Effects of Virtual Reality-Based Cognitive Training in the Elderly with and without Mild Cognitive Impairment

Objective@#This study aimed to introduce a 4-week long fully immersive virtual reality-based cognitive training (VRCT) program that could be applied for both a cognitively normal elderly population and patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). In addition, we attempted to investigate the neuropsychological effects of the VRCT program in each group. @*Methods@#A total of 56 participants, 31 in the MCI group and 25 in the cognitively normal elderly group, underwent eight sessions of VRCT for 4 weeks. In order to evaluate the effects of the VRCT, the Korean version of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Packet was administered before and after the program. The program’ s safety was assessed using a simulator sickness questionnaire (SSQ), and availability was assessed using the presence questionnaire. @*Results@#After the eighth session of the VRCT program, cognitive improvement was observed in the ability to learn new information, visuospatial constructional ability, and frontal lobe function in both groups. At the baseline evaluation, based on the SSQ, the MCI group complained of disorientation and nausea significantly more than the cognitively normal elderly group did. However, both groups showed a reduction in discomfort as the VRCT program progressed. @*Conclusion@#We conclude that our VRCT program helps improve cognition in both the MCI group and cognitively normal elderly group. Therefore, the VRCT is expected to help improve cognitive function in elderly populations with and without MCI.

Effects of Virtual Reality-Based Cognitive Training in the Elderly with and without Mild Cognitive Impairment

Objective@#This study aimed to introduce a 4-week long fully immersive virtual reality-based cognitive training (VRCT) program that could be applied for both a cognitively normal elderly population and patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). In addition, we attempted to investigate the neuropsychological effects of the VRCT program in each group. @*Methods@#A total of 56 participants, 31 in the MCI group and 25 in the cognitively normal elderly group, underwent eight sessions of VRCT for 4 weeks. In order to evaluate the effects of the VRCT, the Korean version of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Packet was administered before and after the program. The program’ s safety was assessed using a simulator sickness questionnaire (SSQ), and availability was assessed using the presence questionnaire. @*Results@#After the eighth session of the VRCT program, cognitive improvement was observed in the ability to learn new information, visuospatial constructional ability, and frontal lobe function in both groups. At the baseline evaluation, based on the SSQ, the MCI group complained of disorientation and nausea significantly more than the cognitively normal elderly group did. However, both groups showed a reduction in discomfort as the VRCT program progressed. @*Conclusion@#We conclude that our VRCT program helps improve cognition in both the MCI group and cognitively normal elderly group. Therefore, the VRCT is expected to help improve cognitive function in elderly populations with and without MCI.

Intravaginal desensitization in a woman with seminal fluid allergy / 천식및알레르기

Human seminal fiuid (HSP) hypersensitivity is rare, but possibly a life-threatening disease. The pathogenesis of seminal plasma hypersensitivity and the exact nature of the HSP allergens remains to be clarified. We report a case of 25-year-old female patient who complained of severe itching sensation, flushing and edema of external genitalia, facial edema and dyspnea after sexual intercourse. The diagnosis was established by skin pr ick test with her husbands diluted semen. Intravaginal desensitization was performed by modified Matloffs method. Dilutions was made with sterile human serum albumin(0.2%) and 0.4% pheno1-0.9% saline solution. Two ml each of progressively greater concentrations of semen dilutions(1: 100,000 v/v, 1: 10,000 v/ v, 1:1,000 v/v, 1:100 v/v, 1:10 v/v) were inserted intravaginally at 45-min intervals, followed by an undiluted specimen. The patient was successfully desensitized and could have unprotected intercourse without anaphylaxis.

Clinical Applications of Three-Dimensional Echocardiography

BACKGROUND: Three-dimensional echocardiography has good feasibility and real image display in dynamic and spatial cardiac structures. So we designed this study to assess both the feasibility and potential role of three-dimensional echocardiography for the evaluation of cardiac structures and adjacent relationships. METHOD: We studied 25 patients with various heart structures. Cross-sectional images of specific interesting region were acquired from multiplane transesophageal echocardiography and reconstructed to three-dimensional images by TomTec image processing system. These images were presented in volume-rendered dynamic display for assessing of additonal informations. RESULTS: Three-dimensional reconstructions of usual viewpoints and interesting cut planes were possible in all patients. When compared with standard two dimensional images, additional informations were provided in all reconstructed cases. Among these images, mitral valve morphology, aortoseptal continuity and interatrial septum were the structures for which three-dimensional echocardiography were most useful. CONCLUSION: Although it was preliminary datas which needs large-scale randonmized prospective studies, three-dimensional echocardiograpy may be most potent and promising methods in evaluating anatomic and functional assessment of heart structures.