A Mixed-Methods Study Protocol for Soma Experiencing Motion Program (Soma e-motion Program): The Effectiveness of Contemplative Movement for Emotion Regulation

Somatics refers to body work and movement study that emphasize internal perception and experience. Recently, a new perspective has emerged that views somatics-based techniques as a kind of mindful movement. Somatic techniques as contemplative movement can improve emotional regulation ability through improvement of body awareness or interoception. Based on this background, the present study attempts to develop a somatics based program suitable for a group of clinical patients suffering from emotional dysregulation. This study plans to collect quantitative and qualitative data in order to clarify how interoception and the related emotional regulation ability change after the program. These findings will help to explore whether the somatics technique has potential as an emotion regulation program in the future. In addition, the results are expected to contribute to finding an alternative treatment modality for patients who have not achieved a sufficient effect with conventional psychotherapy.

A Mixed-Methods Study Protocol for Soma Experiencing Motion Program (Soma e-motion Program): The Effectiveness of Contemplative Movement for Emotion Regulation

Somatics refers to body work and movement study that emphasize internal perception and experience. Recently, a new perspective has emerged that views somatics-based techniques as a kind of mindful movement. Somatic techniques as contemplative movement can improve emotional regulation ability through improvement of body awareness or interoception. Based on this background, the present study attempts to develop a somatics based program suitable for a group of clinical patients suffering from emotional dysregulation. This study plans to collect quantitative and qualitative data in order to clarify how interoception and the related emotional regulation ability change after the program. These findings will help to explore whether the somatics technique has potential as an emotion regulation program in the future. In addition, the results are expected to contribute to finding an alternative treatment modality for patients who have not achieved a sufficient effect with conventional psychotherapy.

Menopause and Cognitive Function : Hospitalized Female Patients with Depression

OBJECTIVES: Although forgetfulness is a common complaint among menopausal depressed women, there is still a debate about the relationship between memory impairment and menopause. The aim of this study is to examine whether menopause is related to cognitive decline among women with depressive disorders. We hypothesized that postmenopausal depressed women show generally poorer performance than premenopausal depressed women on various cognitive function tests. METHODS: With a retrospective chart review, we identified a total of 87 female patients (45 premenopausal patients and 42 postmenopausal patients) who were hospitalized with depressive disorders from 2000 to 2016. Demographic and clinical variables and cognitive test results were compared between two groups. RESULTS: ducation year is longer in premenopausal group than postmenopausal group whereas clinical characteristics (illness duration, recurrence, and symptom severity) and mean Intelligence Quotient (IQ) were similar between two groups. The postmenopausal group took longer time for Bender-Gestalt Test (BGT) recall, Trail Making Test (TMT)-A, and TMT-B than the premenopausal group. After controlling for age and education, significant difference was remained for BGT recall (p = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS: Postmenopausal state may be related with decline of visuospatial memory function, in particular, among depressed female patients. Other areas of cognitive function including complex attention, verbal memory, auditory memory, and working memory might be interpreted while considering age and education level.

The Effectiveness of Cross-Tapering Switching to Ziprasidone in Patients with Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder

OBJECTIVE: Switching antipsychotics is one useful therapeutic option when the treatment of schizophrenia encounters suboptimal efficacy and intolerability issues. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of cross-tapering switching to ziprasidone from other antipsychotics. METHODS: A total of 67 patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were recruited in this 12-week, multicenter, non-comparative, open-label trial. Prior antipsychotics were allowed to be maintained for up to 4 weeks during the titration of ziprasidone. Efficacy was primarily measured using the 18-item Brief Psychotic Rating Scale (BPRS) at baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks. Efficacy was secondarily measured by the Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) scale and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale at each visit. Regarding the metabolic effects of switching to ziprasidone, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and lipid profile-including triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and total cholesterol levels-were measured at each follow-up visit. RESULTS: The BPRS scores were significantly improved at 12 weeks after switching to ziprasidone (F=5.96, df=2.11, p=0.003), whereas the CGI-S and GAF scores were not significantly changed. BMIs, WHRs, and TG levels were significantly decreased, with no significant changes in other lipid profiles. CONCLUSION: Cross-tapering switching to ziprasidone is effective for patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Beyond the efficacy of the procedure, favorable metabolic profiles show that switching to ziprasidone may be helpful for maintenance therapy over an extended period.

The Reliability and Validity of the Korean Version of Burden Assessment Scale (K-BAS) / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted for evaluation of the reliability and validity of the Korean version of the Burden Assessment Scale (K-BAS). METHODS: A sample of 256 first-order relatives of schizophrenics completed the K-BAS and the data were analyzed for internal consistency and factor structure. In addition, a subset of participants (n=112) refilled the K-BAS after two weeks for test-retest reliability. To test for validity, the Family Burden Scale (FBS), Korean version of Drug Attitude Inventory-10 (KDAI-10), and Korean version of the Scale to Assess Unawareness of Mental Disorder (SUMD-K) were administered. RESULTS: The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the K-BAS was high (0.91), which provided evidence for good internal consistency. The test-retest reliability of K-BAS was 0.86 (correlation coefficient, p<0.001). Convergent validity was examined through correlations between the K-BAS and the FBS (r=0.80, p<0.001). Divergent validity was examined through correlations between the K-BAS and KDAI-10 (r=-0.21, p=0.001), and between the K-BAS and SUMD-K (r=-0.02, p=0.796). Results of the factor analysis revealed a three-factor solution: activity limitation, social strain, and feelings of worry and guilt. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the K-BAS had good psychometric properties and may be a useful instrument for evaluation of burden of families with schizophrenics.

Efficacy and Safety of Paliperidone Extended Release in Schizophrenia Patients Requiring a Switch in Antipsychotic Medication by Switching Previous Antipsychotics to Paliperidone Extended Release / 대한정신약물학회지

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy, safety, and tolerability of paliperidone extended release (ER) in patients with schizophrenia by switching previous antipsychotics to paliperidone ER. METHODS: An open-label, 24 weeks, prospective, non-comparative, multi-center study evaluated total 387 patients with schizophrenia requiring a switch in antipsychotic medication due to suboptimal efficacy, intolerability, and non-compliance. Patients were switched to flexible-dose trial of paliperidone ER (3-12 mg/day). Efficacy was measured by Krawiecka Scale, Clinical Global Impression-Schizophrenia-Severity (CGI-SCH-S), Clinical Global Impression-Schizophrenia-Improvement (CGI-SCH-I), sleep visual analog scale (VAS), and Personal and Social Performance Scale (PSP). Safety assessments included adverse events (AEs), evaluation of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) using the Drug Induced Extrapyramidal Symptoms Scale (DIEPSS), and laboratory tests. RESULTS: Data from a total of 321 subjects who took the paliperidone ER and had at least one follow-up assessment without a major protocol violation were analyzed. Switching to paliperidone ER led to a significant improvement in the Krawiecka, CGI-SCH-S, CGI-SCH-I, PSP, and DIEPSS scales. However, serum prolactin levels and metabolic parameters including body weight and waist circumference were significantly increased. Insomnia was the most common adverse event. CONCLUSION: This study suggested that patients with schizophrenia who showed insufficient response or intolerance to other previous antipsychotics can be switched to paliperidone ER, with efficacy, safety, and tolerability.

Auditory and Visual P300 in ADHD Children with Higher and Lower IQ : Pilot Study

OBJECTIVES: Intellectual impairment in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often associated with relatively severe cognitive dysfunction. This study was designed to investigate cognitive function using auditory and visual event-related potential P300 in children with ADHD with relatively higher and lower IQ. METHODS: A total of 20 children aged 6-12 years with DSM-IV-TR diagnosis of ADHD-combined type were recruited. For 10 children with lower IQ (100), auditory and visual P300 using oddball paradigm (target 0.2, standard 0.8, in probability) were employed. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in P300 amplitude and latency between ADHD children with higher and lower IQ in both modalities. However, auditory P300 amplitude in the right parietal area (P8 electrode) was negatively correlated with verbal IQ in ADHD subjects (R=-.50, p<.05). Visual P300 amplitude in the left parietal area (P3 electrode) was positively correlated with performance IQ in ADHD subjects (R=.57, p<.01). CONCLUSION: This study suggests intellectual impairment, as evidenced by lower IQ, could not be associated with cognitive dysfunction reflected in event-related potential P300 in ADHD children. However, cognitive function reflected in intellectual subcomponents and P300 might be processed in a stimulus modality-specific and asymmetric pattern.

Auditory and Visual P300 in ADHD Children with Higher and Lower IQ : Pilot Study

OBJECTIVES: Intellectual impairment in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often associated with relatively severe cognitive dysfunction. This study was designed to investigate cognitive function using auditory and visual event-related potential P300 in children with ADHD with relatively higher and lower IQ. METHODS: A total of 20 children aged 6-12 years with DSM-IV-TR diagnosis of ADHD-combined type were recruited. For 10 children with lower IQ (100), auditory and visual P300 using oddball paradigm (target 0.2, standard 0.8, in probability) were employed. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in P300 amplitude and latency between ADHD children with higher and lower IQ in both modalities. However, auditory P300 amplitude in the right parietal area (P8 electrode) was negatively correlated with verbal IQ in ADHD subjects (R=-.50, p<.05). Visual P300 amplitude in the left parietal area (P3 electrode) was positively correlated with performance IQ in ADHD subjects (R=.57, p<.01). CONCLUSION: This study suggests intellectual impairment, as evidenced by lower IQ, could not be associated with cognitive dysfunction reflected in event-related potential P300 in ADHD children. However, cognitive function reflected in intellectual subcomponents and P300 might be processed in a stimulus modality-specific and asymmetric pattern.

Efficacy and Tolerability of Aripiprazole: A 26-Week Switching Study from Oral Antipsychotics

OBJECTIVE: To determine if the maintenance effectiveness and tolerability of aripiprazole demonstrated in a 12-week study were maintained in an extension phase (up to 26 weeks). METHODS: This study was the extension of our switching study from other antipsychotics to aripiprazole in symptomatically stable patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. All the patients were randomly assigned to the aripiprazole group or the non-aripiprazole group. The effectiveness analysis consisted of the comparison of the upper bound of the 95% confidence interval (CI) of the mean Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) score to 4 (no change) at the end of the study. RESULTS: At the baseline, the aripiprazole group (n=135) and the non-aripiprazole group (n=31) were comparable with respect to their mean ages, gender distribution, baseline Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale scores, and Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) scores. The study showed that the mean CGI-I score was 2.92 (95% CI: 2.72-3.12) in the aripiprazole group and 2.81 (95% CI: 2.35-3.26) in the non-aripiprazole group at 26 weeks. In the aripiprazole group, the remission rates at 12 and 26 weeks were 74.8% and 72.6%, respectively, and 80.2% of the patients with remission at 12 weeks maintained their remission state until the end of the study. About one-fourth of the patients in the aripiprazole group reported one or more spontaneous treatment-emergent adverse events, such as insomnia, headache, and nausea. CONCLUSION: This study suggested that most clinically stable outpatients with schizophrenia maintain their remission states after being switched to aripiprazole, without serious symptom aggravation and adverse events over a course of 26 weeks.

The Reliability and Validity of World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Instrument (WHOQOL) in Patients with Breast Cancer: Physical Domain and Depression / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: This study was designed to investigate the reliability and validity of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Instrument (WHOQOL) in patients with breast cancer according to depressive symptoms. METHODS: One-hundred seventeen patients with breast cancer who had undergone a radical operation were recruited. The 100 item-WHOQOL instrument and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression were used to measure all the subjects. The five domain scores, except for the WHOQOL spiritual domain, were compared between patients with and without depressive symptoms, and then the reliability and validity of the five domains were calculated. RESULTS: Depressed patients with breast cancer had lower scores in all five domains of the WHOQOL than those who were not depressed in all five domains of WHOQOL [df=(1, 115), F=46.6, p<0.001]. Reliability and validity in the physical domain of depressed patients with breast cancer decreased markedly. CONCLUSION: WHOQOL is a valid and useful instrument for evaluating the quality of life in patients with breast cancer, but is limited in scoring of depressed patients with breast cancer, particularly in the physical domain. Therefore, quality of life must be interpreted with carefully hand in depressed patients with breast cancer.

Natural Killer Cell Activity in North Korean Defectors with PTSD / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate an association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and altered immunity in North Korean defectors who were more likely to develop medical conditions and other stress-related psychiatric disorders. METHODS: Twenty-four North Korean defectors with PTSD and twenty-two controls without PTSD were recruited from the resettlement and training center for North Korean defectors in South Korea. Peripheral T lymphocyte subsets, natural killer (NK) cells, NK cell activity and plasma hormones (ACTH and cortisol) were obtained from all subjects. We also applied the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A) for all subjects. RESULTS: We found NK cell activity was relatively lower than number of NK cells in North Korean defectors with PTSD. Subjects with PTSD had higher HAM-D and HAM-A scores than controls. However, there were no statistical differences in ACTH, cortisol, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD4/CD8 ratio, CD19 and CD56 between the two groups. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest North Korean defectors with PTSD show higher levels of depression, anxiety and impaired or weak immune function in NK cells.

Microarray Analysis of Gene Expression in Rat Glioma after Ethanol Treatment

Objetives: Identification of target genes for ethanol in neurons is important for understanding its molecular and cellular mechanism of action and the neuropathological changes seen in alcoholics. The purpose of this study is to identify of altered gene expression after acute treatmet of ethanol in rat gliom cells. METHODS: We used high density cDNA microarray chip to measure the expression patterns of multiple genes in cultured rat glioma cells. DNA microarrays allow for the simultaneous measurement of the expression of several hundreds of genes. RESULTS: After comparing hybridized signals between control and ethanol treated groups, we found that treatment with ethanol increased the expression of 15 genes and decreased the expression of 12 genes. Upregulated genes included Orthodenticle(Drosophila) homolog 1, procollagen type II, adenosine A2a receptor, GATA-bindning protein 2. Downregulated genes included diacylglycerol kinase beta, PRKC, Protein phosphatase 1, clathrin-associated protein 17, nucleoporin p58, proteasome. CONCLUSION: The gene changes noted were those related to the regulation of transcription, signal transduction, second messenger systems. modulation of ischemic brain injury, and neurodengeneration.Although some of the genes were previously known to be ethanol responsive, we have for the most part identified novel genes involved in the brain response to ethanol.

Natural Killer T Cells in Acute and Unmedicated Patients with Major Depressive Disorder / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate an association between depression and altered immunity, we examined peripheral T lymphocyte or natural killer (NK) cell measures plasma ACTH and cortisol using the flow cytometry in acute and unmedicated patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). METHODS: Forty-two patients with MDD from the outpatient clinic and forty normal controls from the hospital staff were recruited. We applied Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A) for depressed subjects. Peripheral T lymphocyte or NK cell measures (CD3, CD4, CD8, or CD56) and plasma hormones (ACTH and cortisol) were obtained from all subjects. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences in CD3, CD4, CD8, or CD56 between the two subjects. The number of CD56 cells negatively correlated with HAM-D scores (r=-0.42, p<0.01), but did not correlate with HAM-A scores in patients with MDD. The number of CD56 cells showed strong negative correlation with CD4/CD8 (r=-0.47, p<0.01) in the control group, but not in the depressed group. Patients with MDD had higher cortisol level than controls within the normal range. CONCLUSION: The trait of immunological imbalance and HPA axis abnormality were shown in patients with MDD. Especially, the severity of depression, but not the anxiety, could be reflected as decreased number of CD56 (NK T) cells in acute and unmedicated state.

Auditory Event-Related Potentials P300 in Patients with Schizophrenia: Analysis by Reaction Time / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: Using two stimuli, this study was designed to evaluate variations of P300 in relations to reaction time of pressing the button for target tones in patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: The auditory oddball paradigm was used for the patients (N=22) and normal controls (N=23). The two stimuli were composed of target (20%, 2000 Hz, 75 dB) tone and standard (80%, 1000 Hz, 75 dB) tone, with 2 sec inter-stimulus interval, 50 msec duration and 10 msec rise or fall time. In each subject, P300s were acquired for both fast reaction time (FRT) and slow reaction time (SRT) to target response. RESULTS: P300 amplitude in patients with schizophrenia was lower than controls across FRT and SRT (p0.8). In this study, even though the reaction time for the button pressing task might be faster in patients with schizophrenia (p<0.1), the P300 to FRT in patients with schizophrenia was lower than the P300 to SRT in controls (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the lower P300 in patients with schizophrenia might be due to cognitive dysfunction and the patient's performance in reaction time for pressing buttons, both independently. Thus, P300 as well as reaction time may be used to further explore a variety of domains of cognitive function.

Event-Related Potential P3a and P3b using 3-Stimulus Auditory "Oddball" Paradigm in the Patients with Schizophrenia / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: Using 3-stimulus auditory "oddball" paradigm reflecting fronto/central and temporo/parietal functions simultaneously, we examined patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: Fifteen patients with schizophrenia from outpatient clinic and fifteen normal controls from hospital staffs were recruited for the study. To elicit P3a and P3b, 3-stimulus auditory oddball paradigm was employed. The 3-stimulus auditory oddball paradigm was composed of standard tone (1,000 Hz, 75 dB, 80%), target tone (2,000 Hz, 75 dB, 10%) and distracter (White noise, 95 dB, 10%). RESULTS: P3a and P3b were prominent in fronto/central and temporo/parietal areas, respectively, in both schizophrenics and normal controls. The P300 amplitude in patients with schizophrenia was reduced across P3a and P3b (p<0.01). The P300 latency in patients with schizophrenia was delayed across P3a and P3b (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: These results were consistent with frontal and temporo-parietal lobe dysfunctions in schizophrenics. The 3-stimulus auditory paradigm could be applied for patients with schizophrenia and useful for further exploration the disorder.

Event-Related Potential P3a and P3b using 3-Stimulus Auditory "Oddball" Paradigm in the Patients with Schizophrenia / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: Using 3-stimulus auditory "oddball" paradigm reflecting fronto/central and temporo/parietal functions simultaneously, we examined patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: Fifteen patients with schizophrenia from outpatient clinic and fifteen normal controls from hospital staffs were recruited for the study. To elicit P3a and P3b, 3-stimulus auditory oddball paradigm was employed. The 3-stimulus auditory oddball paradigm was composed of standard tone (1,000 Hz, 75 dB, 80%), target tone (2,000 Hz, 75 dB, 10%) and distracter (White noise, 95 dB, 10%). RESULTS: P3a and P3b were prominent in fronto/central and temporo/parietal areas, respectively, in both schizophrenics and normal controls. The P300 amplitude in patients with schizophrenia was reduced across P3a and P3b (p<0.01). The P300 latency in patients with schizophrenia was delayed across P3a and P3b (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: These results were consistent with frontal and temporo-parietal lobe dysfunctions in schizophrenics. The 3-stimulus auditory paradigm could be applied for patients with schizophrenia and useful for further exploration the disorder.

Quality of Life for Patients who had Breast Cancer Operations: The Validity and Availability for WHOQOL-BREF / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: This study was designed to investigate the validity of the WHOQOL-BREF (Brief form of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Instrument) and explore the quality of life (QOL) of breast cancer patients who survived after an operation, using the Korean version of the WHOQOL-BREF. METHODS: Fifty (50) breast cancer patients after their operations and obtaining their informed consent were recruited. Hospital staff members served as the controls. The 100 item-WHOQOL instrument was employed for testing all the subjects. The scores of the WHOQOL-BREF, which is a short version (26 questions) of the WHOQOL, includes four domains (physical, psychological, social, and environmental), were compared with those of the WHOQOL. RESULTS: The scores of the WHOQOL-BREF were significantly correlated with those of the WHOQOL in all domains. The physical, psychological, and environmental domains were associated with a worse quality of life in patients with breast cancer. CONCLUSION: The WHOQOL-BREF is a valid and useful instrument for evaluating the quality of life in patients with breast cancer.

Toward Further Progress of the Korean Neuropsychiatric Association Affiliated Academic Societies / 신경정신의학

Recently, the Korean Neuropsychiatric Association (KCNP) has been expanded greatly in the number of members as well as the qualities in the area of practice and research. There are also 23 affiliated academic societies : Korean Academy of Psychotherapists, Korean Society for Analytical Psychology, the Korean Psychoanalytic Society, the Korean Association for Clinical Art, Korean Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, the Korean Association of Social Psychiatry, The Korean Society of Biological Therapies in Psychiatry, Korean College of Neuropsychopharmacology, the Korean Society of Biological Psychiatry, Society of Korean Women Psychiatrists, the Korean Society of Clinical Hypnosis, the Society for Human Sexuality, Korean Society of Sleep Research, the Korean Society for Psychopathology and Psychiatric Classification, Korean Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, Korean Psychosomatic Society, Korean Academy of Sleep Medicine, Korean Association for Geriatic Psychiatry, Korean Academy of Psychiatrists in Alcoholism & Addiction, Korean Academy of Adolescent Psychiatry, Korean Academy Schizophrenia, Korean Society for Depressive and Bipolar Disorders, and Korean Academy of Anxiety Disorders. To further encourage the progress of the KCNP affiliated academic societies, the KCNP planning committee has developed the proposed criteria for assessing the societies.

Quality of Life in Patients with Stomach Cancer after Operation

PURPOSE: This study was designed to explore quality of life (QOL) in patients with stomach cancer by using the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL) Instrument-Korean version. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one (31) patients with stomach cancer after curative resection were recruited with informed consent. Age- and gender-matched hospital staff served as controls. The 100-item WHOQOL Instrument, including physical domain, psychological domain, social domain, independence domain, environment domain, and spiritual domain, was employed for the all subjects. RESULTS: In patients with stomach cancer after operation, only two domains, physical and independence, were associated with worse quality of life. In those domains, patients with advanced stage, with total gastrectomy, with adjuvant chemotherapy, and early or late postoperative period (5 years after operation), could be perceived of having a worse quality of life. CONCLUSION: Not only scientific objective success but also individual subjective perception of condition could be important for managing patients with stomach carcinomas after curative resection. In this context, the WHOQOL reflecting multi-dimensional state of well being could be a useful tool across a variety of cultural and value systems in the world.

Quality of Life in Patients with Stomach Cancer after a Curative Resection: The validity and availability of WHOQOL-BREF

PUPOSE: This study was designed to investigate the validity of WHOQOL-BREF (Brief form of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Instrument) and to explore quality of life (QOL) by using WHOQOL-BREF in patients with stomach cancer after a curative resection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty (50) patients with stomach cancer after a curative resection were recruited with informed consents. Age- and gender matched hospital staffs served as controls. The 100-item WHOQOL instrument was employed for the all subjects. The scores of the WHOQOL-BREF, which is a short version (26 questions) of the WHOQOL, and includes four domains (physical, psychological, social, and environmental), were compared with those of WHOQOL. RESULTS: The scores of the WHOQOL-BREF were significantly correlated with those of the WHOQOL in all domains. Two domains, physical and social, were associated with worse quality of life in patients with stomach cancer after a curative resection. CONCLUSION: The WHOQOL-BREF is a valid instrument that is useful for evaluating the quality of life in patients with stomach cancer.