COVID-19 infection heightens the risk of thromboembolism. To see the similarities between the COVID-19 infection and Taeyang blood retention pattern, we conducted a PubMed search using specific terms related to blood circulation issues in the context of COVID-19, summarizing findings from 13 cases and 4 observational studies involving actual patients. Patients with COVID-19 are at risk of blood coagulation due to factors such as viral-induced cytokine storms, vascular endothelial dysfunction, reduced mobility in bedridden or isolated individuals, and resulting constipation. Additionally, cytokine storms and severe inflammation can lead to delirium in COVID-19 patients. The Taeyang blood retention pattern manifests as symptoms arising from delirium and an increased blood coagulation tendency in patients with a robust immune response. According to the Sanghan theory, certain herbal treatments can alleviate symptoms in patients with a tight lower abdomen who do not experience urinary issues. Studies show that components like Persicae Semen and Rhei Redix et Rhizoma in these prescriptions enhance blood circulation and reduce hypercoagulability. Additionally, these treatments aim to promote blood flow by relieving abdominal pressure through facilitating bowel movements. The excessive inflammation and heightened blood coagulation tendency in COVID-19 resemble the Taeyang blood retention pattern, although they are caused by different pathogens. Reinterpreting classical oriental medicine's principles in a modern context may enhance our understanding of traditional East Asian Medicine and foster future developments.

In order to deduce the pathogenic factor(PF) diagnosis logic of underlying in pattern identification of Korean medicine, 2,072 cases of DSOM(Diagnosis System of Oriental Medicine) data from May 2005 to April 2022 were collected and analyzed by means of decision tree model(DTM). The entire data were divided into training data and validation data at a ratio of 7:3. The CHAID algorithm was used for analysis of DTM, and then validity was tested by applying the validation data. The decision rules of items and pathways determined from the diagnosis data of Qi Deficiency, Blood Deficiency, Yin Deficiency and Yang Deficiency Pathogenic Factor of DSOM were as follows. Qi Deficiency PF had 7 decision rules and used 5 questions: Q124, Q116a, Q119, Q119a, Q55. The primary indicators(PI) were 'lack of energy' and 'weary of talking'. Blood deficiency PF had 7 decision rules and used 6 questions: Q113, Q84, Q85, Q114, Q129, Q130. The PI were 'numbness in the limbs', 'dizziness when standing up', and 'frequent cramps'. Yin deficiency PF had 3 decision rules and used 2 questions: Q144 and Q56. The PI were 'subjective heat sensation from the afternoon to night' and 'heat sensation in the limbs'. Yang deficiency PF had 3 decision rules and used 3 questions: Q55, Q10, and Q102. The PI were 'sweating even with small movements' and 'lack of energy'. Conclusively, these rules and symptom information to decide the Qi·Blood·Yin·Yang Deficiency PF would be helpful for Korean medicine diagnostics.

The objective of this study was to develop a critical pathway of integrative medicine to improve the quality of life of lung cancer patients who received standard western medicine treatments. A total of 10 medical professionals, including western and Korean medicine doctors, and nurses participated in a validation survey and revised clinical pathway. Then we applied the critical pathway to 11 lung cancer patients who admitted at Korean medicine hospital and evaluated quality of life at the beginning and discharge of admission using European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire(EORTC QLQ). More than 80% of the respondents gave a score of 3 (appropriate) or more for all items in the validation survey and we modified the clinical pathway by adding 'bed rest'to the activity item. When applying the revised critical pathway to 11 lung cancer patients, the score of 'Nausea and vomiting', 'Insomnia' in EORTC QLQ-30 and 'chest pain'in EORTC LC-13 showed statistically significant improvements in the before-and-after admission comparision. The application of revised inpatient critical pathway of integrative medicine for lung cancer showed improvement in some symptoms. Development of more critical pathway in various clinical setting and larger scaled application studies of critical pathway are needed.

The purpose of this study is to analyze trends in domestic and international clinical research studies on pharmacopuncture treatment for fractures. We searched five online databases (PubMed, CNKI, RISS, KISS, and OASIS), and selected a total of 13 clinical research studies from Korea and China. Selected studies were analyzed according to publication year, subject, intervention, treatment method, evaluation scale, adverse event, risk of bias, etc. A total of 10 case studies and 3 randomized controlled trials were included. The study subjects were more often female, and the most common type of fracture was vertebral compression fracture. In Korea, herbal medicine preparations and bee venom were used for pharmacopuncture solution, whereas in China, both herbal medicine preparations and Western medicine preparations were used. All studies commonly used local acupoint needling, and in most cases, the treatment period for case study was less than 1 month, and the observation period of randomized controlled trials was diverse. The most frequently used evaluation scale was numeric rating scale, adverse events were mentioned in only three studies, and no adverse events were reported. Overall risk of bias of all included randomized controlled trials was judged "some concerns". According to this study, pharmacopuncture treatment for fractures was found to be relatively effective and safe, but research that complements the limitations of this study is needed.