TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2017//
TI  - Increased beta power in the bereaved families of the Sewol ferry disaster, a paradoxical compensatory phenomenon? A two-channel electroencephalography study
JO  - Psychiatry and the Clinical Neurosciences
A1  - Jang, Kuk-In
A1  - Shim, Miseon
A1  - Lee, Sang Min
A1  - Huh, Hyu Jung
A1  - Huh, Seung
A1  - Joo, Ji-Young
A1  - Lee, Seung-Hwan
A1  - Chae, Jeong-Ho
SP  - 759
EP  - 768
VL  - 71
IS  - 11
N2  - AIM: The Sewol ferry capsizing accident in South Korea's southern coast had resulted in the death of 304 people, and serious bereavement problems of their families. Electroencephalography (EEG) beta frequency is associated with psychiatric symptoms such as insomnia. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between frontal beta power, psychological symptoms, and insomnia in the bereaved families. <br><br>METHODS: Eighty-four family members of the Sewol ferry victims (32 men and 52 women) were recruited and their EEG was compared with that of 25 (13 men and 12 women) healthy controls. A two-channel EEG device was used to measure cortical activity in the frontal lobe. Symptom severity of insomnia, PTSD, complicated grief, and anxiety were evaluated. <br><br>RESULTS: The bereaved families showed a higher frontal beta power than healthy controls. Subgroup analysis showed that frontal beta power was lower in the individuals with severe insomnia than in those with normal sleep. There was a significant inverse correlation between frontal beta power and insomnia symptom in the bereaved families. <br><br>CONCLUSION: This study suggests that increased beta power, reflecting the psychopathology in the bereaved families of the Sewol ferry disaster, may be a compensatory mechanism that follows complex trauma. Frontal beta power could be a potential marker indicating the severity of sleep disturbances. Our results suggest that sleep disturbances is an important symptom in family members of the Sewol ferry disaster's victims, which may be screened by EEG beta power.<br><br>This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1323-1316
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/pcn.12546
ID  - ref1
ER  -