• CELLMED
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.23.1-23.6
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• 2015

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practice is still popular among the Malaysian population nowadays although western or allopathic medicine is the first line of treatment. Dissatisfaction with health services and therapeutic effects of western medicine or preference for holistic, integrative approach in treatment are common reasons favouring the increasing popularity of CAM practices. The efforts toward integration of CAM and western medicine in Malaysia were rather slow and in a piece-meal fashion. Strategic efforts in strengthening government and self-regulation among practitioners, formalizing education, promoting research, and cultivating national and international networks are necessary to achieve an integrative system. Regulations to restrict the practice and sale of CAM products to licensed practitioners, strict and mandatory registration of the practitioners, inclusion of CAM in essential medicines list, and pricing regulations must be comprehensively discussed. Development of curriculum, offers of scholarship and incentives, promotion of courses and seminars for professionals is necessary to increase the numbers of CAM experts. Malaysia should follow the efforts of other countries on the production and documentation of local CAM data, allocation of funding, and establishment of research centres to assess the efficacy of potentially useful local products. Local and international collaboration in research and continuous education is important for exchange of knowledge and skills. In conclusion more coordinated efforts in regulation of CAM practice and products, formalizing CAM training and education would significantly move the process forward and allow the public to enjoy more health benefits from CAM practice in Malaysia.

• Perspectives in Nursing Science
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.73-89
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• 2006

Complementary and alternative medicine has gained popularity and respectability in recent years in the United States. Since aging is often associated with chronic health conditions that commonly lead to physical and psychosocial disabilities (e.g., depression, functional and/or cognitive disabilities, and decreased quality of life), older adults often seek options to maintain health and treat chronic conditions as an adjunct to conventional medical care. Herbal products, the most commonly used among various complementary and alternative medicines (CAM), should be used with caution due to potential herbal-drug interactions (related to polypharmacy) and herbal-disease interactions (related to comorbidities). Five of the most common chronic conditions in older adults are chronic pain, cardiovascular problems, hypertension, diabetes, and chronic lung problems. A high rate of falls or risk of falling is also a problem unique to this older population. For these conditions, only a few types of CAM (e.g., acupuncture, qi gong, tai chi) were tested, with promising results. However, in spite of evidence supporting the use of certain types of CAM to alleviate some common chronic conditions, findings are limited in terms of other types of CAM tested and both short and long-term effects. More rigorous clinical trials of various CAM types are thus warranted to advance scientific knowledge and establish evidence-based practices to care for the growing number of older adults who deserve to have a better quality of life.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.732-745
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• 2009

Objectives : This study analyzed the contents of research papers of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) concerning chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) published in PubMed during the last 5 years. This study was conducted to help clinical studies for treating COPD with Oriental medicine. Materials and Methods : We inspected 31 theses and scrutinized their objectives, periods, participants, materials and methods, methods of assessment, results and Jadad score. Results : The treatments in the studies were supplements, physical training, acupuncture, acu-TENS, Bojungikgi-tang (Buzhongyiqi-tang), counseling, breathing training, osteopathic manipulative treatment, reflexology, and distractive auditory stimuli. The aims of treatment were improvement of exercise capacity, lung function, quality of life, oxidative status, nutrient status, systemic inflammation, and cessation of smoking. The median for treatment period of study was 8 weeks, the median number of participants was 35 and the differences between mean $FEV_1$ from groups were less than 10% in 22 studies. The methods of assessment were lung function test, exercise capacity test, muscle strength test, questionnaire of QoL, laboratory studies, and measurement of nutrient state. The mean of Jadad score was $2.4\;{\pm}\;1.03$, and 24 treatment were assessed as effective. Conclusion : Recent CAM studies of COPD have focused on various topics in alternative and complementary medicine, and it is necessary to provide objective studies for treatment of this disease with Oriental medicines.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.83-92
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• 2009

Purpose: The aim of this study was to review systemically journals on the studies for complementary and alternative medicine in the treatment of endometriosis. Methods: Through medical websites, foreign clinical literatures about complementary and alternative medicines of endometriosis were searched. The cite used was http://www.Pubmed.gov. And then they were divided into three groups. In vitro, in vivo, clinical studies. Results: 1. We researched 2 papers about in vitro. Both were used extract of herbal mixture. And they used CCL5, SE-1, COUP-TF, 17-$\beta$-HSD1, 17-$\beta$-HSD2 which were not commonly used in Korea. 2. We researched 8 papers about in vivo. Most of them used blood-activating stasis-dispelling medicine, just few used tonic medicine. And they used acupuncture which were not used in Korea. Most of Korean paper also used blood-activating stasis-dispelling medicine and rarely used tonic medicine. 3. We researched 19 papers about clinical studies. They had much more cases(average=60) than Korean paper. They were also used western medicine randomized sham-controlled trial. Conclusion: Afterward we need to study for comparing western medicine and herb medicine. And we concern about acupuncture therapy.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.187-196
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the perception and utilization patterns of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. Methods: A total of 92 fibromyalgia syndrome patients participated in this study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and were analyzed with SPSS/WIN 23.0 program. Results: As a result, 59.8% of subjects had an experience of CAM and 33.7% of subjects have used until now. There were significant differences of the use of CAM between the group of CAM users and non-CAM users by education ($x^2$=4.04, p=.044), period of illness ($x^2$=15.03, p=.001), and period of treatment ($x^2$=12.10, p=.002). Relatively large numbers of patients understanded as that CAM was effective (58.7%) and fibromyalgia syndrome was controllable (75.0%). Moreover, there were significant differences of the use of CAM by the perception of CAM effects ($x^2$=4.15, p=.042), fibromyalgia syndrome ($x^2$=6.55, p=.038), and best treatment for fibromyalgia ($x^2$=11.03, p=.001). Conclusion: These results could be utilized as a basic data for developing nursing intervention for fibromyalgia syndrome.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.165-178
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• 2007

This article explores how non-dominant medical practitioners shape their own self-images and the identity of relevant medicine and in what ways fashioning of self-images and accompanying modalities of medical practice informs the social evolution of the medicines at specific times and over specific places, by means of the historical configuration of osteopathy and chiropractic in the UK and the US. Attention is directed onto motivations and pursuits for professional recognition and actual strategies and activities of non-dominant medicines and its practitioners by turning to historical instances such as osteopathy and chiropractic in the UK and the US, not least drawing focus on professional desires with regard to circumstances it faces within and without. Some non-dominant medicines as a way with which to acquire and protect the exclusive monopoly of its knowledge and practical skills, adopted various forms of professionalism project, as dominant biomedical groups pressed up non-dominant medicines by virtue of marginalizing tactics. Meanwhile, non-dominant medicines took somewhat distinctive professionalisation strategies from each other. Strategies they took were diversified depending on medical philosophy, healing modality, the degree of occupational solidarity embodied as forms of medical organisation, and especially vocational aspiration and prospect. Change of socio-medical culture and the state's policy seems to have wielded critical influenceon the determination of the ups and downs of non-dominant medicines. From the perspective of long-term time span, dominant biomedicine eventually did not have much influence on the ups and downs of marginalized medicines in so far as in the case of osteopathy and chiropractic in Englandand the U. S.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.141-149
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• 2004

Objectives : To evaluate the cost and proportion of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) in the total healthcare costs among the elderly in the last 6 months of life. Methods : The care-giving families of 301 persons older than 65 years, who died between July 1st and December 31st of 2001, and were also registered in Self-Employed Health Insurance Programs in Seoul, were interviewed. Results : The cost of CAM was 1.09 million Won, which as a proportion of the total healthcare cost was 38.1%. The elderly aged between 65 and 69 year-old, male, living with their spouse, Buddhist and having cancers had higher CAM costs in an ANOVA and simple regression analysis. After controlling of various factors, age was the only significant factor associated with the cost of CAM. The elderly above 80 years old, female, bereaved and Buddhist had higher proportional CAM costs, and the elderly having cancers or cardiovascular diseases had lower proportional CAM costs in an ANOVA and simple regression analysis. After adjusting for various factors, the elderly above 85 years old, female and Buddhist had higher proportional CAM costs, and the elderly having cancers had lower proportional CAM costs. Conclusion : The very old and Buddhist, and/or the ill with no clear diagnosis, may depend more on CAM. Further research will be needed on the meaning and impact of CAM and their costs to public health and the total healthcare system.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7847-7852
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• 2015

Purpose: Research carried out with gynecologic cancer patients using CAM was reviewed to provide a source for discussing which CAM method is used for which purpose, patients' perceptions on the effects/side effects occurred during/after using CAM and their sources of information regarding CAM. Materials and Methods: This literature review was carried out for the period between January 2000 and March 2015 using Scopus, Dynamed, Med-Line, Science Dırect, Ulakbim, Research Starters, Ebscohost, Cinahl Complete, Academic Onefile, Directory of Open Access Journals, BMJ Online Journals (2007-2009), Ovid, Oxford Journal, Proquest Hospital Collection, Springer-Kluwer Link, Taylor & Francis, Up To Date, Web Of Science (Citation Index), Wiley Cochrane-Evidence Base, Wiley Online Library, and Pub-Med search databases with "complementary and alternative medicine, gynecologic cancer" as keywords. After searching through these results, a total of 12 full length papers in English were included. Results: CAM use in gynecologic cancer patients was discussed in 8 studies and CAM use in breast and gynecologic cancer patients in 4. It was determined that the frequency of CAM use varies between 40.3% and 94.7%. As the CAM method, herbal medicines, vitamins/minerals were used most frequently in 8 of the studies. When the reasons why gynecologic cancer patients use CAM are examined, it is determined that they generally use to strengthen the immune system, reduce the side effects of cancer treatment and for physical and psychological relaxation. In this review, most of the gynecologic cancer patients perceived use of CAM as beneficial. Conclusions: In order that the patients obtain adequate reliable information about CAM and avoid practices which may harm the efficiency of medical treatment, it is recommended that "Healthcare Professionals" develop a common language.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.92-101
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to study complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) used among cancer patients in Korea. Method: This study was a descriptive survey. Study participants were 1,150 cancer patients selected from 28 representative hospitals in Korea. Data were collected between December 1, 2004 and March 30, 2005. Results: Their diagnosis were as follows : 20.0% for breast cancer, 15.6% for stomach cancer, 14.4% for liver cancer, 10.8% for lung cancer, 10.0% for colon cancer, and 10.0% for uterine cancer. 75.0% of cancer patients had used CAM. The most popular categories of CAM use were diet with 153.2%, non- prescription of oriental medical doctor 47.9% and mind-body control 20.3%. CAM use gender, age, cancer type, cancer treatment method, and current treatment type was significantly different in. Conclusion: CAM use among cancer patients in Korea was very popular(75.0%) and so systemic guidelines of CAM use are needed.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.126-131
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• 2018

This study investigates the effect of a combination of homeopathic medicine and electro- acupuncture in two patients with breast cancer and severe liver disease who could not receive standard anaesthesia therapy due to liver problems. Specifically, measurable and quantifiable parameters were used to evaluate whether an integrated approach-consisting of electro- acupuncture and a homeopathic medicine diluted above Avogadro's limit (that is, above a potency of 12CH) during the pre-surgical, surgical and post-surgical phases -can improve general well-being of a patient undergoing breast cancer surgery. In breast cancer surgery, we employed an integrated approach consisting of induction with hypnotics and muscle relaxants, followed by maintenance with anaesthetic gas, combined with a homeopathic treatment (Arnica montana 15CH and Apis mellifica 15CH) before and after surgery and an electro- acupuncture treatment performed in the pre- and post-surgical phases without any analgesic/pain relieving medications. Both of the patients treated with the integrated approach improved their overall condition without need for other common pain relieving medicines. Additionally, thanks to their rapid awakening, the patients were not relocated to a protected area and the hospitalization was shorter. A multidisciplinary approach incorporating homeopathic medicine and electro-acupuncture can be a solution for patients who need or ask about a different and/or safer alternative to the standard treatment. This approach can offer a safe, much less expensive, non-invasive and viable alternative for such cases. Moreover it can be useful for an opioids free anesthesia.