Comparative Effectiveness of Collaborative Treatment with Korean and Western Medicine for Low Back Pain: A Prospective Cohort Study.

In Korea, low back pain is the ailment that is most frequently treated using collaborative care regimens that include aspects of Western and traditional Korean medicine. As part of a national pilot project on the collaboration between Western and Korean medicine, we aimed to investigate the clinical effectiveness of collaborative treatment and compare it with treatment methods that involved only Korean or Western Medicine practices for patients with low back pain. This nationwide, multicenter, prospective, observational, and comparative study spanned 8 weeks, during which patients with low back pain were evaluated at three time points (at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks). The primary outcome was low back pain-related disability measured by the Oswestry Disability Index, while the secondary outcomes included severity of low back pain (as on a numeric rating scale) and quality of life (as per a 5-level EuroQol-5 dimensions questionnaire). We analyzed 150 patients (including 129 per-protocol cases) and found that the Oswestry Disability Index and 5-level EuroQol-5 dimensions showed statistically significant differences over time between the collaborative treatment group and the sole treatment group after adjusting for sex, income level, and age. Conversely, the numeric rating and EuroQol-visual analog scales showed no significant between-group differences over time. Based on our findings, we believe that collaborative treatment that includes parallelly administered aspects of Western and Korean medicine can benefit patients with low back pain by facilitating functional improvements and lead to a better quality of life.

Clinical and cost-effectiveness of collaborative traditional Korean and Western medicine treatment for low back pain: A protocol for a prospective observational exploratory study.

BACKGROUND: In South Korea, a few patients with low back pain (LBP) are currently being treated with a combination of traditional Korean medicine (KM) and Western medicine (WM). Although a recent research has reported results regarding patient satisfaction and exploratory effectiveness, evidence of comparative effectiveness still needs to be reviewed. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of KM and WM collaborative treatment (CT) compared with that of sole treatment (ST) for patients with LBP in Korea. METHOD/DESIGN: This multisite, prospective observational comparative effectiveness research study is part of a nationwide pilot project for KM and WM collaboration launched by the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare. The duration of the study is 8 weeks, and the target number of inclusion is 360 patients. Participants receive treatment according to their treatment plan, and a researcher conducts investigations thrice, every 4 weeks. In the final analysis, the merged data from the participants' questionnaire responses, hospital medical records, and administrative data, and Health Insurance Review and Assessment service data will be compared between the CT and ST groups. DISCUSSION: This study will provide clinical and economic information about CT for LBP, which might be a milestone for establishing future polices about this collaboration in Korea. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study protocol has been registered with the Clinical Research Information Service (KCT0002827).

Effectiveness of collaborative treatment using Korean and Western medicine for mild cognitive impairment or dementia: A protocol for a prospective observational exploratory study.

BACKGROUND: South Korea has a dual medical system comprising conventional Western medicine (WM) and traditional Korean medicine (KM), which has yielded both positive results (increased opportunity to choose medical care) and negative results (increased medical costs). Thus, the Ministry of Health and Welfare has been performing a pilot project to evaluate this collaborative system in the real clinical situation. As treatment of dementia requires a social approach, the Korean government aims to strengthen the role of the national health care system to reduce the burden of dementia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical - and cost-effectiveness of collaborative KM and WM treatment in patients with dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Korea. METHOD/DESIGN: In total, 180 patients with dementia or MCI will be recruited and will undergo monthly check-up for 12 weeks. Information regarding demographic characteristics, baseline disease-related data, and outcomes related to cognitive function and quality of life will be obtained. For data analysis, the patients will be classified into 2 groups using a comparative observational study design: the sole treatment group, which will receive either WM or KM alone, and the collaborative treatment group, which will receive both WM and KM. DISCUSSION: The treatment of dementia/MCI in South Korea will be studied in the real world during the pilot project. There will be no limitations on the type of treatment or the specific treatment method. Examining the clinical- and cost- effectiveness of the different methods will supply information for building an optimal medical system for the treatment of dementia/MCI. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The protocol for this study has been registered at the clinical research information service (CRIS: KCT0002868).