• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.7 no.1 s.12
• /
• pp.63-69
• /
• 2004

Objective : This study was designed to find out whether NS(normal saline) is able to be constituted as an appropriate control group for CC(Cervi Cornu Parvum herbal acupuncture), CF(Carthami-Flos herbal acupuncture) and BV(bee venom herbal acupuncture). Method : NS and three herbal acupuncture were inserted into Quchi(LI 11) of the subjects. After 5 minutes the subjects completed a questionnaire rating the intensity of 21 kinds of acupuncture sensation; hurting, penetrating, sharp, aching, intense, spreading, radiating, tingling, pricking, stinging, pulling, heavy, dull, numb, electric, shocking, hot, burning, cool, pulsing, and throbbing. We compared subjective evaluations of acupuncture sensation between or among the groups. Results : As for CC half items of the acupuncture sensation were significantly different from NS. As for CF all items were not significantly different from NS. As for CC all items were significantly different from NS except one item. In general the score of CF acupuncture sensation was lower than the others and the score of BV acupuncture sensation was higher than the others from comparison of sensation among herbal acupunctures(CC, CF, BV). Conclusion : We found that NS is able to be an appropriate placebo herbal acupuncture for CF. Further study is needed for new placebo herbal acupuncture for CC and BV.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.40 no.2
• /
• pp.192-200
• /
• 2019

Introduction: The aim of this study is to report the effect of traditional Korean medical treatment on fibromyalgia. Case presentation: A patient with fibromyalgia was treated with acupuncture, pharmacopuncture (Bee venom, Hwangryunhaedok-tang), cupping therapy, moxibustion therapy and herbal medicine for 37 days. To reduce the patient's symptoms, we provided herbal medicine three times a day, as well as acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, cupping therapy and moxibustion therapy once a day for 37 days. To evaluate the results of this treatment, we used the Numeral Rating Scale (NRS), Score of Sleeping Quality (SSQ) and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). After treatment, the patient showed that pain was reduced, the score of NRS was improved, FIQ improved from 91 to 69 and SSQ improved from 3 to 1. No adverse reaction was noted. Conclusion: According to the result, traditional Korean medical treatment can be effective and safe for the treatment of fibromyalgia.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.81-97
• /
• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study is analyzing the current research methodology of pharmacopucture for the treatment of animal cancer models. Methods : Four electronic databases were searched for animal studies published from January 2000 to September 2014 onward using these search terms "cancer, anticancer, pharmacopuncture, beevenom". Selected articles were described about animal cancer models. The methods used to induce cancer and the outcome measures used to assess the effects of pharmacopuncture on animal cancer models were analyzed. Results : 37 articles were included. For producing animal cancer models BALB/C mice(n=22) and C57BL/6 mice(n=17) were selected. And intravenous injection of B16-F10 melanoma cells into tail vein(n=14) or intraperitoneal injection of sarcoma-180 cells(n=14) were frequently used to induce cancer. Various pharmacopunctures were injected into acupoints $CV_{12}(n=19)$, $ST_{36}(n=8)$, $BL_{18}(n=8)$ or peritoneal cavity(n=6), tumor site(n=2), tail vein(n=2). Outcome measures were categorized into anti-cancer, anti-metastasis, general condition, cytotoxicity, immune response, toxicity. Median Survival Time(MST) and increase of life span(ILS)(n=26) was frequently used for evaluating anti-cancer effects. And pulmonary colonization assay(n=13) was frequently used for evaluating anti-metastasis effects Conclusions : Based on these data, further research would be needed to ascertain the effectiveness of pharmacopuncture for treating cancer and broaden the range of clinical applications.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.173-185
• /
• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to observe the effect of Bong (a type of stick which is called bong) Chuna manual therapy (CMT) on the correction of posterior inferior (PI) ilium deviation, and evaluate changes of pain intensity and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for the treatment of low back pain. Methods : We measured leg length inequality (LLI), as an indicator of correction of PI ilium, before and after the Bong CMT twice immediately, and also checked the change of LLI in the course of 10 times of treatment. Ten times of Bong CMT with oriental medical treatment, such as acupuncture and bee venom pharmacopuncture, were performed not only to correct the PI ilium deviation but also to alleviate pain. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Oswetry Low-back Pain Disability Index (ODI) score were scored to evaluate the pain and function of low back. Results : In this study, LLI was decreased in general while we performed correction of PI ilium deviation immediately, also effectively decreased comparing between before and after 10 times of Bong CMT, Bong CMT with oriental medical treatment improved pain and function of low back. Conclusions : These results suggest that Bong CMT may be an effective method for the correction of PI ilium deviation. However more rigorous study should be followed because of small cases report.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.41 no.1
• /
• pp.88-96
• /
• 2020

Objectives: Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is caused by a circulatory disorder. If symptoms are not present, the patient's progress is observed, but if symptoms are present, non-surgical methods or total hip replacement are performed. Several case reports have described the effects of Korean Medicine treatment on ONFH, but the number of cases is still small, and few studies have used blood stasis-based herbal medicines like Hwaeo-jeon (HEJ). This study reports the effectiveness of Korean Medicine treatments, including HEJ, on a case of ONFH. Methods: A patient diagnosed with ONFH by CT and MRI was treated with Korean Medicine treatments consisting of herbal medicine including HEJ, bee venom pharmacopuncture, acupuncture, cupping, and physical therapy. The improvement of pain was assessed using a numerical rating scale. Inflammation levels were determined by blood tests conducted during hospitalization. Results: Korean Medicine treatment, including herbal medicine, resulted in good clinical improvement responses, including reduced pain, improved mobility, and reduced inflammatory levels in the blood tests. Conclusions: Korean Medicine treatments, including HEJ, may be effective for ONFH patients. Further studies are needed to determine the recovery of osteonecrosis and the improvement of post-operative aftereffects using Korean Medicine treatments, as well as the reduction of pre-operative pain.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.39 no.5
• /
• pp.1023-1031
• /
• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of Korean medicine in a patient with sensory disturbance of the hands and feet diagnosed as hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy (Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease). Methods: A patient diagnosed with hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy (Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease) was treated with herbal medicine (Uchashinki-hwan-gami, Bosinji Granule, Ukgan-san-gami), acupuncture, moxibustion, and bee venom pharmacopuncture. Clinical improvements were evaluated using the numerical rating scale (NRS) and Toronto Clinical Neuropathy Score system (TCNSS). Results: Improvements in the total scores of NRS and TCNS were observed after Korean medicine treatments. NRS score decrease from 8 to 2, and TCNS score decreased from 10 to 7. Conclusion: Korean medicine treatment may be effective for sensory disturbance in hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy (Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease).

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.381-388
• /
• 2016

Objective: This clinical study reports on the effect of Korean medicine on a patient with drug-induced Parkinsonism.Method: We used herbal medicine (Yigan-san), acupuncture, moxibustion, pharmacopuncture, and bee venom acupuncture to treat a patient with drug-induced Parkinsonism during hospitalization for 11 days. We observed the changes of symptoms using the unified Parkinson’s disease rating scale (UPDRS), the abnormal involuntary movement scale (AIMS), and the Beck depression inventory (BDI).Results: After treatment, the patient’s symptoms showed improvement in tremor, gait disturbance, and general condition. The UPDRS, AIMS, and BDI scores were also improved after treatment.Conclusion: This clinical case study suggests that traditional Korean medicine treatment could be effective in the treatment of drug-induced Parkinsonism.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.42 no.6
• /
• pp.1356-1365
• /
• 2021

This study examined the effectiveness of Korean medical treatment in a patient with persistent drug-induced parkinsonism after drug discontinuation. The changes in symptoms were assessed using the unified parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS), postural instability-gait disturbance (PIGD) score, and the 20 m gait time and steps. After 22 days of hospitalization, the UPDRS, PIGD score, and 20 m gait time and steps showed clinically significant improvement. The improvement persisted after discharge. This study indicated that Korean medical treatment could be an effective alternative therapy for treating persistent drug-induced parkinsonism after drug discontinuation.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.43 no.4
• /
• pp.33-51
• /
• 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to understand the current status of clinical practice patterns of Korean medicine in the treatment of degenerative arthritis of the hip and finger joints using web-based survey. Methods: An e-mail questionnaire survey was conducted with the Korean Medicine Doctor(K.M.D) registered in the Korean Medicine Association. The survey data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel. Results: Although the response rate of the survey was low, the characteristics of the respondents generally reflected the characteristics of the study population. A total of 35.2% of the respondents had heard of the guidelines; however, they did not use them for medical treatment. The reason as answered by 32.8% of the respondents was "not enough treatment time to check the manual and apply it." More than half (78.80%) answered that they were treating patients with both degenerative hip and finger arthritis; however, the average monthly number of first-time patients was ≤5. A total of 379 (60.9%) respondents answered that "acupuncture is very important," which was the only one that exceeded the majority compared to other treatments. As a result of the safety investigation, "Acupuncture, herbal medicine, cupping" were considered high in safety, while "Pharmacopuncture and Bee venom acupuncture" were considered low in safety. Conclusions: This survey helped to determine the current clinical practice patterns of Korean medicine treatments, further providing basic data for CPGs for degenerative arthritis of the hip and finger joints.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.16-31
• /
• 2021

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the current status of clinical practice for gout in Korean Medicine (KM). Methods : On-line survey was adopted for this study, targeted at KM Doctors who were registered in the Association of Korean Medicine. The questionnaire included the general status of treatment, pattern identification and treatment method according to three stages given: acute, chronic and asymptomatic hyperuricemia stage. Results : Data from a total of 384 respondents was analyzed. Participants who responded most were in their 40s, working in KM clinics located in Seoul. Acupuncture and herbal medicines were the top priority treatments in preparing recommendations in clinical practice guidelines for gout, and where clinical trials were considered essential. As of the past year, the average number of first visits per month was 86.7%, and the average treatment duration was less than 1 month, accounting for 72.9%. As for the diagnostic method used for gout patients, the "diagnosed by clinical pattern" response was the highest, and the "blood and urine test" response was the highest as the diagnostic equipment used. As for the evaluation scale being used, the "VAS/NRS" response was the highest. Regardless of the gout stage, acupuncture was the most commonly used treatment method for gout patients, and bee venom pharmacopuncture was the highest for the pharmacopuncture used. In the case of herbal medicine, it was found that a wider variety of herbal medication uninsured in health insurance and herbal prescription were used for the staged treatment of gout than herbal medication in national health insurance coverage. In clinical practice, "acupuncture treatment three times a week" was the most common, and the "acupoints in the limb" were the most frequently used; LR3 and SP3 were the most frequently used acupoints. Conclusions : It is suggested that this survey should be helpful to develop clinical practice guideline for gout that reflects actual clinical practice.