• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.67-77
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• 2011

Objectives : The survey was conducted to find out ear acupuncture usage of clinical traditional Korean medicine doctor and lay a foundation for the standards for its clinical application. Methods : An e-mail was sent to Korean medicine doctors whose email addresses are registered at the Association of Korea Oriental Medicine twice over two weeks. 280 completed questionnaires were used for the analysis. Results : 66.07% of respondents answered in use, whereas the answer that "less than 10 per 100 patient applied" was more than majority of 54.29%. The major field of treatment is addictive disorders such as smoking and the 80.11% patients got less than 3 days of treatment. Ear region was the most commonly treated area with 66.67%. Since the self removal frequency was high as 65.05% in compared to the case of visiting clinic. The rate of side effects was less than 10% (96.70%), and these side effects showed light symptoms such as "pain" (46.95%), itchiness (29.27%), flare (19.51%). The Acquired complements for improving ear acupuncture treatment was "the development of effective treatment manual" (28.57%) and "increasing insurance costs" (27.86%). Conclusions : Based on the survey, the vast majority of the TKM doctor used ear acupuncture but the frequency of use was low. We hope this study can be the basis for development of treatment manuals for various indications and safe treatment guidelines.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.24-33
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• 2016

Objectives: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the benefit of Traditional Korean Medicine as an adjuvant therapy in management of early uterine contractions and the prevention of Preterm Birth (PTB). Methods: It is a case report of a 38 year-old-woman hospitalized for irregular uterine contractions and cervical change at 33^+3/7weeks of gestation. After 7 trials of IVF and artificial insemination, conception was successful via IVF with help of traditional Korean medicines. 2 TKMs were prescribed: Gami-danggui-san, and Antae-eum. 120 ml of Gami-danggui-san was given twice a day morning and evening along with same amount of Antae-eum once a day from 31 August 2013 to 28 November 2013. Tocolytics (Ritodrine) was administered as a first aid for maintenance of pregnancy. Information regarding progress until the delivery was collected during the patient’s visit. Results: As of 34^+2/7 weeks of gestation, intermittent uterine contractions appeared (5-12 min) on cardiotocography and vaginal bleeding was also smeared at 34^+3/7 weeks. However, enhanced tocolytics and continuous administration of herbal medicine sustained the pregnancy to term. At 37^+2/7 weeks, no sign of labor with restored cervical length was confirmed. The woman gave a term birth to a healthy infant via vaginal delivery at 39^+3/7 gestational weeks. Conclusions: Our report implies the potential of herbal medicine as a adjuvant therapy for preterm labor treatment. Further studies are needed to assess the safety and efficacy of TKM herbal medicine as a therapeutic alternative for curing preterm birth.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.99-111
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• 2011

Objectives : The aim of this study is to estimate traditional Korean medicine (TKM) practitioners' awareness and attitudes about acupuncture clinical study toward evidence based medicine (EBM). Methods : We conducted two surveys before and after the workshop. First survey, about the awareness and attitudes toward EBM was carried out with questionnaire. Second survey, about their changes in the attitudes toward EBM after the workshop was carried out with on-line questionnaire. Results : 70.0 % of respondents shows interest in the trends of clinical research. In contrast, 26.0 % of respondents used to search papers by themselves. 30.3 % of respondents reported that they apply the result of researches to their practice. 41.0 % of respondents thought that case study is needed for their practice, whereas 29.5 % responded that randomized controlled trial is most important. In the second survey, the attitudes toward EBM were changes positive. fair number of respondents usually get information from data regardless of EBM for their practice, but 23.5 % of respondents refer to the journals. Conclusions : The awareness and needs for education on the attendees toward EBM is quite high, and the effect of education is possibly influential. We expect the improvement on the refresher and the extension of education course for practitioners, and undergraduate curriculum.