• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.182-185
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• 2019

Dural ectasia is defined as ballooning or expansion of the dural sac surrounding the spinal cord. This report describes a rare case of low back pain and sciatica, suspected as being dural ectasia. The patient was hospitalized for 45 days, and underwent integrative Korean medical treatment, including pharmacopuncture, acupuncture, herbal medicine, Chuna therapy, cupping therapy, and physiotherapy. The effect of the treatment was evaluated using the numerical rating scale, Oswestry disability index, European quality of life 5 dimensions, and subjective symptoms. After inpatient treatment, the pain the patient experienced was significantly reduced and the evaluation indices improved. This case report suggested that integrative Korean medical treatment could be an effective therapeutic choice for low back pain and sciatica, with dural ectasia. Further clinical studies are needed to support this observation.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.1-11
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate patient experience assessment of inpatients, and to prepare measures to improve the quality level of medical services and guarante patient rights. Methods: The study was conducted among 199 patients admitted to hospitals and general hospitals in the metropolitan area. The analysis method used was crossover analysis, including a comparison of means, and logistic regression analysis. Results: The overall average score of satisfaction with healthcare service was 3.39 for nurses, 3.35 for hospitals and 3.42 for general hospitals. Age at the time of hospitalization affected satisfaction. The overall average score of healthcare service satisfaction was 3.09 for doctors, 3.14 for hospitals, and 3.04 for general hospitals. The factors affecting hospital satisfaction were gender and subjective health status. The factors affecting satisfaction in general hospitals were education, medical department, and hospitalization route. Conclusions: Hospitals should also introduce a systematic management system of general hospitals and strengthen the guarantee of the rights of patients who can improve the quality of medical care through positive communication between medical personnel and patients.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.795-808
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to report two cases of prostate cancer patients whose side effects after surgery were treated with traditional Korean medicine. Methods: Two prostate cancer patients underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy, and both patients were treated with traditional Korean medicine. Subjective discomfort symptoms were evaluated using the Numerical Rating Scale. Adverse events were evaluated using the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 5.0. Daily life vitality was evaluated by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group. Results: After treatment with traditional Korean medicine, discomfort symptoms that occurred after surgery, such as frequent urination, nocturia, insomnia, and depression, all gradually improved, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scores also improved from two points to one point. Additionally, there were no hematologic side effects from the traditional Korean medicine treatment. Conclusions: This case study suggests that traditional Korean medicine may contribute to the improvement of side effects caused by robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy, quality of life, and immunity.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.261-266
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• 2021

This study aim to report 4 cases with chronic abdominal pain whose symptoms are alleviated by Sihogyeji-tanggagam with Korean medicine treatments. The patients were decided to administer Sihogyeji-tanggagam through abdominal examination. The patients were treated by Korean medicine, including acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal medicine (Sihogyeji-tanggagam). We used Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), Abdominal examination, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Subjective Unit of Clinical Symptoms to evaluate the progress of treatments. The improvement of clinical symptoms appeared to be effective with out any remarkable side effects. The abdominal pain of all patients stared to improve as soon as treatment begin, and disappeared in 1-2 weeks. We also confirmed that the abdominal symptoms improved together with the improvement of clinical symptoms. This study suggests that Sihogyeji-tanggagam is effective on reducing symptoms of chronic abdominal pain, but further studies should be followed.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.449-460
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• 2022

Safe underground construction in a rock mass requires adequate ground investigation and effective determination of rock conditions. The estimation of rock mass behavior is difficult, because rock masses are innately anisotropic and heterogeneous at different scales and are affected by various environmental factors. Quantitative rock mass classification systems, such as the Q-system and rock mass rating, are widely used for characterization and engineering design. The measurement of rock classification parameters is subjective and can vary among observers, resulting in questionable accuracy. Geophysical investigation methods, such as seismic surveys, have also been used for ground characterization. Torsional shear wave propagation characteristics in cylindrical rods are equal to that in an infinite media. A probabilistic quantitative relationship between the Q-value and shear wave velocity is thus investigated considering long-wavelength wave propagation in equivalent continuum jointed rock masses. Individual Q-system parameters are correlated with stress-dependent shear wave velocities in jointed rocks using experimental and numerical methods. The relationship between the Q-value and the shear wave velocity is normalized using a defined reference condition. This relationship is further improved using probabilistic analysis to remove unrealistic data and to suggest a range of Q-values for a given wave velocity. The proposed probabilistic Q-value estimation is then compared with field measurements and cross-hole seismic test data to verify its applicability.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.339-349
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to report the effectiveness of the combination of Giungoroen-therapy, as well as other Korean medicine therapy on postoperative delirium. Methods: The patient was diagnosed with postoperative delirium, that occurred after arthroscopic debridement two months before hospitalization. The patient received Giungoroen-therapy in addition to conventional Korean Medicine treatment, including acupuncture, herbal medicine, and moxibustion. The evaluation variables to check the effectiveness of the interventions, were the Korean Nursing Delirium Screening Scale (Korean Nu-DESC) and the Korean Version of the Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98 (K-DRS-R-98). Results: During the hospitalization period, the Korean Nu-DESC score decreased from 5 to 1, and the K-DRS-R-98 score decreased from 36 to 23. The subjective expression of anxiety had been reduced. Conclusions: The combination of Giungoroen-therapy, as well as other Korean medicine therapy including acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal medicine may be useful in alleviating postoperative delirium.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.53-65
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• 2023

Objective: The purpose of this study is to report two cases of breast cancer patients whose side effects after Tamoxifen were treated with traditional Korean medicine. Methods: Two breast cancer patients underwent Tamoxifen after breast-conserving surgery, and both were treated with traditional Korean medicine. Subjective discomfort symptoms were evaluated using the Numerical Rating Scale. Adverse events were assessed using the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, Version 5.0. Results: After treatment with traditional Korean medicine, the discomfort symptoms that occurred after Tamoxifen, such as osteoarthritis, hot flushes, and cold sweat, all gradually improved. In addition, no hematologic, hepatic, or renal side effects were observed from the traditional Korean medicine treatment. Conclusion: This case study suggests that traditional Korean medicine may contribute to the improvement of side effects caused by Tamoxifen and enhance the quality of life of patients.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.78-89
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• 2023

This paper presents the clinical outcome of an 82-year-old female who experienced sudden back pain combined with lower limb paresthesia and weakness after epidural steroid injection. The magnetic resonance imaging of the thoracolumbar spine showed a spinal epidural hematoma (SEH) extending from T8 to L4. She was treated non-operatively in the traditional Korean medicine (TKM) hospital. The patient's progress was assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), American Spinal Injury Association (ASIS), Spinal Cord Independence Measure version III (SCIM III), and self-reported symptoms. During the 22-day hospitalization period,the NRS score decreased from 7 to 2 points, the motor score on the ASIS scale increased from 65 to 95 points. The subjective sense of lower extremities was felt by 1 increased to 8. The SCIM III score increased from 32 to 69 points. These results suggest that TKM could effectively reduce pain and aid the rehabilitation of patients with SEH.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.234-245
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• 2024

Variant angina causes chest pain due to abnormal coronary vasospasms. A 60-year-old male who was diagnosed with variant angina was admitted to the Oriental Medicine Hospital and treated with herbal medicines, including Pyungjinsujeom-san and Simjeok-hwan. After treatment, the frequency of chest pain and use of nitroglycerin decreased. Subjective symptoms of chest pain measured using a numerical rating scale (NRS) also decreased. These improvements persisted throughout the hospitalization period. In conclusion, Korean medicines, including Pyungjinsujeom-san and Simjeok-hwan, can be effective for patients with chest pain due to variant angina.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.257-261
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• 2024

Chorea-acanthocytosis (ChAc) is an extremely rare neurodegenerative disorder characterized by movement disorders and acanthocytosis. Orofacial dyskinesia is a distinct symptom of this disorder that can lead to lip injuries and feeding difficulties. This paper reports the first case of a patient with ChAc presenting with a lip defect, who was managed with surgical and adjuvant onabotulinumtoxinA (BTX-A) therapy. A 43-year-old woman diagnosed with ChAc was referred to our clinic because of a 5×5 mm lip defect resulting from orofacial dyskinesia. Wedge resection of the scar tissue was carried out, followed by reconstruction by suturing. Postoperatively, BTX-A injections were administered to ameliorate dyskinesia. Thirty units of BTX-A were injected into each masseter muscle, and 40 units were injected into the orbicularis oris muscle. At 1, 2, and 4 weeks after the injections, assessments were performed using the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale, and the patient's impression of change was assessed using the Global Rating of Change Scale. Subsequent adjuvant BTX-A treatment yielded subjective and objective improvements in orofacial dyskinesia. In conclusion, lip reconstruction and adjuvant BTX-A injections were effective in treating lip defects associated with orofacial dyskinesia in patients with ChAc, which highlights the need for a multimodal treatment approach.