• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.13-27
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• 2022

Objectives This study investigated the trends in domestic and international clinical research in craniosacral therapy, classified as a type of Chuna manual therapy, and suggested further directions in Korean medicine. Methods This scoping review was performed using the Arksey and O'Malley methodological framework and preferred reporting items as per the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses extension for scoping reviews checklist. Eight electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Koreanstudies Information Service System [KISS], KMBASE, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System [OASIS], Research Information Sharing Service [RISS], ScienceON) were searched to identify articles with the search terms "craniosacral therapy" and "cranial osteopathy" until December 2021. Results Forty-five studies were eligible as per our inclusion criteria. Most research studies (n=44) were conducted in the field of medicine and pharmacy, especially in rehabilitation medicine (n=16). As a result of the study design, randomized controlled trials (n=20) were the most common, and chronic pain (n=9) was the most frequently targeted disease, followed by headache (n=7). Thirty-two studies suggested interventions and 20 studies used Upledger's 10-step protocol. The average duration of craniosacral therapy was 41 min per session, administered 1.4 times per week. Outcome measurements were analyzed and categorized with the examination procedure for the patient. Conclusions This is the first scoping review of craniosacral therapy in Korea, and we believe that our findings could support its utility as Chuna. In the future, more studies should be conducted to establish the evidence of clinical efficacy of craniosacral therapy and develop standard techniques in Korean medicine.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.15-26
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• 2017

Purpose: This study evaluated the efficacy of a communication ability enhancement program for nursing students in Korea through a systematic review of literature and meta-analysis. Methods: The researchers searched data-bases, including the Data Base Periodical Information Academic, Research Information Sharing Service, National Digital Science Library and National Assembly Library. The key words used included 'communication' and 'nursing student'. The researchers evaluated articles published up to July 2016. Out of 381 selected articles, 20 clinical trial studies were meta-analyzed. Each article was evaluated in accordance with the Checklist of Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network. The effect size of communication ability, self-efficacy and interpersonal relations were synthesized by a random effects model from analysis software (R 3.2.3). The heterogeneity of effect size was analyzed by exploratory and confirmatory moderator analysis. Results: The overall effect size of the program was of a moderate level (SMD=0.78, 95% CI: 0.49~1.07) along with each outcome of self-efficacy (SMD=0.80, 95% CI: 0.23~1.37), and interpersonal relations (SMD=0.47, 95% CI: 0.14~0.80). For heterogeneity, moderator analysis was performed, by grade, and a statistically significant moderator was found. Conclusion: It is evident that a communication ability enhancement program for nursing students is moderately effective in improving communication ability, self-efficacy and interpersonal relations.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.60-79
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• 2020

Objectives: This review plans to assess the efficacy and effectiveness of oriental medicine for the treatment of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) through literature research and overview. Methods: Database searching was conducted to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on oriental medicine for the treatment of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome. Studies were searched from Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology, Korean Medical Database, Korean studies Information Service System, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Cochrane library, PubMed and EmBase up to 21^st May, 2020. Results: Seventeen studies were finally selected. Fifteen studies intervened with oral Chinese herb medicine, two studies intervened with acupuncture and moxibustion. Nine studies concluded that intervention with oriental medicine significantly relieved OHSS symptoms. Three studies reporting ovary diameter, four studies reporting abdominal circumference and other four studies reporting pelvic effusion showed significant reduction compared to control groups. Six studies showed significantly shorter duration for hospitalization in intervention groups. Only one study showed significantly higher pregnancy rate. Factors related with vascular permeability and blood cell coagulation were significantly lowered in intervention groups in general. Conclusions: From seventeen studies, oriental medicine relieved OHSS symptoms and showed treatment effectiveness. Further strictly designed studies and long-term observed studies are needed to establish evidences.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.80-94
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this review is to analyze the domestic study trends of clinical use of Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging (DITI) as a diagnosis instrument on obstetrics and gynecological diseases in Korean literature. Methods: We searched for clinical studies using DITI in the journal of Korean obstetrics & gynecology, National Digital Science Library, Research Information Sharing Service, Korean Medical Database up to May 2020. After searching studies, we selected studies and analyzed according to disease. Results: 18 clinical studies were published in two kinds of academic journals. There were 4 studies about dysmenorrhea and menopausal symptoms, 2 studies about postpartum disease and hypercryalgesia, 1 study about amenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome, leukorrhea, infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome and hot flush. Conception vessel was frequently used for DITI measurement, followed by stomach meridian. The temperatures of abdomen (CV4, CV12), face (HN3), upper and lower limb (PC8, LU4, LR3, ST32) were commonly measured. Conclusions: This study shows that DITI could be one of effective diagnosis instrument for obstetrics and gynecological diseases. More well-designed clinical studies using DITI will be needed.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.55-66
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• 2018

Objectives To evaluate the evidence supporting the effectiveness of bee venom acupuncture for ankle sprain. Methods We conducted search across 11 electronic databases (Pubmed, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL [CENTRAL], KoreaMed, Kmbase, Koreanstudies Information Service System [KISS], National Digital Science Library [NDSL], Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information [KISTI], China National Knowledge Infrastructure [CNKI], Wanfang and Chinese Scientific Journals Database [VIP] database) to find clinical trials that used bee venom acupuncture as treatment for ankle sprain. The methodological quality of randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) were assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB) tool, while non-randomized controlled clinical trials (NRCTs) were assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment tool for Non-randomized Study (RoBANS) tool. Results Four RCTs and one nRCT met our inclusion criteria. Almost studies showed that bee venom acupuncture has positive effect on ankle sprain. 4 studies of same intervention and control included in the meta-analysis. When comparing bee venom acupuncture and acupuncture with acupuncture, the effect size of standardized mean difference (SMD) was -0.19 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.95~1.56, Z=0.55, p=0.83). And when comparing bee venom acupuncture with acupuncture, the effect size of SMD was -0.17 (95% CI: -0.65~0.31, Z=0.71, p=0.48). Conclusions Although our systematic review found encouraging but limited evidence of bee venom acupuncture for ankle sprain, most of the studies included in the analysis were evaluated as methodologically high risk of bias. From now on further well-designed RCTs should be encouraged.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.191-208
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• 2017

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to analyze the trend of pharmacopuncture in Korean patent in order to establish database for patent technology. Methods : Electronic literature searches for Korean patents related to pharmacopuncture were performed in two electronic databases (Korea Intellectual Property Right Information Service and National Digital Science Library) to June 2017. Patents that were not Korean ones, did not use medicinal herb, only described method of manufacture, or had nothing to do with pharmacopuncture were excluded in this study. The status and application date of patents, Medicinal herb, target diseases, International Patent Classification (IPC), model of experiment and extracting methods were analyzed. Results : A total of 379 patents were retrieved. Based on our inclusion/exclusion criteria, 297 patents were excluded. Of 82 included patents, 27 patents did not include experiments using pharmacopuncture, and 9 patents were invented for treating animals such as pig or calf. In IPC analysis, Bee Venom, Panax (ginseng), Angelica, and Paeoniaceae were used frequently. Musculoskeletal diseases were the most targeted diseases followed by nervous diseases. For extracting, hot water extraction, distillation extraction, and solvent extraction using alcohol, ethanol, or methanol for solvent were commonly used. Conclusions : These data are useful for inventing new patent and extending range of pharmacopuncture in clinical use, however, more systematically analyzed patent studies and pharmacopuncture-related studies for new application on various diseases are needed in further studies.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.1-18
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• 2020

Objectives: This review is aimed at assessing the efficacy and effectiveness of oriental medicine for the prevention of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) through literature research and overview. Methods: Database searching was conducted to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on oriental medicine for the prevention of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome. Studies were searched from Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology, Korean studies Information Service System, Korean Medical Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Cochrane library, PubMed and EmBase up to 7^th November, 2019. Results: Ten RCTs were finally selected. Eight studies intervened with oral Chinese herb medicine, one is intervened with Chinese medicine enema and the other with acupuncture. Eight studies concluded that intervention with oriental medicine significantly decreased OHSS incidence. Five studies showed significantly higher pregnancy rate in the intervention groups. Two studies reported higher ovulation rate and other two studies showed more maturated eggs than the control groups. Four studies showed opposite results in serum Estradiol level. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor level was significantly lower in the intervention groups in two studies. Conclusions: From ten studies, oriental medicine reduced OHSS incidence rate and showed preventable effectiveness. Further strictly designed studies and acupuncture intervened studies are needed to establish evidences.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.97-110
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• 2021

Objectives: This study was performed to review the research trends in the relationship between primary dysmenorrhea and doppler indicies of uterine artery. Methods: The search for related papers used 'Pubmed', a reserch engine in the America National Library of Medicine and Korean studies Information Service System (KISS). Used searching terms were 'primary dysmenorrhea', 'menstrual pain' in all cases. And among these studies, we searched by using key word 'uterine artery', 'doppler indices', 'doppler parameters', 'pulsatile index', 'resistance index'. Results: Overall 49 studies, 8 studies were finally selected to this study. There were 6 controlled studies and 2 randomised-controlled studies. In all 8 studies, transvaginal ultrasound was used to measure the resistance of uterine blood vessels. All of these studies reported that in patients with primary dysmenorrhea, hemodynamic values of uterine arteries measured by Doppler ultrasound were significantly higher than in normal subjects. Conclusions: According to the results, it was found that there was a positive correlation between the pain level of primary dysmenorrhea and the pulsation index and resistance index of the uterine artery. Based on these results, it can be seen that the doppler indicies of uterine artery have the potential to be used as an evaluation scale for Korean traditional medicine for primary dysmenorrhea.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.67-78
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• 2023

Objectives To evaluate the evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture for lumbar spinal stenosis. Methods We searched eight electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Chinese Academic Journals, Research Information Sharing Service, ScienceOn, KMBASE, DBpia) and related two journals up to March 2023. We included randomized controlled trials of testing electroacupuncture for lumbar spinal stenosis patients. The methodological quality of relevant randomized controlled trials assessed by the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Results Among 90 articles that were searched, seven randomized controlled trials involving 474 participants were finally selected in this systematic review. Electroacupuncture was more effective on lumbar spinal stenosis compared with other treatments including analgesics, acupuncture, bed rest and exercise therapy, but showed ambiguous effect compared with physical therapy. Most of the side effects and adverse reactions were reported as minor and temporary. Conclusions Electroacupuncture for lumbar spinal stenosis was more effective than analgesics, acupuncture, bed rest and exercise therapy. In terms of safety, it was limited because there are many papers that do not mention side effects and adverse reactions related to electroacupuncture. Additional studies are needed to determine the effect of electroacupuncture on lumbar spinal stenosis.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.52-68
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the weight loss effects of auricular acupuncture in obese patients. Methods: Six databases (Research Information Sharing Service [RISS], Korean studies Information Service System [KISS], Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System [OASIS], PubMed, The Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure [CNKI]) were searched up to May 20, 2020. Eight eligible randomized controlled trials were included the present study. The quality of included studies was assessed by the Cochrane risk of bias tool and a meta-analysis was performed by Review Manager software. A meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model and a subgroup analysis was performed to detect the sources of heterogeneity, identify the selection of acupuncture methods and explore its contributions to the weight loss effects. Results: Among 8 trials, 5 trials used auricular acupuncture and 2 trials used auricular acupressure, 1 trial used both types of intervention. Most commonly selected acupoints were Shenmen (TF4) and stomach (CO4). Treatment duration was six to twelve weeks, and total treatment session was six to twelve. Compared to the control groups, auricular acupuncture significantly decreased body weight, body mass index (BMI), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL) and ghrelin. For the selection of acupuncture methods, both methods performed similarly in most outcome except waist circumference (WC), body fat percentage (BFP), and triglycerides (TG). Conclusions: We found that auricular acupuncture can be effective for weight loss and controlling appetite. However, the findings should be interpreted with caution due to heterogeneity. So further vigorous and well-designed studies should be conducted to strengthen the evidence of the use of auricular acupuncture for obesity.