Objectives: To develop guidelines for concomitant use of four herbal medicines (Gamisoyosan, Banhasasimtang, Ojeoksan, and Bojungikgitang) with escitalopram. Methods: A guideline development team was assembled and relevant prior research was systematically reviewed to gather evidence. The potential for drug interactions was evaluated by analyzing changes in pharmacokinetic parameters. Safety was assessed through the analysis of adverse drug reactions associated with combined use. Recommendations and concomitant administration guidelines were formulated through a consensus process. Results: No significant drug interactions were identified between the four herbal medicines and escitalopram, indicating no need for dosage adjustment of escitalopram. However, it is recommended to monitor potential adverse reactions during concurrent use. Conclusions: This study provides recommendations for combined use of four herbal medicines covered by domestic insurance combined with escitalopram. Further research on interactions between antidepressants and herbal medicine is necessary to refine and enhance concomitant administration guidelines.

Objectives: To build basic clinical data for developing an artificial intelligence algorithm for Korean herbal prescriptions for anxiety, depression, anger, and insomnia. Methods: Subjects were recruited among those who reported mild or more severe symptoms of anxiety, depression, anger, and insomnia (Anxiety: State-Trait Anxiety Inventory≥40, Depression: Beck Depression Inventory≥14, Anger: State-Trait Anxiety Inventory≥16, Insomnia: Insomnia Severity Index≥8). Clinical observation items including basic medical information and symptoms were collected from them. These data were then analyzed by experts in Hyungsang medicine, Sasang constitutional medicine, and Sanghan-Geumgwe medicine. Results and Conclusions: Experts of the three societies presented key clinical data and recommended prescriptions. Results of this study can be used as basic data for developing an artificial intelligence algorithm for Korean herbal prescriptions in the future.

Objectives: To examine effect of Korean medical treatment on child and adolescent patients with depressive disorder and correlations among changes in anxiety and anger psychological scales before and after treatment. Methods: Medical records of 28 adolescent and 9 child patients diagnosed with depressive disorder based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-V (DSM-V) who received Korean medical treatment (herbal-medication, acupuncture, Korean psychotherapy, and so on) for at least 8 weeks were retrospectively reviewed. Psychological scales including Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI), Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), State Anxiety Inventory for Children (SAIC), Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (TAIC), and Children's Inventory of Anger (ChIA) were measured every four weeks and analyzed. Results: After eight weeks of treatment, STAI-X-1 (State Anxiety), STAI-X-2 (Trait Anxiety), BDI-2, BAI, STAXI-S (State Anger), AXI-K-I (Anger Expression-In) and AXI-K-O (Anger Expression-Out) showed statistically significant decreases in adolescent patients. In child patients, ChIA was significantly improved after eight weeks. For psychological scale pairs in adolescent patients, BDI-2 and STAI-X-1·STAI-X-2·BAI·STAXI-S·AXI-K-I, STAIX-T and STAXI-S·AXI-K-I showed significant positive correlations whereas AXI-K-O and AXI-K-C showed a negative correlation. In child paitents, there was a significant positive correlation for all psychological scales except for the relationship between SAIC and ChIA. In adolescent patients, low pretreatment BDI-2 predicted BAI, STAXI-S, and AXI-K-I score reduction after 8 weeks. Lower BAI scores significantly decreased STAI-X-2 and BDI-2 scores after 8 weeks but increased AXI-K-C. In child paitents, low pretreatment ChIA scores predicted a decrease in CDI score after treatment. Conclusions: Korean medical treatments including herbal medicine, acupuncture, and Korean psychotherapy were effective in improving depressive disorder and accompanying symptoms such as anxiety and anger of child and adolescent patients.

Objectives: Parkinson's disease is a degenerative neurological disorder caused by dopamine neuron damage, leading to various motor and non-motor symptoms, including depression. While several clinical studies on Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) have addressed this issue, no comprehensive review has been conducted. This study aimed to summarize and analyze TKM treatments for depression associated with Parkinson's disease. Methods: This study reviewed research focused on treatment of Parkinson's-related depression, particularly examining traditional therapies such as acupuncture and herbal medicine. Data on treatment methods were analyzed to compare approaches of control and experimental groups. Specific use of acupuncture points and other TKM treatments was analyzed. Results: Out of 57 studies, 17 involving 649 participants were selected. Various treatment methods were evaluated, primarily using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). Studies predominantly focused on acupuncture targeting specific points (such as LI 4, GB 20, and ST 36) and the use of various herbal medicine combinations. Conclusions: Of the 17 studies, 13 focused on effects of acupuncture, suggesting that acupuncture might play a significant role in alleviating depression associated with Parkinson's disease. Specifically, the use of acupuncture points such as LI 4, GB 20, and ST 36 showed potential therapeutic effects. Additionally, 13 studies demonstrated that TKM could significantly alleviate depression, indicating the potential for an integrative approach combining Eastern and Western therapies. Herbal medicine and Qigong dance therapy also showed promising effects in improving depression.

Objectives: Vascular dementia (VaD) is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with cognitive impairment resulting from cerebrovascular pathology. This clinical case study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Korean medicine treatment in treating VaD following an acute cerebral infarction and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Methods: The subject, a female in her 70s, reported cognitive impairment and right-sided hemiparesis following an acute cerebral infarction and subarachnoid hemorrhage. The patient received comprehensive treatment comprising herbal medicine, acupuncture, moxibustion, and cupping therapy for 108 days. We assessed improvements in cognitive impairment and neurological symptoms using the Korean version of the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE-K), Global Deterioration Scale (GDS), and Korean version of Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI). Results: After treatment, both cognitive impairment and right-sided hemiparesis improved. Scores of MMSE-K, GDS, K-MBI, and MMT also increased. Conclusions: Korean medicine treatment could be considered for patients with vascular dementia following acute cerebral infarction and subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Objectives: To report effects of M&L psychotherapy combined with Korean medical treatments on a patient with chronic low back pain. Methods: We treated a patient with chronic low back pain using M&L psychotherapy alongside a combination of Korean medical treatments, which included acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, cupping, and herbal medicine. The patient was diagnosed based on the ICD-11 diagnostic criteria for chronic primary pain. To evaluate the patient's progress, we used the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), and Beck's Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Results: After three weeks of inpatient treatment and two months of outpatient treatment, the patient showed significant improvement in both pain and psychological symptoms. The NRS score decreased from 7 to 2. The BDI score decreased from 54 to 11 and the BAI score decreased from 33 to 9. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that M&L psychotherapy combined with Korean medical treatments can significantly reduce chronic low back pain and improve psychological symptoms such as depression and anxiety. The patient's notable improvements in NRS, BDI, and BAI scores suggest that an integrated treatment approach addressing both physical and mental health aspects is effective for managing chronic pain. These findings support potential benefits of holistic and multidisciplinary strategies for treating patients with chronic pain.

Objectives: To report result of Korean medicine treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder caused by a traffic accident. Methods: The patient was diagnosed with left talus fracture due to a traffic accident that occurred 10 days before visiting our hospital. The patient complained symptoms such as re-experiencing, intrusiveness, insomnia, and anxiety. We diagnosed him with post-traumatic stress disorder and applied Korean medicine treatment including Samulanshin-tang-gami pharmacopuncture, other acupuncture, herbal medicine, and supportive therapy. PCL-5, EQ-5D, and NRS were used as an evaluation tool. The patient's quality of sleep was also evaluated. Results: At 8 weeks after starting treatment, the patient's PCL-5, EQ-5D, and NRS PCL-5 scores all decreased, with PCL-5 score decreased from 51 to 20, mean NRS score decreased from 7 to 4.667, and EQ-5D score decreased from 54444 to 22223. The overall sleep quality of the patient increased. Conclusions: Korean medicine therapy including Samulanshin-tang-gami pharmacopuncture, other acupuncture, herbal medicine, and supportive therapy might be useful for alleviating symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder caused by a traffic accident.

Objectives: Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses characterized by disturbances in eating behaviors with related thoughts and emotions. The objective of this study was to report a patient with an eating disorder who was treated using a combination of Korean medicine psychotherapy and traditional Korean medicine. Methods: Psychological assessment scales, including Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Bulimia Test, and Eating Attitudes Test-26, were used to evaluate the severity of the patient's psychological and behavioral symptoms. The patient underwent treatment with Korean medicine psychotherapy and traditional Korean medical therapies to alleviate both physical and psychological discomfort. Results: Following treatment, the patient's eating disorder symptoms were reduced with improvements in psychological assessment scales. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that treating a patient with an eating disorder using Korean medicine psychotherapy and traditional Korean medical treatments could lead to improvements in both eating disorder symptoms and psychological assessment outcomes.

Objectives: To report the effectiveness of a comprehensive Korean medical approach, incorporating acupuncture, herbal medicine, Chuna therapy, and traditional Korean psychotherapy, in the management of a patient with cerebellar ataxia and major depressive disorder. Methods: A 45-year-old female patient diagnosed with cerebellar ataxia and major depressive disorder received a comprehensive Korean medicine treatment, including acupuncture, moxibustion, herbal medicine, Chuna therapy, and traditional Korean psychotherapy such as Giungoroen therapy, IiGyeungByunQi therapy, M&L therapy, and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). The efficacy was assessed through both subjective symptom reports and a range of psychological assessment tools, including the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2), Korean Symptom Checklist-95 (KSCL-95), Korean Beck Depression Inventory-II (K-BDI-II), Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory XYZ form (STAI-XYZ), Korean version of the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI-K), Padua Inventory-Washington State University Revision (PI-WSUR), Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ), and the Korean Version of the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI-K). Results: Throughout treatment, the patient experienced marked improvements in physical symptoms, notably dizziness, and gait instability. Psychological evaluations demonstrated significant reductions in anxiety, depression, and insomnia. The overall quality of life was enhanced, with sustained benefits observed during follow-up assessments. Conclusions: This case suggests that a comprehensive Korean medicine approach that integrates acupuncture, herbal medicine, Chuna therapy, and traditional Korean psychotherapy may be effective in alleviating both physical and psychological symptoms associated with cerebellar ataxia and major depressive disorder.