• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.201-216
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• 2017

Objective: This research aimed to understand patients' perceptions of Korean medicine treatment for osteoporosis in a clinical trial setting. Methods: Ten patients participating in a clinical trial of a herbal medicine drug for osteoporosis were invited to an interview. Data were collected by in-depth interviews and patient observations. This qualitative study adopted the case study research method, and within-case and cross-case analyses were conducted. Results: A model of the patients' osteoporosis management planning was derived from the study. The results showed that the patients' perceptions of osteoporosis were derived from their knowledge and experience during diagnosis and treatment of the condition. Two groups of patients were recognized: those who overlooked the importance of osteoporosis and those who recognized the importance of osteoporosis. Before making treatment decisions about osteoporosis, the patients evaluated the treatment options and weighed the advantages and disadvantages of each option. When evaluating their treatment, the patients combined their knowledge and experience of Korean and western medicine treatments. Their experience of participating in the clinical trial influenced the management planning of osteoporosis. Two major reasons for low compliance with osteoporosis treatment were ignorance of the disease and insufficient information provided by doctors. Conclusion: The results of this qualitative study pointed to four strategies that could be employed to improve accessibility to Korean medicine treatment for osteoporosis: the dissemination of comprehensive information on osteoporosis in the clinic and mass media, promotion of Korean medicine therapies for osteoporosis, management of clinical trial participants, and insurance coverage for Korean medicine.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.121-141
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• 2007

The outline and characteristics of the important doctors of the 'Zhe Zhong Pai'(折衷派) are as follows. Part 1. In the late Edo(江戶) period The 'Zhe Zhong Pai', which tried to take the theory and clinical treatment of the 'Hou Shi Pai (後世派)' and the 'Gu Fang Pai (古方派)' and get their strong points to make treatments perfect, appeared. Their point was 'The main part is the art of the ancients, The latter prescriptions are to be used'(以古法爲主, 後世方爲用) and the "Shang Han Lun(傷寒論)" was revered for its treatments but in actual use it was not kept at that. As mentioned above The 'Zhe Zhong Pai ' viewed treatments as the base, which was the view of most doctors in the Edo period, However, the reason the 'Zhe Zhong Pai' is not valued as much as the 'Gu Fang Pai' by medical history books in Japan is because the 'Zhe Zhong Pai' does not have the substantiation or uniqueness of the 'Gu Fang Pai', and also because the view of 'gather as well as store up' was the same as the 'Kao Zheng Pai', Moreover, the 'compromise'(折衷) point of view was from taking in both Chinese and western medical knowledge systems(漢蘭折衷), Generally the pioneer of the 'Zhe Zhong Pai' is seen as Mochizuki Rokumon(望月鹿門) and after that was Fukui Futei(福井楓亭), Wadato Kaku(和田東郭), Yamada Seichin(山田正珍) and Taki Motohiro(多紀元簡), Part 2. The lives of Wada Tokaku(和田東郭), Nakagame Kinkei(中神琴溪), Nei Teng Xi Zhe(內藤希哲), the important doctors of the 'Zhe Zhong Pai', are as follows First. Wada Tokaku(和田東郭, 1743-1803) was born when the 'Hou Shi Pai' was already declining and the 'Gu Fang Pai' was flourishing and learned medicine from a 'Hou Shi Pai' doctor, Hu Tian Xu Shan(戶田旭山) and a 'Gu Fang Pai' doctor, Yoshimasu Todo(吉益東洞). He was not hindered by 'the old ways(古方), and did not lean towards 'the new ways(後世方)' and formed a way of compromise that 'looked at hardness and softness as the same'(剛柔相摩) by setting 'the cure of the disease' as the base, and said that to cure diseases 'the old way' must be used, but 'the new way' was necessary to supplement its shortcomings. His works include "Dao Shui Suo Yan", "Jiao Chiang Fang Yi Je" and "Yi Xue Sho(醫學說)" Second. Nakagame Kinkei(中神琴溪, 1744-1833) was famous for leaving Yoshirnasu Todo(吉益東洞) and changing to the 'Zhe Zhong Pai', and in his early years used qing fen(輕粉) to cure geisha(妓女) of syphilis. His argument was "the "Shang Han Lun" must be revered but needs to be adapted", "Zhong jing can be made into a follower but I cannot become his follower", "the later medical texts such as "Ru Men Shi Qin(儒門事親)" should only be used for its prescriptions and not its theories". His works include "Shang Han Lun Yue Yan(傷寒論約言) Third. Nei Teng Xi Zhe(內藤希哲, 1701-1735) learned medicine from Qing Shui Xian Sheng(淸水先生) and went out to Edo. In his book "Yi Jing Jie Huo Lun(醫經解惑論)" he tells of how he went from 'learning'(學) to 'skepticism'(惑) and how skepticism made him learn in 'the six skepticisms'(六惑). In the latter years Xi Zhe(希哲) combines the "Shen Nong Ben Cao jing(神農本草經)", the main text for herbal medicine, "Ming Tang jing(明堂經)" of accupuncture, basic theory texts "Huang Dui Nei jing(黃帝內徑)" and "Nan jing(難經)" with the "Shang Han Za Bing Lun", a book that the 'Gu Fang Pai' saw as opposing to the rest, and became 'an expert of five scriptures'(五經一貫). Part 3. Asada Showhaku(淺田宗伯, 1815-1894) started medicine at Zhong Cun Zhong(中村中倧) and learned 'the old way'(古方) from Yoshirnasu Todo and got experience through Chuan Yue(川越) and Fu jing(福井) and received teachings in texts, history and Wang Yangmin's principles(陽明學) from famous teachers. Showhaku(宗伯) meets a medical official of the makufu(幕府), Ben Kang Zong Yuan(本康宗圓), and recieves help from the 3 great doctors of the Edo period, Taki Motokato(多紀元堅), Xiao Dao Xue GU(小島學古) and Xi Duo Cun Kao Chuang and further develops his arts. At 47 he diagnoses the general Jia Mao(家茂) with 'heart failure from beriberi'(脚氣衝心) and becomes a Zheng Shi(徵I), at 51 he cures a minister from France and received a present from Napoleon, at 65 he becomes the court physician and saves Ming Gong(明宮) jia Ren Qn Wang(嘉仁親王, later the 大正犬皇) from bodily convulsions and becomes 'the vassal of merit who saved the national polity(國體)' At the 7th year of the Meiji(明治) he becomes the 2nd owner of Wen Zhi She(溫知社) and takes part in the 'kampo continuation movement'. In his latter years he saw 14000 patients a year, so we can estimate the quality and quantity of his clinical skills Showhaku(宗伯) wrote over 80 books including the "Ju Chuang Shu Ying(橘窓書影)", "WU Wu Yao Shi Fang Han(勿誤藥室方函)", "Shang Han Biang Shu(傷寒辨術)", "jing Qi Shen Lun(精氣神論)", "Hunag Guo Ming Yi Chuan(皇國名醫傳)" and the "Xian Jhe Yi Hua(先哲醫話)". Especially in the "Ju Chuang Shu Ying(橘窓書影)" he says "the old theories are the main, and the new prescriptions are to be used"(以古法爲主, 後世方爲用), stating the 'Zhe Zhong Pai' way of thinking. In the first volume of "Shung Han Biang Shu(傷寒辨術) and "Za Bing Lun Shi(雜病論識)", 'Zong Ping'(總評), He discerns the parts that are not Zhang Zhong Jing's writings and emphasizes his theories and practical uses.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.425-436
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• 2010

Objectives : Hypothyroidism is a relatively common endocrinologic disease, especially among older women. Western medical doctors treat hypothyroidism with levothyroxine, however there are several side effects, including thyrotoxicosis, atrial fibrillation, osteoporosis, etc. Therefore, traditional Korean medicine(TKM) offers an appealing alternative therapy for hypothyroidism. In this study, Cuscuta Semen was used to analyze its possible effect on a hypothyroidism rat model induced by propylthiouracil(PTU). Methods : 24 two-month-old Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats were divided into 4 groups: normal (n=6), PTU-induced hypothyroidism control(n=6), hypothyroidism rat treated with Cuscuta Semen (n=6), and hypothyroidism rat treated with levothyroxine(n=6). PTU was administered for 4 weeks, Cuscuta Semen and levothyroxine was administered 2 weeks after PTU was initiated for a total duration of 2 weeks. Blood samples from all the rats were taken from their hearts and analyzed. Results : When compared to the normal group, the PTU-induced control group showed significantly lower $T_4$, $T_3$ levels and significantly higher TSH level, which is indicative of hypothyroidism. The Cuscuta Semen group had significantly higher $T_4$ and significantly lower TSH than the control group(p<0.05). There was no significant difference in biochemical labs and weight between the Cuscuta Semen and control groups. Conclusions : These results suggest that Cuscuta Semen could be effective in increasing thyroid hormone production, and be powerful enough to affect the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis. Also, no adverse effects related with Cuscuta Semen were found, suggesting that it is relatively safe to administer. In conclusion, it seems that Cuscuta Semen is a safe alternative medicine for hypothyroidism.

• THE JOURNAL OF KOREAN ORIENTAL ONCOLOGY
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.39-46
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• 2003

Objectives : The former study of Oriental Medicine on cancer has been mostly focused on lab studies with herbal medicine. Among this atmosphere, the aim of this study is to investigate the suitability of Oriental Medicine institutions to participate in cancer registry programme in R.O.K by investigating the type of treatments used for cancer patients in Oriental Medicine institutes. Methods : To investigate the actual conditions of cancer patients who visited Oriental Medicine institutes, a survey was done based on clinical charts of 258 patients of cancer. Results : The order for the percentage of the original tumor organ of the patients, the number of patients who recognized the outbreak on the year of the first visit was the biggest, and the number gradually decreased while the years passed. For the type of treatment, herbal medicine was the most for 92.6%, acupuncture 52.6%, moxibustion 16.7%, cupping 14.7%. It can be seen that multiple treatment was preferred to single treatment. Among the periods for herbal medication, 10 days was the most for 34.1%, 29.8% for within 50 days and 10.5% for within 100 days. The percentage of patients who took treatment of western medicine at the same time and those who took treatment of Oriental medicine only was 47.4% and 43.8% respectively. By surveying categories such as the symptoms, diagnosis of syndrome, principle of treatment from the chart by a free description, there was 841 names of symptoms, 207 diagnoses of syndromes and 206 principles of treatment. But no relation or connection between these could be found statistically. At there were even occasions which the doctor didn't record the cancer itself, precise investigatio for the actual condition of cancer patients in Oriental Medicine institutions appeared to be very difficult. Conclusions : It seems impossible to enroll cancer patients of Oriental Medicine institutions to the cancer registry programme in R.O.K as far as the patients are recorded only under the paradigm of Oriental Medicine. However, if the Oriental Medicine doctors keep a consistency in classifying categories such as cause of death, syndrome diagnosis, principle of treatment and prescriptions, and limit the choices, for each category, a pilot study for cancer registry programme in R.O.K. in Oriental Medicine could be carried out.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.127-134
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• 2002

Background and Purpose : Now, a lot of people are suffering from arthritis of knee joint. Western and oriental medicine, all of them are trying various methods to cure this disease, but generally the grade or level of repairing has been decided by the subjective estimation of the patients and doctors. So, we suggest the new standard for estimating the level of repair in this disease using nuclear medicine. Objective : To evalute the difference of the blood pool and delayed images in the correlation with clinical symptoms in patients with arthritis of knee joint by using acupuncture. Methods : Eight patients with arthritis of knee joint included in this study. Using Thermograph (D.I.T.I) and Radionuclide, we obtained the results. In Bone scan Tc-99m MDP, and MIBI scan was obtained at 1 minute and 3 hour after injection of 1,110 MBq Tc-99m MDP and MIBI. The analysis was carried out hurted area of joint. The Joint-to-background(J/B) ratios were obtained exclusively in the joints regions. Clinical symptoms were evaluated as pain and swelling graded from 0(no) to 5(severe) in the same joints, respectively. Results : J/B ratios on the delayed scans were higher than those on blood pool images. There was significant correlation between clinical symptoms and J/B on blood pool image in the joints =0.03). Conclusion : The results demonstrate that blood pool images of Tc-99m MDP scintigraphy correlates with clinical symptoms more than delayed images in patients with arthritis Joint.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.172-182
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• 2020

Objectives : In this study, we conducted a focus group interview among expatriates living in Korea, to investigate their experiences and perceptions of acupuncture and Korean Medicine in order to improve the usage of Korean Medicine in the medical tourism market. Methods : The inclusion criteria for the focus group interview was: (1) participants between the age of 20 to 75 years old; (2) those who had lived in Korea for more than 90 days, and (3) those who were able to express their thoughts freely in English. The participants were informed that the interviews will be recorded and transcribed. We ended recruitment once saturation of materials was met. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the data was analyzed after each interview. Results : The interviews were held between June to December 2016. Twenty-four participants were recruited but four dropped out and a total of twenty participants successfully finished the interviews. Six focus group interviews were conducted. Analysis revealed that Korean Medicine was relatively less known compared to Traditional Chinese Medicine or Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Participants automatically associated acupuncture with the management of pain or stress and replied that these were the areas that they thought acupuncture would be most effective. Positive experiences with acupuncture and with the acupuncture practitioners were factors that promoted the use of acupuncture whereas lack of awareness, accessibility and accreditation were factors that hindered its use. Other factors that hindered the use of acupuncture was needle phobia and the perception that acupuncture lacks scientific evidence. Conclusions : Awareness on Korean Medicine and acupuncture is low. Participants lack awareness on what diseases acupuncture can treat, the scientific evidence behind the mechanism of action, and the rigorous education system that Korean Medicine doctors must go through to get their license. Rigorous marketing should be encouraged, which includes greater exposure in the media, more honest reviews from patients, and promotion of the scientific evidence base.

• 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.

• Journal of the Korean BIBLIA Society for library and Information Science
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.233-252
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• 2018

The first Protestant medical missionary, Horace Allen, came to Korea in 1884 and built the first western-style hospital, Jaejungwon. John Heron, Oliver Avison and other foreign medical doctors soon followed. They established hospitals and medical schools, and, by treating patients and educating native doctors, they disseminated and developed modern medicine in Korea. At the same time, they wrote letters and reports to their sponsoring agencies, as well as family and friends, thereby leaving a vast body of literature that is scattered all over the world. Since the end of the 19th century, the records left by foreign medical missionaries have been valuable resources for the study of Korean history. While all types of records, such as diaries, memoirs, reports and travel logs, are available, these tend to be exaggerated or unverifiable because they are unilateral records. In contrast, letters can be verified because they are bilateral records between the recipient and the sender, and cannot be modified or altered according to changes in circumstances. Despite the academic value of these materials, however, there have been insufficient efforts to discover or identify these primary data sources, or to systematically organize them for scholars. This paper identified 49 archival collections from 29 institutions in North America. After analyzing their academic value, the paper will explore digital humanities options in utilizing the letters for future scholarship.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.240-260
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• 2006

Purpose : The objective of this study is to serve guidelines for the investigation and management of uterine myomas with KM therapies. Methods : English-language articles from PubMed and Korean-language articles from the database of the journal of oriental gynecology were reviewed from 2000 to 2005, using the key words 'uterine myoma', 'uterine leiomyoma', 'fibroid', 'uterine artery embolization', 'endometrial ablation', 'myomectomy', and jagungguenjong(子宮筋腫)'. Results and Limits : The areas of clinical practices considered in formulating this guideline are assessment, KM therapies, medical treatments, myolysis, selective artery occlusion, endometrial ablation and surgical therapies including myomectomy and hysterectomy. Implementation of this guideline would optimize the decision-making process of women with uterine myomas and further investigation or therapy of their KM doctors. But we don't have abundant evidences of clinical trials of uterine myoma treated with KM therapy, though we treat or manage that with every-day clinical practices. Moreover cultural gaps between Korea and other western countries make many differences in the attitude to surgical therapies, especially hysterectomy. So it is very difficult to compare W therapies with other therapies. Moreover it is much difficult to estimate cost-effectiveness and benefit of those therapies in QOL. Conclusions : The majority of uterine myoma is asymptomatic and will not require any intervention or further investigation. But unmarried women who wish to marry and get pregnant want to find safe therapy for their asymptomatic uterine myomas. In that case, most of the patients prefer non-surgical therapy to surgical therapy. So KM herbal medicinal therapy is a good alternative method for those patients. For the symptomatic myomas, hysterectomy offers a definitive solution. However, it is not the best solution for women who wish to preserve their uterus. So KM therapy is a good alternative for them. But the predicted benefits of alternative therapies including KM therapy must be carefully weighed against the Possible risks of these therapies. To improve the quality of life of both women with asymptomatic and symptomatic myomas, selecting and treating patients should be done carefully. Moreover, the effect of KM therapy has to evaluated, comparing the possible situation without treatment and the benefit of constant treatment as a health-care system.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.21-39
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• 2010

Objectives & Method : We investigated toxicity, poisoning symptoms, poisoning treatment and prevention against poisoning of herbal medicines used to activate blood flow and remove blood stasis(活血祛瘀藥) in order to use herbal medicines accurately. Result : Cnidii Rhizoma(川芎), Olibanum(乳香), Myrrha(沒藥), Corydalis Tuber(玄胡索), Zedoariae Rhizoma(莪朮), Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix(丹參), Polygoni Cuspidati Radix(虎杖根), Leonuri Herba(益母草), Persicae Semen(桃仁), Carthami Flos(紅花), Manitis Squama(穿山甲), Eupolyphaga(蟅蟲), Hirudo(水蛭), Vaccariae Semen(王不留行), Sappan Lignum(蘇木), Lacca Sinica Exsiccata(乾漆), Draconis Resina(血竭) and Leonuri Semen(茺蔚子) may give rise to some side effects or toxic symptoms in herbal medicines used to activate blood flow and remove blood stasis(活血祛瘀藥). The representative methods of poisoning treatment in western medicines are washing out the stomach, promotion of vomiting, causing diarrhea, supplies of grape sugar and symptomatic treatment, etc. The representative methods of poisoning treatment in oriental medicine take advantage of herbs. And Oriental medical doctor should meet symptoms as patients call for attention. In order to prevent against poisoning of herbal medicines used to activate blood flow and remove blood stasis (活血祛瘀藥), the patients should keep usage, dosage and notes and oriental medical doctors should do processing drugs. Conclusion : We should pay attention to clinical using of Cnidii Rhizoma(川芎), Olibanum(乳香), Myrrha(沒藥), Corydalis Tuber(玄胡索), Zedoariae Rhizoma(莪朮), Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix(丹參), Polygoni Cuspidati Radix(虎杖根), Leonuri Herba(益母草), Persicae Semen(桃仁), Carthami Flos(紅花), Manitis Squama(穿山甲), Eupolyphaga(蟅蟲), Hirudo(水蛭), Vaccariae Semen(王不留行), Sappan Lignum(蘇木), Lacca Sinica Exsiccata(乾漆), Draconis Resina(血竭) and Leonuri Semen(茺蔚子) in herbal medicines used to activate blood flow and remove blood stasis(活血祛瘀藥).