• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.23-34
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• 2022

Purpose : This study examined the effects of pain, neck dysfunction, psychosocial level, headache impact test (HIT), postural alignment, and trapezius muscle tone of the complex exercise program using dynamic taping in patients with tension headache and chronic neck pain with forward head posture. Methods : The design of this is a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Thirty-four patients with chronic neck pain were screened using a randomized assignment program and assigned to experimental group (n=17) and control group (n=17). Both groups underwent a complex exercise program. In addition, the experimental group dynamic taping was applied to the upper trapezius muscle. All interventions were applied three times per week for four weeks. The visual analogue scale (VAS), the neck disability index (NDI), short form-12 health survey questionnaire (SF-12), Headache impact test-6 (HIT-6), Craniovertebral angle (CVA), Cranial rotation angle (CRA), upper trapezius muscle tone were compared to evaluate the effect on intervention. Results : Both groups showed significant differences before and after the intervention in VAS, NDI, SF-12, HIT-6, and CVA, CRA (p<.05). In addition, significant differences in NDI and upper trapezius muscle tone were observed between the experimental group and control group (p<.05). Conclusion : A complex exercise program using dynamic taping for patients with tension headache and chronic neck pain with forward head posture are effective method with clinical significance in improving the function and reducing upper trapezius muscle tone.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2022

Purpose : Obesity is a major public health burden in developed countries and a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Short sleep duration is associated with obesity, as well as diabetes, heart disease and death. In modern society, habitual sleep restrictions seem unavoidable due to social obligations and work schedules along with a tendency toward decreased sleep time. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the effect of differences in sleep time between weekdays and weekends on body mass index (BMI). Methods : This study involved 4,234 Korean adults aged 20 to 64 years based on data obtained from the 7th national health and nutrition examination survey (2016). All subjects were classified into the weekend catch-up sleep group (weekend CUS group). and the non catch-up sleep group (non-CUS group). Results : The longer the average sleep time, the lower was the BMI, and the larger the difference in sleep time between weekdays and weekends, the lower was the BMI. Compared with those with an average sleep time of 8 hours or more, obesity was 1.6-fold higher when the average sleep time was less than 6 hours, and 1.2-fold higher in the case of sleep time of 7 hours or more and less than 8 hours. When the difference in sleep time between weekdays and weekends was 0 or less, more than 0 hours but less than 1 hour, and more than 1 hour and less than 2 hours, the risk of obesity was 1.2-fold, 1.1-fold and 1.1-fold higher, respectively, compared with the risk associated with a sleep time difference of 2 hours or greater between weekdays and weekends. However, the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion : Short sleep duration is positively associated with obesity. In addition, weekend catch-up sleep affects BMI.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.63-70
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• 2023

Purpose : Excessive alcohol causes damage to skeletal muscles, leading to the development of a specific disease entity called alcoholic myopathy. Chronic inflammation is related as an underlying mechanism for the loss of muscle mass induced by alcohol. Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-α) and IL-6 (interleukin-6) play a role in this process. The acupuncture point Feng Shi (GB 31) is located on the midline of the lateral aspect of the thigh, above the transverse popliteal crease. This acupoint is used for the treatment of weakness, atrophy, numbness, and post-stroke symptoms of lower limbs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Feng Shi stimulation on muscle atrophy caused by chronic alcohol administration. Method : Young male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups of eight each: Normal, Control, and GB31. The rats in the Control and GB31 groups were orally given 25 % ethanol (5 ㎖/kg, body weight) daily for 4 weeks. The Normal group was similarly administered saline. The acupressure at Feng Shi was treated to rats in the GB31 group. After 4 weeks, the body weight, muscle weight and cross-sectional area of gastrocnemius were assessed and the histological changes in gastrocnemius muscle fiber were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Moreover, TNF-α and IL-6 expressions were immunohistochemistrically evaluated. Results : Acupressure stimulation at Feng Shi had a protective effect on the weight reduction of the gastrocnemius muscle caused by alcohol intake, and had an effect of suppressing anatomical change in muscle fiber and decreasing the average cross-sectional area. Also, the immunoreactivities of TNF-α and IL-6 in the GB31 group were decreased. Conclusion : These results suggest that acupressure at Feng Shi has protective effects on chronic alcohol-induced muscle atrophy by inhibiting pre-inflammatory proteins such as TNF-α and IL-6.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.784-793
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• 2018

Objective: Chronic migraine is a headache syndrome accompanied by nausea, dyspepsia, depression, and insomnia and it reduces the quality of life. The present case revealed that Korean medicine treatment and Functional Cerebrospinal Therapy (FCST) can reduce headache and nausea in patients with chronic migraine. Method: A 39-year-old female patient with chronic migraine visited Dunsan Korean Medicine Hospital. She had headache combined with moderate nausea and wanted to reduce her dose of almotriptan. We treated her with Korean medicine, including acupuncture, herbal medicine, and a Chuna treatment based on FCST. We evaluated her symptoms using a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for headache and nausea every day. Result: After 22 days of treatment, the NRS of headache and nausea had reduced. Her dose of almotriptan was also reduced and the patient felt improvement of in her quality of life. Conclusion: We suggest that Korean medicine treatment combined with FCST can improve the headache and nausea of chronic migraine patients.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.776-784
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• 2019

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the effects of traditional Korean medicine treatments on a patient diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. Case Summary: A 29-year-old male patient suffering from lower back pain and chest pain was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. Korean medicine treatments, including acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and herbal medicine, were applied. The treatment effect was evaluated with a numeral rating scale (NRS) for pain and by changes in C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). After 44 days of treatment, the patient's symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis were improved. The NRS score for lower back pain decreased from 3 to 2, and the NRS score for chest pain decreased from 10 to 1. In addition, the ESR level decreased from 13 to 10 and the CRP level decreased from 1.39 to 0.84. Conclusion: The integrative Korean medicine treatments appeared to be effective in relieving pain associated with ankylosing spondylitis.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.121-135
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• 2023

Objectives: This study aimed to establish and provide reliable information for general public, based on expert consensus, on the risks of misuse of medicinal herbs for food and pure food ingredients for the fetus during pregnancy. Methods: A panelist of seven traditional Korean medicine (TKM) gynecologists responded to a questionnaire summarizing the fetal safety literature for twenty-five medicinal herbs for food and pure food ingredients derived from medicated diet (藥膳, Yaksun) recipes during three online Delphi rounds anonymously. Results: Ginkgonis Semen (Ginkgo nut), Illici Veri Fructus (Star anise), lavender, bitter gourd, and parsley were agreed at the level 1 of "Do not consume". These five ingredients were recognized as having significant risks both in the literature evidence and in expert opinion. Rosemary, Citri Unshius Pericarpium, Discoreae Rhizoma, lemongrass, Schisandrae Fructus, Cassiae Semen, Foeniculi Fructus, Mori Fructus, Cinnamomi Cortex, and Astragali Radix were agreed at the level 2 of "consultation with TKM practitioner is required". Conclusion: Based on the consensus of a seven-member expert panel of TKM gynecologists, consumption of Ginkgonis Semen (Ginkgo nut), Illici Veri Fructus (Star anise), lavender, bitter gourd, and parsley should be avoided by pregnant women. For Rosemary, Citri Unshius Pericarpium, Discoreae Rhizoma, lemongrass, Schisandrae Fructus, Cassiae Semen, Foeniculi Fructus, Mori Fructus, Cinnamomi Cortex, and Astragali Radix, the level 2 advisory may be recommended to use with caution and to consult a TKM practitioner for advice on consumption, dose, and duration.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.83-93
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• 2014

Objectives The aim of this study is to analyse research trends about oriental obesity pattern identification in Korea. Methods We searched the papers with key words of 'obesity' and 'Pattern identification', 'Syndrom differentiation' in Korean database (Korean traditional knowledge portal, KISS, NDSL, DBPIA, KMBASE, Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation, Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research). We classified the papers by year and content. Results We reviewed 28 searched papers. Papers were published between 1992 and 2012. More than half of the total papers were published since 2008. There are 5 studies that focus on development and improvement of oriental obesity pattern identification questionnaire. 9 studies are research about using oriental obesity pattern identification questionnaire. 7 studies are research about Type of oriental obesity pattern identification. 4 studies are literature review of oriental obesity pattern identification. Other studies related to oriental obesity pattern identification are three. Conclusions To improve application and objectification about oriental obesity pattern identification, more clinical and oriental obesity pattern identification questionnaire studies are needed.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.841-850
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• 2019

Objective: The aim of this study was to report the effects of traditional Korean medicine as a treatment for the pain of a compression fracture in a patient with metastatic prostate cancer. Methods: A 60-year-old male patient with a compression fracture was treated with herbal medicines, acupuncture, and pharmacopuncture for 25 days. His chief complaints were severe low back pain, pain and numbness in both legs, and right groin pain. The effect of treatment was evaluated by the numerical rating scale (NRS) score for pain, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score, and blood test results (CBC-diff count, CRP, ESR, etc.). Results: After 25 days of inpatient treatment, the patient's pain was controlled. The NRS and ODI scores were lower and most pathological symptoms had decreased. Conclusions: Traditional Korean medicine can be a solution for patients with compression fractures arising from metastasis of prostate cancer to the spine.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.74-82
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• 2024

Objectives: The objective of this study was to explore the integration of Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) into existing clinical pathways for the treatment of gastric cancer. focusing on enhancing treatment outcomes and improving patient quality of life. Methods: Employing a prospective observational design, the study targeted adults aged 20-75 diagnosed with gastric cancer. It assessed the TKM pathway's impact on quality of life, tumor markers, complete blood count test values, and patient satisfaction, and monitored adverse reactions to evaluate effectiveness and safety. Results: The study demonstrated improved quality of life(QOL), as indicated by increased Karnofsky Performance Scale(KPS) scores Mean Difference(MD)=20.37, and better quality of life (MD=19.79) assessments. Blood test results showed notable enhancements in immune function markers such as Neutrophil (MD=-7.34%) and Lymphocyte (6.80%), and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)(MD=-11.05mm/hr). Both patient and medical staff satisfaction (MD=0.33) improved, although changes in tumor markers were not statistically significant. Conclusions: The integration of TKM into the treatment of gastric cancer can significantly improve patient quality of life and satisfaction. To further substantiate these results, developing and implementing more critical pathways across varied clinical settings, along with larger-scaled studies, are essential.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.7-14
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• 2018

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to confirm changes in the muscle activity of the quadriceps femoris with changes in the ankle and hip joint angles during the transition from sitting to standing. Method : Twenty-five healthy 20-30-year-old women participated in the study. The subjects performed standing-up movements in four positions: standard posture (hip = $90^{\circ}$/ankle = $0^{\circ}$); posture on a decline board (hip > $90^{\circ}$/ankle < $0^{\circ}$), posture on a footboard (hip > $90^{\circ}$/ankle = $0^{\circ}$); and posture on a decline board with a higher chair (hip = $90^{\circ}$/ankle < $0^{\circ}$). Then, the muscle activities of the rectus femoris, vastus medialis and vastus lateralis were measured using surface electromyography. Result : The muscle activities of the rectus femoris, vastus medialis and vastus lateralis in the footboard application were statistically significantly higher than in the application of the decline board with a higher chair. Conclusion : This study confirms that the flexion of the hip joint has a greater effect than the plantar flexion of the ankle joint on the muscle activity of the quadriceps during a sit-to-stand movement.