• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.85-96
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• 2021

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigatecomplementary therapiesprovided at hospice palliative care facilities in South Koreaas designated by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Methods: The survey was conducted via e-mail from September 2 to September 23, 2020, with responsesfrom 109 therapists and 59 managers from 55 different hospice care facilities. Results: Hospices provided an average of 3.67 different types of therapies, ranging from 1 to 7 different types. The most common types of therapies were horticultural therapy (81.4%), music therapy (79.7%), art therapy (76.3%), and aromatherapy (57.6%). The average frequency of sessions was once a week, the median duration was 60 minutes. Most therapists (96.3%) had qualifications, but the certification-issuing organizations and training intensiveness varied greatly. None of the therapists were employed on a full-time basis, and their average monthly income was KRW 270,000. Therapists and managers gave average scores of 8.90 and 8.38 out of 10, respectively, regarding the positive impact of complementary therapies on patients. Conclusion: In order for patients and their families to benefit from complementary therapiesat hospice care facilities, in addition tobetter terms of employment for therapists, evidence-based guidelines for different types of therapies are needed so that therapy sessions can be conducted according to the theoretical underpinnings and characteristics of the type of therapy. It is expected that the results of this study will be used for policy-making in support of therapy as an essential hospice service.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.3469-3472
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• 2013

Extract of Lentinula edodes mycelia (LEM) is currently utilized as an oral biological response modifier (BRM) medicine for cancer patients. However, its effectiveness for breast cancer patients with postoperative adjuvant hormone therapy has not yet been scientifically verified. In this study, we investigated the influence of LEM on the quality of life (QOL) and immune response in breast cancer patients undergoing postoperative adjuvant hormone therapy. Twenty patients were studied in total. They received only hormone therapy in the first 4 weeks followed by hormone therapy and LEM during the next 8 weeks. Laboratory tests, QOL score and peripheral blood cytokine production levels were evaluated during the study period. No changes in QOL or cytokines were noted after the first 4 weeks. In contrast, during the following combined therapy period, improvements were noted in QOL and cytokine levels. Although a future large-scale investigation is necessary to confirm these results, these data suggest that the concomitant use of LEM with postoperative adjuvant hormone therapy improves the QOL and immune function of patients.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.23-35
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was to analyze the effect size of complementary and alternative intervention studies in reference to dysmenorrhea and menstrual distress. Methods: In order to conduct a meta-analysis, a total of 393 studies were retrieved from the database. Twenty-eight studies that were published from March 2001 to February 2011 were selected. Results: Intervention studies included seven studies on aromatherapy, five on auriculotherapy, three on each Koryo-Sooji-Chim and moxibustion, two on each heat therapy and magnetic therapy and six on other therapy. The effect size of the intervention studies on dysmenorrhea and menstrual distress was greater than 0.48 for Koryo-Sooji-Chim, moxibustion, aromatherapy, auriculotherapy and other therapy. Conclusion: This study suggests that drug free therapy can reduce the levels of menstrual distress, despite the small number of intervention studies and randomized controlled trials.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.101-103
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• 2018

Cupping therapy (CT) is used in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East and is prevalent in Muslim communities where it is recommended by the Prophet of Islam. The majority of modern, medical practitioners interested in CT, view it as a medical technique and distance themselves from the mechanisms proposed by traditional medicine. However, modern medicine does not offer a valid explanation for the mechanisms involved in CT. There is growing evidence of CT's effectiveness, specifically in chronic pain management when compared to an inactive control, but not against sham treatment. CT accompanied by religion and prayer, as it is in Muslim communities, cannot be considered to be equivalent to any procedures in modern medicine. "Whole System Research" may be the most appropriate trial design to test the ancient practice of CT efficacy whilst pending development of a novel placebo for assessing the connectivity of body and mind interventions.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.162-169
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• 1999

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the attitudes toward complementary and alternative medicine among 1,490 residents(339 households) in Suwon city. Methods: All respondents were asked about types, frequency, effects, side-effects, views, and cost of complementary or alternative medicine through a questionnaire from July 24th to 27th. Six therapies were investigated: diet; acupuncture/ massage/ chiropractic etc., mind control such as Ki/ Yoga/ spiritual therapy/ relaxation therapy etc.; nutritional supplements, cultural remedies; and Herb medications Results: The results of this survey were as follows: 35.6% of respondents had experiences with at least one or more types of complementary and alternative medicine. The average number of different types of therapies used was 3.4. More experience with various types of therapies were found among those respondents of higher education, older age group, higher income, married group, religious group than among the opposite groups of respondents. Herb medications were used most frequently(39.8%), followed by minor grains(37.9%), Ginseng(23.8%), Boshintang(21.5%), acupuncture(20.3%), Gaesojou(15.3%) Gingko nut(12.0%), mushroom(11.5%), Cupping therapy(10.2%), and black goat(0.0%). Acupuncture and Herb medications were used for treatment of hypertension the most frequently; minor grains or silkworm for treatment of diabetic mellitus; vegetables for treatment of obesity; acupuncture, Cupping Therapy, Herb medications for treatment of rheumatism; and acupuncture, Herb medications, or exercises for treatment of Cerebro Vascular Accident(CVA). The average costs of treatment were 108,000 Won for hypertension, 87,200 Won for diabetic mellitus, 16,800 Won for obesity, 68,800 Won for rheumatism, and 87,500 Won for CVA. Among 10.9% of respondents, there were 13 cases of side-effects with acupuncture, Herb medications, and Gaesojou. Among the cases of side-effects, majority was due to Herb medications. Respondents reported that Cupping Therapy was the most effective, followed by acupuncture, Ginseng, Gingko nut, Boshintang, black goat, minor grains, Gaesojou, Herb medications, vegetables, and mushroom. In response to the views of complementary and alternative medicine which they had used, they recommended minor grains first, followed by Ginseng, acupuncture, Gingko nut, Cupping Therapy, vegetables, Boshintang, black goat, mushroom and Herb medications. In contrast, they did not recommend Herb medications, acupuncture, nor Gaesojou. Conclusions: These findings indicate that many people use various complementary and alternative medicine without any guidelines for treatment of serious chronic diseases not even to invigorate themselves. It is, therefore, suggested that medical doctors or scientists verify the true effects or side-effects from the most common complementary or alternative therapies through experiments. Also medical doctors should provide a comfortable atmosphere for discussion among doctors and patients who would like to try these therapies.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.472-482
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• 2003

Purpose: Purposes of this study were to understand the current trends on complementary therapy in relieving chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and to suggest the future research direction. Method: Subjects were selected on CINAHL, MEDLINE, Korean Academy Data Base from 1980 to 2001 which used nausea, vomiting, chemotherapy and complementary therapy as key words in experimental studies. Eight korean articles and twenty-one international articles were analyzed in terms of general characteristics, research methods, and types of complementary therapy. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistical methods. Result: Since 2000, researchers have more actively used complementary therapy. In subject characteristics, mean age was 35.5 years old, 45% of the researchers were performed with high level of incidence of chemotherapy induced vomiting, 14% of them set limit of consecutive cycle during research, and 65% of them did not comment the selecting criteria of sample. About 60% of them were designed post-test only control group; 35% used INV by Rhodes, 31% used Likert scale, and 24% used VAS for dependent variable. Muscle relaxation therapy was mostly applied for relief of nausea and vomiting. Conclusion: Further studies will be needed to control extrinsic variables affecting nausea and vomiting in research design and to accumulate evidence with studies applying various complementary therapies.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.615-625
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• 2023

This study was attempted to improve the mental and psychological health of nursing students through the intervention of positive psychological programs using complementary alternative therapy. This study applied a Non-equivalent control group pre-test and post-test design to verify the effects of negative emotions, career decision making self-efficacy, self-compassion, and flourish in nursing students. The experimental group is the students who received the positive psychology program using complementary and alternative therapy, and the control group is the students who did not receive the program. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS Version 21.0 program. The experimental group showed higher career decision making self-efficacy, self-compassion, and flourish scores and lower negative emotion scores than the control group that did not participate in the education. After applying the positive psychology program using complementary and alternative therapy, it contributed to the expansion of the nursing intervention area using complementary and alternative therapy by reporting positive research effects on career decision making self-efficacy, self-compassion, and flourish.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify influencing factors of using numbers and period of complementary and alternative therapy (CAT) among chronic patients. Methods: The study employed a descriptive design. The participants were 221 chronic patients. Data were collected in a pharmacy near a general hospital from April to July, 2008. Results: Influencing factors on using number of CAT were age, numbers of disease, period of used CAT and monthly expenses on CAT (the ability to explain, 79.9%). Influencing factors on using period of CAT were the period of illness and using number of CAT (the ability to explain, 44.9%). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that chronic patients need counseling and guides about using CAT especially for those are older and have many kinds and longer period of diseases.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.27-35
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• 2015

Objectives: In Korea, cancer is one of the most important causes of death. Cancer patients have sought alternative methods, like complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) together with Western medicine, to treat cancer. Also, there are many kinds of providers of CAM therapy, including providers of Korean oriental medicine therapy. The purpose of this study is to identify the behaviors of Korean oriental medicine therapy and CAM therapy providers who treat cancer patients and to provide background knowledge for establishing a new policy with the management and quality control of CAM. Methods: Structured and well organized questionnaires were made, and 350 persons were surveyed concerning the providers of CAM or Korean oriental medicine. The questionnaires were collected and analyzed. Results: The questionnaires (182) were collected. The questionnaires identified a total of 73 known providers, such as medicinal professionals or other providers of CAM suppliers, 35.6% of whom had had experience with treating cancer patients (52.6% vs. 29.6%). The treatment methods were a little different: alternative therapy and nutritional therapy being preferred by medicinal professionals and mind body modulation therapy and alternative therapy being preferred by other CAM providers. Four patients (7.4%) experienced side effects, and 6 patients (12.5%) experienced legal problems. As the method for managing the therapy, CAM providers, medicinal professionals, and other CAM providers had different viewpoints. For example, some CAM providers stated that both legislation and an official education on CAM or a national examination were needed as a first step to establish the provider's qualifications and that as a second step, a license test was needed for quality control. To the contrary, medicinal professionals stated that a license test was needed before legislation. Conclusion: Adequate management and quality control of CAM providers is thought to involve both education and legislation.

• 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.