become a practice guideline for the nurses, at these hospitals, to implement versatile roles and tasks.

• Dementia and Neurocognitive Disorders
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.42-44
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• 2022