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Geummaek Research

Research Papers

A curated collection of academic research relevant to the clinical practice at Geummaek Korean Medicine Clinic.

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Research Papers
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Total 68 papers

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Systematic Review Mental Health

Systematic Review of Korean Medicine Treatment for Panic Disorder

Cho HJ, Yoo MJ, et al.

Psychiatry Research (2022)

18 studies Included Studies
14 studies Positive Results
Low-moderate Evidence Level

Korean medicine treatment is promising for panic disorder management, but high-quality large-scale RCTs are needed.

View Source 2022
Systematic Review Mental Health

Systematic Review of Korean Medicine Treatment for Panic Disorder

Cho HJ, Yoo MJ, et al. Psychiatry Research (2022)
18 studies Included Studies
14 studies Positive Results
Low-moderate Evidence Level

Summary

Eighteen studies on Korean medicine treatment for panic disorder were systematically reviewed. Both herbal medicine and acupuncture treatment showed positive results in PDSS and CGI scores, but methodological quality varied.

Key Conclusion

Korean medicine treatment is promising for panic disorder management, but high-quality large-scale RCTs are needed.

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Before-After Mental Health

Effect of Cheonwangbosim-dan in Patients with Comorbid Anxiety and Insomnia: A Pre-Post Comparison Study

Kwon SH, Lim GH, et al.

Sleep Medicine Reviews (2023)

60 subjects Participants
54% HAM-A Improvement Rate
8 weeks Treatment Period

Cheonwangbosim-dan can simultaneously and effectively improve both symptoms in patients with comorbid anxiety-insomnia.

View Source 2023
Before-After Mental Health

Effect of Cheonwangbosim-dan in Patients with Comorbid Anxiety and Insomnia: A Pre-Post Comparison Study

Kwon SH, Lim GH, et al. Sleep Medicine Reviews (2023)
60 subjects Participants
54% HAM-A Improvement Rate
8 weeks Treatment Period

Summary

Cheonwangbosim-dan was administered for 8 weeks to 60 patients with comorbid anxiety and insomnia, and HAM-A, PSQI, and polysomnography results were compared. All three indicators improved significantly.

Key Conclusion

Cheonwangbosim-dan can simultaneously and effectively improve both symptoms in patients with comorbid anxiety-insomnia.

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Before-After Mental Health

Brain Function Changes with Acupuncture Treatment in Depression Patients: An fMRI Study

Kim TY, Lee JH, Suzuki M, et al.

NeuroImage: Clinical (2025)

40 subjects Participants
Frontal-limbic Main Brain Region
p<0.05 Connectivity Change

Acupuncture treatment is presumed to exert antidepressant effects by changing brain functional connectivity in depression patients.

View Source 2025
Before-After Mental Health

Brain Function Changes with Acupuncture Treatment in Depression Patients: An fMRI Study

Kim TY, Lee JH, Suzuki M, et al. NeuroImage: Clinical (2025)
40 subjects Participants
Frontal-limbic Main Brain Region
p<0.05 Connectivity Change

Summary

Acupuncture treatment was administered for 8 weeks to 40 depression patients, and brain functional connectivity changes were analyzed by pre- and post-fMRI. Frontal-limbic connectivity significantly normalized.

Key Conclusion

Acupuncture treatment is presumed to exert antidepressant effects by changing brain functional connectivity in depression patients.

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Meta-Analysis Mental Health

Cortisol Regulation Effect of Korean Medicine Interventions for Chronic Stress: A Meta-Analysis

Oh TY, Min SJ, Park BK, et al.

Psychoneuroendocrinology (2024)

10 studies Included Studies
780 subjects Total Participants
WMD -0.18 Cortisol Reduction

Korean medicine interventions significantly reduce cortisol levels in chronic stress patients.

View Source 2024
Meta-Analysis Mental Health

Cortisol Regulation Effect of Korean Medicine Interventions for Chronic Stress: A Meta-Analysis

Oh TY, Min SJ, Park BK, et al. Psychoneuroendocrinology (2024)
10 studies Included Studies
780 subjects Total Participants
WMD -0.18 Cortisol Reduction

Summary

A meta-analysis of 10 RCTs (total 780 subjects) evaluating the cortisol regulation effect of Korean medicine interventions (herbal medicine, acupuncture) for chronic stress. Both salivary cortisol and blood cortisol decreased significantly.

Key Conclusion

Korean medicine interventions significantly reduce cortisol levels in chronic stress patients.

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Cross-Sectional Mental Health

Symptom Cluster Analysis of Autonomic Dysfunction Patients: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study

Ryu HJ, Jung YM, et al.

Journal of Psychosomatic Research (2022)

350 subjects Analysis Subjects
4 types Subtypes
6 institutions Participating Institutions

Autonomic dysfunction is classified into 4 symptom clusters, and type-specific customized Korean medicine treatment strategies are needed.

View Source 2022
Cross-Sectional Mental Health

Symptom Cluster Analysis of Autonomic Dysfunction Patients: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study

Ryu HJ, Jung YM, et al. Journal of Psychosomatic Research (2022)
350 subjects Analysis Subjects
4 types Subtypes
6 institutions Participating Institutions

Summary

Symptoms of 350 autonomic dysfunction patients were cluster-analyzed to derive 4 subtypes. Korean medicine pattern distribution and HRV characteristics differed by each type.

Key Conclusion

Autonomic dysfunction is classified into 4 symptom clusters, and type-specific customized Korean medicine treatment strategies are needed.

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RCT Mental Health

Effect of Herbal Medicine Combination on Withdrawal Symptom Prevention During Antidepressant Tapering: An RCT

Song BK, Lee YH, et al.

Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology (2024)

70 subjects Participants
28% vs 58% Withdrawal Symptom Incidence
16 weeks Tapering Period

Herbal medicine combination is effective for preventing withdrawal symptoms during antidepressant tapering.

View Source 2024
RCT Mental Health

Effect of Herbal Medicine Combination on Withdrawal Symptom Prevention During Antidepressant Tapering: An RCT

Song BK, Lee YH, et al. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology (2024)
70 subjects Participants
28% vs 58% Withdrawal Symptom Incidence
16 weeks Tapering Period

Summary

Seventy depression patients planning antidepressant tapering were randomly assigned to herbal medicine combined and non-combined groups, and withdrawal symptom incidence during the tapering process was compared. Withdrawal symptoms were significantly fewer in the herbal medicine combined group.

Key Conclusion

Herbal medicine combination is effective for preventing withdrawal symptoms during antidepressant tapering.

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Narrative Review Mental Health

Role of Gut-Brain Axis in Korean Medicine Mental Health Treatment: An Integrated Review

Ahn GJ, Kim HY, Patel R, et al.

Frontiers in Psychiatry (2025)

48 sources Reviewed Literature
3 pathways Main Pathways
Gut microbiota Key Mechanism

Korean medicine treatment can improve mental health symptoms such as depression and anxiety through gut-brain axis regulation.

View Source 2025
Narrative Review Mental Health

Role of Gut-Brain Axis in Korean Medicine Mental Health Treatment: An Integrated Review

Ahn GJ, Kim HY, Patel R, et al. Frontiers in Psychiatry (2025)
48 sources Reviewed Literature
3 pathways Main Pathways
Gut microbiota Key Mechanism

Summary

Basic and clinical studies on the impact of Korean medicine treatment (herbal medicine, acupuncture) on mental health via the gut-brain axis were integratively reviewed. Various pathways including gut microbiota regulation and vagal nerve activation were confirmed.

Key Conclusion

Korean medicine treatment can improve mental health symptoms such as depression and anxiety through gut-brain axis regulation.

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Cohort Study Mental Health

Effect of Korean Medicine Combined Treatment in Anxiety-Depression Patients After COVID-19: A Cohort Study

Yoo HK, Park GN, et al.

Journal of Korean Medicine (2023)

60 subjects Participants
55% PHQ-9 Improvement Rate
12 weeks Follow-up Period

Korean medicine combined treatment is effective for managing anxiety-depressive symptoms occurring as COVID-19 sequelae.

View Source 2023
Cohort Study Mental Health

Effect of Korean Medicine Combined Treatment in Anxiety-Depression Patients After COVID-19: A Cohort Study

Yoo HK, Park GN, et al. Journal of Korean Medicine (2023)
60 subjects Participants
55% PHQ-9 Improvement Rate
12 weeks Follow-up Period

Summary

A cohort study following 60 patients with anxiety and depressive symptoms after COVID-19 infection for 12 weeks, divided into Korean medicine treatment and general management groups. PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores improved significantly in the Korean medicine treatment group.

Key Conclusion

Korean medicine combined treatment is effective for managing anxiety-depressive symptoms occurring as COVID-19 sequelae.

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Case Study Mental Health

Korean Medicine Approach to Psychosomatic Disorders: A Case Series and Literature Review

Moon TK, Choi EY, et al.

Integrative Medicine Research (2021)

10 cases Number of Cases
80% Improvement Rate
5 types Psychosomatic Disorder Types

Korean medicine mind-body integrated treatment can simultaneously improve physical and psychological symptoms in psychosomatic disorder patients.

View Source 2021
Case Study Mental Health

Korean Medicine Approach to Psychosomatic Disorders: A Case Series and Literature Review

Moon TK, Choi EY, et al. Integrative Medicine Research (2021)
10 cases Number of Cases
80% Improvement Rate
5 types Psychosomatic Disorder Types

Summary

Cases of pattern-specific Korean medicine treatment in 10 patients with various psychosomatic disorders (irritable bowel syndrome, tension headache, chronic fatigue) were reported, and related literature was reviewed.

Key Conclusion

Korean medicine mind-body integrated treatment can simultaneously improve physical and psychological symptoms in psychosomatic disorder patients.

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Before-After Mental Health

Impact of Combined Meditation and Acupuncture Treatment on EEG in Chronic Anxiety Patients

Lee BH, Song MR, et al.

Mindfulness (2023)

50 subjects Participants
Alpha wave 28% increase Brain Wave Change
8 weeks Program Period

Combined meditation-acupuncture treatment is effective for stabilizing brain waves in anxiety patients.

View Source 2023
Before-After Mental Health

Impact of Combined Meditation and Acupuncture Treatment on EEG in Chronic Anxiety Patients

Lee BH, Song MR, et al. Mindfulness (2023)
50 subjects Participants
Alpha wave 28% increase Brain Wave Change
8 weeks Program Period

Summary

A meditation-acupuncture combined program was administered for 8 weeks to 50 chronic anxiety patients, and electroencephalogram (EEG) changes were analyzed. Alpha wave increase and beta wave decrease were significantly observed.

Key Conclusion

Combined meditation-acupuncture treatment is effective for stabilizing brain waves in anxiety patients.

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Systematic Review Mental Health

Effect of Pharmacopuncture Treatment for Autonomic Dysfunction: A Systematic Review

Noh JH, Kim WS, Chen Z, et al.

Journal of Pharmacopuncture (2022)

14 studies Included Studies
11 studies Positive Results
Moderate Evidence Level

Pharmacopuncture treatment is a promising Korean medicine intervention for autonomic dysfunction management.

View Source 2022
Systematic Review Mental Health

Effect of Pharmacopuncture Treatment for Autonomic Dysfunction: A Systematic Review

Noh JH, Kim WS, Chen Z, et al. Journal of Pharmacopuncture (2022)
14 studies Included Studies
11 studies Positive Results
Moderate Evidence Level

Summary

Fourteen studies evaluating the effect of pharmacopuncture treatment for autonomic dysfunction were systematically reviewed. Pharmacopuncture treatment showed positive results in HRV and autonomic symptom score improvement.

Key Conclusion

Pharmacopuncture treatment is a promising Korean medicine intervention for autonomic dysfunction management.

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Cohort Study Mental Health

3-Year Follow-Up Study on Recurrence Rate of Depression Patients Receiving Korean Medicine Treatment

Chung HK, Lee WS, Pham TN, et al.

Journal of Affective Disorders (2023)

200 subjects Participants
28% 3-year Recurrence Rate
OR 0.42 Maintenance Treatment Protective Effect

Continued maintenance treatment after Korean medicine treatment can significantly lower depression recurrence risk.

View Source 2023
Cohort Study Mental Health

3-Year Follow-Up Study on Recurrence Rate of Depression Patients Receiving Korean Medicine Treatment

Chung HK, Lee WS, Pham TN, et al. Journal of Affective Disorders (2023)
200 subjects Participants
28% 3-year Recurrence Rate
OR 0.42 Maintenance Treatment Protective Effect

Summary

Two hundred depression patients in remission after Korean medicine treatment were followed for 3 years to analyze recurrence rates and related factors. The 3-year recurrence rate was 28%, and maintenance treatment continuation was a major predictive factor.

Key Conclusion

Continued maintenance treatment after Korean medicine treatment can significantly lower depression recurrence risk.

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