Juyoung Park

Interests

Research

Dr. Park’s research is dedicated to enhancing health and promoting quality of life in geriatric populations, particularly those who are physically and cognitively vulnerable. Her current focus is on utilizing technology-based interventions to manage chronic pain and improve cognitive functions in those populations.Dr. Park’s research is designed to enhance health and promote quality of life in geriatric populations, especially those who are physically and cognitively vulnerable. She is particularly focused on technology-based nonpharmacological interventions, such as tDCS and complementary mind-body practices (e.g., online chair yoga, qigong) to manage chronic pain and improve cognitive functions in older adults.

Teaching

Behavioral Intervention Quantitative Research Methods

Courses

Scholarly Contributions

Journals/Publications

• Park, J., Tong, H., Kang, Y., Miao, H., & Ahn, H. B. (2024). Responders and nonresponders with knee osteoarthritis to transcranial dierct cunrret stimulation. Innovation in Aging, 8(1), 251.
• Besser, L. M., Wiese, L., Cook, D. J., Holt, J., Magzamen, S., Minor, B., Mitsova, D., Park, J., Sablan, O., Tourelle, M., & Williams, C. (2024). Rural Roads to Cognitive Resilience (RRR): A prospective cohort study protocol. PLOS ONE, 20(1). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0312660
  More info

  Ambient air pollution, detrimental built and social environments, social isolation (SI), low socioeconomic status (SES), and rural (versus urban) residence have been associated with cognitive decline and risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). Research is needed to investigate the influence of ambient air pollution and built and social environments on SI and cognitive decline among rural, disadvantaged, ethnic minority communities. To address this gap, this cohort study will recruit an ethnoracially diverse, rural Florida sample in geographic proximity to seasonal agricultural burning. We will (1) examine contributions of smoke-related fine particulate matter (PM) exposures to SI and cognitive function; (2) determine effects of built and social environments on SI and cognitive function; and (3) contextualize SI and cognitive function among residents from different ethnoracial groups during burn and non-burn seasons.
• Krause-Parello, C. A., Park, J., & Newman, D. (2024). Examining Preliminary Efficacy of a Qigong Intervention in Veterans with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study. Pain management nursing : official journal of the American Society of Pain Management Nurses.
  More info

  The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the preliminary efficacy of an 8-week qigong intervention in managing biopsychosocial outcomes in veterans with chronic low back pain (CLBP).
• Lee, C., Kim, Y., Kim, S., Cohen, B., Ahn, H. B., Park, J., & Kim, H. (2024). TRAJECTORIES OF CHRONIC PAIN AMONG OLDER VETERANS: IDENTIFYING PAIN-WORSENING PREDICTORS VIA MACHINE LEARNING. Innovation in Aging, 8(1), 1221. doi:doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igae098.3909
  More info

  https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igae098.3909
• Lee, C., Park, J., Fain, M., Galvin, J., & Ahn, H. (2024).

  Immediate and sustainable effects of tDCS on pain in older adults with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia.

  . Innovation in Aging, 8(S1), 1250. doi:10.1093/geroni/igae098.3999
• Park, J., & Ahn, H. B. (2024). Translating innovative technology-based interventions into nursing practice. Research in nursing & health, 47(4), 366-367.
  More info

  Technology‐based treatments are reshaping nursing practice, improvingpatient outcomes, and fostering innovation. It is important fornurses to remain abreast of emerging trends and integrate technologyeffectively into their daily responsibilities
• Park, J., Ahn, H. B., Huff, A. J., Montero-Hernandez, S., Lin, L., & Park, L. (2024). Subjective and objective pain assessment in persons with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias: Comparisons among self-report of pain, observer-rated pain assessment, and functional near-infrared spectroscopy. . The Journal of Pain, 25(S4), 49.
• Park, J., Ahn, H. B., Krause-Parello, C., & Newman, D. (2024).

  Assessing a qigong intervention for military veterans with chronic low back pain. 

  . Integrative and Complementary Therapies, 30(3), 108-116.
  More info

  Qigong is a mind-body approach to manage Chronic Low Back Pain in veterans who receive care through the Veterans Health Administration and in the community. For future studies, a larger sample would provide a higher level of empirical evidence to support qigong practice for CLBP in veterans. Future studies should assess sustainability of the intervention.
• Park, J., Elizabeth, w., Heather, H., Gonzales, M., & Jaber, T. (2024). Feasibility and efficacy of addiction-focused eye movement desensitization reprocessing in adults with substance abuse disorder. . Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work, 21(3), 282-299.
  More info

  Purpose: Addiction-focused eye movement desensitization reprocessing (AF-EMDR) is a potential add-on therapy for treating addiction cravings, but its effects in individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) are under-researched. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of AF-EMDR on cravings, addiction-related perseverations, and irrational cognitions in people with SUD.Methods: This pilot study used a two-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT) design with an experimental group (AF-EMDR + CBT) and a control group (CBT only). Thirty participants from a recovery center in Florida were recruited and randomly assigned to either group.Results: All participants completed the four-session AF-EMDR intervention. Both groups showed significant reductions in cravings, perseverative thoughts, and irrational cognitions, but no significant difference was found between groups.Conclusions: While AF-EMDR shows promise in reducing cravings, further clinical trials with larger samples are needed to evaluate its efficacy and sustainability in SUD treatment.
• Park, J., Engstrom, G., & Ouslander, J. G. (2024). Prescribing Benzodiazepines and Opioids and Clinical Characteristics Associated With 30-Day Hospital Return in Patients Aged ≥75 Years: Secondary Data Analysis. Journal of gerontological nursing, 50(4), 25-33. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3928/00989134-20240312-02
  More info

  The current study compared prevalence of opioid or benzodiazepine (BZD) prescription and co-prescription of opioids and BZD at discharge and return to a community hospital within 30 days, as well as identified clinical characteristics associated with hospital return in patients aged ≥75 years.
• Park, J., Hung, L., Levine, H., Call, D., Celeste, D., Lacativa, D., Riley, B., Riley, N., & Zhao, Y. (2024). Technology-based group exercise interventions for people living with dementia or mild cognitive impairment: A scoping review. PloS one, 19(6), e0305266. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0305266
  More info

  Older people living with dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are more vulnerable to experiencing social isolation and loneliness due to their cognitive and physical impairments. Increasingly integrating technology into group exercises contributed to the improved resilience and well-being of older adults living with dementia and MCI. The purpose of this scoping review was to identify the various types, feasibility, outcome measures, and impacts of technology-based group exercise interventions for people with dementia or MCI. We utilized the Joanna Briggs Institute approach, a three-step process. A comprehensive literature search on five databases-CINAHL, MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and PsycInfo-until January 2024 yielded 1,585 publications; the final review included 14 publications that recruited a total of 379 participants, with mean age of 69 (SD = 4.21) years to 87.07 (SD = 3.92) years. Analysis of data showed three types of technology-based group exercise interventions for people with dementia or MCI: (a) exergames, (b) virtual cycling or kayak paddling, and (c) video-conferencing platforms. In addition, we identified three key impacts: (a) feasibility and accessibility; (b) physical, psychosocial, and cognitive benefits; and (c) adaptations necessary for persons with dementia or MCI. Our study suggests that technology-based group exercise interventions are feasible and acceptable to persons with dementia or MCI. Future studies should involve individuals with dementia and their caregivers in the design and implementation of technology-based group exercise programs.
• Park, J., Krause-Parello, C., Newman, D., Chen, K., Rejit, R., Bellot, R., Delva, R., Cadet, D., Kirkland, D., & Ahn, H. (2024). Assessing a Qigong Intervention for Military Veterans with Chronic Low Back Pain. Integrative and Complementary Therapies, 30(3). doi:10.1089/ict.2024.27207.jyp
  More info

  Background: Veterans have a high prevalence of opioid prescriptions to manage chronic low back pain (CLBP), resulting in increased risk of becoming addicted and overdosing. It is important to identify effective and safe mind–body interventions to reduce opioid use for veterans with CLBP. Qigong, a mind–body therapy, is a promising approach to manage CLBP in veterans. This study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of qigong and examined whether pain is reduced after a qigong intervention. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 31 participants were randomized to the qigong intervention (n = 15) or a wait-list control group (WLCG; n = 16). The qigong intervention was conducted twice weekly in 45-minute sessions for 8 weeks (total of 16 sessions). Participants who completed the qigong intervention were invited to participate in a focus group conducted through videoconferencing. In addition to assessing feasibility and acceptability of the qigong intervention, pain intensity, pain interference, and low back pain and disability were measured at baseline and postintervention. Results: Qigong is a feasible intervention for veterans with CLBP, based on retention (83%), attendance (70%), and fidelity (100%), with no injury or other adverse events. Qigong was acceptable to the veterans with CLBP, who reported that they would continue to practice qigong to manage CLBP for long-term effects. Statistically significant differences in reduction in pain intensity (p = .047), pain interference (p = .04), and pain-related disability (p = .028) between the qigong group and WLCG from baseline to postintervention were identified. Conclusion: Qigong is a mind–body approach to manage CLBP in veterans who receive care through the Veterans Health Administration and in the community. For future studies, a larger sample would provide a higher level of empirical evidence to support qigong practice for CLBP in veterans. Future studies should assess sustainability of the intervention.
• Park, J., Tong, H., Kang, Y., Miao, H., Lin, L., Telkes Ergun, I., Martorella, G., Fox, R., & Ahn, H. B. (2024). Comparison of responders and nonresponders with knee osteoarthritis after transcranial direct current stimulation. Pain management, 1-12.
  More info

  The study compared responders and nonresponders to transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) regarding clinical pain outcomes in knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients.
• Wong, K. L., Hung, L., Wong, J., Park, J., Alfares, H., Zhao, Y., Mousavinejad, A., Soni, A., & Zhao, H. (2024). Adoption of Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Robots in Long-Term Care Homes by Health Care Providers: Scoping Review. JMIR aging, 7, e55257.
  More info

  Long-term care (LTC) homes face the challenges of increasing care needs of residents and a shortage of health care providers. Literature suggests that artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled robots may solve such challenges and support person-centered care. There is a dearth of literature exploring the perspectives of health care providers, which are crucial to implementing AI-enabled robots.
• Woodruff, E., Park, J., Howard, H., Gonzalez, M., & Jaber, T. (2024). Feasibility and Efficacy of Addiction-Focused Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing in Adults with Substance Use Disorder. Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work (United States), 21(3). doi:10.1080/26408066.2023.2271927
  More info

  Purpose: Addiction-focused eye movement desensitization reprocessing (AF-EMDR) is a viable add-on therapy to treat memories that drive addiction cravings. However, little research has explored AF-EMDR and its effects in people with substance abuse disorder (SUD). The purposes of this study were to determine the feasibility of conducting AF-EMDR and to test the preliminary efficacy of AF-EMDR on overall cravings experienced by persons with SUD, craving, perseverations associated with addiction, and irrational cognitions related to addiction. Methods: This pilot study used a two-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT) design with an experimental group (AF-EMDR + cognitive behavioral therapy [CBT]) and a control group (CBT Only). Thirty participants were recruited from a residential program or a partial hospitalization program in a recovery center in Florida, from October 2021 through January 2022 and randomly assigned to the experimental group (n = 15) or the control group (n = 15). Results: All participants adhered to the four-session 60-min AF-EMDR intervention and post-intervention data collection; 98.33% completed all four sessions. Results indicated significant reductions in cravings, perseverative thoughts about substance of choice, and irrational cognitions among participants in both the experimental (AF-EMDR + CBT) and control (CBT Only) groups during the intervention; however, there was no significant difference between groups. Conclusions: The results showed positive trends in decreasing craving. However, more clinical trials with a larger sample are necessary to assess the efficacy and sustainability of such effects in persons with SUD.

Presentations

• Montero-Hernandez, S., Pollonini, L., Park, J., Huff, A., Park, L., Lin, L., & Ahn, H. (2024, September). Subjective and objective pain assessment in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia with fNIRS. . the VIII Biennial Meeting of the Society for Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy. Birmingham, United Kingdom.: Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy.
• Park, J., Tong, H., Kang, Y., Miao, H., & AHn, H. (2024). Responders and nonresponders with knee osteoarthritis to transcranial direct current stimulation. Annual scientific meeting of the Gerontological Society of America. Seattle Washington: Gerontological Society of America.
• Park, J., Tong, H., Kang, Y., Miao, H., & Ahn, H. (2024, November). Responders and nonresponders with knee osteoarthritis to transcranial direct current stimulation.. Gerontological Society of America Annual Scientific Meeting. Seattle, WA: Gerontological Society of America.

Poster Presentations

• Andrade, F., Ornelas, J., Park, J., Engstrom, G., Shih, R., & Telkes, I. (2024, July). Feasibility and acceptability of objective pain assessment using multimodal sensing signals in older adults with Alzheimer's disease: Preliminary results of a pilot study.. Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC24).
• Lee, C., Park, J., Ahn, H., Kim, Y., Kim, S., Cohen, B., & Ahn, H. B. (2024, November). Trajectories of chronic pain among older Veterans: Identifying pain-worsening predictors via machine learning. Gerontological Society of America 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting. Seattle, WA.: Gerontological Society of America.
• Lee, C., Park, J., Fain, M., Galvin, J., & Ahn, H. (2024, November). Immediate and sustainable effects of tDCS on pain in older adults with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.. Gerontological Society of America 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting. Seattle, WA: Gerontological Society of America.
• Park, J. (2024). Trajectories of chronic pain among older Veterans: Identifying pain-worsening predictors via machine learning. Gerontological Society of America 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting. Seattle, Washington.
• Park, J., Andrade, F., Ornelas, J., Engstrom, G., Shih, E., Ahn, H., & Telkes, I. (2024). Feasibility and acceptability of objective pain assessment using multimodal sensing signals in older adults with Alzheimer's disease: Preliminary results of a pilot study. The Neuromodulation 2024 Conference. New York City, NY.: The Neuromodulation.
• Park, J., Andrade, F., Ornelas, J., Engstrom, G., Shih, R., & Ilknur, T. (2024). Feasibility and acceptability of objective pain assessment using multimodal sensing signals in older adults with Alzheimer's disease: Preliminary results of a pilot study.. Alzheimer's Association International Conference. Philadelphia, PA: Alzheimer's Association.
• Park, J., Lee, C., Fain, M., Galvin, J., & Ahn, H. (2024). Immediate and sustainable effects of tDCS on pain in older adults with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.. Gerontological Society of Ameria 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting. Seattle Washington.
• Park, J., Lee, C., Kwoh, K., Fain, M., Park, L., & Ahn, H. (2024, August). Transcrnial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) improves the overall pain experience of older adults with knee osteoarthritis. The Neuromodulation 2024 Conference. New York City.
• Park, J., Monero-Hernandez, S., Huff, A., Lindsey, P., & Hyochol, A. (2024, April). Subjective and objective pain assessment in persons with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias: Comparisons among self-report of pain, observer-rated pain assessment, and functional near-infrared spectroscopy. 2024 U.S. Association for the Study of Pain Annual Scientific Meeting. Seattle, Washington: U.S. Association for the Study of Pain.
• Park, J., Montero-Hernandez, S., Pollonini, L., Huff, A., Lin, L., & AHn, H. (2024). Subjective and Objective Pain in Assessment in Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia with fNIRS. Biennial Meeting of the Society for Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (SfNIRS). Birmingham. UK..