• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.194-205
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• 2023

Objectives : This study investigated the current utilization status of thermotherapy devices in Korean medicine (KM) institutions and identified areas for improvement and further development, as perceived by KM doctors (KMDs). Methods : An online survey was conducted, targeting KMDs primarily engaged in clinical patient care. The questionnaire included items about respondents' clinical practices, the extent of thermotherapy device usage, their opinions on these devices, and perceived improvement needs. The collected data underwent quantitative analysis. Results : From the 1,025 respondents, data from 862 respondents who provided complete responses were analyzed. On average, respondents utilized thermotherapy treatments for 80% of their patients. Infrared (IR) phototherapy unit, electrical moxibustion apparatus, and heater-based thermotherapy devices were predominantly owned by respondents, with IR being the most frequently used. The average satisfaction score for current thermotherapy devices was 79. A significant concern raised was the necessity for improved health insurance coverage and efficacy evaluation. Conclusions : This research has confirmed that the extensive use of thermotherapy devices by KMDs in treating primarily musculoskeletal and gastrointestinal ailments - common conditions among patients in KM institutions. The main areas identified for improvement encompass safety, cost-effectiveness, and device efficacy. Future enhancements in thermotherapy devices should address these crucial aspects.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.55-66
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• 2023

■Objective The aim of this study is to report the effects of Korean medicine treatment on patients complaining of sensory disorder of Lateral medullary syndrome caused by lateral medullary infarction. ■Method The patient received Sogyeonghwalhyeoltang, acupuncture, electroacupuncture, TENS and Jungsongouhyul pharmacopuncture treatment for 18 days. Abnormal sensation was evaluated using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), and sensory ataxia was evaluated using quantitative sensory evaluation for light touch, pain, and temperature, and then the sensation was evaluated using % compared with sensation felt when normal was 100%. Symptoms were evaluated over a total of 3 weeks on 2/7, 2/14, and 2/21. ■Results After treatment, NRS scores decreased both when the abnormal sensation was stable and when stimulated. The recovery score for sensory ataxia increased, with more pronounced recovery in the trunk area and slower recovery in the peripheral area. ■Conclusion This case shows that combined Oriental medicine treatment helps recover from sensory disorder in Lateral medullary syndrome.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.941-947
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• 2023

Objective: The purpose of this case study is to report the hydrocele of the canal of Nuck and the effectiveness of Korean medicine in post-surgery improvement of symptoms. Method: A patient who was diagnosed with hydrocele of the Nuck canal and had symptoms after Lichtenstein's operation was treated using Korean medicine, including acupuncture, herbal medicine, and moxibustion, every day. The evaluation was performed using the Numeral Rating Scale (NRS), the 5-level EQ-5D version (EQ-5D-5L), the EQ visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief (WHOQOL-BREF). Results: After treatment, changes were observed in NRS (from 8 to 2-3) and EQ-VAS (from 60 to 85), whereas there was no difference in EQ-5D-5L (both 6). There was an overall improvement in the domains of WHOQOL-BREF and subjective symptoms. Conclusion: This study suggests that Korean medicine may improve symptoms after surgery of hydrocele of the canal of Nuck and can be evaluated using an overall QoL questionnaire.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.433-444
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• 2023

Objectives: This case study aimed to provide evidence of the combined use of Korean Medicine treatments, including electroacupuncture (EA) on scalp acupoints, as a useful intervention for post-stroke delirium. Methods: The patient in this study was diagnosed with Cerebral Infarction in Right Corpus Callosum and post-stroke delirium. The patient received eight sessions of EA on scalp acupoints, rehabilitation medicine treatment, and other Korean Medicine treatments such as acupuncture and herbal medicine. Evaluation of treatment effectiveness was done mainly through the Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale Korean (MDAS-K) and Mini-Mental State Examination Korean (MMSE-K). Results: MDAS-K score dropped from 20 to 9 and MMSE-K score increased from 15 to 21 during hospitalization, showing improvement in symptoms. Conclusions: Combined use of Korean medicine treatments including EA on scalp acupoints may be an effective treatment for post-stroke delirium.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2024

Objectives: This study aims to develop an educational program based on a manual for disaster medical support using Korean medicine (KM) for disaster survivors. Methods: We conducted a literature review on another educational program, a focus group interviews with experts, a survey of the academic needs of Korean medicine (KM) doctors, educational competency development, and an expert Delphi survey. Results: This program was designed using a hybrid method combining online (4 h) and offline (8 h) elements; the total time of the program is 12 h. The offline course consists of theory (4 h) and practice (4 h) lectures. The theory lecture covers herbal medicine, acupuncture, stabilizing technique, emotional freedom technique, and self-management, and the practice lecture covers stabilizing technique, emotional freedom technique, and clinical performance evaluation. Meanwhile, the online course covers a manual for disaster medical support using KM and an introductory course from the National Center for Disaster and Trauma. Conclusions: The results of this study are expected to be useful for enhancing training for KM doctors in trauma care for disaster survivors as well as evaluating and validating the program's effectiveness.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.40-59
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• 2024

Objectives: Since infertility has been big social issue in Korea, this study aims to analyze the domestic study trends in Korean Medicine (KM) for female infertility treatment. Methods: Case studies applying KM treatment on female infertility were selected through 5 domestic journal databases. General characteristics, interventions, outcomes and results and the quality of the reports were analyzed. Especially, the quality assessments of studies were made using CAse REport (CARE) guideline and Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist. Results: 14 studies (22 cases) were finally selected for the analyzation. The mean age of the participants was 35.1 and the most common factor of female infertility in this study was Uterine factor. Herbal medicine was applied in all studies, and acupuncture was also used frequently. Most cases reported pregnancy of the participants. According to quality assessment, 'Diagnostic challenges', 'Intervention adherence and tolerability', 'Adverse and unanticipated events', 'Patient perspective' and 'Informed consent' were showed low reporting rates. Conclusions: Korean Medicine treatment for female infertility is expected to be effective. In quality evaluation, there were some items with low reporting rates. Further clinical studies have to be conducted to establish the evidence for the treatment.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.26-31
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• 2015

Objectives: This study used semiology based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to investigate vital energy (Qi) behavior in women with abdominal myofascial pain syndrome (AMPS). Methods: Fifty women diagnosed with chronic pelvic pain (CPP) secondary to AMPS were evaluated by using a questionnaire based on the theories of "yin-yang," "zang-fu", and "five elements". We assessed the following aspects of the illness: symptomatology; specific location of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs); onset, cause, duration and frequency of symptoms; and patient and family history. The patients tongues, lips, skin colors, and tones of speech were examined. Patients were questioned on various aspects related to breathing, sweating, sleep quality, emotions, and preferences related to color, food, flavors, and weather or seasons. Thirst, gastrointestinal dysfunction, excreta (feces and urine), menstrual cycle, the five senses, and characteristic pain symptoms related to headache, musculoskeletal pain, abdomen, and chest were also investigated. Results: Patients were between 22 and 56 years old, and most were married (78%), possessed a elementary school (66%), and had one or two children (76%). The mean body mass index and body fat were 26.86 kg/cm2 (range: 17.7 - 39.0) and 32.4% (range: 10.7 - 45.7), respectively. A large majority of women (96%) exhibited alterations in the kidney meridian, and 98% had an altered gallbladder meridian. We observed major changes in the kidney and the gallbladder Qi meridians in 76% and 62% of patients, respectively. Five of the twelve meridians analyzed exhibited Qi patterns similar to pelvic innervation Qi and meridians, indicating that the paths of some of these meridians were directly related to innervation of the pelvic floor and abdominal region. Conclusion: The women in this study showed changes in the behavior of the energy meridians, and the paths of some of the meridians were directly related to innervation of the pelvic floor and abdominal region.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.74-88
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• 2019

Objectives The aim of this study is systematic evaluation of the quality of qualitative studies related to short stature. It will be utilized as fundamental data for future qualitative research about Korean Medicine Pediatrics treatment for short stature. Methods We searched qualitative studies related to short stature in the Pubmed. Two researchers independently assessed the quality of the qualitative researches by using Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) and Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP). We also qualitatively synthesized theme of each included studies. We presented integrated theme and categories with in vivo coding about qualitative research about short stature. Results A total of 47 papers were screened and 7 papers were finally selected. In the quality assessment using COREQ, detalied information about the researchers, methods of approach, reasons for non-participation, presence of non-participants, participant's review of the transcript, and participant's review of the findings were insufficient. In the quality evaluation using CASP, there were lack of justifications for the research methods, description method of research, and bias in process of data analysis. The findings were synthesized into three themes: fixed idea about height, discomfort caused by small stature and personal coping strategy with stress caused by short stature. Conclusions In further qualitative research, it is necessary to report the research according to COREQ and CASP checklist. It is also necessary to understand the stress and coping strategies to short stature of patients, We need to develop a social management strategy for short stature.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.1-13
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• 2020

Objectives : The objective of this survey was to examine students' perception of the clinical performance examination (CPX) in college of traditional Korean medicine using student standardized patients. Methods : College of traditional Korean medicine students who completed the first-semester clinical practice education were selected as the subjects, and they participated in a survey asking questions about the following matters: satisfaction with CPX, self-evaluation, difficulties experienced during the CPX course, level of prior knowledge of clinical practice education, and usefulness of and intimacy with Student Standardized Patients (SSP). Results : Satisfaction with CPX was calculated to be 4.10 (5 being the perfect score), and self-evaluation of CPX was calculated to be 4.12. The subjects chose physical examination as the most difficult item relating to CPX. 80.5% responded positively to the question relating to diverse experiences in practice education, and 52.8% responded positively to the question relating to prior knowledge of diverse standardized patients. 55.6% responded positively to the question relating to performance proficiency of SSP, 63.9% responded positively to the question relating to usefulness of SSP to prepare for CPX, and 69.4% responded positively to the question relating to usefulness of SSP in evaluating CPX, and 55.6% responded positively to the questions relating to intimacy with SSP. It was confirmed that there was a strong quantitative correlation between prior knowledge of clinical practice education and usefulness of SSP, and that there was a strong quantitative correlation between performance proficiency of SSP and usefulness of SSP. It was confirmed that there was a middle-level correlation between performance proficiency of SSP and intimacy with SSP, and that there was a middle-level quantitative correlation between intimacy with SSP and usefulness of SSP. Conclusions : It was confirmed that senior students enrolled in college of traditional Korean medicine were mostly satisfied with the clinical performance examination in college of traditional Korean medicine using SSP, and that usefulness of SSP had a quantitative correlation with prior knowledge of diverse clinical practice educations, performance proficiency of SSP, and intimacy with SSP.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.193-203
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical effects of ascending kidney water and descending heart fire pharmacopuncture treatment for hot flush and sweating. Methods : Ascending kidney water and descending heart fire pharmacopuncture is achieved by injecting pharmacopuncture on a specific acupoint to change from the state of water-fire disharmony to harmonious state. Hwangryunhaedok-tang (黃連解毒湯) pharmacopuncture is injected on both side Gyeonjeong (GB ₂₁ ), Pungji (GB ₂₀ ). Total 0.4 cc was injected by 0.1 cc each point. BUM (Bear’s gall bladder, ox bezoar and musk) pharmacopuncture is injected on both side Jeonjung (CV ₁₇ ), Jungwan (CV ₁₂ ), Gihae (CV ₆ ). Total 0.15 cc was injected by 0.05 cc each point. Treatment was done daily. The method of evaluation are Hot Flush Score (HFS), VAS and sweating areas. Results : In case 1, after treatment hot flush score was reduced from 24 to 4 points. VAS scale was reduced from 7 to 2. It took about two weeks for the symptoms to decrease by half. Associated symptoms almost did not stay at discharge. In case 2, after treatment hot flush score was reduced from 28 to 2 points. VAS scale was reduced from 10 to 3. And emotional symptoms were reduced about 70%. In case 3, after treatment hot flush score was reduced from 8 to 1 points. VAS scale was reduced from 6 to 1. And headache and chest discomfort symptoms have disappeared. Conclusions : Ascending kidney water and descending heart fire pharmacopuncture treatment is effective for improve ascending kidney water and descending heart fire energy. Therefore, it will be used to alleviate hot flush and sweating.