• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.980-988
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• 2022

The most common definition of postherpetic neuralgia is the presence of pain more than a month after the onset of the eruption of zoster. This case report suggests the effect of Korean medicine on postherpetic neuralgia. An 85-year-old male patient with postherpetic neuralgia was treated with a combination of Korean medical remedies. Kyung Hee Gongjin-dan and Hyangbujapalmul-tang-gagam were applied for 23 days. The Numerical Rating Scale was used to measure pain intensity. The Barthel Index and Beck Depression Inventory were used for the functional assessment and depression evaluation, respectively. After treatment, the patient's pain intensity decreased. Additionally, the patient's independence increased during activity, and the severity of their depression decreased. Thus, this case suggests that a combination of Korean medicine treatments might be effective for postherpetic neuralgia. In particular, it shows that Kyung Hee Gongjin-dan and Hyangbujapalmul-tang-gagam can be therapeutic options in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.134-138
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• 2022

Distal femur osteotomy (DFO) is a controlled surgical break of the femur performed to allow realignment of the limb. Redistribution of the load aims to correct the abnormal mechanical weight-bearing axes in patients with abnormal alignment of the lower extremities, and degenerative changes in the knee joint. This report describes a complex Korean medicine treatment for a patient complaining of knee pain and stiffness following a DFO. Post-operative care for the patient lasted 78 days with treatment including pharmacopuncture, acupuncture, herbal medicine, cupping therapy, and physiotherapy. The effectiveness of the treatments was evaluated using the numerical rating scale, range of motion of the knee, and by physical examination. After treatment, these evaluation indicators improved, suggesting that the complex Korean medicine treatment received by the patient was an appropriate treatment for knee pain and stiffness following a DFO.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.89-96
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to report the effects of Korean medicine treatment in wrist drop patient with thoracic outlet syndrome. We treated the patient for 8 days using Korean medicine treatment such as herbal medicine, acupuncture, Chuna manual therapy and pharmacopuncture. Changes in the numerical rating scale (NRS), EuroQol five dimension (EQ-5D) index, and symptoms were measured for assessment. After 8 days hospitalization, NRS decreased from 5 to 3, EQ-5D index and the symptoms of the patient also were improved. In conclusion, this case shows that Korean medicine treatment can be an effective treatment for wrist drop with thoracic outlet syndrome.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.97-108
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of integrative Korean medicine treatment for patients who were diagnosed as acute fracture on pelvis. The patients were treated by Korean medicine as conservative management including acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, herbal medication and cupping for hospitalization periods. Numerical rating scale (NRS), EuroQol-5 dimensions (EQ-5D), Oswestry disability index (ODI), patient global impression of change (PGIC), self-walking distance and the changes of symptoms were measured to assess patients' improvement. NRS, ODI scores and EQ-5D definitely improved on 4 patients of 5 cases. NRS decreased from 6~7 to 3~5, ODI scores decreased from 62~75.11 to 40~52 and EQ-5D increased from 0.013~0.331 to 0.47~0.773. PGIC and self-walking distance were also enhanced after treatments. In conclusion, this study suggests that integrative Korean medicine could be effective treatment for acute pelvic fracture.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.87-96
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• 2023

This study aims to evaluate the effect of various Korean medicine treatment techniques on knee pain with medial plica syndrome. We treated three knee pain patients with medial plica syndrome using acupuncture, herbal medicine, pharmacopuncture and cupping during their hospitalization. EuroQol-five dimensions (EQ-5D), Western Ontario and Mcmaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), numerical rating scale (NRS) and the changes of symptoms were used for patient assessment. There were notable decreases in WOMAC and NRS and a notable increase in EQ-5D of case 1 and 3. There was also an improvement in the symptoms experienced by the patients. Our study is the first case report to demonstrate the applicability and effectiveness of Korean medicine treatment compared to those of the pre-existing surgical and conservative treatments for knee pain patients with medial plica syndrome.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.73-80
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• 2022

Objectives This study aimed to report the effects of giant cell tumor treatment to a patient who had cervical and lumbar pain and hypoesthesia of the limbs after total spondylectomy with Korean medicine. Methods A 67-year-old female patient with cervical and lumbar pain and hypoesthesia of the limbs after total spondylectomy was treated with herbal medicine (Cheongpa-jeon, Yukkongbaro-hwa), acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and physical therapy for 36 days. The effects were evaluated using a numerical rating scale (NRS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and EuroQoL-5D (EQ-5D). Results After treatment, changes were observed in the patient's pain and hypoesthesia. NRS, NDI, ODI, and EQ-5D scores decreased. Conclusions This case study suggests that Korean medicine treatment may be effective for symptomatic treatment in patients with giant cell tumor following total spondylectomy.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.29-40
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• 2022

Objective : This study assessed the effect of a combination of Korean medicine on a thyroid papillary cancer patient who was diagnosed with local lymph node metastasis after thyroidectomy and lymph node dissection but did not want surgery. Methods : Gami-Palmultang administration and moxibustion(large Bmoxa cautery) were performed for six years. Treatment outcomes were evaluated with Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI), Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G), blood test/ CT imaging results, and patient's statements. Results : After the treatment, all symptoms have been alleviated, the quality of life has increased, and it has been maintained without further metastasis of tumors for six years. Conclusion : Korean medicine treatment along with active observation can be an alternative to patients who do not want surgical treatment after recurrence of local lymph nodes in thyroid papillary cancer, and can have positive results in improving the quality of life.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.102-130
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• 2022

Objectives: The persistence and unpredictability of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and new measures to prevent direct medical intervention (e.g., social distancing and quarantine) have induced various psychological symptoms and disorders that require self-treatment approaches and integrative treatment interventions. To address these issues, the Korean Medicine Mental Health (KMMH) center developed a field manual by reviewing previous literature and preexisting manuals. Methods: The working group of the KMMH center conducted a keyword search in PubMed in June 2021 using "COVID-19" and "SARS-CoV-2". Review articles were examined using the following filters: "review," "systematic review," and "meta-analysis." We conducted a narrative review of the retrieved articles and extracted content relevant to previous manuals. We then created a treatment algorithm and recommendations by referring to the results of the review. Results: During the initial assessment, subjective symptom severity was measured using a numerical rating scale, and patients were classified as low- or moderate-high risk. Moderate-high-risk patients should be classified as having either a psychiatric emergency or significant psychiatric condition. The developed manual presents appropriate psychological support for each group based on the following dominant symptoms: tension, anxiety-dominant, anger-dominant, depression-dominant, and somatization. Conclusions: We identified the characteristics of mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic and developed a clinical mental health support manual in the field of Korean medicine. When symptoms meet the diagnostic criteria for a mental disorder, doctors of Korean medicine can treat the patients according to the manual for the corresponding disorder.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.244-251
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• 2023

Globus sensation is a continuous, intermittent, non-painful sensation of lumps or foreign substances in the throat. It was reported that 13.7% of patients developed globus sensations after COVID-19 infection. A 73-year-old male patient with a globus sensation after a COVID-19 infection was admitted to the ◯◯ Oriental Medicine Hospital and treated with herbal medicine (Banhahubak-tang, Sosiho-tang). Subjective symptoms of globus sensation were measured with the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) daily and found to reduce. The effect persisted during his admission. In conclusion, Korean medicine, including Banhahubak-tang, can be effective for patients with globus sensations after COVID-19 infections.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.184-194
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• 2023

Background: Degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS) is frequently associated with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and conservative treatments such as epidural steroid injection do not have long-term benefits in LSS patients with DLS. This study evaluated the effectiveness of percutaneous epidural neuroplasty using a balloon catheter in patients with LSS and DLS. Methods: Patients' sex, age, body mass index, diabetes, hypertension, stenosis grading, pain duration, location, pain intensity, and medications were retrieved from electronic medical records. At 1, 3, and 6 months following the procedure, data on pain severity, medication usage, and physical functional status were analyzed. A generalized estimating equations model was used at the six-month follow-up. Patients were divided into those with DLS (the spondylolisthesis group) and those without DLS (the no spondylolisthesis group) to evaluate whether the effects of percutaneous epidural neuroplasty using a balloon catheter were different. Results: A total of 826 patients were included (spondylolisthesis: 433 patients, 52.4%; no spondylolisthesis: 393 patients, 47.6%). Age, body mass index, hypertension, pain location, and stenosis grading were statistically different between the two groups. The generalized estimating equations analyses with unadjusted and adjusted estimation revealed a significant improvement in the estimated mean numerical rating scale of pain intensities compared to that at baseline in both groups (P < 0.001). Any adverse events that occurred were minor and temporary. Conclusions: Percutaneous epidural neuroplasty using a balloon catheter may be an alternative treatment option for patients with chronic LSS, regardless of accompanying DLS, who have had failed conservative management.