• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.22-41
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• 2008

Background: Eight-Constitution Medicine (ECM) devides the human body into eight constitutions. Up until now, checking the pulse types is only way to classify the eight constitution. Recently we try to make a questionnaire that is based on the Eight-Constitution characters and analyze the answer from patients who were classified into one of the eight constitutions according to their pulse types and their responses to constitution-acupuncture therapy Objective: This study intends to analyze each answer of the Eight-Constitution Questionnaire with independent sample t-test. Methods: Participants of this study were outpatients in ECM clinics located in Korea. The resources were collected from 925 patients who were classified into one of the eight constitutions according to their pulse types and their responses to constitution-acupuncture therapy. SPSS 13.0 for Windows was used for independent sample t-test. Results and Conclusions: 1. The proportion of participants' constitutions is in the order of Pancreotonia (28.0%), Colonotonia (17.3%), Pulmotonia (18.1%), Hepatonia (18.1%), Vesicotonia (8.5%), Cholecystotonia (7.0%), Renotonia (2.6%) and Gastrotonia (0.4%). 2. Eight-Constitution Questionnaire consists of 5 parts; Appearance, Character, Body reaction, Physiology & Pathology and Food reaction. 3. 10 items were chosen among 42 question about Appearance. 4. Due to the deficiency of Gastrotonia examples, useful items have to be given up. If we can gather Gastrotonia examples, we can use meaningful items more than 10.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.89-110
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• 2009

Background : Eight-Constitution Medicine (ECM) devides the human body into eight constitutions. Up until now, checking the pulse types is only way to classify the eight constitution. Recently we try to make a questionnaire that is based on the Eight-Constitution characters and analyze the answer from patients who were classified into one of the eight constitutions according to their pulse types and their responses to constitution-acupuncture therapy. Objective : This study intends to analyze each answer of the Eight-Constitution Questionnaire with independent sample t-test. Methods : Participants of this study were outpatients in ECM clinics located in Korea. The resources were collected from 925 patients who were classified into one of the eight constitutions according to their pulse types and their responses to constitution-acupuncture therapy. SPSS 13.0 for Windows was used for independent sample t-test. Results and Conclusions : 1. The proportion of participants' constitutions is in the order of Pancreotonia (28.0%), Colonotonia (17.3%), Pulmotonia (18.1%), Hepatonia (18.1%), Vesicotonia (8.5%), Cholecystotonia (7.0%), Renotonia (2.6%) and Gastrotonia (0.4%). 2. Eight-Constitution Questionnaire consists of 5 parts; Appearance, Character, Body reaction, Physiology & Pathology and Food reaction. 3. 18 items were chosen among 81 question about Character. 4. Due to the deficiency of Gastrotonia examples, useful items have to be given up. If we can gather Gastrotonia examples, we can use meaningful items more than 18.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.19-27
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• 2006

Objectives: Although Korean Acupuncture (KA) in Korean Medicine (KM) shares its origins with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it has made its own contribution to the field of acupuncture and general medicine. This study reviews characteristics of KA. Methods: Representative theories of KA were reviewed in light of a constitutionally individualized and practically integrated approach. Individualized approach in KA is based on constitutional energy traits recognized in Saam, Taegeuk, and Eight Constitution acupuncture theories. New practically integrated therapeutic modalities, such as herbal, and bee venom acupunctures, have also been developed in KA. Results: As a form of natural medicine, KA along with KM put emphasis on the vitality and self-correcting mechanism of an individual, which led to the refinement of constitutional approach. KA along with KM theories features a summarized understanding and practical application of integrated therapeutics, which produced creative development of new modalities. Conclusions: KA is expected to make significant contributions to the individualized and practical medicine, based on basic research and clinical trials.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.156-164
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• 2014

Objectives The purpose of this study was to analyze the Sasang constitution and psychological traits of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients and to utilize the results in treatment and management. Methods The differences of Sasang Constitution distribution, psychological characteristics, comorbid disorders between ALS group of 26 patients and general group of 1132 persons were investigated and analyzed. Results There was no significant different distribution of Sasang Constitution between ALS group and general group but there was Yang-like personality tendency in ALS group than general group. In overall constitution, ALS group had the high prevalence rate of musculoskeletal disorders and diabetes than general group. In Soyangin constitution, ALS group had a high prevalence rate of musculoskeletal disorders than genral group. In Taeeumin constitution, ALS group had a high prevalence rate of diabetes and hypertension than general group. Conclusion ALS patients have the Yang-like personality. It is due to the adaptation of personality on the environmental change or coping strategy on diseases rather than the characteristics of congenital Sasang Constitution.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.3 s.63
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• pp.80-97
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• 2005

Backgrounds : In recent years there has teen renewed interest in the importance of 8-constitution medicine as evidenced by growth of research in this field. Although diagnosis by 8-constitution depends on pulse types, it still is subjective and thus could be insignificant. Therefore, diagnosis based on objective characteristics is essential. Objectives : The purpose of this study was to find objective characteristics of the 4-constitution groups {木(Mok; hepatonia, cholecystonia), {土(To; pancreotonia, gastrotonia), {金(Gum; pulmotonia, colonotonia), {水(Soo; renotonia, vesicotonia)} in 8-constitution for further diagnosis and therapy. Also, some significant clinical tendencies of 4-constitution groups were studied. Methods : From Nov. 2001 to Apr. 2004, data were collected through a questionnaire given to 720 patients who were classified into one of 8 constitutions according to their pulse types and their responses to constitution-based acupuncture therapy. The questionnaire was composed of 80 items which were about personality, physical shape, habit, physiological and pathological symptoms, response to drugs, favorites and responses to various foods. The data were statistically analyzed by cross-tabulation and one-way analysis of variance, and SPSS V10.0.7PC was used. Results : The results are summarized as follows: 1) Among participants, proportions of hepatotonia, pancreotonia, and cholecystotonia were higher than those of vesicotonia, pulmotonia, colonotonia, renotonia, grstrotonia. 2) 52 items of 80 variances showed significant differences by gender, 3) 13 items were highly correlated with 4-constitution groups in males, and 26 items in fremales. 4) 22 items showed significant group differences among 4-constitution groups in males, and 41 items in females. Also, for each item 4-constitution groups were sorted according to their means, so that the constitutional tendencies were objectively figured out by personality, shape, habit, physiological and pathological symptoms, response to drugs, favorites and responses to foods. Conclusions : Most clinical characteristics of 4-constitution groups found in this study coincided with those from the previous ones in this fold. Thus, classifying patients into one of the 4-constitution groups based on significant objective characteristics is of great benefit to diagnosis and therapy. further study should be followed to improve proper therapy for each constitution.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.91-104
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• 2003

Objective : This study was carried to make out the connection between cerebral artery blood flow velocity and ischemic theory that presumed the cause of Bell's palsy. Method : We measured cerebral artery blood flow velocity each external carotid artery, internal carotid artery, common carotid artery, siphon, superficial temporal artery by TCD to 20 patients who diagnosed as facial nerve palsy from march 2001 to July 2001 and all objectives devided two groups as palsy side. A group is right side facial nerve palsy and B group is left facial nerve palsy. Results : 1. There is no effective change of blood flow in external carotid artery either A, B group. 2. There is no effective change of blood flow in internal carotid artery either A, B group. 3. There is no effective change of blood flow in common carotid artery either A, B group. 4. There is no effective change of blood flow in siphon artery either A, B group. 5. There is no effective change of blood flow in superficial temporal artery either A, B group.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.77-86
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• 2013

Objectives : The aim of the study was to investigate the characteristics of Ryodoraku score according to dyspepsia in diagnosed as Soeumin by 'portable Ryodoraku device'. Methods : Using Mann-Whitney U test, we divided 34 'Soeumin' patients into two group(normal and with chronic dyspepsia) and analyzed Ryodoraku score, especially in 'the spleen meridian' and 'the stomach meridian' which is belived to be related with dyspepsia. Soeumin subjects are classified by 'Sasang constitutional program' in portable Ryodoraku device. All of them complete the questionnaire regarding their Digestive conditions. 'short from leeds dyspepsia questionnaire(SF-LDQ)' made by rome III diagnostic is chosed as questionnaire. Results: 1. We found the RS measured from a group of people who has chronic dyspepsia was significantly greater than that from control group. 2. Regarding the effect of 'dyspepsia' in Ryodoraku, the mean score of the F6(stomach meridian) in the chronic dyspepsia group was significantly higher than that in the control group. 3. The mean score of the F6(stomach meridian RS) in the chronic dyspepsia group was not significantly higher than that in the control group. 4. In cases where people has chronic dyspepsia, the difference between RS measured in the right-side of a body and that in the left-side of a body was mostly greater than 40, whereas the case of difference that is less than 2 was rare. Conclusions : Portable Ryodoraku device might be used to classify enforce 'Sasang constitution', and also it might be used to analyze 'Ryodoraku data' based on characteristic clinical symptoms of four constitution diagnosis alone.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.55-68
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to analyze the distribution, relationship, prognosis and improvement score of idiopathic facial palsy inpatients according to constitutional differentiation ; Sasang constition, Hyungsang classification, Sasang constition combined with Hyungsang classification. Methods : A study was done on 102 patients who were diagnosed and treated as idiopathic facial palsy from April 2012 to Nomember 2012 at the Department of Acupuncture and Moxibution Medicine, Dong-eui Oriental University Hospital. Medical records of inpatinets who underwent facial ENoG, NET test were analyzed. Changes of HBGS grade and Yanagihara's score were also evaluated. We classified inpaients acording to Sasang constitution by consulting to Department of Sasang constitutinal medicine, and to Hyungsang classification(Dam-body, Bangkwang-body) by measuring under medical system of 3D facial shapes(RS-400FL). The constitutional differentiation and general characteristics were initially analyzed, and valuse on ENoG, NET were correlated with constitutinal differentiation. Results of HBGS and Yanagihara's score were also correlated with constitutinal differentiation. Results : 1. Each 39.2 percent of idiopathic facial palsy inpatients were the Taeeumin and Soyangin, 21.6 percent were the Soeumin. 2. 75.5 percent of idiopathic facial palsy inpatients were the Bangkwang-body, 24.5 percent were the Dam-body. 3. 34.3 percent of idiopathic facial palsy inpatinets were the Taeeum-Bangkwang, 21.6 percent were the Soyang-Bangkwang, 19.6 percent were the Soeum-Bangkwang, 17.6 percent were the Soyang-Dam, 4.9 percent were the Taeem-Dam, 2 percent were the Soeum-Dam. 4. By sex, the each ratio of Taeeumin, Soeumin, Bangkwang-body, Taeeum-Bangkwang, Soeum-Bangkwang, Soyang-Bangkwang was higher in female, that of Dam-body, Taeeum-Dam, Soyang-Dam was higher in male. 5. By relations between Sasang constitution and Hyungsang classification, the each ratio of Taeeumin and Soeumin was higher in Bangkwang-body. 6. By values on ENoG and NET, evaluations of HBGS's grade and Yanagihara's score, there were no significant difference. Conclusions : In idiopathic facial palsy inpatients, the proportion of Taeeum and Soyang among the Sasang constitution was higher, that of Dam among the Hyungsang classification was higher, that of Taeeum-Bangkwang among the Sasang combined with Hyungsang was the highest. It would seem that Bangkwang-body, female were closely related to Taeeumin, Soeumin. Also, Dam-body were closely related to male. But when comparing groups, there was no statistically significant difference in prognosis and improvement.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.10-23
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• 2000

Four-constitutional theory proposed by Dr. Lee, Je-ma has been evolve for last 100years by his followers. One of the major progresses was the emergence of constitutional acupuncture proposed by Dr. Kwan Doh-won. Constitutional acupuncture included the new pulse diagnostic method to determine the body type, pulse diagrams and corresponding acupuncture method called five element acupuncture in which five-element points in 12 meridian channels are used. Dr. Sa-ahm proposed five-element acupuncture three and a half hundred years age. Conjunction of Dr Lee's theory to Dr. Kwan proposed eight constitutions with eight pulse diagrams. He also adopted eight acupuncture prescriptions out of twenty-four Sa-ahm's acupuncture prescriptions. The author, Dr. Yom Tae-hwa, proposed more inclusive theory of 24 constitutions with 24 diagnostic pulse diagrams in Las Vegas International Acupuncture Convention in 1986. This article reviews history of constitutional medicine briefly. Each step of theoretical evolution from four-constitutional theory to twenty-four-constitutional theory is explained. By understanding the theoretical connection between twelve meridian channels based on five-element theory and four-constitutional theory in the article, one will easily accept the emergence of twelve of twenty four constitutional theory. Next, the article is focused on four subcategories under Sao-Yin constitution, which are one-sixth of 24 constitution. in this section classification, pulse diagnostic method, pulse diagram acupuncture prescriptions and herbal prescriptions are explained in detail. Then, clinical trial reports of acupuncture treatment and/or herbal formulas for such constitutions are attached for the rest part of the article. the purpose of this paper is to present the new hypothesis with the result of preliminary clinical trial hoping that additional clinical reports from other practitioners in this field triggers well-designed clinical study in future.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.131-134
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate the relationship between Sasang Constitution and length of chest and abdomen region. Methods : Forty eight participants were enrolled. Weight, height, and lengths from CV22 to CV16, from CV16 to CV8, and from CV8 to CV2 were measured. Ratios of last three lengths to total CV22 to CV2 were calculated respectively. On the other hand, Sasang Constitution was analyzed with QSCCII(Questionnaire of Sasang Constitutional Classification II). The analysis of relationship between the measurements and Sasang Constitution was carried out with SPSS to compare the mean values according to Sasang Constitution. Results : All the mean values were not significantly different depending on the Sasang Constitution, except the ratio of the length from CV16 to CV8 to the length from CV22 to CV2, only in female participants. The ratio was higher in the female Soeumin participants than any other constitutional groups. Conclusions : This result showed that Soeumin could be assumed that they might have weak digestion abilities.