• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.173-185
• /
• 2009

Objectives : Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(ALS) is a progressive disease that causes degeneration of the motor neurons of the brain and spinal cord. The purpose of this case study is to improvement of oriental mediacl treatment on ALS. Methods : The patients were treated by acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping therapy, herbal medication, physical treatment. To determine the effects of Oriental medical treatment, we evaluated weekly used by Korean version of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised(K-ALSFRS-R), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Severity Scale(ALSSS). Results : Symptoms such as cervical and shoulder pain, knee pain, cold sweating, insomnia etc were improved after above treatment. But K-ALSFRS-R and ALSSS were no improvement after above treatment. 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 Medical Ki-Gong Academy
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.25-42
• /
• 2019

Objective : This study is a report on treatment effect of Korean medical treatment to ALS(Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) patient. The purpose of this case study is to improvement of Korean medical treatment and evaluate prognosis and clinical course of ALS patients. Methods : The patient was treated by acupuncture, Su-Gi therapy, herbal medication, physical treatment. To determine the effects of Korean medical treatment, we evaluated every four days used by Korean version of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised (KALSFRS-R), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Severity Scale(ALSSS). Results : Before mental contraction caused by everyday life nursing management, symptoms such as lumbar pain, getting hoarse, lower limb powerless & spasticity, upper limbs powerless, neckache, tongue-tied etc. were improved after above treatment. K-ALSFRS-R and ALSSS scores were also increased till patient's mental contraction Conclusions : The Korean medical treatment is effective on local symptoms of ALS, and there is also functional improvement of ALS diagnosed by external examination. It is necessary to have more examination about ALS.

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

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.103-111
• /
• 2010

Objectives : This study was performed to report the effect of oriental medical treatment in the lower back pain(LBP) with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS). Methods : A 32-years-old man who diagnosed as ALS was admitted with LBP. We treated him by burning acupuncture, herbal medicine, acupuncture, electroacupuncture, moxibustion, cupping therapy and physical therapy from 11th May 2010 to 10th June 2010. Results : After treatment, there was improvement in LBP. Pain Intensity estimated by visual analog scale(VAS) as percentile Pain Intensity Difference(PID), Korean Owestry Disbility Index(KODI) was also improved. Korean version of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Functional rating scale-revised(K-ALSFRS-R) shows that the patient's physical ability has been improved. Conclusions : Our study suggests that oriental medical treatment are significantly effective in the LBP due to ALS. And further studies will be aid to identify underlying mechanism of treatment.