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Introduction This study aimed to develop pattern identification scale for Stomach Qi Deficiency (SSQD) and investigated whether this questionnaire satisfied adequate reliability and validity. Methods To develop SSQD, we extracted major symptoms of Stomach Qi Deficiency (SQD) syndrome and requested an expert group to take part in a Delphi survey. The questionnaire was modified by the opinion of the expert group. For the analysis of reliability and validity and investigation of cut-off value, 30 participants who had dyspepsia and diagnosed as SQD and 30 healthy control participants were evaluated. Results Of the 13 questions in the SSQD, 1 question had negative effects on reliability and validity, therefore, it was excluded on further inspection. Overall Cronbach’s α coefficient of SSQD was 0.87. Construct validity was analyzed by factor analysis resulting 3 major factors. Using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the optimal cut-off value of SSQD was defined as 14, and its sensitivity and specificity were 93.33% and 86.67%, respectively. There were statistically significant positive correlation between SSQD and other dyspepsia severity scales. Conclusions The newly developed SSQD can provide fundamental reliability and validity as a specific pattern diagnosis questionnaire and can help diagnosing SQD. However, further studies will be needed to further confirm its specificity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Yukmijihwang-tang (YMJ) is a typical herbal formula to treat Yin-deficiency (YD) syndrome by enriching the fluid-humor of the body. YMJ has been used to treat dry mouth symptoms for hundreds of years in traditional East Asian medicine. Xerostomia, a subjective oral dryness, is common in the elderly and results in impaired quality of life. Many conventional treatments for xerostomia provide only temporary symptom relief, and have side effects. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of YMJ for the treatment of xerostomia in the elderly. Methods This study was designed as a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, two center trial. Ninety-six subjects aged 60–80 years who had experienced xerostomia for at least 3 months and presented with score>40 on the visual analog scale (VAS) for subjective oral dryness were recruited and randomly allocated to YMJ and placebo groups. YMJ or placebo was administered to each group for 8 weeks (3 g of YMJ or placebo, three times per day). The primary outcome was change of VAS for xerostomia from 0 to 8 weeks. Results VAS for xerostomia was decreased by 22.04±22.76 in the YMJ group and 23.58±23.04 in the placebo group. YMJ had no effect on xerostomia. However, participants with BMIs lower than 29.37 kg/m 2 showed improvement of xerostomia after 8 weeks of treatment with YMJ compared to placebo. In addition, YMJ improved oral moisture, which is associated with subjective oral dryness in the YMJ group, and the relationship between VAS for xerostomia and YD was significant. Conclusion A trend was observed in which YMJ improved oral moisture status and subjective oral dryness in elderly subjects with lower BMI and greater tendency toward YD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Introduction: Chronic fatigue is a “persistent and recurrent fatigue” that lowers an individual''s quality of life. The cause and treatment of idiopathic chronic fatigue (ICF) have not been clearly established. Oriental medicine music therapy (OMMT), which is one of the alternative therapies applied to many chronic diseases, is distinct from conventional music therapies in terms of active participation and being originated from the theory of traditional oriental medicine. Many studies have shown that patients with chronic fatigue are related to hypocortisolism. Based on salivary cortisol concentration, a validated fatigue severity scale (FSS) and visual analog scale (VAS) of overall fatigue, we identified a patient who recovered from ICF with the aid of OMMT. Materials and methods: An outpatient with ICF was treated with OMMT for 40min (1 session) 3 times a week. The treatment included listening to selected music and playing a musical instrument under the direction of an oriental music therapist. Twelve sessions of treatment were conducted, with salivary cortisol concentration measured before each session. The FSS and VAS were checked each week. Results: After treatment with OMMT, the values of the FSS and VAS were significantly decreased. In contrast, the salivary cortisol concentration increased, which generally could indicate a recovery from chronic fatigue. Conclusions: This case suggests that OMMT may be an alternative treatment for ICF. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]