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

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.44 no.2
• /
• pp.231-243
• /
• 2023

Background: Diabetic polyneuropathy is the most common complication in diabetics, occurring in 50% of all cases. About 10-20% of all diabetics are accompanied by neurological pain, showing a tendency to increase with age. Clinical aspects are very diverse, from mild abnormalities on nerve conduction tests to severe abnormalities in all sensory, motor, and autonomic nerves; however, sensory symptoms usually precede motor symptoms. Patients typically express sensory symptoms, such as positive and negative symptoms, which decrease the quality of life and have marked clinical implications, such as increased morbidity and mortality. Although Western medical drugs, such as tricyclic antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and narcotic analgesics, are used for diabetic polyneuropathy, a standard treatment has not been established. Case report: A 65-year-old male with paresthesia and pain due to diabetic polyneuropathy was treated with Uchashinki-hwan, acupuncture, electroacupuncture, moxibustion, and Jungsongouhyul pharmacopuncture for 10 days. We used the Toronto Clinical Neuropathy Scoring System, EuroQol-5 Dimension, and Visual Analog Scale to evaluate symptoms. Subsequently, the Neuropathy Scoring System, EuroQol-5 Dimension, and subjective discomfort improved. Conclusion: The present case report suggests that combined Korean medicine treatment might be an effective treatment for paresthesia and pain with diabetic polyneuropathy. Several follow-up studies should be conducted to clarify the effectiveness of the treatment.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.39 no.5
• /
• pp.1023-1031
• /
• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of Korean medicine in a patient with sensory disturbance of the hands and feet diagnosed as hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy (Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease). Methods: A patient diagnosed with hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy (Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease) was treated with herbal medicine (Uchashinki-hwan-gami, Bosinji Granule, Ukgan-san-gami), acupuncture, moxibustion, and bee venom pharmacopuncture. Clinical improvements were evaluated using the numerical rating scale (NRS) and Toronto Clinical Neuropathy Score system (TCNSS). Results: Improvements in the total scores of NRS and TCNS were observed after Korean medicine treatments. NRS score decrease from 8 to 2, and TCNS score decreased from 10 to 7. Conclusion: Korean medicine treatment may be effective for sensory disturbance in hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy (Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease).

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.45 no.3
• /
• pp.358-380
• /
• 2024

Objectives: This study was performed to research Korean medical treatment methods for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy by summarizing domestic studies. Methods: All domestic research papers on the Korean medical treatment of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy were selected from the literature published until April 2024 in four domestic databases. In total, 26 domestic papers were selected. Results: Eighteen clinical studies and eight experimental studies were published by April 2024. Most of the studied patients were in their fifties, and 93.4% of the subjects were women. Uchashinki-hwan (牛車腎氣丸) was the most frequently prescribed herbal formula, and Rehmanniae Radix Preparata was the most commonly used herb. All studies showed significant effects of Korean medical treatment, and any adverse events were not reported. Conclusion: This study included all domestic research papers on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy to identify research trends in the Korean medicine community. Based on this, it is meaningful to confirm areas that need to be supplemented in future research plans. However, large-scale studies are needed.