• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.657-666
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• 2017

Paclitaxel, a chemotherapeutic drug, induces severe peripheral neuropathy. Gabapentin (GBT) is a first line agent used to treat neuropathic pain, and its effect is mediated by spinal noradrenergic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors. Electro-acupuncture (EA) is used for treating various types of pain via its action through spinal opioidergic and noradrenergic receptors. Here, we investigated whether combined treatment of these two agents could exert a synergistic effect on paclitaxel-induced cold and mechanical allodynia, which were assessed by the acetone drop test and von Frey filament assay, respectively. Significant signs of allodynia were observed after four paclitaxel injections (a cumulative dose of 8 mg/kg, i.p.). GBT (3, 30, and 100 mg/kg, i.p.) or EA (ST36, Zusanli) alone produced dose-dependent anti-allodynic effects. The medium and highest doses of GBT (30 and 100 mg/kg) provided a strong analgesic effect, but they induced motor dysfunction in Rota-rod tests. On the contrary, the lowest dose of GBT (3 mg/kg) did not induce motor weakness, but it provided a brief analgesic effect. The combination of the lowest dose of GBT and EA resulted in a greater and longer effect, without inducing motor dysfunction. This effect on mechanical allodynia was blocked by spinal opioidergic (naloxone, $20{\mu}g$), or noradrenergic (idazoxan, $10{\mu}g$) receptor antagonist, whereas on cold allodynia, only opioidergic receptor antagonist blocked the effect. In conclusion, the combination of the lowest dose of GBT and EA has a robust and enduring analgesic action against paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain, and it should be considered as an alternative treatment method.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.89-96
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• 2007

Objectives : To observe the effect of acupuncture treatment in chronic shoulder pain patients. Methods : 36 voluntary patients were randomly assigned to an acupuncture treatment group(E Group, n=18) and a control group(C Group, n=18). The E Group patients received acupuncture treatment on $LI_{15}$, $TE_{14}$, $GB_{21}$ and Master Dong's acupuncture points, Shin-gwan and Gyun-joong, twice a week for four weeks. The C Group patients received no treatment. All patients in both groups were instructed to practise self exercise in their daily lives. Evaluations were made at baseline and after four weeks of study. The Constant Shoulder Assessment(CSA), Shoulder Pain and Disability Index(SPADI) and the patient's subjective pain was measured by Visual Analogue Scale(VAS). The obtained data was analyzed. Results : The E Group showed significant(p<0.05) improvement in CSA, SPADI and VAS after four weeks of treatment. The C Group showed significant(p<0.05) improvement in CSA, but the change of SPADI and VAS was insignificant(p>0.05). CSA and SPADI of E Group significantly(p<0.05) improved compared to the C Group, but the difference of VAS change in the two groups was insignificant(p>0.05). Conclusions : Four weeks of acupuncture treatment significantly improved CSA, SPADI and VAS. The improvement of CSA and SPADI was significant(p<0.05) compared to untreated patients.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.205-214
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was designed to evaluate objectively the efficacy of bee-venom acupuncture on Central post-stroke patients. Methods : After screening, 25 patients recruited with eligible criteria. Among them 1 dropped out in treatment group, 4 in control group. We applied bee-venom acupuncture 6 points of body($LI_{15}$, $GB_{21}$, $LI_{11}$, $GB_{31}$, $ST_{36}$, $GB_{39}$) 2 times a week for 3 weeks for treatment group, and normal saline for control group in the same way. After 3 weeks treatment and 2 weeks follow up we measured VAS, categorial rating scale as a pain assessment also MBI, Modified Rankin Scale as a stroke recovery. Results : 1. Treatment group showed significant difference in VAS, categorial rating scale after treatment and 2 weeks follow up, compared with baseline. The control group showed significant difference between baseline and after treatment But the 2 weeks follow up, there is no significant difference compared with baseline. Also there's no significant difference in categorial rating scale. 2. MBI showed significant difference in treatment group between baseline and after treatment, but the control group did not have any difference. There's no significant difference in Modified Rankin Scale for treatment group and control group. 3. There's no significant difference between control group and treatment group. This is because of the small sample size in the study, Thus it seems to reflect individual difference strongly. Conclusions : There are positive effect on CPSP patients in pain and stroke recovery treating with bee-venom acupuncture than control group.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.111-117
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• 2014

Objective : This is a case series reporting degree of response to bee venom ointment as a symptom-control therapy for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Methods : Four consecutive patients with CIPN were referred to the East-West Cancer Center from October 7th, 2013, to November 9th, 2013. Patients with CIPN were treated with bee venom ointment 1-2 times per day for 7-25 days. Visual Analog Score (VAS) pain scale was compared before and after treatment. All patients were closely examined for any allergenic responses following each treatment session. Results : Using each patient as their own comparator, marked improvements of VAS were observed in 4 patients. Most important, there were no related adverse side effects found. Conclusion : Bee venom Ointment may be considered as an complementary therapy for managing CIPN symptoms.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.177-186
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• 2014

Objectives : The aim of this study is to report a case of a 51-year-old patient with Herpes zoster, whose symptoms were relieved within five weeks after the East-west medical combined treatment. Methods : A Herpes zoster patient with extreme pain around the right lower ribs and lower back was admitted into the Korean medicine hospital. Bee venom acupuncture was applied directly onto the site of pain and electroacupuncture was applied on $GV_6-BL_{20}$, inferior site of spinous process of the 12th thoracic vertebra-$BL_{21}$, $GV_5-BL_{22}$, $GV_4-BL_{23}$ six times a week. Moxibustion was applied on $BL_{49}$, $BL_{50}$, $BL_{51}$, $BL_{52}$, $GB_{25}$, $LR_{13}$ six times a week, and the patient took daily doses of herbal medicine and western medicines such as anticonvulsants, analgesics, antiepileptics. The patient's symptoms were evaluated with numeric rating scale(NRS) and neuropathic pain scale(NPS). Results : The results were as follows: 1. After the East-west medical combined treatment, the NRS grade decreased from 8 to 1. 2. On the neuropathic pain scale, the patient's symptoms changed from deep sharp pain and burning sensation to superficial dull pain and coldness. Sensitivity to touch, discomfort, and itchiness also decreased. Sudden attacks of pain appeared 14 to 21 days after onset, but disappeared after final treatment. Conclusions : The results of the above patient suggests that the East-west medical combined treatment may be effective for total remission of herpes zoster. Further research is needed to confirm such effects.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.477-484
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to report the improvement effect of symptoms of integrative cancer treatment (ICT) on recurrent gallbladder cancer patients. Methods: A 73-year-old patient with recurrent gallbladder cancer visited the Daejeon Korean Medicine Hospital of Daejeon University East West Cancer Center (EWCC) on February 2022. After the diagnosis of gallbladder cancer, the patient underwent cholecystectomy and relapsed during follow-up. After the operation, the cancer recurred during follow-up, and after radiation treatment, she had been receiving ICT since February 2022. The clinical outcomes were measured by X-ray, computed tomography (CT), laboratory findings, including tumor markers (CEA, CA19-9), and numeric rating scales (NRS). Results: After treatment, abdominal pain was relieved from NRS 5 to 2, and abdominal circumference decreased from 74.5 to 67. During and after treatment, we found neither hepatotoxicity nor nephrotoxicity in the laboratory findings. Conclusion: This case study suggests that ICT may improve symptoms in patients with gallbladder cancer.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.1681-1684
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• 2005

Gastric cancer is the most common disease which is the highest genetic rate, chemotherapy is the only known way to treat, especially advanced gastric cancer. Although, it is the remedy, the harmful side-effects are an obstacle of the sustaining treatment and negative effect on immunologic ability of patients prologed. Consequently, it is surely necessary that effective control for sequele of anti-cancer treatment, and remedy which can improve the quality of patients life. 1, the writer, medicate patients, diagnose as gastric cancer in 4th stage, with Sohap-hyangwon and Chungwoolhyadamjen who complained of pain in sequele of anti-cancer treatment. The size of the metastastic liver tumor is decreasing in patients and the immunologic abilities are maintaining stable. This clinical cases are shown that the oriental medical care in long-term can improve the quality of life of the patients who has sequele of anti-cancer treatment.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report the effect of Korean medicine on the pancreatic carcinoma patient. Method : A patient was diagnosed as unresectable pancreatic carcinoma. She complained insomnia, abdominal pain, dyspepsia and sleep disturbance. She was treated by Korean medicine composed of acupuncture, herbal medication and wild ginseng pharmacopuncture. Results : All symptoms took a favorable turn after Korean medicine treatment. As treatment was performed, as intensity of pain, insomnia, dyspepsia and fatigue were decreased. Conclusion : This study suggests that Korean medicine treatment has effectiveness for improvement of cancer related symptoms of a pancreatic carcinoma patient. Consequently, the treatment is helpful in improving quality of life.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.1 s.69
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• pp.11-24
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• 2007

Objectives : Hemiplegic shoulder pain is one of the common sequelae of stroke. Although many different methods of treatment are applied, none have yet been proved to be effective. In this study we assessed the effectiveness of bee venom in patients with shoulder pain after stroke. Methods : This study was a double blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. All subjects received either 0.6 ml bee venom injection (venom:saline = 1:10000) or 0.6ml physiological saline solution (placebo) at three acupoints. The effectiveness was assessed by visual analogue scale, pain rating score, Fugl-Meyer assessment and passive external rotation. Results : There were 24 patients in the venom group and 22 patients in the placebo group. The venom group5,hewed more effectiveness in VAS and PRS than the placebo group. Conclusions : This study suggests that bee venom injection has significant analgesic effect on hemiplegic shoulder pain. Further study based on multi-centers, larger population, and long term 1311ow-up is needed to confirm this suggestion.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.13-22
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• 2017

Objective: The purpose of this study is to report the effect of Nobongsangki-Jeong on skin rash caused by Olmutinib. Methods: A female Non-Small cell lung carcinoma patient (Adenocarcinoma, Stage IV, Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor positive) suffered from skin rash due to the side effect of Olmutinib administration. She was treated with Nobongsangki-Jeong for the symptom management for 14 days. The clinical outcomes were measured by numeric rating scale (NRS) and National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTCAE) version 4.03. Results: After treatment, skin rash was improved from NRS 5 to 1. Pruritus and pain of skin were improved from NCI-CTCAE grade 2 to 1. Conclusion: This case study suggests that Nobongsangki-Jeong may have the efficacy for the treatment of skin rash caused by Olmutinib.