• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.177-182
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• 2018

Background: Breast cancer is a treatable disease, but some women reject conventional treatment in favor of unproven "alternative therapies," which may have serious implications for their survival. Therefore, a process is needed to lead them to more appropriate treatment choices. Case presentation: Here, we present the case of a 51-year-old Korean female diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer (stage IIB, T2N1M0) in Nov. 2015. She refused a standard surgical resection together with chemotherapy and opted instead for moxibustion by nonmedical personnel. Consequently, her preference for alternative therapy without conventional treatment exacerbated her disease. Just a little over a year later, integrative cancer treatment, including chemotherapy based on histological founding, and complementary treatment, comprised of acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal medicine, were administered for 5 months. Finally, she successfully underwent modified radical mastectomy showing a pathological complete response. She received only adjuvant chemotherapy without any alternative medicine afterwards, and she maintained a good status without recurrence. Conclusion: In the case of breast cancer patients who are resistant to surgery and chemotherapy, integrative therapy considering adverse effects from conventional treatment should be preferred to bitter opposition to alternative medicine.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.49-60
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• 2023

Objectives: To explore the impacts of home-based integrative Korean medicine program, on pain, quality of life (QOL), and satisfaction among elderly female residents with mobility impairment in rural areas during the period from August 2021 to November 2022. Methods: Five participants with mobility impairment in rural area were selected from Health Department of Public Health Center. We conducted an investigation into the variations in NRS (Numerical Rating Scale) scores, changes in quality of life (QOL), and levels of satisfaction resulting from a combination of acupuncture, counseling, and the provision of medical supplies. Results: Participants reported improvements in Overall pain and Quality of life. Satisfaction levels reported high. Conclusions: Home-based integrative Korean medicine program showed possibility of improvements for the elderly women with mobility impairment in rural areas in terms of pain, quality of life. In pursuit of improved management, it is advisable to contemplate the adoption of a fresh treatment approach.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.66
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• pp.379-387
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• 2023

Dog owners seek treatment when their pets develop cancer. IMMUNIES is traditional herbal medicine-based figment made of 10 natural herbs, designed to maintain host immune function. The major component of IMMUNIES is Dendropanax morbiferus. This clinical pilot study monitored the toxicity and efficacy of IMMUNIES. Four senile dogs with spontaneously occurring mammary and liver cancers were enrolled in this study and treated orally daily for 3 months, and their blood/urine biochemical profiles were examined each month. IMMUNIES was well tolerated during the treatment period. Blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and C-reactive protein levels decreased in all four dogs, whereas red blood cells and hematocrit were within the normal range. IMMUNIES also changed the expression of several molecular targets in the anticancer pathway, such as pro-NAG-1, p53, and cyclin D1. Although the tumors did not completely respond to IMMUNIES, the biochemical profiles and clinical examination showed a stabilized cancer status for 3 months. Thus, IMMUNIES was found to be safe and well-tolerated in the dosage range tested and exhibited cancer antiproliferative activity in canine cancer. Future studies should address other potential benefits of IMMUNIES, including correlative assessments of immune function, quality of life, and owner satisfaction.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.239-253
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• 2018

Objectives: This is one of the manuals of East-West integrative medicine, which was created by the Committee on integrative medicine of Chung-Yeon Korean Medicine Hospital. To support clinical decision making and communication in the East-West cooperative treatment of mild cognitive impairment. Methods: Drafting was based on literature review from the MEDLINE, EMBASE, OASIS, and CNKI databases using search terms such as 'mild cognitive impairment', 'mild neurocognitive disorder', 'acupuncture', 'herbal medicine' and 'traditional Chinese medicine'. An amendment reflecting the goal of consultation and detailed treatment contents was made by reviewing the draft and holding discussion with the rehabilitation specialist of western medicine. The committee then agreed to adopt the manual through the process of review and feedback in addition to face-to-face discussions. Results: This manual contains the diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment, the goal of consultation, and the cooperative treatment contents of the East-West medicine for mild cognitive impairment. Conclusions: This manual provides significant information about the decision making process and contents of treatment in one medical institution for East-West cooperative treatment of mild cognitive impairment.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.69-79
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• 2021

Objectives The purpose of this study was to verify the effect of integrative Korean medicine on acute postoperative pain after arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Methods This study was conducted in a retrospective observational way. Patients who met the inclusion criteria were divided into integrative Korean medicine-treated group (IKM group) and no integrative Korean medicine treated-group (No IKM group). The primary outcome was the difference in the amount of change in pain intensity. The secondary outcome was the difference in pain intensity, opioid consumption over time, and the number of adverse events after surgery. Results The change of numerical rating scale for pain intensity from baseline to IKM group was 3.09±2.12, while 2.64±1.80 in no IKM group, and the difference of change between two groups was statistically significant (p<0.05). Difference in the use of opioid between two groups over time after surgery was also statistically significant (p=0.000). Conclusions The results of this study suggest that integrative Korean medicine can be effective for acute postoperative pain after arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.895-903
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• 2018

Objectives: This study reports on the efficacy of using integrative Korean medical treatments for Type 1 complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Methods: A 48-year-old female patient with Type 1 R/O CRPS was treated with herbal medicines, acupuncture, and pharmacopuncture for 38 days. The chief complaints were severe burning pain, general weakness, sleep disorder, and aggressive and depressed mood. The treatment effect was evaluated by measuring the numerical rating scale (NRS) of pain, improvement of the quality of sleep, and change in mood status. Results: After the hospital treatment, the patient's pain was controlled and the NRS score was decreased. Sleep and mood disorder also improved. Conclusions: The integrative Korean medical treatments appeared to be effective in reducing Type 1 CRPS symptoms. Further clinical research of patients with CRPS is needed.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2022

Objectives: To report recurrent pancreatic cancer treated by Korean medicine based-integrated oncology treatment, who is improved quality of life without progression of cancer Method: A 63-year-old female patient diagnosed with recurrent pancreatic cancer in April, 2022 received Chemotherapy with Korean medicine based integrative oncology treatment. Radiologic outcome was assessed by Abdomen Computed Tomography (CT) based on Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST). Clinical outcomes were assessed by National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Event (NCI-CTCAE), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG), Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) Result: During 2months of treatment, Cancer size was stable in Abdominal CT. Chief complaints, Abdominal pain and dyspepsia, were improved and ECOG score was improved from grade 2 to 1. There were no toxicity on laboratory test and no side effects of grade 3 or higher on NCI-CTCAE. Conclusion: This report shows that Korean medicine based integrative oncology treatment might contribute to synergetic effect to Chemotherapy and improvement of quality of life

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.1346-1353
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• 2023

Objectives: This long-term case report presents the case of an ovarian cancer patient with brain, cervical lymph node, and vertebral metastasis suppressed by traditional Korean medicine in combination with cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cell-based immunotherapy. Methods: The patient received acupuncture, moxibustion, GunChil-go, Hangam-dan, and CIK cell-based immunotherapy. The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group and tumor markers were used to evaluate the treatment effects. Results: Integrative cancer treatment suppressed the progression of cancer, and the patient achieved eight-year survival. The performance status improved, and the tumor marker level was maintained. Conclusions: We suggest that an integrative cancer treatment that includes traditional Korean medicine can be a meaningful treatment option for advanced ovarian cancer.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.25-38
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• 2008

Objectives : Integrative medicine in Korea is the 21st century-style medical practice of two orthodox medical doctrines, traditional Korean medicine and western conventional medicine, as well as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). CAM with scientific evidence should be incorporated in undergraduate curricula for the purpose of Korean integrative medicine. Methods : Items of detailed objectives, syllabi, textbooks, instructor's experiences, and effectiveness and reason for difficulty of the CAM curriculum for undergraduate students were analyzed and the preference of CAM therapies and others were also evaluated. Results and Discussion : The effectiveness of this CAM class curriculum was high (8.0$\pm$1.4) enough to be used in other Oriental medical colleges. Development of ability for self-study was rated as 7.0$\pm$1.7 and the helpfulness for clinical use was marked as 6.8$\pm$1.9. Students preferred placebo, Ayurveda, aromatherapy, yoga, functional food, bio-feedback and homeopathy. The difficulty degree was 7.2$\pm$1.6, and the amount of content was suggested as the major reason for it. We also found that this curriculum can be a model for self-oriented study and problem-based learning. Discussions were made for the improvement of the implemented CAM curriculum, which was shown to be very effective for the achievement of Korean integrative medicine. Conclusion : We have successfully installed a CAM curriculum for undergraduate students at the College of Oriental Medicine, and it can be used in others.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.285-302
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• 2021

Objectives: To examine the effect of long-term Korean medicine treatment on mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods: This study was conducted on two patients who were diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment and received long-term Korean medicine treatment. In order to evaluate the degree of cognitive decline, SNSB and K-MMSE were performed 2~3 times at the first visit and during the treatment process. Results: Both cases 1 and 2 were diagnosed with MCI with a high possibility of developing dementia. In case 1, MCI progressed to early dementia at one year after the diagnosis of MCI. However, in case 2, that MCI status was maintained without progressing to dementia for 4 years after the diagnosis of MCI. The cause of such difference in the course of MCI might be attributed to the fact that Case 1 had lower K-IADL level but higher SGDS level than Case 2 at the time of initial diagnosis, with weak family support and irregular herbal medicine intake. Conclusions: Korean medicine treatment could improve and manage symptoms of cognitive decline due to MCI.