• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.401-424
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• 2022

Objectives: As effective treatments for dementia are lacking in Western medicine, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is considered a useful option. While the quality of life (QoL) is a vital outcome for patients with dementia, the QoL of patients receiving CAM for dementia remains ambiguous. This study aimed to determine the effect of CAM on QoL outcomes in dementia patients. Methods: A search was performed using the keywords "dementia," "Alzheimer's," "cognitive impairment," "Chinese," "Korean," "oriental," "herbal," "acupuncture," and "quality of life". All quantitative data were synthesized using R version 4.1.1. Results: Twenty-five randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 16 pre-post trials, and two cohort studies were selected for the systematic review. QoL in Alzheimer's disease (QOL-AD) (n=11, 25.6%) and geriatric QoL in dementia (GQOL-D, n=9, 20.9%) were the most utilized QoL instruments. Significant benefits in QoL were observed after receiving mind, body, combined mind and body, nursing, oriental medicine, and acupuncture therapies. In the meta-analysis, the combined effect was shown to significantly increase QOL-AD compared to before CAM interventions (standardized mean difference, SMD: 0.507; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.191~0.824; p<0.01). The overall synthesized estimates in the GQOL-D showed a significantly improved QoL (SMD: 0.537, 95% CI: 0.238~0.837 p<0.01; one group; SMD: 1.465, 95% CI: 0.934~1.996, p<0.01). The seven studies assessing the cost-effectiveness of CAM reported uncertain outcomes. Conclusions: This study showed that CAM interventions benefited patients with dementia by improving their QoL. While additional standardized research is required, CAMs are suggested as effective clinical management for patients with dementia. They are also suggested as complementing therapies for these patients.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.457-466
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• 2014

This study aimed to investigate the awareness and utilization of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in hypertension or diabetes patients to participate in health class in rural community health center. A total of 177 hypertension or diabetes patients were participated in this study. Data were collected using face-to face interviews and were analyzed using the SPSS WIN 18.0 program. About 56.5% of subjects experienced CAM and 16.0% of subjects told heath care providers about CAM. General awareness of CAM was $3.11{\pm}0.58$ in 5 point, and awareness significantly positively correlated with intention to reuse CAM, recommend CAM, and participate in CAM-related education (r=.604, r=.516, r=.419, p<.001). Health care providers such as doctors and nurses need to be concerned about CAM utilization and awareness in chronic disease patients. These findings can be used in developing effective strategies for health care providers and health policy makers to provide right awareness and utilization of CAM for chronic disease patients and the public.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.205-222
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• 2009

Purpose: The aim of this study was to review systemically journals on the studies for Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the treatment of breast cancer. Methods: Through medical websites, foreign clinical literatures about complementary and alternative medicines of breast cancer were searched. The cite used was http://www.Pubmed.gov. And then they were divided into three groups. Medication, Non-medication therapies and questionnaire reports. Results: 1. We researched 23 papers about herb medicines. Most of papers were about single herb and there were rarely about mixed composition. And there were papers about Ocimum gratissimum, elliptilimba, seeds of Livistona chinensis, golden feverfew which were not commonly used in Korea. 2. We researched 16 papers about acupuncture. Acupuncture had a possitive effect on such symptoms like flushing, nausea and vomitting and pain on upper limb caused by anticancer therapy or tamoxifen or surgery. 3. We researched 36 papers about questionnaire study. Most were about research for women who diagnosed as breast cancer or women after breast cancer surgery. Subjects were about proportion of using CAM, purpose of using it, most popular CAM therapy, satisfaction degree, and relation with age, aducation and social position. And most conclusion were that patient-doctor communication was needed. Conclusion: Afterwards we have to focus on realisitic clinical studies about breast cancer patients, especially postsurgery and people who takes anticancer therapy. And we have to be interest in acupuncture therapy on breast cancer patients.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.25-38
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• 2013

Objectives: The aim of this study is to analyze the utilization behaviour and influencing factors of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies among elderly people with chronic diseases. Methods: The study population was selected among 9 welfare facilities for the aged in 2 cities among Daegu Metropolitan City & Gyeongsangnam Province by two-stage cluster sampling. 250 senior citizens participated in a face-to-face interview using a structured questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association between the utilization of CAM therapies and various characteristics of the elderly. All statistics were analyzed using the PASW (ver 18.0). Results: Among 233 elderly peoples, 70.4% (164 persons) had used various kinds of CAM therapies (including nutritional methods, pharmacologic and biologic treatments, etc.) more than once during the last year. 48.8% (64 persons) ~ 60.7% (88 persons) of the elderly used CAM therapies without health and medical experts' counsel. The elderly with perceptions of CAM therapy used it 2 times more than those without knowledge of CAM therapies. The number of chronic diseases was more likely to increase the usage of nutritional methods (OR=2.92, 95% CI: 1.07-7.97), manipulative and body-based practices (OR=5.85, 95% CI: 1.97-17.34), pharmacologic and biologic treatments (OR=2.92, 95% CI: 1.49-8.17). Elderly with diabetes used nutritional methods 3.76 (95% CI: 1.49-9.47) more than elderly without diabetes. Conclusions: CAM therapies use in the aged with chronic diseases appears common. The findings suggest that the clinical efficacy and safety of CAM therapies on medical management of chronic disease may be investigated and that patient-physician communication need to be strengthened.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.1419-1424
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• 2012

Objectives: To investigate in depth the use of complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) by cancer patients at the end-of-life (EOL) and how they communicate with physicians about them. Design and location: In 17 hospitals in Korea between January and December 2004 we identified 4,042 families of cancer patients. Results: The prevalence of CAM use among cancer patients at the EOL was 37.0%, and 93.1% had used pharmacologic types of agents. The most frequent motive for CAM use was the recommendation of friends or a close relative (53.4%) or a physician (1.6%). Only 42.5% discussed CAM use with their physicians. Satisfaction with CAMS was recalled for 37.1%. The most common reason given for that satisfaction was improvement of emotional or physical well-being, while ineffectiveness was the most common reason given for dissatisfaction. The average cost of CAM during the last month of life was $US 900. CAM use was associated with longer disease periods, primary cancers other than liver, biliary, and pancreatic, and need of support from physicians or religion. Conclusions: CAM use among cancer patients at the EOL was common, not discussed with physicians, and associated with expectation of cure. Expectations were generally unmet while the treatments were a financial burden. Further studies evaluating the effects of CAM at the EOL and factors that enhance communication with the physician are needed.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3235-3242
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• 2016

Background: Complementary alternative medicine (CAM) use in children with cancer is widespread. Health-care providers (HCP) need to acknowledge and address this need. This study explored and compared perspectives on CAM of HCP and parents of young patients with cancer in Indonesia. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using semi-structured questionnaires in HCP and parents of childhood cancer patients at an Indonesian academic hospital. Results: A total of 351 respondents participated: 175 HCP (response rate 80%) and 176 parents (response rate 80%). Parents were more likely than HCP to think that chemotherapy can cure cancer (80% compared to 69%, P=0.013). Nearly half of all parents (46%) and HCP (45%) doubted whether CAM can cure cancer. Parents were more likely than HCP to think that CAM can be helpful in childhood cancer treatment (54% compared to 35%, P=0.003). The most recommended CAM by HCP was self-prayer (93%). Reasons for recommending CAM were: hope for improvement of the child's condition (48%), patient wants to stop treatment (42%). Most discouraged CAM by HCP was by old-smart people (70%), the reasons being: lack of evidence for usefulness (77%), lack of CAM knowledge (75%). The proportion thinking that patients were unlikely to raise the CAM topic if they perceived that doctors were skeptical was higher in parents than in HCP (52% versus 1%) (P<0.001). Most HCP (71%) and parents (77%) acknowledged that their knowledge about safety and efficacy of CAM was inadequate (P=ns). The proportion that wanted to learn or read more about CAM was higher among parents than HCP (48% compared to 31%, P=0.002). Conclusions: HCP and parents have different perspectives on CAM use in children with cancer. HCP should enhance their CAM knowledge and encourage open communication about CAM with parents. If doctors' skepticism is perceived, parents are unlikely to raise CAM as a topic.

• 대한예방의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2004.10a
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• pp.65.2-65.2
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• 2004

• The Journal of Korean Medical History
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.135-143
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• 2011

The market of conferences and expos of traditional/ complementary and alternative medicine has not been mature enough while interests in those medicines are growing fast. Meanwhile, some related events in Europe, North America, and Asia, held on regular basis, have reached to the international level in size, such as CAMExpo The Complementary, Natural & Healthcare Show in Europe, Integrative Healthcare Symposium in North America, Ayurveda Congress & Arogya Expo in India, International Conference and Exhibition of the Modernization of Chinese Medicine & Health Products in Hong Kong. Those events have been held for 10 years or so, initiated their own features, and secured their own regular booth exhibitors and visitors. They open the homepage on the internet one or two years before their events are held and vigorously advertise their events on yearly basis. To succeed in, and bear fruits from, the 2013 World Traditional Medicine Expo in Sancheong, it is needed to analyze strong points of the events above and benchmark a practical timeline and technical road map to the 2013 Expo from them.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.147-156
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• 2013

Purpose: The study was done to define complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among primary brain tumor patients and factors influencing use. Methods: The study was conducted with convenience sampling in 5 neuro-oncology centers in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province. Data were collected using a 25-item questionnaire developed by the researchers. Results: Of 250 patients approached, 231 (92.4%) agreed to participate. Overall, 26.8% of the respondents used CAM and the average cost for CAM use was 300,000 KRW. More than 72% of CAM users did not disclose CAM use to their health care professionals. The most frequently used therapy was natural products including mushrooms. Logistic regression analysis revealed that an education level of university or higher (OR=2.92, 95% CI=1.56-5.44, p=.001), unemployment (OR=1.99, 95% CI=1.04-3.80, p=.037), and WHO grade III & IV tumors (OR=2.18, 95% CI=1.07-4.72, p=.048) were significant factors influencing CAM use. Conclusion: Three out of ten brain tumor patients spend substantial sum of money for CAM. In these situations, health care professionals should be aware of this phenomenon and provide adequate information and consultation to the patients.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.563-572
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• 2006

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate community health practitioners' knowledge of, use patterns of, and attitudes toward CAM. Method: The subjects of this study were 817 community health practitioners (CHPs) from 9 Provinces in Korea selected through convenient sampling. They completed and submitted self-report questionnaires at the annual meeting of CHPs or sent completed questionnaires to us by mail. Result: Of the CHPs, 8.1% had a certificate of CAM-related education program, and 39.9% worried about the efficacy of CAM. They knew about massage (74.0%), finger pressure (68.1%), hand acupuncture (67.8%), diet (65.5%) and herb (64.7%). They had used herb (43.3%), massage (36.8%), hand acupuncture (32.7%) and vacuum (31.2%) with positive effects and recommended residents to use them. Attitude toward CAM tended to be positive in those with certificates of CAM, those with high academic qualification, those aged 40 or below, and those working in Chungcheong-do. Conclusion: This study showed that CHPs were interested in CAM while they worried about the therapeutic effects of it. Further studies to draw cross-sectional and national data on the use patterns of CAM from the various population and standardized instruments to investigate the types of CAM were suggested.