• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.314-323
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• 2001

Purpose : Complementary and alternative therapies(CAT) are defined as those treatments and healthcare practices not taught widely in medical schools, not generally used in hospitals, and not usually reimbursed by health care insurance. Recently, CAT have become increasingly popular with health care consumers and health care professionals. This study investigated nurses' perceptions and experiences with CAT. Method: 124 nurses who were working in university hospitals in Seoul and Inchon were randomly selected as participants for this study. They answered open and closed questionnaires on their Perceptions and experiences with CAT. Results: Most of the subjects recognized the existence of CAT (86.3%), and expected a treatment effect from CAT when it is combined with conventional therapy (84.7%). Nurses accepted CAT positively as complement for conventional therapy and useful modalities of psychological support when its effects have been proven scientifically. Forty nurses (32.3%) had learned CAT including soojichim, aroma therapy, relaxation, meditation, music therapy, massage, and acupressure. Eight nurses (6.5%) used CAT with patients including soojichim, hand massage, relaxation, and music therapy. Conclusion: In spite of the nurses' positive perceptions of CAT, the nurses' professional experiences were quite limited. Nurses need authorized training programs and continuing education opportunities in CAT. This would increase their ability to use CAT. But to improve scientific knowledge more evidence based research is.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.447-458
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• 2007

Purpose: This exploratory study was to identify the use of complementary and alternative medicine(CAM) in women with breast cancer and to analyze which factor influence CAM use. Methods: 114 patients with breast cancer were identified and approached. The instrument used to gather data were the common types, main reasons and effects as well as stress, mood states and fatigue. Results: 42.7% of all participants reported the use of CAM. The most common types of CAM used were Phellinus linteus, elm tree, and vitamin C. The main reasons for CAM use were to boost the immune system and to prevent recurrence. Prayer, massage, Shitake mushroom, and Ganoderma lucidum were, identified as being more effective than others. 93.6% of the respondents informed their physicians of their use of CAM. Logistic regression analysis determined that stress, mood states, and duration after diagnosis were factors significantly associated with CAM use. Conclusion: CAM use is increasing among patients with breast cancer. Health care professionals are in the main position to identify what treatments patients are using and implement CAM therapies that can be helpful to relieve patient symptoms related to treatment and psychological distress.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.110-118
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• 2015

Purpose: This study aimed to provide a basic resource for developing nursing interventions and educational programs for complementary and alternative therapies (CAT) by examining nursing students' perception, experience, and attitudes toward CAT. Methods: Data were collected targeting 230 nursing students from October 20 to November 10, 2014, and analyzed by using descriptive statistics, t-test, ${\chi}^2$-test, and ANOVA with SPSS/WIN 18.0. Results: Results showed that CAT were performed by CAT specialists in combination with hospital treatments for individuals suffering from chronic pain and musculoskeletal diseases. Nursing students obtained information on and experience of CAT through the Internet. CAT were used for psychological and mental stability as a supplementary treatment. The majority of the participants used Yoga followed by massage as a sub-therapy of the program. They said that openness of medical staff and active communication are important for having a positive attitudes toward CAT. There are differences in attitudes toward CAT according to gender, student levels, and previous experience on CAT. Conclusion: It is crucial for nursing students to have right perception, experience, and attitudes toward CAT in order to apply CAT to the clinical field.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.66-87
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• 2013

Objectives: The aim of this study was to review systemically clinical trials on the trends of studies for Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the treatment of female sexual dysfunction and provide basic resource for future treatment and suggestions for improving research methods. Methods: Through medical website 'Pubmed', foreign clinical literatures about female sexual dysfunction were searched and domestic clinical literatures about female sexual dysfunction were searched using internet websites 'National assembly library', 'KISS', 'RISS', 'Korean traditional knowledge portal'. Results: Total 19 literatures were selected from January 2000 to June 2012. 15 foreign literatures were selected through medical website and 4 domestic literatures were chosen using internet websites or hand-searching. 5 literatures were published in 2008 and 13 literatures mentioned about age group of patients. FSFI is most common tool for female sexual dysfunction. 9 of 19 literatures were using Herbal medicine for treatment. 5 literatures were about CBT, 6 literatures were about Biofeedback and other one literatures are about Perineal massage. There were 14 Randomized controlled trials and 5 Non-randomized controlled trials. And randomized controlled trials were relatively low in risk of bias than non-randomized controlled trials. Conclusions: Upon these results, in similar future more clinical trials should be done and accumulate Evidence-based literatures.

• 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.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.205-222
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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 breast cancer. Methods: Through medical websites, foreign clinical literatures about complementary and alternative medicines of breast cancer were searched. The cite used was http://www.Pubmed.gov. And then they were divided into three groups. Medication, Non-medication therapies and questionnaire reports. Results: 1. We researched 23 papers about herb medicines. Most of papers were about single herb and there were rarely about mixed composition. And there were papers about Ocimum gratissimum, elliptilimba, seeds of Livistona chinensis, golden feverfew which were not commonly used in Korea. 2. We researched 16 papers about acupuncture. Acupuncture had a possitive effect on such symptoms like flushing, nausea and vomitting and pain on upper limb caused by anticancer therapy or tamoxifen or surgery. 3. We researched 36 papers about questionnaire study. Most were about research for women who diagnosed as breast cancer or women after breast cancer surgery. Subjects were about proportion of using CAM, purpose of using it, most popular CAM therapy, satisfaction degree, and relation with age, aducation and social position. And most conclusion were that patient-doctor communication was needed. Conclusion: Afterwards we have to focus on realisitic clinical studies about breast cancer patients, especially postsurgery and people who takes anticancer therapy. And we have to be interest in acupuncture therapy on breast cancer patients.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.84-90
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• 2021

Objectives: Our study aimed to determine the attitudes of second- and final-year medical students and doctors (teaching faculty) of modern medicine towards complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) using the Complementary, Alternative, and Integrative Medicine Attitude Questionnaire (CAIMAQ). Methods: We invited 248 second-year medical students, 245 final-year medical students, and 48 faculty members to participate in the study. The CAIMAQ consists of 30 items, divided into five categories assessing various aspects of CAM, and scored using a 7-point Likert scale. The median scores obtained were compared between groups; a p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 138 medical students and faculty responded and participated in the study, of which, 24 (17.4%) were faculty, 40 (29%) were final-year medical students and 74 (53.6%) were second-year medical students. The overall attitude towards the various CAM concepts and therapies was positive. In general, the faculty were significantly less likely to consider referring patients for CAIM treatments, integrating them with conventional medicine, referring patients to alternative healthcare providers, considering the use of subtle energy fields as an ethical form of treatment, or considering CAIM treatments to be less invasive and harmful compared with conventional medicine. There was no significant difference in the attitudes of second- and final-year students. Conclusion: The attitude of medical students and doctors towards CAM is positive, and although the medical faculty have reservations in recommending specific types of CAM therapies or integrating them with conventional care, building evidence for supporting CAM therapies in specific diseases is likely to increase its uptake among health care professionals.

• 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.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.177-182
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• 2018

Background: Breast cancer is a treatable disease, but some women reject conventional treatment in favor of unproven "alternative therapies," which may have serious implications for their survival. Therefore, a process is needed to lead them to more appropriate treatment choices. Case presentation: Here, we present the case of a 51-year-old Korean female diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer (stage IIB, T2N1M0) in Nov. 2015. She refused a standard surgical resection together with chemotherapy and opted instead for moxibustion by nonmedical personnel. Consequently, her preference for alternative therapy without conventional treatment exacerbated her disease. Just a little over a year later, integrative cancer treatment, including chemotherapy based on histological founding, and complementary treatment, comprised of acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal medicine, were administered for 5 months. Finally, she successfully underwent modified radical mastectomy showing a pathological complete response. She received only adjuvant chemotherapy without any alternative medicine afterwards, and she maintained a good status without recurrence. Conclusion: In the case of breast cancer patients who are resistant to surgery and chemotherapy, integrative therapy considering adverse effects from conventional treatment should be preferred to bitter opposition to alternative medicine.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.3139-3144
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• 2014

Background: Medical treatment for eliminating the side effects of cancer therapy may not always be efficacious. Acupuncture is one of the most widely accepted alternative and complementary therapies in use today. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of acupuncture in patients experiencing cancer treatment side effects, including nausea, vomiting, pain, poor sleep quality and anxiety. Materials and Methods: A total of 45 inpatients who underwent chemotherapy between February and April 2013 in the Oncology Department of Numune Hospital were included in our study. Acupuncture was administered to the patients one day prior to chemotherapy, on the day of chemotherapy and one day after chemotherapy. The patients were evaluated on nausea, vomiting, pain, sleep quality and anxiety before the chemotherapy and on the $4^{th}$ day of chemotherapy. Results: Of the 45 patients included in the study, 18 (40%) were female and 27 (60%) were male. A total of 25 (55.6%) had an elementary school education; 32 patients (71%) had stage 4 cancer and were treated with palliative chemotherapy (the patient characteristics are shown in Table 1). Statistically significant decreases (p<0.001) in pain, nausea, vomiting, insomnia and anxiety scores were observed after the acupuncture treatment compared to baseline. There were no differences in the age, gender, education level, stage or metastasis levels between the patient groups whose symptoms improved or were unchanged. Conclusions: Our study showed that acupuncture has positive effects in cancer treatment patients who experience nausea, vomiting, pain, poor sleep quality and anxiety as side effects of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy-related side effects in cancer patients could be decreased by the concurrent use of acupuncture.