A National Survey on the Clinical Practice Patterns of Korean Medicine Doctors for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Children and Adolescents.

To alleviate the symptoms of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and reduce the side effects of psychostimulants, parents are opting for complementary and alternative medicine as a therapeutic option. Korean medicine (KM) has been used by Korean medicine doctors (KMDs) to treat ADHD with herbal medication and acupuncture. This study aimed to conduct a cross-sectional survey on the clinical practice patterns of KM for ADHD in children targeting KMDs. The questionnaire included aspects related to patient characteristics, diagnosis, treatment modalities, and perceptions regarding KM. Questionnaires were distributed to all KMDs via e-mail, and the online surveys were conducted from 1 to 15 February 2023. A total 2.1% of KMDs (n = 537/25,574) completed the survey. The predominant diagnostic pattern identification employed was "depressed liver qi transforming into fire" (19.8%). Herbal medicine (HM) was the most common treatment (44.2%). The most frequently used HM prescriptions were Ondam-tang (16.9%), Eokgan-san (15.7%), and Sihogayonggolmoryeo-tang (14.4%). KMDs recognized HM as the most effective among the KM treatments (54.3%). The results of this study elucidate the current clinical practice patterns of KM for ADHD. Based on these findings, a treatment protocol can be developed to provide optimized KM treatment services to patients with ADHD.

Corrigendum to "The Efficacy and Safety of Acupuncture for the Treatment of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2018/1057539.].

Survey of Clinical Practice Patterns of Korean Medicine Doctors for Anorexia in Children: A Preliminary Study for Clinical Practice Guidelines.

Parents often have concerns regarding anorexia in their children and visiting medical institutions for the intervention of it. This study aimed to investigate the clinical practice patterns of Korean medicine doctors (KMDs) for anorexia in children using a web-based survey. A link to the questionnaire was sent via email to all KMDs that were affiliated with the Association of Korean Medicine. The questionnaire covered items on the sociodemographic characteristics and clinical characteristics related to Korean medicine (KM), such as diagnosis, treatment, awareness, safety, and effectiveness. Of 23,910 KMDs, 384 agreed to participate and complete the questionnaire. Anorexia in children was diagnosed mainly by clinical features (36.4%) and the pattern identification (PI) theory of 'Qi, Blood, Fluid, Humor, and Organ system diagnoses' (32.8%). The most frequently used PIs was 'spleen-stomach qi deficiency' (38.6%), which was followed by 'spleen failure in transportation' (23.3%), 'stomach yin deficiency' (15.5%), and 'liver depression' (14.2%). Herbal medicine (38.1%) was the primary KM treatment for anorexia, and the names of the most frequently prescribed herbal decoctions were Sogunjung-tang (16.5%), Hyangsayukgunja-tang (15.9%), and Bojungikgi-tang (13.9%). This study provides information on the existing clinical practice patterns of KMDs for anorexia in children. Based on this survey, the clinical practice guidelines will be developed.

Longitudinal Bone Growth Stimulating Effect of Allium macrostemon in Adolescent Female Rats.

Allium macrostemon (AM) may affect bone growth by regulating bone formation and resorption. To examine the effect of AM on bone growth, 48 rats were divided into four administration groups in which either distilled water, AM (100 and 300 mg/kg), or recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH; 20 µg/kg) was administered for 10 days. On day 9, all animals were intraperitoneally injected with tetracycline hydrochloride (20 mg/kg), and 48 h after the injection, the rats were sacrificed. Their tibial sections were photographed to measure bone growth. Antigen-specific immunohistochemistry was performed to detect insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2). The food intake of the AM 100 mg/kg group was higher; however, the food intake of the AM 300 mg/kg group was less than that of the control group. The rhGH and AM 100 mg/kg groups showed greater rates of bone growth (359.0 ± 23.7 and 373.1 ± 28.0 µm/day, respectively) compared with the control group. IGF-1 and BMP-2 in the AM and rhGH groups were highly expressed. Indigestion at higher doses of AM led to nonsignificant bone growth in spite of increased IGF-1 and BMP-2 expression. Therefore, a suitable amount of AM could increase bone growth.

Improvement of a massage chair (BEG-100) on height growth in children with average: Human subjects research.

BACKGROUND: Studies that examine the growth effects of massage at ages beyond infancy are rare. A recently developed massage chair (BEG-100) targets teenagers who want to increase their growth. The chair can stretch areas around the knee after fixating the knee and ankle areas. METHODS: This is a clinical study that included 38 children aged 11 years whose heights ranged from 145.0 to 155.0 cm. We aim to observe the potential of a 24-week massage for growth promotion. We will also evaluate the changes in height percentile, height, height standard deviation score, bone age, height standard deviation score for bone age, growth rate, predicted height estimated from bone age, seated height-to-standing height ratio, weight, and body mass index. To confirm safety, the associated adverse events will be investigated. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the growth-promoting effect of BEG-100 in children with average height. TRIAL REGISTRATION: KCT0004673 (Clinical Research Information Service).

Safety, effectiveness, and economic evaluation of an herbal medicine, Ukgansangajinpibanha granule, in children with autism spectrum disorder: a study protocol for a prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by continuous impairment in communication and social interaction and by limited and repetitive behaviors, interests, or activities. Behavioral, educational, and pharmaceutical interventions have been shown to reduce behavioral disabilities, improve verbal/non-verbal communication, and help patients acquire self-reliance skills. However, there has been a lack of systematic verification and consensus regarding the treatment of the core symptoms of ASD because of its unclear etiology. Ukgansangajinpibanha (UGSJB), a legitimately prescribed herbal medicine for nervousness, insomnia, night crying, and malnutrition in South Korea and Japan, has been used for angry, sensitive, nervous, and unsettled children with ASD. METHODS/DESIGN: This trial is a prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, clinical trial. The 4- to 6-year-old children with ASD will be randomly assigned to following groups: 1. A UGSJB granule with acupuncture, twice daily (n = 120) 2. A placebo group with acupuncture, twice daily (n = 120). The following outcome measures will be used: behavior by the Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Autism Behavior Checklist, and Aberrant Behavior Checklist; social maturity by the Social Maturity Scale; quality of life by the Child Health Questionnaire and EuroQoL Five-dimension Five-level Youth; and parental stress by the Parenting Stress Index at baseline and at 6, 12, and 24 weeks after the beginning of treatment. In addition, to evaluate safety, we will investigate the adverse reactions that may be caused by UGSJB granule. Finally, we will make an economic evaluation of UGSJB for the treatment of ASD. DISCUSSION: We prepared a well-designed clinical trial to investigate the safety and effectiveness of UGSJB on ASD symptoms compared with placebo treatment. The results from this study will provide clinical evidence on the safety, effectiveness, and economic value of UGSJB combined with acupuncture in children with ASD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Research Information Service: KCT0003007 (registered on April 5, 2018).

A survey of Korean medicine doctors' clinical practice patterns for autism spectrum disorder: preliminary research for clinical practice guidelines.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate autism spectrum disorder (ASD) clinical practice patterns of Korean medicine doctors (KMDs) through questionnaire survey. METHODS: Questionnaires on Korean medicine (KM) treatment for ASD were distributed to 255 KMDs on December 5, 2016. The KMDs were psychiatrists, pediatricians, or general practitioners, who treated patients with ASD. The questionnaire covered items on treatment methods, aims of treatment, KM syndrome differentiation, diagnostic tools, and sociodemographic characteristics. Frequency analysis was conducted to describe the participants and their practices. RESULTS: A total 22.4% KMDs (n = 57/255) completed the questionnaires and 54 KMDs (21.2%) matched the inclusion criteria. The KMDs utilized herbal medicine (27.3%), body acupuncture (17.6%), scalp acupuncture (10.7%), moxibustion (6.4%), and Korean medical psychotherapy (5.9%) to treat ASD. The most commonly prescribed herbal medicine was Yukmijihwang-tang. Forty-eight (88.9%) KMDs responded that they used KM syndrome differentiation. 'Organ system, Qi, Blood, Yin, Yang, Fluid and Humor diagnosis' was most frequently used for syndrome differentiation. ASD was mainly diagnosed based on the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) and DSM-5. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated the current status of KMDs' diagnosis and treatment of ASD. In future clinical trials and clinical practice guidelines, these findings will provide meaningful information on the actual practice patterns of KMDs.

The Efficacy and Safety of Acupuncture for the Treatment of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objectives. We aimed to summarize and critically evaluate the available evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods. We searched 13 databases for studies published up to December 2016. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy of acupuncture for children with ASD were included. Outcome measures were the overall scores on scales evaluating the core symptoms of ASD and the scores for each symptom, such as social communication ability and skills, stereotypies, language ability, and cognitive function. Effect sizes were presented as mean differences (MD). Results. Twenty-seven RCTs with 1736 participants were included. Acupuncture complementary to behavioral and educational intervention significantly decreased the overall scores on the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) (MD -8.10, 95% CI -12.80 to -3.40) and the Autism Behavior Checklist (MD -8.92, 95% CI -11.29 to -6.54); however, it was unclear which of the ASD symptoms improved. Acupuncture as a monotherapy also reduced the overall CARS score. The reported adverse events were acceptable. Conclusions. This review suggests that acupuncture may be effective and safe for pediatric ASD. However, it is not conclusive due to the heterogeneity of the acupuncture treatment methods used in the studies.