• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.174-183
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was conducted to explore the impact of nurse staffing level and oral care on pneumonia in elderly inpatients in long-term care hospitals (LTCHs). Methods: Data were obtained from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Services (HIRA) including the profiles of LTCHs, monthly patient assessment reports and medical report survey data of pneumonia patients by HIRA in the fourth quarter of 2010. The sample consisted of 37 LTCHs and 6,593 patients. Results: Patient per nurse staff (OR=1.43, CI=1.22~1.68) and no oral care (OR=1.29, CI=1.01~1.64) were significantly related with hospital acquired pneumonia. The difference in percent of oral care by hospital was not significant between high and low group in nurse staffing level. Conclusion: In order to reduce the occurrence of pneumonia in eldery patients, effective nursing interventions are not only required but also nurse staffing levels that enable nurses to provide the intervention.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.59-66
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• 2017

Objectives : This study aims to report the effectiveness and safety of Korean medicine with thread embedding acupuncture in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Methods : A 73-year-old man who had suffered from severe facial pain for one year and who had had a healthy tooth extracted due to the pain is reported. He could not eat or sleep due to the severe pain. Acupuncture, thread embedding acupuncture, cupping, herbal steam, and herbal medicines were used for the treatment. Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and adverse events were checked daily, and other outcomes (Baseline Evaluation, Visual Analogue Scale [VAS], Short Form Health Survey 36-Bodily Pain [SF-36 BP], and Patient Global Assessment [PGA]) were measured at hospital admission and discharge. During the follow-up examinations, his pain was evaluated roughly, without using any formal measurements, on the basis of a global assessment. Results : All measured parameters, including pain, quality of life, and patient satisfaction were noted to have improved at the time of discharge compared to admission: VAS from 10 to 1.5, NRS from 7-8 to 1-2, and SF-36 BP from 0 to 22.5, and the patient's global assessment was somewhat improved. He did not take any analgesics after discharge and noted only mild adverse events, like pain where the acupuncture and thread embedding acupuncture needles were inserted. His pain relief was maintained for 6 months. Conclusion : Korean medicine with thread embedding acupuncture might be a safe and effective treatment for TN. In the future, larger sample sizes and high quality randomized clinical trials are warranted to confirm its efficacy and safety.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.1032-1041
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• 2018

Despite a considerable improvement in antiemetic chemotherapy and the use of antiemetic prophylaxis for decades, there are still numerous cancer patients suffering from anorexia and nausea after chemotherapy, which forces them to postpone or refuse treatment. This case report is about a 66-year-old female patient diagnosed with malignant lymphoma of the small intestine who underwent right hemicolectomy. After the tumor and the colon adjacent to it were surgically removed, the patient continued to undergo chemotherapy. Chemotherapy-induced anorexia and nausea appeared but were well treated with administration of Dokhwaljihwang-tang-gamibang. During the treatment, no adverse effect related to this Korean medicine was reported. The outcome was evaluated by the functional assessment of anorexia/cachexia therapy (FAACT); the total score increased from 85 to 130 within 12 days, and the symptoms were alleviated. This improvement might suggest the feasibility of Dokhwaljihwang-tang-gamibang to help cancer patients suffering from chemotherapy-induced anorexia and nausea.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.13-27
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• 2022

Objectives The purpose of this study is to reevaluate the quality of reporting on case reports published in Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine (SCM) from June 2018 to December 2021, compared with January 2015 to May 2018. Methods Case reports were identified by searching from archive on the website of society of Journal of SCM. We assessed the quality of reporting on them based on CAse REport (CARE) guideline. Results A total of 32 case reports was finally included for the assessment. Overall quality of reporting was improved compared to one of previous study. The median reported rate of 'sufficiently' reporting increased by 7.8% from 66.7% to 74.5%, while the one as evaluated 'not sufficiently' and 'not reported' decreased by 4.1% from 14.8% to 10.7%, and 3.5% from 21.4% to 17.9%, respectively. However, more than 50% of 32 case reports did not still report 5 items about intervention adherence and tolerability(96.9%), diagnostic challenges(93.8%), adverse events(87.5%), timeline(68.8%), and patient's perspective on interventions(65.6%). Compared to the results of previous study, continuous attention is required for adverse events and changes in intervention in which the unreported rate increased by 18.3% and 6.3%, respectively. In addition, prognostic characteristics, patient's informed consent, patient's occupation, and keyword of 'Case report' and 'Sasang (Constitutional) medicine' should be sufficiently reported in the future. Conclusions Despite the overall improvement in the quality of reporting, efforts to improve the quality of reporting should be continued by referring to well-reported cases reports previously published in Journal of SCM.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.32-42
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• 2021

Objectives The purpose of this case study was to report a patient with Post COVID-19 syndrome treated with Seunggeumjowi-tang based on Sasang Constitutional Medicine. Methods The patient was hospitalized after being diagnosed with COVID-19 and was suffering with post from COVID-19 syndrome such as fatigue and loss of appetite after discharge. The patient was diagnosed as Taeeumin and treated with Seunggeumjowi-tang. The progress was evaluated with the global assessment scale (GAS). Results and Conclusions Fatigue and anorexia were significantly improved, and other symptoms were restored as before. This case shows the possibility of Sasang Constitutional medication treatment for the sequelae of COVID-19.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.451-459
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to report the effectiveness of modified Guibi-tang in a patient suffering from chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Methods: A 54-year-old Korean female patient diagnosed with recurrent ovarian cancer had CIPN with other symptoms, such as anorexia, dyspepsia, insomnia, etc. She was diagnosed with Simbiyangheo and hence treated with a modified Guibi-tang. Neuropathic symptoms were assessed using a numerical rating scale (NRS) and a sensory score. Quality of life was assessed using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group Neurotoxicity (FACT/GOG-Ntx). Results: After 14 days of treatment, the patients showed a decrease in NRS for bilateral limb pain and improvement in other symptoms, such as general weakness, insomnia, dizziness, and headache. Quality of life also increased. Conclusion: Modified Guibi-tang may be considered an optional treatment for CIPN if the patient is diagnosed with Simbiyangheo. Further studies are needed to confirm this finding.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.999-1010
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• 2023

This case report shows the effect of Korean medicine treatment in a patient with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after cerebral infarction who is suspected of having post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) due to the loss of thrombus after receiving new oral anticoagulant (NOAC) treatment. The patient was treated with Korean medicine (Boyanghwano-tang and Hyulbuchuko-tang) three times a day. Acupuncture, moxibustion, infrared, and extra-physical therapy were given to the patient for 24 days. Clinical assessment - grading of edema and circumference of the left lower extremity were observed twice a week until the end of the treatment. NOAC treatment was continued for 24 days. After treatment, the patient's edema grade and circumference of the extremity improved. On the 24th day, the patient's chief complaints improved, and she requested termination of treatment. The results suggest that Korean medicine treatments, including Boyanghwano-tang, Hyulbuchuko-tang, and acupuncture therapy, can be effective in improving the clinical symptoms of DVT and PTS.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.172-181
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• 2019

This case report relates to a 40-year old male patient diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis who was treated with acupotomy and traditional Korean medicine. He showed a significant improvement in joint range of motion (ROM) in cervical and lumbar vertebrae, and in pain and functional disorder symptoms. The patient received acupotomy, acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, herbal medicine and physical therapy (November 26, 2018 to December 17, 2018). Joint ROM for cervical and lumbar vertebrae was measured, and the pain level was assessed using a numerical rating scale. The functional disorder and quality of life scales were also assessed using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, Korean Health Assessment Questionnaire, and Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire. After applying acupotomy and traditional Korean medicine, the patient exhibited increased joint ROM and reduced pain, also in conjunction with improved responses in functional disorder and quality of life.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.439-450
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• 2022

This case report describes the treatment of an adult female patient with a history of periodontal disease, Class I malocclusion with extrusion, dental spaces, and pathologic tooth migration. The patient was treated with clear aligners, which effectively controlled the strength and direction of orthodontic forces after 3 months of systematic periodontal treatment. The Peer Assessment Rating (PAR) index was calculated from study models before and after treatment. The pretreatment PAR score was 24, and the posttreatment PAR score was 4. The PAR score for this patient changed by 83%. Satisfactory appearance and good function were achieved for this patient.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.117-125
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• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this report is to introduce a rare case of a patient with Chorea Hyperglycemia Basal Ganglia syndrome (C-H-BG) whose initial medical interventions were started 2 weeks after the onset, and to suggest the possibility of treatment using a combined Western-Korean medicine approach. Methods : A 75-year-old female C-H-BG patient complaining of persistent right-sided hemichorea was treated with a therapy that combined Korean and Western medicine from April 4, 2015 to April 29, 2015. Improvements of symptoms were measured by a motor assessment of Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the number of involuntary movements. Results : Motor assessment of UHDRS, VAS and the number of involuntary movements all showed a gradually improving tendency during 26 days of admission treatment. However, the patient's hemichorea persisted. Conclusion : Rapid blood sugar control is the most important treatment for C-H-BG, because pathologic changes of basal ganglia seem to become irreversible as time goes by. A combined Western-Korean medicine approach to treating C-H-BG seems effective not only in reducing hemichorea, but also in the management of accompanying symptoms such as muscle pain and general weakness.