• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.87-96
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• 2011

Objectives: This study aims to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of Eastern-Western integrative medicine for musculoskeletal disorders compared with Eastern or Western Medicine. Methods: Systematic sea-mes of 9 major Korean databases were conducted for articles published up to July 2011. Searching keyword was "Integrative Medicine". Prospective studies dealt with musculoskeletal disorders by Eastern-Western integrative medicine were included. Quality assessment of included studies was evaluated by Cochrane risk of bias tool. Results: 470 studies in total were seamed, Amalg them 7 studies met our inclusion criteria(3 randomized controlled clinical trials, 2 non-randomized controlled trials and 2 uncontrolled clinical trials). Included studies dealt with lumbar pan(3), shoulder pain(2), pain after traffic injury(1), spinal compression fracture(1). Eastern-Western integrative medicine showed better or equal effect for the treatment of various muscloskeletal disorders compared with Eastern or Western medicine alone. Conclusions: There is very weak evidence for the effectiveness of Eastern-Western integrative medicine for musculoskeletal disorders compared with Eastern or Western medicine alone. Well designed randomized controlled trials with rigorous methodology are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of Eastern-Western integrative medicine objectively in the future.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.107-112
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• 2019

The aim of this study was to report on the resorption of herniated nucleus pulposus following acupotomy treatment. Two patients were treated with acupotomy which included integrative Korean Medicine treatment, for either cervical, or lumbar herniated nucleus pulposus. Magnetic Resonance Imaging was used to produce images before and after (several months) treatment. The Numerical Rating Scale scores and Range of Motion were used to assess the patients at admission and discharge. In both cases, substantial resorption of the respective herniated disc was observed in the magnetic resonance images, with a decrease in the Numerical Rating Scale score. Range of Motion improved in 1 case. This study shows that acupotomy treatment may be a clinically effective treatment for herniated nucleus pulposus resorption and pain relief.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.25-31
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• 2023

Objectives: With antibiotic resistance one of the biggest threats to global health, we report a case of surgical site infection (SSI) after breast cancer surgery that improved only with the treatment of Taglisodog-eum (托裏消毒飮), Korean herbal medicine, without the use of antibiotics. Methods: The patient diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ of left breast underwent nipple areola skin sparing mastectomy and reconstruction using deep inferior epigastric perforator flap. About a month later, superficial SSI occurred at the incision site of breast cancer surgery with general weakness, and Taglisodog-eum treatment was started. To evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment, we compared the infection site conditions before and after treatment. Results: About three weeks after taking Taglisodog-eum, the SSI improved along with the improvement of general weakness. Conclusions: This study shows that Taglisodog-eum may be effective for SSI after breast cancer surgery, and the potential for alternatives to reduce antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.477-484
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to report the improvement effect of symptoms of integrative cancer treatment (ICT) on recurrent gallbladder cancer patients. Methods: A 73-year-old patient with recurrent gallbladder cancer visited the Daejeon Korean Medicine Hospital of Daejeon University East West Cancer Center (EWCC) on February 2022. After the diagnosis of gallbladder cancer, the patient underwent cholecystectomy and relapsed during follow-up. After the operation, the cancer recurred during follow-up, and after radiation treatment, she had been receiving ICT since February 2022. The clinical outcomes were measured by X-ray, computed tomography (CT), laboratory findings, including tumor markers (CEA, CA19-9), and numeric rating scales (NRS). Results: After treatment, abdominal pain was relieved from NRS 5 to 2, and abdominal circumference decreased from 74.5 to 67. During and after treatment, we found neither hepatotoxicity nor nephrotoxicity in the laboratory findings. Conclusion: This case study suggests that ICT may improve symptoms in patients with gallbladder cancer.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.760-767
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• 2019

Objective: This study reports the efficacy of using integrative Korean medicine treatments for a patient with facial paralysis and accompanying trigeminal neuralgia. Methods: A 45-year-old male patient with left side facial palsy and facial pain due to Bell's palsy with trigeminal neuralgia was treated with herbal medicine, acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and cupping for 18 days. The treatment effect was evaluated by measuring the scores for the numerical rating scale (NRS) of facial pain, the House-Brackmann scale, and the Yanagihara scale. Results: After the hospital treatment, the patient's facial pain NRS score was decreased, and the House-Brackmann scale and Yanagihara scale scores improved after the administration of the Korean medicine treatments. Conclusions: The integrative Korean medicine treatments appeared to be effective in treating facial nerve palsy and associated trigeminal neuralgia.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.11-25
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study is to report the case of a patient with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) mutation treated by Integrative Medicine Therapy (IMT). Methods: A patient with metastatic NSCLC received pembrolizumab 200mg intravenously for every 3 weeks from July 2017. Repeat cycle every 3 weeks since July 2017. The patient has been treated with Integrative Medicine Therapy (IMT) since December 2016. The tumor size was measured by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI). Adverse events were evaluated by the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTCAE), version 5.0. Results: After combined treatment, the extent of proximal portion of primary tumor in the left lower lobe was decreased and disease status was stable radiologically. No evidence of newly developed metastatic lesions in the brain since May 2017. The patient did not experience any adverse event according to NCI-CTCAE ver. 5.0. Conclusion: This case study suggests that Integrative Medicine Therapy (IMT) may contribute to tumor response, in conjunction with Pembrolizumab on the treatment of patients with NSCLC.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.77-85
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• 2021

Breast cancer is the most prevalent oncological disease among women. Various psychosocial distress is common at the diagnosis, treatment, and posttreatment phase of breast cancer. For the treatment of breast cancer, not only medical treatment but also psychosomatic integrative care will be needed. Patients with breast cancer may lead to increased vulnerability to stress, adjustment disorder, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder, and these psychiatric diseases and conditions are associated with recurrence or exacerbation of breast cancer. Psychosocial treatment of anxiety and depression could increase the quality of life of patients and decrease the recurrence and progression of breast cancer. In this article, we reviewed 5 clinical breast cancer survivorship guidelines focused on psychosomatic integrative care including psychosocial treatment and alternative treatment for psychosocial distress. Because 5 treatment guidelines were using various definitions of evidence, we confirmed evidence of various psychosocial treatments for patients with breast cancer based on the definition of evidence by the US Preventive Service Task Force (USPSTF) guideline. We also reviewed the effect size of psychosocial treatment for anxiety, depression, mood, and quality of life in patients with breast cancer. This article discusses the barrier to the delivery of psychosomatic integrative care and suggests integrative care planning for breast cancer. Multi-disciplinary teams, patient's needs assessment, information technology support, patient and caregiver engagement, planned periodic monitoring of psychosocial distress by a psychosomatic specialist or consultation-liaison psychiatrist are recommended as key features of a psychosomatic integrated care plan.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study is to report the effectiveness and possibility of Integrative Cancer Treatment (ICT) on an advanced metastatic leiomyosarcoma patient. Methods: The patient was diagnosed with recurred and advanced metastatic Leiomyosarcoma, suffering from dyspnea, abdominal discomfort, lower limb edema. The patient refused conventional treatment, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy but was treated with ICT including acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, moxibustion, hypertherapy and herbal medicine for symptom management. The clinical outcomes were measured by NRS (Numeral rating scale). Results: After treatment, dyspnea, abdominal discomfort and lower limb edema was relieved from NRS 6 to 3, 7 to 3 and 7 to 6 respectively. Also, loss of body weight, decrease in abdominal, thigh and calf circumference were improved. During and after treatment, we found neither hepatotoxicity nor nephrotoxicity on laboratory findings. Conclusion: This case study suggests that ICT may improve symptom relief and life quality of leiomyosarcoma patient.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.117-128
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• 2023

Objective: This study reported the improved symptoms of integrative Korean medicine-based treatment in a patient diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) who persistently complained of fatigue and chest tightness. Methods: A 51-year-old female SLE patient persistently complaining of fatigue and chest tightness underwent an 18-day treatment with Kracie Shihogayonggolmoryo-tang, Cheongpajeon-H, Gwanjeol-go, acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, cupping therapy, deep tissue meridian hot pack therapy, manual therapy, Interferential Current Therapy, and Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy. The Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) and Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for each symptom were measured on admission, at one week, two weeks of hospitalization, and upon discharge. Clinical outcomes were assessed using these two figures. Results: After treatment, there was a reduction in the BFI score (7 to 3). The NRS score of chest tightness with hot flashes decreased from 8 to 5, neck pain lessened from 7 to 5, pain in both ankles diminished from 6 to 4, the cold hypersensitivity of both feet fell from 6 to 4, and heartburn decreased from 5 to 2. In order, the biggest clinical improvement was to heartburn, fatigue, and chest tightness with hot flashes. Conclusion: This case study shows that integrative Korean medicine-based treatment can improve symptoms of a Systemic Lupus Erythematosus patient persistently complaining of fatigue and chest tightness with hot flashes and suggests that Shihogayonggolmoryo-tang may be an effective option for managing and treating SLE patients.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.332-342
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• 2014

Objectives: This study was investigated in order to analyse the characteristics of recent Chinese medicine treatment of gastric cancer, and provide literature basis for the development of effective therapy of gastric cancer by reviewing Chinese journals. Methods: The literature on Chinese medicine treatment of gastric cancer were collected, analyzed and summarized from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) from 2000 to 2013. Results: Physicians have not shown consistent opinion with the pattern identification of gastric cancer. Recently, traditional Chinese Medicine patent prescriptions have been much used in the treatment of gastric cancer, which is classified into the reinforcement of healthy qi and elimination of the pathogenic factors. Chinese medicine combined with western medicine can improve the immune system and quality of life, while reducing toxic side effects. Conclusions: Further studies on traditional Chinese Medicine are needed to increase the survival rate of gastric cancer and effectiveness of combination therapy with western medicine.