• Journal of Photoscience
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.530-533
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• 2002

We present a case of The Miller Fisher Syndrome (MFS), showing a remission during a recently developed noninvasive therapy. Two weeks after an appearance of cough and fever, a 35 years old Japanese male developed diplopia, ataxia and numbness of his fingers and toes. He was diagnosed as MFS, and a fixed dose of prednisolone acetate (60mg/day) was administered for 3 months, but little improvement was observed. In addition to this administration, we tried 20 minutes of Photic Feedback (PFB) treatment daily for 40 days. The PFB system detects brain waves from the subject's forehead, and extracts alpha waves by the band-pass filter with a center frequency set at 10.0Hz. It also simultaneously modulates the augmentation of a red light-emitting diode, corresponding with the amplitudes of the extracted alpha waves. In this treatment, this adjusted photic stimulation was given to the subject's closed eyes, resulting in the effective alpha enhancement by photic driving response. The numbness increased during each of PFB treatment, but the symptoms started to improve gradually after 10 days. Other symptoms disappeared after 40 days. CD20 levels increased with this treatment. This case suggests that the PFB treatment may speed the natural remission of MFS. This treatment may be worth considering in patients who suffer polyneuropathy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.3125-3130
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• 2015

Background: Breast cancer is a common cancer affecting women in Malaysia and the use of complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) has been associated with delays in getting treatment. The aim of the study was to explore the use of CAM and the influencing factors in the Northern region of Peninsular Malaysia. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study on a convenience sample of 100 Malaysian breast cancer survivors. Findings: The reported use of CAM among the breast cancer survivors was lower than in other studies but the types of CAM used had a similar pattern with nutrition supplements/vitamins being the most common. The factors that positively influenced the use of complimentary/traditional therapy were income and getting information from television or radio. Survivors with access to internet/blogs appear to have lower odds of using complimentary/traditional therapy compared to the respondents who reported no such access. Conclusions: Information transmitted via television and radio appears to have a positive influence on CAM use by breast cancer patients compared to other information sources and it is important to ensure that such information is accurate and impartial.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.212-227
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to investigate the patterns of alternative therapy and to describe the characteristics of cancer patients used alternative therapy. The sample of this study were 232 consisted of cancer patients who visited at Pusan National University Hospital, Dong-a, Kosin University Hospital. The data were gathered from August, 1 to October, 30 1999 and analyzed by using SPSSWIN program for frequency, percentile and $X^2$-test. The important results of this study are as follows. 1. In population-sociological characteristics, sexual distribution showed female 52.6%, and the male 47.4%, age distribution showed that more than 60year old group are most as 31.5%. 2. In the disease characteristics, colon and rectal cancer patients were most as 19.0%. In the type of pain, the most of subjects were "dully pain" as 25.4%. In the pain level, 134 subjects complained pain, mean maximal pain score was $7.3{\pm}2.29$ in 10 points rating scale. 3. 132 patients (56.9%) among 232 cancer patients had used alternative therapy. The most common type of alternative therapy was dietary and nutritional therapy 44%, the place of use. home 43.2%, duration, less than 3 months, 56.8%. The most common motive was a recommendation by friends or family. The degree of satisfaction after the use of alternative therapy was high for 22.0%. 4. In the relation between general characteristic and utilization of alternative therapy, the only living area was showed a significant statistical differance($X^2$ = 4.070, P= .044). also in the relation between disease characteristic and utilization of alternative therapy, morbidity periods, the size of higher pain, the type of treatment were showed a significant statistical differance($X^2$= 7.964, 7.303, 3.565, P=.044, .026, .042). In conclusions, these findings indicate that cancer patients use various complementary and in alternative therapy. therefore, suggested that medical doctors or nurses verify the true effects or side-effects from the most common complementary or alternative therapies through experiments.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.107-122
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• 2003

Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate the use rate and some aspect of complementary therapies used by patients with chronic illness(hypertension, diabetic mellitus and chronic arthritis). Methods: 600 patients visiting the health center for one month(Jan. 2001) were interviewed on their complementary therapies used by the subjects for the previous year. Results: About fourteen-eight percent of the respondents used therapies; 35% of patients with hypertension, 44.6% of patients with diabetic mellitus and 62.9% of patients with chronic arthritis, which shows the highest rate among patients with three chronic disease. The use rate of complementary therapies indicates few meaningful differences according to the general characteristics of the interviewees. Hypertension patients used herb medication(31.0%) acupuncture(29.6%) and most of all the other therapies. Diabetic patients used dietary therapy(57.5%) and herb medication(35.1%). Chronic arthritis patients used acupuncture(85%) and herb medication(34.7%). 36.8% of all the patients who used complementary therapies tried more than two therapies. 18.3% of hypertension patients, 24.1% of diabetic patients and 55.9% of chronic arthritis patients used more than two therapies. Acupuncture(47%) was used most frequently, followed by herb medications(26.3%), health assistance utensils(21.8%). oriental therapy(21.8%), physical therapy(9.5%), health assistance food(8.4%), herb(7.7%), Korea hand acupuncture(3.2%), abdomen respiration(1.1%), and pore therapy(0.7%) Oriental clinic was visited most frequently(42.8%), which was used to cure diseases(61.8%), and to relieve symptoms(26.0%). (p<0.001) The cost spent on complementary therapies last year was 90,000 won(40.3%) and there are some cases of more than 500,000 won(31.2%). Most of the patients(56.1%) were satisfied with the complementary therapies, with 6% of them having side effects. 74% of the patients used complementary therapies answered that they would continue them and 56.1% of them also answered that they would continue them and 56.1% of them also answered that they would advise other patients to do them. Advantages(compared with those of orthodox medical treatment) are psychological comfort(28.1%), body protection(26.0%), effectiveness(20.0%). 34% of the patients using complementary therapies wanted to have informational orientation on complementary therapies. These findings reveal that a considerable number of patients with chronic illness(47.5%) tried a variety of complementary therapies. Though 6% of the patients using therapies had side effects, most of the subjects seemed satisfied with them and they are supposed to continue them. Conclusions: In conclusion, health center personnels and medical doctors should pay more attention to the complementary therapies used by patients with chronic illness. They also have to try their best to advise more scientific and informative complementary programs with less side effects and more help to improve their conditions.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.432-441
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• 2004

Purpose: This descriptive survey was conducted to investigate out the utilization of alternative complementary remedies for stroke patients. Method: The subject for this study were 194 patients, selected from inpatients department of 11 major medical center at Busan and Ulsan. Data were collected from August 19th to November 12th, 2002 through interview schedule designed by the investigator. Data was analyzed with frequency, percentage, and ${\chi}^2$-test by using SPSS Win 10.0. Results: 71.6% of objects has used alternative complementary remedies. The use of alternative complementary remedies according to disease-related features was statistically significant in concurrent diseases(${\chi}^2=15.03$, p=0.001), rehabilitation treatment(${\chi}^2=6.341$, p=0.012) and the level of ADL(${\chi}^2=19.63$, p=0.000). The most frequently used therapies were diet and nutrition(31.8%). The patients with less than 3month onset and in the mid-period of treatment frequently used remedies. The reason for using remedies were the belief in it's effects on treatment, but most patients responded was not effective(30.9%) or not much improvement after using remedies. Most of the patients were recommended to use remedies by their neighbors(27.3%) and family members(25.2%). The family members were most supportive in therapy(56.1%). The 28.1% of patients responded that the remedies were effective in promoting blood circulation and 95% of the patients had not experienced side effects. Conclusion: These results could be the basic material in developing nursing intervention for cerebral apoplexy patients.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.191-203
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• 2024

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of an integrated medical service model for a fibromyalgia patient and their caregiver, focusing on reducing pain and improving quality of life. Methods: A single-case study design was employed, involving a fibromyalgia patient and their primary caregiver treated at W University Hospital. The integrated medical service program, based on the Ministry of Health and Welfare's model, included medical consultations and complementary therapies such as psychological counseling, art therapy, music therapy, horticultural therapy, yoga, and meditation. The program was conducted weekly for 8 weeks, with each session lasting up to 100 minutes. Data collection involved both quantitative and qualitative assessments. Quantitative data included demographic surveys, psychological tests, health-related quality of life measures, pain indices, and sleep quality indices. Qualitative data were gathered through feedback evaluations and emotional assessments. Results: The patient showed improvements in mobility, self-care, daily activities, and anxiety/depression, with EQ-VAS scores increasing from 20 to 40 and pain perception decreasing from 67.41 to 42.58. The caregiver reported reduced anxiety/depression and an increase in EQ-VAS scores from 95 to 98. Both patient and caregiver exhibited emotional changes, with decreased depression and increased happiness. However, the patient showed an increase in fear and anger. Conclusions: The integrated medical service model positively impacted the emotional and psychological well-being of the fibromyalgia patient and their caregiver. Despite the limitations of a small sample size and a single-case study design, the findings suggest that an integrated approach can be beneficial. Larger-scale studies are needed to confirm and generalize these results.

• Clinical Pain
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.28-31
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• 2020

The incidence of heterotopic ossification (HO) was reported to be higher in combat-injured patients than in civilian trauma patients. HO is often considered a possible cause of residual limbs pain in amputee. Here, we report the case of a 21-year-old male, who underwent a traumatic right transfemoral and left transtibial amputation with two segments of painful HO around his left amputation site. We report the effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on size and pain associated with HO. After ESWT, the visual analog scale score decreased from 5~6 to 0~1 and the size of two masses decreased from 13.1 × 6.7 mm and 12.5 mm to 11.9 × 4.7 mm and 12.2 mm, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case that has reported on the treatment of HO using ESWT for a traumatic transtibial amputation patient. The case suggests that ESWT could serve as a complementary treatment for HO in traumatic amputation patient.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.220-229
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• 2020

Objectives: Although Acne vulgaris is a chronic skin disease, which its standard treatment causes therapeutic limitations and some common adverse effects, medicinal plants can be effective in treatment with low adverse effects as combination therapy. Myrtle (Myrtus Communis) has some beneficial properties, which has been administered topically and orally for some skin diseases in Persian medicine. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of Myrtle formula and 1% clindamycin topical solution. Methods: This was a split-face clinical trial that was done on 55 patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris for 16 weeks. The patients received topical Myrtle solution to the right side of the face (group 1) and clindamycin solution to the left side (group 2) twice daily for 12 weeks. All participants were examined for the acne severity index (ASI) and total acne lesions counting (TLC) at certain times during the study. Then, they stopped using them for four weeks. They also did not take the drug in the final four weeks of the study. Results: Forty-eight patients completed the study for 16 weeks; 40 (83.2%) patients were female and the rest of them were male. The mean age and standard deviation were 25.62 ± 7.62 years. After 12 weeks, the percentage changes of comedones, inflammatory lesions, ASI and TLC were significantly reduced in both groups (p < 0.001). The percentage change of inflammatory lesions and ASI decrease was significantly higher in the group 1 (p = 0.03). There was no significant difference in the incidence of side effects between the two groups. There was a more significant decrease in sebum percentage change in the group 1 (p = 0.003). Conclusion: Myrtle lotion was effective and safe for the treatment of mild to moderate acne vulgaris.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.77-89
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• 2009

Objectives : Mistletoe extracts have been in use for around 85 years, predominantly in the area of cancer therapy. Today mistletoe preparations are among the most prescribed drugs in cancer medicine, thus constituting a standard biological therapy in the area of oncology. The purpose of this study is to analyze the practical implications of mistletoe cancer therapy, their clinical status, their preparation techniques and companies. Contents : Mistletoe therapy for cancer has been developed within the context of anthroposophical medicine. One major effect of mistletoe extract is that it stimulates the immune system and cancer defences. In Germany, a total of eight different mistletoe preparations are available, five developed by Anthroposophic Medicine and three evolved from research in phytotherapy. Therapy always consists of an introductory phase in order to test the patient's tolerance, find the right dosage and choose the most suitable preparation. This paper covers the background of mistletoe medical plant materials, mistletoe therapy for cancer, the anthroposophical medicine and clinical research, the practical regulation of treatment, preparation of mistletoe drugs. Result & suggestion : Mistletoe extracts are a complementary teratment of cancer, widely used in intergrative cancer care. The study of the integration of korean mistletoe extracts to oriental cancer medicine, its development and feasibility in Korea are urgently needed. The products, substances, compositions of european mistletoe drugs are very similar to those of oriental medicine theory. Applying the mistletoe cancer therapy and its preparation techniques to oriental medicine, the herbal acupuncture preparation should be modernized and korean mistletoe products are to be developed. To this end, government and herbal acupuncture society need to interact each other for the development of oriental mistletoe cancer medicine.

• THE JOURNAL OF KOREAN ORIENTAL ONCOLOGY
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.125-148
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• 2000

At here, we investigated the historical background, current stage, and concrete therapies of alternatives in cancer therapy. We obtained the conclusion below. 1. Alternative medicine(AM) is a unothodoxial medical physiology, medical practice or intervension that overcome the side effects, faults, limits of coventional medicine. 2. Recentely, as emerging New-age movement, collapse of Decarte's mecanical cosmology, and emphasis on patient rights, the interest of AM is increased, and foreign & domestic use rates of AM are risen. 3. After coventional medicine in cancer therapies that depends on operations, radiations, and chemotherapy is bounded, Alternatives in cancer therapy are rapidly developed, and the majority of users are often considered satisfactory. 4. Alternatives in cancer therapy are classified six boundaries; Diet and Nutrition, Mind-body Technique, Integrated System, Pharmacologic and Biologic treatments, Immuno Enhanced Therapy, Natural and herbal medicine. 5. Looking at contents of Alternatives in cancer therapy, we get to know most of them are similar to the treatment of oriental medicine in holistic method, therapy, philosophy. If we synthesize the alternative medicine's treatment mentioned above and investigate it with oriental medical viewpoint, that may help us approach the conquest of cancer and improve the rate of cure. 6. It is certain that foreign AM will be imported reversely, and we must prepare for rebuilding of Korean traditional AM systemically, investing for activity positively, making national policy for medical system.