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Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is commonly defined as a transitional subclinical state between normal aging and dementia. A growing body of research indicates that health behaviors may play a protective role against cognitive decline and could potentially slow down the progression from MCI to dementia. The aim of this study is to conduct a bibliometric analysis of literature focusing on health behaviors and MCI to summarize the factors and evidence regarding the influence of health behaviors on MCI. Methods: The study performed a bibliometric analysis by retrieving publications from the Science Citation Index and Social Sciences Citation Index subdatabases within the Web of Science Core Collection. Utilizing VOSviewer and CiteSpace software, a total of 2,843 eligible articles underwent co-citation, cokeywords, and clustering analyses. This methodology aimed to investigate the current status, trends, major research questions, and potential future directions within the research domain. Results: The bibliometric analysis indicates that research on healthy behaviors in individuals with MCI originated in 2002 and experienced rapid growth in 2014, reflecting the increasing global interest in this area. The United States emerged as the primary contributor, accounting for more than one-third of the total scientific output with 982 articles. Journals that published the most articles on MCI-related health behaviors included "Journal of Alzheimer's Disease," "Neurobiology of Aging," "Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience," and other geriatricsrelated journals. High-impact papers identified by VOSviewer predominantly cover concepts related to MCI, such as diagnostic criteria, assessment, and multifactorial interventions. Co-occurrence keyword analysis highlights five research hotspots in health behavior associated with MCI: exercise, diet, risk factors and preventive measures for dementia, cognitive decline-related biomarkers, and clinical trials. Conclusion: This study provides a comprehensive review of literature on health behavior in individuals with MCI, emphasizing influential documents and journals. It outlines research trends and key focal points, offering valuable insights for researchers to comprehend significant contributions and steer future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Naïve yet threatening is how the South Korean news media have characterized some older adults who have taken to social media to air their political views. Labeled as "angry (digital) silver," these older adults using YouTube and other social media platforms for political activity are portrayed as digitally illiterate and aggressive. This paper examines the rhetoric surrounding older adults' digital media literacy in scholarship and popular news media with a focus on the news media's portrayal of older adults' digital political activity. By analyzing the use of language and various rhetorical strategies, I argue that specific rhetoric of caution, which warns against older adults' so-called lower digital media literacy, is used to invalidate their digital political activity. I draw upon the case of the "Taegukgi squad"—a political group mainly composed of older adults in South Korea—and the evolution of their digital presence. Addressing the media's biased portrayal of older adults' digital media literacy, this paper further invites reflection on controversies around the role of age in digital political activities around the globe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With the proliferation of the internet and the development of internet‐based healthcare interventions, eHealth is expected to be an effective complement to traditional healthcare services. However, without understanding the characteristics of the user population, eHealth itself can isolate older adults. Aim: This study aims to identify the characteristics of internet use and the factors associated with eHealth use among older adults. Methods: A secondary data analysis was conducted from a cross‐sectional descriptive study. A convenience sample of 186 community dwelling older adults was recruited at two senior welfare centres in Korea. The data collected included demographic characteristics, health related characteristics, internet use, eHealth use and eHealth literacy. Multiple linear regression was utilized to determine factors related to eHealth use. Results: Among 186 respondents, 98 reported that they used the internet. Internet usage was associated with educational attainment, marital status, cognitive function and possession of internet‐enabled devices. The results of multiple regression analysis showed that greater eHealth usage was related to more positive perception of eHealth usability and better eHealth literacy among older adults. Conclusion: Educational programmes for older adults should be developed to facilitate digital capability and eHealth literacy. Useful and effective online health resources that are easy to use should be also developed. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? With an ageing society, health promotion and management of chronic diseases are becoming increasingly important; thus, the social burden of healthcare is expected to increase.eHealth can help individuals manage chronic disease effectively and promote changing behaviours for better health, but older adults may not be able to use the internet and eHealth. What this paper adds? This paper identified the factors related to internet use in adults aged 65 and over: higher educational level, married/partnered marital status, better cognitive function and possession of internet‐enabled devices.This paper identified factors facilitating eHealth use: older adults who perceived eHealth as more useful and had better eHealth literacy used eHealth more frequently. The implications of this paper: Education for older adults to enhance their skills to use internet‐enabled devices and increase their capability to interpret health‐related information can facilitate eHealth accessibility and enable them to take advantage of the benefits of health technologies.Useful online health resources that are evidence‐based and easy‐to‐use can encourage older adults to use eHealth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper critically reviews whether the hierarchical system or intercrisis learning can be sufficient to understand Korea's COVID-19 responses. Our case study suggests that a Korean response system is a hybrid form that uses a hierarchical structure together with a network approach. To unveil theoretical models of how learning may occur and evolve during a crisis, we employ a policy learning model combining the network perspective and the four Cs model (cognition, communication, coordination, and control). We analyse the change in government manuals, response policies, and agenda streams observed in government documents. This analysis reveals far more complex interactions among actors and policies, both flexible and rigid at different phases of COVID-19. On top of policy learning, we conclude that it is necessary to rediscover the power of citizen voluntary responses and collaboration among actors of the response network through value change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The study purpose was to investigate effects of a cognitive rehabilitation programme on cognitive function, self‐management and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Background: Cognitive impairment is frequently observed in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients, and it interferes with many aspects of self‐management, which is fundamental to disease management and quality of life. Design The design is quasi‐experimental. Methods: Data collection was performed between June 2018 and March 2019. Study participants were 60 in‐ or out‐patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The cognitive rehabilitation programme involved six 30‐min sessions administered over a period of 2 weeks and consisted of six areas: attention, memory, language, visuospatial perception, executive function and problem solving. Cognitive function, self‐management and quality of life were measured at three times (preintervention and immediately and 4 weeks after intervention). Results: Cognitive function, self‐management and quality of life were found to be significantly improved over time after administration of the cognitive rehabilitation programme. However, no significant improvement was observed in the control group. Conclusions: Our findings support the potential usefulness of cognitive intervention to promote cognitive function, self‐management ability and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Cognitive impairment interferes with many aspects of self‐management, such as monitoring symptoms, adherence to medication regimens and the maintenance of healthy lifestyles, which are fundamental to the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Despite the importance of cognitive functions, few studies have been attempted to the investigate effects of cognitive rehabilitation programmes in COPD patients. What this paper adds? Cognitive function, self‐management and quality of life were significantly improved over time after administration of the cognitive rehabilitation programme. The implications of this paper: Our findings support the importance of cognitive rehabilitation intervention for improving cognitive function, self‐management ability and quality of life in COPD patients.The present study also provides a resource for an effective cognitive rehabilitation programme that can be used by nurses or other clinical practitioners to improve cognitive function in COPD patients with cognitive impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With love as the theme and mythology, ghosts and magic as elements, Korean fantasy TV dramas have set romantic and beautiful plots and attracted a large number of Chinese female audiences. Based on Melodramatic Imagination and Stuart Hall's theory of "encoding/decoding", this paper investigated Chinese female audiences' motives of watching Korean fantasy TV dramas Hotel Druena through the form of focus group interviews to interpret reasons for the popularity of Korean fantasy TV dramas and Chinese women's overall cognition of Korean TV dramas from the perspective of female audiences. Thinking that South Korea's fantasy dramas are good at women's pursuit and desire for emotional elements, women who watch this type of south Korean TV dramas are temporarily relieving pressure of real life, thus satisfying the needs of female gaze and consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessible Summary: What is known on the subject?: The importance of and interest in nurses' attitudes towards and subjective experience with workplace violence in clinical settings is increasing.The prevalence of patient‐perpetrated violence against Korean nurses in hospital settings is highly prevalent.Only few instruments are available to measure the nurses' perception of patient aggression in Korea. What the paper adds to existing knowledge?: This is the first study to assess the linguistic and psychometric reliability and validity of an instrument that evaluates the attitude of Korean nursing staff towards patient‐perpetrated workplace violence. What are the implications for practice?: This valid and reliable instrument could be used to assess and monitor the nurses' attitudes towards aggressive tendencies in the workplace.The results could contribute to the development of relevant interventions for coping with violence by patients towards nursing staff and the implementation of practical training to cultivate healthy perceptions towards patients to foster therapeutic nurse–patient relationships. Introduction: Despite the high prevalence of patient‐perpetrated violence against Korean nurses globally, reliable and valid measures of patient aggression are lacking in Korean. Aim: We translated the 12‐item Perception of Aggression Scale (POAS) into Korean and psychometrically assessed its utility in measuring nurses' attitudes towards aggression. Methods: The 12‐item Korean POAS was obtained through forward–backward translation and cognitive debriefing. It was administered online to 319 nurses (mean age = 32.64 years; females = 96.2%), of which 206 completed it again after two weeks. Confirmatory factor analysis validated the 3‐factor structure as hypothesized in the original version. The intra‐class correlation coefficient was used to assess the test–retest reliability. Results: The originally hypothesized 3‐factor structure showed a good fit. The 3 dimensions: aggression as a dysfunctional or undesirable phenomenon, aggression as a functional or comprehensible phenomenon, and aggression as a protective measure had internal consistencies of 0.74, 0.86 and 0.90 and corresponding ICCs of 0.70, 0.86 and 0.90, respectively. Discussion: The 12‐item Korean POAS is a valid and reliable scale that might aid investigating nurses' attitudes towards patient aggression. Implications for practice: The 12‐item Korean POAS can help Korean nurses adopt protective behaviours and develop interventions to cope with aggression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly interactive and complex content within e‐learning induces high levels of intrinsic load. Self‐regulated effort represents one strategy that may help learners overcome such issues within e‐learning. Using intrinsic load items representative of content complexity, germane load items representative of learning, and self‐regulated effort items representative of effort, this study analysed survey responses from a group of university students (n = 1,471) who participated in e‐learning courses in South Korea. The results showed that intrinsic load had a negative relationship with germane load, self‐regulated effort had a positive relationship with germane load, and intrinsic load positively moderated the relationship between self‐regulated effort and germane load. These results add to what current research states about the ability to overcome the processing of complicated content through higher levels of student effort. Lay Description: What is currently known about the subject matter: High levels of effort lead to learning.More complex contents often lead to less learning.Currently, there is no clear answer to how challenging contents changes the relationship between effort and learning. What the paper adds to this: Effort and content complexity interact together in a way that impacts learning significantly.This paper shows that in situations where content complexity is high, learners who try hard will be able to overcome this difficulty. The implications of this study's findings for practitioners: This research shows the important for practitioners (instructors) in the calibration of their contents.Also, it shows that practitioners (instructors) must seek to understand their learners in the creation of their teaching materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In their prior research on adaptive instruction for multi‐representational learning, the researchers explored various perspectives on designing visual representations and scaffolds. However, controversies and discrepancies regarding the fidelity of visual representations and self‐explanation prompts have yet to be resolved. This research thus examines types of visual representations and self‐explanation prompts and thereby suggests instructional strategies for multi‐representational adaptive learning. Sixty‐nine college students participated in a 2 × 2 between‐subjects study design (schematic only and adaptively increasing the fidelity of visual representation as well as fixed and fading self‐explanation prompts). Adaptively increasing visual fidelity was shown to be effective for mental model construction. Knowledge inference was most enhanced in the group utilising both adaptive approaches. The increased germane cognitive load appears to have mediated, in particular, the effects of visually adaptive instruction. This research suggests that visually adaptive instruction should include customized self‐explanation supports to ensure successful multi‐representational adaptive learning. This research reveals that sequencing visual representations with increasing fidelity as learning progress in instructional materials and offering fading support for prompts tailored to learning progress are the two effective and complementary ways to ensure customized learning. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: Various perspectives on designing visual representations and scaffolds have been taken into consideration to construct optimal adaptive instruction for multi‐representational learning: the varying degree of visual representation fidelity (i.e., schematic up to realistic) and the level of support for self‐explanation (i.e., structured or less‐structured prompts). What this paper adds: Adaptively increasing the fidelity of the visual representations can enhance learners' pictorial constructions of mental models and promote knowledge inference.Fading scaffolding of self‐explanation prompts helps prevent the expertise reversal effect by averting any possible cognitive overload, and promote knowledge inference.Adaptive approach may influence the increase in the germane cognitive load to the most optimal degree to mediate the learning outcome. Implications for practice and/or policy: Sequencing visual representations with increasing fidelity as learning progress in textbooks and other instructional materials, whether analogue or digital, and offering fading support for prompts tailored to learning progress are the two effective and complementary ways to ensure customized learning.The results regarding the effects of visual representation fidelity and self‐explanation prompts can be used to guide the application of adaptive instructional algorithms in intelligent tutoring systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cognitive frailty, which is characterized by the co-occurrence of physical frailty and cognitive impairment, poses significant risks to the well-being and independence of elderly individuals. Previous research has established that demographic, health-related, and social factors contribute to both physical frailty and cognitive decline. However, the role of social factors in influencing cognitive frailty remains unclear. This study aims to identify the relationship between social factors and cognitive frailty among Korean older adults living in the community. We performed secondary analyses of data from the 2020 Survey on Older Adults. After entering demographic factors and health-related factors into the logistic model as covariates, this study explored the association between cognitive frailty and social factors, including living arrangements, social support, the frequency of engagement in social activities per week, and satisfaction with friends and community. Among participants, approximately 2.9% had cognitive frailty, 3.2% had only physical frailty, and 21.9% had only cognitive decline. Lower levels of satisfaction with friends and the community and infrequent participation in social activities were strongly correlated with cognitive frailty. These findings emphasize the necessity of public health programs that encourage older individuals' social involvement. A supportive social environment can be fostered through initiatives that promote community events, group activities, and volunteerism. Public health policies should prioritize the development and maintenance of social activity centers that offer various programs to prevent progression to cognitive frailty in older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aims of this study were to examine the rate of the changes in cognitive function and the related-factors in progression from the community-dwelling older adults with mild cognitive impairment to dementia during 3 years. Methods: Data were selected from the Seoul Dementia Management Project with 1,375 community-dwelling older adults with mild cognitive impairment at baseline and monitored the changes in cognitive function after 3 years. The main variables were included demographic characteristics, body mass index, cognitive function, attended number of non-pharmacological programs, and activity of daily living (ADL)-related educational programs. Data were analyzed using chi-square test, independent t-test, and logistic regression. Results: Of all the participants, 83.0% remained with mild cognitive impairment, and 17.0% progressed to dementia after 3 years. Old age (odds ratio [OR]=1.06, 95% confidence Interval [CI]=1.04~1.09), no exercise (OR=1.42, 95% CI=1.04~1.93), attendance at non-pharmacological programs less than eight times (OR=4.17, 95% CI=2.05~8.49), and no attendance at ADL-related educational programs (OR=1.05, 95% CI=1.02~1.26) significantly affected dementia progression. Conclusion: Regardless of the types of non-pharmacological programs, regular and continuous non-pharmacological programs must be one of the important services of the dementia care centers in Korea. The result of this study serves the basis for developing further strategies to activate non-pharmacological programs and ADL-related educational programs at the community level for older adults with mild cognitive impairment to prevent in progressing to dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this paper was to determinate the factors that affect physical activity of community-dwelling elders. Methods: A cross-sectional approach was used to explore factors promoting physical activity. Participants were 203 individuals aged 65 years and over living in either the C or D cities. Each participant completed a questionnaire which included the Korean Version of Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (K-PASE), geriatric depression, fear of falling and mini mental state examination Data were collected from July, 20 to August, 30, 2015 and statistical analysis was used to examine the participant characteristics, physical activity differences according to characteristics, correlation between physical activity and research variables, and factors affecting the physical activity. Results: The mean score for K-PASE was 106.00±67.49. K-PASE showed significantly negative correlations with depression (r=-.16, p=.026) and fear of falling (r=-.31, p<.001) and a positive correlation with cognitive function (r=.37, p<.001). In regression analysis, factors influencing the physical activity were age, educational level and cognitive function. Explanatory rate of these factors for K-PASE was 21.0%. Conclusion: Findings from the study indicate that the physical activity programs should include intervention strategies to enhance cognitive function while considering age and education level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has mainly focused on the cognitive-based theory of planned behavior (TPB) model to predict entrepreneurial intentions. However, given the close relationship between cognition and emotion, researchers may need to pay more attention to how emotional reactions help predict entrepreneurial intentions. To fill this gap, we apply both cognitive (i.e., descriptive norms) and emotional (i.e., anticipated inaction regret) aspects to understand predictors of entrepreneurial intentions. Specifically, we employ the affect-as-information perspective as a complementary theoretical lens to TPB to test whether the role of descriptive norms on entrepreneurial intentions is affected by anticipated inaction regret as a form of emotional reaction to descriptive social norms. We conducted two survey-based studies with diverse samples (i.e., online Mturk panels of adults in the US and undergraduate students in Korea). This study demonstrates (1) a positive and significant relationship between descriptive norms and entrepreneurial intentions and (2) a mediating role of anticipated inaction regret between descriptive norms and entrepreneurial intentions. Our results contribute to the entrepreneurial intentions literature by exploring the mechanism between cognition and emotion, and highlighting an indirect emotional link (i.e., anticipated inaction regret) in understanding entrepreneurial intentions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To generate a Korean version of the Oxford Cognitive Screen (K-OCS) and obtain cutoff scores that determine the impairment of each subdomain. Post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) negatively impacts the rehabilitation process and independence in daily life. Its obscure manifestations require effective screening for appropriate rehabilitation. However, in most rehabilitation clinics, psychological evaluation tools for Alzheimer's dementia have been used without such considerations. The OCS is a screening assessment tool for PSCI and vascular dementia that can evaluate the cognitive domains most often affected by stroke, including language, attention, memory, praxis, and numerical cognition. It comprises 10 subtasks and enables quick and effective cognitive evaluation. Methods: The K-OCS, which considers Korea's unique cultural and linguistic characteristics, was developed with the approval and cooperation of the original author. Enrollment of participants without disabilities was announced at Duksung Women's University, Yongin Sevrance Hospital, CHA Bundang Medical Center. The study was conducted between September 2020 and March 2022 on 97 male and female participants aged ≥30 years. Results: All the 97 participants completed the task. In this study, the 5th percentile score was presumed to be the cutoff value for each score, and the values are provided here. The cutoff score for each OCS subtask was similar to that of the original British version. Conclusion: We suggest the usability of the K-OCS as a screening tool for PSCI by providing the cutoff value of each subtask. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this reflexive essay, I raise issues about power dynamics between interviewers and interviewees based on my experiences conducting research interviews in South Korea. I focus on the sociocultural contexts that drive social agents' behaviors in the interview process, which in Korean Confucian contexts include respect for adults and educational fervor. A particular configuration of authority relationships was evident in each scenario, showing how sociocultural contexts underlie the complicated power dynamics of interview situations, which can be further complicated by topics that require participants to share their intellectual notions. Based on my interview experiences, I argue that acknowledging these social contexts and their impacts on power relations will serve to strengthen the depth of engagement in interviews and therefore the quality and potential impact of qualitative interview research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessible summary Narrative therapy is a useful approach in the treatment of depression that allows that person to 're-author' his/her life stories by focusing on positive interpretations, and such focus on positive emotions is a crucial component of treatment for depression., This paper evaluates narrative therapy with an emotional approach (NTEA) as a therapeutic modality that could be used by nurses for persons with depression., A nurse-administered NTEA intervention for people with depression appears effective in increasing cognitive-emotional outcomes, such as hope, positive emotions and decreasing symptoms of depression. Thus, NTEA can be a useful nursing intervention strategy for people with depression., Abstract Narrative therapy, which allows a person to 're-author' his/her life stories by focusing on positive interpretations, and emotion-focused therapy, which enables the person to realize his/her emotions, are useful approaches in the treatment of depression. Narrative therapy with an emotional approach ( NTEA) aims to create new positive life narratives that focus on alternative stories instead of negative stories. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the NTEA programme on people with depression utilizing a quasi-experimental design. A total of 50 patients (experimental 24, control 26) participated in the study. The experimental group completed eight sessions of the NTEA programme. The effects of the programme were measured using a self-awareness scale, the Nowotny Hope Scale, the Positive Affect and Negative Affect Scale, and the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale. The two groups were homogeneous. There were significant differences in hope, positive and negative emotions, and depression between the experimental and control group. The results established that NTEA can be a useful nursing intervention strategy for people with depression by focusing on positive experiences and by helping depressed patients develop a positive identity through authoring affirmative life stories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim A pen and paper Token Test utilizing binary scoring of accuracy-inaccuracy in responses evaluates linguistic functions including verbal comprehension. However, the test might not be sensitive enough to detect the aging effect on performance in normal older adults unless the test utilizes a multidimensional scoring system. We hypothesized that the measurement of response time ( RT) instead of accuracy would be a feasible way to measure deterioration of verbal comprehension as a function of age in this linguistically vulnerable population. Methods Data were acquired from 174 community-dwelling normal older adults (147 females and 27 males, mean age 75.9 ± 6.13 years, range 65-94 years). In order to automatically quantify accuracies and RT, we developed an iOS app-based Token Test, comprising of four subtests (24 items, 6 items in each subtest), and administered it to each participant. Results RT of the second, third and fourth subtests ( P < 0.001, P < 0.01, P < 0.05, respectively) and the average RT across all four subtests ( P < 0.01) had significant partial correlation coefficients with age. The results of the multiple linear regression analyses showed that the models for RT and average RT analyses of the three subtests (2, 3 and 4) included the age variable. Conclusion RT measurement of the iOS app-based Token Test could be highly useful and convenient to better detect abnormalities in linguistic efficiency. RT measurement in the Token Test could be used as a screening tool for linguistic slowing in the elderly population. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 14: 969-974. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Education years, as a measure of cognitive reserve, have been shown to affect the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD), both pathologically and clinically. However, inconsistent results have been reported regarding the association between years of education and intermediate structural changes in AD-vulnerable brain regions, particularly when AD risk factors were not considered during the preclinical phase. Objective: This study aimed to examine how Aß deposition and APOE e4 carrier status moderate the relationship between years of education and cortical volume in AD-vulnerable regions among cognitively normal older adults. Methods: A total of 121 participants underwent structural MRI, [18F] flutemetamol PET-CT imaging, and neuropsychological battery assessment. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to examine the interaction between years of education and the effects of potential modifiers on cortical volume. The associations between cortical volume and neuropsychological performance were further explored in subgroups categorized based on AD risk factors. Results: The cortical volume of the left lateral occipital cortex and bilateral fusiform gyrus demonstrated a significant differential association with years of education, depending on the presence of Aß deposition and APOE e4 carrier status. Furthermore, a significant relationship between the cortical volume of the bilateral fusiform gyrus and AD-nonspecific cognitive function was predominantly observed in individuals without AD risk factors. Conclusion: AD risk factors exerted varying influences on the association between years of education and cortical volume during the preclinical phase. Further investigations into the long-term implications of these findings would enhance our understanding of cognitive reserves in the preclinical stages of AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the South Korean study to prevent cognitive impairment and protect BRAIN health through lifestyle intervention in at-risk elderly people (SUPERBRAIN), we evaluated the impact of a 24-week facility-based multidomain intervention (FMI) and homebased MI (HMI) on white matter integrity. Among 152 participants, aged 60–79  years without dementia but with ≥1 modifiable dementia risk factor, 19 FMI, 20 HMI, and 16 controls underwent brain MRI at baseline and 24  weeks. Between the intervention and control groups, we compared changes in fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD) and radial diffusivity (RD) at regions-of-interest (ROI) including the cingulum cingulate gyrus (CgC), cingulum hippocampus (CgH), superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF), as well as the uncinate fasciculus (UF). In addition, correlations between total and standard scores cognitive domains of the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) or serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and changes in brain image measures were evaluated at a statistical significance level of p  <  0.05 (uncorrected for multiple corrections). The FA, MD, AD, and RD at each ROI at the baseline were not different among groups after Bonferroni correction. In the statistical analysis using two-way repeated measures ANOVA, any significant difference in longitudinal changes in the FA, MD, AD, and RD was not revealed. The statistical analysis, among the significant regions in paired t-test of the intervention group, compared with the control group, the FMI, HMI, and intervention group yielded significantly more beneficial effects on the AD of the CgC. In addition, longitudinal AD changes of the left CgC correlated with the BDNF changes (r  =  0.280, p  =  0.048). In this study, enhanced cognitive reserve after the multidomain lifestyle intervention could be revealed by changes in brain imaging for white matter integrity [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim and Objectives: This study aimed to identify the associations between longitudinal trajectories of self‐care behaviours and unplanned hospital readmissions in patients with heart failure. Background: Adherence to self‐care behaviours is crucial to prevent hospital readmissions; however, self‐care behaviours remain unsatisfactory among patients with heart failure. Studies of long‐term trajectories of self‐care behaviours and their influence on hospital readmissions are limited in this population. Design: A prospective, longitudinal observational study. Methods: Among 137 participants with heart failure (mean age 67.36 years, 62% men), we analysed the 1‐year follow‐up data to determine the association between 1‐year trajectories of self‐care behaviours and hospital readmissions using Kaplan–Meier analysis and multivariable Cox regression, adjusted for confounding variables. Results: Self‐care behaviour trajectories of heart failure patients were classified as 'high‐stable' (58.4%) or 'low‐sustained' (41.6%). The cumulative rate of readmissions for the low‐sustained class was higher than that of the high‐stable class for all periods. Factors influencing readmissions included anaemia, cognitive function, frailty and self‐care behaviours trajectories. The low‐sustained class had a 2.77 times higher risk of readmissions within 1 year than that in the high‐stable class. Conclusions: Longitudinal self‐care behaviours pattern trajectories of heart failure patients were stratified as high‐stable and low‐sustained. Routine follow‐up assessment of patients' self‐care behavioural patterns, including anaemia and frailty, and cognitive function can minimise unplanned hospital readmissions. Relevance to clinical practice: Identification of trajectory patterns of self‐care behaviours over time and provision of timely and individualised care can reduce readmissions for heart failure patients. Healthcare professionals should recognise the significance of developing tailored strategies incorporating longitudinal self‐care behavioural patterns in heart failure patients. Reporting Method: The study has been reported in accordance with the STROBE checklist (Appendix S1). Patient or Public Contribution: Patients have completed a self‐reported questionnaire after providing informed consent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper began by suggesting that culture might influence how people construe workplace bullying. Referring back to the studies of cultural differences in cognition, it was suggested that people of the Far East might construe workplace bullying differently from the people of Western countries. Taking South Korean culture as an example, this paper explained how historical background and culture shaped Korean''s psyche in relation to workplace bullying. Currently available evidence was discussed including the way Koreans construed workplace bullying and how close social bonding might act as a buffer against a conflict escalating into bullying. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Teaching dance in physical education offers many positive benefits in the psychomotor, affective and cognitive domains. This article introduces Korean fan dance, a traditional form of Korean dance that can be an excellent addition to the physical education curriculum. It can be easily incorporated into an elementary school dance unit as it is easy to teach and learn. Additionally, this article offers a wide range of teaching tips, assessment tools, and Korean fan dance choreography resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To examine self‐care behaviours among older adults with hypertension and identify related factors, including cognitive function, religious belief and comorbidities. Design: A cross‐sectional study. Methods: Self‐care behaviours included diet and health. Participants completed a survey including items on demographics, disease‐related characteristics and self‐care behaviours and underwent cognitive function tests. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and multiple regression analysis was performed to analyse the factors affecting self‐care. Results: Regarding diet behaviour, older religious adults and those with higher scores on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment‐Korean version had higher levels of self‐care scores according to the HBP‐SC. Regarding health behaviour, older adults with no comorbidities had higher levels of self‐care scores according to the HBP‐SC. Conclusion: Factors affecting self‐care diet behaviour include religion and Montreal Cognitive Assessment‐Korean version scores and those affecting health behaviour include comorbidities among older adults with hypertension. Therefore, to improve their self‐care behaviours, their religious practices and comorbidities should be considered, cognitive function should be assessed, and tailored education should be provided. Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care: This study investigated factors affecting self‐care behaviours of hypertensive older adults in South Korea. The self‐care was divided into diet and health behaviours. The factors influencing diet behaviour were religion and Montreal Cognitive Assessment‐Korean version scores, and the factor influencing health behaviour was comorbidities. We also investigated self‐care behaviour patterns. Older adults with hypertension were good at controlling alcohol consumption and did not forget to fill prescriptions. However, they were poor at reading nutrition labels to check on sodium content and checking blood pressure at home. Therefore, nurses could develop interventions considering these influencing factors and behavioural patterns to improve self‐care behaviours and enhance health for older adults with hypertension. Impact Hypertension in older adults affects their health conditions and performance of self‐care behaviours. Nurses could assess self‐care based on diet and health behaviours. Additionally, further developing tailored programmes is recommended considering factors like religious belief, cognitive function and comorbidities. Reporting Method: This study followed the STROBE guidelines. Patient or Public Contribution: This study used a convenience sample of 105 participants aged ≥ 65 years recruited from a Korean hospital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Continuous participation in a comprehensive dementia prevention program is important for community-dwelling older adults during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, as limitations on their communities and social participation have increased and participation in daily tasks has decreased. These factors can negatively affect their cognitive function and symptoms of depression. This study aimed to introduce an evidence-based online dementia prevention program in the South Korean context and to identify its effect on cognitive function and symptoms of depression in community-dwelling older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. (2) Methods: One hundred and one community-dwelling older adults without dementia participated in twelve sessions of an online dementia prevention program designed by occupational therapists. Cognitive function and symptoms of depression were assessed before and after the program. Cognitive function was tested using the Cognitive Impairment Screening Test and symptoms of depression were assessed using the Korean version of the Short Geriatric Depression Scale. The participants' opinions were gathered using open-ended questions. (3) Results: After the program, according to the raw score, orientation was maintained and attention, visuospatial function, executive function, memory, and language function increased. The memory and total cognitive score was improved significantly. Symptoms of depression significantly decreased. The program's benefits according to the participants were participation in new activities, boredom reduction, online communication, and reminiscence. (4) Conclusions: An online dementia prevention program is effective in maintaining and increasing cognitive function and preventing depression in community-dwelling older adults. An online dementia prevention program is a useful method in providing opportunities to participate in cognitive training and continuous daily activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to identify factors influencing the health-related quality of life of elderly men in partial medically underserved rural areas. Methods: The subjects included 182 elderly men aged 65 or older living in the jurisdictions of the Health Care Centers in Gyeryong-, Iin-, and Jeongan-myeon, which were medically underserved rural areas in Gongju city, South Korea. Data were collected on October 13 to November 1, 2020, and were analyzed with descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffé test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and hierarchical linear regression. Results: The subjects’ scored mean 24.20±3.29 points out of 30 in cognitive functions and mean 17.08±9.40 out of 60 in social support. The influential factors included three chronic diseases (β=-.50, p<.001), two chronic diseases (β=-.30, p<.001), one chronic disease (β=-.21, p=.012); fair subjective health status (β=.24, p<.001); good subjective health status (β=.25, p<.001); cognitive functions (β=.17, p=.004); aged 80 or older (β=-.16, p=.006); and brushing teeth three times per day or more (β=.14, p=.009) with an explanatory power of 53.8%. Conclusion: It is necessary to develop chronic disease management and cognitive function enhancement programs to identify factors influencing the health-related quality of life of elderly men in partial medically underserved rural areas and thus improve their health-related quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Since the start of the COVID‐19 pandemic, virtual reality simulation, including web‐based simulation, has increased in nursing education. This study explored nursing students' self‐directed problem‐solving in web‐based virtual simulation experiences. Method: Convenience sampling yielded 16 Korean senior nursing students who had experienced clinical practice in the last semester. Data were collected from August 2020 to January 2021 through in‐depth Zoom video interviews and organized using NVivo version 12.0. Thematic analysis was applied to analyze the data. Results: The following four themes were identified from nursing students' learning experiences during the web‐based virtual simulations: "self‐awareness of a lack of nursing competency in virtual reality," "applying new learning strategies learned from failure," "voluntary learning behavior," and "cognitive shift toward a holistic understanding." Web‐based virtual simulations activated various cognitive and metacognitive factors of self‐directed learning, and the system's prompt feedback and students' reflections facilitated learning effects. Nursing students corrected their cognitive errors while learning from their failures and mistakes and gained a holistic view of nursing practice. Conclusion: In this study, web‐based self‐directed learning activated the metacognition of nursing students in a virtuous cycle. The virtual environment with no actual harm to the patient has become a space for learners to experience a sense of confidence, achievement, and satisfaction. Web‐based virtual simulation can be an effective teaching method to improve nursing students' self‐directed learning abilities and nursing competency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a cross-cultural crowdsourcing platform, called OurPlaces, where people from different cultures can share their spatial experiences. We built a three-layered architecture composed of: (i) places (locations where people have visited); ( i i ) cognition (how people have experienced these places); and ( i i i ) users (those who have visited these places). Notably, cognition is represented as a paring of two similar places from different cultures (e.g., Versailles and Gyeongbokgung in France and Korea, respectively). As a case study, we applied the OurPlaces platform to a cross-cultural tourism recommendation system and conducted a simulation using a dataset collected from TripAdvisor. The tourist places were classified into four types (i.e., hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, and attractions). In addition, user feedback (e.g., ratings, rankings, and reviews) from various nationalities (assumed to be equivalent to cultures) was exploited to measure the similarities between tourism places and to generate a cognition layer on the platform. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the OurPlaces-based system, we compared it with a Pearson correlation-based system as a baseline. The experimental results show that the proposed system outperforms the baseline by 2.5% and 4.1% in the best case in terms of MAE and RMSE, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How does attitude to death influence consumption level and profiles and conversely? The database is a representative follow-up of Korean respondents from 2006 to 2016. Satisfaction with quality of life is combined with endogenous consumption level, consumption patterns, deviation from expected mortality—the propensity for dying—, and wealth. Exogenous variables include sex, age, education, children, place of residence, and employment. Satisfaction decreases with age; women are less satisfied and anticipate higher mortality than men. Older people anticipate an age-specific mortality rate that increases only linearly with age, while mortality actually increases exponentially. This cognitive bias, due to the fact that people perceive linear progressions but find it difficult to project themselves over time, leads them to overestimate their satisfaction in terms of quality of life, thus creating a protective effect on well-being, to the detriment of accurate economic visibility of the life cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this preliminary study was to evaluate the feasibility of multiplayer game contents with dual-task exercises using augmented reality (AR) and a personal health record (PHR) system for social skills and cognitive function in children with autism. The present study used a single group pretest–posttest study design with fourteen children diagnosed with autism and aged 6–16 years. The intervention consisted of various game contents designed specifically with cognitive and motor tasks, performed for 30 min per session, twice a week, for three weeks. Outcome measures were conducted before and after the intervention and included social skills and cognitive function. A satisfactory survey was conducted post-intervention to assess the usability of the performed games. As result, statistically significant improvements were observed in all subscales of the social skills and cognitive function expected in two subscales of each measured outcome. Parents and children appreciated the overall game program, and no risk of injury and dizziness were mentioned. This preliminary study found that multiplayer game-based dual-task training using AR and PHR was feasible and has a promising efficacy for children with autism. However, there is the need to conduct a randomized control study with a large sample size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the SoUth Korean study to PrEvent cognitive impaiRment and protect BRAIN health through lifestyle intervention in at-risk elderly people (SUPERBRAIN), we evaluated the impact of multidomain lifestyle intervention on regional homogeneity (ReHo) in resting-state functional brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. Of 152 participants aged 60–79 years without dementia assigned to either facility-based multidomain intervention (FMI), home-based MI, or controls, we analyzed 56 scanned MRIs at baseline and 24 weeks. ReHo values from regions with significant longitudinal changes were compared between the intervention and control groups and their correlations with the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) or serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were evaluated. ReHo values in the left medial orbitofrontal gyrus and right superior parietal lobule were increased [p = 0.021, correlated positively with serum BDNF changes (r = 0.504, p = 0.047)] and decreased [p = 0.021, correlated negatively with changes in the total (r = −0.509, p = 0.044) and attention (r = −0.562, p = 0.023). RBANS], respectively, in the participants assigned to the FMI group than those of the controls. Our results suggest that facility-based group preventive strategies may have cognitive benefits through neuroplastic changes in functional processing circuits in the brain areas which play a crucial role in the adaptive learning and internally directed cognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This study analyzes the effect of test-hour particulate matter (PM10) on the college entrance test performance of 290,000 high school seniors. The data are drawn from Seoul, the capital city of South Korea, where each of the 25 districts has at least one PM10 monitoring station. The study finds that reading test scores decrease when the test-hour PM10 concentration increases. Specifically, when the one-hour average PM10 concentration is ≥75 μg/m 3 , reading test scores decrease by 0.13 standard deviations relative to when the concentration is lower than 25 μg/m 3. The effect size is equivalent to increasing class size by six or seven students. In addition, the one-hour average concentrations measured before and after the reading test have no significant effects on the test scores, meaning that it is unlikely that other factors drive the result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Food art therapy (FAT) has multiple modalities in which cognition, emotion, and social changes are stimulated. The purpose of this study was to design a multimodal approach to a food art therapy (MM‐FAT) program and identify its effects on cognitive ability, daily living functioning, depression, self‐esteem, self‐efficacy, self‐expression, and social functioning in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild dementia by employing a mixed methods research design. Methods: The participants included 39 patients from a public dementia care centre in Seoul, Korea. The intervention group, which comprised 20 participants, received 12 MM‐FAT sessions 3 times a week for 4 weeks, and the control group, which included 19 participants, received usual care. The MM‐FAT program was evaluated based on its effectiveness on cognitive, daily living, emotional, and social functioning outcome measures at three time points using repeated measures analysis of variance. Semi‐structured interviews (n = 9) were conducted to evaluate the overall experience of the MM‐FAT program and its outcomes. Results: The findings reveal that MM‐FAT has a positive effect on the cognitive, emotional, and social functioning of individuals with MCI and mild dementia. However, there were no enhancements in individuals' daily living functioning, and the lasting effects of the intervention could not be assessed. Cognition and depression increased significantly at the end of the MM‐FAT program. Self‐expression and self‐efficacy were significantly higher in the MM‐FAT group than in the control group. The semi‐structured interviews revealed improvements in participants' behaviour, communication, and interaction. Conclusion: This mixed methods study focused on individuals with MCI or mild dementia contributes to an understanding of the effectiveness of a FAT program employing a multimodal approach. Despite the COVID‐19 pandemic, the study was able to enrich the effects of MM‐FAT on cognitive, emotional, and social functioning through qualitative findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined whether different cognitive correlates are associated with spelling of different target types, such as phonologically consistent and inconsistent syllables, of Korean Hangul among 94 five-year-old first language (L1) Korean children and 41 foreign language (FL) learners who are Hong Kong Chinese college students. Korean children performed tasks of spelling, along with measures of syllable and phoneme coda awareness, phonological and orthographic working memory, morphological awareness, vocabulary, and orthographic knowledge. Among Korean 5-year-old children, coda awareness and orthographic working memory explained unique variance in spelling of phonologically consistent syllables, whereas syllable and coda awareness, orthographic working memory, orthographic knowledge, and vocabulary all explained unique variance in spelling of inconsistent syllables. When Chinese college students were tested on spelling of Korean Hangul as a foreign language, along with a battery of tasks in Korean similar to those administered to the L1 children, only orthographic working memory significantly explained spelling of consistent syllables, whereas only vocabulary knowledge explained spelling of inconsistent syllables. In both groups, spelling accuracy was lower in phonologically inconsistent than in consistent Hangul syllables. These findings suggest that different cognitive demands are involved in early spelling of phonologically consistent and inconsistent syllables in Korean Hangul among L1 and FL learners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the associations of vocabulary and phonological and orthographic awareness with Hangul word reading in Korean children, aged between 7 and 10 years, who were deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) and children with typical hearing (TH). The participants were 24 children with hearing aids (HAs), 24 children with cochlear implants (CIs), and 24 TH children in Korea. The three groups were matched for chronological age, vocabulary age, and nonverbal intelligence. Results showed that there were no differences between children with CIs and those with HAs in reading fluency and cognitive skills, except word-reading accuracy, whereas children with CIs and HAs were delayed in all measures compared with their TH peers. Regression analyses showed that syllable and phoneme awareness uniquely explained word-reading accuracy in children with DHH and those with TH. However, word-reading fluency was uniquely explained by syllable awareness in the DHH children and by vocabulary and orthographic awareness in the TH children. These results suggest that DHH and TH children in Korea rely on phonological awareness for Korean word recognition. However, DHH and TH Korean children tend to use different strategies based on sublexical versus lexical information, respectively, to read Korean words fluently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to apply the yes/no Angoff and Hofstee methods to actual Korean Medical Licensing Examination (KMLE) 2022 written examination data to estimate cut scores for the written KMLE. Methods: Fourteen panelists gathered to derive the cut score of the 86th KMLE written examination data using the yes/no Angoff method. The panel reviewed the items individually before the meeting and shared their respective understanding of the minimum-compatibility physician. The standard setting process was conducted in 5 rounds over a total of 800 minutes. In addition, 2 rounds of the Hofstee method were conducted before starting the standard setting process and after the second round of yes/no Angoff. Results: For yes/no Angoff, as each round progressed, the panel's opinion gradually converged to a cut score of 198 points, and the final passing rate was 95.1%. The Hofstee cut score was 208 points out of a maximum 320 with a passing rate of 92.1% at the first round. It scored 204 points with a passing rate of 93.3% in the second round. Conclusion: The difference between the cut scores obtained through yes/no Angoff and Hofstee methods did not exceed 2% points, and they were within the range of cut scores from previous studies. In both methods, the difference between the panelists decreased as rounds were repeated. Overall, our findings suggest the acceptability of cut scores and the possibility of independent use of both methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Quick Dementia Rating System (QDRS) is a brief and rapid dementia staging tool that does not require a trained rater.Objective: The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the validity, reliability, and diagnostic usefulness of the Korean version of the QDRS (K-QDRS).Methods: We collected a total of 411 subject-informant dyads including cognitively unimpaired (CU, n = 22), mild cognitive impairment (MCI, n = 198), and dementia (n = 191). The Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale, Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE), Korean version of instrumental activity of daily living (K-IADL), Short Form of the Geriatric Depression Scale, Caregiver-Administered Neuropsychiatric Inventory (CGA-NPI), and detailed neuropsychological tests were administered as gold standards of dementia staging, cognition, function, mood, and behavior.Results: Internal consistency of the K-QDRS was excellent with Cronbach's alpha of 0.933. Concurrent validity was also satisfactory, with the K-QDRS correlating highly with the CDR Sum of Boxes (Pearson's r = 0.791), K-MMSE (Pearson's r = -0.518), K-IADL (Pearson's r = 0.727), and CGA-NPI (Pearson's r = 0.700). The K-QDRS was highly correlated with the global CDR, K-IADL, and CGA-NPI. We suggested two types of comparisons (for initial diagnosis and for follow-up evaluation). The cutoff scores for follow-up were 1.0 for MCI, 3.5 for very mild dementia, 6.5 for mild dementia, and 11.0 for moderate dementia.Conclusion: The K-QDRS is a valid and reliable dementia rating questionnaire and can be used, briefly and rapidly, in various settings like clinical practices, longitudinal cohort studies, and community primary care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To determine the effects of an integrated training device for strength and balance on extremity muscle strength, postural balance, and cognition in older adults using a combination with various rehabilitation training games, in which balance, strength, and cognitive training were configured in a single device. Methods This prospective study included 20 healthy participants aged 65-85 years. Participants trained for 30 minutes daily, 3 days weekly, for 6 weeks with an integrated training device for strength and balance (SBT-120; Man&Tel Inc., Gumi, Korea). Main outcomes were measured using the Korean Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE), Korean version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (K-MoCA), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), Functional Reach Test (FRT), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and Manual Muscle Test. Measurements were taken at three time points: T0 (pretreatment), T1 (immediately after treatment), and T2 (4 weeks after treatment). Results All 20 patients completed the training, and TUG, FRT, and BBS scores significantly improved at T1 and T2 compared to T0. Mean TUG scores decreased by 0.99±2.00 at T1 and 1.05±1.55 at T2 compared to T0. Mean FRT scores increased by 6.13±4.26 at T1 and 6.75±4.79 at T2 compared to T0. BBS scores increased by 0.60±0.94 at T1 and 0.45±1.15 at T2 compared to T0. Moreover, muscle strength and cognition (K-MMSE and K-MoCA scores) increased after training. Conclusion Our findings suggest that an integrated training device for strength and balance can be a safe and useful tool for older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Heterogeneity in successful aging has been found across countries. Yet, comparable evidence is sparse except in North America and Europe. Extending prior research, this study examined the prevalence and correlates of successful aging in East Asia: China, Korea, and Japan. Method We used harmonized data sets from national surveys. A total of 6,479 participants (aged between 65 and 75) were analyzed. Using Rowe and Kahn's (1987 , 1997) model, successful aging was defined as having no major diseases, no difficulty performing activities of daily living, obtaining a median or higher score on tests of cognitive function, and being actively engaged. Results The average prevalence of successful agers was 17.6%. There were variations in the global and specific measures of successful aging within and across countries, even after controlling for individual sociodemographic factors (age, gender, and education). The odds of aging successfully were highest in Japan and lowest in China, especially in the rural areas. Being younger and males were associated with a higher likelihood of successful agers in both global and specific measures. Discussion This study observed heterogeneity in successful aging in East Asia. To identify policy implications, future research should explore potential societal factors influencing individuals' opportunities for successful aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of an information and communication technologies (ICT)-enhanced, multidisciplinary integrated care model, called Systems for Person-centered Elder Care (SPEC), on frail older adults at nursing homes. Research Design and Methods SPEC was implemented at 10 nursing homes in South Korea in random order using a stepped-wedge design. Data were collected on all participating older residents in the homes before the first implementation and until 6 months after the last implementation. The 21-month SPEC intervention guided by the chronic care model (CCM) consists of 5 strategies: comprehensive geriatric assessment, care planning, optional interdisciplinary case conferences, care coordination, and a cloud-based ICT tool along with a free messaging app. The primary outcome was quality of care measured by a composite quality indicator (QI) from the interRAI assessment system. Usual care continued over the control periods. Nursing home staff were not blinded to the intervention. Results There were a total of 482 older nursing home residents included in the analysis. Overall quality of care measured by the composite QI was significantly improved (adjusted mean difference: −0.025 [95% CI: −0.037 to −0.014, p <.0001]). The intervention effect was consistent in the subgroup analysis by cognition and activities of daily living. There were no important adverse events or side effects. Discussion and Implications The SPEC, a CCM-guided, ICT-supported, multidisciplinary integrated care management intervention, can improve the quality of care measured by health and functional outcomes for frail older persons residing in nursing homes with limited health care provision. Clinical Trials Registration Number ISRCTN11972147 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With this study, we aim to determine the associations of the different categories of the body mass index (BMI) with activities of daily living (ADL) and cognitive performance in two different populations living in the community; Colombian and South Korean older adults.Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of two surveys separately; The Survey on Health, Well-Being, and Aging in Colombia (SABE) (n = 23,343) and the Korean Longitudinal Study of aging (KLoSA) (n = 4556). Participants older than 50 years were selected from rural and urban areas achieving a representative sample. Here we investigated the association between BMI categories with function using zero-inflated negative binomial regressions, and with cognition using logistic regression models.Results: After adjustment, in Colombia, underweight was associated with an impaired score on the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) and worse performance in the instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). Also, being overweight was associated with a better score on the MMSE and the IADL. For both outcomes education level significantly influenced the predictions. In South Korea, there were no significant associations for cognition, IADL, or basic activities of daily living (BADL).Conclusions: In the Colombian population, underweight, was associated with reduced cognitive performance and daily functioning. Additionally, being overweight but not obese was associated with better cognition and daily functioning. In South Korea, there were no significant associations between BMI and cognition, IADL, or BADL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores how digital technologies can benefit older adults' cognitive health. The need for cognition (NFC) refers to an individual's tendency to engage in and enjoy cognitive endeavors and is an explanatory variable for behavioral outcomes. To date, little scholarly literature has examined how NFC can be affected by our behavior; therefore, this study explored whether practicing digital skills can help to improve or maintain NFC. Utilizing age as an instrumental variable, we analyzed data from 8,824 respondents (mean age = 49.43) to the 2015 Korea Media Panel survey and discovered that enhanced digital skills led to stronger NFC. This causal effect was stronger for the older cohort (baby boomers and older, who were born before 1963). These findings suggest that older adults' NFC may not necessarily decline with age if they practice more digital skills. This study could ultimately contribute to the transformation of the older population from a digital minority to a digital beneficiary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commitment to leisure is recognized as an important aspect in understanding older adults' leisure behavior. Older adults' participation in Flow and Balance (FAB) is an exemplary instance of such engagement. We interviewed 11 older women who participate in FAB to explore how this experience contributed to coping with chronic illnesses. Our analysis revealed six central themes: (a) overcoming adversities; (b) investing personal effort; (c) stages of a leisure career; (d) health benefits and belongingness; (e) developing a special social world; and (f) centrality in life. Our findings emphasize the pivotal role of committed leisure in successful aging among older women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study was to investigate the structural relationship between nurses' motivation and effectiveness in their occupations using the Job Crafting model. This study was identified that the nurses' occupational motivation affected task, cognitive, and relational crafting. The factors affecting job effectiveness, organizational commitment and job embeddedness were also identified. Methods: The survey was conducted with 596 participating nurses working in common general hospitals and tertiary hospitals within South Korea. A structural equation model was constructed to verify the fitness of this model. Data was analyzed using SPSS 23.0 and AMOS 21.0 programs. Results: The identified factors affecting occupational motivation was positive affectivity job crafting. Cognitive crafting had a significant impact on task and relational crafting, but task crafting had no significant influence on organizational commitment. Organizational commitment was found to have a significant impact on job embeddedness. As a result of comparing by size of the hospital, the Job Crafting model validated in this study showed higher fitness at tertiary hospitals than in common general hospitals. Conclusion: We found that nurses' job crafting behavior and occupational motivation cause them to have a significant influence on organizational commitment and job embeddedness, which are factors of job effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The present study aimed to examine children's self-expressivity in family and its relation to social emotional competence. Specifically, we examined the mediating effects of empathy on the relations between child self-expressivity in family and prosocial behaviors. Methods: A sample of 982 (63% female) 7–9th grade students in Seoul, South Korea were given a survey, which measured self-expressivity in family, cognitive and affective empathy, and PSB towards strangers and acquaintances. Structural equation modeling was used to assess the hypothesized structural relationships among latent variables. Results: Results indicated that children's positive expressivity in family had significant indirect effects on PSB toward strangers via cognitive empathy for both males (β = 0.25, p < 0.05) and females (β = 0.17, p < 0.05), but only significant indirect effects on PSB toward acquaintances via cognitive empathy for females (β = 0.14, p < 0.05). Children's negative expressivity in family had significant indirect effects on PSB toward strangers via cognitive empathy for only males (β = 0.12, p < 0.05), and no significant indirect effects on PSB toward acquaintances via cognitive empathy for both gender groups. Affective empathy did not significantly mediate relations between self-expressivity and PSB. Overall, children who showed more positive expressivity and less negative expressivity in family tended to show more PSB. Conclusions: Our findings indicated the promotion of positive expressivity in the home would be associated with increased cognitive empathy, and in turn, with more PSB in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the airline industry has become ever-more competitive and profitability more tenuous, airline service quality management has grown more important to airlines. Although many studies have focused on the evaluation of airline service quality, some common limitations need to be noted. First, traditional fuzzy logics were utilized to present linguistic variables as fuzzy numbers. However, precise quantification of lower and upper bounds with a single number is often difficult; thus, interval-valued fuzzy sets that represent the lower and upper bounds in the fuzzy number as an interval form should be applied instead. Second, while some studies have applied various multiple-criteria decision-making method [MCDM] and the service quality (SERVQUAL) method for evaluation of airline service quality, few have utilized grey relational analysis (GRA, a simple and data-driven MCDM method applicable to environments with incomplete information) and the service performance (SERVPERF), a performance-based measure that can resolve the ambiguity issue of the expectations construct in SERVQUAL. Third, extant studies dealing with the issue of weighting criteria in the evaluation of airline service quality have focused only on either subjective or objective weights, though weighting criteria based on a combined objective/subjective approach would be much better than those just considering the subjective approach. The present study endeavored to fill these literature gaps by developing, for evaluation of airline service quality, interval-valued fuzzy GRA with SERVPERF based on both subjective and objective weights. It contributes to the field by incorporating the 22 criteria from SERVPERF to effectively account for the various characteristics of airline service. Additionally, it is the first study to utilize interval-valued fuzzy GRA together with a novel technique that combines a subjective/objective weighting method for integration of objective decision-matrix-derived information with subjective decision-maker preferences. The supplemental empirical case study of airline service evaluation, further, provides researchers and practitioners with a means of better understanding the proposed approach in the practical perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study investigated how the essential elements of informed consent are realised during the consent process and examined the challenges in obtaining genuine informed consent in Korea. Methods: Through purposive sampling, we recruited 21 subjects from those participating in anticancer drug research since 2013. We undertook 1:1 in-depth interviews and analysed the data by framework analysis. Results: Themes raised throughout the interviews were categorised into ‘disclosure’ and ‘understanding’ of clinical information and ‘decision’. Provider-centred information, both verbal and written, was delivered to each participant. There were few tools that the research staff might evaluate study participants’ level of understanding of the provided information during the clinical trial. Although participants did not understand basic clinical trial concepts as much as desired, they may not seek to solve difficulties through communication with trial researchers. Doubts were raised about whether participants had sufficient capacity and free will to provide informed consent. Conclusion: There is a concern that informed consent can fall short of genuine in Korea. To ensure informed consent meets the international standard, greater efforts should be made to establish an explicit standard operational protocol for obtaining informed consent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine the motives, topics and antecedents for sharing health information online among Korean Internet users. Eight hundred adults completed a web-based survey exploring the motives; topics; physical, cognitive, affective and environmental factors; and experiences relating to sharing health information online. The motives for not sharing information included information absence and inappropriateness. The most preferred topic was disease. Good subjective health was significantly associated with frequent information sharing while individuals with a history of disease involving themselves or family members were more likely to share health information than were those without such a history. Further, a higher level of depressed mood was related to a higher level of sharing. Internet-related self-efficacy and trust in information delivery channels were positively related to sharing. Future research could extend the factors related to information sharing to include the evaluation of shared information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The South Korean government required the submission of economic evidence when it implemented the Positive-List System in December 2006. This study investigates the key factors that influenced actual public insurance reimbursement decisions, including the role of economic evidence, after 10 years of decision practice under compulsory health technology assessment (HTA) for new drugs. Method: Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the impact of the variables involved, including cost-effectiveness ratio as a key variable, on reimbursement decisions. The latter were defined as “yes” or “no” at a submitted price and indication. Only cases (n = 91) that present a cost-effectiveness ratio, and that have been reviewed based on this ratio from January 2007 to December 2016, were included in the analysis. Results: Cases with higher cost-effectiveness ratios were less likely to be accepted. In addition, drugs that were used to treat severe diseases and drugs with no substitute were more likely to be recommended. The probability of acceptance declined along with the level of uncertainty in the submitted evidence. The acceptance rate for severe-disease drugs has increased since 2013, when the government introduced several policies that lowered the existing barriers to positive reimbursement. However, such an increase was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Cost-effectiveness is one of the most influential factors in drug-reimbursement decisions. However, inclusion of other explanatory variables, in addition to the cost-effectiveness ratio, predicted the results of decisions more accurately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the relations of short-term memory (STM), metalinguistic awareness (phonological, morphological, and orthographic awareness), and rapid automatized naming (RAN) to word reading in Korean, a language with a relatively transparent orthography. STM, metalinguistic awareness, and RAN have been shown to be important to word reading, but the nature of the relations of STM, metalinguistic awareness, and RAN to word reading has rarely been investigated. Two alternative models were fitted. In the indirect relation model, STM was hypothesized to be indirectly related to word reading via metalinguistic awareness and RAN. In the direct and indirect relations model, STM was hypothesized to be directly and indirectly related to word reading. Results from 207 beginning readers in South Korea showed that STM was directly related to word reading as well as indirectly via metalinguistic awareness and RAN. Although the direct effect of STM was relatively small (.16), the total effect incorporating the indirect effect was substantial (.42). These results suggest that STM is an important, foundational cognitive capacity that underpins metalinguistic awareness and RAN as well as word reading, and further indicate the importance of considering both direct and indirect effects of language and cognitive skills on word reading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study is twofold: first, to identify cognitive trajectories of older Koreans in a population-based longitudinal panel survey and, second, to investigate the main characteristics of the identified heterogeneous classes of cognitive trajectories.Methods: Data came from 2445 cognitively healthy persons aged 60 or older in the 2006 to 2012 Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging. Using Korean-mini mental status examination (K-MMSE) as a measure of global cognitive function, the latent growth mixture modeling approach examined potential heterogeneity of longitudinal changes over the 6 years.Results: This study found that older Koreans reported an average K-MMSE score of 27 at baseline and experienced a cognitive decline every 2 years by -1.6 (2006-2008) and -1.2 (2008-2010), followed by a slight increase of 0.7 in 2012. Results from the latent growth mixture modeling analysis indicated that there were 2 heterogeneous classes of longitudinal changes in the K-MMSE over a period of 6 years: class 1 with stable cognitive function and class 2 with sharp cognitive decline over time. The sharp decline was found among those older in age and with higher level of depression at baseline. On the contrary, being male, higher education, active social engagement, and regular exercise were main characteristics of stable cognitive function.Conclusion: As the first to examine cognitive trajectories among older Koreans, this study highlighted heterogeneity of cognitive trajectories in the population that should be considered for developing differential intervention strategies aimed at both promoting healthy brain and delaying/preventing cognitive decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]