• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.252-264
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• 2023

Background: The primary aim of this study is to statistically analyze and compare the difference in treatment outcomes based on the frequency and duration of acupotomy treatment for lumbar disk herniation. Methods: The evaluation of efficacy and safety involved using visual analog scale (VAS), numeric rating scale (NRS), Roland Morris disability questionnaire (RMDQ), EuroQol 5-dimention (EQ-5D), and similar parameters. This was achieved through the establishment of a comparable cohort using propensity score matching. Group A comprised 46 patients who underwent 4 sessions of acupotomy treatment for 2 weeks, while Group B consisted of 15 patients who received 6 acupotomy sessions for 3 weeks. Results: For Group A, the average amount of change in VAS values at weeks 4 and 6 was significantly decreased. However, the average amount of change in RMDQ values was not significant. Notably, the average amount of change of EQ-5D values at week 6 increased significantly. As for Group B, the average amount of change of NRS values in weeks 2 and 3 was significantly decreased. Conversely, the average amount of change in RMDQ and EQ-5D values was not significant. In comparing the 2 groups at the final follow-up, the average amount of change in all evaluation values was not significant. Further, no significant interaction effect was observed in the changes over time in all evaluation values between the 2 groups. Conclusion: This study establishes that there was no statistically significant difference in pain reduction, functional impairment, and quality of life improvement between 2 group.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.233-236
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• 2006

For the purpose of the development of skin-whitening or therapeutic agents against hyperpigmentation, aqueous extract from Nardostachys chinensis (AENC) was evaluated for melanogenesis inhibitory activity in B16F10 melanoma cell. The treatment with AENC at the 0.2, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/ml level significantly inhibits the biosynthesis of melanin compared with untreated control. The tyrosinase activity also significantly decreased in AENC-treated cells at the 0.2 and 0.5 mg/ml level and inhibitory effects were more efficient than commercial arbutin at 0.1 mg/ml. The Western analyses confirmed the significantly decreased expression of tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein-2 by AENC treatment. These results indicate that AENC may contribute to the inhibition of melanin biosynthesis through regulating the expression as well as activity of tyrosinase and AENC may be useful as a new candidate in the design of new skinwhitening or therapeutic agents.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.450-455
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• 2021

Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) is an herbal oriental medicine known to alleviate cardiovascular dysfunction. To analysis the expression of diabetic cardiac complication-associated genes in db/db mice, we studied the cardiac gene expression following KRG treatment. In result, a total of 585 genes were found to be changed in db/db mice. Among the changed expression, 245 genes were found to 2-fold upregulated, and 340 genes were 2-fold downregulated. In addition, the changed gene expressions were ameliorated by KRG. In conclusion, KRG may be possible to normalize cardiac gene expressions in db/db mice.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.63-69
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• 2008

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Standard treatment such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery have many limitations in the treatment of this disease. Therefore, new molecular-targeted therapies needed and being developed. Patients with advanced NSCLC have a short life expentancy; therefore, in addition to increasing their survival, improving their quality of life (QoL) is also an important treatment goal. In this case report, we introduce NSCLC patient treated with Allergen Removed Rhus Verniciflua Stokes(aRVS). In this case, survival time incresed as traditional korean medicine using aRVS. And the general condition of the patient became better. Further case study will be needed in order to determine the effects of aRVS on NSCLC.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.211-220
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• 2020

Purpose : The purpose of the present study is to examine the effects of VR training with FES on improving the muscle strength, AROM, and function of the upper limb joints in patients with chronic stroke. Methods : The present study makes use of a pre-post control group design. Thirty patients with chronic stroke were randomly assigned to two groups according to treatment method - the VRFES group and the control group. The VRFES group received 15 minutes of VR training and 15 minutes of FES treatment. The control group received 15 minutes of conservative physical therapy and 15 minutes of VR training. All subjects received 30 minutes of treatment, three times a week, for eight weeks, which amounted to 24 sessions of training. The muscle strength, AROM, and function of the upper extremities were measured before the training and eight weeks after. Upper limb muscle strength was tested using the Digital Manual Muscle Tester while AROM was measured using the Digital Dual Inclinometer. The clinical assessment tools for upper extremity function included the use of the Manual Function Test and the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test. Results : Both groups exhibited great improvements in muscle strength and upper extremity function during the intervention period. The VRFES group exhibited a significant difference in muscle strength, AROM, and function of the upper extremities in comparison with the control group(p<.05). Our results reveal that VRFES is more effective for the muscle strength, AROM, and function of the upper extremities in patients with chronic stroke. Conclusion : VRFES treatment will be used as an important intervention for improving the muscle strength, AROM, and function of the upper extremities in patients with chronic stroke and achieving the functional recovery of the upper extremities.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.265-275
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• 2020

Purpose : In this study, we would like to apply oral sensory play therapy program to children with cerebral palsy who have sensitive oral senses to find out the effect on oral sensory ability, oral function, performance ability and sociality. Methods : The subjects of this study were 20 children diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and 10 experimental groups and 10 control groups. Oral sensory play therapy programs, including oral sensory programs, were conducted in the experimental group, while only oral sensory programs were conducted in the control group. Oral Sensory Treatment Level was used to identify the sensory profile and the overall oral function of the oral function was used, and the performance and satisfaction of Canadian occupational performance measure (COPM) were examined to find out the performance of the work, and social skills were examined for social skills (SMS). Results : The level of oral sensory treatment, overall oral function, work performance and sociality all increased significantly in the experimental group, but the oral sense and oral function in the control group were significantly increased, but not significantly in the case of work performance and sociality. Conclusion : Through this study, we confirmed that oral sensory play therapy program is an effective arbitration method for oral sensation, oral function, work performance and social enhancement of children with cerebral palsy. Based on the results of this study, the study of arbitration protocols for children with cerebral palsy with oral sensory problems will have to be more active.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.75-82
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• 2018

Purpose : The present study tested the hypothesis that acupressure at Zusanli(ST36) would attenuate immobilization-induced skeletal muscle atrophy. Methods : The left hind limb was immobilized using casting tape (ST36 group, n=10), and the animals were then treated daily with a pressure needle at ST36. Ten untreated animals with hind limb immobilization and no treatment served as a control group (n=10). After 2 weeks of immobilization, The body weight changes of rats were evaluated and the morphologies of the right and left gastrocnemius muscles in both the ST36 and control groups were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) of gastrocnemius muscles were observed. Results : The acupressure at the accupoint of Zusanli conferred significant protection against reductions in left gastrocnemius muscle weights and average cross-sectional muscle areas in the ST36 group as compared with those in the control group. Moreover, the acupressure at the ST36 point significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) activity in the gastrocnemius muscles as compared with that in the control group. Conclusion : These results suggest that acupressure at the accupoint of Zusanli provides protection against immobilization-induced muscle atrophy by decreasing MDA activity in gastrocnemius muscles.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.345-351
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• 2010

Objective : In this study, the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program was applied to patients presenting with depression and anxiety after surgery from spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and the effects were assessed. Methods : The subjects were patients admitted for cerebral aneurysm rupture and treated by means of surgery from March to December, 2007. More than 6 months had passed after surgery, without any special lesions showing up on computed tomography (CT), and the Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) was 5 points. Among patients with anxiety and depression symptoms, 11 patients completed the program. The MBSR program was conducted once a week, 2.5 hours each, for 8 weeks. The evaluation criteria were : 1) the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI): it measures the type and level of depression, 2) the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory : the anxiety state of normal adults without mental disorder, and 3) Heart Rate Variability (HRV) : the influence of the autonomous nervous system on the sinoarterial node varies continuously in response to the change of the internal/external environment. Results : The BDI value was decreased from 18.5 ${\pm}$ 10.9 to 9.5 ${\pm}$ 7.1 (p = 0.013) : it was statistically significant, and the depression level of patients was lowered. The state anxiety was decreased from 51.3 ${\pm}$ 13.9 to 42.3 ${\pm}$ 15.2; the trait anxiety was reduced from 50.9 ${\pm}$ 12.3 to 41.3 ${\pm}$ 12.8, and a borderline significant difference was shown (p = 0.091, p = 0.056). In other words, after the treatment, although it was not statistically significant, a decreased tendency in anxiety was shown. In the HRV measurement, standard deviation normal to normal (SDNN), square root of the square root of the mean sum of squared differences between adjacent normal to normal intervals (RMSSD), and total power (TP) showed significant increase, Physical Stress Index (PSI) showed a significant reduction, and thus an improvement in the homeostatic control mechanism of the autonomic nervous system was ween. Conclusion : The MBSR program was applied to the patients showing anxiety and depression reaction after SAH treatment, and a reduction in depression symptoms and physiological reactions were observed. The application of the MBSR program may be considered as a new tool in improving the quality of life for patients after surgery.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.385-389
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• 2023

Background: Ginseng has been used as a traditional medicine for treatment of many diseases and for general health maintenance. Previously, we showed that ginseng did not demonstrate estrogenic property in ovariectomized mouse model. However, it is still possible that disruption of steroidogenesis leading to indirect hormonal activity. Methods: The hormonal activities were examined in compliance with OECD guidelines for detecting endocrine disrupting chemicals: test guideline (TG) No. 456 (an in vitro assay method for detecting steroidogenesis property) and TG No. 440 (an in vivo short-term screening method for chemicals with uterotrophic property). Results: Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) and ginsenosides Rb1, Rg1, and Rg3 did not interfere with estrogen and testosterone hormone synthesis as examined in H295 cells according to TG 456. KRG treatment to ovariectomized mice did not show a significant change in uterine weight. In addition, serum estrogen and testosterone levels were not change by KRG intake. Conclusion: These results clearly demonstrate that there is no steroidogenic activity associated with KRG and no disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis by KRG. Additional tests will be performed in pursuit of cellular molecular targets of ginseng to manifest mode of action.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.1186-1197
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• 2022

Objectives: A case study about the effectiveness of integrative Korean medicine treatment in a psychogenic tremor patient. Case presentation: A 36-year-old male diagnosed with psychogenic tremor with low back pain underwent 29 days of inpatient treatment and 4 weeks of outpatient treatment. His pattern identification was a psychogenic tremor of the weakness of the heart and gall bladder (SimDamHeoGup) type. The treatments were herbal medicine and acupuncture. He took Cheongshimondam-tang for 29 days and Chunwangbosim-dan for 6 weeks when he had symptoms. He also received acupuncture for 20 minutes twice a day at GB20 (Pungji), L14 (Hapgok), HT4 (Yeongdo), PC6 (Naegwan), HT7 (Sinmun), GB34 (Yangleungcheon), ST36 (Joksamni), SP6 (Sameumgyo), and LR3 (Taechung). After 8 weeks of treatment, the Fahn Tolosa Marin rating (FTM) scale of his tremor, at rest, dropped from Grade 4 on both upper extremities, trunk, and both lower extremities at the time of admission to Grade 2 in both upper extremities and trunk, and Grade 0 in both lower extremities at the time of discharge. His Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) score decreased from 38 to 7, and his numerical rating scale (NRS) decreased from 8 to 1 for low back pain and from 9 to 2 for tremor. A follow-up visit to the hospital 2 months after the end of treatment confirmed continued symptom improvements and no significant side effects. Conclusions: This study suggests the possibility of treating psychogenic tremor using only Korean medicine treatments. Further studies with control groups and long-term follow-up are needed.