• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.8
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• pp.523-532
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• 2017

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a noninvasive optical imaging technique that indirectly assesses neuronal activity by measuring changes in oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin in tissues using near-infrared light. fNIRS has been used not only to investigate cortical activity in healthy human subjects and animals but also to reveal abnormalities in brain function in patients suffering from neurological and psychiatric disorders and in animals that exhibit disease conditions. Because of its safety, quietness, resistance to motion artifacts, and portability, fNIRS has become a tool to complement conventional imaging techniques in measuring hemodynamic responses while a subject performs diverse cognitive and behavioral tasks in test settings that are more ecologically relevant and involve social interaction. In this review, we introduce the basic principles of fNIRS and discuss the application of this technique in human and animal studies.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.77-85
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• 2022

Purpose: Aging process comes with cognitive impairment due to decreased neuronal cell number, activity, and neuronal circuit. Alteration of inhibitory neurons contributes to cognitive impairment in normal aging and is responsible for disrupting the excitation/inhibition balance by reducing the synthesis of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Morus nigra (Mulberry) is a natural physiologically active substance that has been proven to have anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory effects through many studies. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the mulberry extract (ME) on cognitive function through anti-oxidant enzyme and GABAergic neuronal activity in aged rat brain. Methods: Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned as the young group (8 weeks, n= 8), aging group (67 weeks, n= 8), and aging+ mulberry extract group (67 weeks, n= 8). The aging+ mulberry extract group was orally administered 500 mg/kg/d mulberry extract for 6 weeks. Results: The aging+ mulberry extract group improved spatial and short-term memory. The antioxidant potential of ME increased the expression of superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD-1) and decreased inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Also, the aging+ mulberry extract group significantly increased the expression of GABAergic interneuron in hippocampus cornu ammonis1 (CA1) compared to the aging group. Conclusion: The number of GABAergic inhibitory interneurons was deceased and memory functions in the aging process, but those symptoms were improved and restored by mulberry extract administration.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.453-457
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• 2012

The Goal of this study was to assess the effect of aerobic exercise on cognitive function of elderly people. The participants' cognitive functions were measured before exercise. Exercise was practiced three times a week for nine weeks. The aerobic exercises consisted of warm-up exercises for five minutes followed by cycling for 30 minutes. The exercise intensity was set to 65%~75% of the intensity for the maximum heart rate(220-age). The control group did not perform any exercises. The subjects' cognitive functions were measured nine weeks later. In the aerobic exercise group, between before and after the exercises, significant increases appeared in total K-MMSE scores and scores of some sub items comprising memory registration, concentration and calculation abilities but not in other items. In the control group, no significant differences appeared in any items between before and after the experiment. In a comparison between the aerobic exercise group and the control group, significant differences appeared in total K-MMSE scores and scores of two sub items comprising concentration and calculation abilities but not in other items(p<.05). Aerobic exercises were effective in the improvement of cognitive functions and among sub items of cognitive functions, concentration and calculating abilities were improved. Aerobic exercises performed by elderly persons are considered to be effective in improving cognitive functions.

• 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.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.103-114
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• 2023

PURPOSE: This study compared the effects of computer-based and virtual reality-based cognitive rehabilitation programs on the cognitive function, upper limb function, activities of daily living, and their impact on the prefrontal cortex in convalescent stroke patients. METHODS: Ten recovering stroke patients were assessed for their cognitive function, upper limb function, and daily living activities using the Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination, the Korean version of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, and the Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index. The prefrontal cortex activity was measured with functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy. The virtual reality-based cognitive rehabilitation group utilized a program of daily living activities delivered via a laptop and Oculus Rift. The computer-based cognitive rehabilitation group performed various cognitive tasks on an all-in-one PC. Both groups underwent cognitive rehabilitation training for 30 minutes per day, three times a week, for six weeks, with identical conventional rehabilitation therapies in the hospital. RESULTS: Both programs positively impacted the cognitive and physical functions. On the other hand, the virtual reality-based cognitive rehabilitation program had a larger influence on improving the cognitive and physical functions of convalescing stroke patients. CONCLUSION: The virtual reality program suggests its potential to enhance cognitive and physical functions in convalescent stroke patients through increased engagement, focus, real-time feedback, and game elements, making it a promising rehabilitation approach.

• International journal of advanced smart convergence
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.1-7
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• 2018

This study relates to a composition for improvement of memory or prevention and treatment of cognitive impairment using waste resources rich in beneficial substances. This study makes good effects to inhibit the activity of acetylcholinesterase in brain tissue and to improve the cognitive functions in a simulation model of cognitive impairment induced by scopolamine, so it can be available in the promotion of memory and the prevention and treatment of cognitive impairment. The composition uses the extract of fruit peels, which have 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, this research is a very beneficial invention in the environment-friendly aspect in association with the recycling of resources, as it is based on the novel efficacies of fruit peels, which have been conventionally disposed as a refuse of fruits due to their poor sensory qualities despite the content of beneficial substances.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.23 no.9
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• pp.163-169
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• 2018

Problem solving by programming has a lot of influence on computational thinking improvement. Programming learning has been self-directed based on the individual's thoughts and principles. However, the revised informatics curriculum in 2015 puts importance on collaborative learning. Collaborative learning emphasizes results differently from cooperative learning, which emphasizes problem-solving processes. And cooperative learning leads to structured learning, such as role sharing and activity stages, within a small group, while collaborative learning leads to unstructured learning. Therefore, it is becoming more in collaborative learning that peer interaction can be affected by learners' cognitive style. In this paper, we propose the effect of cognitive style on problem solving ability in collaborative learning for problem solving by programming. As a result, collaborative learning was effective in improving problem solving ability and there was no significant difference in cognitive style.

• 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 Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to explore instructional objectives of 'Wise Life' based on Bloom's Revised Taxonomy of Educational Objectives. It was to extend understanding the 7th and the revised Wise Life 2007 as well. The written objectives of two curriculum of Wise Life were divided into two, the 'knowledge' dimension and the 'cognitive process' dimension based on Bloom's Revised Taxonomy of Educational Objectives. Major activity subjects presented in the 7th and the revised Wise Life 2007 were dominantly the basic inquiry activity types. It was found from this research that the 'factual' knowledge of the 'knowledge' dimension and the 'understand' of the 'cognitive process' dimension took a large proportion of the revised Wise Life 2007 objectives. The 'meta-cognitive' knowledge was increased. 'Remember' of the 'cognitive process' dimension was decreased and the high level objectives as 'analyze' and 'create', in the 'cognitive process' dimension was increased from the 7th to the revised curriculum. The 'factual' knowledge, 'conceptual' knowledge and 'metacognitive' knowledge were engaged with 'understand' and the 'procedural' knowledge were engaged with 'apply'. The 'meta- cognitive' were engaged with 'create' is the 'procedural' knowledge in the revised Wise Life 2007. 'Remember' was decreased. 'Create' was increased in the basic inquiry activities. It was analysed in zero percent of 'Observing', 'Investigating and Presenting', and 'Making'.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.521-529
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of customized cognitive stimulation therapy on cognition, depression, and activities of daily living in elderly with dementia in the community. The program consisted of 7 sessions, 50 minutes once a week, from March 4 to April 26, 2019. As a result, customized cognitive stimulation therapy improved the overall cognitive function, and it also increased the level of independence in the daily living and reduced the depression of the experimental group. It also showed significant differences in cognitive function when compared with control group. Therefore, the customized cognitive stimulation therapy of this study was to grasp the cognitive function of the elderly with dementia and present the cognitive tasks to the subjects for selection that induced interest and proved to be effective. Afterward, the activities were organized by difficulty according to the level of cognitive function for each session, leading to the improvement of cognitive function. Additionally, the subjects were experienced success by participating actively and continually in the activities selected with interest. Through this, it was thought to have a positive effect on the spontaneity of activities of daily living and decrease depression.