• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.131-145
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• 2017

Objectives The purpose of this study is to understand current status of Korean Medicine treatment practice patterns for traffic injuries by web-based survey. Methods The structured questionnaire was distributed by a web based survey to 1,630 potential respondents by email from December 19th in 2016 to February 13th in 2017. All data were statistically analysed. Results The response rate was 79.4%. According to the analysis of the outcome of the survey, 88.0% of the participants felt necessity of the development of Korean medicine clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for traffic injuries. Survey results showed cognitive degree about Korean Medicine CPGs' necessity, individual Korean medicine treatments and requirement for extending insurance coverage for patients with traffic injuries. Conclusions This survey study helps to determine current clinical practice patterns of Korea medicine treatments for traffic injuries. These results further anticipate to provide basic data for CPGs for traffic injuries.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.89-101
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• 2018

Objectives To understand current status of clinical practice patterns on Korean Medicine treatment practice of traffic injury patients by 2nd on-line survey for developing Korean Medicine treatment clinical pratice guideline (CPG) for traffic injuries. Methods A revised questionnaire about current practice patterns of Korean Medicine treatments for traffic injuries was distributed by e-mail survey to 19,385 respondents of Korean Medicine doctors from May 21th in 2018 to June 21th in 2018. All data were statistically analysed. Results The response rate was 3.5%. Most of the respondents felt necessity of the development of Korean Medicine CPG for traffic injuries. The results showed the detailed usage and trend of current Korean Medicine treatment such as acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, moxibustion, Chuna manual therapy, cupping, Korean Medicine physiotherpy for traffic injury patients. Conclusions This survey helps to determine current Korea Medicine treatments' clinical practice patterns for traffic injury patients. All data from the survey will provide basic data for future clinical studies and adaptation for the revision of Korean Medicine CPG for traffic injuries.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.33-51
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• 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to understand the current status of clinical practice patterns of Korean medicine in the treatment of degenerative arthritis of the hip and finger joints using web-based survey. Methods: An e-mail questionnaire survey was conducted with the Korean Medicine Doctor(K.M.D) registered in the Korean Medicine Association. The survey data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel. Results: Although the response rate of the survey was low, the characteristics of the respondents generally reflected the characteristics of the study population. A total of 35.2% of the respondents had heard of the guidelines; however, they did not use them for medical treatment. The reason as answered by 32.8% of the respondents was "not enough treatment time to check the manual and apply it." More than half (78.80%) answered that they were treating patients with both degenerative hip and finger arthritis; however, the average monthly number of first-time patients was ≤5. A total of 379 (60.9%) respondents answered that "acupuncture is very important," which was the only one that exceeded the majority compared to other treatments. As a result of the safety investigation, "Acupuncture, herbal medicine, cupping" were considered high in safety, while "Pharmacopuncture and Bee venom acupuncture" were considered low in safety. Conclusions: This survey helped to determine the current clinical practice patterns of Korean medicine treatments, further providing basic data for CPGs for degenerative arthritis of the hip and finger joints.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.17-27
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• 2021

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate which information of cancer patients should be collected for the Korean medicine cancer registry in order to assess the efficacy and safety of Korean medicine (KM) treatment and to identify Korean medical prognostic predictors. Methods: A total of fifteen Korean medical specialists completed an online survey questionnaire including items about general characteristics of cancer patients and clinical practice patterns. Results: The four main types of cancer at Korean medical hospitals were breast, lung, stomach, and colorectal cancer. The majority of patients with cancer at Korean medical hospitals were in the advanced or metastatic stage (50.0%). The prominent purposes of KM treatment were to alleviate cancer-related symptoms, reduce the side effects of conventional therapy, and improve quality of life. The major options for treatment were traditional herbal medicine (THM), acupuncture, moxibustion, thermotherapy, pharmacoacupuncture, and meditation, with THM being the most frequently used (35.7%). Almost all Korean medical specialists (93.9%) used syndrome differentiation in clinical practice and identified over half the cancer patients as deficiency syndrome (57.2%). Conclusion: Physicians considered the primary goal of KM treatment for cancer patients to be symptom management since advanced or metastatic stage patients were the majority at Korean medical hospitals. THM were the most common treatment option and syndrome differentiation was used by almost all physicians. Further research is needed to monitor and ensure optimal KM treatment for patients with cancer.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.73-89
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• 2021

Objectives We conducted an online survey to understand the current status of Korean Medicine clinical practice related to carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) to develop the CTS Korean Medicine Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG). Methods A thoroughly reviewed questionnaire was distributed by e-mail to 21,719 Korean Medicine doctors between March 26 and April 30, 2021. All raw data were arranged and analyzed systematically. Results The response rate among the doctors was 4%. Of the respondents, 82.1% responded that it is necessary to develop the CTS Korean Medicine CPG. We also obtained data related to the specific diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis management methods used at various treatment sites for patients with CTS. Conclusions This online survey will be helpful in developing the CTS CPG, which will contribute to the standardization of guidelines and improvements in the reliability of Korean Medicine. Our findings will provide valuable data and resources for future clinical studies on CTS.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.703-725
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• 2023

Objectives: This study investigated Korean medicine doctors' perspectives on clinical practice patterns in the process of developing Korean medicine clinical practice guidelines for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Methods: A questionnaire was developed for Korean medicine doctors. A total of 323 oriental medicine doctors participated in the survey, which was live for a total of 9 days from September 22, 2022, to September 30, 2022. Results: Regarding awareness of treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia, 63.8% of respondents showed high awareness of Korean medical treatments. However, items such as diagnostic criteria (17.7%), evaluation methods (17.0%), and Western medical treatments (22.9%) showed low recognition rates. In clinical practice, 76.2% of respondents were found to treat five or fewer patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia per month, and the average treatment period was 1 to 3 months for most at 41.2%. Korean medicine doctors diagnosed benign prostatic hyperplasia based on clinical features. The main interventions used were acupuncture, herbal medicine (prescription medicine), and moxibustion. This study has several limitations because of the low response rate for this survey; therefore, the participants are not representative of all Korean medicine doctors. In addition, because the study was conducted broadly on various topics related to benign prostatic hyperplasia, sufficient quality management was not carried out. Further studies that include a larger sample size and more in-depth studies on benign prostatic hyperplasia are needed. Conclusions: It is necessary to develop appropriate and reasonable Korean medicine clinical practice guidelines for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.532-546
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• 2021

Objective: This study investigated the perception, diagnosis, and treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in the general population, in patients, and in Korean medicine doctors (KMDs) in order to provide basic information for the development of Korean medicine clinical practice guidelines for IBS. Methods: A questionnaire was developed in two versions, one for the general population/patients and one for KMDs. The questions were about the general perception, diagnosis, and treatment of IBS. Both online and offline surveys were conducted using these questionnaires. Results: In total, 213 general population/patients and 435 KMDs responded to the survey. The results of the analysis were as follows. Most of the KMDs diagnosed IBS based on clinical aspects. Acupuncture was the most common treatment, followed by prescription herbal medicine, moxibustion, and manufactured herbal medicine. 34.3% of KMDs used clinical practice guidelines for IBS patient treatment. 57.8% of patients were diagnosed with IBS by doctors at primary medical institutions, and 53.1% were diagnosed with colonoscopy. More than half of the IBS patients who have been treated with Korean medicine said they experienced improvement of symptoms and prevention of recurrence, but more than 70% of the respondents said future safety and effectiveness studies of Korean medicine were needed. Conclusions: In spite of the positive perception of IBS treatment with Korean medicine, actual utilization was relatively low. The development and promotion of, as well as education about, appropriate and reasonable Korean medicine practice guidelines for IBS is necessary.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.73-84
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• 2018

Objectives While Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is highly prevalent in Korea, studies examining its Korean medical treatment are currently lacking. The aim of this study was to assess current Korean medical treatment practice patterns for TMD. Methods A preliminary questionnaire was developed to investigate current practice patterns of TMD treatment and underwent further revision through external review. The final questionnaire was distributed as a web-based survey to 18,289 potential respondents by email. Results The response rate was 2.23%. Most participants replied that they received multiple Korean medicine interventions for TMD treatment consisting of such methods as acupuncture, chuna manipulation, electroacupuncture. The percentage of treatment services among uncovered services, which need to be covered by national health insurance was high in the order of pharmacopuncture, chuna manipulation, and herbal medicine. The most commonly used diagnostic examination tools for TMD was Physical examination and next was Imaging diagnosis. The frequency of TMD treatment was the highest at 2~3 times per week (76%) and the period was from 4 to 12 weeks (63%). Conclusions This survey study helps determine current practice patterns of TMD, and recognizes the need for use of diagnostic devices in TMD treatment. These results are further anticipated to provide basic data for clinical practice guide lines (CPGs).

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.149-164
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• 2024

Objectives This study aimed to develop Korean medicine clinical practice guidelines for myofascial pain syndrome that can actually be applied clinically. Methods A text message containing a link to an online survey was sent to 26,987 Korean medicine doctors registered with the association of Korean medicine. The survey period was from December 29, 2023 to January 19, 2024. Results There were 2,762 Korean medicine doctors who responded to an online survey over a three-week period. Awareness of the standard clinical practice guidelines of Korean medicine was 74.5%, and utilization was 35.8%. The most frequently used diagnostic tool was a numerical evaluation tool, the treatment tool was acupuncture, and the prognosis management guidance was lifestyle guidance. Conclusions If standard Korean medicine clinical practice guidelines for myofascial pain syndrome are developed based on the results of this survey, guidelines that are highly usable in clinical settings will be developed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.65-72
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• 2016

Objectives : While neck pain is highly prevalent in Korea, studies examining its Korean medical treatment are currently lacking. The aim of this study was to assess current Korean medical treatment practice patterns for neck pain. Methods : A preliminary questionnaire was developed to investigate current practice patterns of neck pain and cervical intervertebral disc displacement (IDD) treatment, and underwent further revision through external review. The final questionnaire was distributed as a web-based survey to 18,289 potential respondents by email. Results : The response rate was 3.34 %. Most participants replied that they received multiple Korean medicine interventions for neck pain treatment consisting of such methods as acupuncture, wet cupping, interferential current therapy and electroacupuncture. A total of 378 respondents acknowledged that diagnostic testing was needed for neck pain treatment. The most commonly used Korean Standard Classification of Diseases (KCD) principal diagnosis code for neck pain was M542, and for cervical IDD was M501. Conclusion : This survey study helps determine current practice patterns of neck pain, and recognizes the need for use of diagnostic devices in neck pain treatment. These results are further anticipated to provide basic data for clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) and future studies using Korean National Health Insurance and Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service data.