Research Status on Psychotherapy in Korean Medicine

Objectives : We attempt to find out the present situation of a study regarding psychotherapy in Korean medicine through research journals in the JON (The Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry). Methods : We searched and read every JON from 1990 to 2012 and selected articles relating to Psychotherapy. We then analyzed the data and divided them into 3 categories: literature study, case studies and clinical trials. Results : 1) We found 16 literature articles, in which 6 compared Korean psychotherapy with that of the Western, 4 reinterpreted it focusing on traditional cases in Korean psychotherapy, 3 articles were on Qigong, 1 article was on Buddhism and another on Tao, and 1 article was with regards to dreams. 2) There were a total of 26 case reports about Korean psychotherapy. Among them, JiUnGoRoen had the most at 12; somatoform disorder was the most target disease in 9. 3) There were a total of 13 clinical trials on Korean psychotherapy. There were 4 trials on meditation, 6 on Qigong, each 1 of each for EFT, suggestion and autogenic relaxation.