• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.187-194
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• 2015

Objectives To examine direct causes of attempted suicides, methods adopted to commit suicide, and psychiatric diagnoses among suicide attempters in South Korea. Methods A total of 1359 suicide attempters who had visited emergency department of 17 medical centers due to suicide attempt from May 2013 to Nov 2013 were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. Results Psychiatric symptoms were the most common cause of suicide attempts (62.2%), followed by interpersonal relationships (24.4%). Women attempted suicide more often for interpersonal reasons, whereas men were more likely to do so for financial and job-related reasons. Half of participants (55.8%) attempted suicide by drug intoxication, which was more prevalent among females and those who had previous history of psychiatric disease or previous suicide attempt. Men were more likely to use more lethal methods such as pesticide poisoning and gas inhalation than women. Pesticide poisoning was also prevalent among the elderly group and the rural population. Near ninety-five percent (94.5%) of participants received a psychiatric diagnosis : the most frequent diagnosis was depressive disorder. Conclusions This is the first nationwide study of cases of attempted suicide. When stratified by age groups, gender, urbanicity, living alone or not, presence of physical illness, previous psychiatric history, and previous suicide attempt, there were significant differences with respect to causes, methods of attempted suicides and psychiatric diagnoses of suicide attempters.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.3 s.67
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• pp.187-200
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• 2006

Objectives: Acupuncture has been applied in Asia for thousands of years, especially to rehabilitation after stroke. It has been reported that acupuncture increased cerebral blood supply and stimulated the functional activity of brain nerve cells shown by using brain imaging techniques. This study was to evaluate the effect of GB 34-GB 39 electro-acupuncture (EA) on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in stroke patients and normal volunteers using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Methods: The study procedure was divided into two parts: patients and volunteers studies. For the patients study, ten ischemic stroke patients (3 males, 7 females, mean age $68.5{\pm}8.9$ years old) were selected. Baseline brain SPECT was done with triple head gamma camera (MultiSPECT3, Siemens, USA) after intravenous administration of 1,110 MBq of $^{99m}Tc-ECD$. Fifteen-minute EA at GB 34 and GB 39 were applied on the affected limb. The same dose of $^{99m}Tc-ECD$ was injected during the EA, and the second set of SPECT images wasobtained. Using the computer software (ICON 7.1, Siemens, USA), 3 SPECT slices (upper, middle, lower) surrounding the brain lesion were selected and each slice was divided into 10-16 brain regions. Asymmetry indexes (AI) were analyzed in each brain region. We regarded over 10% changes of AI between before and after EA as significance. For the volunteers study, 10 healthy human volunteers (5 males, 5 females, mean age $28.1{\pm}6$ years old) were selected. In the resting state, $^{99m}Tc-ECD$ brain SPECT scans were performed. On the 7th day after the resting examination, 15 minute EA was applied at GB 34 and GB 39 on the right side of the subjects. Immediately after EA, the second SPECT images were obtained inthe same manner as the resting state. Significant increases and decreases of rCBF after EA were estimated by comparing their SPECT images with those of the resting state using paired t statistics at every voxel, which were analyzed by statistical parametric mapping with a threshold of p = 0.01, uncorrected (extent threshold: k=100 voxels). Results: In stroke patients, six of the eight (75%) had significantly increased perfusion in post-acupuncture scans compared to their baseline state. In normal volunteers, GB 34-GB GB EA increased rCBF in both hemispheres including right ventral posterior cingulate (Brodmann area (BA) 23), left superior temporal, anterior transverse temporal (BA 22, 41), left parastriate, peristriate (BA 18, 19), right occipitotemporal, angular (BA 37, 39), left rostral postcentral, caudal postcentral and preparietal (BA 2, 3, 5). However GB 34-GB 39 EA decreased rCBF in the right hemisphere including triangular and middle frontal lobes. Conclusions: The results demonstrated that OB 34-GB 39 EA increased cerebral perfusion in ischemic stroke patients and increased rCBF grossly in temporal lobes of normal volunteers. It is also suggested that there may be a correlation between the GB meridian and the territory of the middle cerebral artery.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.218-231
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• 2012

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the physico-chemical water quality, trophic and tolerance guilds in the control ($C_o$) and impacted streams of the abandoned mine, along with the ecological health, using a multimetric health model and physical habitat conditions of Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI), during the period of three years, 2005~2007. Also, eco-toxicity ($EE_t$) enclosure tests were conducted to examine the toxic effects on the outflows from the mine wastewater, using the sentinel species of Rhynchocypris oxycephalus, and we compared the biological responses of the control ($C_o$) and treatment (T) to the effluents through a Necropybased Health Assessment Index ($N_b$-HAI). Tissue impact analysis of the spleen, kidney, gill, liver, eyes, and fins were conducted in the controlled enclosure experiments (10 individuals). According to the comparisons of the control ($C_o$) vs. the treatment (T) in physicochemical water quality, outflows from the abandoned mine resulted in low pH of 3.2, strong acid wastewater, high ionic concentrations, based on an electrical conductivity, and high total dissolved solid (TDS). Physical habitat assessments, based on Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) did not show any statistical differences (p>0.05) in the sampling sites, whereas, the $M_m$-EH model values in a multimetric ecological health ($M_m$-EH) model of the Index of Biological Integrity (IBI), using fish assemblages, were 16~20 (fair condition) in the control and all zero (0, poor condition) in the impacted sites of mine wastewater. In addition, in enclosure eco-toxicity ($EE_t$) tests, the model values of $N_b$-HAI ranged between 0 and 3 in the controls during the three years, indicating an excellent~good condition (Ex~G), and were >100 (range: 100~137) in the impacted sites, which indicates a poor condition (P). Under the circumstances, organ tissues, such as the liver, kidney, and gills were largely impaired, so that efficient water quality managements are required in the outflow area of the abandoned mine watershed.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.40-52
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• 2007

1. Objectives and Methods The purpose of this study was to objectify the diagnosis of Sasang Constitution. 63 Male Juvenile's and 151 Female Juvenile's sentences were analyzed into 73 factors like Pitch, APQ, Shimmer, Octave and Energy, etc. Juvenile's sentences were classified into 6 categories: total Male Juvenile group, under 12 years old Male Juvenile grout, over 13 years old Male Juvenile group, total Female Juvenile group, under 12 years old Female Juvenile group and over 13 years old Female Juvenile group. 2. Results 1) In Total Male Juvenile group, there were no significant differences among constitutional groups in APQ and Octave segment. Taeumin's Center freq.(3) was significantly high compared with Soyangin group. Soeumin's Center freq.(5) was significantly high compared with Soyangin and Taeumin groups. Taeumin's Octave3 Shimmer was significantly high compared with Soeumin group. Soeumin's Octave6 Shimmer was significantly high compared with Taeumin group. Solyangin's D# Tot E was significantly high compared with Taeumin group. 2) In Under 12 years old Male Juvenile group, there were on significantly among constitutional groups in Pitch, APQ, Octave and Energy segment. Taeumin's Octave3 Shimmer and G Shimmer(1) were significantly high compared with Soeumin group. 3) In Over 13 years old Male Juvenile group, there were no signigicant differences among constitutional groups in Pitch, APQ and Shimmer segment. Soyangin's and Soeumin's Octave6 were significantly high compared with Taeumin group. Soyangin's $0k{\sim}2k$ Total Sum, $0k{\sim}2k$ Dev., $2k{\sim}4k$ Total Sum, $2k{\sim}4k$ Dev., A Dev.(1), D# Dev.(1) and G# Dev.(1) were significantly high compared with Taeumin group. Soyangin's and Soeumin's G# Tot E were significantly high compared with Taeumin group. 4) In Total Female Juvenile group, there were no significant differences among constitutional groups in Pitch and APQ segment. Soeumin's Octave4 Shimmer was significantly high compared with Soyangin group. Soyangin's Octave6 was significantly high compared with Soeumin group. Solyangin's 2k-4k Total Sum and B Tot E were significantly high compared with Soeumin group. 5) In Under 12 years old Female Juvenile group, there were no significant differences among constitutional groups in APQ and Energy segment. Soeumin's and Taeumin's Center Pitch and Pitch were significantly high compared with Soyangin group. Soyangin's Center freq.(1) and Center freq.(7) were significantly high compared with Soeumin and Taeeunin groups. Soyangin's and Taeumin's B Shimmer(1) and F# Shimmer(1) were significantly high compared with Soeumin group. Soeumin's D Shimmer(1) was significantly high compared with Soyangin group. Taeumin's and Soeumin's G# Shimmer(1) were significantly high compared with Soyangin group. Soyangin's and Taeumin's Octave2 were significantly high compared with Soeumin group. 6) In Over 13 years old Female Juvenile group, there were no significant differences among constitutional groups in Pitch, APQ and Octave segment. Soeumin's Octave4 Shimmer was significantly high compared with Soyangin group. Soyangin's B Dev.(1) and F Dev.(1) were significantly high compared with Soeumin group. 3. Conclusions In juvenile groups, some sound factors are regarded as useful. PSSC are thought to be the objertive way to diagnose the Consitution and more participants are needed to get more efficiencies using PSSC.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.75-93
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• 2006

1. Objectives and Methods Sasang Constitutional Medicine is the original Korean Medicine. The purpose of this study was to objectify the diagnosis of Sasang Constitution. 212 Women's sentences were analyzed into 228 factors like Pitch, APQ, Shimmer, Octave and Energy, etc. Women's sentences were classified into 3 categories: total group, under 54 years old group and over 55 years old group. 2. Results 1) In Total group Soyangin's Center feq.(3) was significantly high compared with Taeyangin and Taeumin groups. Taeumin's Pitch2 was significantly high compared with Soeumin and Taeyangin groups. Taeyangin's Pitch S.D. was significantly high compared with Soyangin group. Taeyangin's Octave6 was significantly high compared with Soeumin group. There were no significant differences among constitutional groups in APQ and Shimmer segment. On the point of Energy, Taeyangin's G Tot E(1), G# Tot E(1), G dev.(1), G# dev.(1), G Tot E(2), G# Tot E(2), G dev.(4) and G# dev.(4) were significantly high compared with other groups. Soyangin's A#S.D.(2) was significantly high compared with Taeyangin group. Taeyangin's A#S.D.(3) was significantly high compared with Taeumin group. Taeyangin's F S.D.(5), F# S.D.(5) and Max Average were significantly high compared with Soeumin group. Taeumin's Peak3 and Peak4 were significantly high compared with Taeyangin group. Taeumin's PeakValue1 was significantly high compared with Soeumin group. Taeyangin's PeakValue2 was significantly high compared with Soeumin group. Taeyangin's PeakValue3 and PeakValue5 were significantly high compared with Other groups. 2) In Under 54 years old group, there were no significant differences among constitutional groups in APQ, Shimmer and Octave segment. Taeumin's Center freq.(2) was significantly high compared with Taeyangin and Soyangin groups. Taeumin's Pitch(2) and Pitch(3) were significantly high compared with Taeyangin and Soeumin groups. Taeyangin's and Taeumin's Pitch S.D. were significantly high compared with Soyangin group. Taeyangin's and Soyangin's Octave2 were significantly high compared with Taeumin group. On the point of Energy, Taeyangin's and Soyangin's A# S.D.(2) were significantly high compared with Soeumin group. Taeyangin's and Soyangin's G# dev.(1), G# dev.(2) were significantly high compared with Taeumin group. Taeyangin's and Taeumin's F# S.D.(3) were significantly high compared with Soeumin group. Taeyangin's and Soyangin's Max Average were significantly high compared with Soeumin group. Taeumin's Peak3 was significantly high compared with Taeyangin and Soeumin groups. Taeyangin's and Taeumin's PeakValue2 were significantly high compared with Soeumin group. Taeyangin's and Soeumin's PeakValue3 were significantly high compared with Taeumin group. Taeyangin's and Soyangin's PeakValue5 were significantly high compared with Soeumin group. Taeyangin's and Soyangin's PeakValue9 were significantly high compared with Taeumin group 3) In Over 55 years old group, there were no significant differences among constitutional groups in Pitch, APQ, and Peak segment. Soeumin's F Shimmer(1) and F Shimmer(2) were significantly high compared with Taeyangin and Taeumin groups. Soeumin's G# Shimmer(1) and G# Shimmer(2) were significantly high compared with Soyangin group. Taeyangin's Octave5 and Octave6 were significantly high compared with Soeumin group. On the point of Energy, Soyangin's C S.D., F# S.D.(1), F# S.D.(2) and G dev.(2) were significantly high compared with other groups. Soyangin's F# S.D.(3) was significantly high compared with Taeumin and Soeumin groups. Taeyangin's and Taeumin's G# S.D.(2) and G# S.D.(3) were significantly high compared with Soyangin group 3. Conclusions From above result, there is the possibility of efficient standard guide for constitution diagnosis by analysis of voice

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.20 no.1 s.32
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• pp.80-98
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• 2007

Objectives : This study was carried out to evaluate anti-oxydative, anti-tumor effect for clinical application of Whakijogyungtang (WJT) Results : 1. DPPH radical scavenging activities of WJT water extracts(Exts) were in proportion as concentration of WJT.(3 ${\mu}g/ml:12.6{\pm}2.3$ %) 2. ABTS+ scavenging activities of WJT water Exts were more effective in high density.(3 ${\mu}g/ml:4.3{\pm}1.6$ %, 10 ${\mu}g/ml$: $11.8{\pm}2.5$ %, 30 ${\mu}g/ml:45.3{\pm}3.2%$ 100 ${\mu}g/ml$: $62.7{\pm}4.8%$) 3. Hydrogen peroxide$(H_2O_2)$ scavenging activities of WJT water Exts were effective.(3 ${\mu}g/ml:4.7{\pm}0.8$ %, 10 ${\mu}g/ml: $8.2{\pm}1.6$ %, 30 ${\mu}g/ml:19.5{\pm}3.2$ % 100 ${\mu}g/ml$: $24.6{\pm}3.8$ %) 4. Anti oxidative effects against linoleic acid were not effective. 5. The generation of $O_2\;^-$ in S-180 cells were according to the concentration of WJT water Exts, specially effective over 100 ${\mu}g/ml$ concentration. 6. The SOD activities in S-180 cells were in proportion as cytotoxicity against S-180 cells of WJT water Exts. 7. The GPx activities in S-180 cells were in proportion as cytotoxicity against S-180 cells of WJT water Exts(more effective on 300 ${\mu}g/ml$ and 1000 ${\mu}g/ml$ concentration), but the catalase activities in S-180 cells were not effective. 8. The results of activites against multi-drug-resistance(MDR) of WJT were as follows. 1) In water Exts from WJT, cytotoxicity against AML-2/D100 with vincristine($IC_{50:}39.78$ ${\mu}g/ml$) was more effective than without vincristine($IC_{50:}$ 183.58 ${\mu}g/ml$), Cross resistance(CR:3.85) was not effective, and anti-MDR activites(RF) was effective.(RF:3.85) 2) In hexane fraction, cytotoxicity against AML-2/D100 with vincristine ($IC_{50:}130.88$ ${\mu}g/ml$) was more effective than without vincristine ($IC_{50:}293.10$ ${\mu}g/ml$) and anti-MDR activites(RF) was effective.(RF:4.61) 3) In chloroform fraction, the cytotoxicity against AML-2/WT and AML-2/D100 was not effective. 4) In ethyl acetate fraction, cytotoxicity against AML-2/D100 with vincristine($IC_{50:}36.43$ ${\mu}g/ml$) was more effective than without vincristine ($IC_{50:}73.07$ ${\mu}g/ml$), Cross resistance(CR:0.53) was not effective, and anti-MDR activites(RF) was effective.(RF:2) 5) In butanol fraction, the cytotoxicity against AML-2/WT and AML-2/D100 was not effective. 6) In $H_2O$ fraction, the cytotoxicity against AML-2/WT and AML-2/D100 was not effective. Conclusion : These result suggest that WJT has antioxidative effects, anti-tumor effects by apoptosis of free radical$(O_2\;^-)$ activity, and anti-MDR activites(especially hexane and ethyl acetate fraction).

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.189-194
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• 2008

Middle-infrared (MIR) spectral region between 3.0 and $5.0\;{\mu}m$ in wavelength is useful for observing high temperature events such as volcanic activities and forest fire. However, atmospheric effects and sun irradiance in day time has not been well studied for this MIR spectral band. The objectives of this basic study is to evaluate atmospheric effects and eventually to estimate surface temperature from a single channel MIR image, although a typical approach utilize split-window method using more than two channels. Several parameters are involved for the correction including various atmospheric data and sun-irradiance at the area of interest. To evaluate the effect of sun irradiance, MODIS MIR images acquired in day and night times were used for comparison. Atmospheric parameters were modeled by MODTRAN, and applied to a radiative transfer model for estimating the sea surface temperature. MODIS Sea Surface Temperature algorithm based upon multi-channel observation was performed in comparison with results from the radiative transfer model from a single channel. Temperature difference of the two methods was $0.89{\pm}0.54^{\circ}C$ and $1.25{\pm}0.41^{\circ}C$ from the day-time and night-time images, respectively. It is also shown that the emissivity effect has by more largely influenced on the estimated temperature than atmospheric effects. Although the test results encourage using a single channel MR observation, it must be noted that the results were obtained from water body not from land surface. Because emissivity greatly varies on land, it is very difficult to retrieval land surface temperature from a single channel MIR data.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.601-609
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• 2020

This study aims to draw suggestions for establishing the Post-2020 national policy direction and goals related to protected areas in Korea by analyzing the trends of major discussion issues on protected areas in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and reviewing the achievement progress of the Aichi target-11. Regarding the CBD decisions on protected areas, two decisions (Decisions II/7 and II/8) were adopted in 1995, and then the Program of Work on Protected Areas (PoWPA), which presented an ideal blueprint for protected areas, was adopted at the 7th Conference of the Parties (COP) in 2004. At the 10th COP in 2010, the "Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and the Aichi Biodiversity Target" (Decision X/2) was adopted along with the Decision X/31, which presented ten key issues related to protected areas. The global outcomes of the Aichi Target-11 include 15% of the earth's land area and 7.4% of the ocean being designated as protected areas. In Korea, 16.63% of the land and 2.12% of the ocean have been designated as protected areas. However, the outcomes of the effective and equitable management, protection of areas important to biodiversity and ecosystem services, and identifying "Other effective area-based conservation measures" (OECMs) and linking them with protected areas have been found to be significantly short of global goals. The first draft of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (Post-2020 GBF) prepared in January 2020 presented multi-step objectives. They included protecting at least 60% of particularly important sites for biodiversity through protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures, at least 30% of the entire land and sea areas, and at least 10% of them under strict protection by 2030. The Updated Zero drafted in August 2020 concisely set out one quantitative goal of at least 30% of the globe by 2030, adding qualitative goals that these areas should be protected and conserved through "well connected and effective system of protected areas and OECMs at least 30 % of the planet with the focus on areas particularly important for biodiversity." Based on the draft Post-2020 GBF's targets related to protected areas and Korea's national targets reflecting the current state of Korea and established national plans, we suggest the national targets "to protect and conserve at least 30% of the land area and 10% of the marine area and to strengthen the means of qualitative achievement by establishing sub-targets through an effective system of protected areas and OECMs by 2030.".

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.20-25
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• 2022

Background and Objectives Globus pharyngeus is one of the most common symptoms of patients visiting otorhinolaryngology out-patient clinic, and usually long-lasting, difficult to treat, and frequently recurrent. Mucomyst^®, N-acetyl cysteine is an inhalation agent mainly used for mucolysis and reducing inflammation in airway via antioxidative effect. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of inhaled Mucomyst^® treatment in patients with globus pharyngeus refractory to proton pump inhibitor (PPI). Materials and Method We prospectively evaluated the efficacy of Mucomyst^® in relieving symptoms of globus pharyngeus refractory to PPI in nine medical centers. Three hundred and three patients enrolled and finally 229 patients finished the inhaled Mucomyst^® therapy for 8 weeks. We analyzed the change of Reflux Symptom Index (RSI), Reflux Finding Score (RFS), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for globus, and Globus Pharyngeus Symptom Scale (GPS) after use of Mucomyst^® for 4 and 8 weeks. Results The GPS, RSI, RFS, and VAS score significantly decreased serially in patients who finished 8 week-inhalation treatment. The GPS improvement gap was significantly correlated with initial GPS (p<0.001) in multiple regression analysis. Conclusion Inhaled Mucomyst^® therapy was effective for the reduction of both subjective and objective findings in refractory globus patients. This study might suggest new treatment option for patients with globus. However, further thorough studies would be needed to assess the real effect of inhaled Mucomyst^® treatment as a standard treatment for globus.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.1105-1121
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to explore the effectiveness and safety of frequently used clinical herbal medicines (Yijung-tang [Lizhong-tang, LJT], Pyeongwi-san [Pingwei-san, PWS], and Shihosogan-tang [Chaihu Shugan-tang, SST]) in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) when administered according to herbal medicine and Korean medicine pattern identification. The results of this study will be used to standardize the diagnostic instrument used in Korean medicine and to investigate biomarkers of Korean medicine pattern identification. Methods: This study will be a randomized, assessor-blind, 3-arm, parallel, open-label, multi-center clinical trial. A total of 300 FD participants will be recruited from 3 Korean medical hospitals and assigned to the LJT (n=100), PWS (n=100), and SST (n=100) groups according to FD pattern identification. The patients will take the medication for 8 weeks, 3 times a day, before or between meals. The primary outcome will be total dyspepsia symptom (TDS) and the secondary outcomes will be adequate relief (AR) for dyspepsia, overall treatment effect (OTE), visual analogue scale (VAS), functional dyspepsia-related quality of life (FD-QoL), gastrointestinal symptom score (GIS), and pattern identification questionnaires. For the exploratory outcomes, we will analyze blood and fecal metabolome profiles, microbiota from fecal and saliva samples, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), and results of Korean medicine diagnosis device measurements (heart rate variability, and tongue, pulse, and abdominal diagnosis). Conclusions: The results of this study will prove objectivity for Korean medicine pattern identifications, and the effectiveness and safety of herbal medicines for the population with FD.