• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.189-200
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• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report the clinical effect of Korean medical treatment on spinal cord infarction. Methods : We treated a patient who was diagnosed with spinal cord infarction. We used acupuncture, bee venom pharmacopuncture, herbal medicine, moxibustion and physical therapy. We evaluated the patient through Manual Muscle Testing (MMT) and International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) score. Results : MMT grade improved grade from 1 to 5 and ISNCSCI score increased from 2 to 14. Conclusion : According to these results, this report suggests that Korean medical treatment could be effective for spinal cord infarction.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.823-829
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• 2023

Objectives: This study reports the case of a patient with right hemiparesis after a left thalamic infarction, in which the patient experienced improved clinical symptoms (hemiparesis, constipation) after treatment with a complex Korean medicine treatment. Methods: A 81-year-old male patient diagnosed with acute left thalamic infarction was treated with daily acupuncture and herbal medicine (Boyanghwanoh-tang-gagam) three times a day. Jowiseunggi-tang extract granules were administered to treat constipation by adjusting the dosage according to the reported symptoms. The patient's clinical course was assessed using changes in Modified Barthel Index (MBI) score, Manual Muscle Testing (MMT) grade, and defecation frequency . Results: The patient's MBI score improved from 35 to 69 and was discharged with the ability to walk under supervision. The MMT grade also improved from 3/4 to 5/5 in the upper/lower extremities. Other clinical symptoms, including constipation, also improved, leading to the discontinuation of magnesium medication. Conclusion: These findings suggest that complex Korean medicine treatments, including herbal medicine and acupuncture, may be an effective treatment for post-stroke hemiplegic patients.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.188-196
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• 2018

Objectives: This study is to report the clinical effectiveness of the complex Korean medicine therapy on a postoperative endometriosis patient's hypoestrogenic side effects who is treated with GnRH-agonist injection. Methods: The patient in this case was diagnosed with endometriosis and has been treated with GnRH-a injection after laparoscopic operation. The patient complained hot flash and sweating mainly after GnRH-a treatment. The patient received complex Korean medicine therapy during 10 days admission period. The clinical effects were evaluated through KI (Kupperman's Index) and SF-36 (36 item Short Form Health Survey). Results: After the complex Korean medicine therapy, the various clinical symptoms including hot flash and sweating were improved. Also, the quality of life was enhanced. Conclusions: This case report shows that the complex Korean medicine therapy was effective for treating hypoestrogenic side effects occurred after GnRH-a treatment in postoperative endometriosis patient.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.305-314
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• 2018

Objectives: The objective of this study was to report the clinical effectiveness of the complex Korean medicine therapy and M&L (Mindfulness & Loving presence) psychotherapy on the patient with panic disorder. Methods: The subject for this study was the patient diagnosed with panic disorder who complained about intermittent panic attack and accompanying insomnia. During the treatment period, the patient received complex Korean therapy and M&L psychotherapy. The clinical effects were evaluated through Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Results: After the complex Korean medicine therapy and M&L psychotherapy, the overall symptoms of depression, anxiety, panic disorder and insomnia of the patient were lessened in a relatively short period. No specificities or adverse effects were reported during the treatment period. Conclusions: This study established that the complex Korean medicine therapy and M&L psychotherapy was effective in treating patients with panic disorder.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.113-122
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• 2024

Objectives : To report the R/O CRPS patient after Korean medicine treatment, suffering severe buring pain and insomnia. Methods : The patient was a 56-year-old female patient and treated with herbal medicines and acupuncture in 32 days. The treatment effect was evaluated by measuring VNRS of pain, sleeping time and change in mood status. Results : The Korean Medical therapy had good effect on the patient. Especially, relaxing mental treatment is effective in improving and maintaining symptoms. Conclusions : The Korean medical treatments appeared to be effective in reducing R/O CRPS symptoms. Further clinical research of patients with CRPS is needed.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.258-261
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• 2010

We report a 66-year-old woman with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) 1 treated with combined medical and active physical therapy. She was diagnosed with CRPS 1 following partial shoulder prosthesis due to proximal humerus fracture. Despite continuous medication and physical therapy, there was no improvement in her pain and functional outcome. Her overall pain was decreased by stellate ganglion block 3 times in two weeks conducted during the second month of the follow-up period. Following the ganglion blockades, pain and the other symptoms were decreased intermittently but range of motion (ROM) and functional status were not satisfied as much as expected. After the third month of follow-up, her passive and active ROM of the shoulder joint was increased after application of manipulation under general anesthesia. In conclusion, because CRPS 1 remains one of the most difficult pain syndromes, early diagnosis and treatment are important to have adequate functional results from physical therapy. Manipulation under general anesthesia may be an additional effective treatment tool to obtain functional improvement in some patients diagnosed with CRPS 1.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.228-233
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• 2008

Objective : The standard treatment strategy of intracranial aneurysms includes either endovascular coiling or microsurgical clipping. In certain situations such as in giant or dissecting aneurysms, bypass surgery followed by proximal occlusion or trapping of parent artery is required. Methods : The authors assessed the result of extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass surgery in the treatment of complex intracranial aneurysms in one institute between 2003 and 2007 retrospectively to propose its role as treatment modality. The outcomes of 15 patients with complex aneurysms treated during the last 5 years were reviewed. Six male and 9 female patients, aged 14 to 76 years, presented with symptoms related to hemorrhage in 6 cases, transient ischemic attack (TIA) in 2 un ruptured cases, and permanent infarction in one, and compressive symptoms in 3 cases. Aneurysms were mainly in the internal carotid artery (ICA) in 11 cases, middle cerebral artery (MCA) in 2, posterior cerebral artery (PCA) in one and posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) in one case. Results : The types of aneurysms were 8 cases of large to giant size aneurysms, 5 cases of ICA blood blister-like aneurysms, one dissecting aneurysm, and one pseudoaneurysm related to trauma. High-flow bypass surgery was done in 6 cases with radial artery graft (RAG) in five and saphenous vein graft (SVG) in one. Low-flow bypass was done in nine cases using superficial temporal artery (STA) in eight and occipital artery (OA) in one case. Parent artery occlusion was performed with clipping in 9 patients, with coiling in 4, and with balloon plus coil in 1. Direct aneurysm clip was done in one case. The follow up period ranged from 2 to 48 months (mean 15.0 months). There was no mortality case. The long-term clinical outcome measured by Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) showed good or excellent outcome in 13/15. The overall surgery related morbidity was 20% (3/15) including 2 emergency bypass surgeries due to unexpected parent artery occlusion during direct clipping procedure. The short-term postoperative bypass graft patency rates were 100% but the long-term bypass patency rates were 86.7% (13/15). Nonetheless, there was no bypass surgery related morbidity due to occlusion of the graft. Conclusion : Revascularization technique is a pivotal armament in managing complex aneurysms and scrupulous prior planning is essential to successful outcomes.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.139-149
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• 2013

Objectives : The aim of this study was to observe the effect of balanced acupuncture on herniated intervertebral disc of lumbar spine patients. Methods : We investigated 23 cases of in-patients with acute & subacute herniated intervertebral disc of lumbar spine in oriental hospital, and divided patients into two groups. We treated one group(12 people) by complex oriental medical treatment with Balanced acupuncture, and the other group(11 people) by complex oriental medical treatment without Balanced acupuncture. To evaluate the effectiveness of treatment applied for two groups, we used visual analog scale(VAS) and rating scale for low back pain at admission and discharge. Results : 1. In balanced acupuncture group and control group, compared with baseline and final. VAS was significantly improved. 2. In Balanced acupuncture group and control group, compared with baseline and final. Rating scale for low back pain was significantly improved. 3. VAS and rating scale for low back pain improvement rate in balanced acupuncture group were no statistical significance compared with control group. Conclusions : Balanced acupuncture might be used for relieving symptoms related with herniated intervertebral disc of lumbar spine, but it's no statistical significance.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.59-67
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• 2024

Objectives : This study aims to systematically examine the determinants of the intention to take herbal medicine among individuals with experience in Korean medicine. Methods : This study utilized the 3,245 respondents from the 2020 Korean Medicine Utilization and Herbal Medicine Consumption Survey who reported having used Korean medical services; the responses were selected through a complex sample analysis, and analytics techniques including frequency analysis, Rao-scott chisquare test, and logistic regression were used to analyze the responses. Results : The results of data analysis reveal that the intention to take herbal medicine in the future among these individuals was significantly influenced by factors such as enrollment in private health insurance, the facility environment of Korean medical institutions, and treatment outcomes. Conclusions : Therefore, it is imperative for Korean medical institutions to continuously try reasonable action strategies, including improving medical facilities/environments and building institutional mechanisms among medical staff and members to enhance the quality of Korean medical services. Additionally, the Ministry of Health and Welfare needs to make policy efforts to reduce patients' medical expenses, such as reducing the co-insurance rate in the pilot project of applying health insurance to herbal medicine.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.67-74
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• 2023

Perioperative treatment with conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy for resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has proven clinical benefits in terms of achieving a higher overall survival (OS) rate. With its success in the palliative treatment of NSCLC, immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has now become an essential component of treatment, even as neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy in patients with operable NSCLC. Both pre- and post-surgery ICB applications have proven clinical efficacy in preventing disease recurrence. In addition, neoadjuvant ICB combined with cytotoxic chemotherapy has shown a significantly higher rate of pathologic regression of viable tumors compared with cytotoxic chemotherapy alone. To confirm this, an early signal of OS benefit has been shown in a selected population, with programmed death ligand 1 expression ≥50%. Furthermore, applying ICB both pre- and post-surgery enhances its clinical benefits, as is currently under evaluation in ongoing phase III trials. Simultaneously, as the number of available perioperative treatment options increases, the variables to be considered for making treatment decisions become more complex. Thus, the role of a multidisciplinary team-based treatment approach has not been fully emphasized. This review presents up-to-date pivotal data that lead to practical changes in managing resectable NSCLC. From the medical oncologist's perspective, it is time to dance with surgeons to decide on the sequence of systemic treatment, particularly the ICB-based approach, accompanying surgery for operable NSCLC.