Objectives : In this study, we survey papers about the combined therapy of oriental medicine and western medicine in oriental medicine viewpoint. Methods : First, we collected research papers on combined treatment, and we found 70 papers in the two internet sites, 'OASIS' and 'KISTI', using the keywords 'combined treatment', 'collaborated diagnosis', 'oriental-western medicine', and 'western-oriental medicine'. Then we analyzed them according to year, oriental-western medicine, diseases, research methods and subjects. Results & Conclusions : Researches for combined therapy had some problems as follows : First, studies have been made only for limited diseases like cancer, infection, stroke, etc. Second, methods of research are also limited. Some methods such as in vivo, in vitro and case-report are used repeatedly. Third, only the positive aspects of the combined therapy are proposed. We don't find the side effects of the combined therapy at all. To solve these problems, more objective and balanced studies such as RCT for various diseases should be performed.

Background : Recently, Medical Act was amended to encourage the induction of combined treatment between Oriental Medicine doctors and Western doctors. As yet, the information infra for combined treatment has not been studied. Objectives : This study aimed to design the architecture of information system for combined treatment of the Oriental and the Western Medicine. Methods : First, we defined the information of combined treatment through the analysis of research trends from the inside and outside of the country. Because the data compatibility is very important, the definition of information must be ahead of anything else. Second, we designed the architecture of information system based on the prior definition. Results : We classified the information for combined treatment by subject such as law, clinic, research, manpower, facilities, and education. In this paper information system examined in three aspects. First the infra layer is organized as hardware, netware, and security. Second is data warehouse layer for the storing, filtering, and extraction of data. Third is service layer which is related to data transmission. And Finally all information for combined treatment is provided through the portal system for medical consumer, political planner, and R&D researcher. Conclusion : In this paper, we studied the essential factors of combined treatment information in the view point of information system. But the detailed design and implementation of information system must be followed to effect this results.

Objectives : This study was performed to compare consciousness of doctors on cooperative practices of western medicine and traditional Korean medicine, and to provide policy implication for development of cooperative practices. Methods : The structured questionnaires were mailed to 132 doctors working in non-cooperative practicing university hospital and 77 doctors working in cooperative practicing hospitals in Busan metropolitan city. The response rate was 40.2% and 40.3% respectively. This survey was performed from 10 Oct. 2008 to 31 Oct. 2008. Results : The doctors working in general hospital had comparatively negative consciousness on basic concept, value and necessity for cooperative practices and traditional Korean medicine. In regards with disease treatment's effectiveness of cooperative practices, both groups evaluated musculoskeletal and immune disease were more effective than others. There were positive relationships between perception for cost-effectiveness and consciousness on intention to participate cooperative practices(p<0.05). Also doctors who experienced traditional medicine treatment had positive consciousness on cooperative practices(p=0.05). Conclusions : To activate cooperative practices of western medicine and traditional Korean medicine, some efforts should be carried out. These include promoting cooperative education programs in medical schools and traditional Korean medical schools, doing research on cost-effectiveness of cooperative practices, and trying to minimize legal and systemic restrictions for cooperative practices.

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and the relationship between hypertension and the grades of 'Yang-Saeng'(health promotion methods in oriental medicine) in hypertension group and control group of Hong-Cheon county in Korea. Methods : To accomplish the purpose, we analyzed the Hong-Cheon survey data which was collected from 1,739 subjects from october 1. 2006 to October 20. 2006. Results : Hypertension group marked lower mentality score($21.0{\pm}3.7$) than that of control group($21.8{\pm}3.2$). (p<0.05) Hypertension group marked higher grades in the other Yang-Saeng categories{Eating($31.6{\pm}5.0$ ; $29.9{\pm}4.9$), Daily life($31.5{\pm}4.3$ ; $30.6{\pm}4.2$), Seasonal life($29.1{\pm}3.4$ ; $28.3{\pm}3.1$), Sexual behavior($13.9{\pm}2.3$ ; $13.5{\pm}2.1$)}. (p<0.05) Conclusion : The result of this study suggest that mental program could be needed more during operating health promotion program for hypertension group.

Background : Traditional Korean medicine(TKM) has gained in popularity among chronic patients in recent years. The use of TKM among patients with chronic diseases is common, with about two thirds of patients using some form of TKM in Korea. Objectives : The purpose of this study is to analyze the use of TKM and determine what factors affect to use TKM among patients with chronic diseases. The study also aims to provide information on TKM therapies and assist therapy selection among various TKM therapies for patients with chronic diseases. Methods : The design of the study was descriptive cross-sectional, and data were collected using a 21-item questionnaire. This study was conducted with subjects with confirmed diagnosis of chronic diseases, who live in Jeju Province, Korea. Results : Among the participants, past or current TKM use was 66.7%, with a statistically significant difference in gender and level of health status groups(p<0.05), but no difference in age, marital status, education, occupation, and income groups. The most common therapies of TKM used by the patients included acupuncture(51.1%), physiotherapy(16.8%), cupping(13.5%), and herbal medicine(4.8%). The main benefits from TKM perceived by the patients were chronic diseases management and health promotion. In a logistic regression analysis, significant influencing factors related to TKM use were gender, family income level, the extent of recognition of efficacy, heath status, and health security program. Conclusions : In this study the socio-demographic and health status, recognition of TKM efficacy factors associated with TKM use among patients with chronic diseases were similar to those found in the general population. The findings suggest that due to the relatively high use of TKM among patients with chronic diseases in Korea, this topic should be taken into account in the development of a holistic approach for patients with chronic diseases and an efficient chronic disease management system. Additionally proactive and consistent management of TKM is necessary in the health care system in Korea.

Objectives : To evaluate the effects of aroma hand massage on sleep disturbance and depression in hospitalized elderly patients. Methods : The data was collected using questionnaires from the subjects who were admitted to the G Medical Hospital in Daegu from 7 July to 12 July, 2008. A total of 23 subjects were selected. The subjects were applied with the aroma hand massage to both hands using a solution diluting four drops of lavender oil in jojoba oil 10cc. Aroma hand massage was given for 10 minutes, one time a day, during 5 days. Results : There was statistically significant improvement on the Korean sleep scale(t=-7.614, p=0.000) and on the Geriatric Depression Scale Short Korea Version(GDSSF-K)(t=3.444, p=0.002). Conclusions : aroma hand massage is an effective therapeutic intervention for decreased sleep disturbance and depression. Therefore, aroma therapy and hand massage by therapeutic intervention is recommended for improving psychological and physiological functions in hospitalized elderly patients.

Objectives : The study was to examine the empirical evidence concerning the effects of massage intervention for the laboring women and to investigate the effect sizes related to the characteristics of intervention. Methods : Meta analysis was performed. A total of 11 trials related to massage intervention between 2000 and 2007 were reviewed. Results : Massage intervention showed a beneficial effect on length of labor(1st stage : U=46.75, p=0.00, 2nd stage : U=6.13, p=0.01), perception of childbirth experience(U=12.57, p=0.00), intensity of uterine contraction at the active(U=6.34, p=0.01) and the transition phases(U=24.83, p=0.00), and interval of uterine contraction at the active phase(U=4.83, p=0.03). Massage decreased systolic(U=10.81, p=0.00) and diastolic blood pressure at the transition phase(U=10.60, p=0.00). However, massage had no effect on subjective and objective labor pain and anxiety. No differences were found in effectiveness of massage according to characteristics of intervention(massage material, massager, and massage site) except for anxiety(QB=4.82, p=0.03) and diastolic blood pressure at the active phase by massage site(QB=4.52, p=0.03). Conclusions :We found that massage intervention for the laboring women had an empirical evidence on improving perception of childbirth experience and shortening length of labor. These results should be interpreted with caution due to the lack of studies. More full-scale randomized clinical trials with reliable designs are recommended to further warrant the effectiveness of massage.

Objectives : This comparative study aimed to identify the effect of the Buddeumi(cupping-and-moxibustion device) therapy and moxibustion-only therapy on treating constipation of stroke patients who were admitted in the hospital of oriental medicine. The research design was a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. Methods : The subjects of the study consisted of 23 stroke patients, and they were divided into two groups : one was the experimental group of 11 patients and the other was the control group of 12 patients. The Buddeumi therapy and the moxibustion-only therapy were given respectively. Each Buddeumi and moxibustion-only therapies on the 天樞(ST25, right & left) in abdomen were administered to the each group for 40 minutes a total at 10 times. The posttest included the frequency of defecation with the Constipation Assessment Scale every day for one week after the experiment. The data were analyzed by the $x^2$ test, t-test, Fisher exact test, and repeated measures ANCOVA using SPSS/WIN 12.0 program. Results : The results were as follows : First, Hypothesis 1 : 'The patients who are given the Buddeumi therapy in the experimental group have a lower Constipation Assessment Scale than the control group.' was supported(F=4.367, P=0.049). Second, Hypothesis 2 : 'The patients who are given meridian acupressure in the experimental group have a higher frequency of defecation per week than the control group.' was supported(F=0.947, P=0.034). Accordingly, 'The patients who are given the Buddeumi therapy in experimental group have a higher effect on constipation than the control group.' was supported. Conclusion : The Buddeumi therapy reduced the constipation assessment scale of stroke patients and increased the frequency of their defacation per week. Therefore, the Buddeumi therapy could be an effective treatment for constipation of stroke patients.

Objective : This research aimed to investigate and analyze the opinions of Oriental Medical Doctors (O.M.D.) on covering herbal medicines into National Health Insurance scheme. Methods : Structured questionnaires were e-mailed to the O.M.D.s listed on member's DB of the Association of Korean Oriental Medicine. Collected data were analyzed with the SPSS 12.0 program. Results : The insurance coverage for herbal decoctions was supported by 80.8% of the responders, the median reasonable price for daily herbal decoctions was \9,517, the minimum price median of daily herbal decoctions considering its costs was \8,080, and the daily technical fee median was \4,379. On health insurance coverage for herbal decoctions, O.M.D.s were specially considering the standardization of herbal medicines. Conclusion : In this study, majority of O.M.D.s assented to health insurance coverage for herbal decoctions, but considered standardization of herbal medicines and optional prescription fee. It needs to prepare plan for insurance coverage of herbal decoctions that reflect the character of oriental medicine and oriental medical institutions.

Objectives : The author aimed to evaluate the effect of BuOH fraction(ST) from Schizonepeta tenuifolia on osteoblast proliferation in murine calvarial cells. Methods : The osteoblast separated from murine calvariae was cultivated for 10 days and evaluated the cell function. After the addition of ST on the culture medium, we determined the effect of ST on the cell proliferation, protein synthesis, alkaline phosphatase activity, collagen synthesis, and apoptosis of the osteoblast. Results : 1. ST increased the proliferation of osteoblast, and restored the decreased cell number in glucocorticoid (GC)-treated osteoblast. 2. ST increased protein synthesis of osteoblast, and restored the decreased protein synthesis in GC-treated osteoblast. 3. ST increased ALP activity of osteoblast, and restored the decreased enzyme activity in GC-treated osteoblast. 4. ST increased collagen synthesis of osteoblast, and restored the decreased collagen synthesis in GC-treated osteoblast. 5. ST did not change the survival rate of osteoblast, but increased the survival rate in GC-treated osteoblast. Conclusions : It is concluded that ST might reduce the osteoporosis resulted from augumentation of osteoblast proliferation.