• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• 제38권1호
• /
• pp.8-19
• /
• 2021

Low-level laser therapy including laser acupuncture (LLLT/LA) has been widely used for non-specific chronic low back pain (NCLBP). However, there is no critically appraised evidence of its potential benefits. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of LLLT/LA for NCLBP. There were 12 databases (MEDLINE, CENTRAL, EMBASE, KoreaMed, KMBASE, KISS, NDSL, KISTI, OASIS, CNKI, CiNII, J-stage) searched for randomized controlled trials using LLLT/LA for NCLBP up until June 2019. The primary outcome was pain intensity and functional status/disability due to NCLBP. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted on 20 studies involving 1,323 participants. LLLT/LA showed a significant positive effect on pain relief scores compared with sham treatments (SMD -0.51, 95% CI: -0.88 to -0.13; χ2 = 31.12, I2 = 74%). Alone, the therapy showed a significant positive effect on function/disability scores (30 participants, MD -11.90, 95% CI: -17.37 to -6.43). As an add-on treatment, it showed a significant positive effect on pain relief (80 participants, MD -5.10, 95% CI: -9.31 to -0.88; χ2 = 28.99, I2 = 97%) and improved function/disability scores (120 participants, MD 5.44, 95% CI: 2.19 to 8.68; χ2 = 4.07, I2 = 75%). Among 20 studies, 9 studies reported no adverse events and 1 study reported mild adverse events. LLLT/LA may be an alternative or add-on treatment for NCLBP.

• 대한약침학회지
• /
• 제22권3호
• /
• pp.184-191
• /
• 2019

Objectives: Recently several Korean medical doctors have begun practicing applied kinesiology (AK). Although the efficacy of combining traditional acupuncture (TA) and pharmacopuncture (PP) on lumbar diseases such as lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and lumbar herniation of intervertebral disk (LHID) has been examined, the possible benefits of combining TA, PP and AK approaches have not been examined. Therefore the aim of this study was to develop effective treatment for lumbar disorders by combining TA, PP, and AK treatments. Methods: Twenty-four patients hospitalized at Samse Korean Traditional Medicine Hospital between March and September 2018 with L5 or S1 root radiculopathy associated with LSS and LHID were included in this study. They were treated for 10 days with TA, PP and AK approaches that included category block, manipulation and strain/counterstrain treatments. The primary outcomes were mainly assessed using Japanese Orthopedic Association lumbar scores (JOALS). JOALS were determined before the start of treatment as well as five and 10 days after treatment started. Results: The treatments improved the lumbar condition of the patients based on JOA pain score. Conclusion: The combined TA, PP and AK treatments were effective in treating spinal diseases of resident patients. Prospective, controlled, and relevant protocols using multimodal strategies to define the role of TA, PP and AK are needed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• 제37권2호
• /
• pp.94-101
• /
• 2020

Background: Several Korean medical doctors have been practicing applied kinesiology (AK), invented in 1964 by Dr. George J Goodheart, USA. Although the efficacy of traditional acupuncture (TA) and pharmacopucture treatment for lumbar conditions/diseases has been examined, the possible benefits of combining TA and AK have not been reported. Therefore, the aim of this study was to report the effects of combining TA and AK treatment for lumbar disorders using the Japanese Orthopedic Association lumbar score (JOALS) assessment. Methods: There were 21 outpatients treated at Samse Korean Traditional Hospital between March 2018 and September 2018, who presented with L4/L5 or L5/S1 root radiculopathy associated with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and lumbar herniation of intervertebral disk (LHID). They were treated 10×(2 sessions per week, for 5 weeks) with TA and AK approaches that included a category block, manipulation or strain/counterstrain treatments. The primary outcome was mainly assessed using the JOALS score which was used before (0 ×), during (5 ×), and after treatment (10 ×). Results: There were 19 patients diagnosed with LSS and 2 were diagnosed with LHID. Using the JOALS assessment, TA and AK combined approaches improved the lumbar conditions of all 21 patients after 5 × treatmentsand continued to improve after 10 × treatments (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Combined TA and AK treatment was effective in treating spinal conditions/diseases. Prospective, relevant, well-controlled protocols for TA and AK therapies for various conditions are needed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• 제40권4호
• /
• pp.368-376
• /
• 2023

Background: Although bee venom (BV) has clinical benefits in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, it has not been tested as treatment for gouty arthritis. Moreover, in vitro, BV has been proven to exhibit anti-inflammatory and positive effects on osteoarthritis, but only limited evidence can confirm its beneficial effects on gout. Thus, this study aims to assess the anti-inflammatory effects of BV on monosodium urate (MSU)-induced THP-1 monocytes. Methods: THP-1 monocytes were differentiated into mature macrophages using phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and pretreated for 6 hours with BV and a Caspase-1 inhibitor in a physiologically achievable range of concentrations (BV, 0.1-1 ㎍/mL; Caspase-1 inhibitor, 1-10 μM), followed by MSU crystal stimulation for 24 hours. The secretions of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-6, IL-8, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and nitric oxide (NO) were increased in the MSU crystal-stimulated THP-1 cells. Results: Caspase-1 inhibitors suppressed the production of all mediators in a dose-dependent manner. BV worked on equal terms with Caspase-1 inhibitors and showed more satisfactory effects on TNF-α, PGE2, COX-2, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Moreover, the western blot analysis revealed that BV regulated the transcriptional levels of these mediators via the suppression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway activation. Conclusion: The results of the present study clearly suggest that BV inhibits MSU-induced inflammation in vitro, suggesting a possible role for BV in gout treatment.

• 대한약침학회지
• /
• 제8권3호
• /
• pp.79-85
• /
• 2005

Stem cell therapy implies the birth of regenerative medicine. Regenerative medicine signify treatment through regeneration of cells which was impossible by existing medicine. Stem cell is classified into embryonic stem cell and adult stem cell and they have distinctive benefits and limitations. Researches on stem cell are already under active progression and is expected to be commercially available in the near future. One may not relate the stem cell treatment with Oriental medicine, but can be interpreted as the fundamental treatment action of Oriental medicine is being investigated in more concrete manner. When it comes to difficult to cure diseases, there is no boundary between eastern and western medicine, and one must be ready to face and overcome changes lying ahead.

• 대한한방내과학회지
• /
• 제42권5호
• /
• pp.746-759
• /
• 2021

Objectives: This study assessed the effect of a combination of Korean medicine and immunotherapy on three papillary thyroid cancer patients following thyroidectomy. Methods: The three patients who underwent thyroidectomy received Korean medical treatments, including acupuncture, moxibustion, pharmacopuncture, and immunotherapy. To evaluate the patients, symptoms were measured using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and Karnofsky Performance Status Scale (KPS). Blood tests, including thyroid function tests, were conducted during treatment. Results: After treatment, postoperative pain and general weakness were gradually alleviated. Conclusions: These cases provide evidence that treatment with a combination of Korean medicine and immunotherapy can have substantial benefits for postoperative complications following thyroidectomy.

• 대한약침학회지
• /
• 제7권1호
• /
• pp.27-36
• /
• 2004

Objective : This study was aimed to validate the Herbal Acupuncture Therapies(HAT) for cancer patients. Patients and methods : This retrospective study was performed on 8 patients who were diagnosed as cancer in Korea and treated with HAT in the oriental hospital of Daejeon University, from January 2003 to January 2004. We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 8 patients for improvement of symptoms, toxic effects of liver and kidney, myelosupression and changes of Quality of Life(QOL). Results : Analysis of change of chief complaints showed that 75% patients replied moderate relief and 25% replied complete relief in Likert scale. Analysis of Liver Function Test(LFT), Renal Function Test(RFT) level showed that HAT does not have toxic effects on liver and kidney. Analysis of Complete Blood Count(CBC) level showed that HAT does not have myelosuppression effects on bone marrow. Analysis of QOL showed that 100% patients replied improvement in Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group status(ECOG) status. Conclusion : Our findings suggest that HAT offer potential benefits for cancer patients.

• 대한암한의학회지
• /
• 제15권1호
• /
• pp.1-17
• /
• 2010

암 환자에의 침술 임상 연구는 종양학에서 새롭고 도전적인 분야이다. 임상 연구 결과는 환자와 종양학자들을 위한 임상적으로 타당한 답변을 우리에게 지속적으로 제공할 것이다. 침은 환자들에게 그들의 치료 계획에 활동적으로 참가할 수 있는 능력을 주면서 암과 암 치료관련 증상을 다루는데 안전하고 유효한 치료법이라는 일반적으로 이용될 수 있는 증거가 제시되었다. 미래의 연구는 임상 연구가, 임상의사, 그리고 환자의 연루를 요구한다. 혁신적 연구 방법의 발전 역시 중요하다. 더 많은 증거가 지속적으로 나오면서 종양 침술이 결국에는 종양학적 치료행위의 표준에 통합될 것이 기대된다. DFCI와 기타 주요 암 센터와 같은 주요 대학병원과 연구기관 에서의 침술의 성공적인 통합은 암 치료에 있어 침의 가치와 소용을 강조한다.

• 대한한방소아과학회지
• /
• 제25권1호
• /
• pp.119-127
• /
• 2011

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the parents' awareness on the oriental medical treatment and their expectation on children's growth. Methods: The survey was conducted on 78 Health Kids Fair visitors, and 87 children's height and weight were measured in this study. Results: 1. Compare to other treatment, 62.82% of the parents responded that herbal medicine is relatively effective in treating weakness, followed by 'Allergic disease'(46.15%) 'Growth disturbance'(26.92%) 'Obesity'(26.92%) 'Respiratory disease'(26.92%) 'Digestive disease'(19.23%) 'Precocious puberty'(8.97%) 'Neurologic & psychologic disease'(6.41%) 'Urogenital disease'(3.85%). 2. Parents recognize that 'Oriental medicine have an effect on children's height mostly'(25.64%) 'Oriental medicine have an effect on children's height partially'(64.10%) 'Oriental medicine have no effect on children's height'(10.26%) 25.64% of the parents responded that herbal medicine would be helpful in increasing height, 64.10% of the parents said they would be helpful to the certain extent, and 10.26% said they would not play any roles. 3. Expected average weight, height, and BMI score for the boys were 71.8kg, 179.6cm and 22.10. For the girls, however, they were 53.4kg, 168.7, and 18.74. 4. Survey on parents' awareness on benefits of different treatments for challenged growth, Herbal medicine'(48.72%) 'Acupuncture'(7.69%), 'Moxibustion'(3.85%), 'Electronic acupuncture and Aqua acupuncture'(1.28%), 'Massage on acupuncture point'(19.23%), 'Consultation of eating habits'(61.54%), 'Consultation of exercise'(47.44%) were measured. Conclusions: Considering the collected results, we realized that the parents' expected height on their children was, in fact, higher than the standard height. In addition, for treatments for their children's growth improvement, parents expected that 'Herbal madicine' 'Massage on acupuncture point' 'Consultation of eating habits' 'Consultation of exercise would be beneficial.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• 제30권5호
• /
• pp.11-23
• /
• 2013

Objectives : The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of patients admitted for Bell's palsy in a Korean medicine hospital to identify whether admission is necessary and beneficial. Methods : A semi-structured interview was conducted on 9 patients who had experience in both the inpatient and the outpatient treatment for Bell's palsy. Their experiences from inception of first symptoms to admission into the Facial Palsy Center in Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital were interviewed along with their thoughts and feelings. The interviews took place after discharge home at a pre-scheduled date and time in a quiet room at the hospital between July 2013 and August 2013. The subjects were purposefully selected until saturation of information was met. Results : Nine participants were interviewed and patients' concerns and priorities were identified. At the acute stage, patients experienced anxiety and all of the female patients and one male patient felt embarrassed of their facial disfigurement. With time, the patients felt impatient of their symptoms and turned to Korean medicine for additional treatment. Providing psychological stability seemed to be an important factor for patients. Conclusions : This study provides insight into the experiences of patients with Bell's palsy, and is significantly the first ever qualitative report to focus on the patient's needs and concerns during admission care for symptoms of Bell's palsy. Admission care can provide many physical and psychological benefits for the patients especially during the acute stage.