Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the overall treatment method and efficacy of Traditional East Asian Medicine (TEAM) on Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Methods : We searched Pubmed database up to August 2023. The included studies were analyzed for treatment details and efficacy according to the method of treatment (acupuncture or herbal medicine). The reporting quality of included studies was assessed according to the following guidelines: Standards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture (STRICTA), Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT), CONSORT Extension for Chinese Herbal Medicine Formulas (CONSORT HERB), Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for Randomized Trials (ROB) and Case Report Guidelines (CARE). The reported proportion of each study was classified into four grades: Grade A (≥75%). Grade B (50~75%), Grade C (25~50%) and Grade D (<25%). Results : Thirteen studies (eight Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs), two case reports, three case series) were included in this study. LR3, GV20 were most frequently used in acupuncture treatment. Relaxing mind herbs were most frequently used in herbal medicine treatment. All of the studies that used acupuncture and herbal medicine treatment showed improvement in ADHD symptoms. In the STRICTA guideline evaluation, all studies were classified as Grade A. In the CONSORT assessment, four studies were classified as Grade A and four studies were classified as Grade B. All of RCTs that used herbal medicine treatment were classified as Grade B in the CONSORT HERB assessment. In the ROB assessement, most studies showed low risk of bias. The random sequence generation was found to have the lowest risk of bias, and the incomplete outcome data was found to have the highest risk of bias. In the CARE guideline evaluation, one study was classified as Grade B and the other study was classified as Grade D. Conclusions : Acupuncture and herbal medicine treatments were mostly effective in improving ADHD symptoms, and most of the included studies had high reporting quality. In the future, more mechanistic studies and clinical studies with sufficient numbers of patients will be needed to gain a better understanding.

Objectives : This study aims to analyze the operation of the Korean Medicine Clinic established in response to the 12·29 Jeju Air passenger plane disaster at Muan International Airport. It further examines the clinical characteristics and treatment patterns of patients who visited the clinic during its operation. Methods : A retrospective frequency analysis was conducted using medical records from the Korean Medicine Clinic at Muan Airport. The clinic operated from January 1 to January 18, 2025, and provided Korean medicine treatments such as acupuncture, herbal prescriptions, and psychological support. A total of 803 patient visits were recorded, of which 760 complete medical records were analyzed. The frequency of patient visits, demographic characteristics, chief complaints, diagnoses based on ICD-10 codes, and treatment types were examined. Results : Patient visits peaked from January 2 to January 4 (average of 122 patients per day) and declined after January 6, following the departure of most bereaved families. The final patient count was 32 on January 18. The re-visit rate was 37.68%. The most common diagnosis was acute nasopharyngitis (J00, 374 cases), followed by palpitations (R002, 94 cases) and functional dyspepsia (K30, 83 cases). The most frequently reported symptoms were cough (254 cases), throat pain (130 cases), and myalgia (116 cases). The most prescribed treatment was herbal medicine, with Ssanghwa-tang (338 cases) and Yeonggyopaedok-san (160 cases) being the most frequently used prescriptions. Conclusions : This study highlights the effectiveness and necessity of Korean medicine in disaster response settings. The findings indicate that Korean medicine can play a significant role in managing both physical and psychological trauma in disaster situations.

Objectives : Pharmacopuncture is a Korean medicine therapy that combines herbal medicine and acupuncture. This study investigated the neuroprotective effects of musk pharmacopuncture and Cheonung pharmacopuncture in a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-treated mouse model of Parkinson's disease. Methods : Ten-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were intraperitoneally administered 30 mg/kg of MPTP at 24-h intervals for 5 days. Normal saline, musk pharmacopuncture fluid, or Cheonung pharmacopuncture fluid was bilaterally injected into the peritoneal cavity or the GB34 acupoint once daily for 11 days, starting from the first MPTP injection. Motor function was assessed using the pole test and the rotarod test. Dopaminergic neuronal survival in the substantia nigra (SN) was evaluated using tyrosine hydroxylase immunohistochemistry, and astrocyte activation in the SN was assessed using glial fibrillary acidic protein immunofluorescence staining. Results : MPTP administration caused behavioral impairment and dopaminergic neuronal death in the SN. Cheonung pharmacopuncture at GB34 alleviated MPTP-induced motor dysfunction, while musk pharmacopuncture at GB34, Cheonung pharmacopuncture in the peritoneal cavity, and Cheonung pharmacopuncture at GB34 suppressed dopaminergic neuronal death in the SN. Pharmacopuncture injections prevented MPTP-induced astrocyte activation in the SN, with Cheonung pharmacopuncture at GB34 showing the most pronounced effects. Conclusions : Cheonung pharmacopuncture at GB34 alleviated the MPTP-induced motor dysfunction and dopaminergic neuronal death in the SN, likely due to the combined effects of Cheonung pharmacopuncture fluid and GB34 acupoint stimulation.

Objectives : Meridian palpation has long been regarded as an essential diagnostic method in traditional Korean medicine, allowing practitioners to detect internal organ disorders through surface abnormalities. Despite its historical significance, systematic research and standardization remain insufficient. This study aimed to review the theoretical foundations of meridian palpation, classify various diagnostic methods, and evaluate its clinical utility and limitations based on literature analysis. Methods : We conducted a comprehensive literature review of classical medical texts such as Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon and modern research publications related to meridian theory and palpation diagnosis. Key categories analyzed included sequential meridian diagnosis (循經診斷法), arterial palpation (切脈診斷法), three-section and nine-pulse diagnosis (三部九候診斷法), cutaneous palpation (尺膚診斷法), Back-Shu and Front-Mu point diagnosis (兪募診斷法), and limb-specific diagnostic methods (四肢診斷法). Results : Meridian palpation enables identification of pathological changes through abnormal findings such as tenderness, nodules, temperature variations, and swelling along specific meridian pathways. Sequential meridian palpation detects localized meridian pathologies, while arterial palpation at major pulse points helps differentiate visceral disorders. Three-section nine-pulse and cutaneous palpation provide insights into systemic disease conditions. Back-Shu, Front-Mu points, and specific acupoints on the limbs are closely associated with internal organ pathology, offering valuable diagnostic and therapeutic guidance. The study also highlighted the necessity of combining palpation findings with traditional methods of inspection, auscultation, inquiry, and pulse examination. Conclusions : Meridian palpation remains a valuable and unique diagnostic technique that strengthens the link between diagnosis and treatment in acupuncture and moxibustion therapy. Meridian palpation is an important basic technology that can develop the traditional diagnostic system of Korean medicine to meet modern medical needs. In the future, objective diagnostic models based on meridian palpation and clinical validity verification should be continuously carried out.

Objectives : Myotendinous junctions (MTJ) are clinically important regions in tendinopathy due to their functional and structural characteristics. The relationships between acupuncture points and MTJs are poorly understood, although some acupuncture points might be located on MTJs. In this study, we analyzed the locations of acupuncture points near the MTJs to clarify the relationship between them. Methods : Hageoheo(ST39) and Sungsan(BL57) are selected as the acupuncture points near MTJs in the lower limb. Twenty healthy adults participated in this study to measure bone proportional cun of the leg and to detect MTJs of the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscles by palpation and ultrasonography. The distances from the knee joint to MTJs, as detected by palpation and ultrasonography, were converted into bone proportional cun. Results : The MTJ of the tibialis anterior detected by ultrasonography was significantly more distal from the knee joint than ST39 and the MTJ detected by palpation. The locations of the MTJ of the gastrocnemius (detected by ultrasonography or palpation) and BL57 were similar. The consistency of measured values for MTJ of tibialis anterior detected by palpation was affected by gender and body composition. The MTJ of tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius were in constant proportional ranges. Conclusions : Locating ST39 by the MTJ of the tibialis anterior is not appropriate, but BL57 is appropriate to locate by the MTJ of the gastrocnemius.

Objectives : This study aims to develop an AI-based acupoint localization guiding system that enables automatic detection and visualization of acupoint locations in traditional Korean medicine. The system is designed to be applicable in clinical, educational, and self-care contexts, facilitating digital transformation in Korean medicine. Methods : Standard acupoint locations defined by WHO/WPRO were used to extract anatomical landmarks. Deep learning models including YOLOv8 (object detection), HRNet (pose estimation), and Pix2Pix (image translation) were applied. The system was integrated with mixed reality (MR) devices (HoloLens) and a mobile web interface to visually guide users in real time. Results : The proposed system successfully predicted acupoint coordinates relative to body landmarks and provided real-time visual guidance through MR and mobile platforms. It demonstrated practical utility in various scenarios such as clinical treatment support, medical education, and home-based self-care. Conclusions : This research presents a significant case of applying AI-based digital technology to acupoint theory in Korean medicine. The system lays a foundation for developing acupoint-based digital therapeutics (DTx), AI-assisted diagnostic tools, and global standardization of acupuncture point systems.

Objectives : This study aims to elucidate the rational dimensions of Huangdi Neijing, a foundational text of ancient Chinese medicine. Methods : A qualitative textual analysis was conducted on key chapters of Huangdi Neijing, including Suwen and Lingshu. The study identified six dimensions of rationality-worldview of nature as cosmos, disenchantment, theoretical rationality, practical rationality, comprehensive systematization, and lifestyle rationalization-through a philological approach. To minimize bias, the analysis focused on primary texts while excluding secondary interpretive frameworks. Comparative analysis with contemporaneous texts was avoided to emphasize Neijing's intrinsic rationality. Results : The analysis demonstrated how Huangdi Neijing constructs a rational medical system. The worldview of nature as cosmos serves as the foundation for all rationalities by enabling rational understanding of, prediction of, and practice in relation to nature, humanity, and disease. Disenchantment is evident in its rejection of magic and supernatural elements such as gods, spirits, and ghosts. Theoretical rationality manifests in abstract concepts (e.g., nourishing qi, protecting qi, exterior and interior, root and tip) and frameworks (e.g., disease etiology, lifecycle theory). Practical rationality is demonstrated through examples such as treatments based on environmental and lifestyle factors and practical concepts used in pulse diagnostics. The text's comprehensive systematization integrates anatomy, pathology, diagnostics, and regimen. This reflects the effort to rationalize medicine as a discipline. Lifestyle rationalization organizes daily life (e.g., sleep, physical activity, dress, ethical attitude) according to seasonal changes, extending health management beyond the limitations of treatment. Conclusions : These features evident in the Neijing indicate that its medical system is fundamentally rational. Traditional scholarly emphasis on correlative thinking requires reexamination in light of these rational dimensions.

Objectives : With the growing interest in aesthetics and cosmetic procedures, the Korean aesthetic medicine market has shown significant growth. Korean medicine has also been exploring various approaches in cosmetic acupuncture, including embedding acupuncture and pharmacopuncture. This study presents cases of combined treatment with Carthami-Flos pharmacopuncture and embedding acupuncture for facial wrinkle improvement and lifting. Methods : From March to December 2022, seven patients who underwent combined treatment with Carthami-Flos pharmacopuncture and embedding acupuncture at a Korean medicine clinic were analyzed. Evaluations were conducted using photographic assessments and the Nasolabial Fold Severity Rating Scale (NLF-SRS). To minimize pain and inflammatory responses, lidocaine-epinephrine was administered pre-procedurally, and dexamethasone was used post-procedurally in selected cases. Results : Among the seven female patients (mean age: 40.3±8.5 years), four received a single treatment, while others underwent multiple sessions. The mean NLF-SRS score improved from 3.5±0.5 pre-treatment to 1.8±0.4 post-treatment, demonstrating visible wrinkle reduction. No adverse reactions related to pharmacopuncture, embedding acupuncture, or the adjunctive medications were reported. Conclusions : The combination of embedding acupuncture and Carthami-Flos pharmacopuncture effectively improved facial wrinkles and skin elasticity. The use of lidocaine-epinephrine and dexamethasone helped ensure a safer and more comfortable treatment process. Further prospective studies are needed to establish standardized treatment protocols and verify long-term efficacy and safety.