• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.261-270
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• 2011

Objectives: The purpose of our study is to know Temperament & Character of each Eight Constitutions (Hepatonia, Cholecystonia, Pancreotonia, Gastrotonia, Pulmotonia, Colonotonia, Renotonia, Vesicotonia) classified by the short form Eight-constitution medicine questionnaire (ECM-32) test. Methods: We analyzed the result of ECM-32 test and Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) submitted by 32 patients who had visited the ${\triangle}{\triangle}$ oriental medicine clinic in Nowon-gu, Seoul between September and October at 2011. Results: -The participants were classified as one of Eight Constitutions (3 Hepatonia(9.4%), 7 Cholecystonia, (21.9%), 3 Pancreotonia(9.4%), 0 Gastrotonia(0%), 5 Pulmotonia(15.6%), 4 Colonotonia(12.5%), 6 Renotonia(18.8%), 4 Vesicotonia(12.5%)) by ECM-32. -The seven dimensions of TCI were compared between the different Eight Constitutions using Kruskal-Wallis test. There were significant differences between Hepatonia and Pulmotonia, Hepatonia and Colonotonia, Cholecystonia and Pulmotonia, Pulmotonia and Renotonia, Pulmotonia and Vesicotonia in the Reward Dependence of Temperament dimensions. -The Subsclaes of TCI were compared between the different Eight Constitutions using Kruskal-Wallis test. There were significant differences between Cholecystonia and Pulmotonia, Pulmotonia and Renotonia, Pulmotonia and Vesicotonia in the RD3. There were significant differences between Hepatonia and Cholecystonia, Hepatonia and Pancreotonia, Hepatonia and Pulmotonia, Hepatonia and Renotonia in the RD4. Conclusions: There is not a significant interrelationship between Feature of each Eight Constitutions and Temperament & Character in TCI. This study is meaningful because it is the first study to verify Temperament and Character of Eight Constitutions. Further studies with increased case and improved questionnaire are needed to supplement this research.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.27-44
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• 2007

Background: Eight-Constitution Medicine (ECM) classifies the human body into eight constitutions. Diagnosis of discrimination of the eight constitutions depends on a unique pulse diagnosis. However, pulse diagnosis is subjective and requires vigorous training. Objectives: This study aims to analyze the validity and reliability of the Eight-Constitution Questionnaire as a diagnostic method. Methods: Participants of this study were outpatients in six ECM clinics located in Seoul. The resources were collected from 409 patients who were classified into one of the eightconstitutions according to their pulse types and their responses to constitution-acupuncture therapy. SPSS 13.0 for Windows was used for statistical analysis: factor analysis, reliability analysis, independent sample t-test, and multinomial logistic regression were used to verify the results. Results and Conclusions: 1. The proportion of participants' constitutions is in the order of Pancreotonia (23.7%), Colonotonia (19.8%), Pulmotonia (18.1%), Hepatonia (16.9%), Vesicotonia (8.1%), Cholecystotonia (7.3%), Renotonia (5.3%) and Gastrotonia (0.7%). 2. Sevencomponents and 74 items were selected through factor factor and relaibility analysis performed on about 251 items. 3. The firstcomponent's mean is significantly higher in Pancreotonia than that in other constitutions (p<0.05). The second is in Pulmotonia and Colonotonia, whereas the third is in Hepatonia and Cholecystotonia. Fifth is in Vesicotonia, the sixth is in Colonotonia, and the fourth and seventh are not significant in specific constitutions. 4. The percentage that Pancreotonia is correctly predicted is 96.9%, Pulmotonia is 91.9%, Colonotonia is 91.4%, Hepatonia is 88.4%, Vesicotonia is 81.8%, Gastrotonia is 66.7%, Renotonia is 66.7%, Choleeystotonia is 30.0%, and the total percentage is 85.3%.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.181-188
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was designed to evaluate comparative effects of body acupuncture and 8 constitution acupuncture on acute stage lumbago. Methods : 50 patients checked up the Pancreotonia with acute stage lumbago were randomly divided into 2 groups. One group(Control group) took body acupuncture therapy, and the other group(Test group) took 8 constitution acupuncture therapy. Visual analogue scale(VAS), lumbar flexion and extension were checked before and after acupuncture therapy for evaluating the improvement of lumbago. Wilcoxon signed rank test and Mann-Whitney U test of SPSS 15.0 for windows program were used for a statistical analysis. Results : Both body acupuncture therapy and 8 constitution acupuncture therapy showed good effect on acute stage lumbago. And test group showed better effect on decreasing of VAS and improving of lumbar flexion and extension than control group. There was only statistically significant difference between two groups in improving of lumbar flexion, while, decreasing of VAS and improving of lumbar extension were not significant statistically. Conclusions : 8 constitution acupuncture therapy can be recommended as a useful therapy to treat patients checked up the Pancreotonia with acute stage lumbago. Futher study is needed to confirm the effectiveness of 8 constitution acupuncture.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.107-126
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• 2008

Background : There was seldom study about method that diagnose 8 Constitution beside method of pulse diagnosis in 8 Constitution Medicine. Objectives : This study is to make out 8 Constitution Medicine Diagnosis Expert System Development used CBR(Case based Reasoning). Methods : First, at case base construction process we constructed case base for CBR embodiment because gathering 925 cases all to patient who constitution is verified, and second, at study model establishment process superior expert system development by purpose CBR of reasoning process dividing fundamental type CBR that spend basis data value and expert type CBR that reflect weight in basis data value accordin I II III to advice expert opinion, and third, system embodiment process explained about way to give process and weight that diagnose constitution through Nearest Neighbor Method sampling process of CBR techniques, and fourth, at system estimation process we selected superior CBR model because comparing and estimate the diagnosis rate of expert system with fundamental type system (GECBR) model and expert type I II III CBR system (AVCBR, AACBR, AGCBR) model that reflect expert opinion in fundamental type system. GECBR and AGCBR chose on superior study model. Through such 4 study process, we developed 8 constitution diagnosis expert system lastly. Results : 1. When we select GECBR that is fundamental type by reasoning system, diagnosis rate 78.91% of 8 constitution diagnosis expert system is expected, and the constitution diagnosis rate Hepatonia 90.4%, Cholecystonia 63.0%, Pancreotonia 91.1%, Gastrotonia 0%, Pulmotonia 71.2%, Colonotonia 74.4%, Renotonia 37.5%, Vesicotonia 67.1% expect. 2. When we select AGCBR that is expert type III by reasoning system, diagnosis rate 77.51% of 8 constitution diagnosis expert system is expected, and the constitution diagnosis rate Hepatonia 93.4%, Cholecystonia 58.5%, Pancreotonia 91.1%, Gastrotonia 0%, Pulmotonia 73.1%, Colonotonia 64.4%, Renotonia 41.7%, Vesicotonia 72.2% expect. Conclusion : Based on this study, 8 constitution diagnosis expert system may give help to diagnose 8 constitution, and it is going to utilize as objective estimation tool of 8 constitution diagnosis, and further study for 8 Constitution Medicine Diagnosis Expert System Development used CBR(Case based Reasoning) is needed to supplement this study.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.3 s.63
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• pp.80-97
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• 2005

Backgrounds : In recent years there has teen renewed interest in the importance of 8-constitution medicine as evidenced by growth of research in this field. Although diagnosis by 8-constitution depends on pulse types, it still is subjective and thus could be insignificant. Therefore, diagnosis based on objective characteristics is essential. Objectives : The purpose of this study was to find objective characteristics of the 4-constitution groups {木(Mok; hepatonia, cholecystonia), {土(To; pancreotonia, gastrotonia), {金(Gum; pulmotonia, colonotonia), {水(Soo; renotonia, vesicotonia)} in 8-constitution for further diagnosis and therapy. Also, some significant clinical tendencies of 4-constitution groups were studied. Methods : From Nov. 2001 to Apr. 2004, data were collected through a questionnaire given to 720 patients who were classified into one of 8 constitutions according to their pulse types and their responses to constitution-based acupuncture therapy. The questionnaire was composed of 80 items which were about personality, physical shape, habit, physiological and pathological symptoms, response to drugs, favorites and responses to various foods. The data were statistically analyzed by cross-tabulation and one-way analysis of variance, and SPSS V10.0.7PC was used. Results : The results are summarized as follows: 1) Among participants, proportions of hepatotonia, pancreotonia, and cholecystotonia were higher than those of vesicotonia, pulmotonia, colonotonia, renotonia, grstrotonia. 2) 52 items of 80 variances showed significant differences by gender, 3) 13 items were highly correlated with 4-constitution groups in males, and 26 items in fremales. 4) 22 items showed significant group differences among 4-constitution groups in males, and 41 items in females. Also, for each item 4-constitution groups were sorted according to their means, so that the constitutional tendencies were objectively figured out by personality, shape, habit, physiological and pathological symptoms, response to drugs, favorites and responses to foods. Conclusions : Most clinical characteristics of 4-constitution groups found in this study coincided with those from the previous ones in this fold. Thus, classifying patients into one of the 4-constitution groups based on significant objective characteristics is of great benefit to diagnosis and therapy. further study should be followed to improve proper therapy for each constitution.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.142-184
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• 2008

Background: There was seldom study about method that diagnose 8 Constitution beside method of pulse diagnosis in 8 Constitution Medicine. Objectives: This study is to make out 8 Constitution Medicine Diagnosis Expert System Development used CBR(Case based Reasoning). Methods: First, at case base construction process we constructed case base for CBR embodiment because gathering 925 cases all to patient who constitution is verified, and second, at study model establishment process superior expert system development by purpose CBR of reasoning process dividing fundamental type CBR that spend basis data value and expert type I II III CBR that reflect weight in basis data value according to advice expert opinion, and third, system embodiment process explained about way to give process and weight that diagnose constitution through Nearest Neighbor Method sampling process of CBR techniques, and fourth, at system estimation process we selected superior CBR model because comparing and estimate the diagnosis rate of expert system with fundamental type system (GECBR) model and expert type I II III CBR system (AVCBR, AACBR, AGCBR) model that reflect expert opinion in fundamental type system. GECBR and AGCBR chose on superior study model. Through such 4 study process, we developed 8 constitution diagnosis expert system lastly. Results: 1. When we select GECBR that is fundamental type by reasoning system, diagnosis rate 78.91% of 8 constitution diagnosis expert system is expected, and the constitution diagnosis rate Hepatonia 90.4%, Cholecystonia 63.0%, Pancreotonia 91.1%, Gastrotonia 0%, Pulmotonia 71.2%, Colonotonia 74.4%, Renotonia 37.5%, Vesicotonia 67.1% expect. 2. When we select AGCBR that is expert type III by reasoning system, diagnosis rate 77.51% of 8 constitution diagnosis expert system is expected, and the constitution diagnosis rate Hepatonia 93.4%, Cholecystonia 58.5%, Pancreotonia 91.1%, Gastrotonia 0%, Pulmotonia 73.1%, Colonotonia 64.4%, Renotonia 41.7%, Vesicotonia 72.2% expect. Conclusion: Based on this study, 8 constitution diagnosis expert system may give help to diagnose 8 constitution, and it is going to utilize as objective estimation tool of 8 constitution diagnosis, and further study for 8 Constitution Medicine Diagnosis Expert System Development used CBR(Case based Reasoning) is needed to supplement this study.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.22-41
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• 2008

Background: Eight-Constitution Medicine (ECM) devides the human body into eight constitutions. Up until now, checking the pulse types is only way to classify the eight constitution. Recently we try to make a questionnaire that is based on the Eight-Constitution characters and analyze the answer from patients who were classified into one of the eight constitutions according to their pulse types and their responses to constitution-acupuncture therapy Objective: This study intends to analyze each answer of the Eight-Constitution Questionnaire with independent sample t-test. Methods: Participants of this study were outpatients in ECM clinics located in Korea. The resources were collected from 925 patients who were classified into one of the eight constitutions according to their pulse types and their responses to constitution-acupuncture therapy. SPSS 13.0 for Windows was used for independent sample t-test. Results and Conclusions: 1. The proportion of participants' constitutions is in the order of Pancreotonia (28.0%), Colonotonia (17.3%), Pulmotonia (18.1%), Hepatonia (18.1%), Vesicotonia (8.5%), Cholecystotonia (7.0%), Renotonia (2.6%) and Gastrotonia (0.4%). 2. Eight-Constitution Questionnaire consists of 5 parts; Appearance, Character, Body reaction, Physiology & Pathology and Food reaction. 3. 10 items were chosen among 42 question about Appearance. 4. Due to the deficiency of Gastrotonia examples, useful items have to be given up. If we can gather Gastrotonia examples, we can use meaningful items more than 10.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.194-204
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• 2001

Purpose: In general, Acute Pyelonephritis is effectively treated with the use of antibiotics. However, some antibiotics are reported to cause side effects, and the abuse of antibiotics results in the increase of the disease's tolerance to antibiotics. Recently, I have effectively treated five cases of Acute Pyelonephritis by using only Constitution - Acupuncture and Herb, and therefore I would like to report about these cases. Methods: I diagnosed Acute Pyelonephritis of these five patients by confirming symptoms and employing a urine analysis with reagent strip(Multi $stix{\circledR}$). I used Kuon's method of constitutional diagnosis for the purpose of the diagnosis of the constitutional 8 morbidities. I relied on Sungjeong(性情) and Chehyungkisang(體刑氣像) in diagnosing Sasang Constitutions(四象人). I performed acupuncture on the left and right sides, depending on 8 constitutions, by employing Chang - temperament Inflammation Formula(臟系炎症方) that is used for the treatment of all kinds of chang-temperament inflammation diseases, as well as Bactericidal Formula(殺菌方) that is used for the treatment of all kinds of bacterially caused diseases. I prescribed by consulting the appearance of disease and general symptoms of each case with Dongyi Soose Bowon(東醫壽世保元)'s prescription symptoms. Result: Two of them showing severe symptoms were hospitalized, while three others took OPD treatment. The patient who was PANCREOTONIA and Soyangin improved through hospitalization for three days, another patient who was PULMOTONIA and Taeyangin with severe symptoms, improved through hospitalization for seven days, and completely recovered through OPD treatment later. The three others took only OPD treatment, and improved within 5-7 days. Conclusion: I confirmed that each of 8-constituions and Sasang Constitutions were all treated effectively without antibiotics.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.89-110
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• 2009

Background : Eight-Constitution Medicine (ECM) devides the human body into eight constitutions. Up until now, checking the pulse types is only way to classify the eight constitution. Recently we try to make a questionnaire that is based on the Eight-Constitution characters and analyze the answer from patients who were classified into one of the eight constitutions according to their pulse types and their responses to constitution-acupuncture therapy. Objective : This study intends to analyze each answer of the Eight-Constitution Questionnaire with independent sample t-test. Methods : Participants of this study were outpatients in ECM clinics located in Korea. The resources were collected from 925 patients who were classified into one of the eight constitutions according to their pulse types and their responses to constitution-acupuncture therapy. SPSS 13.0 for Windows was used for independent sample t-test. Results and Conclusions : 1. The proportion of participants' constitutions is in the order of Pancreotonia (28.0%), Colonotonia (17.3%), Pulmotonia (18.1%), Hepatonia (18.1%), Vesicotonia (8.5%), Cholecystotonia (7.0%), Renotonia (2.6%) and Gastrotonia (0.4%). 2. Eight-Constitution Questionnaire consists of 5 parts; Appearance, Character, Body reaction, Physiology & Pathology and Food reaction. 3. 18 items were chosen among 81 question about Character. 4. Due to the deficiency of Gastrotonia examples, useful items have to be given up. If we can gather Gastrotonia examples, we can use meaningful items more than 18.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.143-152
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• 2013

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between nutrient intakes and blood biochemical parameters of Korean women classified by the Eight Constitutions. Methods: The constitutions of female subjects were determined by the methods of eight constitutional pulse formation. Anthropometric characteristics and blood biochemical parameters including fasting blood glucose (FSB), serum lipid profiles, homocysteine, and insulin were determined. Food frequency questionnaires were used to evaluate the nutrient intake of the subjects. Results: Subjects were classified as Hepatonia 16.8%, Cholecystonia 2.8%, Pancreotonia 58.9%, Pulmotonia 5.1%, Colonotonia 16.4%, respectively. Gastrotonia, Renotonia, and Vesicotonia individuals were not present in this study. BMI, total calorie and fat intakes of the Mok constitutions (Hepatonia and Cholecystonia) were higher than those of the Gum constitutions (Pulmotonia and Colonotonia) (p<0.05). Triglyceride, total cholesterol, and LDL-C concentrations for the Cholecystonia were the highest while those for the Pulmotonia (p<0.05) were lowest, which is in line with the results from nutrient intakes. Conclusions: Total calorie and fat intake among subjects with different constitutions were different. BMI and serum lipid profiles positively associated with calorie and nutrients intakes were significantly higher in Mok constitutions than Gum constitutions. Personalized diet plans seem to be needed for subjects on a special diet due to the individual constitutional differences.