• Integrative Medicine Research
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.333-340
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• 2018

Background: Traditional Korean medicine (TKM) is widely used to treat children with cerebral palsy (CP) in Korea; however, studies investigating factors that influence the use of TKM are scarce. Thus, we investigated the clinical factors that might influence the use of TKM. Methods: A population-based, cross-sectional, multicenter survey was performed from August 2014 to May 2016. The history of TKM use, type and severity of CP, current treatment characteristics, presence of accompanying disabilities or other health problems not directly related to CP, and monthly cost for the treatment of CP were surveyed. Results: In total, 182 children were recruited, and 78 children (42.9%) had used TKM. Among these 78 children, 50 (64.1% of the TKM-use group) had used both acupuncture and herbal medication, 15 (19.2%) had used acupuncture only, and 13 (16.7%) had used herbal medication only. Children with non-typical CP, accompanying disabilities and general health problems tended to use TKM. The monthly cost of treatment for CP was significantly higher in the TKM-use group than that in the no-TKM-use group, suggesting that economically disadvantaged children may have difficulty in accessing TKM. Dietary supplements, conventional pharmacological treatments, and rehabilitation therapies did not affect TKM use. Conclusion: Children with non-typical symptoms or those with poor overall health status are likely to use TKM. Additionally, TKM use leads to increased treatment costs. Studies investigating the motivation for starting or ceasing TKM therapy, socioeconomic factors and the attitude of parents towards complementary and alternative medicine should be performed.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.55-71
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• 2009

Background : Traditional Korean medicine(TKM) has gained in popularity among chronic patients in recent years. The use of TKM among patients with chronic diseases is common, with about two thirds of patients using some form of TKM in Korea. Objectives : The purpose of this study is to analyze the use of TKM and determine what factors affect to use TKM among patients with chronic diseases. The study also aims to provide information on TKM therapies and assist therapy selection among various TKM therapies for patients with chronic diseases. Methods : The design of the study was descriptive cross-sectional, and data were collected using a 21-item questionnaire. This study was conducted with subjects with confirmed diagnosis of chronic diseases, who live in Jeju Province, Korea. Results : Among the participants, past or current TKM use was 66.7%, with a statistically significant difference in gender and level of health status groups(p<0.05), but no difference in age, marital status, education, occupation, and income groups. The most common therapies of TKM used by the patients included acupuncture(51.1%), physiotherapy(16.8%), cupping(13.5%), and herbal medicine(4.8%). The main benefits from TKM perceived by the patients were chronic diseases management and health promotion. In a logistic regression analysis, significant influencing factors related to TKM use were gender, family income level, the extent of recognition of efficacy, heath status, and health security program. Conclusions : In this study the socio-demographic and health status, recognition of TKM efficacy factors associated with TKM use among patients with chronic diseases were similar to those found in the general population. The findings suggest that due to the relatively high use of TKM among patients with chronic diseases in Korea, this topic should be taken into account in the development of a holistic approach for patients with chronic diseases and an efficient chronic disease management system. Additionally proactive and consistent management of TKM is necessary in the health care system in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.216-220
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• 2010

Obesity is an important risk factor that significantly increases mortality and disease rates in the cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and various diseases. So far, the most powerful way to inhibit fat absorption is pancreatic lipase inhibitors. In this study, we investigated the anti-obesity effect of the extract of Juniperus rigida. Juniperus rigida extract (JRE) had a inhibitory effect on pancreatic lipase activity ($IC_{50}$=8.63 ${\mu}g$/ml). In in vivo oil-emulsion loading test, this extract also inhibited the intestinal fat absorption. In addition, we measured inhibitory effects of JRE on activity of phosphodiesterase (PDE) and hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) among the important enzymes associated with lipolysis. JRE strongly inhibited PDE activity ($IC_{50}$=4.56 ${\mu}g$/ml), whereas inhibitory effect on HSL activity was very weak compared with orlistat. As a result, JRE inhibited the absorption of fat by inhibiting the activity of pancreatic lipase and induced lipolysis through inhibition of PDE activity. Therefore, we suggest that Juniperus rigida may be a potential therapeutic agent improving obesity.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.777-789
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• 2011

This study focuses on seeking a desirable direction for the discussions about identity issue of the current Traditional Korean Medicine(TKM). The identity issue of the current TKM is about asking what exactly the current TKM is, what sets the TKM apart from the other medical systems, and what value the TKM has in the contemporary settings, and seeking suitable answers to all these questions. The most important factor that affects these answers is what kind of the concept of identity we have. Current discussions of the identity issue of the TKM take narrow and inflexible concepts of identity such as "Numerical Identity," or "Qualitative Identity", not suitable for TKM, which is always changing and open to other academic fields. This study suggests that Hannah Arendt's concept of identity is more desirable for the TKM, which highlights pluralism and relations, as well as defining identity as a creative, positive, and open-ended process. In addition, this study also suggests that taking a closer look at the "field", which has previously been hidden behind the discourse on the "modernization", will help in figuring out what exactly the identity of the current TKM is. Lastly, the current discussions about "unification of Eastern and Western medical system", and "Integrative Medicine" in Korea will affect the identity issue of TKM.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.65-76
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• 2013

Objectives : Aim of this study is to contribute to establishment of the Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) policies in the future. Final assessment for 12 of the forecasting projects was carried out on the TKM policies that deduced by professionals in 1996 whether or not to realize in 2013. Methods : We investigated governmental and private research projects, reports and papers, and laws and systems on the forecasting projects. We reviewed them through the Traditional Korean Medicine Information Portal OASIS (http://oasis.kiom.re.kr), Korean studies Information Service System (KISS) (http://kiss.kstudy.com/) and DBpia (http://www.dbpia.co.kr/), Akomnews(http://www.akomnews.com/), THE MINJOK MEDICINE NEWS(http://www.mjmedi.com/), Ministry of Government Legislation(http://www.law.go.kr/). Results : Of the 12 forecasting projects, five were judged as 'realization', four were as 'partial realization' and three were as 'un-realization', The realization rate was 75.0%. Three un-realized projects included the TKM insurance coverage for various herbal medicines, leadership secure on medical technicians and commercialization of the TKM managing system on senior medicare policy. Realization of the future forecasting TKM policy projects was decided depending on conditions such as the importance, domestic capability levels, principal agents, methods and restrains. Conclusions : Continuous studies and new developed forecasting projects for the TKM policies will be required to realize the projects in the future.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.74-86
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• 2016

Objectives: This article aims to review clinical studies related to traditional Korean medicine (TKM) for cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) up to date. Methods: EMBASE, Pubmed and eight Korean databases were searched for clinical studies about TKM for CRCI up to July 2016. We selected articles about subjects with cancer, using TKM interventions including acupuncture, moxibustion or herbal medicine, containing assessment about cognitive function. Results: Two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and one randomized controlled feasibility study were included. Selected studies were containing assessments about cognitive function but not as primary outcomes. The three studies included one acupuncture study and two herbal-medicine studies. Only one herbal-medicine study showed improvement in cognitive function. Conclusions: Few clinical studies mainly focusing CRCI treated with TKM have been performed and have shown contradictory results until now. Future studies should be performed considering findings from pre-clinical and clinical studies altogether, and they should be controlled to minimize risk of bias thorough out overall courses of designing, conducting and reporting them.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.61-68
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• 2017

Objectives : This study aimed to examine the status of public health promotion programs in Traditional Korean Medicine (PHPP-TKM) from program managing public officials. Methods : The survey was a self-administered questionnaires based on internet service, survey monkey. The survey included the conducting status, obstacles, and improvement points of PHPP-TKM. Results : A total number of 179 officials participated the survey (response rate 71.0%), comprising 92.8% female. The survey demonstrated that 70.3% of participants conducted PHPP-TKM. The most frequent PHPP-TKM were stroke and bone/joint program. The reasons for not conducting PHPP-TKM were lack of financial support and program contents. The obstacles during conducting PHPP-TKM were insufficient contents and assessment index in PHPP-TKM. To develop necessary program for local residents and to secure financial support were required for managing future PHPP-TKM. Conclusions : The results suggests that various contents, validated assessment index, stable funds are to promote PHPP-TKM.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.24-36
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• 2022

Objectives: This study is a comparative analysis of the satisfaction and recognition characteristics for traditional Korean medicine (TKM) in people with disabilities and the general population of Korea. Methods: Here, 5,000 subjects were categorized into two groups based on a disability rating using the data from the 2017 National Survey for the Usage of Korean Medicine. The relationships among the sociodemographic characteristics, TKM usage status, recognition of TKM usage, and recognition of the effectiveness of the TKM treatment were analyzed based on the disease. The response reliability was verified using the chi-square test analysis method. Results: Disabilities corresponded with low rates of high school or higher education (44%, 83.5%) and no jobs (56.9%, 33.5%), mostly the status of the low-income class with a monthly household income of < 1,500 USD (50.9%, 10.5%), poor health conditions (55.2%, 9.8%), high chronic disease prevalence rate (69.0%, 19.9%), high medical care rate (11.2%, 0.5%), and low commercial health insurance subscription rate (44%, 74.2%). Furthermore, people with disabilities visited TKM institutions more often (88.8%, 74.1%) with a high frequency TKM usage rate of ≥ 1-2 times a month (26.2%, 15.3%). They also reported that the cost of using the TKM was very high (14.7%, 8.8%) and that primarily the application of insurance benefits should be improved (52.6%, 47.5%). The treatment effectiveness for diseases was high for musculoskeletal disorders for both people with disabilities and the general population. Conclusion: Preferential application of insurance benefits for musculoskeletal diseases must be extended to the TKM treatment as well, as people with disabilities have a high recognition for these conditions with TKM. It is difficult to perform randomized controlled trials on people with disability. Therefore, large-scale observational and cohort studies should be conducted. We hope this study will help establish a suitable TKM policy for people with disabilities.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.11-24
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• 2014

Objectives The aim of this study is to contribute to the establishment of the Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) policies in future, which is through the assessment to predict the realization by diagnostic subjects. Methods First, we evaluated 8 subjects that were deduced by professionals in 1996 regarding whether or not to be realized in 2013. Second, the governmental and private research projects, reports, articles, domestic patents and products were reviewed and investigated. Third, the Subjects in domestic fields of TKM were investigated on the followings: importance, time of realization, domestic Research and Development level, principal agents and methods for the realization, and hindrance factor on the realization. Results Of the 8 forecasting subjects, one subject was realized, two subjects were partly realized and five subjects were unrealized. Thus, their realization rate was 12.5%. The realized subject is the 'Standard naming of the TKM diagnosis'. Conclusion Continuous researches are necessary to realize the TKM subjects and moreover, professionals should predict new feasible TKM subjects, based on this study.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.388-393
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• 2009

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) have been implicated in the development of diabetic complications. The AGEs inhibitors or cross-link breakers attenuate various functional and structural manifestations of diabetic complications. In this study, 64 herbal medicines from China and Vietnam have been investigated with an in vitro evaluation system using AGEs inhibitory activity. Of these, eight herbal medicines ($IC_{50}$<50 ${\mu}g$/ml) were found to have strong AGEs inhibitory activity compared with aminoguanidine (14 days, $IC_{50}$=75.98 ${\mu}g$/ml; 28 days, $IC_{50}$=88.27 ${\mu}g$/ml). Particularly, four herbal medicines, Buddleja officinalis (whole plant), Syzygium cuminii (leaf), Eugenia caryophyllate (seed), and Paeonia suffruticosa (root) showed more potent inhibitory activity (approximately 5-6 fold) than the positive control aminoguanidine.