• CELLMED
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.15.1-15.3
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• 2012

Kampo medicine, a Japanese traditional herbal medicine, has been used in clinical practice in Japan. The most appropriate Kampo formula should be chosen for each individual by the four diagnostic procedures. Fuku shin, the abdominal exam, is one of the most important approaches in the procedures. There are several abdominal conformations (signs) when administering Fuku shin. In Kampo medicine, psychiatric illness-marked by depression and anxiety-has been shown to be related with an abdominal conformation, Shin ka hi koh (Epigastric Obstructive Hardness). The aim was to see the occurrence of abdominal conformations in each level of depression and anxiety symptoms. Two hundred fifteen patients were assigned to high-, moderate-, or low-level psychiatric comorbidity based on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and were studied regarding the occurrence of major abdominal conformations. Moderate and high psychopathological groups showed the higher occurrence of Shin ka hi koh [Low, 21%; Moderate, 67%; High, 74%] ($p$ < 0.0001). In conclusion, moderate and high psychopathological patients showed the higher occurrence of a specific abdominal sign.