• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.75-86
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• 1995

This study was performed to investigate the negative side effects of video display terminal (VDT) work on the human body and to provide data for preventing VDT syndrome. A questionnaire survey was made to 339 VDT workers at 22 offices in Taegu, Kyungpook and Kyungnam areas from July 1 to August 31, 1994, and 280 of them were finally used for statistical analysis. The VDT syndrome in the present study inclhded five factors, namely as eye-related symptom, psychological symptom, general body symptom, musculoskeletal symptom, and skin-related symptom, and the estimates of Crombach coefficients of the five factors were 0.954, 0.952, 0.953, 0.957, and 0.955, respectively, showing very high reliability. In view of socio-economical characteristics, the symptoms of female were higher than those of male in the order of musculoskeletal symptom, eye-related symptom, skin-related symptom and psychological symptom. The age group of 30 years or less was higher than the older groups in the order of musculoskeletal symptom, eye-related symptom, psychological symptom and skinrelated symptom. The group of lower education level showed higher skin-related symptom. The psychological symptom and skin-related symptom increased as the amount of smoking increased. Higher eye-related symptom was observed in the group without glasses. In the job-related variables, the group of working on programming and data input showed higher eye-related symptom and psychological symptom. The group of working on programming and graphic design showed higher musculoskeletal symptom and skin-related symptom. The skin-related symptom increased as the total time of VDT operation per day increased. The group of working 2-4 hours followed by 15 minutes rest was higher in musculoskeletal symptom and psychological symptom. Higher musculoskeletal symptom was observed from the group working on Friday and Sunday. The group of 1 year or less working showed higher in skin-related symptom. In relation with the VDT type, all symptoms except skin-related symptom were higher in the group using monochrome monitor. As showed above, the questionnaire could be a tool for evaluating VDT syndrome and prevention of the syndrome would be possible by a comprehensive consideration of factors including socio-economic characteristics, job-related variables and VDT type.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.46-55
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• 2006

Objective: This study is to examine the physical function, psychological well-being, and subjective symptom of postmenopausal osteoporotic women. Methods: Data used for this study was collected from 397 women who had experienced one years or longer menopause and visited a hospital in Seoul, Korea during the period from May to December 2005. Results: The level of physical function of the fracture osteoporosis group was significantly lower than the other three groups. The psychological well-being of the fracture osteoporosis group was significantly lower than the other three groups. Subjective symptom of the fracture osteoporosis group was significantly higher than the other three groups. The level of physical function was positively correlated with psychological well-being and negatively with subjective symptom. Psychological well-being was also negatively correlated with the level of subjective symptom. Based on the results, it is recommended that the prevention of vertebral fracture in osteoporotic woman is important, and nursing intervention is necessary for the physical function, psychological well-being, and subjective symptom care.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.126-138
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• 1995

For investigating a disease specific psychological mechanism in various dermatological disorders, we tried to explore the difference in correlation among stress perception, locus of control as a coping strategy, depressive symptoms and pruritic symptoms in the patients with psychological pruritis and chronic urticaria. The subjects were composed of 32 patients with psychol-ogical pruritis and 67 patients with chronic urticaria(subject group), and 25 patients with organic pruritis and 59 patient with major depression(control group). Global assesment of recent stress scale(GARS), I-E locus of control scale, Beck Depression Inventory(BDI) and medical college of wisconsin center pain follow up questionnaire were used for assesement. The results were as follows: 1) There were a significant positive correlation between stress perception and depressive symptom in patients with psychological pruritis, chronic urticaria, and major depression but not hi organic pruritis. 2) In relationship between locus of control and depressive symptom, patients with psychological pruritis, organic pruritis, and major depression except chronic ruticaria showed a significant negative correlation. 3) For intensity and pattern of pruritis, there were positive relations with depressive symptom and stress perception only in patients with chronic urticaria. Above results indicate that stress perception and locus of contorl may play a significant role in the formation of psychological and dermatological symptoms in psychological pruitis and chronic urticaria. But the mechanisms of these processes are different in either disorder.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.447-460
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• 2001

The purpose of this study were to identify a relationship between symptom of health and fatigue-regulation behavior in middle-aged women. The subjects were 241 women living in Seoul and near the city, ranging in ages of 30-59(mean= 42.1 years) being interviewed during the month of Oct. to Dec., 2000. The following questionnaires were utilized in this study: a self reported symptom of health and a fatigue-regulation behavior scale originated from Kwon(1997). The analysis for the data was done by SAS program, t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation. The results of this study were as follows 1. Total mean scores of health status were shown 29.1, physical symptom 17.9 and psychological symptom 11.2. According to symptom of body system were higher in muscular-skeletal sympom 5.5, neurologic symptom 3.5, and digestive symptom 2.7. 2. The mean scores of symptom of health were significantly different in duraion of marriage, status of menstruation, perceived fatigue, perceived cause of fatigue, perceived help of family, hours of sleep. Physical symptom was significantly different in years of educational, status of menstruation, perceived fatigue, perceived cause of fatigue, perceived help of family, hours of sleep. Psychological symptom was significantly different in parity, whether or not having past illness, perceived fatigue. 3. The neurologic symptom was significantly different in years of education, status of menstruation, perceived fatigue, time to rest The respiratory symptom was significantly different in years of education, status of menstruation and hours of physical exercise. The muscular-skeletal symptom was significantly different duration of marriage, status of menstruation, BMI. perceived fatigue, perceived cause of fatigue, perceived help of family. The cardiovascular symptom was significantly different in whether or not having religion, number of children, duration of marriage, number of pregnancy & abortion, parity, status of menstruation, BMI. The digestive symptom was significantly different in whether or not having religion and the number of children. The urologic symptom was significantly different in whether or not having job, type of family, status of menstruation, BMI, perceived fatigue, perceived cause of fatigue, perceived help of family. The score of fatigue was significantly different in number of pregnancy. 4. There were significantly positive relationships in the area of symptom on health, especially fatigue was significantly positive relationships in score of symptom of health, physical symptom and psychological symptom. 5. They choose fatigue-regulation behavior physical rest, method of diversion, management of stress, enough sleep, and psychological rest in order. In the near future, it is required that further studies investigate socio-environmental factors related to symptoms of health and develop programs motivating fatigue-regulation behaviors actively.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2015

Purpose: This study aims to assess the psychological characteristics of patients with iatrogenic damage of the trigeminal nerve using Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R). Methods: A total of 22 patients who visited the clinic of Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, Chosun University were evaluated in the months from December 2012 to December 2014. Patients were included in the study if they presented with reported sensory changes due to iatrogenic trigeminal nerve injury. A total of 37 control group who has no symptoms of pain and sensory change were included in the study. All participants filled out the SCL-90-R instrument to assess psychosocial symptoms. Results: The T-scores of most of the SCL-90-R symptom dimensions were within normal range (less than 55) in the patients and the control group. The patients group showed higher T-scores of SCL-90-R than those of the control group, with statistically significance of somatization, anxiety, psychoticism, and positive symptoms distress. Female patients group had higher Tscores of SCL-90-R than those of male patients group, but there was no statistical difference, except for the positive symptom global index. The chronic patients group showed higher Tscores of SCL-90-R than those of the acute patients group, but there was no statistical difference, except for the Positive symptom global index. Conclusions: According to the psychological assessment of iatrogenic trigeminal nerve injury patients using SCL-90-R, the patients group, as compared to the control group shows a significantly higher score for somatization, anxiety, and psychoticism. Therefore, assessment of psychological state would be considered to treat patients with iatrogenic trigeminal nerve injury.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.171-176
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• 2016

Background: Much has been done to examine the psychological impact of cancer treatment, but it remains unclear to what extent anxiety and depression is related to symptom prevalence. The present study concerned the characteristics and frequency of distress as related to symptom prevalence in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in Malaysia. Materials and Methods: Participants were 303 consecutive adult cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in an academic medical center. The short form Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS-SF), which covers three domains of symptoms (global distress, physical- and psychological symptoms) was used to cross-sectionally measure symptom frequency and associated distress via self-reporting. One-way ANOVA and t-tests were used to test mean differences among MSAS-SF subscale scores. Results: Complete data were available for 303 patients. The mean number of symptoms was 14.5. The five most prevalent were fatigue, dry mouth, hair loss, drowsiness and lack of appetite. Overall, symptom burden and frequency were higher than in other published MSAS-SF studies. Higher symptom frequency was also found to be significantly related to greater distress in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Conclusions: Patients undergoing chemotherapy suffer from multiple physical and psychological symptoms. Better symptom control or palliative care is needed. Greater frequency of reported symptoms may also indicate a subconscious bid by patients for care and reassurance - thus tailored intervention to manage distress should be offered.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.309-314
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• 2014

Purpose: Cigarette smoking causes many kinds of cancer, and it is more closely related with lung cancer, rather than other cancers. Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer and ninety percent of the smokers are male in China, but there is little published data concerning the psychological responses in the male smokers with lung cancer and its influence on the symptom burden. The aim of the study was to verify the hypothesis that male smokers with lung cancer have more positive attitude and less symptom burden, comparing to male non-smokers. Methods: A total of 194 men with cancer in West China Hospital, Sichuan, China, were assessed by self-administered questionnaire. Psychological response was measured by the Chinese version of Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer scale (Mini-MAC), and symptom burden was measured by the physical symptom distress scale from the Rotterdam Symptom Checklist (RSCL). Results: We found that smokers with lung cancer got higher scores in positive attitude and a smaller symptom burden than non-smokers. Patients with education lower than high school got higher scores of positive attitude compared to college graduate patients (p=0.038). Smokers with lung cancer who knew the potential carcinogenicity of cigarette showed less negative emotions (p=0.011). The psychological response was not affected by age, clinical stage, cell type, smoking duration and amount. Conclusions: Male smokers with lung cancer have a more positive attitude and fewer symptoms, comparing to male non-smokers. Appropriate psychological intervention for non-smokers with lung cancer deserves more attention.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.309-314
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• 2012

Objective: To investigate the psychological characteristics of hepatic malignancy patients before interventional procedures and assess associations with related factors. Methods: Two hundred and thirteen patients requiring interventional procedure for hepatic malignancy were asked to complete a survey of health knowledge and psychological symptom on health knowledge questionnaire and SCL-90 before interventional procedure. Logistic regression analysis was employed to determine the association of various demographic, clinical and health knowledge factors with the presence of psychological symptoms in patients. Results: Eight psychological symptom scores, i.e. somatization, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, depression, anxiety, hostility, phobia, paranoid ideations and psychotic states, were significantly higher than the normal range (P< 0.001). Of 213 cases in the study, 49 families (23.00%) concealed the diagnoses of hepatic carcinoma from patients; 135 patients (63.38%) described the prognosis of the disease correctly. It was demonstrated that the correlations between psychological symptoms and related factors, i.e. age, gender, education, interventional procedure times and health knowledge, were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Psychological distress is severe in hepatic malignancy patients before interventional procedures. Age, gender, education, interventional procedure times and health knowledge are associated with psychological symptoms which are significant different from the normal range in Chinese.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.28 no.2 s.50
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• pp.433-449
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• 1995

The study subjects in this study are 295 workers who work on one electronics industry, and they were composed of 93 VDT and 202 non-VDT workers. This study was carried out to obtain the prevalence of subjective symptoms and to compare psychological symptom scores from SCL-90-R between VDT and non-VDT work groups. And to verify the relationship between VDT work related symptoms and psychological symptoms, the author compared SCL-90-R T scores between symptom complaining and non-complaining groups. The results are summarized as follows : 1. Throughout the prevalence study of VDT work related symptoms according to VDT work state, the author could select the final 10 symptoms by sex;'eye fatigue', 'foggy vision', 'neck discomfort or pain', 'shoulder discomfort and pain', 'light headedness', 'dizziness', 'acne', 'itching sensation on face', 'difficulty in concentration', 'memory disturbance' in males, and 'blurred vision', 'foggy vision', 'neck discomfort or pain', 'shoulder discomfort and pain', 'abdominal distention', 'indigestion', 'acne', 'prickling sensation on face', 'difficulty in concentration', 'memory disturbance' in females. 2. Throughout comparison of psychological symptom scores from SCL-90-R between VDT and non-VDT workers, except 'Interpersonal sensitivity' in female, Mean T score were higher in VDT workers, but not significantly different between the two groups. These results indicate that the relation between VDT work status and psychological symptoms are not strongly correlated. 3. Because of the nonspecific characteristics of VDT work related symptoms, from the 40 subjective symptoms, the author selected the final 10 symptoms by sex, especially correlated to VDT, and divided the study subjects into symptom complaining and non-complaining groups. The mean SCL-90-R T scores between the two groups were compared. Except for the opthalmologic symptoms in females, the scores were significantly different between the two groups in all symptoms. And this indicates that the VDT work related symptoms strongly correlated with the present individual psychological conditions. 4. Due to understand that which of the 9 psychological symptom dimensions are strongly correlated with the subjective symptoms, the author excuted muliple logistic regression analysis, and the result were as follows; 'depression' and 'somatization', in male, and 'obsessive-compulsive' and 'somatization' in female.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.613-621
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• 2009

The purposes of this study were to evaluate symptom experience and quality of life (QOL) and to identify the predictors of QOL among breast cancer survivors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 disease-free breast cancer survivors at two hospitals between December 2007 and July 2008. Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Scale-B, Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale-short Form and The Linear Analogue Self Assessment Scale were used to assess symptom experience and QOL in these patients. Data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation, t-test, ANOVA, and stepwise multiple regression with SPSS/WIN 12.0. Results: The mean score of QOL for breast cancer survivors was 95.81 (${\pm}18.02$). The highest scores among physical and psychological symptoms were sexual interest and anxiety. Year since treatment completion was significantly associated with QOL in sociodemographic variables. Physical and psychological symptoms have a significant negative association with QOL. The results of the regression analyses showed that physical and psychological symptoms were statistically significant in predicting patients' QOL. Conclusion: Symptom experience and QOL are essential variables that should be acknowledged when delivering health care to breast cancer survivors. More attention to the reduction and management of psychological distress could improve QOL among breast cancer survivors.