• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.318-329
• /
• 2011

1. Objectives: We surveyed the attitude and awareness of Sasang Constitution investigators on informed consent in clinical study. This study was performed in order to improve the quality of ethical aspects in clinical study by surveying the process of obtaining informed consent. 2. Methods: We sent the questionnaire by email to Sasang Constitution investigators who had the experience in clinical study. The question was about the necessity of informed consent and the process of obtaining it. 3. Results: Twenty-two out of 24 questionnaires were collected. All of investigators recognized that informed consent is needed for clinical study. Sixty-four percent of the respondents 'fully' or 'mostly' explained the informed consent but they added only 41% of participants 'fully' or 'mostly' understood. Fifty-four point five percent of respondents provided participants enough time and opportunity to inquire the study in details to decide whether or not to participate in the study, the rest of respondents obtained informed consent without providing enough time for decision. 4. Conclusions: Sasang Constitution investigators had high awareness of necessity for informed consent in clinical study. But participants' understanding was low despite of the degree of investigators' explanation. A various strategies should be designed for improving consent forms and process. Most of all, investigators should make sure that informed consent intends to protect participants and promote ethical research conduct.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.402-406
• /
• 1996

The main idea of Sasang medicine is that everyone has his own unique constitution. There are four kinds of constitutions and these are Taeyang, Soyang, Teaum and Soum. Although Sasang medicine is a unique and originative medical theory with creative ideas of Korean traditional medicine, the classification of individual constitution mainly depends on the methods which may not be objectively proven and scientifically understood. This study was carried out tn establish scientific understanding of Sasang medicine by investigating the possible genetic difference among four constitutions. Sasang constitution classification was performed by Sasang medicine research group in Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine and Kyung Hee University, Genomic DNA was prepared from the blood of individuals of different constitutions and RAPD(Random amplified polymorphic DNAs) analysis was then carried out to investigate the possible difference among different constitutions on DNA level. For RAPD analysis, ten different random primers were applied to Teaum, Soyang and Soum group DNA samples and the presence of DNA markers specific for each constitution was investigated.

• Culinary science and hospitality research
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.1-15
• /
• 2009

This study aims to analyze the difference of eating habits in accordance with Sasang Constitution types. For this study, 249 persons were interviewed and surveyed, classified into Taeyang(8.4%), Soyang (19.3%), Taeeum(26.5%), and Soeum(45.8%). As for taste preference, people of the Taeeum and Soyang body constitution types tended to prefer spicy tastes while those of the Taeyang and Soeum body constitution types preferred sweet tastes. For eating habits, people of the Taeeum and Soyang body constitution types stated that they eat food relatively quickly and eat food until they feel full. They also said they normally overeat when they get stressed. The eating habits for the four groups, there was a significant difference(p<0.05) between body constitution types and eating habits. We hope that our research will provide the food service industry with helpful and new information.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.20 no.1 s.32
• /
• pp.228-238
• /
• 2007

Objectives ; Sasang Constitional Medicine is a part of Korean traditional Medicine, and classify human constitution into four types. Scalp and hair is a part of skin. Skin is one of constitutional charasteristic element. So we researched a correlation between Sasang constitutions and Korean adult scalp and hair condition. This is a basic study to find constitution can be a important factor to care scalp and hair. Methods ; We examined Sasang constitutions and scalp and hair condition of 80 human who aged from 20-50. Scalp disease, dandruff was observed by video micro scope and sebum tape diagnosis. Thickness of hair was measured by Laser Scan Micrometer(LSM-3100). Itching sense and life habit was also investigated. Constitution diagnosis and scalp, hair diagnosis was investigated seperately as a blind test and the data was statistically analyzed with chi-square test, correlation analysis, one-way analysis of varience. Results ; 1. In Sasang Constitution, Taeumin group had significant tendency of oilily scalp. 70% of Taeumin group had oilily scalp. 2. The group of dry or oilily scalp had more itching sense and more sensativity of scalp compaired to neuter scalp group. 3. There was no correlation between height, weight, thickness of hair, itching sense, scalp disease and Sasang constitution. 4. There was correlation between loss of hair and drinking alcohol, obesity, curly hair, soft scalp. Conclusions ; Korean adult scalp and hair condition had correlation with Sasang constitution.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.16 no.5
• /
• pp.873-880
• /
• 2002

We study on the significance and application of the whole body form diagnosis. The results were as follows; The general form diagnosis is the method to observe the individual physiology and pathology. The phase of thinking, the current and activity of KI, the pattern of general form diagnosis have organic relations with the symptoms. The general form diagnosis is made up the principle of the imaging phase, therefore it must make synthetic union the differentiation of syndromes. The general form diagnosis of NAE GYEONG shows the typical phases and it is divided with the sight of YIN YANG and Five-Element. The general form diagnosis of SEOP GAE is practiced the theory of constitution's demonstration before the understanding of symptoms. Then JANG NAM tried the type of constitution's demonstration. The general form diagnosis of DONG MU becomes the diagnostic root of constitution's demonstration in four type constitution theory.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.132-142
• /
• 2000

Purpose In Sasang Constitution Medicine, persons are divided into four types such as Taeyangin, Taeumin, Soyangin and Soeumin according to their appearance, moral nature and characteristic of constitutional symptoms. In teenager group, diagnosis of constitution based on their appearance was so difficult that we adopted new diagnostic method which measures and compares body compositions. Methods 180 middle school students who live in Pusan were studied from 20th of March, 1999 to 20th of March, 2000. After practicing Questionnaire(I), QSCC(Questionnaire of Sasang Constitution) I , QSCCII, we have measured the height and body compositions with Inbody 3.0, five times. Results 1. The results of Sasang Constitution analysis showed 91 students were classified as Taeumin(50.3%), 75 as Soyangin(41.4%), 14 as Soeumin(7.7%), and 1 as Taeyangin(0.6%). 2. The level of total body water, muscle area, BMR(Basal Metabolic Rate), BCM(Body Cell Mass), and AMC(Arm Muscle Circumference) were increased during spring and summer. That of body weight, fat body weight, fat body weight ratio, waist hip ratio, and BMI(Body Mass Index were increased during fall and winter. 3. In Taeumin and Soyangin groups, the changed capacity of total body water, muscle area and BMR were increased with statistical significance. 4. Waist hip ratio of Soeumin group was reduced more than those of Taeumin, Soyangin groups with statistical significance.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.32 no.7
• /
• pp.827-837
• /
• 1999

Presently Sasang constitutional medicine draws public attention and a diet based on this theory in gaining popularity. However, scientific data are not available to probe the effects of constitutional diet and the correlations between constitution and food consumptions. Thiry-four healthy subjects[26 females and 8 males] with Tae-eum(females: 5, males: 7), So-yang(females: 9)and So-eum(females: 12, males: 1), were studied. Subjects were not told the kind of constitutional diets they were consuming. Tae-eum constitutional diet was given to all subjects more than 2 meals a day for 8 weeks. The Sasang constitutional classification, food frequency questionnaire and food habits were assessed. The anthropometric assessment, dietary assessment, health status assessment and blood analysis were carried out before and after taking the Tae-eum constitution diet. In case of females, the body weights and BMI were different among the constitutional groups in the following order : Tae-eum constitutional diet. In case of females, the body weights the body weights and BMI were different among the constitutional groups in the following order: Tae-eum>So-yang>So-eum. In case of males, the body weights and BMI of Tae-eum were significantly higher than those of So-eum. In general, habitual food consumption of all of these four groups were very close to those for each of Sasang constitutional types described by Sasang medicine. After 8-weeks of Tae-eum diet, the health status and blood biochemical parameters were not significantly changed.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.89-96
• /
• 2004

The Sasang constitutional medicine, a traditional Korean medical typology, was initially proposed to the oriental medical field in 1894 by the Korean Confucian scholar Jae-Ma Lee. The key principle of his theory is that all humans can be categorized into four groups (Tae-Yang, Tae-Eum, So-Yang, and So-Eum) based on the function of major organs such as the heart, liver, kidney and lungs as well as other characteristics of the body. Now there are many scientists that try to confirm the method to classify the four group using genetics. In this study, we hypothesized that some genes are may associated with Sasang constitution on the basis of the theory of Jae-Ma Lee who insist everybody can be divided from the birth and can not be changed during the life. Before the genetic research, we first suggest the genetic research model. It may be effective to carry out genetic research concerned with Sasang constitution.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.40-50
• /
• 2012

Objectives : This study was performed to find out the correlation between the use of herbal extracts and the Sasang constitution of patients in Japan. Methods : We recruited 315 subjects who had been visiting the Center for Kampo Medicine for the treatment, Keio University in Tokyo, Japan. They answered SSCQ-P(Sasang Constitution Questionaire for Patients) questionnaire, a sasang constitution specialist interviewed them and diagnosed the sasang constitution. And the 80 herbal extracts subject's having taken were classified into four type Sasang constitutional herbal formulas according to "Donguisusebowon", the ingredients in a formula that have different role(sovereign, minister, assistant and courie) and effect and indication of formula. Results : 1. Among the total 315 subjects, the number of Taeyangin, Soyangin, Taeeumin, and Soeumin was 3(1.0%), 85(27.0%), 90(28.6%), and 137(43.5%). 2. Among the 80 herbal extracts subject's having taken, the number of each Soyangin, Taeeumin, and Soeumin herbal formulas was 30, 7 and 43. 3. 1 Soyangin and 2 Soeumin herbal formulas were prescribed in 3 Taeyangin subjects group. 29 Soyangin, 4 Taeeumin, 52 Soeumin herbal formulas were prescribed in 85 Soyangin subjects group. 39 Soyangin, 6 Taeeumin, 45 Soeumin herbal formulas were prescribed in 90 Taeeumin subjects group. 51 Soyangin, 6 Taeeumin, 80 Soeumin herbal formulas were prescribed in 137 Soeumin subjects group. Conclusions : The Soeumin rate in Japan was significantly higher than that in Korea. There was no significant correlation between the use of herbal extracts and the Sasang constitution in Japan.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.22 no.6
• /
• pp.1354-1358
• /
• 2008

In Traditional Korean Medicine it is one of basic principle that personality reflects physical conditions. In both of personality and ordinary symptoms, there are some criteria used for diagnosis whether the patient is in cold or hot condition. We studied the relationship between the criteria of cold-hot shown in personality pattern and ordinary symptom pattern. And also analyzed the relativeness in four constitution type. 877 patients who had visited oriental medical hospital and had been confirmed their constitution by drug response were included in this study. Patients filled out the questionnaire composed of personality and ordinary symptom questions. We selected questions related to cold-hot patterns. Next we made personality cold-hot index(PCHI) and ordinary symptom cold-hot index(OSCHI). The two indices were compared and analyzed totally and from the viewpoint of 4 constitution types. The coefficient of correlation between two indices was not high. In Soemin the coefficient was 0.257, in three other constitution it was lower than 0.200 or negative. In Soemin both indices were lower (cold-biased), but in three other constitution no significant results were found. In Tae-emin OSCHI was higher (hot-biased) than PCHI, in Tae-yangin PCHI was higher than OSCHI significantly. Personality is not affected by cold-hot less than expected. The criteria used for diagnosis of cold-hot seems to be biased on Soemin's.