Eun Hye Ha

The effects on cognitive function and behavioral problems of topiramate compared to carbamazepine as monotherapy for children with benign rolandic epilepsy

Summary:  Methods: A multicenter, randomized, open‐label, observer‐blinded, parallel‐group clinical trial was conducted. TPM was introduced at a dose of 12.5 mg/day with the minimum target dose of 50 mg/day in patients <30 kg and 75 mg/day in patients >30 kg over 4 weeks. CBZ was started at a dose of 10 mg/kg/day with the minimum target dose of 20 mg/kg/day over 4 weeks. Additional individual escalation was allowed up to a maximum target dose. The primary study end point was change on a neuropsychological test battery after 28 weeks of treatment.

Effects of Methylphenidate on Quantitative EEG of Boys with Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Continuous Performance Test

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of methylphenidate, a psychostimulant, on quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) during the continuous performance test (CPT) in boys with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The QEEG was obtained from 20 boys with ADHD. The amplitudes of 4 bands (α, β, δ, and θ) in the QEEG, as well as the θ/β ratio, before and after the administration of methylphenidate were compared during both the resting and CPT states. Methylphenidate induced a significant increase of α activities in both the right and left frontal and occipital areas, an increase of β activities in almost all areas except for the temporal region, a decrease of θ activities in both the occipital and right temporo-parietal areas, a mild decrease of δ activities in the occipito-parietal areas, and an increase of the θ/β ratio in the right frontal and parieto-occipital, and left temporal areas during the CPT state. No significant QEEG changes were induced by the administration of methylphenidate in the resting state. These data suggest that methylphenidate has greater electrophysiological influences on the cerebral topographical activities during the performance of attentional tasks, as compared to the resting state, in boys with ADHD.

Titrating Optimal Dose of Osmotic-Controlled Release Oral Delivery (OROS)-Methylphenidate and Its Efficacy and Safety in Korean Children with ADHD: A Multisite Open Labeled Study

Objective This study was aimed to determine effectiveness and tolerability of Osmotic-controlled Release Oral delivery (OROS) methylphenidate (MPH) and its optimal dose administered openly over a period of up to 12 weeks in drug naïve Korean children with ADHD. Methods Subjects (n=143), ages 6 to 18-years, with a clinical diagnosis of any subtype of ADHD were recruited from 7 medical centers in Korea. An individualized dose of OROS-MPH was determined for each subject depending on the response criteria. The subjects were assessed with several symptom rating scales in week 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12. Results 77 of 116 subjects (66.4%) achieved the criteria for response and the average of optimal daily dose for response was to 30.05±12.52 mg per day (0.90±0.31 mg/kg/d) at the end of the study. Optimal dose was not significantly different between ADHD subtypes, whereas, significant higher dose was needed in older aged groups than younger groups. The average of optimal daily dose for response for the subjects aged above 12 years old was 46.38±15.52 per day (0.81±0.28 mg/kg/d) compared to younger groups (p<0.01). No serious adverse effects were reported and the dose did not have a significant effect on adverse effects. Conclusion Optimal mean dose of OROS-MPH was significantly different by age groups. Higher dose was needed in older aged groups than younger groups. Effectiveness and tolerability of OROS-MPH in symptoms of ADHD is sustained for up to 12 weeks.

Effects of Cognitive-Behavioral Group Therapy for Depressive Mothers of Children with Behavior Problems

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to develop a cognitive behavioral group therapy (CBT) for depressed mothers of children between 5–12 years old, with behavior problems and to examine the effectiveness of the program. The CBT group met 8 times in total (2-hour weekly sessions for 8 weeks), followed by a booster session 3 months after the program was completed. Thirty-four mothers of children with behavior problems of the age range 5–12 were sampled; half of the mothers (N = 17) participated in the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Group and the other half, 17 in the Wait List (WL) Control Group. At the post-treatment assessment, the CBT Group reported significantly lower depressive symptoms compared with the WL Group. The CBT Group showed lower scores in self-reported parent-child problems and coercive or punishing parenting behaviors than the WL Group. Also, mothers in the CBT Group reported lower levels of negative automatic thoughts, more respect for the childs opinion, and fewer externalizing behavior problems and total behavior problems in their children. At the 3-month follow-up assessment, mothers in the CBT Group reported lower levels of depressive symptoms, parenting anxiety, parent-child problems, and total social adjustment problems, compared with the pre-treatment assessment. Furthermore, CBT Group mothers reported significantly fewer failures in behavior monitoring of their children, and fewer behavior problems and higher social competence in their children.

The exposure to traumatic events and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder among Korean journalists

This study investigated posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms on Korean journalists and the contributing variables. Predicting variables included the exposure to traumatic events, coping strategy, social support, optimism, negative beliefs, and the journalists’ occupational perspectives. A total of 367 Korean journalists participated in the survey. The findings revealed that, first, Korean journalists had suffered severely from PTSD symptoms according to the prevalence rate. Second, the extent of traumatic event exposure, the length of career, the use of dysfunctional coping strategy, a lack of social support, and negative beliefs were identified as significantly related variables. Finally, occupational perspectives showed meaningful associations with development of the symptoms. This study provided an empirical analysis of Korean journalists’ experiences of traumatic events and psychological stress for the first time.