Jae-Heung Cho

Gaweon Kim, K.M.D., Haejin Kim, K.M.D., Woo-Chul Shin, K.M.D., Won-Seok Chung, K.M.D., Mi-Yeon Song, K.M.D., Jae-Heung Cho, K.M.D., Hyungsuk Kim, K.M.D.. J Korean Med Rehabi 2026;36:91-116. https://doi.org/10.18325/jkmr.2026.36.3.91

Objectives: This study explored the potential applicability of the Yangsaengbang Do-in methods (養生方導引法) described in the Pungbyungjehujeyo section of Jebyungwonhuron (諸病源候論) to stroke rehabilitation, by linking classical movement descriptions to contemporary rehabilitation targets and mechanisms.Methods: Do-in exercises relevant to post-stroke motor impairment were extracted. Movement instructions were operationalized through investigator discussion based on the original text and representative modern interpretive sources. This study was designed as an exploratory, literature-based interpretive study rather than a systematic review. Contemporary rehabilitation and exercise science literature was searched through online databases including Google Scholar and PubMed. For each Do-in task, studies were selected by comparing its functional goals and biomechanical characteristics with those of modern stroke rehabilitation interventions, and the final movement-mechanism links were established through consensus among five specialists in Korean Rehabilitation Medicine.Results: The Do-in tasks were categorized into: (1) ankle dorsiflexion activation and gait-related coordination, (2) trunk control and postural regulation, (3) balance training involving vestibular-visual challenges, (4) upper-limb function including forearm pronation-supination and scapular stabilization, (5) breathing and relaxation potentially associated with trunk stability, and (6) tongue-focused tasks potentially relevant to swallowing rehabilitation. The analysis also suggested the need for clinical adaptation of difficulty, base of support, resistance, and movement speed according to patient stage and safety.Conclusions: Classical Do-in movements in Jebyungwonhuron may be interpreted as adjunctive tasks aligned with key components of stroke rehabilitation, supporting the potential applicability of Do-in exercise therapy. Standardized protocols and clinical studies are needed to evaluate safety, feasibility, and effectiveness.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate public awareness, experience, and perceptions of Do-in Exercise Therapy and to explore its potential for future clinical application and institutional support.Methods: A structured online survey was conducted among 300 adults in Korea. The questionnaire consisted of 32 items covering sociodemographic characteristics, experiences with Korean medicine, awareness and experience of Do-in Exercise Therapy, expectations regarding its effectiveness, perceived appropriate cost, and attitudes toward health insurance coverage. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, and chi-square tests were performed to examine associations between selected categorical variables. Multivariable binary logistic regression was conducted to identify factors associated with willingness to receive Do-in Exercise Therapy.Results: Of the 300 respondents, 16.7% had heard of Do-in Exercise Therapy before the survey, whereas 83.3% had not. Only 11 respondents had actual experience, but 73.0% indicated willingness to receive treatment if prescribed. Expectations regarding its effectiveness were generally favorable: 51.0% responded neutrally, 41.0% positively, and 8.0% negatively. The most frequently perceived appropriate cost for a session was in the 30,000 KRW range. In addition, 71.0% agreed that health insurance coverage may be needed, and willingness to use the therapy increased when insurance coverage was assumed.Conclusions: Although public awareness and actual experience of Do-in Exercise Therapy remain limited, there may be a degree of public acceptability when adequate information is provided. However, as this study is based on a public perception survey, further studies—including standardized clinical trials and health economic evaluations—are needed to assess its clinical effectiveness, standardization, and policy feasibility.

Objectives: This survey study aimed to investigate Korean Medicine Doctors’ perception and clinical utilization of Do-In Exercise Therapy, with the goal of promoting its clinical use, supporting future standardization, and exploring potential pathways toward national health insurance coverage.Methods: A self-developed online questionnaire was distributed to Korean Medicine Doctors registered with the Association of Korean Medicine (AKOM). The survey was conducted over eight days and yielded a total of 1,000 responses.Results: The mean perception score for Do-In Exercise Therapy was 3.0 on a five-point Likert scale, and 34% of respondents reported current clinical utilization. The inclusion of Do-In Exercise Therapy in the national health insurance system was identified as the most influential factor for promoting broader utilization. Furthermore, 89.3% expressed willingness to adopt the therapy in the future, provided that evidence-based research and standardized clinical guidelines become available.Conclusions: This study examined the perception and current clinical utilization of Do-In Exercise Therapy among Korean Medicine Doctors. Overall perception of Do-In Exercise Therapy was moderate, while actual utilization in clinical practice remained relatively low. Future development of standardized clinical manuals and potential national insurance coverage may enhance perception and increase clinical integration of Do-In Exercise Therapy.

Soyeon Park, K.M.D., Woo-Chul Shin, K.M.D., Hyungsuk Kim, K.M.D., Mi-Yeon Song, K.M.D., Won-Seok Chung, K.M.D., Jae-Heung Cho, K.M.D.. J Korean Med Rehabi 2026;36:45-60. https://doi.org/10.18325/jkmr.2026.36.1.45

Conservative management is the recommended first-line treatment for thoracolumbar vertebral compression fractures (VCFs), with integrative Korean medicine (IKM) being widely used for treatment in Korea. However, evidence regarding long-term treatment outcomes is lacking. We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of IKM treatment for thoracolumbar VCFs. Data from inpatients with thoracolumbar VCFs who received IKM treatment, comprising acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, electroacupuncture, Chuna manual therapy, and herbal medicine, at 4 KM hospitals from April 1, 2016 to June 30, 2022 were analyzed; long-term follow-up was conducted. Outcome measures included the numeric rating scale for low back pain, Oswestry Disability Index, and EuroQol 5-dimension 5-level scores. Primary and secondary outcomes were evaluated using a linear mixed model. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze factors associated with patient satisfaction. Overall, 166 patients with VCFs (mean age: 63.28 ± 12.64 years, women: 124 [74.7%]) were analyzed. The numeric rating scale score for low back pain decreased from 5.75 (95% confidence interval [CI] 5.53–5.96) at admission to 3.36 (95% CI 3.08–3.64) at discharge and 3.90 (95% CI 3.62–4.18) at follow-up. The Oswestry Disability Index score declined from 48.92 (95% CI 46.02–51.82) to 35.95 (95% CI 33.04–38.86) and 27.67 (95% CI 24.86–30.47) at discharge and follow-up, respectively. At follow-up, the VCF operation rate was 6%, with 80% of participants reporting satisfaction with IKM treatment. IKM could be an effective treatment option for patients with VCFs. Large-scale, randomized controlled trials are required.

Background: The growing number of patients with Alzheimer’s disease increases societal burdens and has stimulated interest in complementary and alternative medicine, including herbal medicine that may offer better tolerability than conventional drugs. Objective: To characterize research activity on herbal medicine for Alzheimer’s disease using bibliometric methods.Methods: Articles and review articles on herbal interventions for Alzheimer’s disease published in English between 2003 and 2022 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. After title, abstract, and full text screening for relevance, bibliographic information was analyzed with VOSviewer to generate co-authorship and country collaboration networks and keyword co-occurrence maps.Results: A total of 1,356 publications were included, and annual output increased steadily over the study period. China had the highest publication output (n = 765) and occupied a central position in collaboration networks, followed by India (n = 122). The Chinese Academy of Sciences was the most productive institution, and Wang Qi was the most prolific author. Temporal keyword analysis showed that earlier work focused on terms such as “Huperzine A,” “amyloid beta protein,” and “Yi-gan-san,” whereas recent publications more frequently used “network pharmacology,” “molecular docking,” and “pharmacology.” Keyword clustering identified four domains: mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease, neuroprotective effects of herbal medicine, therapeutic approaches for Alzheimer’s disease, cell apoptosis and antioxidant mechanisms.Conclusion: This bibliometric analysis delineates structural features and evolving themes in research on herbal medicine for Alzheimer’s disease and provides a reference for future studies that link bibliometric patterns with clinical and mechanistic evidence.

Background/Objectives: Acupuncture has been used to manage various fractures. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture in reducing post-operative pain and improving function after tibial fracture surgery. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to evaluate acupuncture as an intervention for tibial fractures. Eight databases were searched, covering studies from inception to August 2024. Results: Sixteen RCTs with 1315 patients were analyzed. Acupuncture, when combined with conventional rehabilitation (CR) or medication, significantly improved pain (MD −1.03, 95% CI [−1.44, −0.62]), Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score (MD 13.21, 95% CI [9.16, 17.26]), and range of motion (ROM) of knee joint (SMD 1.80, 95% CI [0.32, 3.28]) compared to CR or medication alone. It showed significant effects on effective rate (OR 4.92, 95% CI [2.79, 8.68]; I² = 0%) and showed a lower incidence of complications (OR 0.13, 95% CI [0.06, 0.26]). Conclusions: Acupuncture combined with CR or medication during the rehabilitation period after tibial fracture surgery can reduce pain, improve knee joint function, increase knee ROM, and decrease post-operative complications, compared to CR or medication alone.

Seong-Jae Yoo, K.M.D., Jin-Hyun Kim, K.M.D., Min-Ji Sun, K.M.D., Jeong-Won Heo, K.M.D., Jung-Hum Sun, K.M.D., Dong-Hyon Ha, K.M.D., Ja-Hyun Min, K.M.D., Jae-Heung Cho, K.M.D.. J Korean Med Rehabi 2025;35:55-67. https://doi.org/10.18325/jkmr.2025.35.4.55