• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2024

Objectives: This study investigated the pattern identification (PI) and clinical index of Parkinson's disease (PD) for personalized diagnosis and treatment. Methods: This prospective observational multi-center study recruited 100 patients diagnosed with PD from two Korean medicine hospitals. To cluster new subtypes of PD, items on a PI questionnaire (heat and cold, deficiency and excess, visceral PI) were evaluated along with pulse and tongue analysis. Gait analysis was performed and blood and feces molecular signature changes were assessed to explore biomarkers for new subtypes. In addition, unified PD rating scale II and III scores and the European quality of life 5-dimension questionnaire were assessed. Results: The clinical index obtained in this study analyzed the frequency statistics and hierarchical clustering analysis to classify new subtypes based on PI. Moreover, the biomarkers and current status of herbal medicine treatment were analyzed using the new subtypes. The results provide comprehensive data to investigate new subtypes and subtype-based biomarkers for the personalized diagnosis and treatment of PD patients. Ethical approval was obtained from the medical ethics committees of the two Korean medicine hospitals. All amendments to the research protocol were submitted and approved. Conclusions: An objective and standardized diagnostic tool is needed for the personalized treatment of PD by traditional Korean medicine. Therefore, we developed a clinical index as the basis for the PI clinical evaluation of PD. Trial Registration: This trial is registered with the Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS) (KCT0008677)

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.271-298
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• 1998

During these days of new understanding, western medicine has developed remarkably and a revaluation of traditional medicine has been achieved. This appears to have resulted from the sound criticisms of what western medicine has achieved up to now; excessive subdivisions of clinical medicine, severe toxicity of chemical drugs, lack of understanding about patients complaints which cannot be understood objectively, and etc. It is thought that the role of traditional medicine will be more important in the future than it is now. Someone said that the research methods of traditional medicine depends on the way of experimental science too much. That there was no consideration of a system for traditional medicine and the critic also went so far as to assert that in some cases the characteristics of eastern ideas is to permit irrationalism itself. In view of this thinking, the term traditional medicine seems to have been used somewhat too vaguely. However, traditional medicine is a medical treatment which has existed since before the appearance of modern medicine and it was formed from a traditional culture with a long history. One form of traditional medicine, oriental medicine based upon ancient Chinese medicine, was received in such countries as Korea, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Tibet, and Mongolia. Oriental medicine then developed in accordance with its own environment, race, national characteristics, and history. Although there are some simultaneous differences between them, three nations in Eastern Asia; Korea, Japan, and China, have especially similar features in their clinical prescriptions and medical literature. These three nations are trying to understand each others unique traditional medicines through numerous exchanges. Even though many differences in their ways of studying have developed over history exist, recent academic discussions have been made to explore new ways into oriental medicine. Therefore a comparative study of oriental medicine has gradually been thought to be more important. In Korea the formation of a new future-oriented paradigm for oriental medicine is being demanded. The purpose of the new paradigm is to create a new recognition of traditional culture which creates an understanding of oriental medicine to replace the diminished understanding of oriental medicine that was brought about by the self-denial of traditional culture in modem history and cultural collisions between oriental and occidental points of view. Therefore, to make a new paradigm for oriental medicine which is suitable for these days, and fortifies the merit of oriental medicine while compensating its defects, the author has compared the characteristics of oriental medicines in Korea, Japan, and China. The conclusions of this research are as follows: 1. The fundamental differences of the traditional medicines of these three nations are caused by the differences in the systems of Naekyung and Sanghannon. 2. The pattern-identification of illnesses is generally divided into two categories; the pattern identification of Zang-Fu and the pattern identification of prescription. 3. There are many differences in the definition of terms, such as Yin and Yang, Deficiency and Excess, and etc. 4. Chinese traditional medicine has some new concepts about pattern identification and epidemic febrile disease. 5. Japanese traditional medicine has some characteristics about pattern identification of the whole bodys condition and signs of abdominal palpation. 6. In terms of the effects of herbal drugs, Chinese traditional medicine attaches great importance to the experiential efficacy of the herb, and Japanese traditional medicine is taking a serious view of the effects of experimental medical actions.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.645-660
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• 2023

Objectives: This study analyzed the clinical characteristics of patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) who received Korean medicine treatment. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted to investigate sociodemographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, and prescribed treatments. The clinical records of 192 patients who visited Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital for FD from May 1, 2022, to May 31, 2023, were analyzed. In addition, the distribution of pattern identification and symptom type according to body mass index (BMI), as well as prescription history, were analyzed. Results: As the degree of obesity increased, the proportion of Spleen-Qi deficiency pattern patients decreased (p=0.012), and the proportion of damp-phlegm pattern patients increased (p=0.000). Additionally, as the degree of obesity increased, the proportion of patients with excess differentiation increased (p=0.002). The PDS (Postprandial distress syndrome) symptom type was significantly more frequent in the underweight and normal groups than in the overweight and obese groups, and the EPS (Epigastric pain syndrome) symptom type was more frequent in the overweight and obese groups. Regardless of the type of pattern identification, the most frequently used prescriptions were Naesowhajung-tang, Hanshin Naeso-san, and Sojeokgunbi-hwan granule. Conclusion: This study analyzed the medical records of patients with FD to elucidate the use of Korean medicine treatments. Our study is meaningful in that we found that the distribution of pattern identification and symptom patterns are linked to the degree of obesity in FD patients and identified the tendency for herbal medicine treatments to be prescribed in clinical practice.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.407-415
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• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the health status of hospitalized North Korean refugees in a department of Korean internal medicine. Methods: From March 1st, 2011 to June 30th, 2014, 57 North Korean refugee patients were hospitalized 96 times in a department of Korean internal medicine. Their demographic and medical information was approached retrospectively. Results: Among the 57 North Korean refugees, 46 (80.7%) were women, 11 (19.3%) were men and their average age was 49.7. Except for 3 people, the other 54 (94.7%) have been to an outpatient hospital of Department of Western Medicine, National Medical Center. Orthopedics, Neurology and Gastroenterology were most frequently visited and hospitalized. Among the total 96 times of hospitalization in a Department of Korean internal medicine, low back pain was the majority chief complaint. Among the 96, 78 (80.4%) took herbal medicine and tonifying and replenishing formula (補益劑) was most frequently prescribed. As western medication, 32 (33.0%) took ones related to the musculo-skeletal system and 30 (31.0%) took ones related to the nervous system. Qi stasis was highest among 8 types of pattern identification and Deficiency pattern (虛症) was more frequent than Excess pattern (實證). Conclusions: There are several factors that have aggravated the health status of North Korean refugees, and Korean medicine can perform a proper role to improve their health.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.1347-1353
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• 2008

Pulse condition is the essential division for conducting pulse diagnosis which is one of the most fundamental and important diagnostics in traditional Korean/Chinese medicine. We studied the pulse condition referred to classics of traditional medicine for a full understanding in present time and come to a conclusion like below. The reference to pulse condition was concluded to 'twenty four pulse conditions' which is the fundamental conception generally accepted in present age since it had first mentioned in "Huangdi Neijing" and after it had passed through "Nanjing", "pulse pattern identification-chapter of normal pulse"of Zhang Zhongjing and reached "Maijing"of Wang Shuhe. Although medical partitioners had different views to some extent about pulse condition, there were no significant differences in the main theoretical frame. Even though there had been a diversity of opinions on the classification of pulse-condition between various medical practitioners, the method of Dae-dae and the method of systematic endeavored by Zhou Xueting and Zhou Xuehai who were medical scholars in the Ch'ing dynasty have been a criterion for the classification of pulse-condition up to date. We were able to recognize that the change of pulse condition caused by pathological situation should be compared to physiological pulse condition for detecting the deficiency and excess by researching the analyzing methods of pulse condition mentioned in the "Lingshu", and the book of Hua Shou and Zhou Xuehai). To sum up, first normal pulse which is the physiological pulse condition should be a standard for detecting physiological pulse condition. Secondly, Zhou Xueting insisted that relaxed pulse should be a standard pulse condition for detecting normal pulse.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.47-55
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• 2021

In order to ensure the fact that eight principle pattern differentiation is used clinically as a basic guideline for Korean medicine practice, the definition, role and method of yin-yang pattern differentiation with its case report were explored at first. Yinyang Pattern Differentiation is a method of discriminating human tendencies or morbidity based on the yin and yang characteristics expressed in living bodies. And yin and yang are the two contrasting characteristics and aspects of the interaction when certain physical conditions that have a lasting effect on the human physiological metabolic function are correlated with the morbidity. Specific methods of yinyang pattern differentiation can be divided into several types of yin and yang indicators. First, time and space factors like day and night, hot and cold seasons, above and below, topographical districts. Second, colors and pulse and their/or relative clearness and muddiness, hardness and softness, moving and resting. Third, diagnose yin and yang patterns through distinguishing the true and false of a fever and cold in an emergency phase such as increase of brain pressure and shock state. Fourth, general characteristics of the propensity and constitution of a subject such as body type, speech, behavior, and physiological metabolism. And for clinical use, these were summarized again as a symptom indicators of physical signs and color, pulse, tongue and questionnaire indicators of propensity, body type, and space-time characteristics. Conclusively, it was confirmed that yinyang pattern differentiation has its own diagnostic significance which is distinct from exterior-interior, cold-heat and deficiency-excess pattern differentiation.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.91-96
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• 2022

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to characterize the stimulation intensity in acupuncture manipulation techniques for tonification and sedation therapy. Methods : To describe the level of stimulation used in acupuncture manipulation techniques for tonification and sedation therapy, we reviewed the acupuncture manipulation techniques described in classical medical textbooks. Results : Based on the patients' conditions and pattern identification, acupuncture manipulation strategies for tonification and sedation therapy were chosen. For example, the excess condition was treated with sedative therapy, and the deficiency condition was treated with tonification therapy. For tonification therapy, weak to modest stimulation was applied in acupuncture manipulation techniques, whereas intense stimulation was applied for sedative therapy. Even though the intensity of acupuncture stimulation was chosen based on the clinical examination, deqi sensation is a crucial component of acupuncture treatment, and during acupuncture practice, the practitioner should choose the right intensity of acupuncture stimulation based on deqi response in each patient. Conclusions : We concluded that the tonifying and sedative effects of acupuncture treatment are related to the stimulation intensity of acupuncture manipulation techniques. For individualized medicine, the right amount of acupuncture stimulation should be administered based on the patients' conditions and responses, such as deqi responses.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.31-51
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• 2009

The characteristics of Jin's ideas on clinic theory can be arranged as follows. 1. Jin emphasized warming and tonifying[溫補] in treatment and the part that shows this the best is the taking care of[調理] the Vital gate[命門], kidney, liver, and spleen. His ideas were based on his understanding of a human life's origin, and was influenced by Seolgi(薛己), Joheon-ga(趙獻可) and Janggaebin(張介賓)'s Vital gate and source Gi theory(元氣說) so scholastically, he has that in common with them but was later criticized by later doctors such as Oksamjon(玉三尊) as an 'literary doctor(文字醫)' who followed the ideas of "Uigwan(醫貫)". 2. The warming and tonifying school[溫補學派], who were influenced by Taoism, said in their theory of disease outbreak[發病學說] that since one must not hurt one's Yin essence and Yang fire [陰精陽火] there is more deficiency than excess, so that was why they used tonifying methods. Jin was also like them and this point of view is universal in internal medicine, gynecology, pediatric medicine and surgery and so on. 3. Jin, who saw the negative form of pulse diagnosis[診脈] emphasized following symptoms over pulse diagnosis using the spirit of ‘finding truth based on truth[實事求是]' in "Maekgyeolcheonmi(脈訣闡微)", but emphasized 'the combination of pulse and symptoms[脈證合參]'. He understood pulse diagnosis as a defining tool for symptoms, and in "Seoksilbirok(石室秘錄)" simplified pulse diagnosis into 10 methods : floating/sunken(浮沉), slow/fast(遲數), large/fine(大小), vacuous/replete(虛實) and slippery/rough(滑澀). 4. Jin used 'large formulas(大方)' a lot that usually featured a large dose, and in " Bonchosinpyeon(本草新編)" he thought of the seven formulas(七方) and ten preparations(十劑) as the standard when using medicine. He did away with old customs and presented a 'new(新)' and 'extra(奇)' point of view. He especially used a lot of Insam(人蔘) when tonifying Gi and Geumeunhwa(金銀花) when treating sores and ulcers. 5. In the area of surgery Jin gave priority to the early finding and treatment of disease with internal treatment[內治] and was against the overuse of acupuncture. However records of surgical measures in a special situation like lung abscesses(肺癰) and liver abscesses(肝癰), and anesthetic measures using 'Manghyeongju(忘形酒)' and 'Singoiyak(神膏異藥)' and opening the abdomen or skull, and organ transplants using a dog's tongue are important data. 6. Jin stated the diseases of Gi and blood broadly. Especially in the principles of treating blood, blood diseases had to be forwarded[順] and Gi regulation[理氣] was the number one priority and stated the following two treatments. First, in "Jeonggiinhyeolpyeon(精氣引血篇)" of volume 6 of "Oegyeongmieon(外經微言)", for the rules for treating blood he stated the pattern identification of finding Gi in blood and blood in Gi. Second, he emphasized Gi regulation(理氣) in blood diseases and stated that the Gi must be tonifyed after finding the source of the loss of blood.