• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.831-838
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• 2016

Objective: To describe the effectiveness of traditional Korean medicine (TKM) on a patient showing aggressive behavior after a traumatic brain injury. Methods: We used complex TKM treatments. The acupoints used were as follows: Soyangin Taegeuk acupuncture (HT3, KI3, and SP3) and acupoints frequently used in hemiparesis (GV20, GV24, ST4, LI11, LI4, ST36, GB34, SP9, and LR3). Moxibustion was also applied to GV20, and herbal medicine (Samulanshin-tang-gami, 四物安神湯 加味方) was administered. The efficacy was evaluated at baseline, week 8, and week 16 using the Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS). Results: After 8 weeks, the total MOAS score was decreased from 13 to 5, and this score was maintained until week 16. The average sleep time was increased and waking up during the night was decreased. Conclusions: We suggest that TKM could be effective for reducing aggressive behavior and alleviating sleep disturbances. Further studies are needed.