• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.1-15
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• 2021

Introduction The clinical usefulness of Sasang Digestive Function Inventory (SDFI) for analyzing Sasang type-specific pathophysiological symptom was illustrated repeatedly. It was revised to enhance its validity, reliability and clinical usefulness, however its clinical studies supporting these were not sufficient yet. Methods 193 healthy university students responded once to Nepean Dyspepsia Index-Korean (NDIK), Functional Dyspepsia-Related Quality of Life (FDQOL), and Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ), and twice to SDFI with four weeks of interval. The Body Mass Index (BMI) and Ponderal Index (PI) were also calculated. The 4-week test-retest reliability and correlation coefficients between NDIK, FDQOL, DEBQ, and SDFI were examined using Pearson's correlation. The significant differences between Sasang types in SDFI and its subscales were examined using ANCOVA with the age as covariate. Results The range of test-retest reliability for SDFI and its subscales was from 0.801 to 0.887. The SDFI-total correlated positively with BMI (r=0.323) and DEBQ-External Eating (r=0.433), while the SDFI-Digestion negatively with NDIK (r=-0.472) and FDQOL-total (r=-0.364). The SDFI-Habit correlated positively with BMI (r=0.310) and DEBQ-total (r=0.481), and the SDFI-Appetite with DEBQ-total (r=0.322). The SDFI-total, SDFI-Digestion, and SDFI-Habit scores of Tae-Eum type (35.6±6.25, 12.38±3.24 and 9.89±3.38, respectively) were significantly bigger than those of So-Eum type (29.84±8.31, 9.93±4.28 and 7.66±3.96). Discussion The SDFI was found to be an objective clinical measure with sufficient concurrent validity for measuring eating behavior and quality of life related to overeating and dyspepsia, and illustrated distinctive differences between Sasang types. It might be useful for the effective medical education and integrative medical practice.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.388-395
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• 2015

Objectives To grasp the trend of constitution medical industry related to the metabolic disorders by analyzing the web resource.Methods Web search with the search formula ("constitutional" or "spirit") and ("Metabolic" or "diabetes" or "high blood pressure" or "hyperlipidemia" or "obesity") for 20 years (1995.09.10 ~ 2015.09.09.) in the web portal address "Web search with the search formula ("constitutional" or "spirit") and ("Metabolic" or "diabetes" or "high blood pressure" or "hyperlipidemia" or "obesity") for 20 years (1995.09.10 ~ 2015.09.09.) in the web portal address "http://web.search.naver.com".Results In the search area of news, blogs, cafes and knowledge-in, the number of searched pages retrieved by the word "constitution" was about 1.78 million. In the news 9760 cases of "obesity", 4046 cases of "hypertension" and 3253 cases of "diabetes" were searched. In Naver Web search Korean medicine clinics related to "constitution" were 24.3%. If we multiple 25.3% to 1000, the actual number of herbal hospitals, The constitution related to Korean medicine clinics is estimated to be approximately 3160 places. Among metabolic disorders, "Overweight", "Diabetes" and "Hypertension" were most frequently searched.Conclusions Constitutional industry related to metabolic diseases is very actively created on the internet in various areas. Among metabolic diseases, obesity, diabetes, hypertension were found with high frequency.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.13-22
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• 2012

Objective : This study was conducted to compare Sasang Constitutional Medicine (SCM) and Four Humor Theory (FHT). Method : 1. The theoretical comparison was focused on the central pillars of both theories, i.e., the theories of Hippocrates and his successor Galenos as well as Lee Je-ma. 2. Research papers on SCM and FHT were collected as follows. First, relevant papers were searched for using several electronic databases: Pubmed (http://www.pubmed.org.), NDSL (http://www.ndsl.kr/index.do), KISS (http://kiss.ksstudy.com), and RISS (http://www.riss4u.net.). Keywords were 'Sasang', 'constitution', 'constitutional medicine', 'humor theory', 'Hippokrates', 'Galenos', and "Dongeuisusebowon".In addition, relevant papers were searched for using the websites of The Korean Society for the History of Medicine(http://medhist.kams.or.kr), The Korean society of Oriental medical classics (http://www.wonjeon.or.kr), The Society of Sasang Constitutional Medicine (http://www.esasang.or.kr/new_home/main.htm),and The Korean Association of Oriental Medical Physiology (http://www.ksomp.or.kr). As a result, a total of 32 papers were included in the final selection. Result & Conclusion : In this study, a comparison was made between FHT and SCM in terms of physiology, pathology and therapy. We showedthat the theories share similarities as well as differences. However, in a practical sense, the two should be characterized based on their differences rather than their similarities. In conclusion, the two have something in common, but overall, they are remarkably different from each other.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.54-71
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• 2021

Objectives The purpose of this study was to revise Sasang Digestive Function Inventory (SDFI) and improve its validity and reliability using clinical data. Methods The Sasang type and Cold-Heat pattern differentiation by certified clinical specialist and responses to SDFI items were acquired from 419 hospital patients. The revision of SDFI was performed using item analysis and Explorative Factor Analysis (EFA). Furthermore, the validity and reliability of the revised SDFI (rSDFI) were investigated using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), Internal Consistency and Item Response Theory (IRT). And, clinical significance of the rSDFI was examined for the differentiation of Sasang types and Cold-Heat patterns. Results The number of the SDFI items were modified from 21 to 15. And, the validity and reliability of the rSDFI subscale structure were found to be acceptable. The scores of rSDFI-total and rSDFI-E significantly decreased in the order of Tae-Eum (TE), So-Yang (SY), So-Eum (SE) types, and the rSDFI score of SE type was significantly lower than that of TE and SY types. The rSDFI-total score could differentiate Cold-Heat pattern in both SY and SE types. And the difference of digestive function between Cold and Heat pattern of SE type could be explained with the rSDFI-D score. The rSDFI-total score in Cold pattern significantly decreased in the order of TE, SY, and SE types, and the rSDFI-total score of TE type is significantly higher than that of SE type in Heat pattern. Conclusions Current results demonstrated the reliability, validity and clinical usefulness of the rSDFI in clinical patients. Therefore, rSDFI can be utilized as an objective clinical measure supporting the differential diagnosis of Sasang typology.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.15-28
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• 1998

One's constitution is formed congenitally and is also acquired, and is relatively stable in its individually manifested function, structure and temperament. It has characteristics of universality, complexity, generality and continuity. It is also manifested in physiological responses and expresses pathologic tendencies including susceptibility. Attempts at understanding constitution has had a long history throughout the world. In Oriental Medicine, the constitution had been acknowledged from the "Huangdi Neijing", which has been a bible in Oriental Medicine for about two thousand years. In many aspects, the "Huangdi Neijing" provides the basis for both basic and practical fields. In order to derive the ideal structure from the "Huangdi Neijing" to Lee Je-ma's(Lee Jayma's) Sasang Constitutional ideas, which can strengthen the understanding of ideal core of Oriental Medicine's constitutional characteristics, the author launched his analysis of the constitutional understandings in the "Huangdi Neijing" as a first step and came to the following: 1. The constitutional understanding in the "Huangdi Neijing" was done both via the physiological responses to heat, pain and acupuncture treatment and the pathologic tendencies via body structure, strength, body heat, courage and obesity. 2. It was recognized that the constitution was formed congenitally and also acquired factors like living conditions including food customs, residents and geographical conditions were explained in detailed. 3. The constitutional typology was suggested both by the general and systematic criterion according to the Yin-yang and the Five phase theories and by single criterion such as obesity, courage and the response to acupuncture treatment. 4. As diagnosis is related to the constitution, courage was adopted for the disease caused by emotions, obesity was for its manifestations of qi and blood, the quantities of qi-blood and Yin-yang in the typology by the Yin-yang and Five phase theories were suggested. 5. In the case of obesity, Yin-yang and Five phase theory, treatment according to the constitutional ideas was mentioned, and their goals were concluded as "being the balancing between Yin and Yang" which means the Yin-yang theory is more practical than the Five phase theory in Oriental Constitutional Medical field. According to the above understandings, the author would like to suggest that the constitutional ideas in the "Huangdi Neijing" based on the Yin-yang theory blossomed via the practical spirit of Zhang Zhong-jing's "Shanghanlun" and at last from Lee Je-ma's(Lee Jayma's) Sasang Constitutional Medicine which realized "the balancing between Yin and yang" through the practical applications of herbal treatments.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.137-159
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• 2007

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to examine the risk factors and the genetic polymorphism of TNF-alpha associated with rheumatoid arthritis by Sasang constitution Methods : This study was planned to detect the susceptibility of the patients diagnosed by rheumatoid arthritis to Sasang Constitution and to examine the risk factor such as life style and environmental stress (smoking, environmental tobacco smoke, alcohol intake and so on). The genetic polymorphism of TNF-alpha (G308A) were analyzed by PCR-RFLP in rheumatoid arthritis patients and controls. Rheumatoid arthritis patients and matched controls are assessed with QSCCII question for Sasang Typology. Then the genetic polymorphism of patients by Sasang constitution are compared to those of control, which are statistically analyzed and adjusted by age, sex, smoking status, alcohol intake, BMI, and econocmic status. Results: Differential effect of passive smoking on the association between Sasang constitution and rheumatoid arthritis risk was found. This study showed that the genetic polymorphism (TNF-${\alpha}$(G308A)) of rheumatoid arthritis patients and controls associated with the susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis by sasang constitution was analyzed. Differential effects of TNF-${\alpha}$(G308) genetic polymorphism on the association between rheumatoid arthritis risk and Sasang constitution were found. Conclusion : It is suggested that the genetic polymorphism correlated with susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis by specific sasang constitution used as its susceptibility marker and further as basic data to prevent the risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis. But larger studies will be needed to confirm these preliminary findings.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.115-124
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• 2011

1. Objectives : This study aimed to provide practical insights on the development of traditional Korean medical tourism and maximize the satisfaction of foreign patients. The main objectives of this study were also to evaluate Sasang Constitutional Medicine(S.C.M.) diagnosis cost from foreigners' perspectives. 2. Methods : For this study, the data were collected from tourists to Korea between January 3, 2010 to February 20, 2010. The sample used in this study was mainly composed of Japanese, Chines and US/Canada, because they are the major national visitor origin group to Korea. The primary data were collected by questionnaire survey using a standardized instrument with a convenience sampling procedure, and efforts of the interviews involved an on-site, self-administrated questionnaire to those sitting or visiting tourist attractions. The total size of the sample was 276 of which 275 showed no missing value against the factors needed for final analysis and were for analysis as an effective sample. SPSS 13.0 for window was used to analyze the collected data on which descriptive statistics and the Limited Dependent(LIMDEP) 8.0 program was used in estimating the willingness-to-pay(WTP) for traditional Korean medical tourism through the Contingent Valuation Method(CVM). A dichotomous choice question form of a CVM was applied to estimating the value. 3. Results and Conclusion: 1. There was significant statistical relationship between attributes when considering medical tourism destination and socio-demographic profiles such as age group, nationality, educational level and occupation. 2. In the level of recognition on Korean medicine, north Americans showed low level of recognition compared to other nationalities. In addition, in terms of age group, 20's and 30's showed low level of recognition on Korean medicine, 3. In relation to the level of interest on Korean medicine, Japanese respondents had higher interesting level on Korean medicine. Also singles had higher level of interest. 4. Regarding preferred Korean medical treatment program, there found significant statistical relationship between Korean medical treatment program and socio-demographic characteristics. 5. The estimating result of the logit model showed that the variables affecting the WTP for Sasang Constitutional medicine diagnosis were offered price and potential ability of medical tourism destination. 6. In relation to WTP for Sasang Constitutional medicine diagnosis, Japanese respondents showed a WTP of USD 62.69 and Chinese respondents showed USD 57.09. On the other hands, respondents from north America and other countries showed a WTP of USD 65.50. In conclusion, from this study, the results found that the opportunities in tradition Korean medical tourism are immense and the possible rewards are numerous. It is time to continue to promote 'Sasang Constitutional medicine' and make the Korean medical tourism programs considering on nationalities, age group, gender and WTP.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.12-24
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• 2017

Objectives The purpose of this study was to validate the biopsychological structure of Sasang Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) measuring Yin-Yang temperament with Junior version of Temperament and Character Inventory (JTCI) for temperament and Body Mass Index (BMI) and Pondera Index (PI) for physical constitution in elementary school students. Methods 903 Korean elementary school students (430 boys and 473 girls) completed SPQ, JTCI, and height and weight measures. Then they were analyzed by their genders and age groups. The correlation between SPQ and JTCI subscales were examined. The differences found in the SPQ and JTCI subscales, BMI and PI among high (30%), middle (40%), and low (30%) SPQ groups were investigated by analysis of variance. The profile analysis was also performed to compare JTCI subscale profiles of three SPQ total score groups. Results The SPQ score was significantly (p<0.001), and positively correlated with the JTCI Novelty-Seeking and negatively with the JTCI Harm-Avoidance. The JTCI Novelty-Seeking score of high SPQ group was significantly (p<0.001) higher than that of low SPQ group, and the JTCI Harm-Avoidance score of low SPQ group was significantly higher than that of high SPQ group. The JTCI subscale profiles for three SPQ groups were significantly (p<0.001) different for boys and girls. Significant correlations between BMI and SPQ were not found. PI and BMI of high and low SPQ groups were not significantly different. Conclusions The SPQ was shown to have robust biopsychological structure in elementary school students. It would be useful clinical measures for Sasang typology in pediatric patients.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.722-726
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• 2010

This study was to examine the neuroticism related to psychological characteristics of each Sasang types using SCL-90-R with 107 students from College of Oriental Medicine, Daeguhaani University. We did ANOVA analysis with seven neuroticism-related sub-scales and found significant differences in somatization (F=3.701, p=0.028) and hostility (F=4.396, p=0.015). The post-hoc analysis showed that the So-Yang type ($23.17{\pm}8.95$) has significantly (p=0.048, p=0.012) higher score than Tae-Eum ($19.25{\pm}5.97$) and So-Yang($19.25{\pm}5.76$) type in somatization. In hostility, the So-yang type ($11.31{\pm}3.98$) has significantly (p=0.011, p=0.015) higher score than Tae-Eum ($8.80{\pm}2.61$) and So-Eum ($9.44{\pm}3.35$) type. The ANOVA analysis with female subjects found significant differences in anxiety (F=3.88, p=0.03) and hostility (F=5.04, p=0.01). The post-hoc analysis showed that the So-Yang type ($20.36{\pm}5.44$, $12.36{\pm}3.82$) has significantly (p=0.043, p=0.015) higher score compared to the So-Eum type ($15.46{\pm}3.36$, $8.69{\pm}2.06$) in anxiety and hostility. The profile analysis using seven neuroticism-related subscalesof SCL-90-R did not revealed significant differences (Flatness with Greenhouse-Geisser (F=202.347, p=0.0001), Parallelism with Greenhouse-Geisser (F=1.428, p=0.191)). We discussed the implications of neuroticism in Sasang typology and SCL-90-R somatization, anxiety and hostility scales. This study showed opposite results compared to the previous studies that So-Eum type has higher neuroticism compared to the So-Yang and Tae-Eum type. The reason for this discrepancy between this and previous studies, and differences between male and female should be examined thoroughly with larger and balanced sample.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.12-23
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• 2011

1. Objectives: This study reviews the general theory on Li-Qi (理-氣) found in Dongmu Lee Jema (東武 李濟馬) and Nosa Gi Jeongjin (蘆沙 奇正鎭)'s works and explores the associations between their philosophical systems. 2. Methods: The main ideas on Predisposition (氣稟論) found in Dongmu's works were explored in connection with the Li-Qi (理-氣) theory and compared with the perspectives suggested by Nosa. 3. Results and Conclusions 1) Nosa criticized the "weakened supervision of Li (理)" and the "separation of Li (理) and Qi (氣)", proposing that this problem can be overcome through "mutual embracement of Li and its manifestations (理分圓融 理分相涵)". 2) When Dongmu's theory on Predisposition (氣稟論) is interpreted in terms of Li-Qi (理-氣), the Seong-Li (laws governing the organ scheme) (性理(臟理)) represents the Li (理) while the formational variations in organ scheme(臟局短長) and and the level of self-cultivation (心地淸濁) represents the Qi (氣). 3) The concept of "Diversification of Li (理之異)", bearing similarities to Nosa's Li-Qi (理-氣) theory, was introduced for the first time in Dongmu's theory on Predisposition (氣稟論), which presumably built the fundamental theories in the Sasang Constitutional Typology. 4) Within Dongmu's theory of Predisposition (氣稟論) can be found a dichotomous division of "similitude between the morally unaccomplished and the morally accomplished" in the ontological plane and "dissimilitude between the morally unaccomplished and the morally accomplished" in the axiological plane; this dichotomy is more extensive and developed compared to Nosa's attempt to find a consistent logic in both the ontological and axiological plane through a Li-Qi (理-氣) structure with Li-predominance.