Min-Woo Hwang

Biopsychological traits of Sasang typology based on Sasang personality questionnaire and body mass index

BackgroundThe purpose of present study was to examine biological and psychological characteristics of people according to the Sasang typology, which is popular in Korea. We evaluated the Sasang Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) as a measure of temperament, and Body Mass Index (BMI) as a measure of the somatic properties of each Sasang type.MethodsSubjects were 2506 (877 males, 1629 females) outpatients between the ages of 20 through 70 who requested traditional medical assessment and treatment in Korea. The structural validity of the SPQ was examined and its correlation with BMI was analyzed. The SPQ and BMI measures of each Sasang type across age and gender were presented and their differences were analyzed with Analysis of Variance.ResultsConfirmatory factor analysis and path analysis identified an acceptable three-factor structure of the SPQ measuring differences in individual’s behavior, emotion, and cognition. SPQ scores (29.71 ± 1.00, 28.29 ± 0.19 and 26.14 ± 0.22) and BMI scores (22.92 ± 0.09, 25.56 ± 0.10 and 21.44 ± 0.10) were significantly (p < 0.001) different among So-Yang, Tae-Eum and So-Eum Sasang types, respectively.ConclusionsThe results showed that the SPQ and BMI is a reliable measure for quantifying the biopsychological characteristics of each types, and useful for guiding personalized and type-specific treatment with medical herbs and acupuncture.

Digestive system-related pathophysiological symptoms of Sasang typology: Systematic review

The purpose of this study was to review clinical studies on digestive system-related pathophysiological symptoms of each Sasang type to obtain the generalizable typespecific clinical features, which are important for the diagnosis of the Sasang type and subsequent disease treatment. Sasang typology and digestive system symptom-related keywords were used to search through eight domestic and foreign databases up to March 2012. The results were organized and analyzed based on four categories [digestive function, appetite, eating pattern, and body mass index (BMI)] to elucidate type-specific symptoms. Sasang type-specific digestive system-related symptoms were identified by reviewing 30 related articles that were gathered by searching through the databases. The Tae-Eum (TE) type had the highest digestive functions and the So-Eum (SE) type had the lowest. The TE type appeared to have larger volume with fast eating speed compared with the SE type and individuals in the TE category preferred fatty or salty food, which is responsible for the high occurrence rates of organic digestive diseases such as gastritis. Moreover, BMI was higher in the TE type and lower in the SE type. We systematically reviewed previously published clinical reports on digestive functions, which can be used to meet the objective of Sasang-type differentiation and pathophysiological pattern identification.

Development and validation of the digestive function assessment instrument for traditional korean medicine: Sasang digestive function inventory

Objective. This study was conducted for development and validation of the Sasang Digestive Function Inventory (SDFI) with type-specific digestive function-related symptoms for identification of Sasang type and pathological pattern. Methods and Materials. We selected questionnaire items for pathophysiological symptoms using internal consistency analysis and examined construct validity using 193 healthy participants. Test-retest reliability with a four-week interval as well as convergent validity was examined using the Nepean Dyspepsia Index-Korean (NDIK), Functional Dyspepsia-Related Quality of Life (FDQOL), Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ), and Body Mass Index (BMI). Results. The 21-item SDFI showed satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbachs alpha = 0.743) and test-retest reliability (r = 0.886, P < 0.001). Three extracted subscales, SDFI-Digestion, SDFI-Appetite, and SDFI-Eating pattern, explained 56.02% of the total variance. The SDFI showed significant (P < 0.001) correlation with total symptom score of NDIK, FDRQOL-Eating status, DEBQ-External Eating scale, and BMI. The SDFI score of the Tae-Eum (50.62 ± 8.05) type was significantly (P < 0.001) larger than that of the So-Eum (43.11 ± 11.26) type. Conclusion. Current results demonstrated the reliability and validity of the SDFI and its subscales, which can be utilized as an objective instrument for diagnosis of Sasang types and assessment of the type-specific digestive function.

Analysis of Skin Humidity Variation Between Sasang Types

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between variations in skin humidity (SH) induced by perspiration across Sasang types and to identify novel and effective Sasang classification factors. We also analyzed the responses of each Sasang type to sweating-related QSCC II items. The results revealed a significant difference in SH across gender and significant differences in SH before and after perspiration between Tae-Eum and So-Eum men. In addition, Tae-Eum women showed significant differences in SH compared with women classified as another Sasang type. Furthermore, evaluation of the items related to sweating in the QSCC II and their relationship to each constitution revealed a significant difference between Tae-Eum and other Sasang types. Overall, the results of this study indicate that there is a distinct SH difference following perspiration between Tae-Eum and other Sasang types. Such findings may aid in Sasang typology diagnostic testing with the support of further sophisticated clinical studies.

Diagnosis and treatment principle in Sasang medicine: original symptom

The purpose of this review was to demonstrate the definition of the original symptom (OS) and how it works in medical procedures as to the Sasang medicine based on the Jema Lees Donguisusebowon (Longevity and Life Preservation in Eastern Medicine). OS is defined as the sum of all clinical information featured by an individuals intrinsic characteristics as Sasangin and health state prior to onset. It is the key factor in the clinical application of Sasang medicine including the diagnosis of constitutional type and Sasang symptomatology because the imbalance of metabolic functions of each Sasangin originates from that. The working principles of the OS and Sasang symptomatology can be summarized as follows. First, clinical information regarding cold or heat intolerance determines the cold or heat pattern of Sasang symptomatology. Another is the present worsening of the severity of Sasang symptomatology by one level as compared with that in the past. Symptoms prior to the onset worsen to a higher level of severity after any disorder breaks out. Finally, the treatment strategy and progress of each Sasangin are determined following the characteristics of the OS. Theoretical and clinical studies should be conducted to show the specific criteria for the diagnosis of Sasang symptomatology in the future.

Morality and longevity in the viewpoint of Sasang medicine

The concepts of morality and health of humans are discussed from the viewpoint of Sasang medicine, as described by Je-Ma Lee in his books Donguisusebowon and Gyeokchigo. Sasang medicine suggests that human beings exist with qualities of “heavenly loom,” “humanly affair,” and “nature and conduct in following parts.” In addition, Sasang medicine classifies people into the following four Sasang types: Tae-Yang, So-Yang, Tae-Eum, and So-Eum. This classification is based on the following traits: benevolence–righteousness–propriety–wisdom, manifestations of sorrow–anger–joy–pleasure (Seong and Jeong), and largeness and smallness of lung–spleen–liver–kidney. Human diseases are always caused by the excessive mind action of sorrow–anger–joy–pleasure. Mind action affects the body unilaterally and makes it ill. According to Sasang medicine, both good health and illness in human beings originate from morality. Therefore, realizing and acting in accordance with the right moral behavior are essential to lead a healthy life.

The Cross-sectional Study on Characteristics between Soyangin Gyolhyungjeung and Soyangin Heat-related Diarrhea Accompanied by Headache in Patients of Indigestion

Abstract The Cross-sectional Study on Characteristics between Soyangin Gyolhyungjeung and Soyangin Heat-related Diarrhea Accompanied b y Headache in Patients of Indigestion Mi-Suk Lee, Min-Woo Hwang*, Yun-Hee Kim Dept. of Sasang Constitutional Medicine, Pusan National University Korean Medicine Hospital* Dept. of Sasang Constitutional Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung-Hee University 1. Objectives The aim of this study was to survey the Original symptoms of Soyangins and to compare the tendency of their symptoms between Soyangin Gyolhyungjeung and Soyangin Heat-related diarrhea accompanied by headache in patients of indigestion. 2. Methods We recruited 76 Soyangin subjects in the Korean Medicine clinic and researched their original symptoms. Subjects were diagnosed by the Sasang Constitutional specialists and Sasang Constitutional Medication. Subjects were two groups, confirmed to Soyangin Gyolhyungjeung and Soyangin Heat-related diarrhea accompanied by headache.All subjects answered the questionnaire about their Original symptoms. We found the differences between 2 groups using the Mann-Whitney U Test. Analysis was conducted using SPSS 18.0 for Korean.

Characteristics of Soyang Constitutional Exterior and Interior disease`s Favorable-Unfavorable Pattern as Assessed by the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI)

Objectives The purpose of this study was to analyze the characteristics of each Soyang constitutional Exterior and Interior disease`s favorable-unfavorable pattern using the Temperament and Character Inventory(TCI) in a Korean adult clinical sample.Methods A total of 32 subjects(age 20-49) completed the Korean version of the TCI. A Sasang Constitutional Medicine specialist determined each subject`s Sasang constitutional type based on the Questionnaire for Sasang Constitution Diagnosis(QSCC∥) and comprehensive constitutional assessment. The participants consisting of 15 favorable pattern, 17 unfavorable pattern.Results Among the four temperament dimensions, the favorable pattern showed significantly higher scores than the unfavorable pattern in Novelty Seeking(NS) and Reward Dependence(RD). Among the three character dimensions, the unfavorable pattern showed significantly higher score than the favorable pattern subjects in Self-Directedness(SD).Conclusions Differences in temperament and character were discovered across the Soyang Constitutional disease`s Exterior and Interior disease`s favorable-unfavorable pattern.

Clinical Practice Guideline for Soyangin Disease of Sasang Constitutional Medicine: Chest-Heat congested (Hyunggyeok-yeol) Symptomatology

Abstract Clinical Practice Guideline for Soyangin Disease of Sasang Constitutional Medicine: Chest-Heat congested (Hyunggyeok-yeol) Symptomatology Hye-Sun Park * , Min-Woo Hwang, Eui-ju Lee * Dept. of Sasang Constitutional Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Dongshin University, Jeollanam-do, KoreaDept. of Sasang Constitutional Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, KoreaObjectivesThis research was proposed to present Clinical Practice Guideline(CPG) for Soyangin Disease of Sasang ConstitutionalMedicine (SCM) ; Chest-Heat congested(Hyunggyeok-yeol) Symptomatology.Methods This CPG was developed by the national-wide experts committee consisting of SCM professors. First, collection and organization of literature related to SCM such as Donguisusebowon, Text book of SCM, Clinical Guidebook of SCM and Fundamental research to standardize diagnosis of Sasang Constitutional Medicine was performed.Secondly, journals related to clinical trial or Human complementary medicine of SCM were searched. Finally, 4 articles were selected and included in CPG for Chest-Heat congested(Hyunggyeok-yeol) Symptomatology of StomachHeat-based Interior Heat disease in Soyangin disease.Results & ConclusionsCPG of Chest-Heat congested(Hyunggyeok-yeol) symptomatology in Soyangin disease includes classification, definition and standard symptoms of each pattern. Chest-Heat congested(Hyunggyeok-yeol) symptomatology is classified into mild and moderate pattern by severity. Chest-Heat(Hyunggyeok-yeol) symptomatology Mild pattern is classified into Chest-Heat congested(Hyunggyeok-yeol) initial pattern and Chest-Heat congested(Hyunggyeok-yeol) advancedpattern. And Chest-Heat congested (Hyunggyeok-yeol) moderate pattern is classified into Clear Yang Failure of Stomach(Weguck-cheongyang Bulsagnseung) pattern (Upper wasting-thirst(Sangso) pattern), Clear Yang Failure of Large Intestine (Daejang-cheongyang Bulsangseung) pattern (Middle wasting-thirst (Jungso) pattern).Key Words: Sasang Constitutional Medicine(SCM), Clinical Practice Guideline, Soyangin, Hyunggyeok-yeol symptomatology.

Biopsychological and pathophysiological features of Cold-Heat subgroup of Sasang typology with Sasang Digestive Function Inventory, Sasang Personality Questionnaire and Body Mass Index

Background The Sasang typology is a traditional Korean personalized medicine and its Cold-Heat subgroup identification is essential for effective use of medical herbs and acupuncture. The purpose of this study was to discover differences between Cold-Heat subgroups with objective clinical measures and to examine its clinical usefulness. Methods The pathophysiological symptoms of the digestive system, temperament and body shape of 241 patients were measured using the Sasang Digestive Function Inventory (SDFI), Sasang Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) and Body Mass Index (BMI). The differences between Cold and Heat subgroups of each Sasang types were tested by Analysis of Covariance considering age and sex, while the associations of SDFI, SPQ and BMI with Cold-Heat subgroup were examined by logistic regression analysis. Results There were significant differences between Cold and Heat subgroups in SDFI, SPQ and BMI for the So-Yang, SDFI and BMI for the Tae-Eum type and SDFI-Digestion subscale for the So-Eum type. Moreover, the SDFI-Digestion was a substantial predictor for Cold-Heat subgroup identification in three Sasang types. The logistic regression model with SDFI, SPQ and BMI correctly predicted 81.9%, 77% and 75.5% of the Cold-Heat subgroups in So-Yang, Tae-Eum and So-Eum types, respectively. Conclusion The results of the present study showed that the objective and validated clinical measures of SDFI, SPQ and BMI would be useful for differentiating Cold-Heat subgroups of Sasang typology. Further clinical studies on pathophysiological mechanisms in Cold-Heat subgroup are required to generalize these results.