• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.506-516
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• 2019

Objectives: This study aimed to report five patients who had multiple rib fractures after a traffic accident who improved with the combination of Korean medical admission treatment. Methods: We collected the data of traffic accident patients with multiple rib fractures who were admitted to the Daejeon Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine from April 2018 to May 2018 to receive the combinational Korean medical treatment. We observed these cases of patients treated by Acupuncture, Pharmacopuncture, Herbal medicine, Oriental physical therapy, Chuna treatment. We measured the validity of the treatment with a numerical rating scale (NRS) and the European Quality of Life-5 Dimension (EQ5D) at admission, at two weeks, and at the discharge date of hospitalization. Results: At the end of the treatment, all patients showed a decrease in NRS scores and in increase in EQ5D. The median NRS score was 6 (5-7) at the date of admission and 4 (2-7) at two weeks and then decreased to 3 (2-6). The median EQ5D score was 0.513 (0.350-0.752) at the date of admission and 0.692 (0.418-0.913) at two weeks, and then increased to 0.783 (0.671-0.913). Conclusions: After the combination of Korean medicine admission treatment, five patients with multiple rib fractures after a traffic accident showed that the treatments were effective. However, the number of subjects was insufficient and individual efficacy was not measured in this study. Therefore, further studies are needed on this topic.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.375-384
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• 2021

Objective: This study was designed to analyze the clinical features of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients who attended a Korean medicine hospital and the treatment effects through retrospective chart reviews. Methods: The medical records of 82 outpatients who had been diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and visited the Allergy, Immune, and Respiratory System Department of Kyung Hee Korean Medicine Hospital from 8 January 2015 to 8 January 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. To assess the treatment outcomes, we used the FVC (Forced Vital Capacity), DLCO (Diffusing capacity of the Lung for CO), 6-minute walk test, and HRCT (High Resolution Computed Tomography). Results: The study group consisted of 28 females and 54 males. The median age of the patients was 67.98±11.44 years. The chief complaints were cough (n=51) and dyspnea (n=49). Other frequent symptoms were general weakness (n=8), weight loss (n=4), and a fever (n=2). A total of 77 (93.90%) patients were prescribed Korean herbal medicine, and 52 (63.41%) patients were treated with acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping therapy, ICT, or pharmacopuncture. After treatments, FVC, DLCO, the 6-minute walk test, and HRCT were maintained or worsened slightly. Conclusions: This study presented the characteristics of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients treated by Korean medical therapies, and further studies of Korean medical treatments for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients would be valuable.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.339-346
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• 2006

Background: There has no known epidemiologic survey on the frequency of complementary-alternative medicine (CAM) use in the treatment of adult asthma in Korea. This study examined the current use of CAM by asthma patients in Korea. Methods: One hundred adults with asthma, who had been admitted to Kyunghee university hospital between January 2000 and December 2003, were enrolled in this survey. They received a structured questionnaire interview and a clinical assessment of prevalence and pattern of CAM use. Results: 53% patients had an experience of at least one type of CAM during their asthma management. Users of CAM had more hospital visits than those who had never used CAM($1.46{\pm}0.68$ vs. $2.11{\pm}1.20$, p=0.001). Those in their $50^{th}$ decades had more experience of CAM (80%) than the other age groups. The methods of CAM used by our patients are as follows: Diet/nutritional therapy in 35 patients(69%), herbal therapy in 28 patients(53%), acupuncture in 9 patients(17%), moxa treatment in 6 patients(11%), breathing exercises in 1 patient(2%). Conclusions: More than 50% of patients with bronchial asthma have used CAM. A more detailed and large scaled study will be needed to define the actual status of the use of CAM in the treatment for asthma. Inaddition, further research on the scientific validation of the clinical efficacy of CAM in asthma management should be followed.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.10
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• pp.1103-1108
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• 2009

Purpose: Recently, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has been increasingly used in children. Studies have shown that 34% of adults and 11% of children use CAM in the USA and Canada. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and patterns of CAM use in elementary children in Korea. Methods:From July to August 2007, parents of elementary children completed a questionnaire survey at Gwang-ju. In all, 794 questionnaires were analyzed. Results:Of the 794 respondents, 278 answered that their pupils (35%) had experienced CAM. The following types of CAM therapy were used: herbal medicine, 62.5% dietary supplements, 31.2% vitamins, 30.2% and acupuncture, 11.1%. CAM therapies were used for the following diseases: nutritional deficiency, 33.3% atopic dermatitis, 31.3% arthralgia, 31.3% allergic rhinitis, 28.8% obesity, 26.3% and asthma. The following were the motives to use CAM: prevention of diseases (33.5%), dissatisfaction with modern medicine (21.2%), and complementary therapy to modern medicine (20.5%). People gained information about CAM through neighbors (65%) and mass media (21%). Moreover, 83 parents (30%) were satisfied with CAM because of its effectiveness. Conclusion:Many parents have advocated the use of CAM in their children. However, most of them used CAM without any prescription or adequate knowledge. Further studies are required to determine the efficacy of CAM.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.77-89
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to analyse current status and treatment of the Korean medicine hospital after chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer. Methods: We investigated the medical records of 21 patients who admitted to Korean medicine hospital after chemotherapy in patients with breast cacner from March 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019. We searched medical records retrospectively and analyzed current status and treatment of Korean medicine hospital. Results: The average age of 21 participants was 52.81±8.38 years and 40s and 50s accounted for 85.6% of the total. After receiving chemotherapy, the average time to hospitalization was 1.87±3.13days and average hospital stay was 9.78±4.14 days. The subjects were classified as 28.6% of stage I, 52.4% of stage II, 9.5% of stage III, and 9.5% of stage IV. The analysis according to the presence of metastasis was 57.1% without metastasis, 33.3% with axillary lymph node metastasis, and 9.5% with distant metastasis. The main symptoms complained when hospitalized by 21 subjects were nausea (54.2%), fatigue (54.2%), and anorexia (50.8%) in over 50%, pantalgia (47.5%), and insomnia (47.5%), dizziness (44.1%), cold sweating (42.4%), lower extremity pain (40.7%), 37.5~37.9℃ fever (39.0%), headache (37.3%), hot flush (37.3%), pruritus (30.5%) are 30% or more. Korean medicine treatment was performed in 87.4% of all hospitalizations and Gwakhyangjunggi-san-gami was the most administered prescription. Extracts of Korean medicine was performed in 100.0% of all patients and Eunkyo-san was most administered extracts medicine. Acupuncture, moxibustion, and cupping treatments were performed in all 21 study subjects. Other treatments was performed at a frequency of hyperthermia (90.5%), lymph massage (23.8%), air compression therapy (23.8%), and Interference current therapy (19.0%) Conclusion: Korean traditional medicine can be used as a countermeasure for side effects after chemotherapy in breast cancer patients.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.58-68
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• 2015

Objectives : To evaluate the long-term survival effects of traditional Korean medicine (TKM) on refractory metastatic lung cancer and small cell lung cancer (SCLC), which have historically poor survival rates. Methods : A retrospective study was conducted using the medical records of two patients in Daejeon University hospital. The first patient, with SCLC, was treated from January 2000 to December 2009 and the other, with metastatic pulmonary cancer from primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), was treated from September 2004 to February 2014. The patients were treated with herbal medicines at one-month intervals. During hospitalization, acupuncture and indirect moxibustion were performed concurrent with the administration of Western therapy. Treatment efficacy was assessed monthly using chest radiography, chest computed tomography, and laboratory examination data, and by measuring patient performance status. Results : Both patients exhibited a stable disease course for more than 9 years after the initial diagnosis of intractable lung cancer, suggesting that their disease status was controlled by TKM. Conclusions : We suggest that a combination of TKM with conventional Western therapy for refractory lung cancer patients is effective in controlling various symptoms related to lung cancer and improving quality of life, and may potentially prolong overall survival.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.336-344
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• 2006

Objects : This study has been carried out to assess the effects of the variable herbs on $IFN-{\gamma}$ secretion in the mouse spleen cell. Methods : 202 kinds of herb extracts were used to evaluate the $IFN-{\gamma}$ secretory distinction by each $1{\mu}g/ml$ and $10{\mu}g/ml$ density of water. All experimental herbs were grouped by oriental herbalogical method. But each herb had its independent variables. Results : The secretions increased in 20% of all herbal water. The density differences also make different effects on the secretion of $IFN-{\gamma}$. The secretion of IFN-${\gamma}$ inclosed in some kinds of herbs of IFN-${\gamma}$. It has representatively increased in Imperaetae Rhizoma(白茅根) of $1{\mu}g/ml$ and Notopterygii Rhizoma(羌活)of $10{\mu}g/ml$. $IFN-{\gamma}$ incresed in 12 kinds of heybs of both densities. The secretion of $IFN-{\gamma}$ decreased in some kinds of herbs of $IFN-{\gamma}$. It has representatively decreased in Moutan Radicis Cortex(蘇丹皮) of $1{\mu}g/ml$ and Angelicae Radix(富歸尾) of $10{\mu}g/ml$. $IFN-{\gamma}$ decreased in 18 kinds of herbs of both densities. In t oriental herb group, The secretion of $IFN-{\gamma}$ increased in Bang-Hyang-Hwa-Sup group(芳香化濕藥), He-Pyo group(解表藥), I-Su-Sam-SuP group(利水渗) The secretion of $IFN-{\gamma}$ decreased in Gu-Chung group(驅蟲藥), An-Sin group(安神藥). Su-Sap group(收澁) On-Li group(溫裏藥), I-Gi group(利氣藥). Conclusions : The result of this study will not only broaden applications of oriental medicine to biological therapy, but also form the basis of oriental medical therapy to find out the meaning of oriental classification.

• 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.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.213-223
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• 2013

Objectives Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common reason for people in Korea to visit Korean medical institutions. To assess actual amounts of use in the treatment of LBP in Korean medicine and to provide objective base line data for policy decision making, research regarding the current state of LBP patients' treatment in Korean medical institutions are in need. Methods The current study was designed as a retrospective chart review to investigate descriptive characteristics of LBP patients. The clinical records of 304 patients who were hospitalized for the treatment of LBP in Korean rehabilitation medicine inpatient clinics of five different Korean medicine hospitals were analyzed. The percentage of patient characteristics such as sex, age, average duration of admission, insurance type, diagnosed LBP related disease code, and rates of interventions applied were assessed. Results 1. The female sex was significantly predominant among patients with LBP : 105 patients (34.5%) were male and 199 patients (65.5%) were female. Percentage of the patients' age appeared as followed : 76 people (25.0%) were in their 50s, 64 people (21.1%) were in their 40s, 51 people (16.8%) were in their 30s, 37 people (12.2%) were in their 60s, and 33 people (10.9%) were in their 70s. Approximately half of the total LBP patients investigated were older than 50. 2. The average duration of admission was 16.2 days. Approximately one third (30.3%) of the patients were hospitalized for 8 to 14 days. 3. Female patients tended to stay admitted in hospitals slightly longer than male patients. Elderly (age 60~79) patients stayed in hospitals longer (17.8 days) compared to younger (age 20~39) patients (13.5 days). 4. More than half of the patients (171 cases, 56.3%) had their hospital bills covered with automobile insurance. 40.1% (122 cases) of the patients had medical insurance to cover their hospital bills. The average duration of admission of patients who had automobile insurance was 14.2 days, while that of the patients who had medical insurance was 18.4 days. 5. "Sprain and strain of the lumbar spine and pelvis" was the most commonly used (195 cases, 64.1%) disease code in patients with LBP. Patients diagnosed as "lumbar and other intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy" required the longest admission duration (22.1 days). 6. Herbal medication was applied to all of the patients during admission. Acupuncture was applied to all of the patients except one case diagnosed as spinal stenosis. Physical therapy, cupping therapy, moxibustion therapy, chuna therapy, and pharmacopuncture therapy were applied to 94.7, 92.8, 85.2, 83.9, and 49.7% of the patients, respectively. 7. There were certain differences among Korean medicine hospitals in terms of the LBP patients' duration of admission, type of insurance, frequency of the disease code use, type of intervention applied. Conclusions It is thought that the current study can be used as reference data in assessing the current state of LBP treatment in Korean rehabilitation medicine and a basis for future research. Provided improvements of certain limitations of the current study in future researches, such data would act as better base line data in policy decision making.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.105-121
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• 2016

Objectives The purpose of this study was to compare the effects between the degree of herniated intervertebral lumbar disc (HIVD) at L4-5 level and improvement of low back pain treated by Korean Medicine therapy. Methods 567 patients who received inpatient treatment from May 2014 to December 2015 in the Daejeon-Jaseng of Korean Medicine Hospital were divided into 6 groups by the degree of HIVD at L4-5 level confirmed with a Lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging. All patients received a combination of treatment including acupunture, chuna manual therapy, pharmacopunture, herbal medication. They were compared and analyzed on the basis of improvement between measuring Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), EuroQol-5 Dimension Index (EQ5D Index) as they were hospitalized and as they were discharged. The statistically significance was evaluated by SPSS 23.0 for windows. Results After treatment, Normal stage on Intervertebral Lumbar Disc at L4-5 level group's Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), EuroQol-5 Dimension Index (EQ5D Index) improvement was $1.30{\pm}1.62$, $4.52{\pm}11.82$ and $0.04{\pm}0.11$ respectively. Bulging group's improvement was $3.25{\pm}2.81$, $8.28{\pm}13.02$ and $0.09{\pm}0.17$ respectively. Spinal canal occupying ratio (SOR) less than 20 group's improvement was $2.15{\pm}1.92$, $11.79{\pm}17.81$ and $0.13{\pm}0.23$ respectively. SOR 20 to less than 40 stage group's improvement was $2.13{\pm}1.92$. $10.79{\pm}15.93$ and $0.10{\pm}0.26$ respectively. SOR 40 to less than 60 group's improvement was $2.16{\pm}2.24$, $9.80{\pm}16.62$ and $0.15{\pm}0.25$ respectively. Surgery group's improvement was $2.47{\pm}2.21$, $11.64{\pm}18.53$ and $0.15{\pm}0.27$ respectively (p<0.03). But there was no statistically significance between 6 group's improvement after treatment (p>0.05). Conclusions After inpatient treatment by Korean Medicine therapy, Most patient's pain, disability and Health Related Quality of Life was improved significantly. But there was no statistically correlation between the degree of HIVD at L4-5 level and improvement of low back pain. So We think that future research of higher quality and correct statistics shall be necessary.