The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology (대한한방부인과학회지)

The Society of Korean Medicine Obstetrics and Gynecology (대한한방부인과학회)
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Methodologic Lessons Learned from Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial of Acupuncture for Hot Flashes in Peri- and Postmenopausal Women

갱년 및 폐경 후 여성의 안면홍조에 대한 침 치료 다기관 임상연구 : 수행보고 및 방법론적 교훈

  • Kim, Kun-Hyung (Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Meridian Research Center, Division of Standard Research, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Dong-Il (Dept. of Ob&Gy, Dongguk Univ-Seoul, Graduate School of Oriental Medicine) ;
  • Hwang, Deok-Sang (Dept. of Oriental Gynecology, Kyung Hee University) ;
  • Lee, Jin-Moo (Dept. of Oriental Gynecology, Kyung Hee University) ;
  • Kim, Hyung-Jun (Dept. of Oriental Gynecology, Semyung University) ;
  • Yoon, Hyun-Min (Dept. of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, College of Oriental Medicine, Dong-Eui Univ.) ;
  • Jung, Hee-Jung (Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Meridian Research Center, Division of Standard Research, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine) ;
  • Kang, Kyung-Won (Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Meridian Research Center, Division of Standard Research, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine) ;
  • Lee, Myeong-Soo (Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Meridian Research Center, Division of Standard Research, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine) ;
  • Choi, Sun-Mi (Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Meridian Research Center, Division of Standard Research, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine)
  • 김건형 (한국한의학연구원 침구경락연구센터) ;
  • 김동일 (동국대학교 대학원 한의학과 부인과학 교실) ;
  • 황덕상 (경희대학교 한의과대학 한방부인과) ;
  • 이진무 (경희대학교 한의과대학 한방부인과) ;
  • 김형준 (세명대학교 제천한방병원 한방부인과) ;
  • 윤현민 (동의대학교 부속한방병원 침구과) ;
  • 정희정 (한국한의학연구원 침구경락연구센터) ;
  • 강경원 (한국한의학연구원 침구경락연구센터) ;
  • 이명수 (한국한의학연구원 침구경락연구센터) ;
  • 최선미 (한국한의학연구원 침구경락연구센터)
  • Received : 2009.11.04
  • Accepted : 2010.02.10
  • Published : 2010.02.28
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Abstract

Purpose: This report aims to administer methodologic issues around recently conducted multicenter study for evaluating the effects of acupuncture on menopusal hot flashes and discuss practical issues for further implementation of acupuncture clinical trial for hot flashes. Methods: Study process were mentioned, and issues related to avoiding risk of bias, designing appropriate control group, optimal outcome measurement, potential different effects of menopausal status on study outcomes, and suggestions for developing future clinical trials are discussed. Results: Shortcomings of our multicenter study include lack of allocation concealment and assessor blinding, subjective outcome measurement, short-term follow-up, and fixed acupuncture regimen despite pragmatic purpose of this study. Improving trial design, using objective or validated outcomes, assessing long-term effects of acupuncture, and individualizing acupuncture regimen are needed in future clinical trials. Conclusion: We expect these practical discussions to enable researchers to plan and develop future well-designed clinical trials for evaluating the effects of acupuncture on hot flashes or other women's health issues.

Keywords

References

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