Abstract
The purpose of this study was to integrate the therapeutic effects of Oriental medicine for stroke in clinical research published in Korea from 1991 to 2000. In the preliminary study, clinical studies on Oriental medical therapy for stroke in Korea were collected. Since it was inadequate to integrate the results of the papers, qualitative meta-analysis was conducted on them. In age distribution of occurrence, the most frequent age was sixties followed by seventies, fifties, forties, and thirties. Sample size was minimum 42 persons, maximum 473 persons. Papers including single therapy were noted in 50.1 %. Among those, herbal medicine was noted in 30%, while acupuncture, physical treatment, and moxibustion was noted in 6.7%. Including more than two therapies were noted in 49.1 %, Among those, herbal medicine was noted in 80%, acupuncture in 20%, physical treatment in 13%, western and oriental medicine in 30%. Papers including control group were noted in 13% and description of scale for the evaluation of treatment effect was 80%. Papers including objectification of scales for the evaluation of therapeutic effects were noted in 26.7% and described follow-up period were noted in 13%. Papers including statistical analysis were noted in 26.7% and calculated p-value was noted in. 13.3%. Papers including design of longitudinal study were noted in 86.7%. Case-control studies were noted in 13.3%. Randomization and blinding were noted in each 0%. These results suggest that followings are required for the improvement of quality of clinical research in Oriental medicine; obvious description of treatment method, objectification of scales for the evaluation of therapeutic effects, adequate research design, randomization and blinding.
