• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.197-210
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• 2024

Purpose : This study aimed to analyze research trends in the field of integrative medicine through a bibliometric analysis of articles published in Integrative Medicine Research (IMR) journal from 2017 to 2022. Methods : Articles published in IMR journal between 2017 and 2022 were searched using the Web of Science database on August 22, 2023. The analysis was performed using the Bibliometrix and Biblioshiny tools in R (version 4.3.1) and VOSviewer (version 1.6.19). Results : The key findings were as follows: average citations per article (9.41), total authors (1,142), single-authored articles (12), average articles per author (0.27), average co-authors per article (5.27), and rate of international co-authorships (15.69 %). The most-cited article was on the cryopreservation of cells or tissues and their clinical applications. The top keyword analysis by author keywords showed that "acupuncture" was the most frequently used keyword (33 times). Co-occurrence network analysis showed 85 high-frequency keywords that appeared five or more times, and the top five keywords by total link strength were "acupuncture," "herbal medicine," "prevalence," "alternative medicine," and "complementary." The study found that, contrary to the trend in complementary and alternative medicine research in Korea, the IMR journal actively conducts intervention studies to provide clinical evidence. Conclusion : In the IMR journal, "acupuncture" was the most frequent of author keywords. The analysis of keyword trend topics over time showed that the keyword "systematic review" continued to appear from 2020 to 2022, and the keyword "clinical practice guideline" appeared for the first time in 2021. In particular, the co-occurrence network analysis highlighted keywords related to intervention research, in contrast to domestic research trends. While this study analyzed only one journal, future studies expanding the category of integrative medicine and increasing the number of journals analyzed may provide further insights.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.85-99
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• 2007

This study aimes to understand trends in alternative medicine use as new therapeutic ways to overcome the limits of western medicine, and is primarily concerned with function of alternative medicine to influence cancer theraphy in the United States after 1970s. Features of oriental medicine and western medicine through the comparison of Quantum medicine and Newton physics are pointed as the basic theory in alternative medicine. Homeopathic medicine, Chiro practice, Aroma theraphy, Transcendental meditation, Acupuncture is shortly is shortly introduced by alternative medicine use. The advantage of this study is to gain as follows : Firstly, To be recognized alternative function of cancer theraphy by Western nations including United States. Secondly, To understand the integrative program utilized as the alternative ways of cancer theraphy in the field. Thirdly, To understand side effects in alternative medicine use. :astly, To recommand marketing stratigies on alternative medicine services to develop Korean health tourism. In conclusion, it is increasingly emphasized that the importance of alternative medicine in relation to health promotion in the western nations. Western travelers expect that alternative medicine service is attractive and effective as the complementary function on incurable disease. Health tourism to experience alternative medicine services by travel will be expected one of the key industries in the future.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.25-38
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• 2008

Objectives : Integrative medicine in Korea is the 21st century-style medical practice of two orthodox medical doctrines, traditional Korean medicine and western conventional medicine, as well as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). CAM with scientific evidence should be incorporated in undergraduate curricula for the purpose of Korean integrative medicine. Methods : Items of detailed objectives, syllabi, textbooks, instructor's experiences, and effectiveness and reason for difficulty of the CAM curriculum for undergraduate students were analyzed and the preference of CAM therapies and others were also evaluated. Results and Discussion : The effectiveness of this CAM class curriculum was high (8.0$\pm$1.4) enough to be used in other Oriental medical colleges. Development of ability for self-study was rated as 7.0$\pm$1.7 and the helpfulness for clinical use was marked as 6.8$\pm$1.9. Students preferred placebo, Ayurveda, aromatherapy, yoga, functional food, bio-feedback and homeopathy. The difficulty degree was 7.2$\pm$1.6, and the amount of content was suggested as the major reason for it. We also found that this curriculum can be a model for self-oriented study and problem-based learning. Discussions were made for the improvement of the implemented CAM curriculum, which was shown to be very effective for the achievement of Korean integrative medicine. Conclusion : We have successfully installed a CAM curriculum for undergraduate students at the College of Oriental Medicine, and it can be used in others.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.24-41
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• 2012

Objectives: This study reviewed research trends concerning the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use and to suggest future research directions appropriate to medical circumstances in Korea. Methods: We searched for surveys of CAM use in 8 databases including 6 Korean databases, Ovid MEDLINE, and the CINAHL electronic database. Three independent reviewers working in pairs screened titles and abstracts of articles for eligibility. Full text was retrieved in case of disagreement on the eligibility. The main analysis targets included survey researcher's affiliation, terminology used in the title, study subject, definition of CAM, classifications of CAM modalities, and the area assortment of CAM and traditional Korean medicine (TKM). Results: 92 articles were included for analysis. The major constituent of affiliation was doctors (53%). According to years, study subjects were diversified to a large range of diseases. Since 2003, terminology is absorbed to use CAM. But actually, the most commonly used definition in the research was comprehensive such as "not generally considered part of major medicine" (55.4%) and the most used classification of CAM was self-criteria (61.9%). As for area assortment of CAM and TKM, many therapies exist in a gray zone between CAM and TKM. Conclusions: Standardized definition and classification criteria about CAM fit to the Korean healthcare system have not yet developed. For traditional Korean medicine academia, more concern should be paid to establishing appropriate development of definitions and classification criteria.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.4081-4086
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• 2012

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use is prevalent among individuals with cancer, especially breast cancer survivors. This study was conducted among 394 breast cancer survivors in selected regions of Peninsular Malaysia to identify the pattern and factors associated with CAM use. About 51% of the respondents reported CAM use as complementary treatment. Vitamins (47.2%), spiritual activities (33.2%) and other dietary supplements (30.7%) were the most commonly used CAM therapies. Common reasons for CAM use were to increase the body's ability to perform daily activities (70.9%), enhance immune function (58.3%) and improve emotional well-being (31.7%). Users obtained CAM information mainly from friends and family members (62.5%), physicians (25.0%) and mass media (13.9%). Ethnicity and years of education were significantly associated with CAM use. Although no adverse effects of CAM were reported, breast cancer survivors should discuss their CAM use with health professionals to prevent potential adverse effects of these therapies.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.143-152
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• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this research is to examine the perceptions that current Korean medical students have towards the practice and efficacy of Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM). Methods: A survey questionnaire was given to 91 Korean medical students assessing their attitudes towards CAM. Results: 1) Most students (82.4%) expressed concern about CAM. 2) Many students (59.3%) expressed a positive attitude towards the efficacy of CAM. No surveyed student (0%) thought the efficacy of CAM was due to the placebo effect. 3) Many students (75.8%) posited that Korean Medicine would ultimately absorb CAM to facilitate the development of Korean medicine. 4) Most surveyed students (87.9%) answered they planned to integrate the use of CAM in their clinical practice. Conclusions: The survey questionnaire results suggests that Korean medical students have a positive perception toward CAM. They also have an affirmative attitude towards the clinical use of CAM.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.165-167
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• 2005

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.317-326
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• 2012

Objectives : To investigate the prevalence and utilization pattern of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Methods : We conducted a nationwide survey and a total of 535 individuals with type 2 diabetes were asked about their demographic, diabetes-related characteristics and CAM use. We used multiple logistic regression modeling to determine independent predictors of CAM use. Results : Of the 535 subjects, 417 (77.9%) used CAM in last 12 months. The most commonly used modality was red ginseng (17.9%). CAM use was independently associated with being married, northern area residence, higher education and diabetes duration of 3-5 years. More than half(58.3%) of the CAM users used it expecting a better outcome in addition to conventional therapy. Information sources about CAM were mostly friends (36.0%) and family (31.9%), only 28.1% of diabetic patients seek counsel from medical doctors or oriental medical doctors about CAM. Many people perceived CAM as effective (62.7%) and reported side effects only rarely (1.2%). Conclusions : Many diabetic patients used CAM and found it effective, which urges clinicians to pay attention to CAM use of their diabetic patients. Also, further studies are required regarding efficacy and safety about CAM.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2009

Objectives: Many countries have been using Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for treating cancer and it has been given more weight than before. This study aimed to look into its current status and perspective way to suggest the way which Korean oriental medicine goes to. Methods: We searched internet web sites that are relative with CAM in oncology parts and made lists for this study. We downloaded the essays in the form of electronic files in that web sites and copied the originals consulting to each libraries and relative institution. Results: North America was processing the standardization of CAM based evidences and China was making their traditional medicine representative medicine of CAM. India was developing their traditional medicine because of their domestic need and its results were recognized by National Cancer Institute (NCI). CAM was regulated and studied legally in Europe. Japan was using mushroom for immune therapy clinically. Mexico had a large scale of medical valley in Tijuana area and made it international. Conclusions: The efforts to develop and study CAM for treating cancer are increasing in the world. We need to know the current status of CAM in the world, and make our way that Korean oriental medicine goes to.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.66-87
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• 2013

Objectives: The aim of this study was to review systemically clinical trials on the trends of studies for Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the treatment of female sexual dysfunction and provide basic resource for future treatment and suggestions for improving research methods. Methods: Through medical website 'Pubmed', foreign clinical literatures about female sexual dysfunction were searched and domestic clinical literatures about female sexual dysfunction were searched using internet websites 'National assembly library', 'KISS', 'RISS', 'Korean traditional knowledge portal'. Results: Total 19 literatures were selected from January 2000 to June 2012. 15 foreign literatures were selected through medical website and 4 domestic literatures were chosen using internet websites or hand-searching. 5 literatures were published in 2008 and 13 literatures mentioned about age group of patients. FSFI is most common tool for female sexual dysfunction. 9 of 19 literatures were using Herbal medicine for treatment. 5 literatures were about CBT, 6 literatures were about Biofeedback and other one literatures are about Perineal massage. There were 14 Randomized controlled trials and 5 Non-randomized controlled trials. And randomized controlled trials were relatively low in risk of bias than non-randomized controlled trials. Conclusions: Upon these results, in similar future more clinical trials should be done and accumulate Evidence-based literatures.