• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.19-28
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to test the mediating effect of psychological distress in the relationship between chemotherapy related cognitive impairment (CRCI) and quality of life (QOL) in people with cancer. Methods: A purposive sample of 130 patients undergoing chemotherapy was recruited for the cross-sectional survey design. Data were collected from November 2014 to June 2015. The instruments were K-MMSE (Korean Mini-Mental State Examination), Everyday Cognition (ECog), Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS), and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and multiple regression using Baron and Kenny steps for mediation. Results: The mean score for objective cognitive function was 27.95 and 69.32 for perceived cognitive decline. Overall quality of life was 91.74. The mean score was 17.52 for psychological distress. The prevalence was 56.2% for anxiety and 63.1% for depression, and 20.0% for CRCI. There were significant correlations among the variables, objective cognitive function and self-reported cognitive decline, psychological distress, and quality of life. Psychological distress was directly affected by CRCI. ($R^2=29%$). QOL was directly affected by CRCI. Psychological distress and CRCI effected QOL ($R^2=43%$). Psychological distress had a partial mediating effect (${\beta}=-.56$, p <.001) in the relationship between self-reported cognitive decline and quality of life (Sobel test: Z= -5.08, p <.001). Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, nursing intervention programs focusing on managing cognitive decline, and decreasing psychological distress are highly recommended to improve quality of life in cancer patients.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.82-90
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• 1995

Objectives : Insomnia is significantly influenced by the pre-sleep arousal, self efficacy, sleep hygiene, depression and anxiety. The authors tried to explore how these factors are related with the clinical features of sleep. Methods : Fifty three patients diagnosed as insomnia by DSM-IV criteria were studied. They filled up the pre-sleep arousal scale(PSAS), sleep efficacy scale(SES), sleep hygiene awareness and practice scale, BDI, and state and trait anxiety scales. Results: 1) The mean values of sleep-related variables were as follows : Sleep latency,136.89 minutes ; frequences of awakening during a night, 2.28 ; minutes to get back to sleep, 42.70 ; total sleep time, 180.19 minutes ; duration of illness, 72.00 months. 2) The mean scores of scales were as follows : PSAS(cognitive), 22.40 ; PSAS(somatic), 17.32 ; SES, 20.16 ; sleep hygiene knowledge, 25.96 ; caffein knowledge, 59.78 ; sleep hygiene practice, 42.12 ; BDI. 18.2 ; state anxiety, 41.24 ; trait anxiety ; 44.50. 3) In the subjects with superimposed depression, the mean frequency of awakening during a night and the mean pre-sleep arousal scale score were higher than in those without depression. 4) Frequency of awakening were correlated positively with a PSAS(a tight tense feeling in your muscle) and sleep hygiene awareness. PSAS(cognitive) were correlated positively with a PSAS(somatic). BDI correlated positively with a PSAS item(a jittery, nervous feeling in your body)and a SES item (not allow a poor night's sleep to interfere with daily activities). Anxiety scales were correlated positively with sleep hygiene practice scale sleep, and PSAS were correlated negatively with SES. Conclusions : The mean scores of PSAS, SES, sleep hygiene awareness and practice scale, BDI, state and trait anxiety scales of insomniacs were correlated either positively or negatively in insomnia patients. These factors seem to contribute to the development and maintainence of insomnia.

• Journal of Gifted/Talented Education
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.279-302
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• 2009

This paper was to examine the effects of university-based science gifted education program on scientifically gifted students' science problem finding ability and cognitive-affective factors. For this study, 69 scientifically gifted students with previous Silted education experiences at the university-based science gifted education centers and 91 scientifically gifted students without any previous gifted education experiences were compared. Both groups of students were currently enrolled at a specialized science high school. To compare both groups, scientific problem finding ability, science anxiety, science related attitude, self-efficacy, intrinsic motivation, test anxiety, cognitive strategies, and self-regulation were measured. The results indicate that there was no significant difference on scientific problem finding ability between these two groups. The comparison between the past and now in the aspects of variables observed in the study showed that both groups of students were decreased in the science anxiety and self-efficacy. But the test anxiety was significantly increased compared to the past in both groups. Implications of the study were discussed in depth.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.303-308
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• 2023

Background: Occupational workers at altitudes are more prone to falls, leading to catastrophic outcomes. Acrophobia, height-related anxiety, and affected executive functions lead to postural instabilities, causing falls. This study investigated the effects of repeated virtual height exposure and training on cognitive processing and height-related anxiety. Methods: Twenty-eight healthy volunteers (age 20.48 ± 1.26 years; mass 69.52 ± 13.78 kg) were recruited and tested in seven virtual environments (VE) [ground (G), 2-story altitude (A1), 2-story edge (E1), 4-story altitude (A2), 4-story edge (E2), 6-story altitude (A3), and 6-story edge (E3)] over three days. At each VE, participants identified occupational hazards present in the VE and completed an Attitude Towards Heights Questionnaire (ATHQ) and a modified State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Questionnaire (mSTAIQ). The number of hazards identified and the ATHQ and mSTAIQ scores were analyzed using a 7 (VE; G, A1, A2, A3, E1, E2, E3) x 3 (DAY; DAY 1, DAY 2, DAY 3) factorial repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: The participants identified the lowest number of hazards at A3 and E3 VEs and on DAY 1 compared to other VEs and DAYs. ATHQ scores were lowest at G, A1, and E1 VEs. Conclusion: Cognitive processing is negatively affected by virtual altitudes, while it improves with short-term training. The features of virtual reality, such as higher involvement, engagement, and reliability, make it a better training tool to be considered in ergonomic settings. The findings of this study will provide insights into cognitive dual-tasking at altitude and its challenges, which will aid in minimizing occupational falls.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.26-31
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• 2007

Object : This study was designed to assess the change of heart rate variability (HRV) during stimulation test among the patients with major depressive disorder. Methods : 15 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and 15 normal controls were enrolled in this study. We sequentially measured HRV at baseline, during cognitive stimuli and emotional stimuli. Results : There are significant differences between the two groups in HRV index, TINN on baseline state and under cognitive stimulus. Conclusion : Stimulation protocol using HRV can be useful in estimating autonomic nervous function.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.36-41
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• 2009

Objectives : The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the potential clinical benefits a single group session of cognitive behavioral therapy in the treatment of patients with panic disorder. Methods : The study participants were 18 patients (14 males, 4 females; mean age=38.9 years), all of whom were assessed as meeting the DSM-IV-TR criteria for panic disorder. All participants attended one two-hour session of structured group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Clinical symptoms was assessed before and eight weeks after the single therapy session using the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS). Results : Eight weeks after a single session of group CBT significant improvements were found in panic attack frequency, distress during panic attacks, severity of anticipatory anxiety, agoraphobic fear/avoidance, panic-related sensation fear/avoidance, impairment in work functioning, impairment in social functioning. Conclusions : One session of group CBT appears to be an effective treatment of panic disorder by reducing the severity of all symptoms assessed on the PDSS. An attempt should be made to replicate the findings of this pilot study in a larger and controlled, comparative clinical trial.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.100-107
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• 2017

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate strategies used to cope with stress and the cognitive characteristics of somatic symptom perception in patients with generalized anxiety disorder(GAD). Methods : A total of 55 patients meeting DSM-5 criteria for GAD and 55 normal controls were recruited for participation in this study. We evaluated subjects using The Way of Stress Coping Questionnaire (SCQ), Somato-Sensory Amplification Scale (SSAS), Symptom Interpretation Questionnaire (SIQ), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder for 7 Item (GAD-7). We analyzed data using an independent t-test and Pearson's correlation analysis. Results : In terms of SCQ, GAD patients presented significantly lower scores on seeking social support and higher scores on wishful thinking than normal controls. GAD patients had significantly greater amplification of physical sensation in SSAS and higher scores in physical, psychological interpretation subsets of SIQ than normal controls. GAD-7 scores were positively correlated with physical interpretation scores on SIQ. Conclusion : Results reveal that patients with GAD have insufficient coping strategies for stress, greater amplification of body sensations, and tendency towards a physical, psychological interpretation of somatic symptoms.

• Journal of Industrial Convergence
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.177-186
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• 2021

This review aims to propose a model that can reinterpret the abnormal and functional connections between cognitive processes and emotional regulations based on the neurocognitive networks for a comprehensive understanding of pathologic processes and treatment approach of depression and anxiety disorder. Through the processes of rebuilding the network model for depression and anxiety disorder, it was confirmed that depression can be said to be 'over-immersion in self-referencing' due to hyper-activation of default mode network (DMN), and anxiety disorders to be 'disconnection with self-referencing' due to hypo-activation of DMN. The attempts to link up between abnormal activation and pathological function of DMN which is thought to be involved in self-referential processing associated with self-consciousness and projection among neurocognitive networks may be another starting point that can afford to be suggestive in integrated interpretation and therapeutic approach to depression and anxiety disorder.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.133-140
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• 2022

Purpose: This study was to examine the effects of auricular acupressure on competitive state anxiety and the accuracy of breaking in taekwondo players. Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental study with a time-series design. Twenty-two taekwondo breaking players were assigned to the control group for the first two weeks and then assigned to the experimental group for the next two weeks. Anxiety was measured by the revised Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 and the accuracy of breaking was measured as a percentage of breaking the wooden board. Results: Auricular acupressure for two weeks significantly increased the accuracy of breaking from 80.83±7.99% to 90.92±7.57% (t=7.74, p<.001). Auricular acupressure for two weeks significantly increased anxiety from 35.66±10.36 to 50.64±7.45 (t=4.38, p<.001). Among three subtypes of competitive state anxiety, somatic anxiety was increased from 12.48±4.97 to 22.95±4.54 (t=2.09, p=.011). Cognitive anxiety was significantly increased from 10.11±3.96 to 14.68±3.89 (t=5.37, p<.001) but self-confidence was not changed. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that auricular acupressure was effective in increasing the accuracy of breaking in taekwondo players.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 1994

Anxiety and anxiety disorders are one of the most common and most serious psychiatric problems. Anti-anxiety drugs are one of the most effective treatment method for these problems. Benzodiazepines have various side-effects and the risk of overuse and abuse. Therefore, physicians should prescribe benzodiazepines carefully. However, they should not be discouraged from prescribing benzodiazepines when they have a knowledge of the pharmacological characteristics of these drugs and there is a clear indication for their use. Generally speaking, problems of benzodiazepine use such as dependence withdrawal symptoms, and cognitive impairment are more likely to occur with high dose, long-term use(more than 4 months), in geriatric patients and patients with a history of alcohol or other sustance abuse. But long-term or high-dose use can be jusified for patients with panic disorder of agoraphobia, and medically-ill patients with persistent anxiety that cannot be otherwise treated. In summary, there cannot be a general prescribing formulation for benzodiazepine use. Physician should always make their decision based on the individual patient's risk/benefit factors.