• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.95-107
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• 2017

Objectives: This study was performed to review studies on Essential Tremor (ET) in Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Methods: We reviewed papers in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) from 2007~2016. Search keywords were 原发性震颤, 特发性震颤, essential tremor and idiopathic tremor, and excluded non-clinical studies, non-related to ET or TCM studies, theses for degrees and non-Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT). The quality of the articles was assessed by Jadad scale and the Risk of Bias (RoB). Results: Thirteen studies were selected. 'Criteria for the diagnosis of ET' was most frequently used as diagnostic criteria. 'Tremor rating scale' was primarily used for outcome measurement. Meta-analysis of nine trials revealed the effective rate of acupuncture and Western medicine (WM+Acu) groups was significantly higher compared to the WM group (RR: 1.48, 95 percent CI: 1.20 to 1.82, p=0.0002, $I^2=0$ percent) and tremor rating scale was also significantly decreased in the treatment group (MD: -1.35, 95 percent CI: -2.17 to -0.54, p=0.001, $I^2=0$ percent). Also, effective rates of Electro-acupuncture (EA) and Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) groups were significantly higher than that of the WM group {(RR: 1.53, 95 percent CI: 1.22 to 1.92, p=0.0003, $I^2=0$ percent) in EA vs. WM and (RR: 1.35, 95 percent CI: 1.16 to 1.57, p<0.0001, $I^2=0$ percent) in CHM vs. WM}. However, the quality of selected clinical studies was poor. Conclusions: Treatment of ET in TCM may be more effective and safe than in Western medicine. Therefore, we hope this study will lead to further clinical research on treatment of ET in Korean medicine.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.13-24
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• 2013

Objectives: The aims of this study were to investigate the availability of diagnosis of Yin-deficiency in the elderly with xerostomia and factors influencing subjective oral dryness. Methods: We surveyed 50 patients recruited by the clinical trial, 'Efficacy of Yukmijihwang-tang on Xerostomia in the Elderly: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Two-center Trial'. The subjects were assessed on their subjective oral dryness using the Dry Mouth Symptom Questionnaire (DMSQ). Their salivary functions were measured by Unstimulated Salivary Flow Rate (USFR) measurements. In addition, the subjects were evaluated on their Qi-stagnation and Yin-deficiency conditions using the Qi-stagnation questionnaire and Yin-deficiency questionnaire. Results: There were statistically significant correlations between three variables (USFR, DMSQ score and Qi-stagnation score) and Yin-deficiency score. In the multiple regression analysis, the regression model was statistically significant (F = 10.273, p < .001). The factor most strongly influencing the subjective oral dryness was USFR (${\beta}$ = -0.386). Yin-deficiency had the next strongest impact on the subjective oral dryness (${\beta}$ = 0.371). Qi-stagnation affected the subjective oral dryness weakly (${\beta}$ = 0.075). In the simple regression analysis, Yin-deficiency had a statistically significant effect on each of six subscales of DMSQ (p < .01). Among the six subscales, DMSQ-1 ('Oral dryness at night or on awakening') was the most strongly influenced by Yin-deficiency. Conclusions: The results of this study show that the diagnosis of Yin-deficiency in the elderly with xerostomia was available and Yin-deficiency was an important factor influencing the subjective oral dryness. Therefore, the consideration of Yin-deficiency is significant for diagnosis and treatment in the elderly with xerostomia.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.31-40
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• 2009

Objective : This study was to investigate the effects of distilled Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu Pharmacopuncture and Zizyphi Spinosi Semen Pharmacopuncture on autonomic nervous system with Heart Rate Variability(HRV). Purpose of the trial was to observe what influence distilled Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu Pharmacopuncture and Zizyphi Spinosi Semen Pharmacopuncture have on the autonomic nervous system. Methods : 60 healthy male volunteers were divided into three groups which consist of two experimental groups such as Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu Pharmacopuncture and Zizyphi Spinosi Semen Pharmacopuncture, and a control group. Study design was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial. 20 subjects in experimental group were injected distilled Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu Pharmacopuncture at $GB_{21}$(Kyonjong), 20 subjects in other experimental group were injected distilled Zizyphi Spinosi Semen Pharmacopuncture and 20 subjects in control group were injected Normal Saline at $GB_{21}$(Kyonjong). One volunteer of each groups were excluded from analysis because of error during measuring HRV. At the end of the study 57 volunteers completed HRV analysis. HRV was measured by QECG-3:LXC3203(LAXTHA Inc. Korea) at P0, P1, P2, P3, P4, P5 and P6 and its time-course dependent change in each group was analyzed using paired t-test, and the difference of HRV fluctuation among two experimental group and a control was evaluated by one way ANOVA(p<0.05). Results : A. Time Domain Analysis 1. Analysis of Mean HRV, SDNN and Complexity After injection of distilled Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu Pharmacopuncture, Mean HRV was significantly decreased only at 20 minutes after injection. SDNN was significantly increased from 15 minute after injection. Complexity was significantly decreased only at 15 minute after injection. After injection of distilled Zizyphi Spinosi Semen Pharmacopuncture, Complexity was significantly decreased at 10, 15 and 30 minutes after injection. 2. Analysis of HRV index, pNN50 After injection of distilled Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu Pharmacopuncture, pNN50 was significantly decreased at 15, 20 and 25 minutes after injection. Compared with Normal Saline injection, distilled Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu Pharmacopuncture and Zizyphi Spinosi Semen Pharmacopuncture showed significant difference on HRV index and pNN50 at 5 minutes after injection. B. Frequency Domain Analysis 1. Analysis of Ln(TP), Ln(VLF) After injection of distilled Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu Pharmacopuncture, Ln(TP) was significantly increased at 15 and 30 minutes after injection. Ln(VLF) was significantly increased at 10, 15 and 30 minutes after injection. After injection of distilled Zizyphi Spinosi Semen Pharmacopuncture, Ln(VLF) was significantly increased only at 30 minutes after injection. Compared with Normal Saline injection, distilled Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu Pharmacopuncture showed significant difference on Ln(TP) after 5 minutes of injection. Conclusions : Our results suggest that Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu Pharmacopuncture and Zizyphi Spinosi Semen Pharmacopuncture in healthy adult man tend to activate the autonomic nervous system and sympathetic nervous system compared to Normal Saline within normal range.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics and Information Engineers
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• v.53 no.12
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• pp.180-190
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• 2016

This prospective pilot clinical trial mainly focuses on developing dual chamber-based assistive cups which are suitable for stroke patients who have struggled with using there affected arms. It is unable to provide motor and sensory enhancement during drinking activities and to examine the feasibility of the devices for acute phase, even for chronic stroke survivors. The stroke patients(n=16; male=8, female=8), in this trial, were provided informed consent to the investigation. All the individuals participated in 1 weeks of training for using cups, randomized over dedicated dual chamber based assistive cups(DC) or placebo-cups(PC) training. All the participants were assessed within 1 week before and after the intervention period. 3-dimensional motion analysis, sEMG(surface electromyography) and 3-dimensional trunk movement were assessed. The result presents DC data group compared with PC showed, they needed lesser ROM(range of motion) at the phase of drinking in shoulder movements and lesser muscle activities on upper trapezius, deltoid middle fiber and triceps brachii muscles, lesser tilting movement on front and back side in drinking phase, the differences were statistically significant(p<.05). Dual chamber-based assistive cup could be one of efficient way to complete ADLs(activities of daily living), especially drinking tasks, and these evidence data may contribute to determine certain rehabilitation policies related to assistive devise usage.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.3 s.63
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• pp.228-238
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• 2005

Objectives : We conducted a randomized, double-blinded clinical trial to assess the anti-hypertensive effect of Ginseng and to know the difference of the effect according to it's growing districts md species by 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurement (ABPM). Methods : We allocated 96 hypertensive patients enrolled in this trial to Korean ginseng(KG), American ginseng (AG), Chinese ginseng (CG), and Korean red ginseng (KRG) groups by randomization. Each subject was administered 4.5mg/day of encapsulated ginseng for 4 weeks. We assessed anti-hypertensive effect, blood pressure variability using ABPM and toxicity by blood chemistry before and after treatment. We also evaluated changes of symptoms due to hypertension and adverse effect in all groups at the first visit, 2 weeks later and 4 weeks later. Results : Blood pressure after treatments showed significant decrease of systolic blood pressure (sBP) in the CG-group (p<0,05) and diastolic blood pressure (dBP) in the KRG-group (p<0.05). However, there were no significant changes of sBP (or dBP) after treatment in the other groups and no significant difference in changes of BP between before and after treatment among the 4 groups. Blood pressure variability in the CG-group showed significant decrease after treatment but not in the KRG-group. Symptoms such as headache or neck stiffness and heating sensation due to hypertension improved significantly in all groups, especially in the KRG-group. A3l patients had no adverse effect after treatment and there was no liver or kidney toxicity. Conclusions : CG and KRG seem to have anti-hypertensive effects, but there was no significantly different effect depending on growing district and species of Ginseng.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.1-9
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• 2012

Objectives: This research was aimed 1) to find out various subjective symptoms cancer patients had, 2) to find out the quantitative difference of symptoms occurring according to the area of cancer, current treatment methods, and relapse of the cancer and 3) to analyze the relationship between the occurrence of symptoms. Methods: This study was a survey about the various subjective symptoms cancer patients had. The subjects were 48 cancer patients in a double-blinded randomized controlled trial about the effectiveness of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) treatments. Surveys were examined before Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) treatments. The questionnaire consisted of demographic research, patient history and accompanying symptoms. The symptoms part consisted of 4 questions on general symptoms (vertigo, hot flush, rash, insomnia), 2 questions on digestion symptoms (anorexia, dyspepsia), 2 questions on excretions (diarrhea, constipation), and 5 questions on symptoms in different body parts (headache, dryness of lips, chest pain, aphthous ulcer, nose bleeding). The questionnaire was used to research presence of symptoms and relationships between the occurrence of symptoms. Results: A total of 48 patients took part in this survey. Dizziness was the most frequent subjective symptom patients had (64.58%), followed by dry mouth (43.75%), headache (43.75%), insomnia (41.67%), anorexia (37.5%) and chest discomfort (37.5%). The presence of these subjective symptoms was partially related to the patient's history details - type of cancer, method of cancer treatment (chemotherapy, radiotherapy), termination of treatment, presence of pain, fatigue and recurrence, etc. Factor analysis was conducted to analyze the relationship between the occurrence of symptoms. It suggested 5 factors as a result, but there was a limitation that only a low level of correlation was shown among them. Conclusions: We were able to analyze the occurrences and the relationships among them for accompanying subjective symptoms in cancer patients. However the results of the study are limited in that only 48 patients participated. The symptoms in cancer patients showed a tendency for clustering, occurring simultaneously or continuously rather than occurring alone. The study of these symptom clusters is worth further study, for it is similar to the Symptom Differentiation System in Traditional Korean Medicine. For effective approach to the treatment of cancer in Traditional Korean Medicine, further research on the Korean traditional view of cancer patients should be done based on this research, regarding various symptoms and those relationships on a larger scale.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.65-74
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• 2010

Objectives : This study was to investigate the effects of Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu Pharmacopuncture and Bovis calculus Fel Ursi Pharmacopuncture on autonomic nervous system with Heart Rate Variability(HRV). Purpose of the trial was to observe what influence Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu Pharmacopuncture and Bovis calculus Fel Ursi pharmacopuncture have on the autonomic nervous system. Methods : 40 healthy male volunteers were divided into two experimental groups, such as Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu Pharmacopuncture group and Bovis calculus Fel Ursi Pharmacopuncture group. Study design was a randomized, double-blind clinical trial. 20 subjects in one experimental group were injected Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu Pharmacopuncture, 20 subjects in other experimental group were injected hydrolyzed Bovis calculus Fel Ursi Pharmacopuncture at GB21(Kyonjong). We measured HRV 7 times : baseline measurement and every 5 minutes for 30 minutes after injection. The SPSS 15.0 for Windows was used to analyze the data by the paired t-test(in group) and independent sample t-test(between the groups). Results A. Time Domain Analysis 1. Analysis of Mean HRV, SDNN and Complexity After injection of Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu Pharmacopuncture, Mean HRV was significantly decreased all the times after injection. SDNN was significantly increased at immediate and 25 minute after injection. Complexity was significantly decreased only at 15 minute after injection. After injection of Bovis calculus Fel Ursi Pharmacopuncture, Mean HRV was significantly decreased all the times after injection. Complexity was significantly decreased at 15 minutes after injection. 2. Analysis of HRV index, pNN50 After injection of Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu Pharmacopuncture, HRV index was significantly increased immediately after injection. pNN50 was significantly decreased at immediately, 20 and 25 minutes after injection. After injection of Bovis calculus Fel Ursi Pharmacopuncture, HRV index was significantly increased immediately after injection. pNN50 was significantly decreased at immediate and 25 minutes after injection. B. Frequency Domain Analysis 1. Analysis of Ln(TP), Ln(HF), Ln(LF), Ln(VLF) After injection of Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu Pharmacopuncture, Ln(TP) was significantly increased at immediate and 25 after injection. Ln(HF) was significantly increased all the times after injection. Ln(LF) was significantly increased at 15, 20 and 25 minutes after injection. Ln(VLF) was significantly increased at immediate and 25 minutes after injection. After injection of Bovis calculus Fel Ursi Pharmacopuncture, Ln(TP) was significantly increased at immediately and 25 after injection. Ln(LF) was significantly increased at 20 and 25 minutes after injection. Ln(VLF) was significantly increased at immediate and 25 minutes after injection. Conclusions : We results suggest that Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu Pharmacopuncture and Bovis calculus Fel Ursi Pharmacopuncture in healthy adult men tend to activate the autonomic nervous system and sympathetic nervous system within normal range.

• Journal of Sleep Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.37-42
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• 2018

Objectives: To assess the effect and safety of transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) in primary chronic insomnia. Methods: A one-month, double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled trial was performed. A total of 7 patients with primary chronic insomnia received tDCS using anodal (n=3), cathodal (n=2), or sham stimulation (n=2). They were followed up at 1 week and 1 month after treatment. The primary outcome measures included improvement in total sleep time (TST), sleep latency (SL), and sleep efficiency (SE) at 1 month follow-up. Results: TST and SE were improved with tDCS at 1 month follow-up in all patients (100%) of the anodal group, one (50%) of the cathodal group, and one (50%) of the sham group. tDCS improved SL at 1 month follow-up in two patients (67%) of the anodal group, one (50%) of the cathodal group, and none (0%) of the sham group. With respect to adverse events, transient itching sensation occurred in one patient of the anodal group. None of the other groups reported adverse events. Conclusions: Our results suggest that tDCS may be effective and safe for treatment of primary chronic insomnia. A larger controlled study needs to be further investigated.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.151-164
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• 2024

Objectives : Using MMSE and MoCA cognitive tools, this study tried to measure the effect of acupuncture differing by cognitive types. Through the method of PRISMA literature review, this study aimed to understand and improve the acupuncture's effectiveness in its application. Methods : The research method was a literature review and Cochrane meta-analysis of papers on the effectiveness of acupuncture treatments for mild cognitive impairment conducted from 2012 to 2023. The Cochrane risk of bias (RoB) tool was used as a quality analysis tool, and the meta-analysis tool was Cochrane RevMan V5.4.1 software. Results : As a result of the study, a total of 967 subjects were used for analysis, and 16 papers on randomized acupuncture trials were analyzed. The results are as follows: As a result of meta-analysis of acupuncture intervention for mild cognitive impairment, the MMSE score had an average of 1.61 with a 95% confidence interval ranging from 0.14 to 3.07, and a statistically significant result with p<0.001. The Z-score was 2.15, which corresponded to a p-value of 0.03. The MoCA score had an average range between 0.39 and 2.49, also showing statistical significance with p<0.001, and a Z-score of 2.70 (p=0.007). The effect of acupuncture in subjects with mild cognitive impairment was significant. Conclusion : The suggestions and conclusion indicate that acupuncture intervention has a significant effect on mild cognitive impairment. This study propose future experimental research on various types of acupuncture interventions for mild cognitive impairment. The significance of this study is that it presented basic data for the development of a preventive convergence cognitive intervention program for patients with mild cognitive impairment in the community.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.315-327
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• 2023

Purpose: Oxaliplatin, a component of the capecitabine plus oxaliplatin (XELOX) regimen, has a more favorable toxicity profile than cisplatin in patients with advanced gastric cancer (GC). However, oxaliplatin can induce sensory neuropathy and cumulative, dose-related toxicities. Thus, the capecitabine maintenance regimen may achieve the maximum treatment effect while reducing the cumulative neurotoxicity of oxaliplatin. This study aimed to compare the survival of patients with advanced GC between capecitabine maintenance and observation after 1st line XELOX chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: Sixty-three patients treated with six cycles of XELOX for advanced GC in six hospitals of the Catholic University of Korea were randomized 1:1 to receive capecitabine maintenance or observation. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS), analyzed using a two-sided log-rank test stratified at a 5% significance level. Results: Between 2015 and 2020, 32 and 31 patients were randomized into the maintenance and observation groups, respectively. After randomization, the median number of capecitabine maintenance cycles was 6. The PFS was significantly higher in the maintenance group than the observation group (6.3 vs. 4.1 months, P=0.010). Overall survival was not significantly different between the 2 groups (18.2 vs. 16.5 months, P=0.624). Toxicities, such as hand-foot syndrome, were reported in some maintenance group patients. Maintenance treatment was a significant factor associated with PFS in multivariate analysis (hazard ratio, 0.472; 95% confidence interval, 0.250-0.890; P=0.020). Conclusions: After 6 cycles of XELOX chemotherapy, capecitabine maintenance significantly prolonged PFS compared with observation, and toxicity was manageable. Maintenance treatment was a significant prognostic factor associated with PFS.