• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.449-453
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• 2024

Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) has long been used not only as a food supplement but also as a treatment for various diseases. Ginseng originated in South Korea, which later spread to China and Japan, has a wide range of pharmacological activities including immune, endocrine, cardiovascular, and central nervous system effects. KRG is produced by repetitions of steaming and drying of ginseng to extend preservation. During this steaming process, the components of ginseng undergo physio-chemical changes forming a variety of potential active constituents including ginsenoside-Rg3, a unique compound in KRG. Pandemic Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has affected both men and women differentially. In particular, women were more vulnerable to COVID-related distress which in turn could aggravate menopause-related disturbances. Complementary and alternative medicinal plants could have aided middle-aged women for several menopause-related symptoms during and post COVID-19 pandemic. This review aimed to explore the beneficial effects of KRG on menopausal symptoms and gynecological cancer.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.254-261
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• 2019

Internuclear Ophthalmoplegia (INO) is characterized by lesion side eye's adduction limitation in lateral horizontal gaze and nystagmus in the abducting eye due to lesions in the Medial Longitudinal Fasciculus (MLF). Brainstem infarction is one of the causes of INO, but related issues have seldom been reported in the Korean medical literature. The present case was a pontine infarction patient with INO who complained of diplopia and eye movement disorder. The patient was treated with Korean medicine treatment, including herbal medicine, acupuncture, cupping, and moxibustion for 30 days. Her changes in clinical symptoms were measured with a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and a length of External Ocular Movement (EOM), in which the patient's right eyeball moved to the left from the midline in the left gaze. After treatment, her clinical symptoms were improved. Diplopia decreased from NRS 10 to NRS 2, and eye movement disorder was improved such that EOM increased from 1mm to 5 mm. Therefore, integrative Korean medicine treatment may be effective in the treatment of INO patients caused by pontine infarction.

• 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.40 no.1
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• pp.12-23
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze the aspects of the Korean medicine (KM) treatment among children with cerebral palsy (CP) according to the disease characteristics. Methods: In a prospective observational multicenter study for children with CP, we analyzed 78 baseline questionnaires of children having experience of KM treatments such as acupuncture and Korean herbal medicine and 43 follow-up data of children who have received KM during the one observation year. Results: Of all the 182 participants, 38 children were currently getting KM treatment and 40 children have discontinued KM treatment. Children with non-spastic CP and more health problems tended to use KM. The most frequent reason for quitting acupuncture therapy was 'suffering of children' and the highest reason of stopping herbal medicine was 'rejection of children'. Among the 133 participants finished one year follow-up, 43 children have received at least one KM treatment. The average number of acupuncture therapy was twice a week and the average monthly cost of acupuncture therapy and herbal medicine were 65,922 won and 476,003 won, respectively. Children under 32 month old have received significantly more acupuncture and children with non-spastic CP have taken significantly more herbal medicine. Conclusions: Further study will be required to confirm the effectiveness of KM and increase the utilization of KM among the children with CP. More efforts should be made to increase the convenience of acupuncture therapy and herbal medicine and to expand the insurance coverage of KM for children with CP.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.11 no.spc
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• pp.85-95
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• 2005

The present article explored the studies on the relational mechanisms between trust and health in terms of psychosomatic medicine or integrative medicine. For this, the research findings of the Quantum physics, psychosomatic medicine, and traditional eastern healing methods on the mind-body problem and then a practical guide to greater physical and mental well-being is presented. In the first section of the Quantum mechanical human body, the body has a mind of its own, the mechanism and cause of disease, the body as objective experienced conscious, and the effects of consciousness and information on the body are includes. The second section is psychosomatic medicine. In this, the thought changing brain, placebo, the power of expectancy, achieving health by active endeavor, psychoneuroimmunology, and the several therapies are included. Finally, Dr. Benson and Proctor's practical guide to well-being in presented. It is emphasized that the four trusts (trust in oneself, one's doctor, one's treatment, and one's spiritual trust) are crucial to recovery from serious illness and to achieve better health.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.119-129
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• 2022

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Integrative treatment of traditional Korean medicine (TKM) on 7 hospitalized patients after hip fracture surgery, and to identify significant herbs and co-prescribed herbs by using network analysis and association rule mining. Methods A retrospective chart review of the 7 hospitalized patients treated for postoperative hip fractures between January and December 2021 was performed. All TKM treatments for the patients were identified and Wilcoxon signed-rank test was performed to compare hip pain and mobility on admission and discharge. We visualized the network of herbal medicines and complications. By using network analysis, we also identified the significant herbs (high centrality of degree, eigenvector, and sub-graph). Co-prescription patterns for the hip fracture patients were further analyzed by association rule mining. Results We found that TKM treatment significantly relieved hip pain and improved mobility. Accompanying symptoms reported by the patients were general weakness, anorexia, dizziness, delirium, edema, sputum, sore throat, cough, rhinorrhea, and chills. Herbs composed of Sagunja-tang and Samul-tang showed high centralities and high associations with other herbs. In addition, Gupan, Nokyong, Yukjongyong, Useul, and Hyunhosaek were identified as important herbs for postoperative hip fracture patients. Conclusions This study provides evidence for clinical TKM use as an effective postoperative treatment for pain relief and improvement of mobility in patients with hip fractures. In addition, herbs that can be considered in the treatment of patients after hip fracture surgery were identified through network analysis and association rule mining.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.371-376
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• 2010

Glycyrrhizae radix (GR) is an herbal medicine that is commonly used in the East Asia for treating a variety of diseases, including stomach disorders. The objective of the present study was to examine the anti-stress effects of GR on repeated stress-induced alterations of anxiety, learning and memory in rats. Restraint stress was administered for 14 days (2 h/day) to the rats in the Control and GR groups (400 mg/kg/day, PO). Starting on the eighth day, the rats were tested for spatial memory on the Morris water maze test (MW) and for anxiety on the elevated plus maze (EPM). We studied the changes of the expressions of cholineacetyl transferase (ChAT) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in the locus coerleus (LC) using immunohistochemistry. The results showed that the rats treated with GR had significantly reduced stress-induced deficits on their learning and memory on the spatial memory tasks. In addition, the ChAT immunoreactivities were increased. Gor the EPM, treatment with GR increased the time spent in the open arms (p<0.001) as compared to that of the control group. Moreover, GR treatment also normalized the increases of the TH expression in the LC (p<0.001). In conclusion, administration of GR improved spatial learning and memory and reduced stress-induced anxiety. Thus, the present results suggest that GR has the potential to attenuate the behavioral and neurochemical impairments caused by stress.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.1-15
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• 2016

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the difference of early muscle strengthening exercise(starting at 1 week) on pain, function and sleep quality for rotator cuff partial tear patients. Method : Experimental group 15 people, control group 15 people, was a total of 30 people. Group-specific arbitration method, was applied to early muscle strengthening exercise (experimental group) and general movement treatment(Starting at 6 week) (control group). Both groups were subjected to 40 minutes of basic physical therapy interventions four times a week over an six-week intervention period. In this study, Pain, function and sleep quality measured by VAS, PPT and ROM, CMS, SST and PSQI. Result : 1. The VAS and PPT in the experimental group and control group before and after treatment were significant difference(p<.01). Comparison between the two groups in the change in motion before and after treatment also showed a statistically significant(p<.01). 2. Comparison functional Assessment of the shoulder ROM, CMS and SST in the experimental group and control group before and after treatment were significant difference(p<.01). ROM was not significant differences between the groups but CMS and SST were significant differences between the groups. 3. PSQI in the experimental group and control group before and after treatment were significant difference(p<.01). Comparison between the two groups in the change in motion before and after treatment also showed a statistically significant(p<.01). Conclusion : Therefore, early muscle strengthening exercise is useful to improve the shoulder function and pain for rotator cuff tear patients.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.163-171
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• 2021

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to examine the anti-inflammatory effects of Sparassis crispa (SC). SC is a well-known traditional herbal remedy and its mushroom is used for treatment of inflammation. Many diseases that are increasing recently have characteristics of inflammatory diseases. Researchers are finding bioactive substances from natural products that can promote treatment and prevention of inflammation. We investigated the effect of water extracted from SC on the expression of effector genes involved in the function of RAW 264.7 cells. Methods : Effects of RAW 264.7 cells on cell viability, antioxidation, and mRNA expression were examined using water extracts from SC. A 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay was performed to determine the effect of water extracts from SC on cell viability in RAW 264.7 cells. Inflammation of RAW 264.7 cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment and expression levels of inflammatory cytokine TNF-α, iNOS and IL-1β gene were analyzed using quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis. Results : The MTS assay was performed on RAW 264.7 cells after treatment with various concentrations of water extracts of SC. Treatment of RAW 264.7 cells with water extracts from SC and LPS at a concentration of 0.125, 0.5 mg/㎖ for twenty four hours promoted mRNA expression of TNF-α, iNOS and IL-1β. Conclusion : MTS assay was applied to RAW 264.7 cells after various concentrations of water extracts of SC. Through experimental demonstration of anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of water extracts from SC, we suggest that SC is a valuable material for the prevention and treatment of various inflammatory diseases.