Korean Medicine Research Articles

Effect of Korean Medicine Treatment Including Help Motion Style Acupuncture Treatment for a Baastrup's Disease Patient In Korean Medicine Hospital: A Case Report

Effect of Korean Medicine Treatment Including Help Motion Style Acupuncture Treatment for a Baastrup's Disease Patient In Korean Medicine Hospital: A Case Report

Perspectives and Ideas to Advance Integrative Medicine and Healthcare: Proceedings of the 4th Annual Jaseng Academic Conference

The 4<sup>th</sup> Annual Jaseng Academic conference (August 13, 2023) in Seoul, South Korea, was a pivotal event in the realm of integrative medicine. Cohosted by Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine and Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, over 500 professionals including Korean medicine doctors, medical doctors, doctors of osteopathic medicine, acupuncturists, researchers, and students gathered at the conference. The theme, “Perspectives on Integrative Medicine,” marked a departure from previous conference themes and embraced a multidisciplinary approach to healthcare. The event highlighted the importance of holistic patient care and cross-disciplinary collaboration within healthcare. It offered a comprehensive overview of the current state of integrative medicine approaches in manual medicine, evidence-based acupuncture treatment, and acupuncture research. The Annual Jaseng Academic conference continues to serve as a platform for healthcare professionals to exchange ideas and perspectives, and bridges the gap between diverse medical systems to promote improved patient outcome and wellbeing.

The Effect of Combined Korean Medicine Treatment of Patients with Vascular Disease of Spinal Cord: A Case Report

The Effect of Combined Korean Medicine Treatment of Patients with Vascular Disease of Spinal Cord: A Case Report

An Analysis of Domestic Research Trends in the Korean Medicine Treatments for Frozen Shoulder

An Analysis of Domestic Research Trends in the Korean Medicine Treatments for Frozen Shoulder

Effects of Korean Medicine Treatment Including Motion-Style-Acupuncture-Treatment for a Gait Disorder Patient with Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein-Associated Disorder: A Case Report

Effects of Korean Medicine Treatment Including Motion-Style-Acupuncture-Treatment for a Gait Disorder Patient with Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein-Associated Disorder: A Case Report

차이나메디컬보드(CMB)와 한국 의학연구 지원체계의 변화

Foreign aid has had critical impact on the development of Korean medicine since liberation in 1945. In particular, U.S. aid to Korean medical education, represented by the Minnesota Project, is often marked as a major turning point from Japanese-style to American-style medical education in Korea. However, there has been limited analysis of research, which has been a key function of medical schools and their affiliated hospitals. This paper examines the establishment of a system of medical research support in South Korea in the 1970s, focusing on the case of the China Medical Board (CMB). It explores how donor agencies transferred responsibility and authority to Korean counterparts through policy called matching-fund, and how this exit strategy affected the funding and utilization of medical research in Korea. As a backdrop to this policy shift, this study also examine the geopolitical context of U.S. aid policy shifts in the 1970s to show how aid was not only introduced but also exited in shaping the Korean medical research system. The case of the China Medical Board shows how a private aid organization formulated and implemented an exit strategy in the macro geopolitical context of the Nixon Doctrine and changes in U.S. foreign aid policy, and in the process shaped the Korean medical research funding system and its own efforts to secure funding. Rather than a binary narrative of aid versus post-aid, examining the accumulation and manifestation of Korean actors’ own experiences in foreign donor-driven decision-making provides an opportunity to look more critically at the process of shaping the contemporary Korean medical research funding system.

A Case Report of Dizziness Diagnosed Dam Hun Treated with Korean Medicine in a Patient Hospitalized at a Korean Medicine Hospital

Objective: The purpose of this study is to report the efficacy of using Korean medicine treatment on dizziness diagnosed as Dam Hun.Methods: The patient received herbal medicine treatment of <i>Banhabakchulchunma-tang</i> and acupuncture from May 18, 2023 to June 3, 2023. To evaluate the treatment, we used the Korean Version of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (K-DHI) to measure dizziness. The degree of dizziness, headache, and dyspepsia was also evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).Results: The patient’s VAS scores improved after treatment. The change in the K-DHI scores showed that the patient’s dizziness symptoms were relieved.Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that Korean medicine therapies may be effective for treating dizziness.

Improvement of Symptoms after Excision of Hydrocele of Canal of Nuck with Korean Medicine: A Case Report

Objective: The purpose of this case study is to report the hydrocele of the canal of Nuck and the effectiveness of Korean medicine in post-surgery improvement of symptoms.Method: A patient who was diagnosed with hydrocele of the Nuck canal and had symptoms after Lichtenstein’s operation was treated using Korean medicine, including acupuncture, herbal medicine, and moxibustion, every day. The evaluation was performed using the Numeral Rating Scale (NRS), the 5-level EQ-5D version (EQ-5D-5L), the EQ visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief (WHOQOL-BREF).Results: After treatment, changes were observed in NRS (from 8 to 2-3) and EQ-VAS (from 60 to 85), whereas there was no difference in EQ-5D-5L (both 6). There was an overall improvement in the domains of WHOQOL-BREF and subjective symptoms.Conclusion: This study suggests that Korean medicine may improve symptoms after surgery of hydrocele of the canal of Nuck and can be evaluated using an overall QoL questionnaire.

A Case Report of a Patient with Voiding Dysfunction Caused by Cerebral Infarction Treated with <italic>Dangguishaoyao-san-hap-Jeoryeong-tang</italic>

Objectives: The aim of this study is to describe the effects of treatment with traditional Korean medicine on a patient with voiding dysfunction caused by cerebral infarction.Methods: The patient was treated with herbal medicine, moxibustion, acupuncture, and electroacupuncture. The effects of these treatments were evaluated using the Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index and a post-void residual volume.Results: In this study, the Korean medicine <i>Dangguishaoyao-san-hap-Jeoryeong-tang</i> resulted in improvements in this patient with post-stroke urinary retention and successful removal of the indwelling catheter.Conclusion: The results suggest that traditional Korean medicine may be effective in ameliorating dysfunction caused by cerebral infarction.

A Case Study of Parkinson’s Disease Patient with Anxiety and Insomnia Treated with Korean-medicine Treatment, including <italic>Gyejigayonggolmolye-tang</italic>

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to report the case of a patient with Parkinson’s disease experiencing anxiety and insomnia treated with Korean medicine therapies.Methods: A patient diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease with anxiety and insomnia was treated with Korean medicine therapies, including herbal medication (<i>Gyejigayonggolmolye-tang</i>), acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, and moxibustion, for 18 days. To evaluate the therapeutic effect, we checked the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) scores to monitor anxiety and insomnia.Results: After treatment, the patient’s BAI and ISI scores for anxiety and insomnia decreased. Further, the patient and her protector mentioned that their quality of life had improved.Conclusion: These results suggest that Korean medicine therapies with Gyejigayonggolmolye-tang have a beneficial effect on anxiety and insomnia in patients with Parkinson’s disease.

A Case Report of Korean Medicine Treatment for a Patient Admitted to a Korean Medicine Hospital with Post-Concussion Syndrome

The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of using Korean medicine treatment with post-concussion syndrome. We primarily treated the patient’s post-concussion syndrome during hospitalization (22.04–22.11.11) with Korean medicine treatments (herbal medicine, acupuncture, and Chuna therapy). The KHIT-6 and Numeric Rating Scale were used to assess symptom (headache, dizziness, and nausea) changes. Following treatment, the patient’s KHIT-6 and Numeric Rating Scale scores decreased. This study suggests that Korean medicine may be effective in the treatment of post-concussion syndrome.

A Case Report of Intracranial Germ Cell Tumor-Induced Central Diabetes Insipidus in a Child Treated with Korean Herbal Medicine

Objective: The purpose of this study is to report the case of intracranial germ cell tumor-induced central diabetes insipidus (CDI) in a child treated with Korean herbal medicine.Methods: A nine-year-old female patient diagnosed with intracranial germ cell tumor-induced CDI suffering from polyuria, polydipsia, and headache was hospitalized. Nocturia frequency and 24-hour urine volume were assessed.Results: The patient was treated with Korean medicine, including <i>Nokyong-hwan</i>. As a result of the 6-day inpatient treatment, nocturia frequency was decreased 3-4 times to 0-1 time, and 24-hour urine volume was decreased.Conclusion: Korean medicine, including <i>Nokyong-hwan</i>, may be considered an optional treatment for releasing the symptoms of intracranial germ cell tumor-induced CDI. Further studies are needed to confirm this finding.

A Case Report on Cervicogenic Dizziness and Headache Treated with Korean Medicine in a Hospitalized Patient

Objective: The purpose of this study is to report the efficacy of using Korean medicine treatment with cervicogenic dizziness and headache.Methods: We used Korean medicine treatments (herbal medicines, acupuncture, pharmaco-acupuncture, and Chuna) to treat a hospitalized patient with cervicogenic dizziness and headache. The treatments were assessed using the Korean Dizziness Handicap Inventory (K-DHI) to evaluate the degree of dizziness. The Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) was used to evaluate headaches and post-traumatic neck pain. General health status was evaluated using the European Quality of Life Five Dimensions (EQ-5d) scale.Results: The patient’s NRS and EQ-5d scores improved after treatment. The change in the K-DHI scores showed that the patient’s cervicogenic dizziness symptoms were relieved.Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that Korean medicine therapies may be effective for treating cervicogenic dizziness and headaches.

A Report of Two Cases of the Use of Korean Medicine Treatment of Patients with Post-COVID-19 Conditions

The purpose of this study is to report clinical improvement in patients who have received Korean medicine treatment for post-COVID-19 conditions. After COVID-19 infection, two people complaining of symptoms, such as fatigue and indigestion, were treated with Korean medicine, such as acupuncture and herbal medicine. The C19-YRS questionnaire and heart rate variability (HRV) were used to assess the treatment outcomes. After treatment, the patients reported improvements in their symptoms on the YRS questionnaire, with some improvement in the HRV test results. According to the results of this study, Korean medicine can be used to treat post-COVID-19 conditions in clinical practice.

A Case Report of Korean Medicine Treatment for a Patient with Cervical Dystonia

The purpose of this study is to report a case of cervical dystonia and the effects of a series of traditional Korean medicine treatments applied to the patient. The patient was treated with conventional treatment and traditional Korean medicine consisting of acupuncture, moxa, chuna therapy, and herbal medicine (<i>Hoesu-san-gami</i>) for 48 days. Progress was measured by Tsui’s score, the Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale, and the Neck Disability Index. We observed some improvements in the patient’s symptoms: Tsui’s score of 15 to 11, TWSTRS of 63.3 to 47.8, and NDI of 24 to 17. These findings indicate that the application of traditional Korean medicine to cervical dystonia can yield decent clinical outcomes.

Non-surgical Recovery of a Chronic Subdural Hemorrhage Patient via the Exclusive Administration of <italic>Oryeong-san</italic>: A Case Report

Introduction: Chronic subdural hemorrhage (CSDH) primarily affects the elderly, and its incidence is rising due to aging trends. Although burr-hole craniostomy is a common treatment for CSDH, it often has a high recurrence rate and can sometimes result in poor outcomes. Oryeong-san, a traditional Korean medicine, is emerging as a potential remedy, with documented cases in both Korea and Japan.Case Presentation: In March 2021, a patient was diagnosed with an intracerebral hemorrhage in the left basal ganglia. A subsequent brain computed tomography in June 2022 revealed CSDH. Given the potential need for surgery if no CSDH absorption occurred, the patient was treated with <i>Oryeong-san</i>. Later computed tomography scans indicated that surgery was no longer necessary.Conclusions: This study evaluated the efficacy of <i>Oryeong-san</i> in treating CSDH. The results demonstrated complete CSDH absorption with no observed side effects, highlighting <i>Oryeong-san</i> as a promising and safe therapeutic option.

A Case Report of a Patient with Vascular Dementia Caused by Intracerebral Hemorrhage Treated with Modified <italic>Guibi-tang</italic>

Objectives: The aim of this study is to describe the effects of traditional Korean medicine treatment on a patient with vascular dementia caused by an intracerebral hemorrhage.Methods: The patient was treated with herbal medicine (<i>modified Guibi-tang</i>) and acupuncture. The effects of these treatments were evaluated using the Korean Mini Mental Status Examination (K-MMSE-2), Cognitive Dementia Rating (CDR), Manual Muscle Test (MMT), Korean version of Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI), and Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study (VFSS).Results: After treatment, the K-MMSE-2 score, CDR score, MMT, K-MBI, and VFSS improved.Conclusion: The results suggest that traditional Korean medicine may be effective for the symptoms of vascular dementia caused by intracerebral hemorrhage.

A Case Report of a Postoperative State Patient with Cervical Spinal Cord Injury due to Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament Treated by Korean Medicine

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to report the effectiveness of Korean medicine treatment on postoperative state patients with cervical spinal cord injury due to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament.Methods: A 55-year-old Korean male patient diagnosed with cervical spinal cord injury due to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament was treated in an inpatient setting with Korean medicine treatment consisting of herbal medicine, acupuncture, and others from May 22 to August 21. The outcome was evaluated with the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS), Spinal Cord Independence Measure-Ⅲ (SCIM-Ⅲ), modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association scale (mJOA), Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) before and after, or during the treatment period.Results: After 92 days of treatment, the patient’s scores on all scales improved.Conclusion: The results suggest that Korean medicine treatment may be effective for postoperative patients with cervical spinal cord injury due to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. Further studies should be conducted on a larger number of patients.

A Case Report of Abdominal Pain with Acute Kidney Injury and Elevated Pancreatic Enzymes

Objectives: The aim of this study is to report the effectiveness and safety of herbal medicine treatment for abdominal pain with acute kidney injury.Methods: A 80-year-old female patient presented with abdominal pain. Blood test results showed increased blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, amylase, and lipase. The patient was treated with acupuncture and herbal medicine, specifically <i>Hyangsayukgunja-tang-gahwangryeon</i> for 4 days and <i>Gagam-gunbi-tang</i> for 11 days. Gastrointestinal symptoms were assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale, Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale, and abdominal examination.Results: Gastrointestinal symptoms improved after taking Korean herbal medicine. Additionally, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, amylase, and lipase levels showed improvement compared to values before treatment.Conclusions: Korean medicine treatment can improve clinical symptoms without damaging the kidneys of patients with acute kidney injuries.

A Case of Cold Hypersensitivity of Hands and Feet Treated with Korean Medicine Including <italic>Gyejifabuja-tang-gmibang</italic> and Acupuncture in a Patient with Lumbar Spinal Herniated Intervertebral Disc - A Case Report

Objective: The purpose of this study is to report the efficacy of using Korean medicine treatment with cold hypersensitivity of the hands and feet with lumbar spinal herniated intervertebral disc.Case presentation: We used Korean medicine treatment (<i>Gyejigabuja-tang</i>, acupuncture) to treat a hospitalized patient with cold hypersensitivity of the hands and feet with lumbar spinal herniated intervertebral disc. To evaluate the treatment, we used the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). The degree of cold hypersensitivity of the hands and feet was also evaluated using evaluation paper. The generic health status was measured using the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) scale. The 31-year-old female underwent 13 days of inpatient treatment. Her pattern identification was that both hands and feet are cold (BiYangHeo) types. The treatments were herbal medicine and acupuncture. She took <i>Gyejigabuja-tang</i> for 13 days. She also received acupuncture for 20 minutes twice a day at LI11 (曲池), L14 (合谷), TE5 (外關) on her hands, LR3 (太衝), SP6 (三陰交), SP9 (陰陵泉) ST36 (足三里), GB41 (足臨泣) on Feet, GV4 (命門), GV3 (腰陽關), BL23 (腎兪), BL24 (氣海兪), BL25 (大腸兪), and BL26 (關元兪) on the low back. After 2 weeks of treatment, the NRS scale of her cold hypersensitivity of hands and feet symptoms dropped from NRS 7 to NRS 3, and her low back pain dropped from NRS 6 to NRS 3. Her cold hypersensitivity of hands and feet evaluation paper score decreased from 64 to 32, and her EQ-5D increased from 0.487 to 0.681. After the end of treatment, continued symptom improvements and no significant side effects were confirmed.Results: These findings suggest that Korean medical treatment (<i>Gyejigabuja-tang</i>, acupuncture) may be effective for treating cold hypersensitivity of hands and feet with lumbar spinal herniated intervertebral disc. The NRS, evaluation paper, and EQ-5D scores improved after treatment, with no side effects.