• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.40-60
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• 2021

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a training course on pharmacovigilance for future doctors of Korean medicine (DKM). Methods: In 2020, a pharmacovigilance training course was conducted for 57 senior students of a Korean medicine (KM) college, and its impact to the students were assessed in terms of the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of these students at three-time points: pre-training, post-training, and 4-6 months after the end of the training. Results: A total of 38 students completed the survey. The average score from the knowledge test increased significantly after training compared to prior to the training (5.47±2.140, 6.61±1.001, respectively, p<0.001) and was maintained until the final survey (6.61±1.220). The rate of correct answers to most of the knowledge test questions increased after the training but decreased in the final survey. In terms of attitudes, self-confidence in causality assessment (2.63±1.025, 4.58±0.826, p<0.001) and spontaneous reporting (2.08±1.050, 4.74±0.446, p<0.001) significantly increased after the training and then slightly decreased (3.92±1.171, 4.40±0.755). The perception level was high prior to the training, and this pattern was maintained throughout the study period. Students responded that pharmacovigilance education was necessary for DKM after training, and for the undergraduates of KM colleges. Conclusions: This study shows that this pharmacovigilance training course is effective for students majoring in KM but that retraining is required at least 6 months after the initial training. Further follow-up studies are needed to ensure that students actively participate in spontaneous reporting after graduation, and continuous education should be provided to graduates.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.79-111
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• 2022

Major depressive disorder (MDD) causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. It can lead to emotional and physical problems. Treatments such as antidepressant and cognitive behavioral therapy for MDD have many limitations. Traditional East Asian Herbal Medicine (TEAM) is a representative modality of Complementary and Integrative Medicine (CIM) which can be used for MDD. However, no study has systematically reviewed the efficacy or safety of TEAM for MDD so far. Therefore, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate effectiveness and safety of TEAM as a monotherapy for MDD. We only included TEAM that could be used in context of clinical setting in Korean Medicine. Outcomes were the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) and total effective rate (TER). After comprehensive electronic search of 11 databases, we included 28 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared HM as monotherapy with antidepressant for MDD. Meta-analysis showed that TEAM had significant benefits in reducing HAMD (MD=-0.40, 95% CI: -0.67 to -0.13, p=0.003, I²=85%) and improving TER (RR=1.06, 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.10, p=0.003, I²=0%). It also appeared to be safer than antidepressant in terms of adverse effects. Methods used for RCTs were poor and the quality of evidence was graded 'low' or 'moderate'. These findings indicate that the use of HM as a monotherapy might have potential benefits in MDD treatment as an alternative to antidepressant. However, considering the methodological quality of included RCTs, the clinical evidence is uncertain. Further well-designed RCTs are required to confirm these findings.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.185-199
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• 2012

Objectives: This study aimed to review the effects and treatment of Korean, Oriental, Chinese medicine for premenstrual syndrome(PMS) as preceding research in order to further research the effective Korean Medicine treatment for PMS. Methods: Databases from Jan., 2002 through Feb., 2012 were searched through Pubmed for international journals; Korean studies information service system(KISS), National Discovery for Science Leaders(NDSL), Journal of Korean Acumoxa, J of Oriental Obstetrics and Gynecology, J of Meridian and Acupoint, and J of Korean Oriental Medicine for Korean journals were searched for national journals. The following search terms were used: acupuncture premenstrual syndrome, alternative medicine premenstrual syndrome, traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), premenstrual syndrome for Pubmed, premenstrual syndrome(in Korean and English) for the remaining search. Results: Twenty four studies were included in this review. Conclusions: Alternative medicinal intervention such as acupuncture and herb medicine may be effective treatment method in controlling premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder(PMDD).

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.53-68
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• 2011

Objectives : This study was conducted to investigate status of electroacupuncture(EA) stimulation and adverse effects as a basic information of EA clinical treatment. Methods : The survey was carried twice by e-mail and online service against the traditional Korean medicine doctors registered in the Association of Korea Oriental Medicine. Results : Seventy-eight percent of 284 responders used the EA. The EA was the most widely used for the stimulation of the meridian-muscle on musculo-skeletal pain. In terms of methodological procedure, doctors mainly apply acupuncture with the needle of 2 or 3 pairs of 0.25mm diameter to the depth of 10-50mm for 15 minutes. Respondents used mainly at the frequency of 10Hz and the automatic setting at the intensity of around 3-4 grade. The adverse effects were investigated less then 3% in the 45.9% respondents and non in the 40.5%. The most priority content for better EA treatment was "development of the effective stimulation program". Conclusion : In the result of survey, the frequency of practical use of EA was very high but the applied disease was concentrated in the pain. Hereafter, if the clinical study for safety and effectiveness is secured and more convenient EA tool is developed, the clinical application of the EA is likely to be more expanded.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.149-185
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• 2022

Objectives: The Barak Valley is well known for its rich diversity of medicinal plants. Ethnomedicinal practices are prominent among Barak Valley's major and minor ethnic groups. This systemic review focuses on traditionally used medicinal plants found in the Barak Valley as reported in different ethnobotanical surveys. Methods: We searched various databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, to find ethnomedicinal surveys conducted in the Barak Valley. The search was performed using different terms, including ethnomedicinal survey, folk medicine, indigenous knowledge, and Barak Valley. Potential articles were identified following the exclusion and inclusion criteria. Results: A total of eight ethnobotanical surveys were included in this study. We identified a total of 216 plant species belonging to 167 genera and 87 families, which are widely used by the ethnic communities who live in the rural areas of Barak Valley for the treatment of various diseases and ailments. Conclusion: Folk medicine is the result of decades of accumulated knowledge and practices by people who live in rural communities based on their needs and provides an important source of information to assist the search for new pharmaceuticals. Therefore, available information on traditional medicinal plants needs to be explored scientifically to find effective and alternative treatments for different diseases.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.383-390
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• 2013

In order to improve the integrating accuracy and to elevate the serviceability of the KM(Korean Medicine) ontology constructed by the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, this research simplified the many-to-many corresponding relationship between groups of methods of treatment and groups of accompanied symptoms from disease ontology and categorized systematically the relationship. We first extracted the combinations of methods of treatment and accompanied symptoms from the KM ontology, then categorized the attributes of combinations that their frequencies were over 10 times by analyzing KM terms definition and the basic KM theory. We constructed the classification hierarchy having 14 kinds of classification in 4 steps and extracted 450 meaningful combinations. This research improved the integrating accuracy and elevated the serviceability of KM information by the classification system.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.1-18
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• 2022

Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the current status of interventional clinical trial registration for children with precocious puberty and to secure basic data for the design of clinical trials for traditional Korean medicine treatment of precocious puberty. Methods The following resources were used to search for data: Clinicaltrial.gov, World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (WHO ICTRP), and Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS), using the search terms, 'Precocious puberty', 'child'. All clinical trials which were registered as of June 2022 were used. Results For the intervention and clinical trial design, gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) analog was reported in 41.7% of trials, and single group assignment was performed in 66.7% of the studies. Prior consent had not been reported in 50% of the studies. Tanner stage and GnRH stimulation tests were reported by multiple trials as inclusion criteria, and prior treatment experiences for trial drugs were reported as exclusion criteria. The peak serum concentration of luteinizing hormone following GnRH stimulation test was used as a primary outcome in 45.8% of clinical trials, and other growth-related indicators such as growth rate, height, and predicted adult height were also reported. Conclusions In consideration of the design, eligibility criteria, and outcome measurement of the existing clinical trials identified in this study, it should be referred to in the design of clinical trials for traditional Korean medicine treatment of precocious puberty.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.1-9
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• 2016

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of Chuna manual therapy for irritable bowel syndrome. Methods: The researcher conducted search across the 3 electronic databases (Pubmed, Wanfang data(included CAJ) and Oasis) to find all of randomized controlled clinical trials(RCTs) that used Chuna manual therapy for irritable bowel syndrome. Results: Eight RCTs met inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis showed positive results for the use of Chuna manual therapy in terms of the therapeutic effects or symptom score compared to west medication, herbal medication, acupucture and moxa treatment alone. Conclusions: The review found encouraging but limited evidence of Chuna manual therapy for irritable bowel syndrome. More highquality clinical trials research is needed on Chuna, manipulative therapy of irritable bowel syndrome.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.13-23
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• 2021

Objectives The purpose of this research is to comprehensively analyze about Jowiseungcheong-tang (Diàowèishēngqīng-tāng). This herbal medicine is widely used to treat obesity and metabolic disease. Methods We used 3 search terms, 'Jowiseungcheong-tang', 'Jowiseungcheong-tang plus obesity' and 'Jowiseungcheong-tang plus metabolic disease' in Korean word via 5 domestic databases. Therefore, 8 laboratory experiments and 4 clinical researches were chosen. Results Jowiseungcheong-tang (Diàowèishēngqīng-tāng) was identified as a herbal medicine for obesity and related metabolic disease. In plasma level of lipid, leptin, inflammatory material were decreased in laboratory experiments. Weight loss and symptom relief were reported in clinical research. Conclusions Definite information about laboratory experiment was showed, specifically suitable index and numerical value. In clinical research, although Jowiseungcheong-tang (Diàowèishēngqīng-tāng) is widely used for obesity and metabolic disease, the number of reported thesis and patient were pretty a few. Also, diagnosis methods were also scanty. Multi-institutional clinical trial should be progressed.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.447-458
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• 2008

This paper reviews the historic origin and traits of the classification system used in current Korean herbology textbooks. By reassessing its value, it proposes the most relevant path for future revisions and supplementations. Through an evaluation of the history of the modern style of classification in terms of its efficacy and statistic analysis of the distribution of individual herbs in each category, this paper shows how the classification systems of Korean herbology textbooks were influenced by contemporary Chinese herbology, particularly that of the Cheong [淸] Dynasty. An examination of the academic background, strengths and weaknesses of each classification system demonstrates the need for future research on classification systems to concentrate on resolving the following issues: how well the setting and composition of each classification system reflects reality, and how closely it is connected to related sciences such as etiology and pathogenesis, prescriptionology, and diagnosis.