• Title/Summary/Keyword: clinical scales

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Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio and Serum Biomarkers : A Potential Tool for Prediction of Clinically Relevant Cerebral Vasospasm after Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

  • Osman Kula;Burak Gunay;Merve Yaren Kayabas;Yener Akturk;Ezgi Kula;Banu Tutunculer;Necdet Sut;Serdar Solak
    • Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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    • v.66 no.6
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    • pp.681-689
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    • 2023
  • Objective : Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a condition characterized by bleeding in the subarachnoid space, often resulting from the rupture of a cerebral aneurysm. Delayed cerebral ischemia caused by vasospasm is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in SAH patients, and inflammatory markers such as systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI), systemic inflammatory index (SII), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and derived NLR (dNLR) have shown potential in predicting clinical vasospasm and outcomes in SAH patients. This article aims to investigate the relationship between inflammatory markers and cerebral vasospasm after aneurysmatic SAH (aSAH) and evaluate the predictive value of various indices, including SIRI, SII, NLR, and dNLR, in predicting clinical vasospasm. Methods : A retrospective analysis was performed on a cohort of 96 patients who met the inclusion criteria out of a total of 139 patients admitted Trakya University Hospital with a confirmed diagnosis of aSAH between January 2013 and December 2021. Diagnostic procedures, neurological examinations, and laboratory tests were performed to assess the patients' condition. The Student's t-test compared age variables, while the chi-square test compared categorical variables between the non-vasospasm (NVS) and vasospasm (VS) groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were used to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of laboratory parameters, calculating the area under the ROC curve, cut-off values, sensitivity, and specificity. A significance level of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results : The study included 96 patients divided into two groups : NVS and VS. Various laboratory parameters, such as NLR, SII, and dNLR, were measured daily for 15 days, and statistically significant differences were found in NLR on 7 days, with specific cut-off values identified for each day. SII showed a significant difference on day 9, while dNLR had significant differences on days 2, 4, and 9. Graphs depicting the values of these markers for each day are provided. Conclusion : Neuroinflammatory biomarkers, when used alongside radiology and scoring scales, can aid in predicting prognosis, determining severity and treatment decisions for aSAH, and further studies with larger patient groups are needed to gain more insights.

ASSOCIATION STUDY OF ATTENTION-DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER(ADHD) AND THE DOPAMINE TRANSPORTER(DAT1) GENE - CASE CONTROL DESIGN STUDY - (주의력결핍과잉행동 장애와 도파민 운반체 유전자간 연합연구 - 환자-대조군 디자인 연구 -)

  • Kim Boong-Nyun;Cho Soo-Churl
    • Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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    • v.16 no.2
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    • pp.199-210
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    • 2005
  • Objective : Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD) affects $5-10\%$ of children in Korea, with more boys and girls being diagnosed. Despite seriousness of ADHD, little is known about its causes. From the current genetic epidemiologic studies, ADHD is known as a heritable disorder. Till now, however, there have been very few genetic studies about ADHD in Korea. The aim of the this study is to examine the association between dopamine transporter gone type 1 and ADHD using case-control design in Korean ADHD probands and normal controls. Materials and Method : Child Psychiatric Genetic research team in Seoul National University Hospital, Clinical Research Institute recruited the ADHD probands using clinical interview/observation, diverse rating scales, and neuropsychological tests. For eliminating phenocopy or ADHD, diagnosis of ADHD was based upon clinical data, psychometric data, and parent/teacher reports. Total 85 ADHD-probands were recruited as final study subjects and independent 100 normal adults participated in this study as control group. For all the ADHD probands, and controls, the 3'-UTR-VNTR polymorphism of DAT1 was analyzed. Based on the DAT1 allele and genotype informations, Chi-square test based on case-control design was performed. Results : As for genetic study, total of 85 probands and 100 controls were included for the genetic analysis. Four different alleles, 350bp (7repeat), 440bp (9repeat), 480bp (10repeat) and 520bp (11repeat) were found in DAT1 gene of study subjects. In case-control analysis, ADHD probands and parents have significantly more 9 repeat allele and 9/10 genotype. Also, The probands with 9repeat allele have more commission errors in ADS. Conclusion : The positive association between ADHD and DAT1 gene was replicated in this report like other previous results for caucasian children and Korean children with ADHD. There are ongoing studies on other candidate genes such as DRD4 and DRD5 and it would be required to explore the association of these candidate genes in Korean children with ADHD. These ongoing genetic research will contribute to the understanding of heterogenous genetic and environmental etiologies of ADHD phenotype, which will lead to the development of more comprehensive treatment and preventive interventions for ADHD.

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A VALIDITY STUDY OF PARENT BEHAVIORAL RATING SCALES AS DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS OF ATTENTION DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (주의력결핍/과잉운동장애(ADHD) 아동의 진단도구로서 부모용 행동 평가지의 타당도 연구 - 한국아동인성검사와 아동 ${\cdot}$ 청소년 행동평가척도를 중심으로 -)

  • Kim, Ji-Hae;So, Yoo-Kyung;Jung, Yoo-Sook;Lee, Im-Soon;Hong, Sung-Do
    • Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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    • v.11 no.2
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    • pp.282-289
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    • 2000
  • This study was designed to examine the validity of HPR subscale in Korean Personality Inventory for Children(KPI-C) and Attention Problems subscale in Korean Child Behavior Checklist(K-CBCL) as diagnostic tool for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD). Nineteen ADHD-1 type, twenty-three ADHD-H type, sixteen Neurosis, and fifteen normal children with the age from 6 to12 were selected based on DSM-IV, and their responses of the KPI-C and CBCL were analyzed. Omnibus F-test results showed that there were significant differences in the F scores of HPR and Attention Problems T scores(p<.05). But in Posthoc analysis, the HPR and AP scores in three clinical groups were significantly higher than in normal group, but there was no group difference among three clinical groups(p<.05). These results shows that HPR subscale and Attention Problems subscale may be useful tools for screening clinical groups(vs normal group) but there was a limit to the clinical validity of two subscales as diagnostic tools for the subtypes of ADHD.

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The ages and stages questionnaire: screening for developmental delay in the setting of a pediatric outpatient clinic (ASQ :소아과외래에서의 발달지연 선별검사)

  • Kim, Eun Young;Sung, In Kyung
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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    • v.50 no.11
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    • pp.1061-1066
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    • 2007
  • Purpose : Early identification of developmental disabilities allows intervention at the earliest possible point to improve the developmental potential. The Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ), a parent- completed questionnaire, can be used as a substitute for formal screening tests. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity of the Korean version of the ASQ (K-ASQ) as a screening tool for detecting developmental delay of young Korean children in the setting of a busy pediatric outpatient clinic. Methods : Parents completed the K-ASQ in the waiting room of the pediatric outpatient clinic of St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic University Medical College. Out of 150 completed the ASQ, 67 who were born term and had no previous diagnosis of developmental delay, congenital anomalies, or neurological abnormalities were enrolled. The cut-off values of less than 2 standard deviations (SD) below the mean for the ASQ were used to define a "fail", and children who failed in one or more domains tested were classified as "screen-positive". Diagnosis of developmental delay was made when the developmental indices fell below -1 SD of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II. Results : (1) The mean age of children was $16.4{\pm}7.4$ months. Ten children (14.9%) were small-for- gestational age infants. The mean birth weight and gestational age were $3.1{\pm}0.6kg$ and $38.8{\pm}1.4$ weeks. Nine children (13.4%) were twins and 33 (49.0%) were male. The mean maternal education in years was $13.6{\pm}2.4$, and 31.3% had full-time jobs. The time for completing the ASQ was $10.2{\pm}3.0$ minutes. (2) Seventeen children (25.4%) were classified as screen-positive, four of them were delayed in development. Among eight children diagnosed with developmental delay, four were screen-positive and the other four were screen-negative by the ASQ. (3) The test characteristics of the ASQ were as follows: sensitivity (50.0%); specificity (78.0%); positive predictive value (23.5%); negative predictive value (92.0%). Conclusion : The high negative predictive value of the K-ASQ supports its use as a screening tool for developmental delay in the setting of a pediatric outpatient clinic.

Limb Salvage Surgery with Tumor Prosthesis for the Malignant Bone Tumors Involving the Proximal Femur (대퇴골 근위부 악성 골종양 환자에서 종양 대치물을 이용한 사지 구제술)

  • Chun, Young Soo;Baek, Jong Hun;Lee, Seung Hyuk;Lee, Chung Hwan;Han, Chung Soo
    • The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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    • v.20 no.1
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    • pp.7-13
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    • 2014
  • Purpose: As well as patient survival, the restoration of postoperative function such as ambulation is important in limb salvage operations for treatment of malignant bone tumors involving the proximal femur. The authors analyzed clinical outcomes of limb salvage operations using tumor prostheses for metastatic or primary malignant bone tumors in the proximal femur. Materials and Methods: From February 2005 to January 2014, 20 cases (19 patients) with malignant bone tumor involving the proximal femur with pain or complicated pathologic fracture were treated with segmental resection and limb salvage operations with tumor prostheses. Mean age was 63.1 years (range 35-86). Fourteen patients were male and six ones were female. The mean follow-up period was 20 months (1-94 months). There were 15 cases of metastatic bone tumor, 4 cases of osteosarcoma, and 1 case of multiple myeloma. The primary tumors of the metastatic bone tumors included 4 lung cancers, 3 hepatocellular carcinomas, and 3 renal cell carcinomas. Other primary tumors were breast cancer, thyroid cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, and malignant spindle cell tumor, each in 1 case. Modular tumor prostheses were used in all cases; (Kotz's$^{(R)}$ Modular Tumor prosthesis (Howmedica, Rutherford, New Jersey) in 3 cases, MUTARS$^{(R)}$ proximal femur system (Implantcast, Munster, Germany) in 17 cases). Perioperative pain was assessed with Visual Analogue Scales (VAS). Postoperative functional outcome was assessed with Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) grading system. Results: Out of 20 cases (19 patients), 11 cases (10 patients) survived at the last follow-up. Average postoperative survival of the 9 deceased patients was 10.1 months (1-38 months). VAS score improved from pre-operative average of 8.40 (5-10) to 1.35 (0-3) after operation. Average postoperative MSTS function score was 19.65 (65.50%, 7-28). The associated complications were 2 local recurrences, 3 hematomas, 3 infections, 2 scrotal swellings, and 1 dislocation. There was no case of periprosthetic fracture or loosening. Conclusion: Limb salvage operation with tumor prosthesis is an appropriate treatment for early pain reduction and functional restoration in malignant bone tumors in the proximal femur with pain an/or complicated pathologic fractures.

A Double-Blind Comparison of Paroxetine and Amitriptyline in the Treatment of Depression Accompanied by Alcoholism : Behavioral Side Effects during the First 2 Weeks of Treatment (주정중독에 동반된 우울증의 치료에서 Paroxetine과 Amitriptyline의 이중맹 비교 : 치료초기 2주 동안의 행동학적 부작용)

  • Yoon, Jin-Sang;Yoon, Bo-Hyun;Choi, Tae-Seok;Kim, Yong-Bum;Lee, Hyung-Yung
    • Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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    • v.3 no.2
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    • pp.277-287
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    • 1996
  • Objective : It has been proposed that cognition and related aspects of mental functioning are decreased in depression as well as in alcoholism. The objective of the study was to compare behavioral side effects of paroxetine and amitriptyline in depressed patients accompanied by alcoholism. The focused comparisons were drug effects concerning psychomotor performance, cognitive function, sleep and daytime sleepiness during the first 2 weeks of treatment. Methods : After an alcohol detoxification period(3 weeks) and a washout period(1 week), a total of 20 male inpatients with alcohol use disorder (DSM-IV), who also had a major depressive episode(DSM-IV), were treated double-blind with paroxetine 20mg/day(n=10) or amitriptyline 25mg/day(n=10) for 2 weeks. All patients were required to have a scare of at least 18 respectively on bath the Hamilton Rating Scale far Depression(HAM-D) and Beck Depression Inventory(BDI) at pre-drug baseline. Patients randomized to paroxetine received active medication in the morning and placebo in the evening whereas those randomized to amitriptyline received active medication in the evening and placebo in the morning. All patients performed the various tasks in a test battery at baseline and at days 3, 7 and 14. The test battery included : critical flicker fusion threshold for sensory information processing capacity : choice reaction time for gross psychomotor performance : tracking accuracy and latency of response to peripheral stimulus as a measure of line sensorimotor co-ordination and divided attention : digit symbol substitution as a measure of sustained attention and concentration. To rate perceived sleep and daytime sleepiness, 10cm line Visual analogue scales were employed at baseline and at days 3, 7 and 14. The subjective rating scales were adapted far this study from Leeds sleep Evaluation Questionnaire and Epworth Sleepiness Scale. In addition a comprehensive side effect assessment, using the UKU side effect rating scale, was carried out at baseline and at days 7 and 14. The efficacy of treatment was evaluated using HAM-D, BDI and clinical global impression far severity and improvement at days 7 and 14. Results : The pattern of results indicated thai paroxetine improved performance an mast of the lest variables and also improved sleep with no effect on daytime sleepiness aver the study period. In contrast, amitriptyline produced disruption of performance on same tests and improved sleep with increased daytime sleepiness in particular at day 3. On the UKU side effect rating scale, mare side effects were registered an amitriptyline. The therapeutic efficacy was observed in favor of paroxetine early in day 7. Conclusion : These results demonstrated thai paroxetine in much better than amitriptyline for the treatment of depressed patients accompained by alcoholism at least in terms of behavioral safety and tolerability, furthermore the results may assist in explaining the therapeutic outcome of paroxetine. For example, and earlier onset of antidepressant action of paroxetine may be caused by early improved cognitive function or by contributing to good compliance with treatment.

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The Effects of Aroma Self Massage in Hands on Pain, Depressive Mood and Anxiety in Breast Cancer Patients (유방암 환자의 통증, 우울 및 불안 증상 조절에 아로마 자가 치료의 효과)

  • Sohn, Keun-Joo;Kim, Myung-Ja;Lee, June-Young;Lee, Jae-Bok;Kim, Su-Hyun;Kim, Jong-A;Jung, Hoe-Hyun;Choi, Seung-Wan;Choi, Youn-Seon
    • Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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    • v.8 no.1
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    • pp.18-29
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    • 2005
  • Purpose: Aroma therapy is one modality of alternative medicine. It was well known to have an analgesic, antidepressive and anxiolytic effects. This study is designed to investigate the effect of aroma self hand massage on vital signs, pain, depression, anxiety and stress in breast cancer patients. Methods: 32 female patient over 20 years old were divided into two groups by a non-blinded randomized controlled method. Patient in the aroma group (n=15) massaged their hands twice a day using aroma oil by themselves in their home for 2 weeks. However, those in control group (n=17) had not received my intervention during the study periods. Pain intensity, state anxiety, depression and stress of subjects were evaluated three times (0, 1, 3 weeks) using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS, $0{\sim}10cm$), State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Beck Depression Inventory Scales (BDIS), Brief Encounter Psychosocial Instrument (BEPSI revised edition). Also the change of patients' accompanying symptoms after aroma massage were analyzed using a structured questionnaire. Results: Pain Intensity decreased in the aroma group compared with control group (VAS changes $-0.83{\pm}1.01\;vs\;0.38{\pm}0.86$, P=0.005). The numbers of accompanying symptoms (P=0.044), depression score (P=0.001) and anxiety score (P=0.008) were significantly decreased in the aroma group, while in control group they increased after 2 weeks. However, the stress score showed no significant changes in both groups ($0.05{\pm}0.85\;vs\;0.04{\pm}0.20$, P=0.1519). The depression, anxiety and stress score showed negative correlation with compliance of aroma massage, but statistically no significant. The systolic blood pressure was a little increased in aroma group ($4.53{\pm}14.43\;vs\;0.0{\pm}7.22$, P=0.026), but was not significant clinically. Patients in the aroma group complained of several symptoms such as headache (20%), paresthesia (6.75%) and nausea (6.7%). However, there were no drop-out patients for those side effects. Conclusion: Aroma self massage during two weeks in breast cancer patients alleviates the pain intensity, depression and anxiety significantly.

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The Effects of Sleep Apnea and Variables on Cognitive Function and the Mediating Effect of Depression (수면무호흡증과 수면변수가 인지기능에 미치는 영향과 우울증의 매개효과)

  • Park, Kyung Won;Kim, Hyeong Wook;Choi, Mal Rye;Kim, Byung Jo;Kim, Tae Hyung;Song, Ok Sun;Eun, Hun Jeong
    • Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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    • v.24 no.2
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    • pp.86-96
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    • 2017
  • Objectives: This study aimed to analyze causality among sleep apnea, depression and cognitive function in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 105 patients with sleep apnea and snoring who underwent overnight polysomnography (PSG). We analyzed various biological data, sleep variables (sleep duration and percentage) and respiratory variables [arousal index (AI), periodic leg movement index (PLM index), snoring Index (SI), mean SpO2, minimum SpO2, apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), and respiratory disturbance index (RDI)]. We also analyzed various data by sleep, cognition, and mood related scales: Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), snoring index by scale (SIS), Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Korean (Moca-K), Mini-mental State Examination-Korean (MMSE-K), clinical dementia rating (CDR), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). We analyzed causation among sleep, and respiratory, mood, and cognition related scales in obstructive sleep apnea patients. We analyzed the mediating effects of depression on sleep apnea patient cognition. Results: As Duration N1 increased and Total sleep time (TST) decreased, MOCA-K showed negative causality (p < 0.01). As BDI and supine RDI increased, causality was negatively related to MOCA-K (p < 0.01). As PSQI (p < 0.001) and SIS (p < 0.01) increased and as MMSE-K (p < 0.01) decreased, causality was positively related to BDI. BDI was found to mediate the effect of age on MOCA-K in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Conclusion: Duration N1, total sleep time, BDI, and supine RDI were associated with cognitive function in obstructive sleep apnea patients. Depression measured by BDI partially mediated cognitive decline in obstructive sleep apnea patients.

The Prospective Comparing Study of Autologous Hamstring Tendon grafts with Autologous Bone-Patella Tendon-Bone Grafts for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction (자가 슬괵건과 자가 슬개골건골을 이용한 관절경적 전방십자인대 재건술의 전향적 비교)

  • Ahn, Gil-Yeong;Nam, Il-Hyun;Moon, Gi-Hyuk;Lee, Yeong-Hyeon;Kim, Ki-Choul;Kim, Jung-Hyun
    • Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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    • v.15 no.1
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    • pp.1-6
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    • 2011
  • Purpose: The purpose of this prospective study is to compare the results of arthroscopic reconstruction of ACL using autologous hamstring tendon (Group 1) and autologous bone patella tendon bone (Group 2). Materials and Methods: From Jan. 2004 to Dec. 2007, fifty patients were analyzed in this study. A single surgeon performed the ACL reconstruction with autologous hamstring tendon (25 patients) and autologous bone patella tendon bone (25 patients) alternatively each other. The mean follow up period of two groups was 38 months (range 25~58 months). We evaluated the result of Lachman test, Pivot shift test as a physical examination and Lysholm score, Tagner activity scale as patients' satisfaction and functional status and Telometer for anterior instability of each groups at the time of final follow up. Results: In final results, negative or mild positive findings on Lachman test were 24 out of 25 cases (equally) in each groups.) Twenty two cases in the Group 1 and 21 cases in the Group 2 were negative on Pivot shift test. Lysholm scores mark 94.6 points in group 1 and 92.3 points in group 2 at the final follow up and Tegner activity scales mark 8.5 points (Group 1) and 8.1 points (Group 2) at the time of last follow up and there were no differences between the two groups statistically. The numbers of patients who have less than 5 mm of anterior translation of tibia under telometer at 20 degrees of knee flexion are 24 cases in group 1 and 23 cases in group 2. Conclusion: The overall improvements of clinical scores (Lysholm scores and Tegner Activity scales) of the group 1 were a little bit superior to those of the group 2, but there were no significant statistical difference between two groups.

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A Study on Factors Influencing The State of Adaptation of The Hemiplegic Patients (편마비 환자의 퇴원후 적응상태와 관련요인에 대한 분석적 연구)

  • 서문자
    • Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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    • v.20 no.1
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    • pp.88-117
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    • 1990
  • The purposes of this study are to delineate a profile of the state of a stroke patient's adaptation at 3 months after hospitalization and to explore the relationship between the level of adaptation and the variables which influence the adaptation of hemiplegic patients. To these ends, theoretical framework was derived basically from the stress adaptation model. The basic assumption underlying the level of adaptation is influenced by the presenting focal, contextual and residual stimuli. This group of stimuli is further operationalized and represented by a perception of stress. which is the perceived effect of the disability and by the mediating variables such as sociodemographic factors as an external conditioning variables and perceived social support and hardiness personality characteristics as an internal intervening variables. The dependent varibales in this study is the level of physical, psychological and social adaptation and is hypothesized to be a function of the interaction between 3 sets of variables namely, the perceived disability effect, external conditioning variables and internal intevening varibles. A total of fourty three subjects from 3 general hospitals in Seoul were observed and interviewed with the aid of 7 structured instruments. The data were collected twice on each subject : first at the pre-discharge period arid at 3 months post-discharge from hospital for the second time. The study was carried out for the period from February to August, 1988. The instruments used for the study include 4 existing scales and 3 scales developed by the researcher for this study. They are : 1) The ADL dependency scale and the scale of the clinical physical functions for the assessment of physical adaptation. 2) the SDS(self report of depression) to measure the level of psychological adaptation. 3) The scale for the amount of social activities for the measurement of the level of social adaptation. 4) The scale for the perceived effect of disability for the measurement of the focal stimuli. 5) The health related hardiness scale and the perceived interpersonal support self evaluation list(ISEL) for the measurement of the hardiness personality character and the perceived social support. The data obtained were analyzed using percentage, oneway ANOVA, Pearson coefficients correlation and stepwise multiple regression. The findings provide valuable information about the present level of physical adaptation at 3 months after discharge. The patient revealed a decreased ADL dependency and lowered limitation of physical function as compared with pre - discharge state. Psycholcgically, the average degree of depression at follow up was within normal range of depression. Socially, the amount of social activities was very low. The one way ANOVA and the correlational analysis revealed the relationship between the 3 sets of variables and the adaptation level as follows : 1) The perceived disability effect was related to the degree of the depression and the amount of social activities but was not related to the physical adaptation. 2) Among the sociodemographic variables, sex and education were related to the difference of ADL dependency and the change of physical function. These factors indicate that women more than men and educated more than the less educated were found more independent. The education was also related to the degree of depression suggesting that the higher the educational level, the more well adapted the patients were both physically and psychologically. Age, marital status and job state were not found to be related to the patient's adaptation level. 3) Among the internal intervening variables, the health related hardiness characteristic was related to the differences of ADL dependency, physical functions and the social activities, indicating that the higher the hardiness character the higher the level of physical and social adaptation. 4) The perceived social support, another internal intervening variable, was related to the degree of depression and the social activities. This data suggest that the higher the perception of social support, the better adapted the patients were psychogically and socially. In summarizing the results of the correlational analysis, the level of physical adaptation was influenced by sex, the years of education and the hardiness character. The level of psychological adaptation was influenced by the years of education, the perceived disability effect and the perceived social support. And the level of social adaptation was influenced by the perceived disability effect, the hardiness character and the perceived social support. The stepwise multiple regression analysis shows findings as follows : 1) The most important factor to explain the difference of ADL dependency was sex, indicating females were more independent than males. 2) The most important factor to explain the difference of physical function and the degree of depression was the patient's education level. 3) The strongest explaining factor for the amount of social activities was perceived self esteem(one of the subconcepts of perceived social support). Thus the most important factors influencing the level of adaptation were found to be sex, education, the hardiness character and self esteem. From the above findings, the significance of this study can be delineated as follows : 1) Corroboration of the assumed relationship between the various variables and the adaptation level as suggested in the conceptual model. 2) Support for the feasibility of the cognitive approach for nursing intervention such as hardness character training, counselling and teaching for self-care in the chronic patients.

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