Sasang Types Research Articles

Assessment of metabolic risks for non-communicable diseases using Sasang constitution: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Sasang constitutional medicine (SCM), which categorizes humans into four Sasang types according to their constitution-specific characteristics, has been identified as being useful in predicting metabolic risks and preventing non-communicable diseases (NCDs). However, no systematic review has evaluated this relationship previously. This study protocol describes a method for evaluating the association between Sasang constitution and the metabolic risk factors for NCDs. The following nine academic databases will be used as data sources for entries: Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, Excerpta Medica database, Web of Science, and six Korean databases. All cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies that were published by December 2021 and could explain the association between Sasang constitution and metabolic risk factors for NCDs will be considered eligible. Two independent researchers will select studies, extract data, assess quality of studies, and qualitatively evaluate clinical evidence, subsequently. The quality assessment will be evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, with modifications if necessary. Quantitative data will be synthesized as a random-effects model, if applicable. The strength of clinical evidence will be performed applying the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) or GRADE-Confidence in Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative research approach. This study will contribute to helping clinicians and health authorities detect any relevant metabolic risks that patients may have, based on systematic clinical evidence. Review Registry Unique Identifying Number: reviewregistry1213.

Machine learning-based prediction of Sasang constitution types using comprehensive clinical information and identification of key features for diagnosis

BackgroundDespite the importance of accurate Sasang type diagnosis, a unique form of Korean medicine, there have been concerns about consistency among diagnoses. We investigate a data-driven integrative diagnostic model by applying machine learning to a multicenter clinical dataset with comprehensive features. MethodsExtremely randomized trees (ERT), support vector machines, multinomial logistic regression, and K-nearest neighbor were applied, and performances were evaluated by cross-validation. The feature importance of the classifier was analyzed to understand which information is crucial in diagnosis. ResultsThe ERT classifier showed the highest performance, with an overall f1 score of 0.60±0.060. The feature classes of body measurement, personality, general information, and cold–heat were more decisive than others in classifying Sasang types. Costal angle was the most informative feature. In pairwise classification, we found Sasang type-dependent distinctions that body measurement features played a key role in TE-SE and TE-SY datasets, while personality and cold–heat features showed importance in SE-SY dataset. ConclusionCurrent study investigated a comprehensive diagnostic model for Sasang type using machine learning and achieved better performance than previous studies. This study helps data-driven decision making in clinics by revealing key features contributing to the Sasang type diagnosis.

Analysis of the bio-psychological characteristics of Sasang typology in Korean preschool children using the ponderal index and the temperament and character inventory

The aim of this study was to identify different physical and mental characteristics among three common Sasang types, Tae-eum, So-yang, and So-eum (except scarce type, Tae-Yang) in preschoolers, to improve constitutional diagnoses. Our study included 65 boys and 67 girls from six kindergartens in South Korea. The number of children who were categorized as Tae-Yang, Tae-Eum, So-Yang, and So-Eum types were 1, 56, 40, and 35, respectively. We measured height, weight, mid-parental height, predicted adult height, ponderal index (PI), and findings from the junior temperament and character inventory 3 to 6. The Tae-eum type exhibited higher weight percentiles and PIs than the other types (p<0.001), and the So-eum type displayed higher harm avoidance (HA) scores than the Tae-eum type (p=0.033). Children with high PIs and low HA scores have a higher probability of being classified as the Tae-eum type than as the So-eum type.

Analysis of Sasang Constitutional Medicine as an Optimal Preventive Care Strategy for Hemophilia Patients.

Introduction. Medical improvements have allowed hemophilia patients to anticipate an increased quality of life and life expectancy similar to that of the general population. Analysis of the potential disease symptoms of hemophilia patients based on a survey of Sasang Constitutional Medicine (SCM) is important for optimal preventive care and adjunctive therapy to avoid life-threating complications. Aim To predict potential disease symptoms from the viewpoint of SCM as a preventive care strategy for hemophilia patients. Methods Sixty-one hemophilia patients responded to a survey on Sasang constitutional classification, hemophilia disease pattern, and original symptoms. Results In terms of SCM type, the 61 of hemophilia patients included 37 Tae-Eum (60.7%), 18 So-Yang (29.5%), and 6 So-Eum (12.5%). Hemophilia was found to be higher in Tae-Eum type and lower in So-Yang and So-Eum types, while considering the distributional rate of Korean Sasang types. Most of the patients with Tae-Eum type had Joyeol or Ganyeol. Furthermore, the incidences of diabetes and high blood pressure were greater in Tae-Eum type than in those of other types. Conclusion In order to increase the quality of life and overall life expectancy, hemophilia patients with Tae-Eum type should be treated through management according to SCM along with medicine against hemophilia as long-term preventive care. Diabetes and high blood pressure should be regularly monitored in patients with Tae-Eum type.

Heart rate variability in middle-aged adults: Use of Sasang typology to distinguish individuals susceptible to stress.

While stress is known to cause many diseases, there is no established method to determine individuals vulnerable to stress. Sasang typology categorizes humans into four Sasang types (So-Eum, Tae-Eum, So-Yang, and Tae-Yang), which have unique pathophysiologies because of their differential susceptibilities to specific stimuli, including stress. The purpose of this study was to determine if Sasang typology can be used identify individuals who are vulnerable to stress by evaluation of heart rate variability (HRV).This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 399 healthy men and women aged 30 to 49 years were recruited. Physical examinations for stress included HRV measurement and blood tests. The subjects also completed questionnaires about psychological stress, self-awareness, and lifestyle. HRV was analyzed using frequency-domain analysis. Subjects were divided into So-Eum (SE) and non-So-Eum (non-SE) groups according to their diagnosis.The weight and body mass index in the SE group were significantly lower than those in the non-SE group (both, P = .000). There were no significant between-group differences in any other demographic variables. In HRV analysis, the normalized high frequency (nHF) was higher (P = .008) while the normalized low frequency (nLF; P = .008) and LF:HF ratio (LF/HF; P = .002) were lower in the SE group than in the non-SE group.Although there was no difference in variables affecting HRV, HRV values were significantly different between groups. The LF/HF value for the SE group was at the lower limit of the normal range, although there were no associated clinical problems. These findings suggest that individuals with the SE type are more susceptible to stress than those with the other types. Thus, middle-aged individuals who are vulnerable to stress can be identified using Sasang typology.

The Relationship Between Mizaj and its indices in Persian Medicine

Despite the importance of accurate Sasang type diagnosis, a unique form of Korean medicine, there have been concerns about consistency among diagnoses. We investigate a data-driven integrative diagnostic model by applying machine learning to a multicenter clinical dataset with comprehensive features.Extremely randomized trees (ERT), support vector machines, multinomial logistic regression, and K-nearest neighbor were applied, and performances were evaluated by cross-validation. The feature importance of the classifier was analyzed to understand which information is crucial in diagnosis.The ERT classifier showed the highest performance, with an overall f1 score of 0.60 ± 0.060. The feature classes of body measurement, personality, general information, and cold–heat were more decisive than others in classifying Sasang types. Costal angle was the most informative feature. In pairwise classification, we found Sasang type-dependent distinctions that body measurement features played a key role in TE-SE and TE-SY datasets, while personality and cold–heat features showed importance in SE-SY dataset.Current study investigated a comprehensive diagnostic model for Sasang type using machine learning and achieved better performance than previous studies. This study helps data-driven decision making in clinics by revealing key features contributing to the Sasang type diagnosis.

전문가시스템을 활용한 사상체질과 팔강변증, 기혈변증, 병사변증간의 상관관계

Oriental Diagnosis System(ODS) is an artificial intelligence program that utilize entered diagnosis knowledge, determine patient’s disease and decide right medicine. The purpose of this study is to find a correlation between pattern Identification in Korean medicine and each sasang types(Tae-Eum and So-Yang) by analyzing ODS diagnosis result. Eventually our study secure availability of using ODS program at clinical training or developing diagnosis program. Subject of this study is 50 patients who was performed Sasang constitution diagnosis (28 patients were Tae-Eum and 22 patients were So-Yang). We analyize patient’s diagnosis records by using ODS program and obtained result about pattern Identification. We used SPSS statistics 23 in analyzing the differences of the scores of Eight Principle Pattern Identification, Qi-Blood Pattern Identification, and Bing-xie Pattern Identification in each Sasang types (Tae-Eum, So-Yang). The Heat and Heat-moisture scores were significantly different(p0.05) and Qi-Blood Pattern Identification scores were not different in each Sasang types(p0.05). And Weight was significantly different in each Sasang types(p0.05). It is hard to generalize the result because subject of this study was not enough and had sample speciality(tinnitus patients). However, we explained correlation between pattern Identification in korean medicine and each sasang types based on quantifiable and objective evidence system. it can be used at education of korean medicine and evidence of practice diagnosis. Futhermore, there have been no studies about anaylizing correlation between pattern Identification in Korean medicine and each sasang types using ODS program. So it is worthy of being utilized at clinical evidence data of ODS program.

Association between Sasang constitutional types with obesity factors and sleep quality

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to investigate differences in obesity factors according to Sasang constitutional types and quality of sleep among Korean female college students. MethodsSurveys using Sasang-types questionnaires(QSCCⅡ) and quality of sleep questionnaires(PSQI; Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) were conducted with 339 Korean female college students. Additionally, obesity factors, including weight, fat mass, fat percent, abdominal fat percent, body mass index (BMI) and obesity rates were measured. All data analyses were performed using one-way ANOVA and two-way ANOVA. ResultsThe interaction between Sasang types and quality of sleep was presented in the quality of sleep status, subjective quality of sleep (domain 1), sleep duration (domain 3) and sleep disturbance (domain 5). Variables with interaction effects had significant differences in terms of obesity factors between groups with different quality of sleep according to the Sasang types. Moreover, significant differences in obesity factors between different Sasang types according to the quality of sleep were also observed. ConclusionThis study characterized the reduction effect of improvement in quality of sleep on the fat mass of So-Yang type individuals and obesity factors in Tae-Eum type individuals. The results of this study will be used in improving sleep quality according to the Sasang types.

Analysis of Facial Features according to Sasang Types between Native Japanese and Native Korean Populations.

Background Facial diagnosis is a common practice and essential diagnostic method used in the Sasang Constitution Medicine (SCM). SCM is a kind of personalized medicine in Traditional Korean Medicine which categorizes people into four types, namely, Tae-Yang (TY) type, Tae-Eum type (TE), So-Yang (SY) type, and So-Eum (SE) type. This study was conducted to compare and analyze the differences in the facial feature across Sasang types among native Japanese and native Koreans. Methods A total of 843 subjects were recruited for this study, 127 native Japanese and 716 native Koreans, respectively. Facial feature points and the measurements of facial features were assigned and calculated automatically using a facial analysis program. Data of each Sasang type for both genders were also extracted and analyzed. Analysis of covariance was then used to examine the differences in facial feature variables among native Japanese and native Koreans and Sasang types. Results Significant differences were seen in the facial feature variables related to lower face area and eye shape. In males, TE types had wider mid-face and lower face as compared to other constitutions. Male TE types were also seen to have narrower eyes whereas male SY types had rounder eyes. In females, TE types had wider lower face width and area compared to SY types and SE types. Female SY types also had rounder eyes. Conclusions This study presented distinctive feature in the lower face area and eye shape among the Sasang types in both native Japanese and native Koreans. This proposed that facial feature variables can also be used as an objective tool in distinguishing the Sasang types in native Japanese. Further studies are needed in the future to generalize these results.

Systematic review on urination and defecation-related pathophysiological symptoms of each Sasang types

Systematic review on urination and defecation-related pathophysiological symptoms of each Sasang types

Pulmonary Function Difference in Sasang Constitutional Types.

The purpose of this study was to determine the differences in pulmonary function among Sasang constitutional types in young adults. The Sasang Constitutional Analysis Tool (SCAT), pulmonary function tests (PFTs), and cardiopulmonary exercise tests were conducted in 417 participants from 2009 to 2015. Subjects with the Tae-Eum (TE) type had significantly higher inspiratory capacity (IC) and inspiratory reserve volume (IRV) values than those with the So-Yang (SY) and So-Eum (SE) types (P < 0.0001). The TE and SY types showed higher forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) values than the SE type (P < 0.0001). An increase in IRV and a decrease in expiratory reserve volume (ERV) in TE type males remained even after adjusting for covariate factors. These results indicate that young adults with the TE type have weaker lung function than those with the other constitutional types, suggesting its innate physiological pulmonary features.

Biopsychological and pathophysiological features of Cold-Heat subgroup of Sasang typology with Sasang Digestive Function Inventory, Sasang Personality Questionnaire and Body Mass Index

BackgroundThe Sasang typology is a traditional Korean personalized medicine and its Cold-Heat subgroup identification is essential for effective use of medical herbs and acupuncture. The purpose of this study was to discover differences between Cold-Heat subgroups with objective clinical measures and to examine its clinical usefulness. MethodsThe pathophysiological symptoms of the digestive system, temperament and body shape of 241 patients were measured using the Sasang Digestive Function Inventory (SDFI), Sasang Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) and Body Mass Index (BMI). The differences between Cold and Heat subgroups of each Sasang types were tested by Analysis of Covariance considering age and sex, while the associations of SDFI, SPQ and BMI with Cold-Heat subgroup were examined by logistic regression analysis. ResultsThere were significant differences between Cold and Heat subgroups in SDFI, SPQ and BMI for the So-Yang, SDFI and BMI for the Tae-Eum type and SDFI-Digestion subscale for the So-Eum type. Moreover, the SDFI-Digestion was a substantial predictor for Cold-Heat subgroup identification in three Sasang types. The logistic regression model with SDFI, SPQ and BMI correctly predicted 81.9%, 77% and 75.5% of the Cold-Heat subgroups in So-Yang, Tae-Eum and So-Eum types, respectively. ConclusionThe results of the present study showed that the objective and validated clinical measures of SDFI, SPQ and BMI would be useful for differentiating Cold-Heat subgroups of Sasang typology. Further clinical studies on pathophysiological mechanisms in Cold-Heat subgroup are required to generalize these results.

Sasang constitutional types for the risk prediction of metabolic syndrome: a 14-year longitudinal prospective cohort study

BackgroundTo examine whether the use of Sasang constitutional (SC) types, such as Tae-yang (TY), Tae-eum (TE), So-yang (SY), and So-eum (SE) types, increases the accuracy of risk prediction for metabolic syndrome.MethodsFrom 2001 to 2014, 3529 individuals aged 40 to 69 years participated in a longitudinal prospective cohort. The Cox proportional hazard model was utilized to predict the risk of developing metabolic syndrome.ResultsDuring the 14 year follow-up, 1591 incident events of metabolic syndrome were observed. Individuals with TE type had higher body mass indexes and waist circumferences than individuals with SY and SE types. The risk of developing metabolic syndrome was the highest among individuals with the TE type, followed by the SY type and the SE type. When the prediction risk models for incident metabolic syndrome were compared, the area under the curve for the model using SC types was significantly increased to 0.8173. Significant predictors for incident metabolic syndrome were different according to the SC types. For individuals with the TE type, the significant predictors were age, sex, body mass index (BMI), education, smoking, drinking, fasting glucose level, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and triglyceride level. For Individuals with the SE type, the predictors were sex, smoking, fasting glucose, HDL cholesterol level, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and triglyceride level, while the predictors in individuals with the SY type were age, sex, BMI, smoking, drinking, total cholesterol level, fasting glucose level, HDL cholesterol level, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and triglyceride level.ConclusionsIn this prospective cohort study among 3529 individuals, we observed that utilizing the SC types significantly increased the accuracy of the risk prediction for the development of metabolic syndrome.

Study on Sasang Constitutional Characteristics using Sasang Personality Questionnaire and Sasang Digestive Function Inventory in Clinical Level

Sasang Digestive Function Inventory (SDFI) and Sasang Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) were developed on the basis of clinical experiences of Korean medicine hospital and previous studies have used these for analyzing Sasang constitutional characteristics mainly in hospital level. The purpose of this study is to analyze Sasang constitutional characteristics using SDFI and SPQ in clinical level. The SPQ, SDFI, height and weight were measured with 79 patients over 18-years-old from Jan. 2015 to Apr. 2016 in the clinic, Daegu, Korea that specializes in tinnitus and performs Sasang constitution diagnosis. We used ANOVA in analyzing the differences of the scores of SPQ, SDFI, BMI and PI in each Sasang types (Tae-Yang, So-Yang, Tae-Eum), and Bonferroni test or Dunnett’s T3 for post verification. The SDFI-T(F=3.215) and SDFI-D(F=4.347) scores were significantly different(p0.05) and SPQ score was not different in each Sasang types(p0.05). And Weight(F=4.294), BMI(F=12.386) and PI(F=14.490) were significantly different in each Sasang types(p0.001). We found that SDFI(SDFI-D) and BMI·PI can explain the Sasang constitutional characteristics, that is equivalent to previous studies and might be used for clinical index in making objective questionnaire for Sasnag constitutional diagnosis in clinical level.

Analysis of the association between problem behaviors and Sasang typology in high school students

BackgroundSome studies have shown that Sasang typology is related to specific problem behaviors, but research on the associations between Sasang types and problem behaviors in children is scarce. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between Sasang types and problem behaviors in Korean high school students. MethodsA total of 686 Korean high school students (371 boys and 315 girls) completed the Korean version of Youth Self-Report (YSR) for describing the problem behaviors in adolescents and the Sasang Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) for measuring the temperament characteristics of Sasang typology. The correlation between YSR and SPQ subscales was investigated, and the differences of YSR among the high (30%), middle (40%), and low (30%) SPQ total score groups were examined with Analysis of variance. The profile analysis was also performed to compare YSR subscale profiles of three SPQ total score groups. ResultsThe SPQ total score significantly (p<0.001) correlated positively with YSR externalizing problems (r=0.293 and r=0.248) and negatively with YSR internalizing problems (r=–0.211 and r=–0.150) in males and females, respectively. The YSR externalizing problem score is significantly higher in the high SPQ total score group (13.14±9.33 and 10.03±5.34 for males and females, respectively) than in the low SPQ total score group (8.18±5.53 and 8.58±5.73, respectively), and the YSR internalizing problem score is significantly higher in the low SPQ total score group (11.28±8.92 and 12.97±8.69 for males and females, respectively) than in the high SPQ total score group (9.35±9.00 and 11.28±7.58, respectively). The YSR profiles for three SPQ total score groups were significantly different for males (profile analysis, df=12.324, F=18.164, p<0.001) and females (df=12.677, F=11.601, p<0.001). ConclusionThese results could be recognized as the SPQ, and Sasang typology would be useful for predicting the pathological patterns even of psychological problems in high school students. This study would be useful for the screening of psychopathological problems and character development in adolescents.

사상체질별 수면 소증(素證)에 대한 체계적 고찰연구

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to review previous clinical studies on underlying mechanisms of sleep-related type-specific pathophysiological symptoms among the Sasang types. Methods and Procedure: We reviewed seven research databases from December 2003 to August 2015 with the keywords Sasang typology, constitution and sleep. The Sasang type-specific sleep-related symptoms were analyzed based on seven categories, including subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, use of sleep medications and daytime dysfunction. Results: Total of twelve studies were included in the analysis. The Tae-Yang type showed low subjective sleep quality, long sleep latency and frequent awakening, and the So-Yang type showed long sleep latency. The Tae-Eum type presented high subjective sleep quality, short sleep duration, frequent snore, toss and turn during the sleep, and insomnia and low frequency of dream. The So-Eum type showed long sleep latency in male and high frequency of dream. The Eum type combining Tae-Eum and So-Eum types had higher subjective sleep quality, longer sleep duration and higher frequency of dream than the Yang type combining Tae-Yang and So-Yang types.Conclusions This study reviewed type-specific sleep-related characteristics and discussed possible pathophysiological mechanisms involved. Differences in sleep characteristics among the Sasang types might stem from type-specific temperaments and require further study.

Sasang constitution affects the prevalence of functional dyspepsia.

BackgroundFunctional dyspepsia (FD), which is a very common disorder worldwide, is known to be caused by multiple factors including environmental and genetic factors. Sasang constitutional medicine (SCM) is a component of traditional Korean medicine that emphasizes inherited characteristics of the physical and psychological patterns of a patient. This study investigated whether the prevalence of FD differs depending on Sasang classification.MethodsA total 517 subjects (190 males and 327 females) were recruited, and interviewed for the presence of FD using a Rome III-based questionnaire. The Sasang constitution of all subjects were diagnosed using a Sasang constitutional analytical tool (SCAT). A Chi-square test was performed to compare prevalence of DF among different Sasang constitutional types.ResultsOf the 517 subjects, 115 (22.2 %) met the diagnostic criteria for FD, and the prevalence was significantly higher in females (26.9 %) than males (14.2 %, p < 0.01). The Sasang-constitution-based prevalence among all subjects was 27.5 % for Taeumin, 23.1 % for Soumin, and 16.4 % for Soyangin (p = 0.055). When compared by sex, the prevalence of FD among Sasang types showed significantly different patterns between males and females (p < 0.05); in females with FD, Taeumin predominated (32.5 % compared with 29.5 % and 18.8 % for Soumin and Soyangin, respectively; p < 0.05), whereas males with FD displayed a higher prevalence of Soumin (17.3 % compared with 9.1 % and 11.3 % for Taeumin and Soyangin, respectively; p > 0.05).ConclusionsThis study identified significant differences in FD prevalence depending on Sasang constitution and sex. Our findings provide data to guide future research on the prevention and management of FD.

Sasang types differ in thermoregulatory responses to graded exercise

Sasang types differ in thermoregulatory responses to graded exercise

Comparisons of physical fitness and body composition among Sasang types with and without body mass index as a covariate

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to examine the difference of physical fitness and body composition among Sasang types with BMI as covariate, which is reported to have influence on physical fitness and body composition. MethodsWe measured the physical fitness and body composition of 930 korean female college students, and compared the differences among Sasang type groups with or without considering Body Mass Index (BMI). We evaluated muscle strength, agility, muscle endurance, power and flexibility for the physical fitness, and total body water, protein, muscle mass, mineral, lean body mass and fat mass for the body composition. ResultsWe got 352 So-Yang (SY), 385 So-Eum (SE), and 193 Tae-Eum (TE) Sasang types, and there were significant differences among Sasang types in height, weight and BMI. The significant differences among TE and SY types were disappeared in muscle strength, total body water, protein when BMI is used as a covariate. In ANOVA, there were significant differences that TE was higher on the mineral and fat mass compared to the SY type and SE type. However it disappeared when we introduced BMI as covariate. ConclusionThe results demonstrated that the BMI should be considered as an important element for studying physical characteristics of Sasang typology.

Study on the Difference of BIS/BAS Scale between Sasang Types.

Introduction. The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in temperament between So-Yang (SY) and So-Eum (SE) Sasang types using Behavioral Inhibition System/Behavioral Activation System (BIS/BAS) scale to elucidate the biopsychological mechanism underlying the Sasang typology, a traditional Korean personalized medicine. Methods. 248 university students were categorized into three Sasang types, and series of t-tests were conducted, separately for male and female participants, to examine the difference of Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS), Behavioral Activation System (BAS), BAS-Drive (BAS-D), BAS-Fun Seeking (BAS-FS), and BAS-Reward Responsiveness (BAS-RR) scores between SY and SE Sasang types. Results. There were significant differences between Sasang types in the BIS/BAS subscales with consideration of gender. In male participants, BAS-total score of SY type (39.75 ± 4.56) was significantly (t = 2.462, p = 0.016) higher than that of SE type (36.68 ± 4.97). On the other hand, in female participants, BIS score of SY type (20.10 ± 4.01) was significantly (t = −2.097, p = 0.039) lower than that of SE type (21.83 ± 3.91). Discussion. The current study suggested relationship between Sasang typology and Behavior Inhibition and Activation Systems and showed significant differences in BIS/BAS scale between SY and SE Sasang types. Further studies on biological base of Sasang typology are needed.