• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.285-301
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between health-related physical fitness factors and cognitive function and isolation on 308 elderly over 65 years old in Seoul and Gyeonggi do. The measuring instrument were as follows demographic characteristics(age, education level, drink, spouse, participation on in exercise) and health-related physical fitness(grip strength, leg strength, flexibility, balance), cognitive function (MMSE-K, digit span test) and emotional/social aspects of loneliness and isolation was measured. As a results, first, depending on the degree of demographic characteristics of elderly had significant difference. Second, health-related physical fitness and cognitive function are positive correlated, negative correlation between cognitive function and isolation. Third, health-related physical fitness of the elderly had a significant effect on cognitive function. Fourth, health-related fitness of the elderly had a significant effect on isolation. Fifth, the cognitive function of the elderly had a significant effect on isolation. In conclusion, this study will provide basic data for future aged man welfare studies and contribute to extended studies.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.562-573
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects on the cognitive function, Activities of Daily Living (ADL), mood, social behaviors, and problematic behaviors of robot pet-assisted program for elderly people with dementia. Methods: This study was a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. The participants were 32 elders with dementia. Seventeen were assigned to the experimental group and 15 to the control group. The intervention was conducted twicea week for 6 weeks. Results: 1) After the program, cognitive function, ADL, and social behaviors did not show significant differences. 2) After the program, mood of experimental group was significantly better than that of the control group. 3) After the program, problematic behaviors of the experimental group were significantly more diminished than those of control group. 4) As a result of analyzing the response, robot pet-assisted program was effective such as inducing a positive emotional state and increasing communication and interaction. Conclusion: The robot pet-assisted program was effective in changing the mood and diminishing problematic behaviors and had positive effects such as increasing communication and interaction for elders with dementia. Therefore, this program should be considered as a positive program for physical and emotional support for elders with dementia.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.8
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• pp.210-220
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• 2017

This study investigated the effect of social support (MOS-SSS), and physical (ADL, IADL) and mental (CES-D, MMSE-K) function on the quality of life (WHOQOL- BREF) among the elderly at care facilities. The survey respondents were 524 elderly aged 65 and older living in 15 care facilities located in D city. Data were collected through a personal interview conducted by interviewers who visited each care facility from November 2015 to January 2016. As a result, the quality of life was significantly lower in the elderly group with lower social support, with dysfunction in ADL and IADL than in the normal range group, with depression and cognitive impairment group than in the normal range group. The quality of life had a significant positive correlation with social support, ADL, IADL and cognitive impairment, but a significant negative correlation with depression. According to the results of covariance structure analysis, physical function had a greater impact on the quality of life than mental function or social support. Lower quality of life was associated with lower physical and mental function and lower social support. Therefore, concrete measures need to be devised to enhance physical function in order to improve the quality of life among the elderly in care facilities.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.18-31
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• 2021

The purpose of the present study was to present evidence for driving interventions for the elderly by conducting programs that can improve visual perception and cognitive function in a driving simulator for elderly drivers and analyse their effects. Three elderly subjects who were 65 years or older, did not have physical and cognitive impairments, and were able to drive themselves participated in the present study. A total of 12 intervention sessions, of which subjects participated in 10 sessions of nine different visual perception and cognitive function programs available in a driving simulator, were conducted and pre- and post-program assessments were conducted (two assessments in total). The assessments included the evaluation of visual perception, frontal lobe function, concentration, safe driving behaviour, and self-efficacy. The results showed positive effects of the driving simulator program on the visual perception, frontal lobe function, concentration, safe driving behaviour, and self-efficacy of all subjects. Changes in the simulator results showed remarkable improvement in the response evaluation, judgment evaluation, and predictive power evaluation, but showed difficulties in interference tasks and depth perception in common. The results showed positive effects of driving simulator training on the driving ability of the elderly, and consistent provision of such training is expected to improve the quality of life of the elderly by securing the safety of driving and actively supporting social participation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.22
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• pp.9753-9757
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• 2014

Purpose: To study the quality of life and to identify associated factors among breast cancer patients undergoing treatment in national cancer centers in Nepal. Materials and Methods: One hundred breast cancer patients were selected and interviewed using a structured questionnaire. European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer EORTC-QLQ-C30 and EORTC-QLQ-BR23 were used to assess quality of life and modified Medical Outcome Study -Social Support survey(mMOS-SS) was used to assess social support. Only multi-item scales of EORTC C30 and BR23 were analyzed for relationships. Independent sample T-tests and ANOVA were applied to analyze differences in mean scores. Results: The score of global health status/quality of life (GHS/GQoL) was marginally above average (mean=52.8). The worst performed scales in C-30 were emotional and social function while best performed scales were physical and role function. In BR-23, most of the patients fell into the problematic group regarding sexual function and enjoyment. Almost 90% had financial difficulties. Symptom scales did not demonstrate many problems. Older individuals, patients with stage I breast cancer and thosewith good social support were found to have good GHS/GQoL. Of all the influencing factors, social support was established to have strong statistical associations with most of the functional scales: GHS/GQoL (0.003), emotional function (<0.001), cognitive function (0.020), social function (<0.001) and body image function (0.011). Body image was significantly associated with most of the influencing factors: monthly family income (0.003), type of treatment (<0.001), type of surgery (<0.001), stage of cancer (0.017) and social support (0.011). Conclusions: Strategies to improve social support of the patients undergoing treatment should be given priority and financial difficulties faced by breast cancer patients should be well addressed from a policy making level by initiating health financing system.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.107-114
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• 2001

Recently the number of elderly have been increasing at a rapid pace in Korea. Accompanying this aged society are numerous health problems. Whit this in mind health-promotion behaviors such as physical activity. good nutrition and stress management are vitally important to the elderly in reducing the risk of Health problems, maintaining health and improving the overall quality of life. Health promotion programs for the elderly must be developed. The purpose of th is study was to determine influential cognitive factors on health-promotion behaviors and the effects of previously implemented Health promotion programs. For this, previous studies were reviewed and analyzed. The results were as follows. 1. Cognitive factors on health-promotion behaviors were internal locus of control, perceived health status, self-efficacy, concerns about health, social support, attending social activities. 2. Components of health promotion programs were exercise and health education. Exercise was performed in most programs. The effects of exercise programs were improved flexibility, muscle strength. balance, cardiopulmonary function and elevated ability of daily living, perceived health status, quality of lift and a decrease depression. The results strongly suggest that complex health promotion programs should be developed. Health promotion programs need to include exercise, health education, health counseling and social activities. We have to consider cognitive factors on health-promotion behaviors.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.194-201
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• 2021

Amputation changes the lives of patients and their families. Consequently, the patient must adapt to altered body function and image. During this adaptation process, psychological problems, such as depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder, can occur. The psychological difficulties of patients with amputation are often accepted as normal responses that are often poorly recognized by patients, family members, and their primary physicians. Psychological problems can interfere with rehabilitation and cause additional psychosocial problems. Therefore, their early detection and treatment are important. A multidisciplinary team approach, including mental health professionals, is ideal for comprehensive and biopsychosocial management. Mental health professionals could help patients set realistic goals and use adaptive coping styles. Psychiatric approaches should consider the physical, cognitive, psychological, social, and spiritual functions and social support systems before and after amputation. The abilities and limitations of physical, cognitive, psychological, and social functions should also be considered. To improve the patient's adaptation, psychological interventions such as short-term psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness meditation, biofeedback, and group psychotherapy can be helpful.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare Studies
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.233-261
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• 2014

There are two competing models explaining the causal relationship of depression and self-esteem, and they are cognitive vulnerability model and the scar model. Cognitive vulnerability model explains that low self-esteem poses as a risk factor for development of depressive symptoms/depression while the scar model asserts that the experiences of depression scars the cognitive function of individuals, resulting in negative self-perception. This study was set out to test two models on Korean adults, and to identify factors that are associated with depression and self-esteem relationship. The first four waves (wave 1~4) of the Korea Welfare Panel Study (KOWEPS) were used for analyses, and latent growth curve modeling was employed to examine the relationship. The findings show that the relationship was reciprocal, one affecting the growth trajectory of another over a four year period. Furthermore, education, poverty status, health status, and satisfaction with social relationships were found to be significantly associated with both depression and self-esteem trajectories. Implications for practice and theory are provided.

• 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.

• 한국노년학
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2018

Everyday hearing handicap caused by presbycusis ultimately reduces quality of life in older adults. The aim of this study was to explore effects of cognitive impairment on self-reported hearing handicap in older adults with early-stage presbycusis. We compared K-HHIE scores between 40 elderly subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and age- and hearing-threshold matched 40 cognitively normal elderly (CNE) subjects. The results are as follows: 1) The MCI group scored significantly higher than the CNE group on the social/situational and emotional sections, and in total. 2) The MCI group scored significantly higher than the CNE group on all four subscales, and the most significant group difference was on the first subscale relating to interpersonal relationships and social handicaps. 3) Both groups scored highest on the item 8 (problems hearing whispering sounds) and item 15 (problems hearing TV or radio sounds). Besides those two items, the MCI group also scored high on the item 21 (problems hearing in a restaurant), item 6 (problems hearing when attending a party), item 3 (avoiding groups of people), and item 20 (personal or social restrictions). Our findings suggest that, among older adults with early-stage presbycusis, older adults with cognitive impairment tend to report greater everyday hearing handicap than their peers with normal cognitive function. Especially, they show significant problems hearing in background noise or multi-talker situations, which cause social restrictions and social/emotional loneliness.