Jeong-Su Park

Acupuncture and herbal medicine have traditionally been used in East Asia for cancer care. This study aimed to explore how acupuncture and herbal medicine in cancer treatment is used in Europe to identify the common cancer types treated, therapeutic methods applied, and patient satisfaction. This scoping review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guideline and Arksey and O’Malley’s methodological framework. Literature searches were conducted using electronic databases and 2 complementary and alternative medicine-focused journals. The inclusion criteria included first author’s affiliation in Europe and use of acupuncture or herbal medicine in cancer treatment. The exclusion criteria included focusing solely on chemotherapy-related adverse effects or in vitro research. From 6,109 initial records, 6 studies met the inclusion criteria. Two studies involved acupuncture, and 4 involved herbal medicine. Breast cancer was the most frequently studied and ST36 was the most frequently used acupuncture point. Herbal medicines included mistletoe extract and Ruta graveolens. Reported outcomes included symptom relief and generally positivity, although findings varied. This scoping review identified a limited but emerging body of cancer research on the use of acupuncture and herbal medicine in Europe. Highquality clinical research is needed.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the current status, satisfaction, obstacles, and improvement points of the School Doctor Program of Korean Medicine, while providing supporting data for its enhancement.Methods: A self-reporting online survey was conducted among doctors of the Seoul Korean Medicine Association who applied to participate in the 2023 School Doctor Program of Korean Medicine. The questionnaire assessed various aspects including program status, satisfaction, evaluation, advantages, obstacles, promotion plans for the 2023 program, and intention to participate in the 2024 program. The survey was conducted from March 5th to 12th, 2024.Results: A total of 60 doctors participated in the survey, with 57 respondents included in the analysis. Among them, 45 Korean medical doctors had actively engaged in the school doctor program. Main reasons for non-participation included lack of request from assigned schools or scheduling conflicts between the desired program time and the conditions of Korean medicine doctors. Participants who conducted the program reported its effectiveness in fostering positive perceptions of Korean medicine. Despite obstacles, the majority expressed willingness to participate in the 2024 program. To promote the program, there is a need for a structured system to facilitate school cooperation and promote the School Doctor Program of Korean Medicine.Conclusions: Promoting the School Doctor Program of Korean Medicine requires collaboration from schools, provision of standardized manuals and programs, and support from the Korean Medicine Association. Strengthening systems for school cooperation and program promotion is essential for its advancement.

There is growing evidence linking gut microbiota to overall health, including obesity risk and associated diseases. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum SKO-001, a probiotic strain isolated from Angelica gigas, has been reported to reduce obesity by controlling the gut microbiome. In this double-blind, randomised clinical trial, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SKO-001 in reducing body fat. We included 100 participants randomised into SKO-001 or placebo groups (1:1) for 12 weeks. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to objectively evaluate body fat reduction. Body fat percentage (p = 0.016), body fat mass (p = 0.02), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels (p = 0.025), and adiponectin levels (p = 0.023) were lower in the SKO-001 group than in the placebo group after 12 weeks of SKO-001 consumption. In the SKO-001 group, the subcutaneous fat area (p = 0.003), total cholesterol levels (p = 0.003), and leptin levels (p = 0.014) significantly decreased after 12 weeks of SKO-001 consumption compared with baseline values. Additionally, SKO-001 did not cause any severe adverse reactions. In conclusion, SKO-001 is safe and effective for reducing body fat and has the potential for further clinical testing in humans.

Objectives: This study provides basic data for activating the school doctor of Korean medicine (SDKM) program by conducting a questionnaire survey for public health doctor of Korean medicine (PHDKM)Methods: The survey questionnaire was produced by referring to the previous satisfaction survey studies for the Doctor of Korean medicine applying for the SDKM program (SDKMP). The survey questionnaire was composed of 10 questions regarding the satisfaction level, difficulties in progress, and suggestions for activation. The survey was conducted online for a total of 35 PHDKM applying for SDKMP, and 32 responses were collected.Results: Of the 32 subjects, 9 (28.1%) conducted the SDKMP. The total satisfaction level of the SDKMP was 3.69 ± 1.12 points. The lack of a standardized manual and information system was the most difficult in the program’s progress (43.8%), followed by the bad cooperation of the public health centers (40.6%), and the lack of personal circumstances (40.6%). The establishment of a system to enlist cooperation with related institutions was suggested the most as a question for activating the SDKMP (71.9%), followed by the expansion of the SDKMP manual and guidance system (53.1%), and the expansion of publicity about SDKMP (37.5%).Conclusions: To activate the SDKMP in a public health environment, it is necessary to improve the system to enlist cooperation with related institutions. Also, the need to expand the standardized manual, the guidance system, and the education to PHDKM about SDKMP.

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of absorbable synthetic nerve conduit through systematic review. The search strategy was embodied according to PICO (patient, intervention, comparison, and outcome). The patients were with peripheral nerve damage and neuroma. The intervention was nerve reconstruction with absorbable synthetic nerve conduit. Comparisons were autologous nerve graft and end-to-end suturing. The safety outcome was procedure-related complications. The effectiveness outcomes were nerve function tests, procedure failure rate, and subjective assessment. A total number of 434 papers were searched, five studies included. The safety outcomes reported higher in the intervention group in clinical trial including wound healing problems and debridement of the wound. The effectiveness results were improved in the intervention group, but not significant in comparative study. In case series and case reports, the efficacy outcomes were different among articles. Nerve reconstruction using absorbable synthetic nerve conduit was needed further study, nevertheless it is expected to be clinically useful.

Chung S, et al. J Korean Med Assoc. 2017 Jun;60(6):499-505. https://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2017.60.6.499

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with a high prevalence rate and a large socioeconomic cost. There are many treatments for atopic dermatitis, such as antihistamine, tacrolimus and corticosteroids. However, due to concern about the adverse effects, many patients seek alternative treatments. In this context, natural products are gaining interest. KM110329 is a functional food consisting of four herbs that are beneficial to skin health. The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of KM110329 for atopic dermatitis.

Background: Hwa-byung, a Korean culture-bound syndrome with both psychological and somatic symptoms, is also known as ‘anger syndrome’. It includes various physical symptoms including anxiety, a feeling of overheating, a sensation of pressure on the chest, heart palpitations, respiratory stuffiness, insomnia, and anxiety. Methods/design: The proposed study is a single-center, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial with two parallel arms: an oriental medicine music therapy (OMMT) group and a control music therapy (CMT) group. In total, 48 patients will be enrolled into the trial. The first visit will be the screening visit. At baseline (visit 2), all participants fulfilling both the inclusion and the exclusion criteria will be split and randomly divided into two equal groups: the OMMT and the CMT (n = 24 each). Each group will receive treatment sessions over the course of 4 weeks, twice per week, for eight sessions in total. The primary outcome is the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the secondary outcomes are the Hwa-byung scale (H-scale), the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), the Hwa-byung visual analogue scale (H-VAS) for primary symptoms, the World Health Organization Quality of Life scale, brief version (WHOQOL-BREF), and levels of salivary cortisol. Patients will be asked to complete questionnaires at the baseline visit (visit 2), after the last treatment session (visit 9), and at 4 weeks after the end of all trial sessions (visit 10). From the baseline (visit 2) through the follow-up (visit 10), the entire process will take a total of 53 days. Discussion: This proposed study targets patients with Hwa-byung, especially those who have exhibited symptoms of anxiety. Therefore, the primary outcome is set to measure the level of anxiety. OMMT is music therapy combined with traditional Korean medicinal theories. Unlike previously reported music therapies, for which patients simply listen to music passively, in OMMT, patients actively move their bodies and play the music. Because Hwa-byung is caused by an accumulation of blocked emotions and anger inside the body, OMMT, because of its active component, is expected to be more efficacious than pre-existing music therapies. Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN11939282

Background: Obesity, which is described as excessive or abnormal body fat, increases the risk of diet-related diseases. In Korea and around the world, the prevalence of obesity has grown annually from 1998 to 2008. This growth has continued despite various therapeutic efforts. The discovery of new and alternative treatments for obesity should be considered an important priority. Taeumjowi-tang (TJ001), a traditional Korean medicinal extract consisting of eight herbs, is a widely used herbal remedy for obesity in Korea. However, the efficacy and safety of TJ001 have not been fully investigated in a clinical trial. The purpose of this pilot study is to estimate obesity-related parameters and to assess the efficacy and safety of TJ001. Methods: Our study is a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre clinical trial of Taeumjowi-tang (TJ001). For this study, we will recruit obese Korean patients of both sexes, ages 18 to 65 years, from four university hospitals. A total of 104 subjects will be recruited. The participants will receive either 7 g of TJ001 or a placebo three times daily for 12 weeks. The primary end point will be the rate of subjects who lose at least 5% of their baseline body weight. The secondary end points will be changes in body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist/hip circumference ratio, lipid profiles, body fat composition, blood pressure, fasting glucose concentration, C-reactive protein and questionnaires related to the quality of life. The outcomes will be measured every 4 weeks. The study period will be 12 weeks and will include a total of five visits with each subject (at screening and at 0, 4, 8 and 12 weeks). Conclusions: The results of our study will inform various estimates of TJ001 and will serve as the basis for a larger-scale trial. This study will assess the efficacy and safety of TJ001 as an alternative herbal remedy for obesity. Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN87153759

Background: Gyejibongnyeong-hwan (GJBNH) is one of the most popular Korean medicine formulas for menstrual pain of dysmenorrhea. The concept of blood stagnation in Korean medicine is considered the main factor of causing abdominal pain, or cramps, during menstrual periods. To treat the symptoms, GJBNH is used to fluidify the stagnated blood and induce the blood flow to be smooth, reducing pain as the result. The purpose of this trial is to identify the efficacy of GJBNH in dysmenorrhea caused by blood stagnation. Methods: This study is a multi-centre, randomised, double-blind, controlled trial with two parallel arms: the group taking GJBNH and the group taking placebo. 100 patients (women from age 18 to 35) will be enrolled to the trial. Through randomization 50 patients will be in experiment arm, and the other 50 patients will be in control arm. At the second visit (baseline), all participants who were already screened that they fulfil both the inclusion and the exclusion criteria will be randomised into two groups. Each group will take the intervention three times per day during two menstrual cycles. After the treatment for two cycles, each patient will be followed up during their 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th menstrual cycles. From the screening (Visit 1) through the second follow-up (Visit 6) the entire process will take 25 weeks. Discussion: This trial will provide evidence for the effectiveness of GJBNH in treating periodical pain due to dysmenorrhea that is caused by blood stagnation. The primary outcome between the two groups will be measured by changes in the Visual Analogue Score (VAS) of pain. The secondary outcome will be measured by the Blood Stagnation Scale, the Short-form McGill questionnaire and the COX menstrual symptom scale. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and repeated measured ANOVA will be used to analyze the data analysis. Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials: ISRCTN30426947