The Analysis of Studies Related to the Learning Methods of Biological Nursing Subjects in Korea

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the current status of studies related to the learning methods of biological nursing subjects in Korea. METHODS: Five databases (KoreaMed, KMbase, NDSL, KISS, KiSTi) and grey literature were searched prior to February 2018. A total 12 studies met the inclusion criteria including 11 articles and 1 proceeding. RESULTS: We included five experimental studies, five non-experimental studies, and two mixed method studies. First, most of the studies that applied a learning method focused on the subject of human anatomy and physiology; team-based learning was the method that was utilized the most. Second, the necessity of well-designed research was confirmed because the quality of included studies was low. Third, the research variables identified were mainly concentrated on the affective domain, and included satisfaction, motivation, self-efficacy, self-directed learning, confidence, attitude. We confirmed the need to develop a learning program that can also improve the cognitive and psychomotor domain variables in future research. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that further research should be conducted with consideration the domain of research variables evenly. In addition, future studies should apply various learning methods and included randomized controlled trials.

Hypertension and Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Patients with Drug-Naïve Alzheimer's Disease

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) such as anxiety, depression, and delusions affect up to 90% of all patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). NPS is associated with significant caregiver burden and patient distress. Given the severe burden of NPS in AD, it is critical to know potential modifiable risk factors of NPS in AD. This study explores the association between hypertension and NPS in patients with drug-naïve AD. METHODS: We reviewed medical records of 149 patients with AD with (n=80) and without (n=69) hypertension. NPS were assessed using the Korean version of Neuropsychiatric Inventory (K-NPI). Affective, psychotic, and behavior symptom clusters were assessed separately. RESULTS: The total score of K-NPI was not significantly different between patients with AD with and without hypertension. Among K-NPI domains, scores of depression/dysphoria (p=0.045), anxiety (p=0.022), and apathy/indifference (p=0.037) were significantly higher in patients with AD with hypertension. Systolic blood pressure (BP) was associated with higher total K-NPI and affective symptom cluster scores. Diastolic BP was associated with affective symptom cluster scores. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that hypertension increases risk of specific NPS in patients with AD. Among NPS, hypertension was associated with affective symptom cluster.