• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.125-132
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• 2018

Objectives : This survey assessed Korean medical doctors' (KMDs') use and perception of smoking cessation therapies in traditional Korean medicine (TKM) and their drawbacks. Methods : A total of 14,485 KMDs affiliated with the Association of Korean Medicine were sent surveys via email. They were asked the use and perception of smoking cessation therapies in TKM and their drawbacks: Present use of Korean medicine treatment for smoking cessation, ideal treatment for smoking withdrawal symptoms, advantages and disadvantages of smoking cessation treatments in Korean medicine were asked with closed-ended questionnaire. Results : Two hundred fifty-three KMDs (1.75%) responded to the questionnaire. According to the results of the study, more than half of KMDs (51.4%) answered that they have practiced smoking cessation therapy. The most frequently used treatments for smoking cessation were ear acupuncture (EA) (74.6%) and acupuncture (15.4%), and the most of TKM doctors said that they were the most effective treatments. The advantages of smoking cessation treatment in TKM were the fewer adverse events (53.4%), availability to stimulate acupoints continuously in everyday life (48.2%), and the possibility of controlling withdrawal symptoms. Disadvantages included the long treatment duration and the necessity of frequent visits to the doctor. The greatest disadvantage was the lack of sufficient evidence for the effectiveness of TKM smoking cessation protocols. Conclusions : Despite of the low response rate, the survey results show that the main treatment modalities for smoking cessation are acupuncture, and this was also estimated effective for stop smoking. However, to improve smoking cessation rate, the more various smoking cessation treatments should be developed.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.85-92
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• 2015

Objectives: The liver fibroscan has been developed as a noninvasive and convenient method to assess hepatic fibrosis. This study aimed to review this device in terms of its technological concept and clinical application in traditional Korean medicine (TKM). Methods: The technological background, diagnostic evaluation, and clinical usefulness of fibroscan were reviewed using various literature and clinical studies. One clinical example-a patient with hepatofibrosis who had been treated with TKM-is presented. Results: The liver fibroscan was approved as a medical device for noninvasive measurement of the hepatic fibrosis level by the Korean Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). Numerous clinical studies have confirmed that its sensitivity and specificity allow it to serve as a substitute for liver biopsy, the present gold standard diagnostic method. The accuracy and reproducibility and lack of technical risks are strong points of the fibroscan; however, it has some limitations for application, especially in patients with obesity or severe hepatitis. One clinical example showed the applicability of the liver fibroscan in herbal medicine-based treatments. Conclusions: The requirement for diagnostic medical devices is an important issue in TKM; therefore, this study provides valuable information for practitioners of TKM.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.340-350
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• 2021

Objectives: Hand-foot syndrome (HFS) is a common adverse effect of chemotherapy in cancer patients. This review synthesizes research results to assess the effect of traditional Korean medicine (TKM) on HFS in cancer patients. Methods: Four databases (PubMed, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Research Information Sharing Service, China National Knowledge Infrastructure) were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to assess the effects of TKM on HFS. The effects and quality of RCTs were assessed with the Cochrane risk of bias (ROB) tool. Results: Six RCTs met our study criteria. In all six, TKM showed improvement in HFS symptoms as well as quality of life scores when compared to the control group. However, the methodological quality of RCTs was relatively low due to the unclear or high ROB. Conclusions: TKM would be helpful to patients with HFS after chemotherapy. To clarify the clinical efficacy of TKM, well-designed studies are required in the future.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.161-169
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• 2010

Objectives & Methods : To compare the medicinal herbs between Ayurvedic medicine and traditional Korean medicine(TKM), we took reference of major publications related to Ayurvedic medicinal herbs such as Indian Herbal Remedies, Prime Ayurvedic Plant Drugs, with those of TKM. We selected most widely used 130 herbal species of Ayurvedic medicine and compared the similarities and differences with TKM. Comparative factors were the origin, habitation, synonyms, usage, medicinal parts, and precautions. Results : 1. The medicinal herbs Resinatum Lignum(沈香), Arecae Pericarpium(大腹皮), Arecae Semen(檳榔), Carthami Flos (紅花), Camphorum(樟腦), Crotonis Semen(巴豆), Curculiginis Rhizoma(仙茅) used in TKM did exactly correlate in their origins with those of Ayurvedic medicine. 2. Varieties of allied species were found in their origins. Benincasae Pericarpium(冬瓜皮), and Benincasae Semen(冬瓜子) derive from the same plant Benincasa hispida Cogn. for both Ayurvedic medicine and TKM. Interestingly, B. cerifera Savi. is also claimed for same uses in Ayurvedic medicine. This broadened use of allied species is found in various Ayurvedic herbal medicine such as Cannabis Semen(火麻仁) using Cannabis indica Lam., and Curcuma Longae Rhizoma(薑黃) using Curcuma domestica Valeton. This suggests the possibility of their usage also in TKM. 3. Myrrha(沒藥), and Curculiginis Rhizoma concorded their usage with TKM. While Arecae Pericarpium(大腹皮), Arecae Semen(檳榔), Aquilariae Resinatum Lignum(沈香), Pericarpium(冬瓜皮), Benincasae Semen(冬瓜子), Cannabis Semen(火麻仁), Carthami Flos(紅花), Camphorum(樟腦), Crotonis Semen(巴豆), Curcumae Radix(鬱金), Curcuma Longae Rhizoma(薑黃) and Zedoariae Rhizoma(莪朮) revealed varied efficacies according to their part used or usage forms. Conclusion : Both Ayurvedic medicine and TKM reflect the traditional medicine of its regions where is founded. Mutual understanding improves the capability of coping of diverse ailments of present days and also replacing some plants in the days of increasing threat to our environment. Abundant external applications of various plants found in Ayurvedic medicine were particularly useful for TKM to complement its strength in herbal intake.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.382-387
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• 2009

Enhanced formation and accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) have been implicated as a major pathogenesis process leading to diabetic complications, normal aging, atherosclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. In our ongoing project to discover novel treatments for diabetic complications from natural sources, we have investigated on the inhibitory activity of 67 ethanol extracts from 57 Korean herbal medicines against the formation of AGEs in vitro. Of these, 22 extracts were found to have a significant AGEs inhibitory activity ($IC_{50}$<50 ${\mu}g$/ml) compared with aminoguanidine ($IC_{50}$=75.98 ${\mu}g$/ml). Particularly, 6 extracts from 3 herbal medicines, Castanea crenata (flower, leaf, bark-twig), Acer tatarium subsp. ginnala (fruit) and Sapium japonicum (leaf, twig) showed (approximately 8-17 fold) stronger inhibitory activity than that of aminoguanidine.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.72-80
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• 2013

Objectives : Ontology is a good tool to represent the knowledge and has developed for Traditional Korean Medicine(TKM) in Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine. There are a lot of TKM terms, which have a complex meaning, especially major indication terms of medicinal treatment and terms of symptom and disease. These complex meaning terms result in the low linkage between major indication terms of medicinal treatment and terms of symptom and disease in TKM ontology. We studied to enhance the percentage of the linkage among those data in TKM ontology. Methods : We disassembled major indication terms of medicinal treatment into minimum meaning units and then linked them to enhance the percentage of the linkage among medicinal material, formula and disease ontology based on Traditional Korean Medicine. To retain objectivity, several experts of Korean Medicine used a web-based tool that supports users in refining terms and disassembling them into the minimum meaning efficiently. Results : The outcome shows that the percentage of the linkage among medicinal material, formula and disease ontology increased. By linking disassembled major indication terms to symptoms and diseases, the amount of information for medicinal materials and formulas also increased quantitatively in comparison with given formula for diseases in disease ontology. Conclusions : By this study, disassembled data increases the percentage of linkage between diseases and medicinal treatments. And the applicability of TKM ontology is also increased.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.176-186
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• 2010

Purpose: To review the effectiveness affecting to the shoulder functionalities and upper numbness by Traditional Korean Medical treatment who are given a surgical operation for breast resection by breast tumor Method: To report the patients with dysfunction of shoulder joint and numbness in upper limb after breast surgery who improved by Traditional Korean Medical treatment and to study Traditional Korean Medicine(TKM) management of complications of breast surgery. Results: After about 2weeks treatment, patient's symptoms and signs were improved. TKM management was effective in recovery of shoulder function and upper limb numbness after breast surgery. Conclusion: We need to actively participate in management of complications of breast surgery as adjuvant therapy. And more study is needed for developing Traditional Korean Medical indication of complications of breast surgery.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.205-216
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• 2014

Objectives The purpose of this study is to help improve the management of traditional Korean medical(TKM) clinics and the policies for supporting them, by conducting a survey of the practitioners of TKM. Methods Stratified sampling was conducted based on regional location, and 700 samples were selected in a random manner from the membership list. The questionnaire was delivered and returned by mail. The survey was conducted between 20 July and 31 August 2010. A total of 177 questionnaires (recovery rate: 25.28%) were recovered and analyzed for the study. Results 1. The the survey indicate that the overall size of TKM clinics has fallen compared with previous survey, while the average number of beds per clinic has remained unchanged at 7.9. The sale of medicine as a proportion of total monthly sales has increased. 2. There has been no change in the composition of clinical staff as there are three nursing assistants. Although the average daily number of patients to clinics has remained at around 33.90 compared with ten years ago, the number of patients requiring seeking acupuncture treatment has increased while the number of those treated with medication has decreased. 3. Clinicians in TKM have indicated their preference for a binary system that separates TKM from western medicine (57.4%). The respondents do not favor the separation of dispensary from medical practice (81.5%), marks of origin for medicinal herbs (68.9%), disclosure of the prescriptions (67.2%), and the overseas expansion of Korean medical services (70.4%). However, they indicated that they are very much in favor of being granted the authority to employ and give orders to medical technicians (96.0%). 4. The respondents selected Korea as the country that maintains a proper academic system for traditional medicine (45.5%), and are not in favor of opening Korea's traditional medicine market under an Free Trade Agreement(FTA) with China (72.7%). Conclusion The overall status of the management of TKM clinics has declined compared with the preceding decade. There has been only a slight change in clinicians' opinion of the related policies and regulatory issues.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.124-135
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• 2010

Purpose: To report the patient with sciatic neuropathy after gynecologic laparoscopy, who improved by Traditional Korean Medical treatment and to study Traditional Korean Medicine(TKM) management of complications of gynecologic laparoscopy. Methods: A patient with sciatic neuropathy after gynecologic laparoscopy was managed with herbal medicine, acupuncture and moxibustion treatment. Results: After about 2 months treatment, patient's symptoms and signs were improved. TKM management was effective in recovery of neurologic complication after gynecologic laparoscopy. Conclusion: We need to actively participate in management of complications of gynecologic laparoscopy as primary or adjuvant therapy. And more study is needed for developing Traditional Korean Medical indication of complications of Gynecologic Laparoscopy.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.112-121
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• 2010

Objectives: The aim of this study was to reflect upon the process of the legislation of the National Medical Services Law for traditional Korean medicine practitioners (TKM practitioners), especially at the Assembly plenary session of 1951. Methods: Various primary sources related to the legislation were examined, especially those in National Assembly Records and newspapers. Results: In 1950, the National Assembly wanted to establish the National Medical Services Law (國民醫療法) replacing the colonial medical services law (朝鮮醫療令), but it ended in failure. So in 1951, the National Assembly tried again. First, legislator Han Gukwon (韓國源), with 83 other legislators, introduced a bill for the new national health care system. The Society and Health (社會保健委員會) and the Legislation and Judiciary subcommittees (法制司法委員會) deliberated on this bill, and each proposed an amendment to the National Assembly. In the process of careful deliberation of these three proposals, the Ministry of Health and legislator Kim Ikgi (金翼基) each came up with a further amendment. Ultimately, Kim Ikgi's amendment was accepted by the National Assembly. According to his proposal, TKM practitioners were titled 'Hanuisa (漢醫師)', and the medical office name of TKM practitioners became 'Hanuiwon (漢醫院)'. Conclusions: The National Medical Services Law passed in 1951 was the beginning of the unique dual national medical license system of Korea. It recognized Western medicine and TKM practitioners equally under the national license system.