Journal of Pharmacopuncture (Mar 2009)

A pilot clinical study on the Traditional Korean Medicine treatment of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

  • Kim Sung-chul,
  • Na Won-min,
  • Lim Na-ra,
  • Lee Do-sang,
  • Jang Eun-ha,
  • Song Bong-keun

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3831/KPI.2009.12.1.053
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 1
pp. 53 – 65

Abstract

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Objectives : This study was to investigate the effect of Oriental medical treatment on ALS. Methods : We investigated 12 ALS patients which were admitted to Gwang-Ju O.M. hospital from Oct. 14, 2008 to Nov. 14, 2008. All patients were treated by SAAM-acupuncture, herb medication, Bee venom Pharmacopuncture therapy, Needle-embedding therapy, etc. We evaluated patients using the Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised(ALSFRS-R), Medical Research Council (MRC) Scale. Results : After 30 days, mean ALSFRS-R score of patients was improved from 28.42±7.83 to 29.08 ±7.99, and mean MRC Scale of patients was improved from 24.79±8.37 to 25.34±8.45. But in both cases, the variation was not statistically significant. After 30 days, mean ALSFRS-R score and mean MRC Scale of patients was more improved in subjects with bulbar-onset, onset age: 51-60yrs., disease duration: 24-48mo. And the results showed partially significant difference. Conclusions : We think that the results of this case be a pilot study that proves the effect of Oriental Medical treatment on ALS.

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