Perspectives on Integrative Medicine

Original Articles

Effectiveness and Safety of Integrative Korean Medicine Treatment for Cervical Disc Herniation with Radiculopathy: One-year Follow-up Results of a Prospective Observational Study: Su Won Lee, Yong-jun Ahn, Suna Kim, Yeonsun Lee, Hyun-Woo Cho, Yoon Jae Lee, In-Hyuk Ha; Perspect Integr Med. 2026;5(1):17-27. Published online February 11, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.56986/pim.2026.02.004

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Graphical Abstract Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Background
Cervical disc herniation (CDH) often accompanies radiculopathy causing pain in the neck and upper extremities that interferes with daily life. The prevalence of CDH is increasing. The treatment methods recommended are primarily conservative.
Methods
In this prospective, single-arm, multicenter, observational study there were 120 patients diagnosed in the past 12 months with CDH (disc protrusion or more severe conditions) accompanied by radiculopathy. Patients received integrative Korean medicine treatment (acupuncture, electroacupuncture, pharmacopuncture, herbal medicine, cupping therapy, and Chuna therapy), approximately twice a week for 2 months, and outcomes were measured. The numeric rating scale, and visual analog scale were used for assessing neck and arm pain, and the neck disability index, patient global impression of change, EuroQol-5-dimension, work productivity and activity impairment questionnaire, and range of motion assessed how pain affected daily activities.
Results
Out of 120 patients, 115 completed 2-months treatment, and 114 responded at the 1-year follow-up. The numeric rating scale score for neck or arm pain showed a reduction of 3.96 points (95% CI, 3.63, 4.29) from baseline to 8 weeks, which further improved (95% CI, 4.09, 4.75) at 1 year. Similarly, the visual analog scale score for neck and arm pain, quality of life measures, and function-related measures also showed improvement from baseline, maintaining these gains at 1 year.
Conclusion
This observational study suggested that using Korean medicine treatment, a conservative treatment method, as the intervention, may provide long-term benefits in reducing pain and improving function and quality of life for patients with CDH accompanied by radiculopathy.

Effects of Needling Acupoint SI3 on Pressure Pain Threshold in Healthy Participants: Xiaoqin Wu, Chi Eung Danforn Lim, Shuai Zheng, Christopher Zaslawski; Perspect Integr Med. 2025;4(1):39-50. Published online February 21, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.56986/pim.2025.02.005

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Abstract PDF: Background
There has been a surge in prescribing opioids for pain-related conditions and it has resulted in a prescription "opioid epidemic." It is critical for researchers and clinicians to explore nonpharmacological approaches to manage pain and mitigate the reliance on opioid analgesics. Acupuncture could be an effective therapy to modulate pain. This study examined the effects on regional pressure pain threshold (PPT) following needling of the Small Intestine 3 (SI3 -Houxi) acupoint in healthy participants.
Methods
In a randomized, three-arm cross-over design study, 32 healthy participants enrolled between November 2018 and March 2019, received 3 different acupuncture interventions, in different sequences, to the right hand at SI3: (1) SI3 without manual manipulation (SI3m-); (2) SI3 with manual needle manipulation (SI3m+); and (3) sham laser, to assess changes in PPT following the interventions. The mean change in PPT was measured at 10 different regional acupoint sites using an algometer. All PPT scores were reported as a percentage change from the mean preintervention value, the mean of the 3 PPT measurements obtained prior to receiving the intervention.
Results
The SI3m+ and SI3m- interventions for the 31 participants (drop out n=1), showed that the postintervention mean % PPT scores were significantly elevated compared to the control (sham laser; p < 0.001). The SI3m+ intervention significantly increased % PPT compared with the SI3m- intervention (p < 0.001).
Conclusion
The needling intervention was an important contributor raising regional PPT in healthy participants.

Assessing the Impact of Art Therapy on Idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease: a Mixed-Methods Practice-Based Approach: Wangjung Hur, Jungtae Leem, Hanbit Jin, Miso S. Park, Sangsoo Park, Horyong Yoo; Perspect Integr Med. 2025;4(1):28-38. Published online February 21, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.56986/pim.2025.02.004

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Background
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common degenerative brain condition worldwide. Art therapy has gained attention as a nonpharmacological, complementary, and integrative therapy, yet few studies have explored its effect on people with PD.
Methods
From May to August 2021, 9 participants diagnosed with idiopathic PD completed an art therapy program, consisting of 8 weekly sessions (60 minutes each). A mixed-method research approach combining quantitative and qualitative analyses was used to evaluate participant outcome and experience. Quantitative analysis was assessed using tests for quality of life, motor symptoms, and nonmotor symptoms. Qualitative analysis was conducted through participant responses and researcher observations.
Results
After 8 sessions of drawing-based art therapy, the total non-motor symptoms scale score, which provides a comprehensive assessment including the domains of cognition and behavior along with nonmotor symptoms in participants, significantly improved from 79.3 ± 30.9 at baseline to 59.8 ± 26.1 points after 8 weeks (p = 0.01). The unified Parkinson’s disease rating scale-I score also demonstrated significant improvement (p = 0.03). There were no reported adverse events and no participant dropout. Qualitative analysis revealed enhanced self-esteem, self-acceptance, and positive emotional expression amongst participants.
Conclusion
The art therapy conducted on the people with PD in this study improved their nonmotor symptoms and activity of daily living. Furthermore, qualitative analysis revealed the positive effect of art therapy which included improved self-esteem and self-acceptance. In the future, art therapy could be actively considered as a nonpharmacological, complementary, and integrative therapy for treating PD.

Review Article

A Review of Major Secondary Data Resources Used for Research in Traditional Korean Medicine: Chunhoo Cheon, Bo-Hyoung Jang, Seong-Gyu Ko; Perspect Integr Med. 2023;2(2):77-85. Published online June 23, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.56986/pim.2023.06.002

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Graphical Abstract Abstract PDF

Research in health care using secondary data is steadily increasing worldwide. In this study, secondary healthcare data was reviewed, so that the information can potentially be used for Korean medicine research. The characteristics of the data, including the variables related to Korean medicine and the method of obtaining data, were summarized. The Korean medicine variables were extracted from the Korean Medicine Utilization Survey, Korea Health Panel, Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, Medical Service Experience Survey, and the health insurance claims data. Except for health insurance claims data, the data was obtained through relatively simple procedures. There were differences in the characteristics of each secondary data and the extent to which it was used in Korean medicine research. Many Korean medicine studies using secondary data will be conducted in the future and researchers must understand the characteristics of the data and analyze it appropriately.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Medical Service Utilization for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Korea (2010–2017): A Retrospective, Cross-Sectional Study Using a Nationally Representative Sample from the HIRA-National Patient Sample Database
Ji Won Kim, Soo Jin Kim, Ye-Seul Lee, Yoon Jae Lee, In-Hyuk Ha, Ju Yeon Kim, Doori Kim
Healthcare.2026; 14(1): 109. CrossRef
Effect of Korean medicine treatment on surgery and opioid prescription among patients with lumbar spinal stenosis: a nationwide retrospective cohort study
Won-Jeong Ha, Ho-Yeon Go, In-Hyuk Ha, Yoon Jae Lee
Frontiers in Medicine.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
Trends of Korean Medicine Treatment for Parkinson’s Disease in South Korea: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Using the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service–National Patient Sample Database
BackJun Kim, Huijun Kim, Ye-Seul Lee, Yoon Jae Lee, In Chul Jung, Ju Yeon Kim, In-Hyuk Ha
Healthcare.2025; 13(10): 1207. CrossRef
Stress mediates the association between atopic dermatitis and sleep duration in Korean adults
Sang Hoon Yun, Donghyo Lee, Yoon Jae Lee, In-Hyuk Ha, Ye-Seul Lee
Scientific Reports.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Real-world data analysis on effectiveness of integrative therapies: A practical guide to study design and data analysis using healthcare databases
Ye-Seul Lee, Yoon Jae Lee, In-Hyuk Ha
Integrative Medicine Research.2023; 12(4): 101000. CrossRef
Trends in the treatment of fibromyalgia in South Korea between 2011 and 2018: a retrospective analysis of cross-sectional health insurance data
Jin-Sil Yu, Eun-San Kim, Kyoung Sun Park, Yoon Jae Lee, Yeon Cheol Park, Dongwoo Nam, Eun-Jung Kim, In-Hyuk Ha
BMJ Open.2023; 13(12): e071735. CrossRef

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