• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.109-114
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to report the effect in treating a patient with a case of avulsion fracture of the proximal 5th metatarsal with a combination of Korean medicine therapy. We treated the patient with acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, moxibustion, cupping, and herbal medicine The numeric rating scale, X-ray were applied as outcome measures. After complex Korean medicine treatment, this patient's avulsion fracture of the proximal 5th metatarsal was improved and pain was reduced. This result shows that Korean medical therapy may be an effective option for avulsion fracture of the proximal 5th metatarsal.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.105-114
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• 2021

A 38-year-old Korean man without any other history was diagnosed with myelopathy due to a spinal dural arteriovenous fistula. Following embolization and high-dose steroid therapy, the patient was treated with complex Korean medical therapies including acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, electro-acupuncture, Chuna manual therapy, herbal medicine, and cupping therapy in addition to conventional treatment. To assess the patient's improvement, international standard for neurological classification of spinal cord injury, Korean version of modified Barthel index, functional independence measure, spinal cord independence measure III, walking index for spinal cord injury II, modified Ashworth scale were used. After treatment, the muscle strength and sensory function of the lower extremities were improved, and the spasticity was reduced, resulting in a rapid improvement in performance of daily activities. These results suggest that complex Korean medical therapies may be effective for myelopathy, and further clinical studies are needed to clarify their effects.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.244-253
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• 2019

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report the effects of Korean medical treatment on six patients with burning mouth syndrome. Methods : We treated six patients with burning mouth syndrome using following treatments: Oryeong-San, acupuncture and pharmacopuncture. Numeric rating scale(NRS) of burning pain, scores of dry mouth, progression of symptoms were analyzed to evaluate the effects of treatment. Results : NRS of pain and scores of dry mouth decreased after treatment. Conclusions : This clinical study suggests that Korean medical treatment can be effective in treating Burning Mouth Syndrome.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.87-104
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• 2019

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to analyze the Korean medicine treatment on decubitus ulcer to find out the trend and the effectiveness. Methods : The domestic journal databases(NDSL, OASIS, RISS, KISS, KCI) were searched using keyword 'Decubitus Ulcer', treated by Korean Medicine. Results : Out of 47 articles searched, 12 papers were selected. All of those were case-study or case-series studies. Features of the papers, herbal medicines, acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, externals, other treatments, evaluation methods, treatment period, and the results were analyzed. Conclusions : This study shows the effectiveness of various Korean Medicine on treating decubitus ulcer. Further clinical studies are expected using evaluation methods to analyze the results and to establish high level of evidence.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.499-505
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• 2019

Oculomotor nerve palsy causes ptosis, limitation of eye movement, diplopia, and facial pain. Despite imaging investigation, the cause of the palsy cannot be established in most cases. We treated a patient with idiopathic oculomotor nerve palsy with acupuncture, electroacupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and Korean medical physical therapy. In this case, the symptoms remarkably improved after 28 days of treatment. This case report suggests that traditional Korean medicine is effective in treating ptosis and limitation of eye movement diagnosed as idiopathic oculomotor nerve palsy.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.164-185
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• 2019

Objectives : This study is carried out to analyze the use of Korean medical treatments on alopecia in Korean medicine clinical studies published in South Korea. Methods : Based on OASIS and KTKP with the keyword 'alopecia', published in 1996-2019.4.23., total 23 studies have been found and analyzed. We analyzed Korean medical treatment used in each cases, and investigated the tendency of use for each treatment. Results : 369 cases in 23 research papers were selected. Herbal medicine, acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, external medicine and other therapy were used as treatment for Alopecia. Herbal medicine with a cooling effect was mainly used. The acupoints mainly used were GV20, ST8, GB5, ST36, HT8, PC6, BL66. Pharmacopunctures used to treat alopecia were CF, HP, HH, BV, etc. The average duration of Korean medicine treatment was 144 days. After Korean medicine treatment, 292 cases presented improvement or complete recovery. Conclusions : According to the results, we were able to discover the current status of Korean medicine treatment of alopecia. Based on this result, further studies will be needed to establish the primary treatment direction of alopecia.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.56-67
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to review clinical studies of herb medicine and acupuncture treatment on obesity in menopausal women. Methods: Key words "Obesity", "Menopause", "Herb medicine", "Acupuncture", "Moxibustion", "Catgut embedding" were searched on 9 database systems (PubMed Central, Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials, Embase, China Academic Journals, Korean Traditional Knowledge Portal, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System, Korean Studies Information Service System, National Digital Science Library, DBpia) on April 30th 2019. Results: 1 case report and 17 clinical trials were collected in accordance with the selection and exclusion criteria. Among the 17 trials, 6 were randomized controlled trials, 1 was controlled clinical trial, and 10 were single-arm trials. The types of intervention were herb medicine, electroacupuncture, acupuncture, auricular acupuncture, warm needle acupuncture, moxibustion, laser acupuncture, and catgut embedding. The study design, study results and method of intervention were analyzed. Conclusions: 1 case report described the effectiveness of pharmacopuncture, 4 trials described the effectiveness of herbal medicine, 2 of electroacupuncture, 1 of laser acupuncture, and 2 of catgut embedding. Among the 17 trials, 2 studies showed that herbal medicine treatment was more effective than no treatment or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and 1 study showed that electroacupuncture was more effective than hormone therapy. All of 18 selected studies reported the effectiveness of weight reduction and abdominal obesity reduction after the traditional Korean medicine treatment for obesity in menopausal women.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.136-157
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• 2018

Objectives: This systematic review aimed to put the case reports of lung cancer on Korean medicine (KM) together and adopt the results in clinical practice. Methods: Researches were searched using the PubMed, EMBASE, OASIS, KoreanTK, KISTI, RISS, KISS, and NDSL. The search term were 'lung cancer' and KM. There was no restriction in year. Results: 1. Among the 48 studies, 68 patients were reported in total. The types of lung cancer were non-small-cell lung cancer (n=41) and small-cell lung cancer (n=6). 2. The number of patients who received KM therapy alone was 40. On the other hand, 25 patients were treated with KM and chemotherapy simultaneously. All case reports used herbal medicine except 2 studies. Other types of treatment were acupuncture, moxibustion, pharmacopuncture, cupping, meditation, etc. 3. Several efficacy evaluation variables were used such as tumor size, changes of symptoms, duration of survival, the quality of life, and so on. The safety was evaluated by checking adverse effects using blood test. 4. Regarding the tumor response, partial response was reported in 12 cases, stable disease was in 22 cases, 50% of the total cases, which is a high level of tumor response. Furthermore, all 11 cases with the evaluation on the length of survival showed prolonged survival than the expectancy of corresponding stage, with the stable quality of life. Conclusion: We have found that the applicability of KM for treatment of lung cancer through this review. Evidence based medicine can be realized by checking cases and applying them in clinical practice.

• 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.

• Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.355-360
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• 2018

Introductions: Pneumothorax is the most frequent severe acupuncture-related adverse event occurring at the GB 21 acupoint. This study used ultrasonography (US) to measure the depth of the GB 21 acupoint in adults and assessed its applicability for ensuring safe acupuncture practices. Materials and methods: A US probe was used to measure the vertical depth from the skin to the pleural line of the apex of the lungs at the right and left GB 21 acupoints. The sex, age, body weight, height, and body mass index of each person were recorded. Student t test and generalized estimating equations were used for statistical analysis. Results: Sixty women and 41 men with a median age of 29 years were included in this study. The depth of GB 21 increased with body weight, height, and body mass index (p < 0.001). The mean depth of GB 21 in men (17.4 mm) was greater than that in women (14.6 mm; p < 0.001). The depth difference between the right and left shoulders was significant in men (p < 0.001) but not in women. Conclusions: US can be used to measure GB 21 acupoint depth. Further control studies on its use to ensure safe clinical practices, including preventing acupuncture-related pneumothorax, are warranted.