Background: Traditional Japanese Medicine (Kampo) is often used in Japan, but very little data on its users are available. We investigated who uses Kampo, the reasons and opinions for its use.
Methods: Questionnaire survey in three Japanese outpatient clinics offering Kampo in different settings: Kampo only, Kampo and traditional Chinese medicine, Kampo and Western medicine. Before seeing the doctor, patients were asked about socio-demographic data, medical history, experience with Kampo, general health-related opinions and behaviours, opinions about Western medicine and Kampo, and reasons for Kampo utilization. Descriptive statistics and predictors for Kampo use were calculated.
Results: A total of 354 questionnaires were completed. Participants were 50.97 ± 15.60 (mean ± SD) years of age, 68% were female. Of all patients, 73% (n = 202) were using Kampo currently and 84% (297) had taken Kampo before. Questions on general health-related opinions and behaviour revealed a strong environmental awareness. The most frequent indications for earlier Kampo use were: common cold (36%), gastrointestinal complaints (30%), oversensitivity to cold ("Hi'e-sho"; 29%), stress/anxiety (21%), and shoulder stiffness (20%). Kampo users suffered more often from chronic illnesses (OR 2.88 [1.48-5.58]). Beliefs in underlying philosophy (Wu Xing (adjusted OR 3.08, [1.11-8.55]), Ying and Yang (OR 2.57 [1.15-5.73], a holistic way of seeing the patient (OR 2.17 [1.53-3.08]), and in Kampo efficacy (OR 2.62 [1.66-4.13]) were positively associated with Kampo use. So was, interestingly, conviction of the efficacy of Western medicine (OR 1.87 [1.28-2.74]). Half of the patients had a general preference for a combination of Kampo and Western treatment.
Conclusions: Most patients visiting a clinic that also provided Kampo had previous experience with Kampo. Usage was associated with beliefs in philosophical Kampo concepts and its efficacy.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-13-108 | DOI Listing |
World J Clin Cases
January 2025
Department of Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata University, Yamagata 990-9585, Japan.
This editorial explores the potential integration of non-Western medicine into radiotherapy for cervical cancer. While radiotherapy remains a radical treatment for cervical cancer, its associated toxicity and decline in quality of life can significantly impact patients' lives. Currently, most treatments are supportive, with no specific treatment options available in Western medicine.
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January 2025
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Tokyo Medical University, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
There are no clear guidelines for deciding between endoscopic sinus surgery and tooth extraction for the treatment of odontogenic sinusitis. Furthermore, tooth extraction does not necessarily improve sinusitis and eventually results in additional endoscopic sinus surgery. The present study aimed to retrospectively investigate negative predictive factors of tooth extraction for odontogenic sinusitis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChin J Integr Med
January 2025
Department of Oriental Neuropsychiatry, Dong-Eui University College of Korean Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea.
Objective: Traditional medicine (TM) has played a key role in the health care system of East Asian countries, including China, Japan and South Korea. This bibliometric study analyzes the recent research status of these three TMs, including traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), traditional Korean medicine (TKM), and Kampo medicine (KM).
Methods: Research topics of studies published for recent 10 years (2014 to 2023), through a search on MEDLINE via PubMed, was analyzed.
J Clin Med
December 2024
The Second Department of Internal Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan.
Even in current guideline-directed medical therapy, including recently introduced vasopressin type 2 receptor antagonist tolvaptan, congestion has not been resolved in patients with heart failure. Kampo medicine goreisan has been receiving considerable attention as an additional therapy for patients who are refractory to conventional diuretics therapy, including tolvaptan. However, the impact of goreisan on urine electrolytes remains uncertain.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCureus
December 2024
Division of Nephrology, Toho University Sakura Medical Center, Sakura, JPN.
Persistent hiccups are rare but can serve as an early symptom of underlying conditions, including pulmonary infections and cerebrovascular disorders. This case highlights hiccups as a presenting symptom of bronchopneumonia in a hemodialysis patient and explores the effective use of chlorpromazine and Hange-koboku-to (HKT) as symptomatic therapies. Given the potential association of hiccups with neurological conditions, this case underscores the need for comprehensive diagnostic evaluation.
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