• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.12
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• pp.1793-1800
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• 2020

Bifidobacterium strains can provide several health benefits, such as antimicrobial and immunomodulatory effects. Some strains inhibit growth or cell adhesion of pathogenic bacteria, including multidrug-resistant bacteria, and their antibacterial activity can be intensified when combined with certain antibiotics. In addition, some strains of bifidobacteria reduce viral infectivity, leading to less epithelial damage of intestinal tissue, lowering the virus shedding titer, and controlling the release of antiviral substances. Furthermore, bifidobacteria can modulate the immune system by increasing immunoglobulins, and inducing or reducing pro- or anti-inflammatory cytokines, respectively. In particular, these anti-inflammatory effects are helpful in the treatment of patients who are already suffering from infection or inflammatory diseases. This review summarizes the antimicrobial effects and mechanisms, and immunomodulatory effects of Bifidobacterium strains, suggesting the potential of bifidobacteria as an alternative or complementary treatment option.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.1-14
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• 2019

Objectives The purpose of this study is to analyze clinical studies on effectiveness of herbal medicine in influenza compared with Oseltamivir. Methods We searched the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with herbal medicine treatment on influenza compared to Oseltamivir from the Pubmed, CNKI, OASIS, NDSL, J-stage, and CiNii. Results 14 out of 717 studies were selected and analyzed. The herbal medicine treatment had a significant effects on the alleviation of fever, cough, sore throat than the Oseltamivir control treatment. Herbal medicine had same therapeutic effectiveness like Oseltamivir on duration of influenza-like symptoms and viral shedding. No serious adverse reactions were reported from the herbal medicine treatment. Conclusions The results of these trials showed that the herbal medicine may be more effective than the Oseltamivir in the treatment of influenza. Well-designed RCTs for domestic herbal medicine treatment on influenza are needed to prove its efficacy clearly.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.42-73
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• 2023

Objectives : In order to investigate the current status of recent clinical evidence related to complementary and alternative medicine(CAM) treatment for burns and to inform research and treatment strategies for future, we publish a scoping review(ScR) of randomized controlled trials(RCTs). Methods : The research question of the ScR was "Are there any RCTs of CAM treatment for burn?". RCTs published from 2000 to 2022 were identified in 7 databases(PubMed, Cochrane, CNKI, OASIS, RISS, KCI, KMbase) in March 2023. Data were tabulated and analyzed descriptively with respect to the research questions. Results : 41 RCTs were included. 21(51.2%) were conducted in China, 13(31.7%) in Iran. The main treatment criteria were herbal medicine in 28 cases, acupuncture in 9 cases, chuna therapy in 4 cases, and psychotherapy in 3 cases. Among the herbal medicine, there were 19 topical medications, 5 injections(intravenous pharmacopuncture), 4 aerosol drugs(aromatherapy), and 1 oral drug. Among the acupuncture, there were 4 plum blossom needles(seven-star needles), 2 wrist-ankle acupunctures, 2 press needles, and 1 electroacupuncture. CAM treatments were effective in treating burns. It reduced pain and pruritus at the burn site, helped recovery and management of the donor site, reduced anxiety and pain during dressing change, improved hematological problems and vital signs, and finally lowered the mortality rate. CAM treatments also lowered health care costs. Conclusions : CAM treatments for burns is prospective, and that it deserves to make high-quality studies including additional large-scale RCTs.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.1590-1596
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• 2007

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has gained in popularity among cancer patients in recent years. The use of CAM in cancer patients is common with about one third of patients using some form of CAM in Western countries. The purpose of this study was to analyze the use of CAM and determine what factors affect to use CAM among cancer patients to provide CAM therapy information and assist therapy selection among various CAM therapies to cancer patients. The design of the study was descriptive cross-sectional, and data were collected using a 16-item questionnaire. This study was conducted in subjects with confirmed diagnosis of stomach, colon, liver, or pancreas cancer, in both out-patients clinics and inpatients setting in a tertiary hospital in Seoul Korea. As a result, among the participants, past or current CAM use was reported by 75%, which shows a statistically significant difference in income groups(P<0.05), but no difference in age and religion groups. The most common therapies use by cancer patients included traditional Korean medicine (32.1%), folk remedies (26.6%), exercise (14%), dietary supplements (11.6%), physical therapy (9.9%), diet therapy (5%), and meditation (4%). 77.8% of patients show satisfaction and 64.4% shows perceived effectiveness of CAM. Male patients with higher income, and previous treatment were more likely to use CAM. The main benefits from CAM reported by cancer patients were psychological improvement and symptom improvement. Of the cancer patients used CAM, 30.9% were dissatisfied, 25.8% did not have benefits from the use, and 7.6% experience side effects. Cancer patients who prefer CAM (more than 3 kinds) used it to cure cancer, on the contrary, the one who do not prefer CAM used to improve symptoms and psychological stability. The main sources of information about CAM were family and friends(54.4%), and media(24.5%), doctor and nurse(18.3%), and religion group(2.6%). Findings suggest that due to the relatively high use of CAM among cancer patients in Korea, this topic should be taken into account in the development of a holistic approach to cancer patients and efficient cancer patients management system and proactive and consistent management of CAM is necessary in the health care system in Korea.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.44-54
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• 2018

Objectives The purpose of this study is to analyze clinical studies on effectiveness of herbal medicine in rhinosinusitis. Methods We searched the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with herbal medicine treatment on rhinosinusitis from the Pubmed in recent 10 years (from 2008 to 2018). Results 11 RCTs were reviewed. In 10 out of 11 studies showed that the herbal medicine may be effective in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyp and uncomplicated acute rhinosinusitis. However, inclusion and exclusion criteria, and outcome measures were varied among different studies. No serious adverse reactions were reported from the herbal medicine treatment. Conclusions The results of these trials showed that herbal medicine may be effective in the treatment of rhinosinusitis. Well-designed RCTs for domestic herbal medicine treatment on rhinosinusitis are needed to prove its efficacy clearly.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6537-6540
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• 2013

Background: Music therapy is a common complementary and alternative therapy in addition to medical treatment for patients with cancer. If music therapy, which is known has a positive effect on human emotions and behaviors, is a useful additional therapy, it should be more integrated into pyscho-oncology. In this study, we aimed to determine medical oncologist attitudes to music therapy for patients with cancer and knowledge about musicology and music therapy in Turkey. Materials and Methods: This survey study included questions about participant attitudes and knowledge regarding music therapy as well as demographic characteristics. The population of the study were 402 physicians working in medical oncology in Turkey and the sample covered 112 participants in the the survey. For statistical analyses the chi-square test, Fischer exact test, and Mann-Whitney U analysis are applied. Results: In our study the rate for medical oncologists who were interested in music therapy was 28% (n=112). Some 30% (n=34) of medical oncologists recommended music therapy for their patients and 55% (n=61) recommended music therapy to prevent anxiety in patients with cancer. Conclusions: In this study, for more harmony with patients and in order to ensure management of adverse effect, it was concluded that music therapy should be regrded as an additional therapy in oncology clinics.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.2 s.62
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• pp.182-194
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• 2005

Objectives: After the discontinuance of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI)clinical trial in the U.S. in July 2002, I thought that the domestic medical field would come to a crisis in hormonal treatment for perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. However, the domestic condition of HRT has barely changed. This study was designed to investigate world research trends in HRT and bring forward the response of the Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) Research Group. Methods: I investigated recent domestic ;md world research trends about HRT and climacteric syndrome. Based on this analysis, I predicted western medical research trends and direction for HRT and medical care of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. Results and Conclusions: I propose that we (TKM Research Group) have to explain the side effects of HRT for postmenopausal women and try to suggest complementary therapy for it. For that aim, the Association of Korean Medicine's effort is very important, as well as personal practitioner's actions.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.17-25
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• 2012

Objectives: This study was conducted to explore the contemporary perception of traditional Korean medical doctors (TKMDs) on traditional Korean medicine (TKM) policies and issues. Methods: A questionnaire that included traditional medicine policy- and treatment-related issues was sent to 130 TKM medical centers and 4,300 TKM local clinical offices in Korea, and received responses from total 648 TKMDs in 122 TKM medical centers and 465 TKM local clinical offices. Results: Of the responding TKMDs, 40% believed that unification of Western and traditional medicines would benefit both modes of medical treatment, 67.6% were against allowing Chinese doctor certification to be effective in Korea through the Korea-China FTA (Free Trade Agreement), and 57.8% believed that the number of TKMDs should be reduced. We also found that 46.1% of TKMDs believed that more lectures on Western medicine would be needed in schools of TKM. Moreover, 87.5% of respondents regarded medical knowledge as necessary for treatment, and 49.4% believed National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Traditional Medicine (NCCAOM) would be not necessary. TKMDs regarded governmental efforts as more vital than education in schools or individual efforts for enhancement of the traditional medical care market in Korea. To efficiently provide the advantages of complementary CAM, such as cost and safety, detailed research is required when policy is made. Conclusions: The TKM industry must implement policies how the relationship with Western medicine can be better defined under the current dual medical system. On the issue of human resources, more research will be needed on the current policy, which serves to maintain the status quo by blocking the importation of Chinese practitioners and by reducing the number of new practitioners.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.47-54
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• 2008

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the disease burden of cancer, to investigate how many cancer patients use CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) therapies with or without conventional medicine, to know reasons for use of cancer CAM therapies, and finally to discuss viewpoints on treating cancer with traditional Korean medicine (TKM). Method: In order to know the disease burden of cancer, the prevalence and mortality of cancer patients of Korean, American, and WHO reports were investigated, and the usage of cancer CAM therapies was investigated in several reports. The viewpoints about cancer treatment with TKM were suggested with the characteristics of TKM. Results: One hundred thousand Korean people were diagnosed [in time period] as new cancer patients, and cancer patients are gradually increasing every year. Cancer is a leading cause of deaths in Korea and worldwide. From 21% to 63% of Korean cancer patients, 80% of American cancer patients, and 35.9% of European cancer patients used CAM therapies, and the most common therapy was an herbal therapy. Conclusions: TKM has been used to treat cancer since initial use of acupuncture and herbs with basic viewpoints on human health and disease. First, TKM regards occurrence of cancer as an environmental problem of the whole human being. Second, the pathologic concept centered on antipathogenic Qi (Zheong Qi) can reinforce the functioning of the patient's own natural vitality to overcome cancer. Third, TKM deals with cancer patients through mind, body, and spirit based on the monoism of mind and body.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.23-35
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• 2017

Backgrounds: The demand of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) including Korean Medicine (KM) is increasing worldwide. But cancer patients (CP) still have a difficulty in gathering CAM information or communicating with their doctors, and clinical status in cancer care is unclear in the field of KM in Korea especially. The aim of this study is to examine clinical status of KM for cancer symptom care by KM doctors in medical service institutions. Methods: Total forty nine KM doctors completed the site survey questionnaire. The questionnaire items were to list chief symptom complaints of CP treated with KM and effective KM therapies. Results: The majority of the respondents were general physicians without KM specialist board (67.4%) who have 10-20 years clinical experience with CP (55.1%). Primary cancer lesion, diagnostic status, and treatment period were not different in KM clinical service institutions. In chief symptom complaints of CP treated with KM, gastrointestinal (32.9%), musculoskeletal (19.9%), circulatory & respiratory (16.2%), psychiatric (14.1%), urinary (5.8%) symptoms were in turn. In effective KM therapies assessed by KM doctors, xerostomia (45.7%) and cancer-related fatigue (44.8%) were more effective with herbal treatments. Peripheral neuropathy (43.4%), depression, insomnia (38.2%), and cancer pain (31.9%) were preferred to treat using acupuncture. Conclusion: The CP treated with KM used evenly KM medical service institutions regardless of hospital size, and there will be further survey for CP treated KM in the future.