• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.107-113
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• 2022

Gastrocnemius muscle partial rupture is a common muscle injury. This case is report on a patient with a gastrocnemius muscle partial rupture who was continuously observed with ultrasonography while receiving Korean medicine treatment. Acupuncture, pharmacoacupuncture, herbal medicine, physical therapy and rehabilitation treatment were performed on a patient diagnosed with gastrocnemius partial rupture. The improvement of symptoms was evaluated using Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Range of Motion (ROM) of ankle, circumference of calf and size of hematoma by using ultrasonography. NRS decreased more than 90%, ROM of ankle joint gradually improved, calf circumference improved, and hematoma reduced by more than 90% when measured by ultrasonography. In this study, gastrocnemius muscle partial rupture was observed with ultrasonography, and it is considered that the Korean medical treatment is useful for gastrocnemius muscle partial rupture.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.751-760
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• 2022

Objective: To show a decrease in tumor recurrence and improvement in quality of life in patients with recurrent cervical cancer. Method: A 58-year-old female patient diagnosed with recurrent cervical cancer in February 2021 was treated for 14 months with integrative cancer treatment (ICT) to decrease the tumor size and improve chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) and nausea. The patient underwent chemotherapy or concomitant chemoradiation therapy (CCRT) with ICT. Radiologic outcomes were assessed by abdomen & pelvis computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) protocol. Clinical outcomes were assessed by the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Event (NCI-CTCAE), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG), and a numeric rating scale (NRS). Result: During the 14 months of treatment, the size and metabolic activity of the recurrent tumor decreased and underwent partial remission based on RECIST. The NRS scores for CIPN and nausea were improved, and the ECOG score improved from grade 2 to 1. No serious side effects of grade 3 or higher were noted on the NCI-CTCAE test. Conclusion: This case suggests that ICT may have a synergetic effect with chemotherapy or radiotherapy for recurrent cervical cancer.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.215-223
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• 2021

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to report the effects of Korean medicine treatment, including Onkyung-tang, on fibromyalgia. Methods: The patient was treated with herbal medicine, acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and chuna manual therapy for 13 days. To evaluate the improvements, we used a numeric rating scale (NRS), the American College of Rheumatology Preliminary Diagnostic Criteria (ACR), the neck disability index (NDI), and the Oswestry disability index (ODI). Results: After treatment, the scores for the NRS, ACR, NDI, and ODI all decreased compared with baseline. Conclusion: This study suggests that Korean medicine treatment that includes Onkyung-tang can be effective in reducing pain and increasing ability to function in patients with fibromyalgia.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.104-113
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• 2021

Introduction: The aim of this study is to report on the effectiveness of Korean medicine to improve symptoms of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Some patients are treated with medication, but medications may have no effect in some patients. Korean medicine treatments have been used in such patients, but few reports exist. Case Presentation: A 58-year-old female patient with CIPN reported symptoms of bilateral limb pain and tingling sensations as well as cold sensations in bilateral lower legs and hands, fatigue, and bilateral limb weakness. To reduce the patient's symptoms, we provided Korean medical treatment, including herbal medicine (Uchashinki-hwan), acupuncture, and moxibation. To evaluate the results of this treatment, we used a numeric rating scale (NRS), the manual muscle test (MMT), the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality-of-life questionnaire about CIPN (EORTC-QLQ-CIPN20). After 49 days of treatment, the NRS scores decreased for bilateral limb pain and tingling, for bilateral lower leg and hand cold sensation, and for fatigue. The MMT results for the upper and lower extremities were improved. CTCAE Grade and EORTC QLQ-CIPN20 score were also decreased. Conclusion: According to these results, Korean medicine treatment may be considered an effective treatment for CIPN. Prospective studies are needed in the future to confirm and expand these findings.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.473-484
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• 2022

Objectives: To report a case of a patient with a mild depressive episode accompanied by physical symptoms such as hyposmia visiting a Korean medicine hospital who was treated with oriental psychotherapy in parallel with existentialism-based psychotherapy showing improvement. Methods: For this patient, Korean medicine Psychotherapy was mainly used for treatment. In parallel, existential Psychotherapy, acupuncture treatment, and self-relaxation training were implemented. For estimating this treatment, changes in results of Beck Depression Index (BDI), Beck Anxiety Index (BAI), Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Korean Version of Sniffin' Sticks Test (KVSS), Butanol Threshold Test (BTT), Cross-Cultural Smell Identification Test (CC-SIT), and somatic symptoms that the patient subjectively expressed were determined. Results: After the comprehensive treatment, it was confirmed that changes in BDI, BAI, KVSS, BTT, CC-SIT, NRS, and subjective somatic symptoms expressed by the patient all showed improvements. Conclusions: We propose that a comprehensive treatment using Korean medicines Psychotherapy in parallel with existential psychotherapy can be used for patients who complain of physical symptoms accompanied by depression and hyposmia.

• Journal of the Korean Burn Society
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.31-36
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• 2020

Purpose: Scar contracture influence the outcome of burn patients significantly. This study aims to investigate the feasibility of robot-assisted training for the lower extremity rehabilitation of burn patients. Methods: This pilot study was conducted on 7 burn patients for 8 weeks between January 2019 and November 2019. Two of 7 patients withdrew from this study because one had skin abrasion on the legs which thigh fastening devices were applied on and the other was not participate in the assessment at 4 weeks after training. Final 5 patients received gait training with SUBAR^® and numeric rating scale (NRS), 6-minutes walking test, and range of motion in flexion and extension of knee and ankle joint were evaluated before training, 4 weeks and 12 weeks after training. Results: The subjects had a mean age of 51.8±98 years, mean total burn surface area of 30.8±13.7%, mean duration from injury to 1^st assessment of 102.8±39.3 days. Anyone of 5 patients did not have musculoskeletal or cardiovascular side effects such as increased or decreased blood pressure or dizziness. The significant improvement in NRS, gait speed, and range of motion in knee extension and ankle plantarflexion after robotic training (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Robot-assisted training could be feasible for the rehabilitation of burn patients and it could improve muscle strength and range of motion in lower extremities, and gait function.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.172-180
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• 2022

Objectives : This study reports a 61-year-old man with sudden hearing loss and tinnitus whose symptoms improved remarkably after treatment with Korean medicine. Methods : The patient was treated with herbal medicine(gamisoyo-san, samul-tang gagambang, gongjindan, and yukmijihwang-hwan), acupuncture and moxibustion. Puretone audiometry(PTA), speech audiometry(SA), Korean tinnitus handicap inventory(K-THI), patient self-report, numeric rating scale(NRS) 11, and review of system(ROS) were performed. Results : After a month of treatment, PTA was improved from profound to mild and audiometric findings were improved in speech reception threshold and word recognition score. After 2 months of treatment, K-THI decreased from 92 to 28 and NRS 11 score decreased more than 6 in every item. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that Korean medicine could be effective sudden hearing loss and tinnitus.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.450-457
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• 2023

Background: Genicular nerve neurolysis with phenol and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are two interventional techniques for treating chronic refractory knee osteoarthritis (KOA) pain. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and adverse effects of both techniques. Methods: Sixty-four patients responding to diagnostic blockade of the superior medial, superior lateral, and inferior medial genicular nerve under ultrasound guidance were randomly divided into two groups: Group P (2 mL phenol for each genicular nerve) and Group R (RFA 80℃ for 60 seconds for each genicular nerve). The numeric rating scale (NRS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions. Results: RFA and phenol neurolysis of the genicular nerves provided effective analgesia within groups at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months compared to baseline. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of NRS and WOMAC scores at all measurement times. At the 3rd month follow-up, 50% or more pain relief was observed in 53.1% of patients in Group P and 50% of patients in Group R. The rate of transient paresthesia was 34.4% in Group P and 6.3% in Group R, and this was significantly higher in Group P. Conclusions: Neurolysis of the genicular nerves with both RFA and phenol is effective in the management of KOA pain. Phenol may be a good alternative to RFA. Further studies are needed on issues such as dose adjustment to prevent transient paresthesia response.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.175-181
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• 2023

Background: Acromioclavicular (AC) osteoarthritis (OA) is a frequent pathology of the shoulder in elderly patients. Drug injection plays an important role in treatment of AC OA. Literature has demonstrated excellent short-term results regarding shoulder function and pain. However, mid- to long-term results are lacking. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a single intra-articular AC injection in patients with AC OA and to identify predictive factors for success. Methods: A retrospective study was performed to analyze success rate, shoulder function, and pain perception after a single intra-articular injection in patients with AC OA. Success was defined as the absence of reinterventions such as additional injection or surgery. Outcome measures were 1-year success rate and clinical outcome scores of Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for pain, Oxford Shoulder Score, and Subjective Shoulder Value. Results: Ninety-eight patients participated in this study. At a median final follow-up of 0.8 years (interquartile range, 0-6), 57 of these patients (58%) had undergone a reintervention. The 1-year success rate was 47% (95% confidence interval, 37%-57%), with NRS at rest as the sole factor significantly associated with success. Thirty patients not requiring reintervention reported significant improvement from baseline for all reported outcome measures at final follow-up. Conclusions: AC injections offer a 1-year success rate of 47%. The AC injection produces good mid- to long-term clinical outcomes regarding shoulder function, quality of life, and pain perception in one-third of patients. Further research is essential to analyze mid- to long-term outcomes of AC injections.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.1-16
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• 2023

Objectives We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the Korean medical critical pathway (CP) in treating childhood anorexia. Methods In total, 21 patients who met the criteria and agreed to provide information were assigned to the CP group, while 24 patients who met the criteria, agreed to provide information, but disagreed with CP application were assigned to the non-CP group. Demographic, clinical, and economic indices were compared between the two groups. Clinical indices before and after treatment were also compared between the two groups. Results In the CP group, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), BMI percentile, and food approach (FAP) increased significantly after treatment, and numeric rating scale (NRS) and food avoidance (FAV) scores decreased significantly. In the non-CP group, height, weight, weight percentile, BMI, BMI percentile, and FAP increased significantly, whereas NRS and FAV decreased significantly after treatment. Compared to the non-CP group, CP application increased FAP and decreased FAV, medical expenses per consultation, and the total treatment period. Conclusions The application of the Korean medical critical pathway for childhood anorexia is an effective cure system that decreases overall medical expenses with good-quality treatment by means of the standardization of medical practices.