• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.251-263
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to review the clinical research trends in the treatment of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Korean medicine (KM). Methods: We searched MEDLINE, CENTRAL, EMBASE, Google Scholar and five Korean databases through May 2019, for studies on KM to treat PTSD. Clinical research that conducted KM treatment of PTSD patients were included. Two researchers independently conducted study selection and data extraction process. Results: Totally, eight studies were included in this review. Types of traumatic events that patients experienced included physical violence/threatening, traffic accidents, sexual violence and personal tragic events. KM interventions performed included acupuncture, moxibustion, herbal medicine, physical therapy, and KM-based psychotherapy. Treatment duration varied from two days to more than five months. Follow-up began at least one week to three months after the end of treatments. It was reported that the major psychological and/or somatic symptoms of PTSD, such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, and musculoskeletal pain, subjectively improved, as well as other objective outcomes: Impact Event Scale-Revised Korean version (IES-R-K), Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Hwabyung Symptoms/characters, Electroencephalography (EEG) change, etc. Statistical studies were conducted in three studies only. Outcomes such as Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), BDI, and IES-R-K showed statistically significant improvement after KM treatments. There was no study reporting adverse events during or after the interventions. Conclusions: According to this review, diverse types of KM treatments have been used among PTSD patients in eight studies. The KM treatments effectively improved psychological and somatic symptoms of PTSD patients. However, the lack of high quality research as well as the lack of standardization of KM treatments for PTSD are limitations. Further methodologically robust clinical trials should be performed, and the standardization of KM treatments for PTSD should be sought.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.709-722
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• 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study was to report the effect of traditional Korean medicine (TKM) in alleviating the side effects of lung cancer patient undergoing immunotherapy. Method: A 43-year-old man, who was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer, received pembrolizumab treatments. The patient was treated with acupuncture and herbal medicine (Geoeoyangpye-tang) to control various uncomfortable symptoms. The degree of pain was measured by the numeric rating scale (NRS). The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire, Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and the EORTC 13-item lung cancer-specific module (EORTC LC-13 questionnaire) were used to assess the change in the quality of life. Results: After the TKM treatment, the flank pain and arthralgia based on the NRS were significantly improved. Various uncomfortable symptoms such as fatigue, dyspnea, insomnia, and loss of appetite were also significantly improved, based on the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-LC13. The size of the primary tumor was decreased during treatment. The disease status was stable radiologically after two months from discharge.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.730-741
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• 2019

Objective: The aim of this study was to report the effectiveness of traditional Korean medicine treatment with rehabilitation exercise on a chronic intracerebral hemorrhage patient with a severe gait disturbance. Method: The patient was treated with Korean herbal medicine (Gami-sibjeondaebo-tang) along with acupuncture, moxibustion, and rehabilitation exercise. The treatment effect was evaluated through the Manual Muscle Test (MMT) and the Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI). The gait of the patient was evaluated by Functional Ambulatory Category (FAC) and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. The spatiotemporal parameters were evaluated by a walkway system (GAITRite(R) system) and gait symmetry was evaluated by Symmetry Criterion (SC). Results: After 111 days of traditional Korean medicine treatment, the spatiotemporal parameters and symmetry of the patient's gait improved. Conclusion: This study suggested that traditional Korean medicine treatment with rehabilitation exercise could be effective for gait disturbance in patients with chronic intracerebral hemorrhage.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.220-227
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• 2019

Objectives: Parkinson's disease is the neurodegenerative disease that affects both motor and non-motor function, including postural instability. Camptocormia is an abnormal condition in which the thoracolumbar spine bends forward during walking or standing. However, the treatment options are limited and often not effective. The purpose of this study was to report on the Korean medical treatment of a Parkinson's disease patient with postural instability who presented with camptocormia. Methods: We used Korean medical treatment including herbal medicine (Jemageopung-tang), acupuncture and pharmacopuncture therapy to the patient who was admitted to the hospital for 21 days. The clinical symptoms were assessed with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and walking time without assistance. Results: After treatment, the UPDRS Parts 2 and 3 scores were decreased from 5 to 3 and 20 to 9, respectively. Also, the walking time without assistance was improved. Conclusion: This study suggested that Korean medical treatment could be an effective option for treating Parkinson's disease with postural instability.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.203-210
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• 2021

Bertolotti's syndrome is a rare spinal disease and it is known to cause low back pain due to a lumbosacral transitional vertebra. There has been rare study of Bertolotti's syndrome. This study reports the effects of Korean medicine treatment on the patient who was diagnosed on Bertolotti's syndrome. The patient was treated with Korean medicine treatment including acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, herbal medicine, and Chuna manual therapy during 40 days. Numerical rating scale (NRS), Euroqol five dimension (EQ-5D) index, Oswestry disability index (ODI), lumbar range of motion were used for assessment. After treatment, low back pain NRS decreased from 3 to 2, and low limb pain NRS decreased from 5 to 2. EQ-5D index, ODI and lumbar range of motion also were improved. This study shows Korean medicine treatment can be an effective care for Bertolotti's syndrome.

• Journal of Korean Medical Ki-Gong Academy
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.85-103
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• 2020

Objective : A common treatment for hypothyroidism is to supplement the deficient hormones. However, taking hormone medication does not improve clinical symptoms or side effects, so it is necessary to develop other improved treatments. The purpose of this study is to report that the Korean medicine treatment along with Whidam's Gokgol(CV2) Sugi therapy has improved symptoms of hypothyroidism and related the level of TSH, free T4 after halting the use of levothyroxine. Methods : We employed Korean medicine treatment; herbal-medication(延齡固本丹 and 加減平胃散), acupuncture, and cupping therapy, and so forth. At the same time, we treated the patient with Whidam's Sugi therapy(especially, Gokgol Sugi therapy). We treated the patient more than five times a week for the first month and treated more than three times a week for the next three months. Since then, we have treated the patient once or twice a week. The patient took a total of four blood tests during her treatment in 2012 and 2017. Results : 1. Both TSH and free T4 levels and clinical symptoms were normalized for patient with hypothyroidism who stopped taking levothyroxine by treating the patient with Korean medicine treatment and Whidam's Sugi therapy. 2. The combination of Korean medicine treatment and Whidam's Sugi therapy was also used in the case of subclinical hypothyroidism patient. 3. The combination of Korean medicine treatment and Whidam's Sugi therapy for hypothyroidism lasted for five years, not just for a short period of time. Conclusions : The combination of Korean medicine treatment and Whidam's Sugi therapy(especially, Gokgol Sugi therapy) was effective in the treatment of hypothyroidism and it helped to normalize the level of TSH, free T4. It is hoped that further clinical research will continue in the future so that it can be used not only for hypothyroidism but also for other endocrine diseases.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.166-174
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• 2022

Objective: The aim of this study is to report the effectiveness of Korean medicine for a patient with dizziness following anterior inferior cerebellar artery infarction. Methods: The patient was treated with traditional Korean methods including acupuncture, herbal therapy, moxibustion, and vestibular rehabilitation exercise during an admission period of seven days. The patient's dizziness was assessed using a numeric rating scale (NRS) and the Korean Dizziness Handicap Inventory (K-DHI), Korean Activities-specific Balance Confidence (K-ABC), Korean Vestibular Disorders Activities of Daily Living (K-VADL), the modified Rankin scale (mRS), and the Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI). Results: After seven days of combined treatment with traditional methods and vestibular rehabilitation, the patient's dizziness was reduced from NRS 6-7 to NRS 2. In addition, K-DHI decreased from 84 to 22; K-ABC improved from 52% to 78.125%; K-VADL reduced from 175 to 37; the mRS score changed from 4 to 1; and the K-MBI score increased from 86 to 98. No adverse events were observed during treatment. Conclusion: This study suggests that combined therapy of Korean medicine and vestibular rehabilitation can be effective treatment for anterior inferior cerebellar artery infarction patients.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.95-104
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• 2022

Objectives : This study is to report a case of otitis media with effusion accompanied by atopic dermatitis improved by Korean medicine monotherapy. Methods : A 31-year-old woman patient visited our clinic for aural fullness, hearing loss, and tinnitus of the left ear on August 14th, 2021. She also had abdominal pain, diarrhea, and general weakness because of side effects of antibiotics. Besides, she had nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, and dry skin. Through otoscopy, her tympanum was fully filled with yellow effusion. She only took Korean medicine therapy including acupuncture and herbal medicine weekly. The treatment continued for about 4 months(total 14 visits) until December 4th, 2021. Otoscopy, numerical rating scale(NRS), scoring atopic dermatitis(SCORAD) index were used to assess the symptoms. Results : On August 30, 2021, her intestinal symptoms improved. The left tympanum was recovered to normal condition as the treatment continued. The effusion disappeared on October 16th, 2021. On November 6th, 2021, peritympanic blood congestion also almost alleviated. Subjective symptoms including aural fullness, hearing loss, and tinnitus disappeared on October 16, 2021. Nasal symptoms and dry skin also improved. The SCORAD index dropped from 15 to 4. Conclusions : These results suggests that otitis media with effusion can be sufficiently managed by Korean medicine therapy. Further, active application of Korean medicine therapy to common otolaryngological diseases is necessary.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.175-191
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• 2021

Objectives: This study aims to analyze the medical record of eight cases of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in a local Korean medicine clinic, in order to provide evidence on Korean medicine treatment of PCOS and to suggest the direction of future studies. Methods: The medical records of eight cases diagnosed with PCOS based on 2003 Rotterdam Criteria and whose total testosterone level was 0.53 ng/ml and over were retrospectively analyzed. The primary outcome was total testosterone level, and the secondary outcomes included luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, LH/FSH ratio, weight, last mentrual period (LMP), numerical rating scale (NRS) score of dysmenorrhea, and other associated symptoms pre- and post-treatment. Korean medicine treatment consists of the complex herbal prescription consisting of Yukmijihwang-tang, Baekho-tang, Daesiho-tang, and Gyejibokryeong-hwan, modified according to symptoms; acupuncture and electroacupuncture on 中脘 (CV12), 下脘 (CV10), 關元 (CV4), 石門 (CV5), 合谷 (LI4), 太衝 (LR3), 三陰交 (SP6), and 懸鍾 (GB39); and indirect moxibustion on 神闕 (CV8). Results: The average total testosterone level lowered statistically significantly after the treatment. The average FSH and LH levels lowered with insignificance, while the average LH/FSH ratio and weight lowered statistically significantly. During the treatment period of three to six months, every patient had the menstrual cycle shortened except for one case; and two cases with infertility problem succeeded in being pregnant. There was no adverse event. Conclusions: The Korean medicine treatment was found effective in treating PCOS, especially regarding hyperandrogenism, amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea, and infertility.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.140-151
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• 2021

The aim of this study is to report the effectiveness of a traditional Korean medicine treatment for oculomotor nerve palsy induced by traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage. A 54-year-old male patient with oculomotor nerve palsy induced by traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage after a traffic accident was treated with Korean medicine, including acupuncture, electroacupuncture, sweet bee venom pharmacoacupuction, moxibustion, and herbal medicine. The effect of treatment on symptoms - ptosis, and eye movement - was evaluated using a ratio of eye opening and eye movement between the paralyzed eye and the normal eye. After 41 days of treatment, the clinical symptoms had improved. The ptosis and eye movement started to show improvement from day 20; at the time of discharge, ptosis had improved by more than 50%, and eye movement showed some improvement as well. This study suggests that Korean medicine may be an effective treatment for oculomotor nerve palsy induced by traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage.