• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.724-733
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• 2020

Objective: Overactive bladder syndrome refers to the symptom of frequent urination, as the function of the bladder is so sensitive that the bladder muscles contract regardless of the patient's intent and the patient feels the need to urinate quickly. Overactive bladder syndrome is common among the elderly, especially in women, and the prevalence increases with increasing age. Overactive bladder can decrease social activity, increase isolation, and decrease quality of life due to sleep disorders caused by night urination; therefore, active treatment is required. In this study, we report the effects of Korean medical treatment on a Korean hospital patient with overactive bladder symptoms, including urine frequency, urine incontinence, and night urination that began at a similar time to an onset of coughing. Methods: We treated the patient with herbal medicines and acupuncture therapy. The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS), and a numeric rating scale (NRS) were used to assess symptom changes. Results: The patient with urine frequency, urine incontinence, and nocturia was hospitalized for 8 days, and the overall symptoms of overactive bladder syndrome were improved. Conclusion: The results indicate that Korean medical treatment is effective in patients with overactive bladder syndrome.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.61-72
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• 2018

Objectives: This study conducted a survey research to characterize traffic accident(TA) patients seeking Korean medicine treatment and to analyze the symptom improvement and satisfaction scores. Methods: A survey was conducted in 122 outpatients, who visited OO University Korean Hospital due to TA-associated symptoms from November, 2017 to May, 2018. The questionnaire included information on patient demographic characteristics, accident circumstance details, pain levels, reason for treatment selection, treatment methods, treatment purpose, symptom improvement and satisfaction. All statistical analyses were performed using Windows SPSS version 20.0 Results: The characteristics of traffic accident patients using Korean medical institution were usually accidents that occurred while driving slowly, and minor injuries like a sprain. The most important consideration in choosing Korean medical institution was its past experience. The biggest reason for switching treatment from Western medicine to Korean medicine was for diverse treatments. Satisfaction with Korean medicine was measured between very satisfaction and satisfaction. Patients showed the highest satisfaction with acupuncture, followed by pharmacopuncture and chuna manual therapy. Most treatments were measured between very satisfaction and satisfaction. After treatment, 95.90 percent of the patients said they would recommend Korean treatment. Conclusions: Although this study has limitations as research in survey format, we intended to analyze determining factors for the use of Korean medicine treatment through satisfaction, symptom improvement, and Numeric rating scale (NRS) change.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.272-280
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• 2017

Background: The high cost of intrathecal morphine pump (ITMP) implantation may be the main obstacle to its use. Since July 2014, the Korean national health insurance (NHI) program began paying 50% of the ITMP implantation cost in select refractory chronic pain patients. The aims of this study were to investigate the financial break-even point and patients' satisfaction in patients with ITMP treatment after the initiation of the NHI reimbursement. Methods: We collected data retrospectively or via direct phone calls to patients who underwent ITMP implantation at a single university-based tertiary hospital between July 2014 and May 2016. Pain severity, changes in the morphine equivalent daily dosage (MEDD), any adverse events, and patients' satisfaction were determined. We calculated the financial break-even point of ITMP implantation via investigating the patient's actual medical costs and insurance information. Results: During the studied period, 23 patients received ITMP implantation, and 20 patients were included in our study. Scores on an 11-point numeric rating scale (NRS) for pain were significantly reduced compared to the baseline value (P < 0.001). The MEDD before ITMP implantation was 0.59 [IQR: 0.55-0.82]. The total MEDD increased steadily to 0.77 [IQR: 0.53-1.08] at 1 year, which was 126% of the baseline (P < 0.001). More than a half (60%) responded that the ITMP therapy was somewhat satisfying. The financial break-even point was 28 months for ITMP treatment after the NHI reimbursement policy. Conclusions: ITMP provided effective chronic pain management with improved satisfaction and reasonable financial break-even point of 28 months with 50% financial coverage by NHI program.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.8
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• pp.75-86
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• 2020

This study examined the effects of auricular acupressure on the pain and quality of life of lung cancer patients. Forty-four participants, and were divided into an experimental group (n=22) and a placebo control group (n=22). The patients in the experimental group received vaccaria seed to the four auricular acupressure points. In contrast, the patients in the placebo control groups received auricular acupressure on cancer-related points unrelated to pain. The intervention was implemented for six weeks, with five consecutive days a week. The pain intensity, pain pressure threshold, and quality of life score were used to validate the effects of the treatment. The pain intensity of the experimental group showed a significant decrease compared to the placebo control group after the intervention (Z=-2.78, p=.006). The pain pressure threshold of the experimental group showed a significant increase compared to the placebo control group after the intervention (Z=-2.69, p=.007). The quality of life among lung cancer patients showed a significant increase after the intervention compared to the placebo control group (t=3.20, p=.003). Therefore, auricular acupressure can be used as a proven nursing intervention method for lung cancer patients from cancer-related pain and the quality of life.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.219-233
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• 2024

A 69-year-old female diagnosed with idiopathic Parkinson's disease and treated with anti-Parkinsonian medications, including levodopa, for 7 years presented with complaints of wearing-off phenomenon and delayed onset of medication efficacy, resulting in postural instability and feeling of severe exhaustion. The patient underwent a 50-day course of treatment with Bonoesikpungjigyeong-tang formula. The effects of the treatment were evaluated by recording the average time to onset of medication efficacy, the average time to medication wearing-off, and discomfort due to wearing-off phenomenon. Postural instability was assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). The patient's overall quality of life was assessed using the EQ-5D-3L. After 50 days of treatment, the average time to onset of medication efficacy decreased, and the average time to medication wearing-off increased. Discomfort due to wearing-off phenomenon and postural instability decreased. This case suggests that Bonoesikpungjigyeong-tang might be an alternative for improving discomfort caused by long-term levodopa intake.