Objective: Recently, various mental health promotion programs using virtual reality (VR) technology have been tried in the psychiatric field. Considering the importance of mental health in pregnant women, VR-assisted mental health promotion programs for pregnant women are needed to be developed. This study aimed to prospectively investigate the efficacy of a VR-assisted mental health promotion program for pregnant women. Methods: Fifty-five pregnant women were participated in this study. Mental health states such as depression, anxiety, perceived stress, and quality of life were assessed by Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Perceived Stress Scale, and World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale Abbreviated Version (WHOQOL-BREF) before and after using VR program treatment. Based on the mental health types of pregnant women classified by cluster analysis, the effects of the VR program were analyzed by paired t test and Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results: The VR program significantly reduced PHQ-9 (p = 0.033) and GAD-7 (p = 0.046) scores, and significantly increased WHOQOL-BREF (p = 0.026) score of the participants. Additionally, when classifying the mental health types of pregnant women, the VR program was significantly effective to improve depression, anxiety, and quality of life in the most severe group based on the cluster analysis. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that VR program may be effective to improve the mental health of pregnant women. Particularly, VR programs for the high-risk group of depression might be the most effective. Therefore, VR-assisted mental health promotion programs could be useful for managing the mental health in pregnant women.

Objective: Recently, various mental health promotion programs using virtual reality (VR) technology have been tried in the psychiatric field. Considering the importance of mental health in pregnant women, VR-assisted mental health promotion programs for pregnant women are needed to be developed. This study aimed to prospectively investigate the efficacy of a VR-assisted mental health promotion program for pregnant women. Methods: Fifty-five pregnant women were participated in this study. Mental health states such as depression, anxiety, perceived stress, and quality of life were assessed by Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Perceived Stress Scale, and World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale Abbreviated Version (WHOQOL-BREF) before and after using VR program treatment. Based on the mental health types of pregnant women classified by cluster analysis, the effects of the VR program were analyzed by paired t test and Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results: The VR program significantly reduced PHQ-9 (p = 0.033) and GAD-7 (p = 0.046) scores, and significantly increased WHOQOL-BREF (p = 0.026) score of the participants. Additionally, when classifying the mental health types of pregnant women, the VR program was significantly effective to improve depression, anxiety, and quality of life in the most severe group based on the cluster analysis. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that VR program may be effective to improve the mental health of pregnant women. Particularly, VR programs for the high-risk group of depression might be the most effective. Therefore, VR-assisted mental health promotion programs could be useful for managing the mental health in pregnant women.

Objective: Recently, various mental health promotion programs using virtual reality (VR) technology have been tried in the psychiatric field. Considering the importance of mental health in pregnant women, VR-assisted mental health promotion programs for pregnant women are needed to be developed. This study aimed to prospectively investigate the efficacy of a VR-assisted mental health promotion program for pregnant women. Methods: Fifty-five pregnant women were participated in this study. Mental health states such as depression, anxiety, perceived stress, and quality of life were assessed by Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Perceived Stress Scale, and World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale Abbreviated Version (WHOQOL-BREF) before and after using VR program treatment. Based on the mental health types of pregnant women classified by cluster analysis, the effects of the VR program were analyzed by paired t test and Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results: The VR program significantly reduced PHQ-9 (p = 0.033) and GAD-7 (p = 0.046) scores, and significantly increased WHOQOL-BREF (p = 0.026) score of the participants. Additionally, when classifying the mental health types of pregnant women, the VR program was significantly effective to improve depression, anxiety, and quality of life in the most severe group based on the cluster analysis. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that VR program may be effective to improve the mental health of pregnant women. Particularly, VR programs for the high-risk group of depression might be the most effective. Therefore, VR-assisted mental health promotion programs could be useful for managing the mental health in pregnant women.

Objective: Recently, various mental health promotion programs using virtual reality (VR) technology have been tried in the psychiatric field. Considering the importance of mental health in pregnant women, VR-assisted mental health promotion programs for pregnant women are needed to be developed. This study aimed to prospectively investigate the efficacy of a VR-assisted mental health promotion program for pregnant women. Methods: Fifty-five pregnant women were participated in this study. Mental health states such as depression, anxiety, perceived stress, and quality of life were assessed by Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Perceived Stress Scale, and World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale Abbreviated Version (WHOQOL-BREF) before and after using VR program treatment. Based on the mental health types of pregnant women classified by cluster analysis, the effects of the VR program were analyzed by paired t test and Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results: The VR program significantly reduced PHQ-9 (p = 0.033) and GAD-7 (p = 0.046) scores, and significantly increased WHOQOL-BREF (p = 0.026) score of the participants. Additionally, when classifying the mental health types of pregnant women, the VR program was significantly effective to improve depression, anxiety, and quality of life in the most severe group based on the cluster analysis. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that VR program may be effective to improve the mental health of pregnant women. Particularly, VR programs for the high-risk group of depression might be the most effective. Therefore, VR-assisted mental health promotion programs could be useful for managing the mental health in pregnant women.

Background: Although exercising can be effective in alleviating mood symptoms, implementing an exercise regimen can be challenging. This study aims to evaluate the subjective experience and satisfaction with an exercise program that uses augmented reality (AR) developed to improve exercise adherence in patients with mood disorders. Methods: Thirty patients diagnosed with mood disorders participated in this study. Before and after the AR-based exercise program, psychological states were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale Abbreviated Version (WHOQOL-BREF). In addition, the satisfaction survey conducted after participating in the exercise program was analyzed. Results: The mean score of PHQ-9 decreased significantly following the exercise program. Moreover, the mean scores for GAD-7 and PSS significantly decreased when compared before and after the exercise program. Meanwhile, the mean score of WHOQOL-BREF for physical and social satisfaction increased significantly. Furthermore, this program received positive responses on the satisfaction survey. Conclusion In patients with mood disorders, the AR-based exercise program showed remarkable positive effects on psychological states and satisfaction levels. The exercise program using AR technology may effectively improve exercise program adherence in patients with mood disorders.

Background: Stress management is an important component of management of mental health. Stress processing can be understood as the appraisal of and coping with stress. This study aimed to compare positive and negative perceptions of stress according to patterns of coping strategies. Methods: The study recruited 116 college students who completed the Perceived Stress Scale and Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations using a tablet PC or smartphone application. K-means cluster analysis was used to categorize the subjects into three clusters. Results: Positive perceptions were highest in Cluster 2 (i.e., task and avoidance dominant) at 3.18±0.66 followed by 2.30±0.65 in Cluster 1 (passive coping) and lowest in Cluster 3 (emotion dominant) at 1.75±0.63. Negative perceptions were highest in Cluster 3 at 2.45±0.66 followed by Cluster 1 at 1.66±0.65 and Cluster 2 at 1.07±0.68. Conclusion Differences in coping patterns can reduce the negative effects of stress. Thus, assessing the perception and management of stress can be useful and help people change their coping styles to more adaptive ones. Toward this end, a mobile application can be an appropriate tool.

A year on from the end of coronavirus disease pandemic, there has been a resurgence in interest in international travel from South Korea. In the event of unexpected illness whilst abroad, there is a lack of information regarding the provision of medical services, repatriation, and treatment outcomes, both abroad and upon return to South Korea. A 39-year-old male experienced swelling, redness, and severe pain in his right upper arm, axilla, and anterior chest wall after undergoing intravenous cannulation in Laos. He received treatment in South Korea, 5 days after symptom onset, delayed by his travel back to South Korea. Upon diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis emergency surgery was conducted promptly. Subsequently, he underwent multiple surgeries. The patient`s wound was closed 13 days postadmission. He was discharged on the 33rd day without complications, although continued rehabilitation was required.

Objective: Ultradian rhythms are biological rhythms with periods of a few seconds to a few hours. Along with circadian rhythms, ultradian rhythms influence human physiology. However, such rhythms have not been studied as intensively as circadian rhythms. This study aimed to identify ultradian rest-activity rhythms induced by the dopamine D2/D3 agonist quinpirole in mice. Methods: We used 10 mice from the Institute of Cancer Research. Quinpirole was administered at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg.We assessed free rest-activity using infrared detectors and conducted wavelet analysis to measure the period and its variation. We also used the paired t test to compare ultradian rhythm patterns. Results: Quinpirole did not significantly change total 24-hour locomotor activity (p = 0.065). However, it significantly increased locomotor activity during the dark phase (p = 0.001) and decreased it during the light phase (p = 0.016).In the continuous wavelet transform analysis, the mean period was 5.618 hours before quinpirole injection and 4.523 hours after injection. The period showed a significant decrease (p = 0.040), while the variation remained relatively consistent before and after quinpirole injection. Conclusion This study demonstrated ultradian rest-activity rhythms induced by quinpirole using wavelet analysis.Quinpirole-induced ultradian rhythms exhibited rapid oscillations with shortened periods and increased activity during the dark phase. To better understand these changes in ultradian rhythms caused by quinpirole, it is essential to compare them with the effects of other psychopharmacological agents. Furthermore, investigating the pharmacological impact on ultradian rest-activity rhythms may have valuable applications in clinical studies.

Prolactinomas are the most prevalent type of pituitary neuroendocrine adenomas, primarily affecting women of reproductive age. Unlike other pituitary tumors, the first-line management has traditionally been pharmacological rather than surgical. This preference is due to the effectiveness of dopamine agonists (DAs), which typically reduce tumor size and normalize prolactin levels in most patients. However, this does not imply that there is no room for improvement; the duration of treatment and medication side effects often lead to compliance issues among patients. Recent advances in surgical techniques and molecular biology have paved the way for the development of precision medicine, allowing for more flexible and personalized treatment strategies for prolactinomas. This review aims to enhance clinical decision-making and patient care for endocrinologists by focusing on several key factors: predictive markers of DA sensitivity, clinical characteristics and suitability for transsphenoidal adenomectomy as a potential first-line treatment, factors determining the successful withdrawal of DAs after prolonged use, safety concerns during pre/post-pregnancy and breastfeeding, and determinants of tumor aggressiveness. Through tailored therapy—a patient-focused, multidisciplinary approach— we aim to improve the management of prolactinoma patients.

Background: This study aimed to develop an instrument for assessing physical functioning among adults aged 50 years or older living in the community. Methods: Based on a review of various national health surveys and cohort studies, a 144-item bank was constructed for assessing physical functioning. Focus group interviews were conducted among adults aged 50 years or older to investigate their level of understanding of 60 selected items, followed by a pretest of the items on a nationally representative sample (n=508). The final 25-item questionnaire was tested on an independent sample (n=259) for validity and reliability based on classical test and item response theories. Predictive validity at the 6-month follow-up was tested in a separate sample (n=263). Results: The newly developed Life Functioning (LF) scale assessed the dimensions of functional limitations, disabilities, and social activities. The scale satisfied a one-dimensionality assumption with good item fit and demonstrated criterion validity, construct validity, high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha=0.93), and test-retest reliability (intra-class correlation coefficient=0.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.76–0.89). The LF scale comprised 25 items with a total score ranging from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicated higher levels of functioning. The LF score was significantly associated with the Physical Functioning score at 6 months. Conclusion The LF scale was developed to assess the physical functioning of people in their late midlife or older. Future studies should test the instrument on a national sample and evaluate its application in diverse population subgroups.