• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.1109-1117
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• 2023

Tongue acupuncture is not only a body acupuncture treatment for the tongue but also a new microacupuncture treatment. Tongue acupuncture is a very promising treatment from a diagnostic and therapeutic point of view. According to several studies, Guan's tongue acupuncture and tri-tongue acupuncture are frequently used. Tongue acupuncture can be used for dysphagia, dysarthria, aphasia, insomnia, autism spectrum disorder, burning mouth syndrome, and cerebral palsy.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.167-175
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• 2024

Hospital-acquired bacterial infections, including vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) infection (MIC: 32 mcg/ml), are common. We describe the case of a 63-year-old female patient with subarachnoid hemorrhage and VRE infection treated with Jashin-bowon-tang and Samhuang-sashim-tang for 57 days and 22 days, respectively. The therapeutic effect was assessed weekly via culture, color and viscosity of pus from a coccyx sore, and C-reactive protein (CRP). Vital signs were checked four times a day. Seventeen days after treatment, VRE was not colonized in patient and color and viscosity of pus, CRP and vital sign were improved. This case report suggests that Jashin-bowon-tang and Samhuang-sashim-tang might be an alternative option for VRE infection patients reducing the need for extended isolation periods and speeding up recovery times.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.176-189
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• 2024

In femoral neuropathy, the femoral nerve is compressed or ischemic. Patients with femoral neuropathy experience muscle atrophy, difficulty flexing the hip joint and extending the knee, decreased sensation of the lower extremities, and loss of patellar tendon reflex. The prognosis of femoral neuropathy is reported to vary, as it takes several days to several months for neurological abnormalities to resolve. We describe a case of a 58-year-old female with a diagnosis of severe femoral neuropathy and complaints of motor weakness and hypoesthesia. The patient underwent combined Western-Korean medicine treatment. The Toronto Clinical Neuropathy Scoring System, Overall Neuropathy Limitations Scale, and Berg Balance Scale were used as evaluation tools during the treatment period. The combined Western-Korean medicine treatment led to a significant improvement in symptoms in this patient with severe femoral neuropathy where the cause was unclear and the prognosis was expected to be poor.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.173-180
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• 2019

Objective: In this case report, we address the case of a 47-year-old man with anemia due to chronic kidney disease. Methods: A patient was treated with Korean medicine including an herbal medication, Shipjeondaebo-tang. We evaluated the improvement of symptoms by biochemical examination of blood, complete blood cell count and total score of Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). Results: After 15 days of Korean medicine treatment, there was an increase in hemoglobin states, even after intervention ended, for over 30 days with improvement of the patient's fatigue. Conclusions: This study suggested that Shipjeondaebo-tang might be effective in patient's renal anemia and fatigue recovery.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.270-278
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• 2019

Objective: In this case report, we address the case of a 68-year-old woman with numbness in both soles due to restless legs syndrome. Methods: A patient was treated with Korean medicine including herbal medication Gyejibokryeong-hwan during 73 days as an outpatient. We evaluated the improvements of symptoms by use of the International Restless Legs Scale (IRLS) and checking subjective symptoms of patient. Results: After 73 days of Korean medicine treatment, there was improvement in patient's symptoms. IRLS score improved from 12 to 8, and subjective symptoms improved to about 30% compared to the first time. Conclusions: This study suggested that Korean medicine treatments might be effective in RLS patient recovery.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.69-80
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand the nature of life among homosexuals in Korea. Method: Phenomenological methodology was used for the study. From February 2015 to January 2016, data were collected from 8 homosexuals through in-depth interviews and analyzed using Colaizzi's framework. Result: Five theme clusters and fourteen themes were identified for the life experiences of homosexuals. The five theme clusters were 'alien in an intolerant society', 'a fateful gender that can't be denied', 'process of coming out', 'endure as a homosexual', and 'future perspectives where expectation and anxiety coexist'. Conclusion: This study provides deep insight into the experience of homosexuals's lives in changing society and culture of Korea. Nursing practices should be improved for supportive attitudes.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.311-319
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• 2022

Objective: This case report describes an 82-year-old man complaining of insomnia with pain after discontinuation of quetiapine. Methods: The patient was treated with the herbal extraction Gilchogeun-dan, and symptomatic improvement was assessed using the Korean version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Results: Following 28 days of Gilchogeun-dan treatment, the patient's symptoms improved. Conclusions: This case suggests that Gilchogeun-dan could be effective in treating insomnia with pain through central nervous depressant activity and analgesic effect.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.31-35
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• 2017

Case series of 3 post stroke bed-ridden patients with constipation is presented. They were treated with dietary herbal medicine - 六君子湯(Yukgunja-tang, Liujunzi-tang, Rikkunshi-to) After Yukgunja-tang treatment, there was notable improvement in constipation. Yukgunja-tang treatment may be effective in treating post stroke bed-ridden patients with constipation.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.9-19
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• 2023

Objectives : Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disorder characterized by reduced bone mineral density and increased risk of fractures. Bisphosphonates and selective estrogen receptors, which are bone resorption inhibitors that are currently widely used as osteoporosis treatments, show serious side effects when administered for a long time. Research on bone resorption inhibitors that complement the problems of existing treatments is needed. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of inhibiting osteoclast differentiation and activity on the tuberous root of Ampelopsis japonica (Thunb.) Makino (AM). Methods : After extracting AM using distilled water and ethanol, the inhibitory effects of the two solvents on osteoclast differentiation were compared using the RANKL-induced in vitro experimental model and the TRAP assay kit. The impact of AM on bone resorption was investigated through the pit formation assay, and its effect on F-actin formation was assessed through fluorescent staining. Additionally, protein and mRNA expression levels of osteoclast differentiation markers (NFATc1, c-Fos, TRAP and ATP6v0d2) and resorption markers (MMP-9, CTK, and CA2) were analyzed via western blot and RT-PCR. Results : AM treatment significantly decreased the number of TRAP-positive cells and pit formation area. Furthermore, AM suppressed both the protein and mRNA expression of NFATc1 and c-Fos, key transcription factors involved in osteoclast differentiation and it downregulated the expression of osteoclast-associated genes such as TRAP, CTK, MMP-9, CA2, and ATP6v0d2. Conclusions : These results suggest that AM can inhibit bone resorption and osteoclast differentiation, indicating its potential for use in the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.149-160
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• 2023

Objectives This study is for reporting current status and strategies of thread embedding acupuncture (TEA) in temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) using web-based survey. Methods Survey was conducted online via E-mail among Korean medicine doctors registered with the Association of Korean Medicine. The questionnaire is developed by Korean medicine doctor in Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong. The survey consisted mainly of multiple-choice questions on the current status and strategies of TEA for TMD. Results Total of 427 doctors responded. TEA was mostly used for 'Cosmetic purpose and others' with 287 respondents (67.2%), and 102 respondents (23.9%) having experience with TEA for TMD. The most common purpose for TEA for TMD was 'Improving muscle contraction and tension' with 290 respondents (67.9%). The average interval was reported 2.12 weeks, and the most common response for the number of treatments was five sessions with 127 respondents (29.7%). The most common criterion for determining the treatment site was based on anatomical structure, accounting for 92.7%. The most effective anatomical structure was the 'Masseter muscle' with 83.1%, followed by the 'Temporal muscle' with 51.8%. TEA direction for TMD was dominant in 'affected side' for all muscles. Conclusions Through a survey, we can investigate clinical usage of TEA for TMD. This study can be helpful in creating standardized criteria for TEA on TMD in the future.