• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.58-68
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• 2015

Objectives : To evaluate the long-term survival effects of traditional Korean medicine (TKM) on refractory metastatic lung cancer and small cell lung cancer (SCLC), which have historically poor survival rates. Methods : A retrospective study was conducted using the medical records of two patients in Daejeon University hospital. The first patient, with SCLC, was treated from January 2000 to December 2009 and the other, with metastatic pulmonary cancer from primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), was treated from September 2004 to February 2014. The patients were treated with herbal medicines at one-month intervals. During hospitalization, acupuncture and indirect moxibustion were performed concurrent with the administration of Western therapy. Treatment efficacy was assessed monthly using chest radiography, chest computed tomography, and laboratory examination data, and by measuring patient performance status. Results : Both patients exhibited a stable disease course for more than 9 years after the initial diagnosis of intractable lung cancer, suggesting that their disease status was controlled by TKM. Conclusions : We suggest that a combination of TKM with conventional Western therapy for refractory lung cancer patients is effective in controlling various symptoms related to lung cancer and improving quality of life, and may potentially prolong overall survival.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.336-344
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• 2006

Objects : This study has been carried out to assess the effects of the variable herbs on $IFN-{\gamma}$ secretion in the mouse spleen cell. Methods : 202 kinds of herb extracts were used to evaluate the $IFN-{\gamma}$ secretory distinction by each $1{\mu}g/ml$ and $10{\mu}g/ml$ density of water. All experimental herbs were grouped by oriental herbalogical method. But each herb had its independent variables. Results : The secretions increased in 20% of all herbal water. The density differences also make different effects on the secretion of $IFN-{\gamma}$. The secretion of IFN-${\gamma}$ inclosed in some kinds of herbs of IFN-${\gamma}$. It has representatively increased in Imperaetae Rhizoma(白茅根) of $1{\mu}g/ml$ and Notopterygii Rhizoma(羌活)of $10{\mu}g/ml$. $IFN-{\gamma}$ incresed in 12 kinds of heybs of both densities. The secretion of $IFN-{\gamma}$ decreased in some kinds of herbs of $IFN-{\gamma}$. It has representatively decreased in Moutan Radicis Cortex(蘇丹皮) of $1{\mu}g/ml$ and Angelicae Radix(富歸尾) of $10{\mu}g/ml$. $IFN-{\gamma}$ decreased in 18 kinds of herbs of both densities. In t oriental herb group, The secretion of $IFN-{\gamma}$ increased in Bang-Hyang-Hwa-Sup group(芳香化濕藥), He-Pyo group(解表藥), I-Su-Sam-SuP group(利水渗) The secretion of $IFN-{\gamma}$ decreased in Gu-Chung group(驅蟲藥), An-Sin group(安神藥). Su-Sap group(收澁) On-Li group(溫裏藥), I-Gi group(利氣藥). Conclusions : The result of this study will not only broaden applications of oriental medicine to biological therapy, but also form the basis of oriental medical therapy to find out the meaning of oriental classification.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.624-630
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• 2016

Objective: This study was designed to analyze the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients who attended a Korean medicine hospital and treatment effects through retrospective chart reviews.Methods: The medical records of 192 outpatients who had been diagnosed with COPD and visited the Allergy, Immune, and Respiratory System Department of Kyung Hee Korean Medicine Hospital from 1 February 2006 to 1 February, 2016 were retrospectively reviewed.Results: The study group consisted of 112 and 80 females. The median age of the patients was 59.80±15.46 y. Fifty of the patients had been diagnosed with chronic upper respiratory diseases, such as chronic rhinitis, nasopharyngitis, or sinusitis. The chief complaints were cough (n=136), sputum (n=124), and dyspnea (n=82). Other frequent symptoms were fatigue (n=11), hyperhidrosis (n=8), and a bad taste in the mouth (n=7). All the patients were prescribed Korean herbal medicine. In the study, 61 (31.77%) patients were treated with acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping therapy, or herbal steam therapy. Symptoms improved in 126 (65.63%) patients 141±272.82 d after the first treatment.Conclusions: Some of the COPD patients had chronic upper respiratory disease. The chief complains were cough, sputum, and dyspnea. Oher frequent symptoms related to body malfunction and pain. The symptoms improved in 126 (65.63%) patients 141.00±272.82 d post-treatment.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.166-174
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• 2022

Objective: The aim of this study is to report the effectiveness of Korean medicine for a patient with dizziness following anterior inferior cerebellar artery infarction. Methods: The patient was treated with traditional Korean methods including acupuncture, herbal therapy, moxibustion, and vestibular rehabilitation exercise during an admission period of seven days. The patient's dizziness was assessed using a numeric rating scale (NRS) and the Korean Dizziness Handicap Inventory (K-DHI), Korean Activities-specific Balance Confidence (K-ABC), Korean Vestibular Disorders Activities of Daily Living (K-VADL), the modified Rankin scale (mRS), and the Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI). Results: After seven days of combined treatment with traditional methods and vestibular rehabilitation, the patient's dizziness was reduced from NRS 6-7 to NRS 2. In addition, K-DHI decreased from 84 to 22; K-ABC improved from 52% to 78.125%; K-VADL reduced from 175 to 37; the mRS score changed from 4 to 1; and the K-MBI score increased from 86 to 98. No adverse events were observed during treatment. Conclusion: This study suggests that combined therapy of Korean medicine and vestibular rehabilitation can be effective treatment for anterior inferior cerebellar artery infarction patients.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.1237-1244
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• 2021

Objectives: Drug fever and procedure-related fever are the causes of nosocomial fever. Oriental medicine has been practiced in Asia and is now being practiced as an alternative medicine in western countries. No data are available on the incidence of drug fever and procedure-related fever in oriental medical hospitals (OMHs). The aim of this study was to identify the incidence of drug fever related to oriental herbal medicine and oriental medical procedure-related fever. Methods: This was a retrospective study at one OMH of a university medical institute in Seoul, Korea, conducted from June 2006 to June 2013. Results: Overall, 95 episodes of drug fever occurred among 10880 patients treated with herbal medicine (0.89%). Peak body temperature was 38.37±0.58 ℃, and the fever lasted for 1.0 day (range 1.0-17.0 days). Eosinophilia was found in 15 patients (15.79%) and 8 patients developed toxic hepatitis (8.42%). Five patients had a drug-related skin rash (5.26%). The most common ingredients of the herbal medicines associated with drug fever were licorice, Angelica gigas root, and white Atractylodes rhizome. In total, 16 episodes of procedure-related fever (0.20%) occurred in 8125 patients treated with oriental medical procedures. The peak body temperature was 38.26±0.51 ℃, and the fever lasted for 1.0 day (range 1.0-3.0 days). Among various oriental medical procedures, moxibustion was the most common procedure related to fever, followed by acupuncture. Conclusions: The incidence of drug fever and procedure-related fever in oriental medicine is not high compared with the incidence in western medicine.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.27-54
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• 2021

Objectives : This review was conducted to validate the effectiveness and safety of herbal medicine combined with conventional therapy for rosacea. Methods : Randomized controlled trials(RCTs) reporting the effects of herbal medicine treatment on rosacea were searched through eight electronic databases from 2016 to March 17, 2020. This study collection and data extraction were performed by two independent reviews. The Cochrane risk-of-bias tool was used for the evaluation of the risk of bias in all included RCTs. Mean differences(MD) and Risk ratio(RR) of 95% Confidence intervals(Cls) were calculated and data synthesis was conducted using Review Manager(RevMan, ver.5.4) Results : Eighteen RCTs were included and all trials compared the combined therapy of herbal medicine with conventional western therapy to conventional therapy alone. The effective rate of the combination of herbal medicine with western medicine(RR 1.20, 95% CI : 1.13-1.28, p<0.00001, I²=0%), the effective rate of the combination of herbal medicine with laser-based therapy(RR 1.12, 95% CI : 1.04-1.21, p=0.004, I²=18%) and the effective rate of the combination treatment group using herbal medicine, western medicine and external drugs were all statistically higher that of the control group(RR 1.19, 95% CI : 1.11-1.28, p<0.00001, I²=0%). The score of non transient erythema(MD -0.36, 95% CI : -1.01 0.29, p=0.27, I²=93%), flushing(MD -0.69, 95% CI : -0.97, 0.41, p<0.00001, I²=32%), papules or pustules(MD 0.10, 95% CI : -0.15, 0.35 p=0.44, I²=0%) were also seen in the herbal medicine and western medicine combination group. The overall risk of bias of the included studies was some concerns. No serious adverse effects were observed. Conclusions : This review found the safety and effectiveness of the combined therapy of herbal medicine with conventional western therapy for rosacea.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.213-223
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• 2013

Objectives Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common reason for people in Korea to visit Korean medical institutions. To assess actual amounts of use in the treatment of LBP in Korean medicine and to provide objective base line data for policy decision making, research regarding the current state of LBP patients' treatment in Korean medical institutions are in need. Methods The current study was designed as a retrospective chart review to investigate descriptive characteristics of LBP patients. The clinical records of 304 patients who were hospitalized for the treatment of LBP in Korean rehabilitation medicine inpatient clinics of five different Korean medicine hospitals were analyzed. The percentage of patient characteristics such as sex, age, average duration of admission, insurance type, diagnosed LBP related disease code, and rates of interventions applied were assessed. Results 1. The female sex was significantly predominant among patients with LBP : 105 patients (34.5%) were male and 199 patients (65.5%) were female. Percentage of the patients' age appeared as followed : 76 people (25.0%) were in their 50s, 64 people (21.1%) were in their 40s, 51 people (16.8%) were in their 30s, 37 people (12.2%) were in their 60s, and 33 people (10.9%) were in their 70s. Approximately half of the total LBP patients investigated were older than 50. 2. The average duration of admission was 16.2 days. Approximately one third (30.3%) of the patients were hospitalized for 8 to 14 days. 3. Female patients tended to stay admitted in hospitals slightly longer than male patients. Elderly (age 60~79) patients stayed in hospitals longer (17.8 days) compared to younger (age 20~39) patients (13.5 days). 4. More than half of the patients (171 cases, 56.3%) had their hospital bills covered with automobile insurance. 40.1% (122 cases) of the patients had medical insurance to cover their hospital bills. The average duration of admission of patients who had automobile insurance was 14.2 days, while that of the patients who had medical insurance was 18.4 days. 5. "Sprain and strain of the lumbar spine and pelvis" was the most commonly used (195 cases, 64.1%) disease code in patients with LBP. Patients diagnosed as "lumbar and other intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy" required the longest admission duration (22.1 days). 6. Herbal medication was applied to all of the patients during admission. Acupuncture was applied to all of the patients except one case diagnosed as spinal stenosis. Physical therapy, cupping therapy, moxibustion therapy, chuna therapy, and pharmacopuncture therapy were applied to 94.7, 92.8, 85.2, 83.9, and 49.7% of the patients, respectively. 7. There were certain differences among Korean medicine hospitals in terms of the LBP patients' duration of admission, type of insurance, frequency of the disease code use, type of intervention applied. Conclusions It is thought that the current study can be used as reference data in assessing the current state of LBP treatment in Korean rehabilitation medicine and a basis for future research. Provided improvements of certain limitations of the current study in future researches, such data would act as better base line data in policy decision making.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.233-250
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• 2013

Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of inpatients who were admitted to Korean medicine hospital due to traffic accident. Methods 1,162 traffic accident patients who were admitted to department of Korean Rehabilitation Medicine of Cheonan Korean Medicine Hospital, Dae-Jeon University from 1st, January, 2011 to 31th, December, 2012 were analyzed according to the medical charts. Results 1. The average treatment result was 3.22 and in most (71.52%) of the patients, symptoms were more than improved. 2. In distribution according to age and sex, people in their 30s numbered the most both in male (12.65%) and female (14.72%). The 1,162 inpatients comprised of 457 (39.33%) male and 705 (60.67%) female. 3. 541 (46.56%) patients admitted in 2011 and 621 (53.44%) patients admitted in 2012. 4. 695 (59.81%) patients visited Cheonan Korean Medicine Hospital within 0~2 days after their traffic accident, followed by 242 (20.83%) patients who visited within 3~5 days after their traffic accident. Patients who admitted earlier showed more improvement in symptoms. 5. The average admission days were 9.32 days. Most (57.66%) patients discharged within 1 week. 6. 825 (71.00%) patients were driving sedan at the time of accident, followed by 105 (9.04%) SUV owners and 71 (6.11%) pedestrians. 7. Rear-end collision accident numbered the most (45.61%), followed by lateral collision (24.35%) and frontal collision (14.72%). 8. Most frequently prescribed examination was X-ray (95.52%), followed by CT (8.69%) and MRI (3.01%). 9. Most frequently given diagnosis was sprain (1,126 (96.90%) patients), followed by concussion & abrasion (178 (15.32%) patients) and fracture (109 (9.38%) patients). 10. Most frequently given Korean medicine treatment was acupuncture (1,162 (100%) patients), followed by anti-inflammatory pharmacopuncture (652 (56.11%) patients) and moxibustion (462 (39.76%) patients). 11. Most frequently given Korean medicine physiotherapy was infra-red (1,161 (99.91%) patients), followed by cupping therapy (1,152 (99.14%) patients) and hotpack (1,137 (97.85%) patients). 12. Most frequently prescribed herb medicine was huishou-san (13.51%), followed by dangguixu-san (12.65%) and yaojiao-tang G (7.06%) Conclusions In this study, people in their 30s, females, within 0~2 days since the accident took the highest percentage from each category of patients who admitted to Korean Medicine Hospital due to traffic accident. Patients who admitted earlier showed more improvement in symptoms and also discharged earlier.

• Journal of Korean Medical Ki-Gong Academy
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.146-165
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• 2018

Objective : The purpose of this review is to overview and evaluate the trends of the studies in J. of The Korean Academy of Medical Gi-Gong. Methods : All 186 articles' headlines and abstracts from voI.1(1996) to Vol.17(20l7) were evaluated and classified. The dataset was searched from the Hompage of the Korean Academy of Medical Gi-Gong. Results : 1. In the type of study, the literature studies consisted of 67%(126studies), clinical studies 21%(39), experimental studies 12%(22) in order. 2. Gigong classification was 60.96%(114studies) while Non-Gigong classification was 37.04%(73studies). 3. In Gigong classification, General Gigong took the largest part and there were no Taoist Sexual Practices studies. 4. In Non-Gigong classification, Obstetrics & Gynecology & Pediatrics took the largest part by 25 studies(12.37%). An-Kyo-Hak was the second largest by 24 studies(11.88%). 5. Analysis Research(112 studies, 59.89%) took the largest part in study method. Conclusions : 1. The Korean Academy of Medical Gi-Gong published average 8.9 studies per year(187 studies per 21 years). 2. Following the object of The Korean Academy of Medical Gi-Gong, 114 studies(60.96%) of total 187 studies, published by J. of The Korean Academy of Medical Gi-Gong, were associated to Gigong. 3. In Non-Gigong classification, 25 studies about Obstetrics & Gynecology & Pediatrics, 24 studies about An-Kyo-Hak, 16 studies about Acupuncture & Moxibustion Medicine and Meridian & Acupoint Study were published by J. of The Korean Academy of Medical Gi-Gong. 4. In Gigong classification, studies about Meditation and External Gigong Therapy were insufficient. There are even no studies about Taoist Sexual Practices. We need more studies about those categories to come.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.48-60
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• 1997

This study was undertaken to identify the musculotendinous problems and contributing factors to those problems In students majoring in musical instruments in Korea. The data were collected from March 2, 1996 to March 31, 1996 from 261 music students in various geographical areas. The data were analyzed for descriptive statistics, t-test, chi-square using SPSS $PC^+$ program. The results of this study were as follows : 1. In a questionnaire survey of 261 music students, one hundred twenty five(47.9%) reported having had various musculotendinous symptoms. Twenty seven students among the those who had previous symptoms(21.9%) reported the present symptoms. 2. The experience rates of musculotendinous problems in keyboard players, string players and woodwind players were 50.3%, 48.2%, 33.3% respectively. 3. Most of the students practiced most intensively during their high school years and the musculotendinous symptoms began at the same period. 4. Pain, tenderness and stiffness were the most common symptoms, while paresthesia and motor dysfunction were rare. This indicates that most players had muscle tendinous overuse, while small number had nerve entrapment and motor dysfunction. 5. In past and present symptoms, string players experienced musculotendinous symptoms mainly in both sides of shoulders, lumbar area, left finger, and left wrist, while keyboard players experienced more symptoms in the right wrist, shoulder, fingers than left side. 6. The major contributing factors to the symptoms were weight of instrument, types of instruments, types of daily activities, duration of practice, and playing technique. 7 The most frequent treatment modalities for the symptoms were acupuncture or moxibustion, other alternative therapy such as heat compress and massage. Through this study it was found that the musculotendinous problems might be increased along with their career, due to lack of knowledge about preventive measures and patterns of health behavior seeking alternative modalities rather than professional consultation. Therefore, preventive measures that focus on playing habits such as duration of practice, frequency of rest and position while playing should be developed and taught to the students, their parents, and music educators. Doctors who are interested in this area should attempt to correct the position and posture while playing of the posture. And measures for reduction of loading of instrument weight should also be developed.