• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2007

Background : Mahuang (Ephedra sinica) has been used widely to treat respiratory disease in traditional medicine for over thousands years. Mahuang preparations contain approximately $0.75{\sim}1%$ ephedrine alkaloids. Recently in North America, the Eephedra alkaloids has aroused a controversy due to its adverse effects in those using whole extracts as "dietary supplements" for weight loss or athletic performance enhancement. Objective : To discuss the need for clinical practice guidelines on the use of Mahuang. Results and Conclusion : It is widely assumed that Mahuang is one of the useful medicines and is safe for human body. Most of scientific literatures support that the safety of Mahuang prescription in common dosage. However, it has been claimed that there were some warnings and apprehensions about the harmfulness of Mahuang as dietary supplements. This article does not negate the fact that it is necessary to pay more attention for use of Mahuang in clinical situations. We assert that the establishment of clinical practice guideline on the use of Mahuang, which is based on scientific materials and consensus, is required in traditional medicine.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.161-169
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• 2014

The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) on the alleviation of lumbar myalgia. This is a randomized, real-sham, double blind pilot study. 38 patients were divided into the PEMF group and the Sham group, each of which was composed of 19 patients (1 patient dropped out in the Sham group) of randomized allocation. The PEMF group was treated by using the PEMF device and the Sham group by using a sham device on the lumbar muscle and acupuncture points, three times a week for a total of two weeks. Evaluations of Visual Analogue Scale for bothersomeness (VASB), Visual Analogue Scale for pain intensity (VASP), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), 36-Item Short Form Health Survey Instrument (SF-36), EuroQol-5Dimension (EQ-5D), Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) and Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), etc. before and 1 week after treatment were carried out. The primary outcome measure was the VASB, measured 1 week after the end of the pulsed electromagnetic therapy. VASB scores for the PEMF group changed by $-2.06{\pm}2.12$ from the baseline, and that for the Sham group changed by $-0.52{\pm}0.82$ (p < 0.05). VASP scores for the PEMF group were reduced by $-2.10{\pm}2.12$ from the base line, and that for the Sham group was reduced by $-0.53{\pm}1.50$ (p < 0.05). PEMF group showed significant improvements in all VASB, VASP, ODI, SF-36, EQ-5D, BDI and RMDQ scores, while the Sham group showed significant improvements in all scores, except the VASP score. However, the VASB, VASP and RMDQ scores of the PEMF group were much lower than those of the Sham group. The two groups showed no significant difference in ODI, SF-36, EQ-5D and BDI. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of PEMF treatment for alleviating lumbar myalgia.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.15 no.2 s.28
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• pp.46-91
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• 1994

l. Backgrounds of Studies Cerebrovascular accident. one of the three major causes of death among audults with cardiopathy and malignancy, has been on the increase in korea while it is on the decrease in European countries and Japan. Types of stroke undergo changes caused by prolongment of life expectancy. and social and economic variety. More patients of ischemic stroke show a tendency to increase now than those of hemorrhagic stroke in the past. Many clinical studies on medical cerebrovascular and oriental stroke of paralysis have been published. but few clinical studies on therapeutics of integrated oriental and western medicine are to be found. So I have made an attempt to study clinical observations and therapeutic responses of ischemic stroke under integrated oriental and western medicine. 2.Methods. Among the patients admitted into the clinic of Joong-Poong, Woo-Suk University Hospital from May 1. 1993 until April 30. 1994 those 56 patients who were diagnosed as ischemic stroke on Computed Tomography(CT) and showed no dubious symptom after examination of coagulation and bleeding time were classified into the following six steps and treated: l)diagnosis 2)emergency treatment 3)basic treatment 4)treatment of risk and provoking factors. and preceeding disease 5)complications and conservative therapy 6)rehabilitation. For a period of basic treatment both herb medication and urokinase therapy were applied at the same time. Intravenous injection has been given at a unit of 300.000 dosage a day as urokinase therapy during basic treatment. If they showed any dubious symptom in glucose tolerance test. fructose 500ml and urokinase 300.000 dosage were mixed and injected. In case of no symptom 5% DW 500ml was mixed with urokinase 300.000 unit. and injected at a speed of 15gtt per minute. 3. Results and Conclusions 1) The level of ambulation has been improved from 42.9% when admitted to 73.2% when discharged in the degree of recovery. The level of severe function disorder has been remarkably decreased from 55.4% when admitted to 19.6% when discharged. 2) The treatment effect on the basis of therapeutic response of clinical and subjective symptom shows as follows: 7.1% Excellent. 35.7% Good. 37.5% Effective. 10.7% Stationary. and 8.9% Aggravated. The total recovery above effective shows 80.3%. Judging from the above results I think it proper to develop the model of better preventing and treating ischemic stroke through effective therapeutic and clinical studies of integrated oriental and western medicine.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.581-597
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• 2012

Objectives : To explore the experiences of patients with chronic low back pain(CLBP) in a randomized controlled trial(RCT) of acupuncture. Methods : Five qualitative focus group interviews were conducted at three Korean Medicine Hospitals. Two to 4 participants from the same group(real or sham acupuncture) in the RCT of acupuncture for CLBP discussed their experiences and perceptions of the clinical trial and the acupuncture treatment. Transcribed data were read independently by researchers and analyzed to categorize information and identify themes. Results : A total of 14 participants were included. Most of them discovered positive aspects of being a study subject and a patient. They recognized the differences between experimental and real-world clinical settings such as formal procedures of treatment, and different acupuncture device. Participants also expressed the weaker sensation of acupuncture compared to the previous experience. Especially, they were well aware of the 'subjects' role themselves, thus they observed their changes of symptom closely. As subjects were generally satisfied with their treatment and they had a good feeling to acupuncture after the trial, they expressed their willingness to participate in the future clinical trial of acupuncture. Conclusions : Our finding suggests that the Korean patients' experience of participating in an RCT was generally positive. Their tendency to perform the 'subject' role might affect the trial's process or overall results.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.1-13
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• 2009

Objectives : As depression falls into the category of Wuljeung, Gamiguibi-Tang(Jiaweiguipitang) is the standard prescription to cure Wuljeung. This study develops a questionnaire for building the guidelines to administer Gamiguibi-Tang to depression and evaluates reliability and validity of questionnaire. Methods : With extracting the text related to depression and Gamiguibi-Tang through total 9 Korean medicine books and consulting the experts, the study selected 80 items and converted them into a questionnaire. It surveyed the neuropsychiatry professors and the medical specialists three times by Delphi method, and lastly selected 21 final items of a questionnaire. On the basis of the questionnaire, it collected total 216 samples and tested their reliability and validity. Results : 21 items all didn't reduce total Cronbach alpha coefficient and satisfied test-retest reliability. As a result of factor analysis, totally 5 factors were extracted such as mental state, sleep, accompaniment, fatigue and weakness. Finally, in comparing a depression group with a normal control group, two groups all showed meaningful difference in each 21 items' point, the sum of factor 1 to 5 items' points, and the sum of 21 items' points. Conclusions : The questionnaire on the updated depression prescription guideline of Gamiguibi-Tang satisfied both of reliability and validity. Later it can help objectifying to apply Gamiguibi-Tang to depression cure.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 2014

Hoesaeng-san is known to be effective for treating diarrhea and vomiting. However the therapeutic mechanism of Hoesaeng-san is still not well understood. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the effects of Hoesaeng-san ethanol extract (HSSEE) on the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, as well as to elucidate its mechanism of action in the human mast cell line (HMC-1). Mast Cell were stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus A23187 in the presence or absence of HSSEE. To study the possible effects of HSSEE, ELISA, RT-PCR, Western blot analysis were used in this study. HSSEE significantly inhibited the PMA plus A23187-induction of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8. In activated HMC-1 cells, phosphorylation of extra-signal response kinase (ERK) 1/2 and c-jun n-terminal kinase (JNK)1/2 decreased after treatment with HSSEE. Moreover HSSEE inhibited PMA plus A23187-induced nuclear factor (NF)-${\kappa}B$ activation and $I{\kappa}B$ degradation. HSSEE suppressed the expression of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, IL-8 through a decrease in the ERK 1/2 and JNK 1/2, as well as activation of NF-${\kappa}B$. These results indicated that HSSEE exerted a regulatory effect on inflammatory reactions mediated by mast cells.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.49-78
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• 2022

Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Korean Medicine Therapy (KMT) for the treatment of Chemotherapy-induced Cognitive Impairment (CICI) through systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) as proceeding research to further research the efficacy of KMT for CICI patients. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (PRISMA). The RCTs on the efficacy of KMT for treatment of CICI were searched by structured search strategies in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane library, CAJD, KISS, NDSL, KoreaMed, and OASIS. The searched RCTs were screened by inclusion and exclusion criteria. We evaluated the quality of the method in the included studies using the Jadad score and Cochran ROB tool. The efficacy outcomes were the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Clinical total Effective Rate (CER) of CICI. They were analyzed using mean difference for continuous variable or Relative Risk (RR) for Dichotomous variable in the random-effect model. The RevMan 5.3 program was used for meta-analysis. Results: We included 19 RCTs, including 653 participants, in the systematic review and meta-analysis. There were favorable results for the KMT group after the intervention compared with the pharmacotherapy group, physiotherapy group, and combined treatment group. KMT group showed improvement using CER and VAS compared with exercises, but their heterogeneities were slightly significant. KMT was more effective compared to the Rehabilitation program in CER and the subgroup analysis results showed that KMT had a significant difference compared to other therapies in VAS, to Medication therapy in CER. Conclusions: KMT presented reasonable evidence on improving the Clinical total Effective Rate and Visual Analogue Scale in CICI patients. However, further evaluation in future research is required.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.129-143
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• 2021

Objectives This study was aimed to evaluate clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) of traffic injuries, which has already been developed at domestic or outside of country, and to explore the Korean medical treatments included in the CPGs. Methods Twelve electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure [CNKI {Chinese Academic Journals, CAJ}], Research Information Sharing Service [RISS], Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System [OASIS], KoreaMed, Korean Medical Guideline Information [KoMGI), National Guideline Clearinghouse [AHRQ], Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials Initiative Website [COMET], Turning Research into Practice [TRIP], The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence [NICE], and Medical Research Information Center [MedRIC]) up to July 2021 were searched. Only systematically developed CPGs for traffic injuries were selected and appraised. The appraisal was conducted by using Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation (AGREE) II tool. Results Six CPGs were included and evaluated. All CPGs were appraised as highly recommended because they exceeded 60% in more than 4 among 6 domains of AGREE II, including domain of 'rigor of development', and 30% in the rest. Recommendations related to Korean medicine treatments such as on manual therapy related to Chuna were given in 6 CPGs, 4 for acupuncture, 1 for Qigong and 1 for Taping. Conclusions The 6 CPGs were developed up to now through a systematic development methodology and there were many recommendations for Korean medical treatments related to manual (Chuna) treatment, acupuncture and Qigong. However, the evidence for the side effects and risk factors of Korean medical treatments was scantly reflected in CPGs. Therefore, it is considered that balanced CPG with benefits and risks should be developed, covering Korean medical diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.

• The Journal of Korea CHUNA Manual Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.141-153
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• 2003

Objectives : The purpose of this study is researching for correlation between Moire topography results and questionnaire which include obesity rate, height, weight, posture, pain aspect (low back pain, headache, fatigue, neck pain etc), studying posture, school attendance method, menarche. Methods : The authors practiced Moire topography and questionnaire for primary & middle school 24,419 students [male 12,843, female 11,576] in Jeonbuk, korea in 2002. After we distinguished students who had abnormal finding in Moire topography and statistically analysed the data. Results : According to this research, the abnormal finding in Moire topography results was 37.3% (9,105 students), and students needed X-ray re-examination were 3.9% (953 students). According to statistical analysis, male/female and primary/middle school students have no difference in deformity degree of the body surface examined by Moire. Height and weight have low correlation with deformity degree of the body surface examined by Moire and menarche, pain aspect have no correlation. But, school attendance method by bicycle and $90^{\circ}$upright sitting in study posture is the best way to decrease the deformity degree of the body surface examined by Moire. Conclusions : Following this research, throughout Moire topography could detect trunk asymmetry that couldn't be found existing X-ray examination, and school attendance by bicycle and $90^{\circ}$upright sitting in study posture is good for school students to prevent back deformity.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.192-196
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• 2013

We have investigated the changes of electroencephalography (EEG) and electrocardiography (ECG) under pulsed magnetic field (PMF) and acupuncture stimulus on acupoint PC9. In order to compare quantitatively the effect of PMF and acupuncture stimulus, the difference of alpha activities are calculated from EEG spectra, and the spectrum curves of ECG were analyzed in the frequency domain of heart rate variability (HRV). The increase of alpha activities after both stimuli could be explained that the impulse of stimulus on PC9 might pass through sensory nerve following meridian and approach the cerebral cortex, causing the central nervous system (CNS) to be activated for pacifying emotion and calming the mind. The decrease in sympathovagal activity of HRV after both stimuli indicates that parasympathetic nerves were activated and the sympathetic nerves were in constrained condition. These findings suggest that PMF could be patient-friendly alternative non-invasive medical treatment for influencing human physiology, in comparison with acupuncture inserting the needle and inducing nervous and anxious state to subject.