• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2012

The mechanism of psychotherapy is explained by the recent developments in neuroscience and neuroimaging. The purpose of this study is to understand the nature of psychotherapy and to discuss the future of psychotherapy improvement with the help of advances of the neurobiological findings in psychotherapy. For this study, we investigated a wide range of materials. We searched for various researches on psychotherapy, brain, and neurobiology. In addition to the conventional psychodynamic psychotherapy, we investigated research findings on cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Moreover, based on the actual experiences of treating patients, we speculated the neurobiological mechanisms of the process and results of psychotherapy. With the development of neuroscience, we are now able to understand the personal consciousness, unconsciousness and developmental process. Also subdividing the disease is made possible. Personalized treatment has become available, and we are able to predict the prognosis of patients. Our memories are composed by implicit memory and explicit memory. By psychotherapy, we can consciously remember explicit memory, and it becomes easier to explore implicit memory through free association. Through psychotherapy, we will also be able to learn the effect of acquired environment and experience. Psychotherapy is able to correct human behaviors by modifying the memories. Through the regulation of emotions, it becomes possible to modify the memories and correct the behaviors. In this process, doctor-patient relationship is the main factor which cause positive treatment effects. Furthermore imagination therapy or unconscious, non-verbal stimuli could bring about positive treatment effects. Now psychotherapy could be explained and studied by neuroscientific researches. In this sense, we could provide the direction of future advances in neuroscience by the neurobiological understanding of psychotherapy.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.73-84
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to introduce a PTSD patient who experienced significant effects of mindfulness meditation and Ii-Gyeung-Byun-Qi therapy. Our psychotherapy was executed five times a week for the 14-year-old male patient who attended middle school and was diagnosed by DSM-IV Diagnostic Criteria for PTSD, and then the MMPI-A was evaluated to determine the effects after 3 months. The results showed normal profiles of MMPI-A validity scales and Clinical Scales profile after his treatment, positive changes in content scales, and significant decreases of PSYC (psychoticism) and NEGE (negative emotionality) in PSY-5 scales. This study made through a case report on the treated psychotherapy for PTSD by the applications of modern psychological techniques in the Korean psychotherapy. We expected that this case report will have a role in development of standardized psychotherapy programs for PTSD.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.49-61
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• 2015

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that usually occurs after suffering from a psychological trauma that can not threatening events, which is one of the individual's subjective pain and their families and the larger society due to the chronic disease burden results. Treatment with a medication, as well as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, prolonged exposure therapy (PE), eye-movement desensitizing, and reprocessing (EMDR) are preferentially performed, including psychotherapy. Korean medical psychotherapy consists of a wide range of manual therapy, but it does not have systematically screening limits. This study was developed by Korean medical psychotherapy program for PTSD, and it was carried out as a preliminary clinical trial for validity. The Korean medical psychotherapy program for PTSD consists of four stages as follows: building chapter of safety, flow and send, accept, and integration. Based on this preliminary clinical study of PTSD, seven patients were treated for 2 hours per week for 5 weeks. We report the meaningful results gained by observing the changes in IES-RK points, questionnaire on five-faceted mindfulness, quality of life, anxiety, depression, insomnia, hwabyung scale, HRV, and EEG, before and after the Korean medical psychotherapy program.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.97-106
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• 2006

Oriental Medicine Based Psychotherapy is consisted of 8 sessions which are available for various kinds of patients(mood disorders, somatoform disorders, anxiety disorders, Hwabyung, adjustment disorders etc.). Through 8 sessions, patients were educated on the relationship of mind and body which is the basic concept of oriental medicine and also received several training such as Progressive Muscle Relaxation, Autogenic Training, Breathing Training, Meditation, Qi-training. After these several training they get to think of their problems and inner conflict with people and get some insight about themselves and others, it can help handling their problems. This case report is about the patient with lots of somatic complains through the whole body, who got better after treatment by oriental medicine based psychotherapy added on herbal medicine and acupuncture.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.24 no.spc1
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• pp.89-100
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the researches about regarding Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) and to understand the trends of Meridian-based Psychotherapy. Methods : Every article relevant to EFT was obtained from 'Pubmed' and Korean journal databases. Keywords used for searching included 'EFT' and 'Emotional freedom technique'. Results : 1) 5 reviews, 11 randomized controlled trials, 3 controlled trials, 1 single group comparative study and 4 case studies were searched. 2) Anxiety disorders were most frequently studied with EFT. Other studies included insomnia, depression and pain symptoms. EFT interventions were attempted in many different protocols and assessed with various tools. 3) Review articles indicated that meridian-based psychotherapies, such as EFT, are based on the meridian theory of oriental medicine. They evaluate EFT positively for its effectiveness on psychiatric diseases. Conclusions : EFT is increasingly studied and used in clinical practice of various fields. Objective evaluation tools and standardized intervention protocols are needed for the development of a new guideline for EFT.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.73-81
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• 2017

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to show that patients taking antidepressants significantly respond to Korean medical treatments and M&L psychotherapy. Methods: We treated two patients with Korean medical treatments (acupuncture, moxibustion and Herbal Medicine) and psychotherapy including M&L psychotherapy and Li-Gyeung-Byun-Qi therapy. The patients were diagnosed based on DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for MDD. Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck's Anxiety Inventory (BAI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were used to evaluate the patients. Results: The following observations were made after treatments: Case 1: the patient showed significant improvement in Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck's Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Case 2: the patient showed significant improvement in Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Conclusions: These results suggest that Korean medical treatments and M&L psychotherapy might be effective for treating patients suffering from MDD.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.105-120
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• 2013

Objectives: Sasang Constitutional Medicine(SCM) is a Traditional Korean Medicine based on the natural human emotions of joy(喜), anger(怒), sorrow(哀), and pleasure(樂). Therefore, in this paper I would like to construct SCM as a Mind-Body Medicine by studying the relation between SCM and psychotherapy focusing on control of emotions. Methods : I have researched the psychological characteristics of the four human physical constitutions, as described by SCM, and psychotherapy with an emphasis on the natural human emotions of joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure as discussed in the works of Lee Je-ma(李濟馬, 1837-1900). Results and Conclusions : The joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure in SCM do not simply refer to human emotions. They have an inherent nature(性), emotion(情) and Qi(氣). They are tied to the psychological characteristics of the four human physical constitutions and the relationship between body and mind. The turning point in the transformation from Sasang philosophy to Sasang therapy lies in these emotions. Sasang Constitutional Medicine, which focuses on 'mind matter' and diagnosing illness, emphasizes medicine and food(藥餌), along with health maintenance(調養). In particular, health maintenance requires the following mental practices. First of all, through countinuous awarness(恒戒) and self-reflection(自反), one needs to practice moderation(中) and restraint(節) of the emotions of joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure. Therefore, 'inward reflection while sitting(坐思)' is necessary. In SCM, this is very similar to meditation in that it enhances psychological self-control through mental training or practice.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.115-140
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• 2024

Objectives: This study investigates the impact of M&L psychotherapy on an adolescent with anxiety disorders transitioning into adulthood, using a retrospective mixed-method approach. Methods: An adolescent with Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-5-diagnosed anxiety disorders underwent combined treatment with M&L psychotherapy and complex Korean medicine therapy over a period of approximately two years. Patient records tracked the diagnosis, treatments, and progress. In-depth interviews were also conducted. The study used a convergent parallel mixed-method approach, integrating quantitative analysis from psychological assessments, including the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-X), the Core Seven Emotions Inventory-short form (CSEI-s), and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2), with qualitative analyses of traditional Korean medicine counseling session notes, interviews, and other qualitative psychological assessments. Results: State anxiety decreased from 40 to 36, and trait anxiety decreased from 42 to 34. MMPI-2 L scale scores decreased slightly to 64T, whereas S scale scores increased to 62T, and FRS scores decreased to 70T from an initial score of 78T. Qualitative analysis revealed an increase in the MMPI-2 Es scale, identified as "subjectivity." Joy (喜) emerged as the highest emotional profile score in the CSEI-S. Scores for anger (怒), thought (思), fear (恐), and fright (驚) decreased, indicating improved negative emotions. Qualitatively, expressions of determination to "move forward" and "strengthen the mind" were noted, suggesting enhanced "lower danjeon (下丹田)." Conclusions: Integrating traditional Korean medicine treatment with M&L psychotherapy for a vulnerable adolescent with anxiety disorders demonstrated efficacy. Further research is warranted to substantiate the effectiveness of M&L psychotherapy and advocate for its wider adoption in mainstream practice.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.213-234
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• 2023

Objectives: To investigate current status of randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) registration for suicide attempters. Methods: The World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (WHO-ICTRP) was used to search for data using 'suicide' as a search term. All registration information of RCTs registered up to April 2023 were collected. Results: Among a total of 68 RCTs registered, the United States ranked the highest in terms of quantity in this field (n=30, 46.15%), whereas Asia had only six (8.82%). A total of 62 (91.18%) RCTs involved individual interventions, while nine (13.24%) RCTs involved group interventions. Among individual interventions, 11 (16.18%) and 54 (79.41%) RCTs were on pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy, respectively. Within psychotherapy, there were a total of 17 (25%) studies utilizing digital media, with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) via phone being the most common approach. Among non-digital media-based studies, CBT was used the most frequently (n=11, 16.18%), followed by attempted suicide short intervention program (n=6, 8.82%). There were no studies using interventions from East Asian traditional medicine, including Korean medicine (KM). The most frequently used main outcome was the Beck scale for suicidal ideation. Conclusions: Studies on suicide attempts in Asia, especially in South Korea, are very scarce. Despite vigorous psychotherapeutic research in this field, KM psychotherapy has not been used. Thus, KM clinical trial for suicide attempters might be planned in the future based on our findings.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.279-289
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• 2024

Objectives: To report effects of M&L psychotherapy combined with Korean medical treatments on a patient with chronic low back pain. Methods: We treated a patient with chronic low back pain using M&L psychotherapy alongside a combination of Korean medical treatments, which included acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, cupping, and herbal medicine. The patient was diagnosed based on the ICD-11 diagnostic criteria for chronic primary pain. To evaluate the patient's progress, we used the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), and Beck's Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Results: After three weeks of inpatient treatment and two months of outpatient treatment, the patient showed significant improvement in both pain and psychological symptoms. The NRS score decreased from 7 to 2. The BDI score decreased from 54 to 11 and the BAI score decreased from 33 to 9. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that M&L psychotherapy combined with Korean medical treatments can significantly reduce chronic low back pain and improve psychological symptoms such as depression and anxiety. The patient's notable improvements in NRS, BDI, and BAI scores suggest that an integrated treatment approach addressing both physical and mental health aspects is effective for managing chronic pain. These findings support potential benefits of holistic and multidisciplinary strategies for treating patients with chronic pain.