Effects of Meaning-Centered and Mindfulness-Based Stress Management Program with Using Marine Resources on the Improvement of Emotion, Sleep Quality, Quality of Life and Cognitive Function in Family Caregiver of Patients with Severe Physical Disability : Preliminary Study / 정신신체의학

OBJECTIVES@#The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of meaning centered and mindfulnessbased stress management program with using marine resources on positive changes in mood, sleep, quality of life and cognitive function.@*METHODS@#Nine family caregivers of patients with severe disability experienced meaning centered and mindfulness-based stress management program for four-days in marine areas near Uljin-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do in South Korea. Subjective questionnaires and objective assessments were conducted and statistically analyzed to examine changes in mood, sleep, quality of life, and cognitive function before, after, and after 6 weeks of participation.@*RESULTS@#After participating in the program, moods including depression improved significantly. This effect lasted until 6 weeks. Participants' sleep quality, quality of life and cognitive function improved significantly after 6 weeks of program participation.@*CONCLUSIONS@#This new specialized stress management program using marine resources for family caregivers of patients with severe disability is expected to be used effectively in terms of improving their overall quality of life, mental health status and cognitive efficiency.

Erratum: Stable isotope analysis of Joseon people skeletons from the cemeteries of Old Seoul City, the capital of Joseon Dynasty / 대한해부학회지

The author's name and the institutional affiliation of the authors were published incorrectly.

Stable isotope analysis of Joseon people skeletons from the cemeteries of Old Seoul City, the capital of Joseon Dynasty / 대한해부학회지

Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis reveals the diets of different human populations in history. In this study, we performed stable isotope analysis on human skeletons from Joseon-period cemeteries discovered around Old Seoul City (Hansung). Our data clearly showed that Joseon individuals consumed more C3-based than C4-based foods as the main staples, and that the proteins they ate were mainly of terrestrial, but not of marine origin. Stable isotope values exhibited unique patterns in each of our sample subgroups. Whereas the delta13C values did not show any statistical differences among the subgroups, significantly higher values of delta15N were found in males than in females, which might reflect dietary differences between the sexes. For a fuller understanding of the dietary patterns of pre-industrial (pre-20th century) Koreans, additional studies on Joseon samples from Korean archaeological sites will be necessary.

Change of Visual Perception in Geriatric Strokes after Visuomotor Coordination Training

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of visuomotor coordination training on the visual perception of geriatric stroke patients. METHOD: Thirty (n=30) cooperative geriatric stroke patients were randomly assigned into 2 groups. The control group received conventional rehabilitation therapy, and intervention group received additional visuomotor coordination training with Dynavision for 30 minutes a day, 3 times a week for 4 weeks. We assessed visual perception and functional status before and after intervention by measuring K-MMSE, K-MBI, K-DRS scores, and by conducting Computerized Neuropsychological Test (CNT) (Maxmedia, Seoul, Korea) 1) visual memory; visual span backward & forward, 2) visual attention; visual continuous performance test (correct response, reaction time), 3) visuomotor coordination; trail making A test. RESULTS: The intervention group showed significant improvement in visual attention (p0.05). Both groups showed significant increase in K-MMSE and K-MBI scores (p0.05). CONCLUSION: Dynavision training improved the primary visual skill - visual attention, but did not improve higher order visual skills, such as visual memory, visuomotor coordination, cognition or functional performance in the elder stroke patients. Dynavision could be a useful tool for cognitive rehabilitation in patients with cognitive impairment and attention deficit by improving visual attention.

The Life of Persons with C4 Tetraplegia in the Community Residence

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the life of persons with C4 tetraplegia in the community residence. METHOD: This study was designed as a personal interview survey using the questionnaires for the general characteristics, Craig Handicap Assessment and Reporting Technique (CHART), Diener's satisfaction with life scale, and Rosenberg self esteem scale. The subjects were 15 persons with C4 tetraplegia. RESULTS: Among 15 persons, six were married, three of them were married after the injury. Five persons reported being employed, thirteen persons used computers. The number of cases for remodeling their houses were 13. Twelve persons reported being 'glad to be alive'. Their Diener's satisfactionof life scale was 16.6 (slightly dissatisfied). Rosenberg self esteem scale was 23.3. The CHART showed the following scores: physical independence 46, mobility 56, occupation 30, social integration 89, and economic self sufficiency 68. Diener's satisfaction with life scale of the subjects were significantly correlated with that of their caregiver (p=0.006). CONCLUSION: The life of the individual with C4 tetraplegia in the community was more active than expected, considering their substantial physical limitation. Therefore, appropriate post-discharge planning should be included in inpatient rehabilitation program for the C4 tetraplegics.