Abstract
This multi-center retrospective study investigated associations between a 4-month Korean medicine (KM) home-visit program and pain, behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), cognitive function, and caregiver burden in 92 patients with cognitive impairment (Global Deterioration Scale stages 2–5) assessed at baseline, 2 months, and 4 months. Complete case analysis was the primary analytical approach. Significant improvements were observed in Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia: median 4 to 2, p < 0.001) and neuropsychiatric symptom severity (Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire: 3 to 2, p = 0.006). While Mini-Mental State Examination for Dementia Screening remained stable; the Clock Drawing Test showed a non-significant trend toward improvement (p = 0.098). Caregiver burden (12-item Zarit Burden Interview [ZBI-12]) showed a non-significant trend toward reduction (p = 0.074). Subgroup analyses showed exploratory within-group signals for ZBI-12 (mild cognitive impairment group) and CDT (dementia group); between-group differences were not significant. Improvements in BPSD severity strongly correlated with reduced caregiver distress (rho = 0.721, p < 0.001). A 4-month KM home-visit program was associated with significant reductions in pain and BPSD, with stable cognitive outcomes. These hypothesis-generating findings support integrating KM services into community-based dementia care and the design of future controlled trials.
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Acknowledgements
The authors would like to express their sincere gratitude to the directors of the six participating KM home-based medical centers for their invaluable cooperation and dedication to data collection for this study: Jong-Hye Kim (Hyundam KM Clinic), Bum-Seok Kim (Jungdong KM Clinic), Ho-Yeol Bang (Geoje Dongbang Sintong-Bubu KM Clinic), Jun-Sang Bae (Green KM Clinic), Yun-Sun Jeong (Hwamok KM Clinic), and Chang-Hoon Kim (Haemalg-un KM Clinic). Most importantly, the authors wish to extend their deepest appreciation to all the patients and their caregivers for their participation and vital contributions to this research.
Funding
This study was conducted as part of the “Evaluation and Analysis of Health Improvement through Korean Medicine Health Care Services” research project, funded by the National Institute for Korean Medicine Development. This work was supported by the Institute of Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation(IITP)-Innovative Human Resource Development for Local Intellectualization program grant funded by the Korea government (MSIT) (IITP-2026-RS-2020-II201791).
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Kwon, CY., Lee, J. & Han, Y. Clinical outcomes associated with Korean medicine home-visit care for patients with cognitive impairment: a multi-center retrospective observational study. Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-54209-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-54209-5
