Research: Selected as a Partner for Mild Cognitive Impairment Research

Hello, this is Dr. Hyocheong Chae, director of Sunyujae Korean Medicine Clinic in Dongcheon-dong, a place where good hearts reside.

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) refers to a state where cognitive function, especially memory, is impaired compared to the same age group. However, the ability to perform daily activities is preserved, so it is not yet diagnosed as dementia. Simply put, it can be described as an intermediate stage between normal aging and dementia.

According to recent epidemiological studies, Mild Cognitive Impairment is considered a high-risk group with a high probability of progressing to Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by subtle symptoms in its early stages, which gradually worsen over time. Therefore, early detection of Mild Cognitive Impairment is crucial. Mild Cognitive Impairment can be the very early stage of Alzheimer’s disease, and starting appropriate treatment at this point can slow the progression of the disease and maximize treatment effectiveness.

Therefore, Mild Cognitive Impairment is not just simple memory impairment that should be overlooked; early detection and management play a very important role in maintaining cognitive health. Sunyujae Korean Medicine Clinic Participates in Korean Medicine Treatment Research for Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment. Sunyujae Korean Medicine Clinic has been selected as a research institution for the ‘Patient Registry Study for Clinical Course Observation and Clinical Information Collection of Korean Medicine Treatment, including Acupotomy, in Patients with Cognitive Impairment.’

I planned this research with Professor Lim Jeong-tae’s team at Wonkwang University College of Korean Medicine, and with the support of the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, we will be conducting the research with over 20 Korean medicine clinics and Korean medicine hospitals. Patients eligible for this study are adult men and women aged 55 to 85 who suffer from Mild Cognitive Impairment or subjectively complain of cognitive decline.

Participants in this study will undergo cognitive impairment-related examinations at our clinic at the start of the study, visit once a week for treatment, and periodically be tested to see if their cognitive decline has improved. Treatments for age-related diseases often have low efficacy, making it paramount to prevent and manage conditions before they progress to dementia.

This study utilizes the cognitive impairment treatment protocol of the Korean Acupotomy Medical Society, and treatments are conducted identically to actual clinical practice. To date, treatments for patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment have shown high therapeutic effects in memory recovery. As the research is funded by the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, no additional costs will be incurred. We hope many people will take this opportunity to participate and receive help with memory recovery.

Dongcheon-dong Korean Medicine Clinic Sunyujae pursues evidence-based integrated medicine.

This post was written directly by the medical staff of Sunyujae Korean Medicine Clinic to provide medical information, in compliance with Article 56(2) and Article 57(3) of the Medical Service Act. The duration and outcome of treatment may vary from person to person, so please consult a qualified practitioner before beginning treatment.