• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.141-151
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• 2020

Objectives This study aimed to report significant improvement of dizziness, gait disturbance and dysarthria after treatment with Sasang constitutional medicine treatment on a Taeeumin patient with olivopontocerebellar atrophy. Methods A 53-year-old female diagnosed olivopontocerebellar atrophy about one year ago suffered from dizziness, gait disturbance and dysarthria. The patient was identified as Taeeumin Joyeol pattern and treated with Cheongsimyeonja-tang and Taegeuk acupuncture. The patient's main symptoms were observed using Global Assessment Scale (GAS) during the treatment period. In addition, the Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale (UMSARS) was used to assess the overall function of patient. Results We observed a significant improvement in symptoms of dizziness, gait disturbance and dysarthria using GAS, and UMSARS score decreased in Part I and II. Conclusions This case showed that Sasang constitutional medicine treatment can be effective treatment for Taeeumin patient with olivopontocerebellar atrophy. We consider that consistent treatment can contribute to improve the patient's quality of life.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.802-813
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• 2018

This case report describes a patient with olivopontocerebellar atrophy accompanied by sleep disorder and gait disturbance whose condition was improved by treatment with Korean medicine. The 61-year-old woman, who was diagnosed with olivopontocerebellar atrophy (Multiple Systemic Atrophy-Cerebellum), was admitted to hospital twice and treated with Korean medicine (acupuncture and herbal medicine) and rehabilitation. The Korean medicine was Gwibiondam-tang-gami and Jaeumgeonbi-tang-gami. Clinical symptoms were assessed by the Modified Bathel index, functional independent measurement, Berg balance scale, and Unified Multiple System Atrophy rating scale. A brain MRI at the one-year follow up after onset showed similar progress but clinical symptoms were improved after treatment, and the evaluation index score increased. Multiple system atrophy, a type of degenerative neurological disease, has no targeted treatment. In this situation, although this report describes a single case, Korean medicine treatment could provide a meaningful improvement in the sleep disturbance and gait disorder symptoms of patients with olivopontocerebellar atrophy.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.243-253
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• 2013

Objectives The aim of this study was to examine significant improvement of dizziness, gait disturbance, insomnia and xerostomia after treatment with Jowisengcheong-tang in a Taeeumin patient with olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA). Methods The patient's subjective and objective symptoms were observed daily throughout the hospitalization period using global assessment (G/A), and the Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale (UMSARS) was used to assess the overall function of patient. Results The symptoms of dizziness and xerostomia decreased from G/A 100 to G/A 10~30 for five days, and the UMSARS score decreased in Part I,II. Conclusions This case showed that Sasang constitutional medicine treatment can be effective treatment method for OPCA. We consider that consistent treatment can contribute to improve the patient's quality of life.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.118-125
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• 2011

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is an idiopathic and progressive neurodegenerative disorder. Up to now, treatment of MSA patients had not been reported in Oriental medicine and only rarely reported in Western medicine. We experienced a 75-year-old female diagnosed with MSA and had quadriparesis with dysphagia. She was admitted to the hospital and received herbal medication, acupuncture, moxibustion and rehabilitation therapy. After 2 months, her motor power and swallowing function on video fluoroscopic swallowing test significantly improved. This report shows that Oriental medicine may play a role in the treatment of MSA, and further study is merited.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.87-93
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• 1988

The diagnosis of OPCA could be made clinically with important aid of brain CT scanning, although the definite and conclusive diagnosis only by postmortem pathological determination. We reviewed, clinically and with brain CT examination, 12 cases of patients with OPCA who were admitted to the Yeungnam University Hospital for a recent 5 years. The result were as following. : 1. The distribution of age is from 49 to 72, mainly 50 to 60. Man is more frequent than women at the 4.5 times. 2. The interval period from Sx. onset to diagnosis is 1 year to 6 years. 3. The usual initial Sxs. were dizziness(58%), ataxia(33%), and other less frequent Sxs. were weakness of low extremities, dysarthria, headache and urinary incontinence. The clinical manifestations at the initial diagnosis were cerebellar disturbance(100%), dysarthria(83%), and increased deep tendon reflexes(58%). 4. The results of brain CT finding are like this : ${\cdot}$ the width of cerebellar sulci is more than 1mm, other 4 cases more than 2mm. ${\cdot}$ the width of cerebellar pontine cistern of the patient if usually 3 to 4mm, other 2 cases extended to the 5mm. ${\cdot}$ the A. P and lateral lengths of 4th. ventricle is 4mm and 4 to 8mm respectively. ${\cdot}$ 6 cases of whole patients show coincidentally cerebral atrophy.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.58-63
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• 2005

Objectives: REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), characterized by excessive motor activity during REM sleep, is associated with loss of muscle atonia. In recent years, it has been reported that RBD has high co-morbidity with CNS disorders (especially, Parkinson's disease, dementia, multiple system atrophy, etc.). We aimed to assess differences in clinical and polysomnographic findings among RBD patients, depending on the presence or absence of central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Methods: The medical records and polysomnographic data of 81 patients who had been diagnosed as having RBD were reviewed. The patients were classified into two groups: associated RBD (aRBD, i.e., with a clinical history and/or brain MRI evidence of CNS disorder) and idiopathic RBD (iRBD, i.e., without a clinical history and/or brain MRI evidence of CNS disorder) groups. Twenty-one patients (25.9%) belonged to the aRBD group and 60 patients (74.1%) belonged to the iRBD group. The clinical characteristics and polysomnographic findings of the two groups were compared. Results: Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD), i.e., PLMI (periodic limb movement index)>5, was observed more frequently in the aRBD group than in the iRBD group (p<0.001, Fisher's exact test). Also, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), i.e., RDI (respiratory disturbance index)>5, was found more frequently in the aRBD group (p=0.0042, Fisher's exact test). The percentages for slow wave sleep and sleep efficiency were significantly lower in the aRBD group than in the iRBD group. Conclusion: We found that 1 out of 4 RBD patients had associated CNS disorders, warranting more careful neurological evaluation and follow-up in this category of RBD. In this category of RBD patients, we also found more frequent PLMD and OSAS. These patients were also found to have lower slow wave sleep and sleep efficiency. In summary, RBD patients with associated CNS disorders suffer from more disturbed sleep than those without them.