• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.99-118
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• 2021

Objectives: The aim of this study is to review and analyze the trends in prospective clinical research (PCR), project, clinical study protocol of Korean medicine (KM) for dementia. Methods: We searched PCRs of KM on dementia in six electronical databases, up to January 28, 2021. Moreover, the clinical research protocol and projects of KM for dementia were searched. Results: Total eight PCRs, nine projects, and three clinical study protocols were included. In the PCRs, there were one randomized controlled trial, five before and after study, and two comparative group before-after studies. Four of them used herbal medicine, two used acupuncture, one study used both herbal medicine and acupuncture, and the other one used moxibustion. Jowiseungchung-tang was the most frequently used herbal medicine. BL62, KI6 were used in electro-acupuncture, auricular-Shenmen in auricular acupuncture, and GV20 in moxibustion. The most frequent outcome was Korean-Dementia Rating Scale (K-DRS). One reported significant increase in K-DRS score, one reported 60% improvement, and the other studies mostly reported no significant difference. In the projects including 20 clinical studies of dementia, herbal medicine, integrative medicine and acupuncture were mainly used. In the protocols, herbal medicine, complex KM intervention, and integrative medicine were used. Conclusions: Currently, the number of PCRs of KM for dementia is very scarce. Therefore, the researcher's interest in this field and national research support should be made more, and the quality of clinical research in the future can be further improved by supplementing the limitations of previously published clinical research.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.1-16
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• 2012

Background : Integrative cancer treatment is a holistic approach embracing body, mind, and spirit incorporating conventional treatments of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and personalized complementary treatments. Wheel Balance Therapy (WBT) of East-West Cancer Center(EWCC), Dunsan Oriental Hospital of Daejeon University was developed to balance out all factors involved in cancer care based on the traditional theories of oriental medicine. Objective : This work aims to analytically review literatures on WBT and its related components. Methods : Literatures published from January 1st, 1990 to April 30th, 2011 were reviewed focusing on 4 main components of WBT; herbal medicine, immune activation, anti-cancer diet, and breathing/meditation. Data were retrieved from medical search engines and electronic data bases including Pubmed, Research Information sharing Service (RISS), Korean-studies Information Service System (KISS), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Korea's National Digital Library (KNDL). Results : In this review, EWCC's most commonly prescribed formulas are explored. The composition of the formulas, their use in clinical settings as well as the background studies and other therapeutic efficacies are explained. Information on incorporating anti-cancer dietary support and breathing and meditation techniques, other therapies practiced as part of the center's integrative cancer care are also covered. Conclusion : WBT based on holistic theories of oriental medicine embracing body, mind, and spirit is expected to further contribute in promotion of cancer patients' quality of life and prolonged survival time.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.53-62
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• 2023

Purpose : This study evaluated the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation and a virtual reality program on the depression, hand functions, cognitive function, and activities of daily living of patients with mild cognitive impairment by dividing 20 patients with mild cognitive impairment and depression. The 20 patients were divided into a treatment group (transcranial direct current stimulation + a virtual reality program) and a control group (placebo transcranial direct current stimulation + a placebo virtual reality program). Methods : This study allocated ten subjects to the treatment group and ten subjects to the control group. The treatment was given five times per week for six weeks (30 sessions), and each session was 30 minutes. This study screened depression by using SGDS-K, a short geriatric depression scale, to examine depression before and after treatment intervention. This study also used the box and block test, NCSE, and FIM to evaluate hand functions, cognitive function, and activities of daily living, respectively. Results : The results showed that depression significantly decreased, hand functions significantly increased, cognitive function significantly improved, and activities of daily living significantly increased after intervention in the treatment and control groups. The magnitude of changes in depression, hand functions, cognitive function, and activities of daily living was significantly different between the two groups after intervention (p>.05). Conclusion : The results showed that the application of transcranial direct current stimulation and a virtual reality program could improve cognitive function, hand functions, and activities of daily living by decreasing depression. Therefore, it can be concluded that the simultaneous application of transcranial direct current stimulation and a virtual reality program is an intervention method, which can be applied for decreasing depression, enhancing hand functions, improving cognitive function, and increasing activities of daily living in patients with mild cognitive impairment.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.159-169
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• 2023

Purpose : Though other Citrus spp. have reported their anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities in previous studies, the biological activity of Kiyomi (Citrus unshiu × C. sinensis) has not been reported yet. Therefore, this study attempted to analyze the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of Kiyomi leaf ethanol extract (KLEE) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Methods : The cytotoxic effect of KLEE in RAW 264.7 cells was determined by WST-1 assay. Bacterial endotoxin, the concentration of nitric oxide (NO) was analyzed by the Griess reaction. In addition, Western blot analysis was applied to measure the protein expression level of inducible NO synthase (iNOS). The phosphorylated status of the critical inflammatory transcription factor, nuclear factor (NF)-𝜅B, and its upstream signaling molecules, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt as well as mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), were also measured by Western blot analysis. Results : KLEE was not cytotoxic up to a concentration of 200 ㎍/㎖, and protein expression levels of iNOS and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, enzymes that counteract NO and prostaglandin (PG) E2 production, were inhibited by KLEE treatment. The phosphorylated status of PI3K/Akt as well as MAPKs including extracellular regulated kinase (ERK), c-jun NH2kinase (JNK), and p38, were significantly attenuated by KLEE treatment in LPS stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, one of phase II enzymes, heme oxygenase (HO)-1 which has known for its anti-inflammatory capacity, was strongly induced by KLEE treatment. Conclusion : Consequently, KLEE treatment significantly attenuated the production of NO as well as the expression levels of iNOS and COX-2 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The inflammatory transcription factor, NF-𝜅B, as well as its upstream signaling molecules, PI3K/Akt and MAPKs, were also diminished by KLEE treatment with statistical significance in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. These results suggest that KLEE might be a promising candidate for the attenuation of inflammatory disorders.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2016

The incidence rate of cervical cancer in Korea is still higher than in other developed countries, notwithstanding the national mass screening program. Cervical cancer prognosis is good due to an effective treatment such as surgery or radiation therapy, concurrent chemotherapy in the early stage. However, it is still a poor prognosis when advanced stage or recurrent. Some studies said that combined oriental and western medicine can improve the survival, quality of life, immune function, and decrease side effects in cervical cancer. In the western medical part, clinical practice guideline was published in 2006, 2007 and 2010 in Korea. In China, oriental medicine clinical practice guideline have been published in 2014. But there is no Korean medicine clinical practice guideline. This study will introduce the methods of diagnosis and the medical therapeutics which is commonly utilized for cervical cancer in Korea, and existing Korean medicine clinical practice guideline for Disease Analysis and Treatment (辨證論治). This study will be a meaningful study to establish clinical practice guidelines of Korean Medicine for cervical cancer.

• Integrative Medicine Research
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.317-324
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• 2017

Background: Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang (BZYQT) has long been used for the treatment of severe weakness caused by general fatigue, loss of appetite, or indigestion. The aim of this feasibility study is to assess the effectiveness and safety of BZYQT for the treatment of functional dyspepsia (FD) with spleen qi deficiency. Methods: This study will be conducted at a single center as a prospective, nonrandomized, nonblinded, single-arm feasibility study. A total of 30 participants diagnosed with FD in accordance with the Rome III criteria will be enrolled. All patients will receive BZYQT for 4 weeks. The primary outcome is the change in the Nepean Dyspepsia Index-Korean version (NDI-K) scores between the baseline and 4-week images. The secondary outcomes include the tongue coating thickness, blood parameters, and BZYQT Questionnaire score. The NDI-K score will be acquired four times, at Weeks 0 (baseline), 2 (during treatment), 4 (after treatment), and 8 (after follow-up). Written informed consent will be obtained from all study participants prior to enrollment. This study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board of Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital. This study protocol is registered with the national clinical trial registry of the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. Results will be published in a journal and will be disseminated both electronically and in print. Discussion: The results of this study may serve as a guide for researchers seeking to effectively evaluate the effects of BZYQT.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.200-208
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to establish the foundations for the application of appropriate programs for pain reduction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: The literature on patients with rheumatoid arthritis were found on an electronic search site for South Korean academic papers. The search terms "rheumatism" and "rheumatoid arthritis" were used independently. The combined terms "rheumatism and pain" and "rheumatoid arthritis and pain" were also used. For the meta-analysis, the R version 3.5.1 program was utilized. Results: The meta-analysis of eight papers showed a large effect size of -4.11. The programs were most effective in the order of aquatic exercise, aromatherapy, self-help education, muscle strength exercises, and tai chi. Conclusion: This study could provide the basis for presenting appropriate programs for pain management in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.592-600
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• 2022

Background: Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is the most common endocrine disrupting chemical used as a plasticizer. DEHP is associated with the development of endometrium-related diseases through the induction of inflammation. The major therapeutic approaches against endometrial cancer and endometriosis involve the suppression of inflammatory response. Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) is a natural product with anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties. Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of KRG on DEHP-induced inflammatory response in endometrial cancer Ishikawa cells and a mouse model of endometriosis. Methods: RNA-sequencing was performed and analyzed on DEHP-treated Ishikawa cells in the presence and absence of KRG. The effects of KRG on DEHP-induced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA levels in Ishikawa cells were determined by RT-qPCR. Furthermore, the effects of KRG on the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) pathway, COX-2, and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) p65 after DEHP treatment of Ishikawa cells were evaluated by western blotting. In the mouse model, the severity of endometriosis induced by DEHP and changes in immunohistochemistry were used to assess the protective effect of KRG. Results: According to the RNA-sequencing data, DEHP-induced inflammatory response-related gene expression was downregulated by KRG. Moreover, KRG significantly inhibited DEHP-induced ERK1/2/NF-κB/COX-2 levels in Ishikawa cells. In the mouse model, KRG administration significantly inhibited ectopic endometriosis growth after DEHP-induced endometriosis. Conclusions: Overall, these results suggest that KRG may be a promising lead for the treatment of endometrial cancer and endometriosis via suppression of the inflammatory response.

• Journal of TMJ Balancing Medicine
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• v.13 no.sup
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• pp.15-20
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• 2023

Objectives: This case is to report the effect of TMJ balancing therapy (TBT) and combined Korean Medicine (CKM) on a 15-year-old male patient with suspected cervical dizziness of unknown causes. Methods: He was treated with TBT and CKM included Yin-yang Balancing Therapy of TMJ, pelvic balancing therapy, cervical chuna therapy once a week for 3 months. He continued to wear accurate balancing appliance (ABA) in the mouth, did 12-way cervical gravity straightening exercise and took banhabakchulchunma-tang-gamibang for 3 months. The effects of treatment was evaluated using the numerical rating scale (NRS). Results: After the treatments, dizziness was relieved from NRS 7 to NRS 1. Conclusions: This case report suggests that TBT and CKM treatments can relieve suspected cervical dizziness of unknown causes.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.46-55
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• 2013

Objectives: Classifying the pattern of jaundice during diagnosis will significantly improve the outcome of common KM interventions. This study aimed at determining an objective index for accurately diagnosing heat and dampness KM patterns in patients with jaundice. Methods: We systematically reviewed laboratory findings from case reports published in the scientific literature of Korean medicine. Cases were classified as following either the heat or dampness pattern. Biochemical indices were compared using a Bayesian factor (BF) analysis and standard t-tests. Results: The laboratory findings of 32 patients were evaluated. The heat pattern was observed in 17 patients and the dampness pattern in 15. No significant differences were observed between the 2 groups in terms of white blood cell count (BF=1.659); hemoglobin concentration (BF=2.627); platelet count (BF=1.019); or levels of direct bilirubin (BF=1.453), aspartate aminotransferase (BF=1.226), alanine aminotransferase (BF=1.340), alkaline phosphatase (BF=2.344), or gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (BF=2.782). However, total bilirubin levels were significantly higher in the dampness pattern group (BF=0.854, P-value=0.070). Conclusions: Patients with high total bilirubin levels may predominantly follow the dampness pattern, while those with low levels may predominantly follow the heat pattern. These results are expected to be useful for the development of timely and efficient KM treatments as well as new integrative therapeutic approaches for jaundice. However, further studies are essential to fully validate the utility of total bilirubin as a biomarker for differentiating between heat and dampness patterns.