• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.173-195
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• 2023

Objectives: To investigate and analyze the assessment indicators and tools used in clinical practice to assess Korean medicine (KM) treatment for infertility, and to establish a basis for assessment tools to diagnose and assess infertility. Methods: Relevant studies published until March 2023 were extracted from Pubmed, Research Information Sharing Service, and National Digital Science Library databases. Results: Sixty-four studies comprising 4,105 patients were included. We investigated pregnancy outcomes, and assessed pregnancy- and childbirth-related factors, overall health, reproductive health, and mental health. Pregnancy result was most common primary outcome. Ongoing pregnancy, stillbirth, miscarriage, and ectopic pregnancy rates were suggested as indicators of pregnancy and childbirth-related assessment. Overall health was most commonly assessed with Likert and Visual analogue scale (VAS). Among reproductive health variables, menstrual history was most frequently assessed. Moreover, indicators such as reproductive function, sexual intercourse, and gynecological disease were assessed. The Infertility Stress Scale and the Fertility Quality of Life tool (FertiQoL) were used to assess mental health. Conclusions: Subjective scales and objective assessment tools, such as the Likert scale and blood tests/ultrasonography, respectively, are used to assess KM infertility treatment. Inconsistent assessment tools make quantitative analyses more challenging. The development of a standardized mental and physical function assessment questionnaire with confirmed reliability and validity ensure the effectiveness of KM infertility treatment, and promote future studies on infertility treatment.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.67-86
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of herbal medicine treatment for glucose and lipid metabolic abnormalities caused by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: We searched for randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) in 6 electronic databases and search key words were 'PCOS' and 'chinese medicine' or 'herbal medicine' and 'Metabolic syndrome' or 'glucose' or 'lipid'. The results of the studies were analyzed and the risk of bias was assessed by using Cochrane risk of bias (RoB) tool. Results: We finally selected 7 studies. In 3 of selected studies, herbal medicine was more effective than western medicine in all outcomes and in other 3 selected studies, herbal medicine was partially more effective than western medicine. Conclusions: The study provides a basis for applying herbal medicine treatment to patients with metabolic syndrome caused by PCOS and helps developing a treatment protocol of caring patients with PCOS. But the limitation of this study is that the number of studies included is small and lack of uniformity of outcome indicators made it difficult to observe overall interrelationship between indicators.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.101-114
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• 2010

Background: Currently, evidence-based medicine is widely propagated as a reference for proper clinical practice. As a result, there is an increasing need for more clinical trials based on Oriental diagnostic methods to evaluate the efficacy of Oriental medicine, including acupuncture and herbal medicine. The purpose of this study was to confirm which symptoms are adequate indicators of effects of Ojeock-san for lower back pain and develop a questionnaire to evaluate its effects. Methods: We interviewed 102 Oriental medical doctors working in Seoul with a preformed questionnaire which included questions about symptoms of lower back pain and indicators for Ojeock-san. We sampled respondents who answered that they trust the effectiveness of Ojeock-san in telephone survey carried out using multistage stratified random sampling technique from March to April, 2009. We categorized the respondents into two groups, differentiating them by gender, career, workplace, and trust level of Ojeock-san effect. Results: About half of the respondents selected 13 questions as the adequate indicators of Ojeock-san for low back pain. There were no differences in the top 11 selected indicators in total selection and top 3 ranking selection. The comparison of frequency of top 13 questions in total selections between the two groups showed no difference. Conclusions: There were 13 symptoms which were considered adequate indicators of effects of Ojeock-san for lower back pain found by many Oriental medical doctors. This questionnaire can be utilized as a diagnostic adjunctive tool, tested for validity and reliability of questionnaires through further studies.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.813-820
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• 2009

Background : Static blood is a kind of etiological factor including stagnated blood and blood overflowed out of the vessels. It is one of the causes of stroke in oriental medicine. Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the static blood pattern and its indicators in stroke pattern diagnosis. Methods : For the standardization of pattern diagnosis in stroke, we set 5 patterns (Fire-heat, Dampness-phlegm, Static blood, Qi deficiency, Yin deficiency) and developed 61 indicators. Patients with a first-ever stroke, within 1 month after the onset of stroke. Two physicians checked the indicators independently. They then performed pattern diagnosis and rechecked the indicators which were referred to pattern diagnosis. If pattern identifications were diagnosed the same, it would confirm pattern identification. We examined the frequency of all indicators and referred indicators in static blood pattern patients. Results : In 859 patients, static blood pattern was shared by 24(2.8%). The indicators which affect static blood pattern were mainly rough pulse and bluish purple tongue, other indicators were not major effectors. Conclusion : This result shows that it is inconsistent to set up static blood pattern as a major pattern in stroke. Nevertheless, static blood is still a valuable concept in the clinical field. Other study methods will be required to establish the pattern diagnostic indicators for static blood pattern.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.182-189
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• 2022

To evaluate the effectiveness of electroacupuncture treatment for primary dysmenorrhea (PD), a literature review of a randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed where electroacupuncture was used as a treatment intervention in patients diagnosed with PD. Relevant clinical studies (N = 226) were retrieved from multiple databases according to the study inclusion/exclusion criteria, and interventions and outcomes were analyzed. As a result of the review, there were 6 RCTs which met the criteria. In all 4 studies that measured pain indicators (visual analog scales), electroacupuncture showed significantly positive changes. In addition, positive changes were observed in most indicators (MMDQ, PGF2a, PGE2, 6-keto PGF1, TXB2, clinical efficacy score, uterine arterial blood flow parameters, and blood viscosity). 2 studies showed that electroacupuncture had a stronger therapeutic effect than NSAIDs. No major side effects were reported. Electroacupuncture may be an effective and safe treatment for PD however, further RCTs are required.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.59-73
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• 2019

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to confirm and to suggest the Korean medical treatment is effective treatments to patients with facial paralysis sequelae. Methods : We conducted a survey on patients with facial paralysis sequelae who visited the facial paralysis center from August 2017 to November 2018. We then evaluated House-Brackmann Grading System(HBGS), Sunnybrook Scale(S-Scale), Visual analog scale(VAS) against those who agreed and analyzed the information through Electronic Medical Record(EMR) and Order Communication System(OCS). Results : Clinically, Korean medical treatment such as embedding therapy are effective for the facial paralysis sequelae. For the purpose of raising the level of evidence against this, research will be needed to confirm the treatment effects by comparing accurate assessment indicators that are conducted before and after the treatment. Conclusions : In order to confirm the progress of treatment of facial paralysis sequelae, evaluation indicators such as House-Brackmann Grading System and Sunnybrook Scale should be performed by experts. And after 3-4 weeks, if patients have any sequelae symptoms, it may be helpful to take treatments such as pharmacopuncture treatment and embedding therapy at intervals of 1-2 weeks depending on the symptoms or areas.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.82-91
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• 2021

Carotid duplex ultrasound is commonly used to diagnose various carotid artery diseases due to it being noninvasive and easy to perform. Carotid atherosclerosis is a major indicator for the need to perform carotid duplex ultrasound, which can determine the degree of stenosis, plaque characteristics, and intima-media thickness. It can also be used to screen and follow-up after carotid revascularization. Here we discuss the standard techniques, interpretations, and clinical indicators for carotid duplex ultrasounds.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.487-496
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• 2008

The purpose of this study is to investigate clinical frequency and priority of five pattern identification settled by Korean Standard Differentiation of the Symptoms and Sign for Stroke. The present study was done over 177 hospitalized patient with stroke in the Daejeon University Oriental Medical Hospital in the period of November 2006 to July 2007. Stroke patients had been interviewed by residents and specialists who studied standard operation procedures in Fundamental study for Standardization and Objectification of Differentiation and Pattern Identification of Syndrome of Oriental Medicine for Stroke. In Heat-transformation pattern group, men showed significantly high frequency and in Deficiency of Gi pattern group, women showed significantly high frequency. In Heat-transformation pattern group, the indicators such as 'aversion to heat during fever', 'flushed face', 'full and rapid pulse', 'dryness of the eyes, 'yellow coating of the tongue', 'feverishness of the limbs', 'dryness of the eyes' showed significantly high frequency. In Dampphlegm syndrome group, the indicators such as 'white coating of the tongue', 'yellowish face', 'thick coating of the tongue', 'wheezing in the throat with sputum', 'swollen tongue', 'slippery pulse' showed significantly high frequency. In Deficiency of Gi pattern group, the indicators such as 'pale tongue', 'lassitude', 'pale face', 'weakness pulse' showed significantly high frequency. In Deficiency of Eum group, the indicators such as 'short and rapid pulse', 'mirror-like tongue' showed significantly high frequency. For more sensitive Korean Standard Differentiation of the Symptoms and Signs for Stroke, Large scale study is to be done, giving weight on the important indicators.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.424-433
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• 2020

Qingfei Paidu decoction is recommended for treatment and prevention of COVID-19. It is a prescription that combines Mahaenggamseok-tang, Oryeong-san, Soshiho-tang, Saganmahwang-tang, and Kwakhyangjeonggi-san. According to several clinical reviews, symptoms of COVID-19 were improved, laboratory test indicators were improved, and the cure rate was increased. Pharmacologically, the Qingfei Paidu decoction and its composition have been reported to inhibit viral replication, alleviate immune responses, and have anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects. Severe side effects were not revealed, and this treatment is considered relatively safe. However, to validate and better understand these findings, well-designed clinical studies are needed.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.13-28
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• 2020

Objectives: This study was conducted to find out research trends for uterine leiomyoma and to recognize the efficacy and safety of herbal medicine treatment for uterine leiomyoma and to help in the clinical research of herbal medicine treatment for uterine leiomyoma in the future. Methods: Based on eight domestic and foreign databases, We analyzed the Randomized Controlled Trials using herbal medicine for uterine leiomyoma. Data retrieval was carried out on September 10, 2019 and the latest five-year papers were included. The treatment group was treated with herbal medicine and the control group was treated with western medicine. Results: 473 studies were searched in domestic and foreign databases, and 12 studies were finally selected. Although the indicators varied, all studies used total efficiency rate as indicators. In all 12 studies, the treatment group treated with herbal medicine was more effective than the control group treated with Western medicine.