• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2006

The Sasang constitutional medicine classifies the mankind into four constitutional types according to the individual psychological and physical traits. Differences in the Sasang constitutional medicine may be explained by the genetic factors. In order to determine the association of Sasang constitutional classification and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) in genetic susceptibility to ischemic stroke, we classified the four constitutional types in ischemic stroke patients (n = 125) and the healthy control subjects (n = 107), and genotyped for IL-1Ra polymorphism by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. The distribution of the $IL1RN^*1/IL1RN^*2$ genotype in the ischemic stroke patients was significantly different from the healthy controls (OR = 6.09; P =0.0134). And the prevalence of $IL1RN^*1/IL1RN^*2$ genotype was increased in Taeum-in ischemic stroke patients, as compared to Taeum-in healthy controls (OR = 14.71; P = 0.0144). These results suggest that $IL1RN^*1/IL1RN^*2$ genotype in Taeum-in might be associated with the increasing risk for ischemic stroke. Furthermore, this relationship could provide the basis for a new approach in the investigation of the etiology of ischemic stroke.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.60-68
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• 2012

Objectives Sasang Constitution (SC) is determined by various physical and psychological attributes. Recently, skin properties have been used effectively to describe SC types in clinics. In this paper, we investigated the constitution dependence of skin elasticity and skin perspiration by using quantitative measurement devices. Methods The skin elasticity of forearm and the skin perspiration of forehead and philtrum were measured in 223 elderly female subjects. To determine the subject's constitution, we adopted the classification results from a newly developed diagnostic tool. For the clarity of constitution, we excluded low-scored subjects in their SC classification. Results & Conclusions As a result, the elasticity hysteresis of forearm (EHFa) of Taeum-in group was significantly less than the EHFa of Soeum-in group. Soeum-in group has high perspiration difference between philtrum and forehead (Diff.PhFh) compared to Taeum-in group in a significance level of .05. Taeum-in and Soeum-in group were significantly classified by EHFa and Diff.PhFh using a Support Vector Machine.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.1 s.61
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• pp.123-133
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• 2005

Objective : We investigated the sasang constitutional difference of physiological and psychological response in various thermal environmental conditions. Methods: Among 210 volunteers, 30 healthy subjects were selected through the QSCC II (a questionnaire for constitutional discrimination) and the manual examination of a specialist in sasang constitution. Subjects consisted of 10 each Soyang(少陽), Soeum(少陰), and Taeum(太陽). Experimental environments were set by six different conditions to be $23^{\circ}C,\;50\%\;RH,\;0.lm/s;\;25^{\circ}C,\;25\%\;RH,\;0.lm/s;\;25^{\circ}C,\;50\%\;RH,\;0.lm/s;\;25^{\circ}C,\;50\%\;RH,\;0.4m/s;\;25^{\circ}C,\;75\%\;RH,\;0.1m/s;\;and\;27^{\circ}C,\;50\%\;RH,\;0.1m\s$ (respectively temperature, relative humidity, and wind velocity). Skin temperature, core temperature, heart rate variability (HRV), and galvanic skin response (GSR) were measured for each subject Additionally, subjects were asked about comfort through the questionnaire. Results: From the viewpoint of external temperature sensibility, in all experimental environments, generally the Taeum type feels hotter and the Soeum feels colder than other types. In relative comfort, Soeum types were most sensitive to wind velocity change. From the viewpoint of body temperature, Taeum type was lower and Soyang was higher than other types. The measurements of HRV and GSR showed no difference between the types. Conclusion : The four sasang constitution types showed different responses to various thermal environmental conditions. Accordingly, our research could provide basic data for building the optimal thermal conditions for individuals based on sasang constitution. Consequently, it will help to build a healthy environment for everyday life.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.284-291
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• 1998

we clinicallly observed 48 patients with allergic rhinitis who visited Kyoung-Won univ. Oriental hospital from 1996. 3 to 1998. 4. Their chief complaints were nasal obstruction, sneezing, watery rhinorrhea. They were also troubled with itching sensation of eye ball, dryness of nasal cavity or throat, photophobia and lacrimation, ect. The results were as follows: 1. In the classification of Sasang constitution, Taeum-group patients visited most frequently and ,the treatment to the taeum-group patients was most effective. 2. There were no differences between inhalant and climatic factor at the improvement rate of allergic initiator. 3. During the aflected time, the shorter termwas the higher improvement rate was. 4. The patients with no complication were treated better than those who accompanied with other nasal diseases.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.1050-1055
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• 2011

This paper presents a novel diagnostic method to determine Sasang Consitution (SC) by elasticity coefficient of hand dorsal skin of elderly people. For this purpose, we carried out a clinical test, in which Our SC diagnostic tool and one Oriental medical doctor with SC medicine expertise participated to categorize 458 healthy subjects into four constitutions. After excluding heavy-noise, we extracted 295 subjects' elasticity coefficient feature data and statistically analyzed their SC relevance with ANOVA test. It resulted in that, Taeum-in has high elasticity coefficient compared to Soeum-in in a significance level of 0.05. There are no differences of elasticity coefficient in genders. This result is supported by the theory of Longevity and Life Preservation in Eastern Medicine(Donguisusebowon, 동의수세보원) which suggested that Taeum-in's flesh is solid and Soeum-in's one is tender. This is the first work which reports the relatedness of skin elasticity coefficient and SC by an objective clinical test.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.21-29
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• 2005

Objectives : This study was carried out to evaluate the difference of body mass index(BMI) distribution and the difference of effect of weight reduction program among Sasang constitution. Methods : Sasang constitution was differentiated by QSCC II of 875 cases. Body composition was analysed by bioelectrical impedance analysis(Inbody 3.0, Biospace, Seoul, Korea) in before and after treatment to evaluate the effect among Sasang constitution. The weight reduction program including very low calorie diet, electrical acupuncture and herbal medicine was treated to all cases equally during 1 month. Results and Conclusions : The group of Taeum was more obese and less reducted in body fat mass and % body fat in tools of percent rates of the changes than other type of Sasang constitution. In conclusion, the group of Taeum is more easy to become obese and more difficult to treat obesity

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.377-393
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• 1996

Lumbago is the common disease in the human, many people have been sicked the Lumbago. As the traditional methods of Lumbago treatment, acupuncture, moxibustion, herb medicines have been applied to a patient, nowadays, new methods have been applied physical remedy, Yakchim (Korean herb acupuncture) remedy, Chuna remedy to. This report was collected 73 Lumbago patients by name, sex, age, motive, symptoms, X-ray, CT, MRI, lRCT, Sasang constitution type, Sasang herb medicine, Yakchim, Chuna, period of remedy, satisfaction of remedy, at the "WooRee Korean Medical Clinic" during 21 months from Sep. 14, 1994 to May 25, 1996. And this report was studied about the distribution of the Sasang constitution type, the Sasang herb medicine, the effect, the period. The results were as follows: 1. Lumbago patients were distributed like that; Taeum-ln (太陰人) 47 (66.3 %), Soyang-In 16 (21.9 %), Soum-In (13.7 %), Taeyang-In (太陽人) 0. This was different from distribution of Donguisuseibowon (東醫壽世保元), Taeum-In (太陰人) 50%, Soyang-In (少陽人) 30 %, Soum-In (少陰人) 20 %, Taeyang-In (太陽人) little, this report shows that the number of Taeum-In (太陰人) is more than that of Donguisuseibowon and the number of Soum-In is less than that of Donguisuseibowon. 2. The average satisfaction of remedy was 60.3 %, Taeum-In's satisfaction was 66.0 %, Soum-In's satisfaction was 56.3 %, Soyang-In's satisfaction was 60.0 %. 3. The effective herb medicines were as follows, Soyang-In used the Hyong Bang Ji Hwang Tang (荊防地黃湯), Yuk Mi Ji Hwang Tang (六味地黃樓), Soum-In used the Sib Yi Mi Goan Jung Tang (十二味寬中湯), Taeum-In used the Chung Sim Yon Ja Tang (淸心蓮子陽), Chung Pae Sa Gan Tang (淸師爾肝湯), Yeol Da Han So Tang (熱多寒少湯). 4. The period of remedy was about 6 weeks. The period of remedy of each types was as follows, Taeum-In was about 5.7 weeks, Soum-In was about 6.8 weeks, Soyang-In was about 4.2 weeks. 5. The method of Lumbago remedy is divided three types, sprain Lumbago, Pyobyong (表病 : outside Syndromes) Libyong (裡病 : inside symdromes). Soum-In's methods are Pyobyong's ascending the Yang (陽), adding the Gi (氣) [升陽益氣], and Libyong's descending the inside Yim (裡陰) [裡陰降氣], Soyang-In's methods are Pyobyongs's decending the outside-Yim [表陰降氣], and Libyong's ascending the cool Yang (濟陽) [淸陽上升]. Taeum-In's methods are Pyobyong's ascending the Lung's Yang (肺陽升氣), and Libyong's colding the dried hot liver (淸肝燥熱). Taeyang's methods are strong the liver and making Yim. (補r肝生陰) 6. There are two methods for using the YakChim (Korean herb-acupuncture) by Sasang constitution medicine, one is to select the Yakchim, the other is to choice the point for appling the Yakchim. The first, to select the Yakchim, the other is follows; Soum-In can select the bee Venom, Soyang-In can select the H.O. (Hong Whoa 紅花), Taeum-In can select the I (Hodo 胡挑), V, O.K. (Ungdarn, 薦膽), Uwhang 牛黃, Sa-Hyang 麝香, etc., Palgang Yakchim (eight principles Korean herb-acupuncture (八剛藥鐵)) could made by abstracted Sasang herb medicine. The second, to choice the points for applying the Yakchim are used in the TaeGiuk Acupuncture method (太梗針法), Sacho (四焦, four warmer) by Sasang constritutional physiology and pathology.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.59-74
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• 2001

In oriental medicine, food are regarded as important one like medicine. Especially Sasang medicine put emphasis on diet, it regarded food as a important one by taking food according to their own constitution in the point of improving health condition and preventing diseases. In this report, the author try to find out the relationship between food preference and each suitable food according to Sasang constitution by using survey data. The results are like this. 1. In constitutional distribution patterns among 203 person(male : 118 person, female : 85 person) reveal Soyang Group 58person(28.6%), Taeum Group 61(30%) and Soeum Group 84(41.4%). And their were no significant difference in their height in all group according to gender. Compared with the other groups, When compared with the other groups on body weight and BMI, Taeum Group indicate significantly high body weight and BMI(Body Mass Index) in both gender. 2. Taeum Group show significantly high smoking rate. But alcohol drinking rates reveal no significant difference in all groups. 3. In the Survey about food preference according to the constitution, rice, Soju, watermelon show significantly high preference in case of suitable food to each group. But perilla seeds, coffee, ginger tea show insignificant results. 4. In the survey about food preference according to the constitution and sex, welsh onion, crab preserved with soysauce, beer show significantly high preference in case of suitable food to each group. But glutinous rice, cooked barley, water dropwort muchim, lettuce, dog meat, egg, yellow croaker, coffee, ginger tea, and Soju show insignificant results. 5. In the survey about food preference according to the constitution and age, rice, watermelon, onion, garlic, salt and Soju show significantly high preference in case of suitable food to each group. But sugar and perilla seeds show insignificant results. 6. In the survey about food preference according to constitution, sex and age, glutinous rice, soybean milk, banana, crab preserved with soysauce, sea cucumber, sea mustard, Soju, beer, onion, garlic, salt show high preference in case of suitable food to each group. But cooked barley, sugar, water dropwort muchim, dog meat, puffer soup and perilla seeds show insignificant results.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.124-138
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• 2003

Objectives : To evaluate the properness and effectiveness of the question categories concerning 'sasang constitutional characteristics of mind', used in Iksan Wonkwang Oriental Medicine. Methods : We statistically analyzed data from those 1335 patients focussing on 'relative discrimination ability' to sasang constructions and 'response ratio'. Patients included in this research are only those who had been well treated in Iksan Wonkwang Oriental Medicine during the Period of three years from 2000 to 2002. The data are obtained through the electronic chart developed by Kim Jong-Yeal, and analyzed using the statistical Package SPSS. Results: In total characteristics of mind, the question category of 'timid' has high discriminating power and effectiveness to Soeum type, more in women than men, and especially with an age of 21 or more; The category of 'hasty-tempered' to Soyang type in women with all ages and men with ages 21-40; The category of 'broad-minded' to Taeum type with ages 41 or more; The category of 'timid and broad-minded' to Soyang type, and especially high to women with ages 41 or more. Question categories concerning response type in anger were estimated to have different response patterns to sasang constructions only for ages 21 or more by $X^2$2 test. The question category of 'bear and last long' has high discriminating power and effectiveness to Soeum type, more in men than women, and increasingly to ages; The category of 'impatient and disarmed quickly' to Soyang type in both women and men, especially with ages 21 or more; The category of 'impatient' to Soyang type women or with ages 21 or more. Other categories have low discriminating power or low effectiveness. Concernig expression type of one's thought, the question category of 'straightly' has high discriminating power and effectiveness to Soyang type, more in wemen than men, and especially to ages 21 or more; The category of 'tender' to Soeum type, in women or with ages 40 or less; The category of 'indirectly' to Taeum type in men or with ages 41 or more; The category of 'straightly and stuborn' to Soyang type with ages 41 or more; The category of 'indirectly and tender' to Soeum with with ages 20 or less; The category of 'not express and tender' to Soeum type with ages 41 or more; Conclusions : Question categories concerning total characteristics of mind, response type in anger and expression type of one's thought, are partially discriminating and effective to specific constitution according to sex and ages, and some categories are more discriminating and effective when they are composited. But generally, the discriminating power of Taeum constitution group and group with ages 20 or less was too low, so it is necessary to develope question categories for those groups.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.283-290
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• 1998

Sasang Constitutional Medicine focuses on the different constitutional manifestations of the individual's nature and emotions. The nature and emotions drive the ascending and descending of Qi in the body. And this dynamics of the Qi's ascent and descent shapes the different types of structures, functions and temperaments. Although Sasang Constitutional Medicine has many advantages, its diagnosis of the constitution still depends on the doctors' own idea and has no objective identification. So many doctors in Korea have been trying to solve this problem. Recently, there are several efforts to find out the relationship between genetic information and constitution. By the way, May, 1998 there is a astonishing report about the gene which determines the human performance, that is ACE(angiotensin converting enzyme). And it suggests that the I allele was associated with improved endurance performance. ACE has three genotype including II, ID and DD. "I" means insertion and "D" means deletion. We determined the type of the Sasang constitution with QSCCII questionaire and the one's ACE genotype with PCR of the 127 people and we discovered the relationship between the constitution and the ACE genotype. The result is as follow. Among 39 people who have the II genotype, 7(18%) belong to Taeum(Taiyin), 9(23.1%) belong to Soyang(Shaoyang) and 23(59%) belong to Soeum(Shaoyin). Among 62 people who have the ID genotype, 18(29%) belong to Taeum(Taiyin), 21(33.9%) belong to Soyang(Shaoyang) and 23(37.1%) belong to Soeum(Shaoyin). Among 26 people who have DD genotype, 11(42.3%) belong to Taeum(Taiyin), 4(15.4%) belong to Soyang(Shaoyang) and 11(42.3%) belong to Soeum(Shaoyin). This data indicates that there are implicable relationship between the Sasang constitution and ACE genotype. Especially people who have II genotype have much possibility to be a Soeum(Shaoyin) person (59%) and Soyang(Shaoyang) person have less possibility to have DD genotype (15.4%). With this conclusion, we suggest further study of relationship between the Sasang constitution and ACE genotype and we think that other polymorphism can be a candidate of the partner of Sasang constitution.