• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate changes in cognitive functions, depression and life-satisfaction for elderly participants with mild cognitive impairments participating in an individual cognitive improvement program. Methods: A quasi-experimental with non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design was implemented. The participants were senior citizens over 65 years of age who had been clinically diagnosed with mild cognitive impairments in G City and J Province (experimental group: 29, control group: 27). The experimental group participated in the individual cognitive improvement program based on Korean traditional tales and games for nine weeks. Results: After the intervention, only the participants in the experimental group reported significant improvement in K-MMSE (t=-2.5, p=.016), MoCA-K (t=-2.6, p=.008), depression (t=3.51, p=.001), and life satisfaction (t=-2.75, p=.008) when compared to those in the control group. Conclusion: These results indicated that the individual cognitive improvement program was effective in improving cognitive functions, depression, and life-satisfaction among the elderly with mild cognitive impairments. Therefore, the application of this individual cognitive improvement program developed in this study by visiting nurses may strengthen the cognitive functions of seniors with mild cognitive impairments.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.63-74
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of 3 day Forests healing programs for cognitive improvement, which consists of helpful contents of Korean medicine. Methods : This study examined the effects of forests healing for mild cognitive impairment patients, who visited a Korean medicine hospital neuropsychiatry clinic for outpatients. The Forests healing programs for cognitive improvement was run with 24 participants, in which 9 of them quit in the middle of the program, so excluded in data analysis. The Forests healing programs for cognitive improvement was consisted of 3 day helpful Korean medicine contents. The primary outcome measurement was a Computerized Neurocognitive Test (CNT), which measured the cognitive functions with computer programs. Results : The results of this study showed that CNT scores were not significantly changed after 3 day forests healing. General psychological states, including depression, anxiety, and anger, were also checked. Among them, depressive mood significantly improved. Quality of life (QOL) was also enhanced after 3 day program. These results indicate that the 3 day Forests healing programs for cognitive improvement was effective for depressive mood and QOL of mild cognitive impairment patients, but not enough for cognitive functions directly. Conclusions : The 3 day Forests healing programs for cognitive improvement were shown to be an effective intervention in improving some aspects of mild cognitive impairment patients, including depressive mood, and QOL. We suggest that repeated participation of this program can enhance cognitive function of mild cognitive impairment patients.

• Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.461-468
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• 2018

Objective: Cognitive disturbance is one of the major symptoms of depression and may be improved by treatment with antidepressants. This study aimed to investigate the predictors of cognitive improvement in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) who were taking antidepressants. Methods: This study included 86 patients with MDD who completed 12 weeks of antidepressant monotherapy. Cognitive symptoms were assessed using the Perceived Deficits Questionnaire-Korean version (PDQ-K), which addresses four domains of cognitive functioning (attention/concentration, retrospective memory, prospective memory, and organization/planning) and was administered at study entry and at the 12-week end point. A variety of demographic, clinical, and treatment-related variables were evaluated as predictors of changes in total and domain scores. Results: All PDQ-K domains showed significant improvement after 12 weeks of antidepressant treatment. More severe initial depressive symptoms, fewer sick-leave days at study entry, and reduced use of concomitant anxiolytics/hypnotics during treatment were significantly associated with greater cognitive improvement. Conclusion: Cognitive symptoms are more responsive to antidepressant treatment in patients with severe MDD. Reduced use of anxiolytics and hypnotics could improve the cognitive functioning of patients with MDD taking antidepressants.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.177-189
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• 2017

Purpose: A meta-analysis was conducted to identify the effect of cognitive improvement programs for the elderly with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Korea. Methods: Five databases, as well as relevant reference lists, of studies published from 2000 to 2016, were searched. Fourteen studies were identified. Quality assessments of included studies were conducted using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network checklist. An R program was used to analyze effect sizes and to identify possible sources of heterogeneity among studies. The potential for publication bias was investigated using a funnel plot, Egger's regression test and sensitivity analysis. Results: The total effect size was large (Standardized Mean Difference [SMD]=1.44, 95% CI: 1.11~1.77), with cognition based intervention (SMD= 1.77, 95% CI: 1.26~2.29) and exercise intervention (SMD=1.13, 95% CI: 0.82~1.44). Statistically significant moderators were identified intervention type by meta-ANOVA analyses. Finally, no significant evidence of publication bias was found. Conclusion: There is clear evidence that cognitive improvement programs can greatly enhance cognition in elderly with MCI. Future research should examine the effects of non-pharmacological interventions targeting elderly populations with mild-to-severe cognitive impairment in order to develop and enhance the effectiveness of cognitive improvement programs in Korea.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.81-95
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• 2018

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify the effects of a group cognitive improvement program on cognitive function, depression and self-esteem in elderly individuals with mild cognitive impairment. Methods: This was an experimental study that employed a pre-post design of a non-equivalence control group. The subjects were 52 elderly people with mild cognitive impairment, 25 of whom were assigned to the experimental group and 27 to the control group. The program was conducted for a total of 12 sessions for 60 minutes each. Data were analyzed using the ${\chi}2-test$, Fisher's exact test, and Independent t-test with the SPSS 20.0 program. Results: After the intervention, the group who participated showed improvement in all areas of cognitive function based on MMSE-KC (F=26.37, p.<0.001), the Rey Complex Figure Test: copy (F=20.66, p.<0.001), Immediate memory of Seoul Verbal Learning Test-Elderly's version (F=29.68, p.<0.001), delayed memory (F=45.79 p.<0.001), memory recall (F=28.97, p.<0.001), Forward of Digit Span Test (F=9.25, p=.004), backward (F=8.33, p.=0.006), language comprehension (F=13.42, p.<0.001), and digit symbol coding (F=17.74, p.<0.001) relative to the control group. Moreover depression (F=24.09, p.<0.001) was decreased in program participants, whereas self-esteem (F=40.24, p.<0.001) was increased. Conclusion: The program could be a useful intervention because the results show that the group cognitive improvement program has a significant effect on cognitive function, depression and self-esteem in elderly with mild cognitive impairment.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.43-53
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• 2023

Objectives: We developed an integrated cognitive function improvement program comprising cognitive, emotional, and physical domains, and remotely applied it to middle-aged adults to investigate its effects on oral health, cognitive function, and mental health improvement. Methods: The experimental group underwent the program remotely, using the Zoom platform. A total of 24 participants were recruited and divided into 12 experimental and 12 control groups. The program comprised cognitive, emotional, and physical activities. The sessions lasted 90 min and were performed twice a week for 6 weeks from April to May 2022. Results: Cognitive function, arousal, physical, and mental stress were significantly improved in the experimental group after the intervention than at the baseline (p<0.05). Regarding oral health, tongue plaque decreased 1.34-fold (p<0.01) and saliva increased 1.04-fold (p<0.05) in the experimental group after the intervention than at the baseline. Moreover, the experimental group showed significant improvements in tongue plaque and saliva than the control group (p<0.05 for tongue plaque and p<0.01 for saliva). Regarding mental health, social support significantly increased 11.67-fold (p<0.05) in the experimental group than at the baseline. The experimental group also showed significantly improved social support than the control group (p<0.01). Conclusions: The non-face-to-face integrated cognitive function improvement program for middle-aged adults improved their cognitive function and oral and mental health. Based on these findings, this program may be a useful health program tool for middle-aged individuals.

• 한국노년학
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.813-833
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to classify the results of previous studies on the cognitive function improvement program of the elderly into the cognitive impairment group and the normal group to compare the effect sizes of the groups using meta - analysis. Among the previous studies on cognitive function improvement programs reported in Korea for the last five years, 86 were selected and the effect sizes were summarized using meta-analysis. As a result of the study, the overall average effect size showed a large effect size in both groups. The effect sizes of the intervention types were high for the cognitive impairment group, and the exercise and cognitive-based interventions were similar for the normal group. The gender effect size was higher for the women with cognitive impairment group, and higher for the combined case with normal group. The effect sizes according to group size were higher for 20 persons in cognitive impairment group and higher for 21~40 persons in normal group. The total number of sessions in both groups was higher than 32 times, The number of sessions per week was 3 times for the cognitive impairment group, 4 to 6 times for the normal group. The duration of activity was 55~60 minutes in cognitive impairment group and 70~180 minutes in normal group as the number of sessions and activity time increased the effect size was higher in normal group. This study will be meaningful in that it provided basic data necessary for future program development by comparing and analyzing the effect sizes of the cognitive function improvement program type and the activity factors between the cognitive impairment group and the normal group.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.169-178
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate effects of a cognitive improvement program on cognition, activities of daily living (ADL), depression, life satisfaction, and grasping power in small groups. Methods: A nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. Participants were 127 elders who were never diagnosed with dementia and could read (experimental: 61, control: 66). The program was consisted of 8 sessions to improve vocabulary and writing skills and fine motor skills. Each session was applied once a week for 8 weeks. A group was consisted of less than five members. Results: Cognition (t=3.82, p<.001), depression (t=-2.24, p=.027), life satisfaction (t=2.25, p=.027), and grasping power (Rt: t=2.44, p=.016, Lt: t=2.63, p=.010) except ADL (t=-0.49, p=.622) were significantly increased in the experimental group after the cognitive improvement program compared to the control group. Conclusion: This study indicates that the cognitive improvement program was effective to improve cognition, depression, life satisfaction and grasping power. Further study is needed in order to identify continuous effects of this cognitive improvement program.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.242-254
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to understand the teaching effects according to the cognitive levels after conducting inquiry activities using science notebooks in the open inquiry activities of the elementary science class. The results of this study were as follow. first, students having the open inquiry activities using science notebooks showed improvement in scientific inquiry abilities in both groups with the low and high cognitive level. Second, regarding the changes of scientific attitudes, both groups with the low and high cognitive level exhibited improvement. According to the result of analyzing interaction between the cognitive level and class treatment on the effects for scientific inquiry abilities and scientific attitudes, there was no difference by the cognitive level. And the use of science notebooks in open inquiry activities had effects on improving scientific inquiry abilities and scientific attitudes regardless of the cognitive level.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.49-59
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• 2016

Purpose : The study was aimed to evaluate the improvement of cognitive and hand functions after the application of a complex rehabilitation intervention program on patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia who were living a regional community from. Methods : Subjects who were living in a regional sanatorium or who were outpatients of a community health center were enrolled from 2012. 2 to 2013.2 All subjects were enforced 8 cycles of a complex rehabilitation intervention program including RON dance, physical activity using therabands, reality awareness training, space retrieval training and handicraft activities. Results : There were significant improvement in LOTCA-G cognitive function and JTHFT hand function test after the application of a complex rehabilitation intervention program. Conclusion : The result shows a significant improvement in cognitive and hand functions after the application of a complex rehabilitation intervention program in patients with MCI and dementia. Therefore the authors suggest the vast studies of the cognitive function program development and hand function vitalization by the application of a complex rehabilitation intervention program.