Efficacy, Safety and Economic Evaluation of Wolbigachul-Tang for Chronic Cough Due to Upper Airway Cough Syndrome (UACS): A Study Protocol for Randomized, Double-Blind, Active-Comparator Controlled, Parallel, Exploratory Clinical Trial.

Upper airway cough syndrome (UACS) is a common cause of chronic cough characterized by upper airway symptoms, including nasal discharge and throat discomfort. Empirical treatments for UASC-induced chronic cough, such as first-generation antihistamines, have been used; however, the long-term use of these medicines has adverse effects. Therefore, we evaluate the efficacy, safety, and economic feasibility of Wolbigachul-tang (WBGCT), an herbal medication for UASC-induced chronic cough. This is a randomized, double-blind, active-comparator-controlled, parallel, and exploratory clinical trial. Thirty patients with UASC-induced chronic cough will be recruited and randomly allocated to the WBGCT and control groups in a 1:1 allocation ratio. The investigational medicine will be administered three times per day for 2 weeks (3 g of WBGCT at a time). The primary outcome measure is the cough symptom score measured at screening, before starting the trial, and after 2 and 4 weeks. Secondary outcome measures include the cough visual analog scale, nasal discharge score, questionnaire of clinical symptoms of cough and sputum, Leicester cough questionnaire-Korean version, integrative medicine outcome scale, integrative medicine patient satisfaction scale, and 5-level EuroQol 5-dimensional questionnaire, which will be assessed before starting the trial and after 2 and 4 weeks. This study aims to investigate the efficacy, safety, and economic feasibility of WBGCT in the treatment of chronic cough. Therefore, the results of this trial provide evidence for the application of WBGCT in the treatment of UACS-induced chronic cough.

Perception on genetic testing in Korean medicine doctors: A mobile-based survey.

BACKGROUND: Currently, genetic testing is widely used to understand individual characteristics. In Korea, genetic testing has been in use, but not actively in Korean Medicine (KM). To examine the perceptions of genetic testing, we performed online survey to Korean Medicine doctors (KMDs). METHODS: The survey was a mobile-based study that was developed by 6 survey specialists based on electronic database search results. The questionnaire consisted of 6 categories: general characteristics of respondents, understanding of genetic testing, demand for using genetic testing, application field and utilization level of genetic testing, limitations of genetic testing, and plans and necessary efforts to begin using genetic testing based on an 11-point Likert scale. RESULTS: With the response rate of 27.2% (n = 544), 46.9% of respondents answered that they understood the definition and mechanism of genetic testing. About 80% of KMDs responded that they would be willing to use genetic testing results; a notable reason for this was the need for more objective and evidence-based test results. KMDs recognized that genetic testing could not only provide personalized treatment and care, but also help communicate with patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study observed KMDs' perceptions of the potential clinical benefits of genetic testing. We confirmed that development of genetic testing technology, knowledge of their use, and new technology-friendly policies are essential for expanding the genetic testing technology in Korean medicine.

Understanding the multi-herbal composition of Buyang Huanwu Decoction: A review for better clinical use.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BHD) is a multi-herbal composition commonly prescribed in the treatment of cerebrovascular diseases such as stroke. Although studies have been conducted at the cellular (in vitro), animal and human (in vivo) level, there was no detailed analysis on how the composition and proportion of BHD is modified according to target diseases. AIM OF STUDY: The purpose of this study is to investigate the composition and proportion of each herb in BHD to summarize how the original BHD was modified according to the target disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Electronic literature searches were performed in three databases, collecting sixty-eight studies for the final analysis. The studies were divided into three types: cell studies, animal experiments and clinical trial. In the analysis, the decoction formula including the composition and the weight proportion of the herbs in BHD used in the studies and the target diseases were examined. RESULTS: The result showed that in cell studies, the targets were mostly cell differentiation, cell injury and immune activation. In animal studies, cerebrovascular diseases such as cerebral ischemia were the most identified target diseases followed by nervous system and cardiovascular diseases. While the proportions of the herbs in BHD used in these studies were in general similar to the original formula, some studies reduced the amount of Astragali Radix to half of the original amount. Modified BHDs were used in four studies for cerebrovascular and peripheral nerve diseases. However, no significant correlation has been observed between the target diseases and the change of the proportion of the herbs in BHD. CONCLUSIONS: The most commonly used formula was the original composition of BHD, and modified BHDs were reported to be used to treat cerebrovascular and nervous diseases. Further studies about the effects of BHD by composition and proportion of herbs are needed in the future.