• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.276-284
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• 2002

Aromatherapy is becoming increasingly popular, however there are few clear indications for its use. To systematically review the clinical studies on aromatherapy, computcrized literature searches were performed from PubMed. Fourteen trials were located. The conclusions were as follows: 1. All the trials were published after 1993. 2. To analyze the publication journals, five of fourteen trials were on nursing, three of them on neuropsychiatry and one on dermatology. 3. Most widely used indications of aromatherapy were on general physical, psychological and physiological field. 4. On the procedure of aromatherapy, eight of them were by massage, three by inhalation, one by massage & inhalation and one by bath additive. 5. To analyze the publication type, all fourteen trials were clinical trials. Twelve of them were randomized controlled trials. Two of them were using single subject design. 6. To observe the sample size, five of them were under 10, four from 10 to 50, two from 50 to 100 and three above 100. 7. Eleven of fourteen trials were using inferential statistics. Eight of the eleven trials were significantly effective, but three had no statistical significance.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.22
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• pp.9985-9996
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• 2014

Background and Aim: Laparoscopic and open rectum surgery for rectal cancer remains controversial. This systematic review compared the short-term and long-term efficiency and complications associated with laparoscopic and open resection for rectal cancer. Materials and Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, ISI Web of Knowledge and the China Biology Medicine Database to identify potential randomized controlled trials from their inception to March 31, 2014 without language restriction. Additional articles were identified from searching bibliographies of retrieved articles. Two reviewers independently assessed the full-text articles according to the pre-specified inclusion and exclusion criteria as well as the methodological quality of included trials. The meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.2. Results: A total of 16 randomized controlled trials involving 3,045 participants (laparoscopic group, 1,804 cases; open group, 1,241 cases) were reviewed. Laparoscopic surgery was associated with significantly lower intraoperative blood loss, earlier return of bowel movement and reduced length of hospital stay as compared to open surgery, although with increased operative time. It also showed an obvious advantage for minimizing late complications of adhesion-related bowel obstruction. Importantly, there were no significant differences in other postoperative complications, oncological clearance, 3-year and 5-year or 10 year recurrence and survival rates between two procedures. Conclusions: On the basis of this meta-analysis we conclude that laparoscopic surgery has advantages of earlier postoperative recovery, less blood loss and lower rates of adhesion-related bowel obstruction. In addition, oncological outcome is comparable after laparoscopic and open resection for rectal cancer.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.927-933
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• 2011

This study aimed to evaluate the quality of herbal medicine-related RCT (Randomized controlled clinical trial) papers. 79 papers were searched from the domestic Hakjin paper list, and 16 papers of them were evaluated in terms of the Jadad Quality Assessment Scale and the adequacy of allocation concealment, and ethical validity. The evaluation results from Jadad Quality Assessment Scale showed that 15 papers showed high quality with the Jadad score of 3 points or higher, and none of the papers had a problem with randomization and double-blinding. The evaluation results from adequacy of allocation concealment showed that 3 of the papers were executed proper allocation concealment, and all of them had 5 points of Jadad score. IRB (Institutional Review Board) approval and written consent was investigated for the evaluation of ethical validity, and 12 papers had the IRB approval, and 14 papers had written consent. The papers published before 2005 were absent of IRB approval and written consent, and none of the papers had IRB approval number. From the above results, it is concluded that rigorous clinical research led high quality of research papers, and the ethical aspect of clinical researches are getting more important to protect the rights of research participants.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.39-53
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this review was to overview and evaluate the efficacy of electroacupunture for women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) Methods: Relevant randomized controlled studies (RCTs) were identified by database searches in PubMED, EMBASE, OASIS, and Google scholar, up to May 2018. Data were extracted regarding hyperandrogenism, obesity and hyperinsulinemia indices. The risk of bias was assessed. Results: Five RCTs were included for analysis. In one RCT, electroacupuncture group had significantly lower free testosterone and testosterone, compared to no treatment group. However, The other RCTs showed no significant difference between two groups. For LH/FSH, Ferriman Gallway score, anti-mullerian hormone, body mass index, weight and waist, and insulin, electroacupuncture group showed no significant difference, compared to physical exercise, no treatment, and sham acupuncture group. Conclusions: Only a limited number of RCTs have been reported. At present, there is insufficient evidence to support the use of electroacupuncture for treatment of PCOS.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.77-100
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• 2020

Objectives The purpose of this study is to investigate recent clinical studies on the effect of herbal medicine for pediatric tonsillitis in China, and to seek better methods to treat and study for pediatric tonsillitis in Republic of Korea. Methods We searched clinical studies from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) by search formula (SU='扁桃体炎'+'扁桃炎'+'扁桃腺炎'+'乳蛾'+'喉蛾'+'蚕蛾'+'石蛾'+'珠蛾'+'肉蛾'+'乳蛾風'+爛乳風'+'tonsillitis') and (SU='中樂'+'中医樂'+'本草'+'湯'+'丸'+'散'+'方'+'顆粒'+'膠囊'+'自擬'+'herb'+'herbal'+'decoction'+'remedy'+'Chinese medicine'+'Korean medicine'+'kampo'+'formula'+'herbal drug'+'Chinese drug'+'plant'+'Chinese prescription'+'traditional medicine'+'Medicine, East Asian Traditional'+'Herbal Medicine') in professional search from January 2016 to August 2020. We analyzed the literature focusing on the treatment methods and results. Results Among 1464 searched studies, 35 randomized controlled trials were selected and analyzed. In most studies, the effectiveness of oral administration of herbal medicine on pediatric tonsillitis was significant. Most commonly used herbs were Fructus Forsythiae (連翹), Radix Glycyrrhizae (甘草), Radix Scutellariae (黃芩), Herba Menthae (薄荷), Fructus Arctii (牛蒡子), Radix Scrophulariae (玄蔘), Radix Platycodi (桔梗), Flos Lonicerae (金銀花), Radix Isatidis (板藍根), Radix Bupleuri (柴胡), Fructus Gardeniae (梔子), Rhizoma Belamcandae (射干), Radix et Rhizoma Rhei (大黃), Gypsum Fibrosum (石膏). Conclusions By analyzing the improvement of indicators such as total effective rate, cured rate, symptom disappearance time and symptom score, we found that herbal medicine treatment can help improve pediatric tonsillitis. However, additional studies are needed to solidify these findings.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2013

Objective: The aim of this review is to explore the latest intervention trends and effects of EMG-triggered functional electrical stimulation on the upper extremity functions in stroke patients. Design: Systematic review on clinical trials. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed to identify clinical trials evaluating the effects of EMG-triggered functional electrical stimulation (EMG-FES) and task-oriented EMG-triggered FES on the hand functions in stroke patients. Literature review was conducted with the following key words: hand function, functional electrical stimulation, task-oriented, stroke. Results: Ten clinical trials were included; 8 of them were randomized controlled trial, 1 was block-randomized, and 1 was a pre-post comparison study. A positive effect of electrical stimulation was reported in the patient groups that were treated with functional electrical stimulation combined with specific tasks, and volitional muscle contraction-triggered stimulation that was synchronized with tasks. Motor capabilities of the hand and arm were improved after the rehabilitation. Conclusions: EMG-triggered electrical stimulation may be more effective than non-triggered electrical stimulation in facilitating the hand functions in stroke patients in terms of muscle strength and voluntary muscle contraction of the paretic hand and arm. Triggered electrical stimulation can be even more effective when it is combined with specific tasks.

• The Academic Congress of Korean Shoulder and Elbow Society
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• 2009.03a
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• pp.7-7
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• 2009

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.209-230
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• 2017

Objectives : The aim of this study was to describe the details and to assess the clinical evidence of acupuncture and moxibustion for non-specific chronic neck pain. Methods : We searched seven databases including Korean, English, and Chinese databases through July 2016. Studies using acupuncture, moxibustion, pharmacopuncture, electroacupuncture, auricular-acupuncture, acupressure for non-specific chronic neck pain were included. Only controlled clinical trials or randomized clinical trials were assessed. Study design, number of subject, inclusion criteria, intervention, and results were extracted. In addition, details of intervention including needle type, retention time, acupoints were analyzed. Results : Total 64 studies(39 acupuncture, 9 laser, 6 pharmaco-acupuncture, 3 electro-acupuncture, 3 auricular-acupuncture, 3 moxibustion, 1 acupressure) were included. Among 39 acupuncture studies, 35 used acupuncture as sole intervention. Sham treatment was the most common intervention for control group, followed by no intervention. Various outcome including pain, disability, quality of life, range of motion was used as outcome measurement. The effect of acupuncture and moxibustion was different depending on the type of control and outcome measurement. The most commonly used method in acupuncture for neck pain was GB21, SI3, GB20, LI4, BL11 acupoints, 10~30 mm insertion depth, 20~30 retention time, and 1~2 times per week. Conclusions : Analyzing the details of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment could be helpful for researches and clinics. Further studies should consider the characteristics of study design, intervention, and outcome to assess the effect of TKM.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.209-216
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• 2007

Objectives : To review and summarize the existing evidence on acupuncture treatment for cancer and cancer related symptoms. Methods: Literature searches were made through domestic and international databases. Data were extracted according to pre-defined criteria. The methodological quality was assessed using the Modified Jadad scale. Results: Seven studies were included. Two of the studies were high in methodological quality. One study concerning acupuncture treatment for cancerous dyspnea reported insignificant differences between the treatment group and placebo group. The other study concerning auricular acupuncture for cancer related pain showed significant pain relief compared with the control group. All the other studies were non-blinded or uncontrolled trials. Conclusion : The hypothesis that acupuncture may be effective for the treatment of cancer is not supported by the data in recent clinical trials. More accurately designed randomized control trials (RCT) are needed.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.89-109
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this systematic review is to assess the effects of herbal medicine with in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) based on the current evidence. Methods: Eligible randomized controlled trials (RCT) searched from Pubmed which compared a combination of herbal medicine and IVF with IVF alone were included. Results: Sixteen trials, in which 2025 women involved, were included in this review. The review results showed that the effect of traditional herbal medicine can improve the clinical pregnancy rate (herbal medicine intervention: 30.36~63.64%, Control: 9.38~47.5%) and rate of high quality oocytes and embryos. The mechanism may be through regulating follicular fluid to improve microenvironment for oocytes which would lead to a successful embryo implantation. Conclusions: This analysis showed that combination of IVF and traditional herbal medicine used in the included trials improve clinical pregnancy rate and IVF success. During in vitro fertilization, TCM can regulate the microenvironment in the follicular fluid to mature the oocyte, improve the quality of the embryo, and help the development and implantation of the embryo. Further large randomized placebo controlled trials are needed to confirm the effectiveness of traditional herbal medicine with concurrent IVF.