Leg Amputation due to Buerger's Disease: Management with Combined Korean Medicine

Won, Eun Sol,Lee, Hyun,Ryu, Hwa Yeon,Ku, Yong Ho,Jung, Ga Hyeon,Park, Chae Hyun,Kang, Jae Hui Korean AcupunctureMoxibustion Medicine Society 2021 대한침구의학회지 Vol.38 No.4

In this Case Report, a patient with Buerger's disease who had a leg amputation below his lower right knee and a vascular bypass of right leg, developed a wound caused by his prosthetic leg and subjective discomfort. The patient received skin flap surgery but the wound did not heal properly. He was admitted to the Korean Medicine Hospital where his wound, right leg coldness, and phantom pain were treated with combined Korean medicine. The patient was hospitalized again where he underwent micro-drilling surgery. The patient was re-admitted to the Korean Medicine Hospital where he received combined Korean medicine treatment (CKMT) and carbon arc light treatment (CALT) for his wound, leg coldness, stiffness, and hypoplasia. The temperature of his right leg increased, the numeric rating scale score for assessing pain fell from 5 to 1.5, and subjective discomfort was reduced (< 20%) suggesting this may be an effective treatment.

A Retrospective Chart Review of 122 Inpatients with Knee Osteoarthritis Treated with Korean Medicine: An Analysis of the Effects of Treatment

Yoo, Dong-Hwi,Park, Han-Bin,Jang, Won-Suk,Kwon, Oh-Bin,Choi, Ki-Won,Lee, Yu-Jin,Lee, Sang-Gun,Choi, Jae-Yong,Kim, Ho,Jang, Seon-Woo Korean AcupunctureMoxibustion Medicine Society 2021 대한침구의학회지 Vol.38 No.3

Background: Korean medicine treatment was assessed in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) according to subgroups of: sex, age, cause of knee OA, body mass index, hospitalization period, history, OA compartment, phenotype, and comorbidity. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of 122 inpatients who were admitted to the Hospital of Korean Medicine for Korean medicine treatment of knee pain, and were diagnosed with knee OA based on magnetic resonance imaging findings. Analysis of patient subgroups (sex, age, cause of knee OA, body mass index, hospitalization period, history, OA compartment, phenotype, and comorbidity) was carried out and treatments including acupuncture, cupping, pharmacopuncture, herbal medicine, chuna therapy, medicinal steaming therapy, manual therapy, and extracorporeal shock wave therapy were listed. The numeric rating scale (NRS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and 5-level EuroQol- 5 Dimension (EQ-5D-5L) scores were measured before and after treatment to assess the effects of treatment on pain and quality of life. Results: Seventeen males and 105 females were included in this study. Most patients were in their 60s. In the total study population, NRS, WOMAC, and EQ-5D-5L scores were improved statistically significant when comparing before and after treatment. The NRS and WOMAC scores improved statistically significant in the medial, patellofemoral, medial + patellofemoral, medial + lateral + patellofemoral compartment. Conclusion: Korean medicine treatment significantly reduced pain, stiffness, and physical dysfunction, and improved the quality of life of patients with knee OA, suggesting that it may be an effective alternative to the current conservative treatments.

A Cross-Sectional Satisfaction Survey of 845 Traffic Accident Patients Treated with Korean Medicine

Kim, No H.,Lee, Yoon J.,Suh, Chang Y.,Lee, Gi B.,Yang, Kyu J.,Kim, Tae-Gyu,Gi, Yu-Mi,Kwon, Mijung,Ha, In-Hyuk Korean AcupunctureMoxibustion Medicine Society 2018 대한침구의학회지 Vol.35 No.2

Background: We conducted a cross-sectional study to analyze the pain characteristics and satisfaction scores in traffic accident (TA) patients seeking Korean medicine treatment. Methods: A survey was conducted in 845 outpatients who visited 10 Korean medicine institutions due to TA-associated symptoms from February 25th, 2016 to March 9th, 2016. The questionnaire included information about patient sociodemographic characteristics, accident circumstance details, pain levels, treatment methods, satisfaction and pre-existing musculoskeletal disorders. All statistical analyses were performed using STATA 14.0. Results: A total 754 of the 845 respondents had experienced acute pain of onset within 1-2 days. Pain in the neck or low back was most common, and low back pain (LBP) was more prevalent in pedestrian-vehicle accident cases. Patients showed highest satisfaction with pharmacopuncture treatment, followed by acupuncture and Chuna manual therapy. Although treatments were not completed at the time of the survey, the majority of patients were satisfied with the Korean medicine treatments they received and indicated their intent to reuse this treatment in the future. The degree of pain reduction after treatment was a factor that influenced patient satisfaction with and intention to reuse Korean medicine. Conclusion: This study determined the characteristics and status of TA patients using Korean medicine and suggests the need for further more inclusive studies.

A Review of the Clinical Use of Ultrasound in Korean Traditional Medicine

Kim, Seok Hee,Yook, Tae Han,Song, Beom Yong,Choi, Yoo Min,Shin, Jin Hyeon,Shin, Hye Jeong,Lee, Sanghun,Jeon, Young Ju,Kim, Jong Uk Korean AcupunctureMoxibustion Medicine Society 2019 대한침구의학회지 Vol.12 No.1

This study was performed to evaluate research studies utilizing ultrasound diagnostic units, the practitioners who performed the ultrasound assessments, and how they had been used primarily in tandem with the Korean Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System. This study identified 46 studies following a literature search, and discovered that a Korean medicine doctor led the ultrasonography in 13 studies, a medical technician was responsible in 6 studies, a roentgenologist carried it out in 5, and 19 of the studies did not specify who had conducted it. Ultrasonography had been actively used in the course of the clinical practice of Korean medicine, and it may serve as a useful and reliable diagnostic tool for evaluating the effectiveness of Korean medicine. The results of this study will help to promote more ultrasound studies in the future.

A Case Report on the Use of Korean Medicine Treatment for a Patient with Dysarthria Caused by Progressive Bulbar Palsy (PBP)

Ahn, Jae Hyun,Kim, Sung Yoon,Park, Jun Hyeong,Cho, Jeongjae,Choi, Do Young,Lee, Seung Hoon,Lee, Jae Dong Korean AcupunctureMoxibustion Medicine Society 2017 대한침구의학회지 Vol.26 No.4

Objectives : To introduce a rare case of a patient with Progressive Bulbar Palsy (PBP) and suggest the possibility of treatment using electroacupuncture and Korean Medicine. Methods : A 61-year-old man with PBP, complaining of dysarthria, was treated with electroacupuncture and Korean Medicine, from June 16 to July 10, 2015. Improvements in symptoms were measured using the speech mechanism screening test (SMST), measurement of tongue and orbicularis oris motility, and speech handicap index (SHI). Results : The scores of SMST, motility of tongue and orbicularis oris showed a tendency for gradual improvement with 25 days of Korean Medicine Treatment after admission, but conversation was still impossible. In SHI scores, one point increased in the speech domain and one point decreased in the psycho-social domain, and three points increased in the other domain. Conclusion : Electroacupuncture and Korean Medicine Treatment improved dysarthria caused by PBP, but not completely. Korean Medicine Treatment seems effective in the management of accompanying symptoms such as black hairy tongue, dry mouth, and general condition. The symptoms of PBP are similar to those of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and there is controversy regarding the classification of PBP. The most important aspect of treating a patient with PBP is an early diagnosis and devising appropriate rehabilitation strategies.

A Case Report of a Stroke Patient with Dysarthria Treated with Korean Medicine

Baek, Ji Young,Park, Yeo Bin,Song, Ho-Joon,Baek, Ji Won,Kong, Won Ho,Kim, Shin-Young,Ahn, Chang-beom Korean AcupunctureMoxibustion Medicine Society 2018 Korean Journal of Acupuncture Vol.35 No.3

This case study examined the effect of Korean Medicine on a 72-year old male with a habitual history of smoking and drinking, and a family history of hypertension who had suffered an acute stroke. A couple of months later he complained of upper extremity weakness and was diagnosed with dysarthria. The patient received Korean Medicine treatment of acupuncture and herbal medicine for 39 days at the Samse Oriental Hospital, in conjunction with physiotherapy and Western medicine. Articulation accuracy, vowel accuracy, alternation and speed of reading sentences were evaluated every 7days. The results showed that the patient had improvement of articulation (10%) and vowel (37%) accuracy, alternation (12%) and speed of reading sentences (28%) suggesting that Korean Medicine treatment contributed to this progress.

Current Research Trends in Randomized Controlled Trials Investigating the Combined Effect of Korean Medicine and Western Medicine Treatment

Ha, Dohyung,Kim, Seoyeon,Baek, Yong Hyeon,Won, Jiyoon,Nam, Seri,Shin, Jeeyoung,Kwon, Oh-Hoon,Kim, Soo-Yeon,Lee, Hyangsook Korean AcupunctureMoxibustion Medicine Society 2020 대한침구의학회지 Vol.37 No.1

This review examined recently published (July 2014 to June 2017), randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which investigated the safety and effectiveness of combined Korean medicine/complementary alternative medicine (CAM) and Western medicine, to indicate the direction for integrative medical practice. The Korean Medicine Convergence Research Information Center evidence-based medicine database (KMCRIC EBM DB) was used to retrieve relevant RCTs indexed in the last 3 years. Study design, country, sample size, disease/condition with the Korean Standard Classification of Diseases code, interventions, direction of outcomes, and adverse events were extracted and summarized. A total of 93 RCTs were included in this review. Acupuncture/moxibustion was the most commonly used intervention (n = 47; 51%), and 19% (n = 18) of the studies treated musculoskeletal disorders, followed by circulatory disorders (n = 16; 17%), and mental and behavioral disorders (n = 9; 10%). Integrative treatment was reported as more effective than monotherapy in approximately 83% of these studies. Adverse events were poorly reported in most studies. This review suggests that integrative treatments are feasible, effective, and safe for various diseases/conditions, based on the evidence from recently published RCTs. Future studies on integrative healthcare are warranted.

Three Case Reports of Patients Treated with Korean Medicine after Rotator Cuff Repair

Kim, Yo Han,Hwang, Min Hyok,Kim, Jae Soo,Lee, Hyun Jong,Lee, Yun Kyu Korean AcupunctureMoxibustion Medicine Society 2017 대한침구의학회지 Vol.26 No.3

Objectives : This study examined the effects of Korean medicine treatment in three patients following rotator cuff repair. Methods : Patients were treated with acupuncture, bee venom, moxibustion, and herbal medicine. Treatments were performed for an average of 3 weeks. A numeric rating scale (NRS) and range of motion (ROM) were used for evaluation of treatment effects. Results : The NRS score decreased and the ROM increased after treatment. In Case 1, the NRS score decreased from 10 to 6; flexion increased from $25^{\circ}$ to $180^{\circ}$ and abduction increased from $35^{\circ}$ to $180^{\circ}$. In Case 2, the NRS score decreased from 10 to 7; flexion increased from $30^{\circ}$ to $125^{\circ}$ and abduction increased from $15^{\circ}$ to $100^{\circ}$. In Case 3, the NRS score decreased from 10 to 3; flexion increased from $40^{\circ}$ to $120^{\circ}$ and abduction increased from $60^{\circ}$ to $95^{\circ}$. Conclusion : Korean medicine treatment following rotator cuff repair was effective in decreasing the NRS score and increasing ROM. Although the study only involved 3 cases, Korean medicine treatment may reduce the duration of rehabilitation.

A Case Study on the Use of Megestrol Acetate and Korean Medical Treatment for the Loss of Appetite and Weight Loss in Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(ALS)

Jeong, Ho Hyun,Lee, Sang Mi,Lee, Jong Chul,Park, Man Yong,Kim, Dong Woung,Song, Bong Keun,Kim, Sung Chul Korean AcupunctureMoxibustion Medicine Society 2013 대한침구의학회지 Vol.30 No.5

Objectives : Weight loss and loss of appetite in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients are common symptoms, these are associated with survival as well as nutritional condition. The changes in weight and appetite were reported after treatment using Megestrol acetate and Korean medical treatments. Methods : Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patient with weight loss and loss of appetite were treated by administering megestrol acetate a known anti-malignant tumor agent and Korean medical treatments such as acupuncture, pharmacopuncture and herbal medicine. The changes in weight and appetite were checked using body mass index(BMI) and simplified nutritional appetite questionnaire(SNAQ). Results : There was a more than 17 kg increase in weight. BMI increased from 15.94 $kg/m^2$ to 21.97 $kg/m^2$ and SNAQ score increased from 7 to 16. Owing to several side effects, Megestrol acetate was stopped after which only Korean medical treatments were provided. After which the lasting effects in BMI and appetite could be seen. Conclusion : There are few studies on weight loss and loss of appetite in ALS patients. Using only megestrol acetate can cause several considerable side effects. Which respect to this, the findings in this study could open up new clinical guideline possibilities.

A Review of Randomized Controlled Trials of Pes Anserinus Tendinitis/Bursitis Syndrome in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database

Choi, Hyo Jung,Back, Hye Kyung,Kim, Young-Jun,Oh, Da Yoon,Park, Cheol Woo,Namgoong, Jin Korean AcupunctureMoxibustion Medicine Society 2021 대한침구의학회지 Vol.38 No.4

The purpose of this study was to review randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of pes anserinus tendinitis or bursitis (PATB) syndrome in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure database to investigate the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine treatment for PATB syndrome. There were 20 RCTs published from 2001 to 2021 which were selected for analysis by publication year, number of samples, evaluation criteria, treatment duration, and treatment method. Out of the 142 retrieved RCTs, 20 were relevant to this review, and had performed Chinese medicine treatments including acupuncture (the most common treatment typically using acupoints SP10, ST35, SP9, and LR8), manipulation (typically using acupoints ST35, SP10, and SP9), and external application therapy (typically herbal medicine) in the treatment of PATB syndrome. Chinese medicine treatments were used widely in the treatment of PATB syndrome. We hope in the future, this review may initiate the development of treatments for PATB syndrome using Korean medicine.