• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.23-35
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• 2015

Objective : As part of the Korean Medicine Official Development Assistance(ODA) and Public Health Project, we implemented a obesity management program(OMP) using Korean medicine in Uzbekistan and its follow-up study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. Method : We recruited the participants of whose Body Mass Index(BMI) were over $25kg/m^2$ and who agreed to participate in the program at the South Korea-Uzbekistan Friendship Korean Medical Hospital in Uzbekistan. The program consisted of auricular acupuncture, functional food, and education program on diet and exercise. It was provided once a week during 7-week period. Anthropometric measurements and blood test measuring total cholesterol, triglyceride, and glucose were performed at the baseline, the end of the program, and 10-month follow-up. At the end of the program and the follow-up, survey on satisfaction and self-evaluation of the effectiveness of the program was additionally conducted. Results : 43 out of 78 participants completed the program and were included in the analysis. The analysis of the main outcomes showed that there were significant decreases in anthropometric measurements such as body weight, waist circumference, body mass index (BMI) and body fat content as well as blood test including triglycerides, total cholesterol and blood glucose levels. In the follow-up study, 24 subjects participated and 19 subjects (79.1%) reported that they succeeded in weight control. Furthermore, many participants reported that they maintained healthy lifestyles like healthy diet and regular exercise. The satisfaction with the program was also relatively high, and the education program was selected as the most motivating intervention for weight control. The outcomes such as body weight, BMI, body fat content, and blood glucose level were maintained to be at the decreased level; however, waist circumference, total cholesterol and triglycerides levels either returned back to the baseline level or were elevated to the level higher than the baseline. Conclusion : This study suggests that the OMP using Korean medicine may contribute to weight control of obese population in Uzbekistan. It is meaningful in that the study shows the possibility of implementing health promotion programs using Korean medicine in other countries with different cultures. In the future, more efforts to evaluate the effectiveness of the programs using rigorous methodologies and utilize the effective programs in ODA project will be needed.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.102-116
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to analyze the research trends of randomized controlled trials on herbal medicine treatment for atopic dermatitis in China for the last 5 years. We searched for randomized controlled trials with the intervention of herbal medicine for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in the CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure) from January 2014 to December 2018. For the screening of the paper, we used '特应性皮炎' and '异位性皮炎' which mean atopic dermatitis and search was limited to three areas within Medicine & Public Health: Traditional Chinese Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicinal Herbs, Combination of Traditional Chinese Medicine with Western Medicine. Among the 136 searched studies, we selected a total of 34 studies and analyzed a year of publication, subject characteristics, study design and intervention, prescribed herbal medicine and herbs, pattern identification, evaluation criteria, and outcomes. Longmu decoction (龍牡湯) and Polia Sclerotium (茯笭) was the most frequently prescribed medicine and herb. The most commonly used pattern identification was Blood deficiency and Wind-dryness (血虛風燥), and among them, the most frequently prescribed herb is Rehmanniae Radix (生地黃). In most studies using the total effectiveness and SCORAD index as an outcome measure, the herbal medicine treatment group showed statistically better results than the control group. As a result of the safety assessment, the herbal medicine treatment group was reported having significantly fewer side effects compared to the control group. Hence, it was confirmed that the intervention including herbal medicine had a significant effect on atopic dermatitis. This study would be able to provide the basis of clinical research on atopic dermatitis and applied to the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

• The Journal of Korea CHUNA Manual Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.157-167
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• 2005

Objective : There is hardly case report in oriental Medicine about the ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament(OPLL). We experienced a patient(64-year-old male) with OPLL improved by oriental Medicine treatment, and we report it clinically. Methods : While the patient with OPLL was treated acupuncture, physical therapy, and CHUNA manual therapy, we evaluated the patient's symptoms and function by visual analogue scale(VAS), clinical criteria for evaluation of the cervical myelopathy by the japanese orthopaedic association(JOA Score) and cervical spine's range of motion(ROM) in three limes for the 17 days that were a hospitalization period. Results : VAS, JOA score and ROM in OPLL patient were improved. VAS in symptoms became lower from 10 to 5. JOA score increased from 12 points to 13 points. As for the ROM, it was improved in 30.1%. Conclusion : Oriental medicine treatment may be effective in conservative treatment of OPLL. We propose that more clinical studies and reaches are accomplished in oriental medicine.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.152-157
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• 2010

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of traditional Korean medical therapy in patients with functional dyspepsia evaluted using multi-channel electrogastrography. Before the treatment, the EGG of 14 outpatients (male 3, female 11) with functional dyspepsia were recorded and their dominant frequency(DF), percentage of gastric slow waves, percentage of Power ratio, and percentage of slow wave couplings were analysed. For 8 weeks, the patients received acupuncture treatment. After 8 weeks, EGG was rechecked and compared with the previous data. After treatment, normogastria was significantly increased in channel 1 and channel 3($53.70{\pm}18.94$% vs $72.64{\pm}15.49$% in channel 1, P<0.05; $79.74{\pm}18.09$ vs $90.86{\pm}8.86$ in channel 3, P<0.05). arrythmia was significantly decreased in channel 3($14.34{\pm}15.21$ vs $5.93{\pm}6.90$, P<0.05). The patients who had less severe decrease in EGG indexes showed improvement of those indexes through 8 weeks of outpatient care. EGG channel 3 was shown to be the most adequate standard of evaluation. But there was no significant improvement in slow wave coupling rate which is a new index of multichannel EGG.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.381-389
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• 2004

Objective : To compare the efficacy between SKI306X and Diclofenac by using generalized estimating equations (GEE) methodology in the analysis of correlated bivariate binary outcome data in Osteoarthritis (OA) diseases. Methods : A randomized, double-blind, active comparator-controlled, non-inferiority clinical trial was conducted at 5 institutions in Korea with the random assignment of 248 patients aged 35 to 75 years old with OA of the knee and clinical evidence of OA. Patients were enrolled in this study if they had at least moderate pain in the affected knee joint and a score larger than 35mm as assessed by VAS (Visual Analog Scale). The main exposure variable was treatment (SKI 306X vs. Diclofenac) and other covariates were age, sex, BMI, baseline VAS, center, operation history (Yes/No), NSAIDS (Y/N), acupuncture (Y/N), herbal medicine (Y/N), past history of musculoskeletal disease (Y/N), and previous therapy related with OA (Y/N). The main study outcome was the change of VAS pain scores from baseline to the 2nd and 4th weeks after treatment. Pain scores were obtained as baseline, 2nd and 4th weeks after treatment. We applied GEE approach with empirical covariance matrix and independent(or exchangeable) working correlation matrix to evaluate the relation of several risk factors to the change of VAS pain scores with correlated binary bivariate outcomes. Results : While baseline VAS, age, and acupuncture variables had protective effects for reducing the OA pain, its treatment (Joins/Diclofenac) was not statistically significant through GEE methodology (ITT:aOR=1.37, 95% CI=(0.8200, 2.26), PP:aOR=1.47, 95% CI=(0.73, 2.95)). The goodness-of-fit statistic for GEE (6.55, p=0.68) was computed to assess the adequacy of the fitted final model. Conclusions : Both ANCOVA and GEE methods yielded non statistical significance in the evaluation of non-inferiority of the efficacy between SKI306X and Diclofenac. While VAS outcome for each visit was applied in GEE, only VAS outcome for the fourth visit was applied in ANCOVA. So the GEE methodology is more accurate for the analysis of correlated outcomes.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.492-501
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• 2007

Objectives : This study was executed in order to evaluate the effects of electroacupuncture on upper-extremity spasticity control in stroke patients. Methods : Eighteen patients with stroke were enrolled and classified into two groups, the study and control group. The control group did not receive any oriental medical treatment. In the study group, the electroacupuncture points were applied to Kokt'aek (PC3) and $Ch'{\u{o}}ch'{\u{o}}n$ (PC2), Naegwan (PC6) and $Ch'{\u{o}}kt'aek$(LU5) of the affected limb. H-reflexl M-response ratio (HIM ratio), modified Ashworth scale (MAS) and Fugl-Meyer motor function assessment (FMA) were used for evaluation of spasticity control before electroacupuncture, within two hours after electroacupuncture, and at two weeks. Results : In MAS, the study group declined more than the control group. but there was no statisticallysignificant consideration. In H/M ratio. the study group was more efficient than the control group. and spasticity decreased successively during the series in the study group. In FMA, motor function in the study group improved more than in the control group and motor function in the study group increased successively during the series. Conclusions : These results showed that electro acupuncture was a useful method to decrease upper-extremity spasticity in patients with stroke. Further studies are needed to explore more cases and the long-lasting carryover effects on upper-extremity spasticity in electroacupuncture.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.458-466
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to review the research on treating depression in Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) over the last 5 years to set the foundation for further studies. We searched for and analyzed articles about depression in CNKI(China National Knowledge Infrastructure) from January 2010 to December 2014. The results were as follows : The most frequently used diagnostic criteria was CCMD-3(The Chinese Classification of Mental Disorders-3), and the most used evaluation criteria was HAMD(Hamilton Depression Rating Scale). Prescription of decoction of medical herbs was most frequently used as a therapeutic method. Acupuncture, traditional Chinese psychotherapy, and music therapy were also used for some studies. The most frequent TCM Syndrome Differentiation Type was stagnation of liver-QI. For decoction of Chinese herbs, Soyo-san(Xiaoyao-san) and Sihosogan-san(Chaihushugan-san) were most often prescribed, and Bupleuri Radix, Paeoniae Radix Alba, Curcumae Radix, Poria cocos wolf, Angelicae Gigantis Radix, Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba were mainly used for medical herbs. BaekHoi(GV20) and Yindang(Ex-HN3) were often used as acupuncture sites. Post-Stroke Depression was the most common case of intercurrent or secondary depression. According to the Jadad Quality Assessment Scale, the quality of the reports was not high as most of the reports had a score of 3 or below. Most systematic reviews on depression were conducted by Chinese researchers. The problem with Clinical research on depression, according to those reviews, was that there were no standardized criteria for the diagnosis and treatment and the trials were usually not randomized nor controlled. We found out there are various clinical methods for treating depression in TCM, and hope that this research could provide the preliminary data for designing and conducting clinical trials for depression.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.179-186
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• 2020

The aim of this study was to report the effect of Korean medicine treatments and vestibular rehabilitation practice on an stroke patient with dizziness. The patient received Korean medicine treatments, such as acupuncture and herbal medication, and vestibular rehabilitation practice. The effects of treatments were assessed with the Korean dizziness handicap inventory, Korean activities-specific balance confidence scale, Korean vestibular disorders activities of daily living scale. Researchers conducted gait analysis for evaluation patient's gait disturbance's improvement during treatments. The intensity of dizziness were significantly reduced after the complete treatment. After treatment with traditional Korean medicine and vestibular rehabilitation practice, the patient showed significant improvements in symptoms and gait parameters. This case proved that combined therapy of Korean medicine treatment and vestibular rehabilitation practice can be useful for stroke patients who suffered from dizziness. however, studies of larger populations are required in the future.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.785-796
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• 2019

Objective: Facial nerve palsy causes both facial muscle malfunction and mental illness. Because a facial nerve palsy lesion shows on the face, it can have serious effects on social relationships and mental health. Many facial nerve palsy patients undergo anxiety, depression, and social phobia. In this study, a facial nerve palsy patient with sleep disorder was admitted to the Korean medicine hospital for treatment. Methods: The patient with facial nerve palsy and sleep disorder was treated with herbal medicines, acupuncture, herbal acupuncture therapy, and physical therapy. We used the House Brackmann grading system and Yanagihara's Unweighted Grading System to assess changes in facial nerve palsy symptoms and the Korean Modified Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire to assess the sleep disorder. Results: The patient was hospitalized for 18 days and showed a recovery from both facial nerve palsy and sleep disorder symptoms without any adverse events. We conclude that patients with facial nerve palsy should be treated from both the physical and mental health perspectives.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.27-36
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• 2022

Objective : The purpose of this study is to present a case report with the adult patient who needed active treatment of pityriasis rosea with severe pruritus, and did not respond to steroid treatment in the preceding month. Methods : The subject is an adult patient with pityriasis rosea over the age of 40 without any other diseases. We administered Korean medicine treatment with Bangpungtongseong-san (防⾵通聖散) and acupuncture. The effects of the treatment were evaluated via scales including Pruritus score, Pityriasis Rosea Severity Score (PRSS), and picture. Results : After the treatment Pruritus score/PRSS index of the case changed from 8/20 to 0/0. No other severe adverse reactions were reported. No more recurrence or pruritus was confirmed in follow-up. Conclusions : Korean medicine treatment with Bangpungtongseong-san showed marked improvement in pruritus and skin symptoms of pityriasis rosea in need of active care. With the lack of existing clinical reports of pityriasis rosea, we found that Korean medicine treatment could be an effective way, and it is expected that Bangpungtongseong-san could be administered to pityriasis rosea patients. Randomized-controlled trial for further evaluation will be needed in the future.