• Journal of Korean Medical Ki-Gong Academy
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.39-51
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• 2014

Objects : This study is a report on treatment effect of the case that treated by using of oriental medical treatment to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(ALS) patient. Methods : The patient diagnosed with ALS was treated by using of acupuncture, physical therapy, Su-gi therapy, thermotherapy and herbal medicine during 180 days. K-ALSFRS-R score was used as the tool of treatment effect. Results : Despite the K-ALSFRS-R score reduction, the oriental medical treatment maintain the respiratory function and a speech. Conclusions : The oriental medical treatment is effective on local symptoms of ALS, but there were no functional improvement of ALS in this case study. It is necessary to have more examination about ALS.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.202-210
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe depression, caregiving burden and the correlation of the two variables in the families of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and to clarify factors predicting caregiving burden. Methods: A descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 139 family members who provided care to patients with ALS. The characteristics of patients and families, Korean-Beck Depression Inventory (K-BDI), Korean version of Zarit Burden Interview (K-ZBI) and Korean-Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale - Revised (K-ALSFRS-R) were used as study measures. Results: The mean score for K-BDI was 19.39 out of 63 suggesting sub-clinical depression and 38.2% of the family members exhibited depression. The mean score for K-ZBI was 66.03 out of 88. The predictors for K-ZBI were K-BDI, age of family member, length of time spent per day in caring, relationship to patient and K-ALSFRS-R. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that levels of depression and caregiving burden are high among family members caring for patients with ALS. As depression is associated with caregiving burden, screening and emotional supports should be provided to reduce the burden of care for these family. Support programs to alleviate the care burden are also needed, considering family demographics, time per day in caring giving and K-ALSFRS-R.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.53-65
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was to investigate the effect of Oriental medical treatment on ALS. Methods : We investigated 12 ALS patients which were admitted to Gwang-Ju O.M. hospital from Oct. 14, 2008 to Nov. 14, 2008. All patients were treated by SAAM-acupuncture, herb medication, Bee venom Pharmacopuncture therapy, Needle-embedding therapy, etc. We evaluated patients using the Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised(ALSFRS-R), Medical Research Council (MRC) Scale. Results : After 30 days, mean ALSFRS-R score of patients was improved from $28.42{\pm}7.83$ to $29.08{\pm}7.99$, and mean MRC Scale of patients was improved from $24.79{\pm}8.37$ to $25.34{\pm}8.45$. But in both cases, the variation was not statistically significant. After 30 days, mean ALSFRS-R score and mean MRC Scale of patients was more improved in subjects with bulbar-onset, onset age: 51-60yrs., disease duration: 24-48mo. And the results showed partially significant difference. Conclusions : We think that the results of this case be a pilot study that proves the effect of Oriental Medical treatment on ALS.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.121-128
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• 2010

Objectives : This study was to investigate the effects of Oriental medical treatment on ALS. Methods : We investigated 12 ALS patients which were admitted to Gwang-Ju O.M.hospital for 3 months and follow-up at 8 months after discharge. All patients were treated by SAAM-acupuncture, herb medication, Bee venom Pharmacopuncture therapy, Needle-embedding therapy, etc and after discharge self-therapy at home. We evaluated patients using the Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised(ALSFRS-R), Medical Research Council (MRC) Scale. Results : After 1 month, mean ALSFRS-R score of patients was $29.08{\pm}7.99$, 2 months $28.70{\pm}7.17$, 3 months $28.16{\pm}8.23$, 1 year $21.33{\pm}9.93$ and mean MRC Scale of patients was $25.34{\pm}8.45$, 2 months $25.34{\pm}8.45$, 3months $21.56{\pm}9.20$. But in both cases, the variation was not statistically significant. Conclusions : We think that the results of this case be a pilot study that proves the effect of Oriental Medical treatment on ALS.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.300-308
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• 2016

Objectives This case study was about a Taeyangin patient with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis identified as Hae-Yeok pattern. In this study, we report the significant improvement of extremity weakness of this patient after Sasang Constitutional medicine treatment.Methods The patient was identified as Taeyangin Hae-Yeok pattern and treated with Ogapijangchuk-tang and acupuncture. Korean-Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised (K-ALSFRS-R) was used to assess the overall function of the patient. And the Global Assessment Scale (GAS) was used to assess the change of upper and lower extremities weakness after the treatment.Result and Conclusion The K-ALSFRS-R total score decreased from 30 points to 26 points and extremity weakness showed significant improvement in GAS after 12 days treatment. Furthermore, walking distance was much longer after treatment. In conclusion, this study shows that Sasang constitutional medicine can be effective treatment for Taeyangin patient with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.