Abstract
Objectives : The purpose of this study is to review on current status of use and measurement condition of heart rate variability(HRV) by reviewing clinical studies published in journal of Korean medicine registered Korea citraion index(KCI). Methods : One hundred twenty articles were found by searching the representative Korean databases. At first analysis was performed by current status of use(journal, academic field of corresponing author, purpose of study, disease of subject, HRV measurement devices, intervention methods and tests compared to HRV). At second analysis was performed by measurement condition(uncontrolled study, relaxation before measurement, measurement position, measurement place, measurement time period and restriction of smoking, alcohol, caffeine, meal). Results : The analysis showed that department of acupuncture & moxibustion, department of oriental neuropsychiatry are major part in journal & academic field. The purpose of study were classified under studies to verify therapeutic effect on normal subject(39%), to verify therapeutic effect on the patients(8%), to investigate characteristics of the patients(34%) and to be compared with other test(19%). Disease of subject & measurement devices in article were so various. Major intervention methods were acupuncture(61.4%), mind-body intervention(19.2%). Studies that measurement condition were not controlled were relax time(24%), measurement position(19%), measurement place(26%), measurement time period(91%) and restriction of smoking, alcohol, caffeine, meal(49%). Conclusions : This study showed that current status of use of HRV is widespread in Korean medicine but more controlled measurement conditon are needed to get more reliable result from clinical studies and to improve diagnosis and treatment of Korean medicine.
