Two Cases of Korean Medicine Treatment for Patients Complaining of Long-lasting Discomfort after COVID-19 Vaccination

Article information

J Korean Med. 2022;43(2):124-139

Publication date (electronic) : 2022 June 1

doi : https://doi.org/10.13048/jkm.22025

Hye-Jin Lee ¹

, Ye-Chae Hwang ¹

, Kyeong-Hwa Lee ¹

, Tae-Bin Yim ¹

, Sang-Yeon Jung ¹

, Seong-Uk Park ¹^,²^,³

, Jung-Mi Park ¹^,²^,³

, Chang-Nam Ko ¹^,²^,³

, Seung-Yeon Cho ¹^,²^,³^,

¹Department of Cardiology and Neurology of Clinical Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea

²Stroke and Neurological Disorders Center, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Seoul, Republic of Korea

³Department of Cardiology and Neurology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea

Correspondence to: Seung-Yeon Cho, Department of Korean Internal Medicine, Stroke and Neurological Disorders Center, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, 892 Dongnam-ro, Gangdong-gu, 05278 Seoul, Korea, Tel:+82-2-440-6209. Fax:+82-2-440-7171 E-mail:sy.cho@khu.ac.kr

Received 2022 April 19; Revised 2022 May 22; Accepted 2022 May 23.

Abstract

Objectives

This study examined the effectiveness of Korean medical treatment for two patients complaining of discomfort after receiving Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

Methods

The patients were hospitalized for 50 days and 12 days, respectively. They were treated with herbal medicine, acupuncture, electroacupuncture, and moxibustion. We used the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) on numbness in extremities and headache, Manual Muscle Testing Grading System (MMT), Criteria for Sweating Categorization, and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) to evaluate the clinical effects of the treatment.

Results

In Case 1, headache improved from peak NRS 9 and average NRS 7 on admission day to both NRS 3 on discharge. The SF-36 score was also increased, suggesting that the quality of life was improved. In Case 2, numbness in the extremities improved from NRS 8 on the day before admission to NRS 2 on discharge, and general condition also improved.

Conclusions

This study suggests that Korean medicine can be an effective treatment for patients who experience long-lasting discomfort after being vaccinated with COVID-19, but with no abnormal findings in the examination.

Keywords: COVID-19; Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine; Korean Medicine; Numbness; Headache

Fig. 1

Changes of NRS Scores for Headaches

*The NRS (Numerical rating scale) score was a self-assessment of the patient’s headache severity.

Fig. 2

Changes of Sweating

*Grade 0 (No hyperhidrosis): No sweat at all.

Grade 1 (Mild hyperhidrosis): The skin is moderately moist.

Grade 2 (Moderate hyperhidrosis): Pearls of sweat form on the skin.

Grade 3 (Severe hyperhidrosis): Sweat drips.

Fig. 3

Changes of Numbness in Extremities During Day and Night Time (A) Upper Extremity Numbness (B) Lower Extremity Numbness

* Numerical Rating Scale

^†One day before admission

^‡Day of admission

Fig. 4

Manual Muscle Testing Grading System (MMT) Grade of Upper and Lower Extremities

Fig. 5

Self-evaluation of General Weakness

*The score is a subjective rating scale on general weakness.

A score of 0 indicates the lowest level of energy, and 100 indicates the highest level of energy.

Table 1

The Composition of Gwankeibujalijung-tang

Table 2

The Composition of Geopung-tang

Table 3

The Composition of Gagamgunja-tang

Table 4

The Composition of Seungyangikki-tang

Table 5

Criteria for Sweating Categorization

Table 6

Changes of SF-36 Scores

Table 7

Prescription of Western Medicine

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Article information Continued

Fig. 1

Changes of NRS Scores for Headaches

*The NRS (Numerical rating scale) score was a self-assessment of the patient’s headache severity.

Fig. 2

Changes of Sweating

*Grade 0 (No hyperhidrosis): No sweat at all.

Grade 1 (Mild hyperhidrosis): The skin is moderately moist.

Grade 2 (Moderate hyperhidrosis): Pearls of sweat form on the skin.

Grade 3 (Severe hyperhidrosis): Sweat drips.

Fig. 3

Changes of Numbness in Extremities During Day and Night Time (A) Upper Extremity Numbness (B) Lower Extremity Numbness

* Numerical Rating Scale

^†One day before admission

^‡Day of admission

Fig. 4

Manual Muscle Testing Grading System (MMT) Grade of Upper and Lower Extremities

Fig. 5

Self-evaluation of General Weakness

*The score is a subjective rating scale on general weakness.

A score of 0 indicates the lowest level of energy, and 100 indicates the highest level of energy.

Table 1

The Composition of Gwankeibujalijung-tang

Herbal name	Botanical name	Amount(g)
人蔘	Ginseng Radix	12
白朮	Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma	8
乾薑(炮)	Zingiberis Siccatum Rhizoma Preparat	8
肉桂	Cinnamomi Cortex	8
生薑	Zingiberis Rhizoma	6
大棗	Zizyphi Fructus	6
附子(炮)	Aconiti Iateralis Preparata Radix Preparat	4
白芍藥	Paeoniae Radix	4
甘草(炙)	Glycyrrhizae Radix Boiled	4

위 용량은 1첩을 기준으로 함.

Table 2

The Composition of Geopung-tang

Herbal name	Botanical name	Amount(g)
生薑	Zingiberis Rhizoma	12
半夏	Pinelliae Tuber	8
桂枝	Cinnamomi Ramulus	8
白朮	Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma	4
白芍藥	Paeoniae Radix	4
靑皮	Citrii Reticulatae Viride Pericarpium	4
甘草(炙)	Glycyrrhizae Radix Boiled	4
枳殼	Aurantii Fructus	4
陳皮	Citri Pericarpium	4
南星	Arisaematis Rhizoma	4
烏藥	Linderae Radix	4

위 용량은 1첩을 기준으로 함.

Table 3

The Composition of Gagamgunja-tang

Herbal name	Botanical name	Amount(g)
香附子	Cyperi Rhizoma	20
白何首烏	Cynanchi Wilfordii Radix	8
黃芪	Astragali Radix	8
白芍藥	Paeoniae Radix	6
當歸	Angelicae Gigantis Radix	6
山藥(炒)	Dioscoreae Rhizoma Baked	6
白朮	Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma	4
川芎	Cnidii Rhizoma	4
大棗	Zizyphi Fructus	4
甘草(炙)	Glycyrrhizae Radix Boiled	4
玄胡索	Corydalis Tuber	4
陳皮	Citri Pericarpium	4
生薑	Zingiberis Rhizoma	4
砂仁	Amomi Fructus	4
蔓荊子	Viticis Fructus	3
蘇葉	Perillae Folium	3
細辛	Asari Herba Cum Radice	2

위 용량은 1첩을 기준으로 함.

Table 4

The Composition of Seungyangikki-tang

Herbal name	Botanical name	Amount(g)
白灼藥	Paeoniae Radix	8
桂枝	Cinnamomi Ramulus	8
黃芪	Astragali Radix	8
人蔘	Ginseng Radix	8
大棗	Zizyphi Fructus	6
生薑	Zingiberis Rhizoma	6
白何首烏	Cynanchi Wilfordii Radix	4
當歸	Angelicae Gigantis Radix	4
甘草	Glycyrrhizae Radix	4
肉桂	Cinnamomi Cortex	4

위 용량은 1첩을 기준으로 함.

Table 5

Criteria for Sweating Categorization

Grade for excessive sweating	Grade
No excessive perspiration	0
Skin moist with perspiration	1
Perspiration oozing from the skin	2
Perspiration dripping from the skin	3

Table 6

Changes of SF-36 Scores

SF-36 Subscale	Day 1	Day 50
PF	0	35
RP	0	0
BP	0	42.5
GH	65	65
VT	0	0
SF	0	0
RE	100	100
MH	76	100

PF, Physical function; RP, Role limitation due to physical health problems; BP, Bodily pain; GH, General health; VT, Vitality; SF, Social function; RE, Role limitation due to physical emotional problems; MH, Mental health

Table 7

Prescription of Western Medicine

Medicine	Method	Dose
Concor tab. 2.5mg	qd	1/2
Novasc tab. 5mg	qd	1
Rosuzet tab. 10/10mg	qd	2/3
Pidogul tab. 75mg	qd	1
Cal-D 3 tab.	qd	1

qd, quaque die