• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.1092-1100
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• 2023

Introduction: We present a case of multiple myeloma with amyloidosis, which has features of peripheral neuropathy after induction chemotherapy before autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation, in a 56-year-old woman with Korean medicine. Case Presentation: For 17 days of hospitalization, the patient with complaints of numbness and a tingling sensation in the hands and feet was treated with acupuncture, herbal medicine. To reduce the symptoms, we provided Korean medicine treatments, including herbal medicine, acupuncture, and moxibustion. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the results of the treatment. Until discharge, the VAS scores decreased for both hands and the foot tingling sensation. Conclusion: According to these results, Korean medicine treatment may be considered an effective treatment for tingling sensations in a patient with multiple myeloma with amyloidosis. Prospective studies are needed in the future to confirm and expand these findings.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.140-149
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• 2023

Objectives: This case report aims to describe the effects of craniosacral therapy and acupuncture in a patient with chronic migraine. Methods: A 33-year-old man with chronic migraine was treated with 20 sessions of craniosacral therapy and acupuncture for 8 weeks. The number of migraine and headache days were monitored every month. The pain intensity of headache was measured on the visual analog scale (VAS). Korean Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6) and Migraine Specific Quality of Life (MSQoL) were also used. Results: The number of headache days per month reduced from 28 to 7 after 8 weeks of treatment and to 3 after 3 months of treatment. The pain intensity of headache based on VAS reduced from 7.5 to 3 after 8 weeks and further to < 1 after 3 months of treatment. Furthermore, the patient's HIT-6 and MSQoL scores improved during the treatment period, which was maintained or further improved at the 3 month follow-up. No side effects were observed during or after the treatment. Conclusion: This case indicates that craniosacral therapy and acupuncture could be effective treatments for chronic migraine. Further studies are required to validate the efficacy of craniosacral therapy for chronic migraine.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.757-764
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• 2023

Background: Vestibular neuritis is a common cause of acute unilateral peripheral vestibulopathy. Vestibular neuritis is the second most common disease among patients with dizziness. Clinical symptoms of vestibular neuritis include the sudden onset of vertigo with spontaneous nystagmus, unsteady gait, nausea, and vomiting that last from days to weeks. However, even after the vertigo disappears, difficulty maintaining balance while walking may persist for weeks to months. Antihistamines, serotonin receptor blockers, and benzodiazepine vestibular suppressants are widely used as symptomatic treatments to reduce the severity of symptoms that occur in the acute phase. Case Summary: A patient diagnosed with acute vestibular neuritis was treated with acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal medicine. We used the visual analog scale (VAS) to assess each symptom and the vertigo score to observe the effect of treatment. After treatment, the VAS scores for each symptom and the vertigo score decreased, and the severity of nystagmus was reduced. Conclusion: This study suggests that Korean medicine treatments, including Samchulgunbi-tang-gagam, could be effective in improving the clinical symptoms of vestibular neuritis.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.15.1-15.11
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• 2024

Objectives: This study aimed to establish a single-session associative protocol for nonrestorative management of dentin hypersensitivity (DH). Materials and Methods: Twenty-four individuals with DH and a minimum sensitivity level of 4 on the visual analog scale (VAS) were selected. The study was conducted in a split-mouth design, with each participant (n = 20) having at least 1 affected tooth in all quadrants. The management protocols consisted of control group: universal adhesive, Neural Desensitizing Protocol group: 5% potassium nitrate, Mixed Desensitizing Protocol (PAM) group: 5% sodium fluoride and 5% potassium nitrate, Remineralizing Desensitizing Protocol (PDR) group: surface-partially reacted glass technology photopolymerizable varnish. Evaluations were performed immediately after application, at 1 week, 1 month, 2 months, and 12 months using the VAS sensitivity test. Results: The scores were subjected to statistical analysis using the Friedman test (p < 0.05), Durbin-Conover test (p < 0.05), and Wilcoxon test (p < 0.05). At the 12-month evaluation, all groups showed statistically significant differences compared to the initial assessment. For the evaluation after 12 months, there was a statistically significant difference between the PAM group, the control group, and the PDR group. Conclusions: It can be concluded that all groups were effective in controlling DH, but there were significant results in the control group and PDR group. The clinical relevance of this study is to demonstrate that the application of single-session desensitizing protocols can be effective in controlling DH for up to 12 months.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.31-54
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• 2024

Objectives: This study assessed the effectiveness of Hwanggigyejiomul-tang for postoperative breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) by a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods: A search was conducted using keywords such as "breast cancer", "lymphedema", "edema", "Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu decoction", "Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu tang", and "Hwanggigyejiomul tang" in 10 databases (PubMed, Cochrane, ScienceDirect, CNKI, CiNii, RISS, KISS, ScienceON, OASIS, DBpia) on February 11, 2024. There were no limits on the publication period and language, and the quality of the studies was evaluated using Cochrane's risk of bias tool. A meta-analysis was performed based on the outcome measurements, such as total effective rate (TER), increase in shoulder joint mobility (flexion, extension, abduction, adduction), Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA), and visual analog scale (VAS) using Review Manager Web. Results: Eleven RCTs were selected. The treatment group (Hwanggigyejiomul-tang-gagambang or hapbang with control group intervention) showed a more statistically significant effect compared with the control group (physical therapy or western medicine) in TER (upper limb circumference change), TER (upper limb edema grade change), increase in flexion angle, increase in extension angle, increase in adduction angle, FMA, and VAS. Conclusions: Hwanggigyejiomul-tang is effective in treating postoperative BCRL. However, because of the low quality of the included studies, more clinical studies are required to increase the possibility of clinical use.

• Hip & pelvis
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.238-245
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• 2023

Purpose: Elderly patients with degenerative diseases undergo treatment for the hip and spine; these patients present with various symptoms. This study focused on patients with residual symptoms, predominantly pain, even after receiving treatment for their spinal lesions. Materials and Methods: Patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA) between 2016 and 2022 at a single tertiary hospital were included in the study. Of the 417 patients who underwent primary THA, a retrospective review of 40 patients with previous lesions of the spine was conducted. Patients were stratified to two cohorts: Patients with symptoms related to the spine (Group A), and those with hip-related symptoms (Group B). Preand postoperative comparisons of groups A and B were performed. Results: Improvements in patients' symptoms were observed in groups A and B after THA. In Group A, the mean preoperative visual analog scale (VAS) score was 5.10±0.876, which showed a postoperative decrease to 2.70±1.767. In Group B, the mean preoperative VAS score was 5.10±1.539, which showed a postoperative decrease to 2.67±1.493. Conclusion: According to the findings, promising results were achieved with THA in treatment of debilitating diseases of the hip for both the prognosis of the disease, as well as the patients' symptoms. In addition, in some cases elderly patients with dual pathologies underwent treatment for spinal lesions without performance of any evaluation related to the hip. Thus, evaluation of a patient's hip must be performed and performance of THA in patients with symptoms even after treatment of spinal lesions is recommended.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.291-299
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• 2024

Background: Postoperative pain management following minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum (MIRPE) remains a critical concern due to severe post-procedural pain. Promising results have been reported for cryoanalgesia following MIRPE; however, its invasiveness, single-lung ventilation, and additional instrumentation requirements remain obstacles. Serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) is a regional block technique capable of covering the anterior chest wall at the T2-9 levels, which are affected by MIRPE. We hypothesized that SAPB would be a superior alternative pain control modality that reduces postoperative pain more effectively than conventional methods. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of patients who underwent MIRPE between March 2022 and August 2023. The efficacy of pain control was compared between group N (conventional pain management, n=24) and group S (SAPB, n=26). Group N received intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) and subcutaneous local anesthetic infusion. Group S received bilateral continuous SAPB with 0.3% ropivacaine after a bilateral bolus injection of 30 mL of 0.25% ropivacaine with baseline IV-PCA. Pain levels were evaluated using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours postoperatively and total intravenous rescue analgesic consumption by morphine milligram equivalents (MME). Results: Mean VAS scores were significantly lower in group S than in group N throughout the 72-hour postoperative period (p<0.01). Group S showed significantly lower MME at postoperative 72 hours (group N: 108.53, group S: 16.61; p<0.01). Conclusion: SAPB improved immediate postoperative pain control in both the resting and dynamic states and reduced opioid consumption compared to conventional management.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.406-415
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• 2023

Background: Surgical management of a massive rotator cuff tear (RCT) is always challenging. This study describes the clinical and radiological outcomes of patients who underwent bridging grafts using a plantaris tendon for an irreparable RCT. Methods: Thirteen patients with a massive RCT were treated with arthroscopic interposition of a folded plantaris tendon autograft between June 2017 and January 2020. For clinical evaluation, a visual analog scale (VAS), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score, Constant-Murley score, and range of motion values were collected. For radiographic evaluation, standardized magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography were performed to check the integrity of the interposed tendon. Results: A statistically significant improvement at the final follow-up was evident in scores for the VAS (-3.0, P=0.003), ASES (24.9, P=0.002), D ASH (-20.6, P=0.001), and Constant-Murley values (14.2, P=0.010). In addition, significant improvement was shown in postoperative flexion (17.3°, P=0.026) and external rotation (27.7°, P<0.001). In postoperative radiologic evaluations, the interposed tendons were intact at the last examination in 12 of the 13 patients. No complications related to donor sites were reported. Conclusions: An arthroscopic bridging graft for irreparable RCTs using a modified Mason-Allen stitch and a plantaris autograft resulted in improved short-term radiological and clinical outcomes. Graft integrity was maintained for up to 2 years in most patients. Level of evidence: IV.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.91-99
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• 2024

Background: Palatal injections are often painful. We aimed to compare topical ice and 20% benzocaine gel for pre-injection anesthesia before greater palatine nerve block (GPNB) injections. Methods: A randomized split-mouth clinical trial was conducted among patients aged 15-60-years needing bilateral GPNB injections. A total of 120 palatal sites from 60 patients were randomly allocated to Group A (topical ice) or Group B (20% benzocaine gel). Pain was evaluated using sound, eye, motor (SEM), and the visual analog scale (VAS) in both groups. Inferential analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: The mean age of the participants was 20.5 ± 3.9 years. The median VAS score for group A was 11 (Q1 - Q3: 5.25 - 21.75), which was slightly higher than the 10 (Q1 - Q3: 4.0 - 26.75) reported in group B. However, the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.955). The median SEM score for group A and group B was 3.5 (Q1 - Q3: 3.0 - 4.0) and 4.0 (Q1 - Q3: 3.0 - 4.0), respectively, which was statistically insignificant (P = 0.869). Conclusion: Using ice as a form of topical anesthetic for achieving pre-injection anesthesia before GPNB was as effective as 20% benzocaine gel.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.121-130
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• 2024

Purpose : This study was conducted to investigate the effect of neck stabilization exercises using a stick on the pain, headache, and quality of life of adult patients with chronic non-specific neck pain. Methods : The participants of this study were 28 adult patients with chronic non-specific neck pain. The subjects were assigned to the experimental group (n=15, neck stabilization exercises using a stick after conservative physical therapy) and the control group (n=13, conservative physical therapy) according to the order of participation in the study and the intervention methods. The intervention was conducted three times a week for four weeks. The neck stabilization exercises using a stick consisted of isometric exercises of the muscles around the neck and strengthening exercises of the muscles around the scapula. The visual analog scale (VAS) and headache impact test (HIT-6) were used to measure the pain and headache, and the SF 36 health questionnaire (SF-36) was used to measure the quality of life. Results : In the comparison of VAS, HIT-6, and SF-36, there were significant differences between before and after the intervention in both the experimental and control groups (p<.05). The pre-post comparisons between the two groups according to the experiment showed significant differences between the experimental group and the control group (p=.001). However, the experimental group showed greater changes than the control group. Conclusion : Through this study, it was confirmed that neck stabilization exercises using a stick have positive effects on reducing the neck pain and headaches and improving the quality of life of adult patients with chronic neck pain. Therefore, it is considered that neck stabilization exercises using a stick can be used as an effective exercise method for the treatment and prevention of patients with chronic neck pain in the future.