• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.42-50
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• 2023

Obesity often develops to hypothyroidism patients because thyroid hormone is associated with changes in body weight, body temperature, and energy expenditure. Obesity is not only pointed out as the cause of various other diseases, but also can worsen thyroid function, so obesity treatment is essential for hypothyroidism patients. But there is lack of studies about obesity treatment for hypothyroidism patients in Korea. In this study, two obese patients who diagnosed hypothyroidism were treated by Korean medicine. We prescribed herbal medicine (Banhabakchulchunma-tang) for about 2 months. A total of 6.5 kg and 4.5 kg of weight loss were observed respectively, and there were no serious side effects. Further large-scale clinical trials are needed to evaluate the anti-obesity effect and the effect of thyroid function improvement.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.149-152
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• 2015

The aim of this study is to report clinical progresses on localized fat. We devised the method of treat localized fat using acupotomy with selective cryolysis. We selected 4 subjects among the patients who maintained their body weight (within 5%) to minimize effects of losing weight. We practiced acupotomy with selective cryolysis therapy on 4 lesion of abdominal fat, 2 lesion of upper arm fat, 5 times for 2 month. All subjects had loss of abdominal circumference, and 1 subject had significantly loss of upper arm circumference. And there was no adverse effects. It shows that method of using acupotomy with selective cryolysis may be effective on localized fat.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.43-49
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• 2006

Objective : This study was conducted to offer basic materials for the clinical study of Chi acupuncture (carboxytherapy). Methods : Recent clinical studies were reviewed for carboxytherapy (carbon dioxide therapy) and the ancient and present texts were reviewed for Chi acupuncture. Results and Conclusions : Chi acupuncture is oriental medical therapeutic treatment using carboxytherapy. Chi acupuncture refers to the transcutaneous administration of CO2 gas for therapeutical purposes relating to obesity, cellulites, local circulation and skin irregularity. Recent studies have demonstrated the effects of this therapy on adipose tissue by showing vasomotor effects, increasing local circulation and inducing a partial increase in tcPO2. Chi acupuncture influences the microcirculation and likely has a positive effect upon the physiological oxidative lipolytic process.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.105-112
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• 2006

We experienced an abdominal obese patient with postpartum disease. From the 15th of July 2006 to the 16th of September 2006 we applied herbal medications (Gungguijohyeoleumgamibang and Taeeumjouitanggamibang), acupuncture, auricular acupuncture, electrolipolysis, low calorie diet, aerobic exercise, behavioral therapy to her. We examined the changes in body weight, BMI, PBF and WHR and the changes in cold hypersensitivity of lower extremities and pain of wrists and ankles. Her weight decreased from 49.6kg to 44.5kg, BMI from $20.9kg/m^2$ to $18.8kg/m^2$, PBF from 27.7% to 23.9%, WHR from 0.84 to 0.78. Cold hypersensitivity of lower extremities and pain of wrists and ankles, symptoms typical of postpartum disease disappeared after treatment. Despite a low calorie diet, lactational performance was not impaired.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.122-130
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• 2020

Objectives: This study is a practice based research conducted to investigate the effectiveness and safety of a 5-day short-term diet program ('Oil-rescue' program) designed to reduce the adverse events and initial dropout rate in obesity treatment. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 4 Korean medicine clinic patient data who completed 'Oil-rescue' program which is consisting of Gambi-hwan, Bium-hwan, Butgiban-hwan and Jayoon Kyungokgo. The weight change before and after participating 'Oil-rescue' program was primary outcome of our study. Changes in body mass index, body fat mass, skeletal muscle mass, body water content, lean body mass, protein, and minerals were also measured. Results: A total of 35 patients who satisfied the eligible criteria were finally included. The body weight decreased from 69.45±11.86 kg to 67.43±11.58 kg, a total of 2.02±1.03 kg (P<0.001). Body fat mass decreased from 25.77±7.45 kg to 24.98±7.26 kg, a total of 0.78±1.21 kg (P<0.001). Body mass index decreased from 26.39±3.64 kg/㎡ to 25.64±3.49 kg/㎡, a total of 0.75±0.41 kg/㎡. (P<0.001). A total of 15 patients had side effects such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and insomnia, but all were mild. 16 out of 35 people switched to long-term obesity treatment programs. Conclusions: Through this retrospective practice based research, it was found that the 'Oil-rescue' program effectively reduced body weight, body fat, and body mass index, and the other obesity related parameters. It was a relatively safe and effective short-term obesity treatment program.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.13-22
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• 2004

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of eating disorder high risk group and eating disorder among whom visit bariatric clinic for diet and its relationship with sex, ages and body measurement. Methods: 742 subjects who visit our clinic both at Seocho and Bundang from January to October in 2004 were surveyed by using EAT-26 to assess their eating attitude. Results: The prevalence of eating disorder high risk group was 17.9% and that of eating disorder was 3.2%. Mean score of EAT-26 was higher in females$(13.22{\pm}8.52)$ than males$(8.95{\pm}5.44)$ and was significantly higher in twenties than the thirties in females(p<0.05). Mean weight, BMI and % body fat were significantly lower in eating disorder high risk group than normal group(p<0.05). Conclusions: Eating disorder symptomatology was highly prevalent among whom visit bariatric clinic for diet.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.183-192
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• 2003

Objective : Obesity is related to psychological problems as well as physical problems. This study was designed to investigate the depression of over weight and normal group who visited to obesity clinic for diet therapy. Methods : 67 patients were selected(obesity group 42, normal group 25), they were treated medically in obesity clinic of Dong-Seo Oriental Hospital. We checked age, sex, education level, relative weight, BMI and Beck Depression Inventory(BDI) in two group. Results : The results were summarized as followed. 1. The ratio of Relative Weights are $137.45{\pm}12.77$ in over weight group, $108.48{\pm}9.11$ in normal group. 2. The ratio of BMI are $28.61{\pm}2.94$ in over weight group, $23.04{\pm}1.83$ in normal group. 3. The results of BDI score are $10.60{\pm}7.15$ in over weight group, $12.56{\pm}8.33$ in normal group. Conclusions : These results suggested that the patients who participated in diet therapy had mild depression and we should pay attention to psycological problem as well as the physical problem when we treat obesity.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.167-172
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• 2022

Obesity is known as the most common risk factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Weight loss is needed to prevent liver function damage from progressing to non-alcoholic hepatosteatosis (NASH) and NASH-related liver cirrhosis. The purpose of this study was to observe the recovery of liver function in obese patients with liver dysfunction through traditional Korean obesity treatment. Body weight, liver function levels and renal function levels were examined by prescribing traditional Korean medicine in obese patients with mild elevation of liver function test. Blood tests were conducted at intervals of one month, and it was observed that liver function recovered to the normal range in three patients.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.94-101
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• 2024

Herbal medicine (HM)-containing Ephedra Sinica (ES) has been associated with false-positive amphetamine immunoassay (FP IA) results. This study retrospectively evaluated the effects of dose, duration, and withdrawal instructions on FP IA and the safety of HM-containing ES at a clinic in Seoul from 2022 to 2023. The study included 6 patients in the FP IA group and 5 patients in the withdrawal instruction negative (Neg) group. The pre-test ephedrine alkaloids dose in the FP IA group was 95.17±31.90 mg, compared with 88.6±20.43 mg in the Neg group. The FP IA group had taken HM for 226.67±152.87 days before testing, and testing was performed while taking HM. In contrast, the Neg group had taken HM for 147.6±23.49 days and had 5.4±1.50 days of withdrawal period before the test following instructions of Korean medicine doctors. All adverse events (AEs) were moderate in severity, and the number of occurrences was similar: 5 in the FP IA group and 7 in the Neg group. AEs included constipation, insomnia (3 cases each), and palpitations (2 cases). The results of this study show that ES-induced FP IA can be resolved with withdrawal instructions and ES can be safely prescribed and administered by Korean medicine doctors. Further studies are needed to determine how to prevent FP IA after taking ES.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.12-23
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• 2019

Objectives: Obesity is associated with a high mortality risk and impairment in health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The aim of this article is to examine the impact of weight loss on HRQOL and which questionnaires sensitively reflect weight loss effects on HRQOL. Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Research Information Sharing Service, and Korean Studies Information Service System were searched for the studies related to weight loss and HRQOL, published from 2009 to 2018. A total of 28 studies were eligible for inclusion. HRQOL results after weight loss from selected studies were classified and reported according to questionnaires. Results: Twenty-two studies reported statistically significant HRQOL improvements after weight loss and especially, all of studies with weight loss of more than 5% reported HRQOL improvements. HRQOL questionnaires were classified as generic, obesity-related and depression questionnaires. The most commonly used questionnaires were Short-Form health survey 36 (SF-36), Impact of Weight on Quality Life-Lite (IWQOL-Lite) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) respectively. SF-36 had a tendency to reflect physical health. IWQOL-Lite score was tended to be changed sensitively according to weight change. Depression questionnaires including BDI reported improvement of depression while mental aspects of SF-36 not changed in same studies. Conclusions: Improvements of HRQOL were noted in studies with weight loss of more than 5%. The main questionnaires for evaluating HRQOL were SF-36, IWQOL-Lite and BDI. It is suggested to use these questionnaires together for evaluating multiple aspects of impact of weight loss on HRQOL.