• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2012

The objective of this study is to discuss the role of integrative medicine (IM) in contemporary health care settings, and how and which factors affect and facilitate the success of IM in terms of the integration of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and conventional medicine in primary health care (PHC). IM is meant to provide the best possible health care, for both patient and physician. The way of IM use in the developed countries presents various ways that IM can be provided, and it appears that strategies have been successfully developed to facilitate integration. Although few of the barriers to the integration of CAM and conventional medicine have been resolved, concerns over the legitimacy of CAM in health care (e.g., safety, biomedical evidence, and efficacy) are being overcome by the use of evidence-based practice in IM delivery. There are dominant models of IM that have been developed. The model types signify different levels of equity between CAM and conventional medicine in regard to the power, autonomy, and control held by each. However, the factors common to all IM models, whether describing CAM as supplementary or complementary to conventional medicine, is the concept of a health care model that aspires to be client-centred and holistic, with focus on health rather than disease as well as mutual respect among peer practitioners. Finally, this study concluded that the growth and viability of traditional Korean medicine(TKM) depend on evidence-based practices and identifying the successful influences on the integration of TKM and conventional medicine for recognition of its inherent value in PHC. Some recommendations for the integration of TKM and conventional medicine were suggested.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.117-124
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• 2013

Objectives The aims of this study was to observe the effectiveness of East-West Integrative Medicine (EWIM) by analysing between EWIM estimated group and Non-EWIM eastimated group with Brain Rehabilitation Registry. Methods We divided hospitals into two groups, one is EWIM estimated group hospital (Kyeonghee university, Wonkwang university, Dongguk university) and the other is non-EWIM estimated group (Jeonnam university, Gyeongbuk university, Catholic university). Then we analysed the effectiveness of treatments retrospectively using the database of Brain Rehabilitation Registry (http://www.kbrr.or.kr/, version 1.0). Totally 293 patients were included, EWIM estimated group was 175 and non-EWIM estimated group was 118. The main outcome measurements were National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Modified Barthel Index (MBI) and Mini Mental State Examination-Korea (MMSE-K). Results Changes of NIHSS was not significant in both total patient and patient who treated over 3 weeks. MMSE-K showed positively significant difference (p=0.044) in EWIM estimated group patients who treated over 3 weeks. In case of MBI, EWIM estimated group showed more effective result and also statistically significant in both total patients and patients who treated over 3 weeks. Conclusions We patially argued that EWIM estimated group was more effective than non-EWIM estimated group in stroke patients' functional recovery. We suggested base data of EWIM in stroke patiens through this study and this could be applied future researches of developing modified EWIM system.

• Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.957-963
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• 2015

Objective To compare the pain-reducing effect of forest bathing alone versus forest bathing in combination with stretching and strengthening exercises in patients with chronic posterior neck pain. Methods Sixty-four subjects with posterior neck pain that had lasted more than 3 months were enrolled. They were randomly divided into a forest bathing alone (FBA) group and a forest bathing with exercise (FBE) group; each group included 32 subjects. All subjects from both groups walked every morning in the forest for about 2 hours for 5 days. In the afternoon, the FBE group did a stretching and strengthening exercise for about 4 hours; the FBA group had free time in the woods. Visual analog scale (VAS) on one day, VAS over the previous week, neck disability index (NDI), EuroQol 5D-3L VAS (EQ VAS) and index (EQ index), McGill pain questionnaire (MPQ), the number of trigger points in the posterior neck region (TRPs), and the range of motion of the cervical spine were evaluated on the first and last day of the program and compared between the two groups. Results The number of TRPs were significantly reduced in the FBE group compared with the FBA group (p=0.013). However, the other scales showed no significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion When patients with chronic posterior neck pain underwent a short-term forest bathing (less than 7 days) program, FBE was more effective in the reduction of the number of TRPs than FBA. However, all other pain measurement scales we evaluated showed no statistically significant difference between the two protocols.

• Journal of the Korean Data and Information Science Society
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.515-521
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• 2013

Healthcare approach in Western medicine and Korean Traditional Medicine (KTM) varies from its nature of human understanding and cultural differences. This fundamental difference in their approach of the human pathology has dualised and hindered common medical communication between the two fields of medicines. Within this current difficulty, the integrative medical service is said to become a novel method to provide the patients with the best medical care as their intent is to adapt and combine the advantages stated from the two different fields. This research paper shows the integrative approach of treating jaundice, where the symptoms of dampness and heat on Korean traditional standards are analyzed using statistical methods based on monitoring the blood test results. Therefore, we can explore an approach to diagnose and treat with comprehensive and integrative medicine algorithm.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.83-89
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• 2007

Chemotherapy has many known side effects. Neuropathy is a common side effect when using cisplatin. The clinical course varies and depends on the agents used and their cumulative dose. Although symptoms can resolve completely, in most patients chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy is either only partially reversible or completely irreversible. Current management for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy is symptomatic relief using membrane stabilizing medications and antidepressants. Dysaesthesia and pain involving the feet and hands are described in traditional korean medicine. In traditional korean medicine, the pathogenesis is related to the inability to direct Qi and Blood to the extremities, and is associated with Qi, Blood, Yang and Kidney deficiencies. We report a case of a 52 years old female patient treated with acupuncture and bleeding treatment for the goal of improving the symptoms of chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy. Further study and other medical method will be needed in order to improve the effect and determine the long-term effect of traditional korean medicine in treating Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.733-740
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• 2016

Objective: To evaluate the effects of integrative treatment with conventional and Korean medicine on cerebral infarction due to presumed paradoxical embolism through a patent foramen ovale. Methods: We applied acupuncture, herbal medication, western medication, and physical therapy routinely every day and applied fluid therapy provided as needed. The NIHSS, K-MBI, MRS, MMT, and MMSE-K score were determined to assess any improvement in symptoms. Results: Scores appeared to be improved for the NIHSS (9 to 5), K-MBI (94 to 100), MRS (2 to 1), MMT (2+, 4 to 4, 4), MMSE-K (24 to 26). No side effects were observed during the treatment. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that integrative treatment with conventional and Korean medicine may be an effective option for treating cerebral infarction due to a presumed paradoxical embolism through a patent foramen ovale.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.29-38
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• 2021

Purpose : Therapeutic exercise should improve the health outcomes of rehabilitation in children with neurodevelopmental disability. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of primitive reflex integration exercises on forward head posture, balance ability, and concentration in children with neurodevelopmental disability. Methods : This study included 10 children with neurodevelopmental disability. Primitive reflex integration exercises were performed for 40 minutes, twice a week for 8 weeks (16 sessions). The reflective markers were placed at the center of the shoulders and on the ears. A caliper was used to measure the distance between the attachments of the reflective markers to assess the forward head posture. Pediatric balance scale was used to quantify balance ability. Their abilities in terms of changeless sitting, looking at the teacher, putting children's hands on their knees, and looking at immovable and movable objects, were assessed to quantify concentration. Results : There were significant improvements in forward head posture after the intervention (p=.005). Primitive reflex integration exercises significantly improved balance ability of children with neurodevelopmental disability (p=.027). There were also significant improvements in changeless sitting (p=.005), looking at the teacher (p=.004), putting children's hands on their knees (p=.005), and looking at the immovable (p=.004) and movable (p=.004) objects. Conclusion : This study showed that primitive reflex integration exercises were a useful intervention to improve forward head posture, balance, and concentration in children with neurodevelopmental disability. Therefore, primitive reflex integration exercises may also promote and improve their general development. Further studies with appropriate sample size and control group are needed to conclude the effectiveness of primitive reflex integration exercises on improving posture, motor function, and concentration in children with neurodevelopmental disability.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.35-41
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• 2021

Purpose : It is necessary to demonstrate the effect of non-invasive and non-pharmacological interventions such as manual therapy and therapeutic exercise for the management of nonspecific neck pain. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the efficacy of myofascial release therapy plus therapeutic exercise for disability owing to neck pain and quality of life in individuals with nonspecific neck pain. Methods : Eighteen participants with nonspecific neck pain were randomly allocated to intervention (n=9) and control groups (n=9). The intervention group received a myofascial release therapy for 20 min and performed neck stabilization exercises for 30 min twice a week for 4 weeks. The control group performed neck stabilization exercises for 30 min twice a week for 4 weeks at the same time points as the intervention group. Disability owing to neck pain and quality of life were quantified using the neck disability index (NDI) and the Korean version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF), respectively. NDI and WHOQOL-BREF were assessed before and after intervention. Results : The disability owing to neck pain significantly changed between the groups over time (total score of NDI, p=.049). There were significant time and group interactions in pain (pain intensity of NDI, p=.035) and concentration (concentration of NDI, p=.049). Personal care, lifting, reading, headaches, work, driving, sleeping, and recreation did not show significant improvement between the groups over time. Total score, overall quality of life and general health, physical health domain, psychological domain, social relationships domain, and environmental domain quantified by WHOQOL-BREF did not show significant improvements between the groups over time. Conclusion : These results suggest the clinical use of myofascial release therapy in addition to therapeutic exercise for the management of nonspecific neck pain. Further studies are needed to generalize the findings of this study.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.155-167
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• 2022

Purpose : Accumulation of accurate data regarding the use and adequacy of subsidies is important to provide optimal development rehabilitation services. However, no reports have discussed the status regarding the use and adequacy of subsidies available for motor development rehabilitation as a part of development rehabilitation services in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy. In this study, we investigated the current use and subsidy adequacy of motor development rehabilitation as an essential part of development rehabilitation services in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy. Methods : The study included parents of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy, who underwent motor development rehabilitation of development rehabilitation services (n=148). The participants were administered a questionnaire to investigate the current use and subsidy adequacy of the motor development rehabilitation part of development rehabilitation services. Results : Most respondents indicated that 310,000-410,000 /month was an appropriate subsidy and agreed that the subsidy should be extended to adults with cerebral palsy. We observed a significant difference in the appropriate subsidy based on age groups (p=.029), as well as type of development rehabilitation service most needed (p=.005) and whether or not agree to extend the subsidy to adults according to gross motor function classification system level (p=.015). There were significant relations of appropriate subsidy (p<.001) and appropriateness of copay (p=.004) according to degree of transportation cost burden. Moreover, there were significant relations of appropriateness of current subsidy (p=.015) and appropriate subsidy (p<.001) according to degree of inconvenience of using transportation. Conclusion : This study highlights the need to increase subsidies for motor development rehabilitation of development rehabilitation services and that the subsidy should be determined based on the burden of transportation costs and the inconvenience of using transportation. Development rehabilitation service for adults with cerebral palsy should also be supported.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.11-23
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• 2023

Purpose : The stress of job-seeking college students is gradually worsening due to the continuing recession in the job market. Therefore, this study aims to verify whether intervention with an 'aromatherapy education program,' which combines theory and practice, has greater effect on stress, self-efficacy, and autonomic nervous system function than simple inhalation of essential oils in female college students preparing for employment. Methods : A single-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted once a week for a total of 4 weeks with 29 female college students preparing for employment. Interventions included essential oil inhalation combined with an aromatherapy education program (experimental group(EG), n=14) and essential oil inhalation alone (control group(CG), n=15); measurements were taken before, immediately after, and 2 weeks after completion of the intervention. Evaluations were conducted using the job-seeking stress scale, stress VAS, self-efficacy scale, and a pulse-wave measuring instrument. Results : There were significant differences between the CG and EG groups with repeated measurements of job-seeking stress (p=.003), cognitive stress (p<.001), and self-efficacy (p<.001). There was a significant interaction between group and time. There were also significant differences between the CG and EG in terms of autonomic nervous system changes stress index(p=.047), total power(p=.029), high frequency(p=.036), and low frequency/high frequency ratio(p=.049). However, there was no significant difference in low frequency between the groups. Conclusion : The aromatherapy education program was more effective in improving job-seeking stress, cognitive stress, self-efficacy, and autonomic nervous system function than simple essential oil inhalation. For the aromatherapy education program to be useful as a complementary intervention for stress management in job seekers, it will be necessary to gather additional evidence of its efficacy by conducting follow-up studies with diverse participants and expanding the numbers, and durations, of the interventions.