• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.361-365
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• 2018

Background: Recently, we examined the effects of 2% lidocaine gel on the tactile sensory and pain thresholds of the face, tongue and hands of symptom-free individuals using quantitative sensory testing (QST); its effect was less on the skin of the face and hands than on the tongue. Consequently, instead of 2% lidocaine gel, we examined the effect of 8% lidocaine spray on the tactile sensory and pain thresholds of the skin of the face and hands of healthy volunteers. Methods: Using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments, QST of the skin of the cheek and palm (thenar skin) was performed in 20 healthy volunteers. In each participant, two topical sprays were applied. On one side, 0.2 mL of 8% lidocaine pump spray was applied, and on the other side, 0.2 mL of saline pump spray was applied as control. In each participant, QST was performed before and 15 min after each application. Pain intensity was measured using a numeric rating scale (NRS). Results: Both the tactile detection threshold and filament-prick pain detection threshold of the cheek and thenar skin increased significantly after lidocaine application. A significant difference between the effect of lidocaine and saline applications was found on the filament-prick pain detection threshold only. NRS of the cheek skin and thenar skin decreased after application of lidocaine, and not after application of saline. Conclusion: The significant effect of applying an 8% lidocaine spray on the sensory and pain thresholds of the skin of the face and hands can be objectively scored using QST.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.112-126
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• 2021

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report the effectiveness of Korean medical treatments on chronic glossitis using Yanggyeok-sangagam based on tutakbeop(透托法), and Ikgibohyeol-tanggagam based on botakbeop(補托法) and bobeop(補法). Methods : We treated a 83-year-old female patient who had glossitis by Korean medicine and acupuncture treatment. These treatments were performed from 2020.8.4. to 2021.3.4. We have confirmed the improvement of white plaque like a pseudomembranous pattern lesion and pain. We recorded images that include change of symptoms. Results : After the treatments were done, the scores of numeric rating scale(NRS), oral assessment guide(OAG) and oral health impact profile-14(OHIP-14) were decreased. The NRS score was decreased from 7 to 1. The OAG score was decreased from 20 to 9. The OHIP-14 score was decreased from 34 to 5. Conclusions : According to the result, Korean medical treatments such as Korean medicine and acupuncture treatment, followed by the cure rules- tutakbeop(透托法), botakbeop(補托法) and bobeop(補法) can be effective for the treatment of chronic glossitis.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.1210-1222
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• 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study was to report the effect of acupuncture on the splenius muscle and the effect of combined Korean medicine treatment on acute dizziness in patients due to whiplash injury. Methods: Three patients with acute dizziness were treated with acupuncture of the splenius muscle and combined Korean medicine. A numeric rating scale (NRS) and the Korean dizziness handicap inventory (K-DHI) were checked every day from admission to discharge to confirm symptom improvements. Results: In the acute stage of dizziness caused by whiplash injury, acupuncture of the splenius muscle and combined Korean medicine improved the NRS and K-DHI scores. Conclusions: For patients with acute dizziness caused by whiplash injury, a combination of acupuncture on the splenius muscle and Korean medicine treatment may be a solution.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.4
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• pp.552-561
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• 2021

Objective : To compare the anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and posterior cervical fusion (PCF) with wide facetectomy in the treatment of parallel-shaped bony foraminal stenosis (FS). Methods : Thirty-six patients underwent surgery due to one-or-two levels of parallel-shaped cervical FS. ACDF was performed in 16 patients, and PCF using CPS was performed in 20 patients. All patients were followed up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Standardized outcome measures such as Numeric rating scale (NRS) score for arm/neck pain and Neck disability index (NDI) were evaluated. Cervical radiographs were used to compare the C2-7 Cobb's angle, segmental angle, and fusion rates. Results : There was an improvement in NRS scores after both approaches for radicular arm pain (mean change -6.78 vs. -8.14, p=0.012), neck pain (mean change -1.67 vs. -4.36, p=0.038), and NDI score (-19.69 vs. -18.15, p=0.794). The segmental angle improvement was greater in the ACDF group than in the posterior group (9.4°±2.7° vs. 3.3°±5.1°, p=0.004). However, there was no significant difference in C2-7 Cobb angle between groups (16.2°±7.9° vs. 14.8°±8.5°, p=0.142). As a complication, dysphagia was observed in one case of the ACDF group. Conclusion : In the treatment of parallel-shaped bony FS up to two surgical levels, segmental angle improvement was more favorable in patients who underwent ACDF. However, PCF with wide facetectomy using CPS should be considered as an alternative treatment option in cases where the anterior approach is burdensome.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.195-204
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• 2021

Objectives The purpose of this study is to report the effects of Korean medicine treatments including Chuna manual therapy, pharmacopuncture and acupuncture for two patients who have pain in hip joint diagnosed with avascular necrosis of the femoral head. Methods The treatment effect was evaluated with a numeric rating scale (NRS), range of motion (ROM), physical examination (Patrick test), and score of Harris hip score (HHS). Results After treatment, symptoms of the two patients such as hip joint pain and gait dysfunction were improved. The NRS decreased from 8 (right [Rt.]), 7 (left [Lt.]) to 4 (Rt.), 3 (Lt.) in case 1 and from 9 to 2 in case 2. Also the patients showed improvement in ROM and score of HHS increased from 55.5 to 88.5 in case 1 and from 63.5 to 85.5 in case 2. In addition, positive Patrick test improved to negative. Conclusions Korean medicine treatments including Chuna manual therapy, pharmacopuncture and acupuncture can be effective in relieving pain and recovering the fucnction of hip joint associated with avascular necrosis of the femoral head, even when surgery is recommended. Although further study such as controlled studies is needed.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.201-209
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• 2021

Background: Inguinal hernia repair is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures. Regional blocks might provide excellent analgesia and reduce complications in the postoperative period. We aimed to compare the postoperative analgesic effect of the ultrasound-guided transversalis fascia (TF) plane block versus the transmuscular quadratus lumborum (QL) block in patients undergoing unilateral inguinal hernia repair. Methods: Fifty patients enrolled in this comparative study and were randomly assigned into two equal groups. One group received an ultrasound-guided QL block. In comparison, the other group received an ultrasound-guided TF plane block. The primary outcome was the patient-assessed resting, and movement-induced pain on the numeric pain rating scale (NRS) measured at 30 minutes postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included the percentage of patients receiving rescue analgesia in the first postoperative day, ease of performance of the technique, and incidence of adverse effects. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in NRS at rest and with movement between the groups over the first 24 hours postoperatively. The proportion of patients that received postoperative rescue analgesics during the first 30 minutes postoperatively was 4% (n = 1) in the QL group compared to 12% (n = 3) in the TF group. However, the mean performance time of the TF block was shorter than that of the QL block, and the performance of the TF block appeared easier technically. Conclusions: The ultrasound-guided TF plane block could be as effective as the QL block in lowering pain scores and decreasing opioid consumption following non-recurrent inguinal herniorrhaphy.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.303-310
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• 2022

Objectives: This study reports the effects of Korean medical treatment, including the administration of Yanghyeolgeopung-tang, on tension headache. Case presentation: A 48-year-old man with headache and neck pain caused by tension-type headache was managed with Yanghyeolgeopung-tang, acupuncture, and pharmacopuncture for 15 days. To evaluate the improvements, a numeric rating scale (NRS), the Korean Headache Impact Test-6 (KHIT-6), and Neck Disability Index (NDI) were used. After treatment, the symptoms were relieved, and there were no particular side effects. The NRS scores reduced from 6 to 3, KHIT-6 from 64 to 48, and NDI from 46 to 22. Conclusion: These results suggest that Korean medicine may be effective for treating tension-type headache.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.264-273
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• 2022

The purpose of this report is to describe the effects of Qingfei Paidu decoction (QPD) and QPD without Ephedra Herba on COVID-19 patients. One COVID-19 patient was treated with QPD and two others who had been sensitive to ephedra were treated with QPD without it. The fever, cough, and sore throat of all three were monitored three times a day through non-face-to-face assessment for a total of five to seven days, and cough and throat pain changes were evaluated with a numeric rating scale (NRS). After treatment, the fever and NRS scores were improved for all three patients. These results indicate that both QPD and QPD without Ephedra Herba is an effective treatment for COVID-19 symptoms.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.274-282
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• 2022

Introduction: This study reports the effect of herbal medicine (Samulanshin-tang-gamibang) and acupuncture on complete atrioventricular (AV) block. Case presentation: A 63-year-old female with complete AV block was experiencing dyspnea, palpitation, dizziness, headache, bradycardia, and insomnia, and she was treated with Samulanshin-tang-gamibang and acupuncture for 12 days. To evaluate the treatment, a numeric rating scale (NRS) and the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification was used. The patient's NRS scores decreased from 6 to 2 for dyspnea and palpitation and from 5 to 1 for dizziness and headache. Her NYHA Class improved from Class II to Class I. No side effects were observed during treatment. Conclusion: This study suggests that herbal medicine and acupuncture may be effective in relieving symptoms caused by complete AV block. However, the long-term effects of the treatment were not observed, and so further studies are still needed.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.133-144
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• 2022

The objective was to propose effectiveness of conservative treatments including Korean medical treatments for symptomatic Schmorl's nodes (SNs). We conducted retrospective study that analyzed the medical records of two patients with the symptomatic SNs. They were treated by conservative treatments including Korean medical treatments for 3 weeks. We evaluated numeric rating scale (NRS), Oswestry disability index (ODI) and EuroQol-5 dimension (EQ-5D) index. After treatment, NRS, ODI were decreased and EQ-5D index was increased. We performed literature search to analyze the mechanisms of its treatment and evaluate clinical trials. There were three major mechanisms: (1) Improving constructive stability of vertebrae, (2) alleviating pain, and (3) controlling autoimmunity. When comparing operative treatment (OT) trials and conservative treatment (CT) trials, we couldn't find conclusive basis that support which one is more effective. As OT trials reported some severe adverse events, CT trials reported mild adverse events. The conservative treatments that we used encompasses those mechanisms and is relatively safe. To obtain exact evidence of effectiveness, further studies are needed.