• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.498-507
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• 2024

In the field of mental health care, long-term healing programs have gained widespread recognition for their effectiveness in promoting well-being. However, the efficacy of shorter-term interventions, such as 1-night 2-day programs, remains relatively understudied. The primary objective of this initiative is twofold: firstly, to enhance the overall well-being and resilience of participants, and secondly, to investigate the program's potential to ameliorate specific mental health indicators. These indicators include physical stress levels, autonomic nervous system health, brain activity, brain stress, and concentration. A 1-night 2-day mental health healing program was implemented for 560 civil servants from Jeollanam-do (mean age 47.87 yrs). The focus was on measuring changes through baseline assessments before participation and post-program assessments upon completion. Measurements included physical stress index, autonomic nervous system health, brain activity level, brain stress, and brain concentration. There was a significant decrease in physical stress, as well as a significant decrease in autonomic nervous system health (p<0.05). Although there was no significant difference in brain activity level, there was a tendency for brain activity level to stabilize in the high-frequency range. Additionally, a significant decrease in stress levels and an improvement in concentration were observed. Incorporating 1-night 2-day relaxation programs into our daily lives offers a holistic approach to caring for both our physical and mental health, providing essential moments of rejuvenation and self-care that contribute to overall well-being and fulfillment.

• Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.343-362
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• 2019

Background/Aims There has been major progress in our understanding of the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and novel treatment classes have emerged. The Rome IV guidelines were published in 2016 and together with the growing body of Asian data on IBS, we felt it is timely to update the Asian IBS Consensus. Methods Key opinion leaders from Asian countries were organized into 4 teams to review 4 themes: symptoms and epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and investigations, and lifestyle modifications and treatments. The consensus development process was carried out by using a modified Delphi method. Results Thirty-seven statements were developed. Asian data substantiate the current global viewpoint that IBS is a disorder of gut-brain interaction. Socio-cultural and environmental factors in Asia appear to influence the greater overlap between IBS and upper gastrointestinal symptoms. New classes of treatments comprising low fermentable oligo-, di-, monosacharides, and polyols diet, probiotics, non-absorbable antibiotics, and secretagogues have good evidence base for their efficacy. Conclusions Our consensus is that all patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders should be evaluated comprehensively with a view to holistic management. Physicians should be encouraged to take a positive attitude to the treatment outcomes for IBS patients.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.109-119
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• 2020

Soil-transmitted helminths and Schistosoma haematobium affect more than 3 billion people globally and mainly occur in sub-Saharan Africa. The present study assessed the overall infection status of a 1716-student cohort of schoolchildren in Zanzibar and applied mass drug administration (MDA) to the cohort from 2007 to 2009. Schools in Pemba, Zanzibar, had a much higher prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infections than those in Unguja, and the Chaani, Ghana, and Machui schools of Unguja exhibited high S. haematobium infection rates. The MDA program only partially controlled parasite infections, owing to high rates of re-infection. The infection rate of S. haematobium across all 10 schools, for example, was only reduced by 1.8%, and even this change not significant, even though the S. haematobium infection rates of the Chaani and Mzambarauni schools were significantly reduced from 64.4 and 23.4%, respectively, at the first screening, to 7.3 and 2.3% at the last screening. The overall infection rate of Ascaris lumbricoides was reduced from 36.0% at the first screening to 22.6% at the last screening. However, the infection rates for both Trichuris trichiura and hookworm were generally unaffected by MDA. In the future, parasite control programs should involve strategically designed MDA schedules and holistic intervention (e.g., sanitation improvement, hygiene behavior changes, and control of intermediated hosts).

• Journal of Sasang Constitution and Immune Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.165-190
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• 1996

Homoeopathy was established in 1796 by German physician Samuel Hahnemann(1755~1843). This method is an alternative form of therapy involving treatment by natural remedies. The basic principles of homeopathic medicine, "Similia similibus curantur", "experimenta in hominesano", "doses minimae" and "unitas remedii", are founded upon the idea of illness as a disorder of the internal equilibrium at the physical, mental and psychic levels. The three distinguishing characteristics of homeopathy are that remedies are prescribed on the totality of a person's symptoms, that the remedy likely to cure a person is a dilution of that remedies are prepared using microdoses of substances which are diluted and then vigorously shaken. This paper describes the basic principled of homeopathy and compared with the Sa-sang constitutional Medicine from the literature. 1. Homeopathy is the holistic medicine that derived from the competition of vitalism and mechanism, and it is the one of natural medicine that absorbed the influence of asian scholarship and theoretical background of oriental medicine. 2. Homeopathic remedy typologies and Sa-sang constitutional Medicine are same in the mind-body correlativity and in-born typologies. 3. In homeopathy, constitutional types are distinguished the variable types with variety of symptoms by the remedy picture, but comparably in Sa-sang constitutional medicine, it is determined only by the constitutional symptoms.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.289-292
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• 2020

Yemen has been faced with the worst cholera epidemic of modern times, with more than 1 million suspected cases and 3000 deaths at the time of writing. This problem is largely due to the longstanding civil war between pro-government forces and the Houthi armed movement, which has severely damaged already vulnerable sanitation and healthcare facilities and systems in the country. It is further compounded by a dire lack of basic amenities, chronic malnutrition, and unfavourable weather conditions. Another contributory component may be aerial transfer by cholera-infected chironomid insects. To contain the spread of cholera in Yemen, a nation-wide armistice should be negotiated, and national and local committees must be convened to coordinate efforts on the ground. Community isolation facilities with proper sanitation, reliable disposal systems, and a clean water supply should be set up to isolate and treat sick patients. The continuity of vaccination programmes should be ensured. Public health campaigns to educate local communities about good hygiene practices and nutrition are also necessary. The One Health paradigm emphasizes a multi-sectoral and transdisciplinary understanding and approach to prevent and mitigate the threat of communicable diseases. This paradigm is highly applicable to the ongoing cholera crisis in Yemen, as it demands a holistic and whole-of-society approach at the local, regional, and national levels. The key stakeholders and warring parties in Yemen must work towards a lasting ceasefire during these trying times, especially given the extra burden from the mounting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak worldwide.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.161-171
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• 2004

Objectives: Sasang Constitutional Medicine is popularly appliedto treatment in Korea. Constitution is a holistic concept contained internal and external characteristics, and physical traits including ordinary symptoms. Skin is one of constitutional property elements. So we researched a correlation female facial skin and sasang constitution. This is a basic study to find constitution can be a major factor to care and manage skin. Methods: We examined sasang constitution and facial skin condition of 100 healthy women who aged from 30 to 59. Hydration and sebum of facial skin was measured by skin diagnostic instrument and skin type was calculated from the data. Keratin, pore size, acne, and brightness of face was measured by skin magnifying lens and subjective skin troubles in ordinary times was also investigated. Constitution diagnosis and Skin diagnosis was investigated separately as a blind test andthe data was statistically analyzed with chi-square test, Correlation analysis, One-way analysis of variance. Results: 1. In sasang constitution, Taeeumingroup bad significant tendencies of larger hydration and sebum amount, combination degree of forehead and cheek was also higher than other constitutions(p<0.05). 2. Facial skin type was significantly different according to Sasang Constitution, Soeumin and Soyangin had a tendency of dry skin comparatively, but Taeeumin had mainly a tendency of combination skin and secondly dry skin(p<0.05). On the other hand, there was no correlation between age and skin type. 3. In subjective skin trouble, Soeumin group had less acne trouble than Soyangin and Taeeumin group(p<0.1). Pore size trouble was more frequent in Soyangin group than Soeumin group(p<0.05). Keratin trouble was more frequent in Soeumin group than Soyangin and Taeumin group(p<0.1). Conclusions: Korean healthy women's skin condition was different according to sasang constitution.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.279-289
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• 2024

Objectives: To report effects of M&L psychotherapy combined with Korean medical treatments on a patient with chronic low back pain. Methods: We treated a patient with chronic low back pain using M&L psychotherapy alongside a combination of Korean medical treatments, which included acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, cupping, and herbal medicine. The patient was diagnosed based on the ICD-11 diagnostic criteria for chronic primary pain. To evaluate the patient's progress, we used the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), and Beck's Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Results: After three weeks of inpatient treatment and two months of outpatient treatment, the patient showed significant improvement in both pain and psychological symptoms. The NRS score decreased from 7 to 2. The BDI score decreased from 54 to 11 and the BAI score decreased from 33 to 9. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that M&L psychotherapy combined with Korean medical treatments can significantly reduce chronic low back pain and improve psychological symptoms such as depression and anxiety. The patient's notable improvements in NRS, BDI, and BAI scores suggest that an integrated treatment approach addressing both physical and mental health aspects is effective for managing chronic pain. These findings support potential benefits of holistic and multidisciplinary strategies for treating patients with chronic pain.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.67-81
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• 2011

Background : Complementary and alternative medicine has bee used to cardiovascular diseases. In recent years, many hospitals have tried to integrate complementary and alternative medicine(CAM) with conventional medical approaches for patients with chronic diseases. Recently, the prevalence of the use of traditional Korean medicine(TKM) among patients with chronic diseases, expecially, hemiplegia patients after cerebrovascular accident is increasing in Korea. To date, however, there were only few studies addressing the patients' attitudes, and utilization of TKM, compared to the well-documented escalating use of TKM among consumers in Korea. Objectives : The objective of this study was to analyze the prevalence of TKM use among hemiplegia patients after cerebrovascular accident and to determine what factors affect to use CAM among the patients. The study also aims to provide information on TKM and assist therapy selection among various CAM therapies for hemiplegia patients after cerebrovascular accident within health care system in which both practitioners of TKM and practitioners of modern Western medicine coexisted. Methods : The design of the study was descriptive cross-sectional, and data were collected using a 32-items questionnaire. The subjects were one hundred fifty nine patients with chronic diseases who visited or admitted to health care facilities in a hospital in Seoul Metropolitan city, Korea. Data were analyzed using 'SPSS Statistics 18.0 Network Version(on release 18.0.1 of PASW Statistics)' program. Various statistical methods were used to obtain a profile for participants and the therapies most frequently used by hemiplegia patients of TKM. Logistic regression analysis was employed in order to determine the predicting variables of TKM use. Results : The prevalence of the use of TKM was 51.6%. The most common TKM therapies used by the patients included acupuncture(93.2%), herbal medicine(64.8%), and cupping(37.5%). Results of logistic regression analysis revealed that the variables significantly related with TKM use were gender, marital status, job, No. of visiting health care facilities/week. Conclusions : This study shows that the use of TKM among the hemiplegia patients is relatively high in Korea, this topic should be taken into account in the development of a holistic approach for patients with chronic diseases and an efficient chronic disease management system in Korea.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.1590-1596
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• 2007

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has gained in popularity among cancer patients in recent years. The use of CAM in cancer patients is common with about one third of patients using some form of CAM in Western countries. The purpose of this study was to analyze the use of CAM and determine what factors affect to use CAM among cancer patients to provide CAM therapy information and assist therapy selection among various CAM therapies to cancer patients. The design of the study was descriptive cross-sectional, and data were collected using a 16-item questionnaire. This study was conducted in subjects with confirmed diagnosis of stomach, colon, liver, or pancreas cancer, in both out-patients clinics and inpatients setting in a tertiary hospital in Seoul Korea. As a result, among the participants, past or current CAM use was reported by 75%, which shows a statistically significant difference in income groups(P<0.05), but no difference in age and religion groups. The most common therapies use by cancer patients included traditional Korean medicine (32.1%), folk remedies (26.6%), exercise (14%), dietary supplements (11.6%), physical therapy (9.9%), diet therapy (5%), and meditation (4%). 77.8% of patients show satisfaction and 64.4% shows perceived effectiveness of CAM. Male patients with higher income, and previous treatment were more likely to use CAM. The main benefits from CAM reported by cancer patients were psychological improvement and symptom improvement. Of the cancer patients used CAM, 30.9% were dissatisfied, 25.8% did not have benefits from the use, and 7.6% experience side effects. Cancer patients who prefer CAM (more than 3 kinds) used it to cure cancer, on the contrary, the one who do not prefer CAM used to improve symptoms and psychological stability. The main sources of information about CAM were family and friends(54.4%), and media(24.5%), doctor and nurse(18.3%), and religion group(2.6%). Findings suggest that due to the relatively high use of CAM among cancer patients in Korea, this topic should be taken into account in the development of a holistic approach to cancer patients and efficient cancer patients management system and proactive and consistent management of CAM is necessary in the health care system in Korea.

• CELLMED
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.2.1-2.16
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• 2011

Diverse medicinal uses of different types of products obtainable from Brassica juncea have been known for centuries. Most such traditionally known uses of the plant have been centered on its seeds and oils obtainable from them. During more recent decades diverse bio-active molecules and their therapeutically interesting pharmacological properties of its green edible leaves have also been described, and they are now often considered to be effective substitutes for other so called "healthy" Brassica vegetables. However, little concentrated effort has yet been made to obtain a pharmacologically better defined phytopharmaceutical from this easily cultivable plant of commercial interest in many underdeveloped and developing countries. The main aim of this overview is to point out some possibilities for designing and developing such products from the plant for combating the rapidly spreading obesity epidemic in the developed countries and some other countries. Efforts to achieve such goals could as well be an economically more feasible, and culturally more acceptable, starting point for better understanding the potential health benefits of other vegetarian foods.