• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.95-103
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• 2023

The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of GB12 (Wangu) acupoint for dizziness. This study retrospectively analyzed the electronic medical records of 12 hospitalized patients complaining of dizziness were treated 5 times a week with a combined Korean medicine treatment including Jungsongouhyul pharmacopuncture on bilateral GB12 (Wangu) acupoint, and dizziness was evaluated by using a numerical rating scale (NRS). As a result of medical record analysis, NRS of 12 patients was significantly decreased after treatment (p<0.001), and no adverse events were reported in all 12 cases. We suggest that the treatment of GB12 (Wangu) could be effective in patients with dizziness, and to obtain exact evidence of effectiveness, further studies are needed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.97-110
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• 2023

This review aimed to examine and analyze trends of clinical research using case studies on facial spasms in Korean medicine. Seven web databases were searched for case studies on facial spasms using Korean and English search terms. Case studies were selected using the exclusion and inclusion criteria. Overall, 13 case studies were selected, analyzed, and classified according to the publication year and journal, study participants, cause, treatment methods, pattern identification, evaluation methods, improvement, and side effects. Case studies reporting on various treatment methods in Korean medicine, including acupuncture and pharmacopuncture for facial spasms, have been published since 2000. In addition, studies on new treatment methods in Korean medicine for facial spasm have been published. Combination therapy is the most common method used in Korean medicine-based case studies; therefore, future studies on single treatment are necessary. Most of the case studies on Korean medicine reported improved symptoms and patient satisfaction with the Korean medicine treatment method. No side effects were reported, except for facial swelling and bruising, indicating that Korean medicine treatment methods for facial spasm were safe and effective. Therefore, the Korean medicine treatment methods for facial spasm can be actively used in clinical practice and future research.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.272-280
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• 2023

This report presents the clinical progress of a 50-year-old male diagnosed with a left acetabular fracture and left rib fracture after falling from a height of 3 m. The patient was treated nonsurgically and underwent complex traditional Korean medicine (TKM) treatment and rehabilitation, including acupuncture, electroacupuncture, pharmacopuncture, bee venom, herbal medicine, physiotherapy, and moxibustion. Patient progress was assessed using the numerical rating scale (NRS), manual muscle test (MMT), and modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS). During 113 days of hospitalization, the NRS score decreased from 7 to 3, and the MMT grade increased to normal in the hip, knee, and ankle joints. The mHHS score increased from 26 to 99 points. Radiographs and computed tomography scans of the left acetabulum were obtained periodically, and fracture union was successfully achieved. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of complex TKM treatment and rehabilitation of acetabular fractures.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.61-71
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• 2023

Objectives : This study aimed to investigate the recognition of coverage for Korean medicine treatments in private medical insurance among Korean medicine doctors (KMDs). Methods : Questionnaire reviewed by experts was performed to KMDs who were registered in the Association of Korean Medicine. The survey targeted awareness of private health insurance for Korean medicine, appropriate coverage, cost, and frequency. Results : Data were collected from 932 respondents out of 28,234 Korean medicine doctors. Most KMDs were aware of coverage for Korean medicine in private medical insurance, and they responded that pharmacopuncture and herbal decoction were covered first. KMDs also responded that the coverage should be provided without limited number of times, except herbal medicine. Conclusion : Most KMDs responded that Korean medical private medical insurance was essential. To promote the developing insurance for Korean medicine, survey for public and insurance company will be performed.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.85-107
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• 2023

Objective : To investigate the usage of Korean herbal medicine (KHM) for climacteric symptoms, this study reviewed clinical studies conducted in Korea. Method : Literature search was performed on three Korean database; OASIS, RISS and NDSL. Studies published before July 2023 were categorized and analyzed according to the study type and herbal prescriptions. Results : Fifty-eight studies including 7 controlled trial, 27 case series and 24 single case reports were included in our review and the total number of case patients was 420. 52 prescriptions based on syndrome identifications and 11 prescriptions of Sasang constitutions were used and the most frequently used prescriptions were Soyosan(逍遙散) and Guibitang(歸脾湯). Thirty-two prescriptions were also mentioned in previous delphi research or clinical practice guideline, and the rest were not. Thirty-five studies used acupuncture combined with KHM and 10 studies used pharmacopuncture and 5 studies used herbal hipbath. Conclusion : To increase the therapeutic effect of KHM and establish KHM as an alternative to hormone treatment, various prescriptions should be used according to syndrome identifications in the clinical field. High-quality RCTs on frequently used prescriptions and the development of various type of KHM are also necessary.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.201-213
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• 2023

This study reviewed clinical papers reported on hemifacial spasm (HFS). Six online databases were searched for clinical papers published between January 2000 and December 2022. This study reviewed 14 studies, including 13 case reports and 1 combination of case reports and randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The most frequently used acupoints were ST7 and TE17, and the stomach meridian was the most frequently selected. Herbal medicine, pharmacopuncture, thread embedding acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion, and physical therapy were combined with acupuncture. The most frequently used evaluation method is Scott's scale. Out of 95 cases, 82 reported improved HFS symptoms after treatment. Our findings indicated the effectiveness of Korean Medicine treatment in treating HFS. However, evidence of efficacy and safety remains insufficient. Large-scale and well-designed investigations will be required in the future to corroborate these results. We believe that this paper will serve as the foundation for future RCTs.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.150-155
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• 2023

Drug-induced dyskinesia is an involuntary muscle movement caused by various dopamine receptor-blocking drug exposure, such as antipsychotics, antidepressants, and antiemetics. Causative drug removal is the main treatment for drug-induced dyskinesia whenever possible because its pathophysiology lacks a universally accepted mechanism; however, the symptoms can persist for years or decades in many patients even after causative drug removal. Herein, we present a case of drug-induced dyskinesia in a 61-year-old female patient who consumed medication for approximately 10 years for her depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Cervical and facial dyskinesia was suggested to be related to perphenazine and levosulpiride administration. The patient received acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, herbal medicine, and chuna treatment for 81 days during hospitalization. The symptoms were evaluated using the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale, Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale, Tsui's score, and Numeric Rating Scale, which revealed remarkable improvement, suggesting the effectiveness of combined Korean medicine for drug-induced dyskinesia.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.27-41
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• 2023

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to analyze the trends of Korean medicine treatment on postherpetic neuralgia. Methods : Domestic databases(OASIS, KISS, RISS, KISTI, NDSL, KMbase) were used to search case studies related to Korean medical treatment of postherpetic neuralgia. Total 9 studies were selected. Results : A total 15 prescriptions were used 22 times in 14 cases. Among them, Sipjeondaebo-tang(十全大補湯) was the most frequently prescribed. Total 91 herbs were used and they were classified as tonifying and replenishing medicine(補益藥), exterior-releasing medicine(解表藥) and blood-activating and stasis-dispelling medicine(活血祛瘀藥) in the order of mostly used. In 8 studies, in addition to herbal medicine treatment, other Korean medicine treatments such as acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, moxibusiton, cupping therapy and external agents were performed at the same time. Most frequently used acupoints were 足竅陰(GB44) and 商陽(LI1). Conclusions : This is the first study to analyze the trends of Korean medicine treatment for postherpetic neuralgia. Although there are some limitations, this study is thought to be helpful in the domestic treatment of postherpetic neuralgia in the future.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.197-206
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• 2023

Objesctives: This study reports the effect of Korean medicine treatment on a patient with abdominal and lower back pain after a laparoscopic hysterectomy. Methods: The patient received Korean herbal medicine, pharmacopuncture treatment, and acupuncture treatment for six days. We measured the numeric rating scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Range of Motion (ROM), and Life-5 Dimensions scale (EQ-5D) to assess symptom changes. Results: After treatment, the patient showed decreased numeric rating scale (NRS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), as well as augmented Range of Motion (ROM) and European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions scale (EQ-5D). Conclusion: The results indicate that Korean medicine treatment is effective management for patients with abdominal and lower back pain after a laparoscopic hysterectomy.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.562-577
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• 2023

Objectives: This is a five-year survival and complete response (CR) report on pancreatic cancer treated with western medicine and Korean traditional medicine. Method: A 59-year-old woman diagnosed with pancreatic cancer visited ○○ Korean traditional medicine hospital after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy. She was treated with Korean traditional medicine, including acupuncture, abdominal moxibustion, wild ginseng pharmacopuncture, and herbal medicine, which was based on integrated medicine therapy (IMT), from March 2018 to September 2022. The tumor size was measured by scanning with computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging, and positron-emission tomography/CT. Adverse events were evaluated using laboratory conclusion and National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0. Result: During four years and three months of treatment, IMT maintained safety. The patient finally reached five-year survival without any recurrence or complication (CR) on October 26, 2022. Conclusion: We suggest that an integrative approach including Korean traditional medicine can be a meaningful treatment option for pancreatic cancer. Further studies should be performed to establish the proper treatment protocol of integrative medicine for pancreatic cancer.