Korean Instruments Research Articles

지역축제 개막식 주제공연에서의 무용양식 연구 - 2023년 한성백제문화제 사례를 중심으로

This study aims to explore the role and expressive characteristics of theme performances in regional festivals to establish a foundation for dance choreography development and provide direction for theme performance choreography. To achieve this, the 2023 Hanseong Baekje Cultural Festival’s theme performance, which represented regional characteristics and the integration process of K-culture through various genres including dance, was analyzed. The study conducted a literature review to examine the concepts and impacts of theme performances in regional festivals, as well as the origin and historical evolution of the Hanseong Baekje Cultural Festival. Additionally, the structure of the theme performance was analyzed to identify the arrangement of genres and the role of dance. Janet Adshead-Lansdale’s first-stage dance analysis method was employed to systematically examine the components of the performance and understand its overall framework. The key findings of this study are as follows: The theme performance incorporated daegeum performance, Korean traditional dance, electronic band music, and K-pop, achieving a dynamic integration of traditional and contemporary elements. In particular, the use of props in the choreography enhanced the grandeur and vitality of the performance, while traditional Korean instruments enriched the auditory experience, effectively showcasing the aesthetic beauty of Korean traditional culture. Furthermore, the progression of the performance, based on Korean movements and regional characteristics, was found to be well-suited to the theme performance of a regional festival. It effectively conveyed the core content and imagery of the festival. This study is expected to serve as a practical resource for enhancing the role of dance in theme performances at regional festivals.

Validation of GEMS tropospheric NO2 columns and their diurnal variation with ground-based DOAS measurements

Abstract. Instruments for air quality observations on geostationary satellites provide multiple observations per day and allow for the analysis of the diurnal variation in important air pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2). The South Korean instrument GEMS (Geostationary Environmental Monitoring Spectrometer), launched in February 2020, is the first geostationary instrument that is able to observe the diurnal variation in NO2. The measurements have a spatial resolution of 3.5 km × 8 km and cover a large part of Asia. This study compares 1 year of tropospheric NO2 vertical column density (VCD) observations from the operational GEMS L2 product, the scientific GEMS IUP-UB (Institute of Environmental Physics at the University of Bremen) product, the operational TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) product, and ground-based differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) measurements in South Korea. The GEMS L2 tropospheric NO2 VCDs overestimate the ground-based tropospheric NO2 VCDs with a median relative difference of +61 % and a correlation coefficient of 0.76. The median relative difference is −2 % for the GEMS IUP-UB product and −16 % for the TROPOMI product, with correlation coefficients of 0.83 and 0.89, respectively. The scatter in the GEMS products can be reduced when observations are limited to the TROPOMI overpass time. Diurnal variations in tropospheric NO2 VCDs differ by the pollution level of the analyzed site but with good agreement between the GEMS IUP-UB and ground-based observations. Low-pollution sites show weak or almost no diurnal variation. In summer, the polluted sites show a minimum around noon, indicating the large influence of photochemical loss. Most variation is seen in spring and autumn, with increasing NO2 in the morning, a maximum close to noon, and a decrease towards the afternoon. Winter observations show rather flat or slightly decreasing NO2 throughout the day. Winter observations under low-wind-speed conditions at high-pollution sites show enhancements of NO2 throughout the day. This indicates that under calm conditions, dilution and the less effective chemical loss in winter do not balance the accumulating emissions. Diurnal variation observed at a low-pollution site follows seasonal wind patterns. A weekday–weekend effect analysis shows good agreement between the different products. However, the GEMS L2 product, while agreeing with the other data sets on weekdays, shows significantly less reduction on weekends. The influence of the stratospheric contribution and the surface reflectivity product on the satellite tropospheric NO2 VCD products is investigated. While the TM5 model's stratospheric VCDs, used in the TROPOMI product, are too high, resulting in tropospheric NO2 VCDs that are too low and even negative, when used in the GEMS IUP-UB retrieval, the GEMS L2 stratospheric VCD is too low. Surface reflectivity comparisons indicate that the GEMS L2 reflectivity makes a large contribution to the observed overestimation and scatter.

The Effect of Depression in Instrumental Activities of Daily Living in Mild Cognitive Impairment: The mediating role of cognitive dysfuction

AbstractBackgroundGeriatric depression can affect on decline of various cognitive functions including executive function and can lead to disabilities in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). Decline in IADL was related to conversion to dementia even though there was no decline in screening tests such as MMSE. Therefore it is important to manage the factors affecting IADL. We examined the relationship between depression, cognitive dysfunction and IADL in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to reveal the effect of depression on IADL.MethodWe recruited 132 patients with MCI who visited the Department of Neurology at Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital from March 2019 to June 2022. Using the Short‐Geriatric Depression Scale (S‐GDS: cuf‐off 8), these patients were divided into 64 depressed groups (mean age 75±6.7) and 68 non‐depressed groups (mean age: 71±8.1). To evaluate cognitive function, the Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery, which consists of five domains: attention, language functions, visuospatial functions, memory, and executive functions, was conducted. K‐IADL (Korean Instrumental Activities of Daily Living) was conducted to evaluate IADL. We investigated the mediation effect of cognitive functions between depression and IADL using mediation analysis.ResultDepression and K‐IADL showed positive correlation (B = 0.023, p < 0.001). Mediation analysis of cognitive function between depression and IADL showed significant effect of executive function (B = ‐0.001, p = 0.019) and visuospatial function (B = ‐0.001, p = 0.045). Memory, language and attention domains had no significant mediation effect between depression and ADL.ConclusionIn our study, depression related to decline in IADL, and not only the effects of depression but also mediation effects of executive and visuospatial dysfunction could affect IADL. In terms of IADL maintenance, it is necessary to actively manage the depressed mood of MCI patients.

경도인지장애 환자에서 전산화 인지훈련 프로그램의 효과

Objective: As the elderly population increases, the proportion of neurocognitive disorder is increasing. Accordingly, research on cognitive intervention therapy to prevent neurocognitive disorder is also becoming active. In particular, this study attempted to evaluate changes in cognitive function before and after training and verify their effectiveness by implementing a computerized cognitive training program for patients with mild cognitive impairment.
 Methods: A computerized cognitive training program was conducted for 15 patients with mild cognitive impairment. It was conducted twice a week, 30 minutes, and 16 times for 8 weeks, and neurocognitive function was evaluated before and after training. The neurocognitive function tests are as follows; Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery, Korean version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (K-MoCA), Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), Korean Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (K-IADL), Korean Neuropsychiatric Inventory (K-NPI), and Memory Age-associated Complaint Questionnaire (MAC-Q).
 Results: There was a statistically significant improvement in memory domain after the implementation of the computerized cognitive training program, but no significant changes in attention, language ability, visuospatial function, and frontal lobe executive function. Among the memory areas, the Seoul Verbal Learning Test: Delayed Recall, Rey Complex Figure Test: Delayed Recall, and Rey Complex Figure Test: Recognition are showed significant improvement. In addition, there was a significant improvement in CDR (sum of box) and K-MoCA scores. There was no statistically significant difference in K-IADL and K-NPI.
 Conclusion: Computerized cognitive training programs have been effective in improving memory in patients with mild cognitive impairment. In order to verify the effectiveness of dementia prevention, a long-term study of a larger number is needed. The results of this preliminary study will help develop and apply cognitive training contents in the future.

Subtle cognitive impairment is associated with subtle instrumental activities of daily living defecits, but not severity of memory complaints in sucjective cognitive decline

AbstractBackgroundSubjective cognitive decline (SCD) can be considered as the preclinical manifestation of Alzheimer’s disease. The objective of this study was to examine whether there would be differences of the clinical correlates due to evidence of subtle cognitive imparment (SCI) in inividuals with SCD.MethodOne‐hundred‐and‐fifty‐five individuals with SCD (mean age: 68.18 ± 8.09 years) were included in this study. The participants underwent clinical assessments and completed detailed neuropsychological tests. The functional assessment was performed by the Korean Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scale. Memory complaints were assessed using the Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire (PRMQ) consisting of 16 items that describe everyday memory failure.ResultSCD individuals with SCI (n = 20) had lower Mini‐Mental State Examination scores and showed lower performances in the neuropsychological tests than the SCD only group (n = 135). In addition, the SCI group had worse IADL performance than the SCD only group. There were no differenes in depressive symptoms and PRMQ scores between two groups.ConclusionIn SCD individuals, SCI was associated with subtle IADL deficits, but not with the severity of self‐reported memory complaints, compared to the SCD only group. These results suggest that functional assesments would be helpful for the clinical evaluation of individuals with SCD.

Outpatient Service Use in Korean Older Adult Women with Degenerative Arthritis Based on Andersen's Model.

To ensure that older adults (aged 65 years or older) can experience a healthy life, they should use medical services that are appropriate, both quantitatively and qualitatively. This study aimed to identify the factors affecting outpatient service use by older adult women with degenerative arthritis using Andersen’s model. A survey was conducted among 232 older adult women with degenerative arthritis in two university hospitals in Seoul. The Korean Activities of Daily Living, Korean Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, and the Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form were used. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, χ2-test, t-test, and multiple logistic regression analysis. Among the participants, 69.8% used outpatient services and 30.2% did not. In the univariate analyses, age, marital status, residency, household income, chronic diseases, subjective health status, and disability were significant. Age (odds ratio [OR] = 5.53, p < 0.001), annual household income (OR = 5.64, p < 0.001), chronic diseases (OR = 11.06, p < 0.001), and disability (OR = 3.56, p = 0.016) significantly affected outpatient service use. The results suggest that health promotion interventions for Korean older adult women should focus on predicting outpatient service use according to the patient’s characteristics.

Efficacy of Kami Guibi-tang as an Add-On Therapy to Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor for Cognitive Function in Mild Alzheimer's Disease: A Pilot Study.

Kami Guibi-tang (KGT), a traditional Korean herbal medicine is mainly used to treat insomnia and nervousness. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) are the main treatments for mild Alzheimer's disease (AD), a degenerative brain disease. However, currently no drug can fundamentally treat AD or reverse the advanced cognitive decline. This clinical study explored the efficacy and safety of adding KGT to AChEI for cognitive function in mild AD. This was a pilot study for a larger randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Participants between 55-90 years diagnosed with mild AD were recruited from Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Seoul, Korea. They were randomized to receive either KGT or placebo for 24 weeks, in addition to their regular AChEI. The primary outcome was treatment efficacy, as assessed by the relative amount of change over the study period in total scores on the Dementia version of the Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery (SNSB-D). Changes in SNSB subscores were assessed as secondary outcomes. Safety parameters, including adverse events and abnormalities in blood tests, electrocardiograms, and brain magnetic resonance imaging were also monitored. Between March 2018 and November 2020, seven participants each in the KGT group and the placebo group completed the 24-week trial. There were no significant changes in SNSB-D total or subindex scores for either group (p = 0.69 and 0.63, respectively), and no significant differences were observed between them (p=0.71). No adverse events related to KGT were reported. We also compared and analyzed the results of a previous pilot study conducted on amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) using protocol of this study. The aMCI group showed a significant improvement in the total SNSB-D score, especially in the memory domain, compared to the mild AD group (p = 0.04 and 0.02, respectively). The Korean Mini-Mental State Exam and Korean Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scores also significantly improved in the aMCI group (p = 0.01 and 0.02, respectively). Compared to placebo, adding KGT to AChEI did not significantly improve cognitive function in SNSB in patients with mild AD. We suggest that KGT would have a positive effect on patients with early stages of cognitive impairment such as aMCI. The findings could assist design larger, longer-term clinical trials of KGT use in elderly patients with mild AD. This study was registered in the Korean Clinical Trial Registry on December 26, 2017, with the CRIS approval number KCT0002904.

Efficacy and Safety of Adding Kami Guibi‐tang to Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor for Cognitive Function in Mild Alzheimer’s Disease: A Pilot, Randomized, Double‐blind, Placebo‐controlled Trial

AbstractBackgroundThe main treatments for mild AD have been acetylcholinesterase inhibitors(AChEI). However, no current drugs can fundamentally treat AD or reverse advanced cognitive decline. This clinical study was conducted to explore the efficacy and safety of adding Kami Guibi‐tang(KGT) to AChEI for cognitive function in elderly patients with mild AD.MethodThis study was designed as the pilot for a larger randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study. Elderly participants aged 55 to 90 years diagnosed with mild AD. Subjects were randomized to receive either KGT or placebo for 24 weeks, in addition to their regular AChEI. The primary study outcome was treatment efficacy as assessed by the relative amount of change over the study period in total scores on the Dementia version of the Seoul Neuropsychologic Screening Battery(SNSB‐D). Changes in SNSB sub‐scores such as the Korean Mini‐Mental State Exam(K‐MMSE) and in scores on the Korean version of Quality of Life‐Alzheimer’s Disease(KQoL‐AD), and the Caregiver‐Administered Neuropsychiatric Inventory(CGA‐NPI) were assessed as secondary outcomes. We also monitored patient safety parameters including adverse events and abnormalities in blood tests, electrocardiogram, and brain magnetic resonance imaging tests.Result7 participants in the KGT group and 7 participants in the placebo group completed the 24‐week trial. There were no significant changes in SNSB‐D total/subindex scores, KQoL‐AD or CGA‐NPI scores for either group, and no significant differences were observed between the two groups. K‐MMSE scores were decreased significantly within each group, but were not significantly different between groups. No adverse events related to KGT were reported. In addition, we compared / analyzed the results of a previous pilot study conducted on amnestic mild cognitive impairment(aMCI) with the same protocol as this study. The aMCI group showed a significant improvement in the total SNSB‐D score(especially in the memory domain) and K‐MMSE and Korean Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scores compared with the mild AD group.ConclusionAdding KGT to AChEI did not significantly improve cognitive function in SNSB compared to placebo. Although KGT did not show cognitive improvement in the patients with mild AD in this study, we suggest that KGT would have a positive effect on the patients with early stages of cognitive impairment such as aMCI.

Structural equation model of the relationship between functional ability, mental health, and quality of life in older adults living alone.

AimsLiving alone, a reality in an increasing number of older adults recently, is a risk factor for low quality of life. This study identified the predictors of quality of life in older adults living alone based on mental health and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health.MethodsThis secondary data analysis used information from the 2018 Assessing the Requirements of Customized Health Care and Daily Living Support Services survey (N = 1,022), collected from adults aged ≥ 65 living alone in Siheung City, South Korea, from August to October 2018. The exogenous variables were body functions (hand grip strength, timed “up and go” test score, and body mass index), daily living activities (Korean Instrumental Activities of the Daily Living Scale), social activity participation (social activity engagement, neighbor contacts, and family contacts), and participation in economic activity (frequency). The endogenous variables were mental health (Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form—Korean Version and UCLA Loneliness Scale) and quality of life (EuroQoL-5 Dimension-3 Level and EuroQoL-Visual Analog Scale).ResultsAfter modifying the hypothetical model, which had failed to satisfy the recommended fitness level, the (modified) model had good fitness indices Q (CMIN / df) 2.90, GFI 1, AGFI 1, RMSEA 0.04, CFI 0.90 and PCFI 0.53. Of the nine pathways of the modified model, five were statistically significant. Quality of life was affected by body functions, daily living activities, social activity participation, and mental health. These variables explained 68.2% of the factors affecting quality of life.ConclusionsBy highlighting the role of mental health, this model provides a useful framework for improving the quality of life of older adults who live alone and function at various levels in the community. Focusing on advancing mental health through body functions, daily living activities, and social activity participation can improve quality of life.

Does the virtual shopping training improve executive function and instrumental activities of daily living of patients with mild cognitive impairment?

To date, ecological validity of virtual shopping training for patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has not been confirmed yet. Main objective of this study was to investigate effects of virtual shopping training on executive function and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) in patients with MCI. 32 patients with MCI were randomly assigned to the experimental group that received virtual shopping training or the waitlist control group for a total of 16 sessions. To examine effects of virtual shopping training on executive function and IADL, Korean version of the Executive Function Performance Test (EFPT-K) and Korean Instrumental Activities of Daily living (K-IADL) were conducted. After the 16 sessions, the experimental group showed greater improvement in the EFPT-K (p<0.001) and the K-IADL (p<0.001) compared to the control group. These results suggest that virtual shopping training might be clinically beneficial to enhance executive function and IADL in patients with MCI.

Musical instruments as tangible cultural heritage and as/for intangible cultural heritage

AbstractMusical instruments are central components of both the tangible and intangible heritage. However, discourse about music as intangible cultural heritage frequently overlooks the importance of instruments in conserving traditions inherited from the past and making live performance possible in the present, while curating instruments as tangible heritage often neglects their function for making music. This article explores two interrelated research questions about musical instruments as heritage. First, should instrument-crafting skills inherited from the past be sustained today, and, where industrial or mechanized manufacturing processes and the development of instruments is encouraged, what are the implications for sustaining music traditions? Second, given that instruments as crafted objects deteriorate over time, should instruments inherited from the past be displayed as objects, be restored to playing condition, or be updated and developed for contemporary use? To explore these questions, I take three case studies that juxtapose musical instruments from opposite sides of the world and from societies with very different philosophical and ideological approaches. The three case studies are Britain’s piano heritage, traditional Korean instruments (kugakki) in the Republic of Korea/South Korea, and “national” instruments (minjok akki) in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea/North Korea. Based on fieldwork, ethnography, and collecting and curating work, my choice of case studies allows me to look at both the country I call home (Britain) and the region where I have researched matters musical for 40 years (the Korean peninsula). But the case studies also demonstrate that there is no single answer to questions about the role of musical instruments when (and if) instruments are recognized as both tangible and intangible heritage.

Science Missions of the Korean Lunar Exploration Program

The Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (KPLO), which is the Korean first lunar and space exploration spacecraft, will be launched in August 2022 and arrive in a lunar orbit in December 2022. The KPLO will carry out nominal missions while in a lunar polar orbit an ~100-km altitude for one year. The KPLO has five lunar science mission payloads and one technology demonstration payload in order to achieve their own science and technology goals. The science payloads consist of four Korean domestic instruments and one internationally collaborated science instrument for scientific investigations on the lunar surface and in a space environment. The Korean dometstic science instruments are the gamma-ray spectrometer named KGRS, the wide-angle polarimetric camera named PolCam, the fluxgate magnetometer named KMAG, and the high resolution camera named LUTI. The name of the internationally collaborated science instrument is ShandowCam, which was developed by Arizona State University, U.S., and funded and managed by NASA. The science data acquired by the science payloads will be released to the public in order to enhance scientific and educational achievements. The science data acquired by each science instrument will be archived and released through the web sites of the KPDS (KARI Planetary Data System) for the Korean science instruments and the NASA PDS (Planetary Data System) for the internationally collaborated science instrument.

Psychometric Evaluation of the Korean Version of Control Attitudes Scale-Revised.

Heart failure (HF) is a chronic heart condition that requires patients to adapt to the disease and maintain a high degree of self-management. Patients with HF commonly feel loss of control, which has a negative effect on their compliance to self-care, health-related quality of life, and health outcomes. To promote self-care behavior and to develop healthy coping mechanisms, it is important to understand individual HF patients' perceived control, a self-generated belief that one has the ability to bring forth desired outcomes. Currently, there is no valid and reliable Korean instrument available in measuring perceived control among patients with HF. The objective of this study was to cross-culturally translate, adapt, and evaluate psychometric properties of the Korean version of Control Attitudes Scale-Revised (KCAS-R) in Korean patients with HF. The KCAS-R was developed using a translation/back-translation process and an examination of semantic and conceptual equivalence. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach α to determine internal consistency, and item-total and interitem correlations were assessed to test item homogeneity. The construct validity was examined using exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and testing hypotheses for known associations with self-efficacy, self-care confidence, and self-care. A convenience sample of 138 patients with HF were included for the psychometric testing of an 8-item KCAS-R. The Cronbach α for internal consistency was 0.835, and the item-total correlation was acceptable. The construct validity revealed a 2-factor structure accounting for 63.23% of the total variance. The KCAS-R was associated with higher levels of self-efficacy, self-care confidence, and self-care. In addition, patients with higher perceived control had less depression and anxiety compared with those with lower levels of perceived control. This study provided support for the satisfactory reliability and validity of the 8-item KCAS-R in measuring perceived control in Korean patients with HF.

Factors contributing to cognitive improvement effects of acupuncture in patients with mild cognitive impairment: a pilot randomized controlled trial

BackgroundMild cognitive impairment (MCI) is generally regarded as the borderline between cognitive changes of aging and very early Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It is important to develop easily available interventions to delay the progression of MCI to AD. We investigated factors contributing to the cognitive improvement effects of acupuncture to obtain data for developing optimized acupuncture treatments for MCI.MethodsThis outcome assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial included a full analysis for comparing the efficacy of different acupuncture methods. Thirty-two participants with MCI (i.e., fulfilling the Peterson diagnostic criteria for MCI, K-MMSE scores of 20–23, and MoCA-K scale scores of 0–22) were randomly assigned to basic acupuncture (BA; GV20, EX-HN1, GB20, and GV24 for 30 min), acupoint specificity (AS; adding KI3 to BA), needle duration (ND; BA for 20 min), or electroacupuncture (EA; electrical stimulation to BA) groups (n=8/group) via 1:1:1:1 allocation and administered acupuncture once daily, three times a week for 8 weeks. The measured outcomes included scores on the Korean version of the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-K-cog), Korean version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale (MoCA-K), Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale, Korean Activities of Daily Living scale, Korean Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scale, and European Quality of Life Five Dimension Five Level Scale. Outcome measurements were recorded at baseline (week 0), intervention endpoint (week 8), and 12 weeks after intervention completion (week 20).ResultsTwenty-five patients with MCI completed the trial (BA group, 8; AS group, 6; ND group, 5; EA group, 6). MoCA-K scores were significantly increased in the BA group compared with the ND (p=0.008, week 8–week 0) and EA groups (p=0.003, week 8–week 0; p=0.043, week 20–week 0). ADAS-K-cog scores were significantly decreased in the BA group compared with the ND group (p=0.019, week 20–week 0).ConclusionsThe BA group showed significant improvement in cognitive function compared to the ND and EA groups. Electrical stimulation and needle duration may contribute to the cognitive improvement effects of acupuncture in patients with MCI.Trial registrationClinical Research Information Service; URL:cris.nih.go.kr.; unique identifier: KCT0003430 (registration date: January 16, 2019).

Older Men Living with Spouse and Older Women Living with Spouse and Children Have Lower Frailty Prevalence: The Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study (KFACS).

BackgroundIn older adults, the risk of frailty is higher among those who are unmarried than among those who are married. However, no study has reported about the relationship between cohabitation status and frailty.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 2,128 community-dwelling adults aged between 70 and 84 years who underwent interviews and physical function assessments for the Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study. The definition of frailty was derived from the Fried frailty phenotype. Cohabitation was categorized as “living alone”, “with spouse only”, “with children only”, and “with spouse and children”.ResultsThe mean age was 76 years, and 46.3% of the adults were men. After adjusting for age, education, income, nutritional status, alcohol, smoking history, Geriatric Depression Scale, Mini-Mental State Examination, Korean Activities of Daily Living, Korean Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, urinary incontinence, and polypharmacy, the odds ratios of frailty were 0.323 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.137–0.763; p<0.001) and 1.089 (95% CI, 0.671–1.769; p=0.730) for men and women living with a spouse, respectively. The odds ratios of frailty were 0.329 (95% CI, 0.117–0.927; p=0.035) and 0.332 (95% CI, 0.123–0.891; p=0.029) for men and women living with spouse and children, respectively.ConclusionMen living with a spouse or with a spouse and children had a lowered prevalence of frailty, and women living with a spouse and children together had a lowered prevalence of frailty.

Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Korean Version of the iMTA Productivity Cost Questionnaire.

This study develops the Korean version of the Institute for Medical Technology Assessment Productivity Cost Questionnaire (iPCQ) through translation/cultural adaptation and evaluation of psychometric properties. We included 110 outpatients visiting a gynecology clinic. We conducted the translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the iPCQ, including forward and back-translation, pilot test with cognitive debriefing, and finalization. We analyzed the feasibility (using average time of filling in the iPCQ and the proportion of missing values), test–retest reliability (using the intra-class correlation coefficient [ICC]), and validity (concurrent validity with the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment [WPAI] and construct validity with the 36-Item Short Form Survey [SF-36], using Spearman’s ρ). The Korean version of iPCQ showed appropriate feasibility (average filling in time was 5.0 min without missing values), and had excellent values in the domains of absenteeism, presenteeism, and unpaid work for test–retest reliability (ICC: 0.92–0.99). For concurrent validity, the Korean version of iPCQ showed moderate–high correlation for absenteeism and presenteeism with the WPAI. All domains of productivity losses measured by the Korean version of iPCQ showed negative correlation with the quality of life estimated by the SF-36. Through this study, we developed a Korean instrument that can measure and value health-related productivity losses including unpaid work as well as absenteeism and presenteeism.

Exploring the Predictors of Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder for Parkinson's Disease Patients Using Classifier Ensemble.

The rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) of Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients can be improved with medications such as donepezil as long as it is diagnosed with a thorough medical examination, since identifying a high-risk group of RBD is a critical issue to treat PD. This study develops a model for predicting the high-risk groups of RBD using random forest (RF) and provides baseline information for selecting subjects for polysomnography. Subjects consisted of 350 PD patients (Parkinson’s disease with normal cognition (PD-NC) = 48; Parkinson’s disease with mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI) = 199; Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD) = 103) aged 60 years and older. This study compares the prediction performance of RF, discriminant analysis, classification and regression tree (CART), radial basis function (RBF) neural network, and logistic regression model to select a final model with the best model performance and presents the variable importance of the final model’s variable. As a result of analysis, the sensitivity of RF (79%) was superior to other models (discriminant analysis = 14%, CART = 32%, RBF neural network = 25%, and logistic regression = 51%). It was confirmed that age, the motor score of Untitled Parkinson’s Disease Rating (UPDRS), the total score of UPDRS, the age when a subject was diagnosed with PD first time, the Korean Mini Mental State Examination, and Korean Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, were major variables with high weight for predicting RBD. Among them, age was the most important factor. The model for predicting Parkinson’s disease RBD developed in this study will contribute to the screening of patients who should receive a video-polysomnography.

Is a program to improve grocery-shopping skills clinically effective in improving executive function and instrumental activities of daily living of patients with schizophrenia?

To date, cognitive intervention to improve executive function for patients with schizophrenia has not been ecologically validated. Our main objective was to investigate the effectiveness of grocery shopping skill program on executive function and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) of patients with schizophrenia. Among 20 patients with schizophrenia who received conventional rehabilitation, 10 patients were allocated to an experimental group and they additionally performed the program to improve grocery shopping skill in a real situation for eight sessions. The rest of participants were assigned to the wait-list group. To identify the effects on executive function, the Korean version of the Executive Function Performance Test (EFPT-K) was used. IADL was evaluated using the Korean Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (K-IADL). After the sessions, the EFPT-K (p < .001) and K-IADL (p < .05) were significantly improved in the experimental group. These results indicate that the program to improve grocery shopping skills might be clinically beneficial to enhance executive function and IADL of patients with schizophrenia.

Effects of different acupuncture treatment methods on mild cognitive impairment: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundMild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an intermediate state between normal aging and Alzheimer’s disease, which is the world’s most common form of dementia. It is important to identify early and easily available interventions to delay the progression of MCI to Alzheimer’s disease. Acupuncture has been reported to improve the clinical outcomes of MCI treatment. Acupuncture is a complex intervention, involving both specific and non-specific factors associated with therapeutic benefits. Therefore, we intend to obtain basic data for developing an optimal acupuncture treatment for MCI by comparing the effects of different acupuncture treatment methods on cognitive function in MCI patients.MethodsThis study will be a prospective, outcome-assessor-blinded, parallel-arm, single-center (DongShin University Gwangju Korean Medicine Hospital, Republic of Korea), randomized controlled clinical trial. Thirty-two participants with MCI will be randomized in equal numbers to four groups (basic acupuncture (BA), acupoint specificity (AS), needle duration (ND), or electroacupuncture (EA)) and receive acupuncture treatment once per day, 3 days/week for 8 weeks. The BA and ND groups will receive acupuncture treatment for 30 and 20 min, respectively, at Baihui (GV20), Sishencong (EX-HN1), Fengchi (GB20), and Shenting (GV24). The EA group will receive electroacupuncture treatment at the same acupoints for 30 min. The AS group will receive acupuncture treatment at GV20, EX-HN1, GB20, GV24, and Taixi (KI3) for 30 min. The outcome measured will be scores on the Korean version of the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale—cognitive subscale, the Korean version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale, the Korean Activities of Daily Living scale, the Korean Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scale, and the European Quality of Life Five Dimension Five Level scale. All scores will be recorded before intervention, 8 weeks after the first intervention, and 12 weeks after completing the intervention.DiscussionFour acupuncture protocols will be assessed and compared as potential MCI treatments. This study is expected to provide data to be used in developing an optimal acupuncture method for MCI treatment.Trial registrationClinical Research Information Service, KCT0003430. Registered on 16 January 2019.http://cris.nih.go.kr).

Effects of electroacupuncture combined with computer-based cognitive rehabilitation on mild cognitive impairment: study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial

BackgroundMild cognitive impairment (MCI) is defined as an intermediate stage between normal aging and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and early and easily available interventions to delay the progress of MCI to AD are necessary. Feasible complementary and alternative therapies such as electroacupuncture (EA), exercise, and cognitive training have shown some beneficial effects on MCI and AD. Here we report the protocol for a randomized controlled trial of the efficacy and safety of EA combined with computer-based cognitive rehabilitation (EA-CCR) for the treatment of MCI.MethodsThe study will be a prospective, outcome assessor-blinded, parallel-arm, single-center (DongShin University Gwangju Korean Medicine Hospital, Republic of Korea), pilot randomized controlled clinical trial with a 1:1 allocation ratio. Participants with MCI will be randomized to a computer-based cognitive rehabilitation (CCR) or an EA-CCR group (n = 18 each). The CCR group will receive RehaCom cognitive rehabilitation once (30 min) a day, 3 days per week (excluding Saturday and Sunday) for 8 weeks. The EA-CCR group will receive EA at Baihui (GV20), Sishencong (EX-HN1), Fengchi (GB20), and Shenting (GV24) in addition to RehaCom cognitive rehabilitation once (EA:30 min, CCR:30 min) a day, 3 days per week (excluding Saturday and Sunday) for 8 weeks. The primary outcome will be an improvement in cognitive function assessed using the Korean version of the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale. Scores for the Korean version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, Korean Activities of Daily Living scale, Korean Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scale, and European Quality of Life Five Dimension Five Level Scale will be recorded as secondary outcome measures. All scores will be recorded at baseline (before intervention), 8 weeks after the first intervention (i.e., at the end of the intervention), and 12 weeks after completion of the intervention.DiscussionThe study is expected to provide preliminary evidence regarding the efficacy, safety, and usefulness of EA-CCR for the treatment of MCI.Trial registrationKorea Clinical Information Service, cris.nih.go.kr, KCT0003415. Registered on 4 January 2019. Retrospectively registered, http://cris.nih.go.kr.