• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.258-266
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• 2022

This study aimed to analyze auricular acupressure and auricular acupuncture used in smoking cessation research by analyzing published randomized controlled trials. Eight databases (PubMed, Cochrane, EMBASE, CNKI, CiNII, KMbase, KISS, OASIS) were searched until December 2021, and 21 out of 1,919 studies met inclusion criteria. Data on the treatment site, time, frequency, period, and outcomes were analyzed. Lung (MA-IC1) and Ear Shenmen (MA-TF1) were the most used acupoints. The number of treatments varied between a minimum of 2 to a maximum of 24, and treatment duration varied between a minimum of 2 weeks to a maximum of 8 weeks. Cigarette consumption and smoking cessation rate were the most studied outcome, followed by multiple other psychological indications.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.182-189
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• 2022

To evaluate the effectiveness of electroacupuncture treatment for primary dysmenorrhea (PD), a literature review of a randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed where electroacupuncture was used as a treatment intervention in patients diagnosed with PD. Relevant clinical studies (N = 226) were retrieved from multiple databases according to the study inclusion/exclusion criteria, and interventions and outcomes were analyzed. As a result of the review, there were 6 RCTs which met the criteria. In all 4 studies that measured pain indicators (visual analog scales), electroacupuncture showed significantly positive changes. In addition, positive changes were observed in most indicators (MMDQ, PGF2a, PGE2, 6-keto PGF1, TXB2, clinical efficacy score, uterine arterial blood flow parameters, and blood viscosity). 2 studies showed that electroacupuncture had a stronger therapeutic effect than NSAIDs. No major side effects were reported. Electroacupuncture may be an effective and safe treatment for PD however, further RCTs are required.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.285-293
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• 2023

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a digestive disorder characterized by abdominal discomfort or pain accompanied by a change in stool condition. Owing to its complicated mechanisms, a standard treatment for IBS has not yet been established. Yukgunja-tang (YGT) is a Korean herbal medicine known in Asia to be effective in the treatment of gastrointestinal symptoms. In this study, we will conduct a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to assess the efficacy and safety of YGT in IBS treatment. Methods and analysis: English databases, such as Embase, Medline (via PubMed), Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, will be searched for articles published up to April 2023. Additional databases, such as five Korean, one Chinese, and one Japanese database, will be included. RCTs and quasi-RCTs will also be included in the assessment of the efficacy of YGT. The overall efficacy rate will be the primary outcome, and data such as IBS quality-of-life measurements, global symptom scores, and adverse events will be the secondary outcomes. Review Manager Version 5.3 will be used for evaluation, and the risk of bias (RoB) will be evaluated using Cochrane Collaboration's RoB tool. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach will be used to score the quality of evidence. Conclusion: This study will demonstrate the efficacy and safety of YGT for treating patients with IBS.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.253-260
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• 2018

Background: One of the most frequent problems caused by diabetes is the so called painful diabetic neuropathy. This condition can be treated through numerous types of therapy. The purpose of this study was to analyze, as a meta-analysis, different treatments used to alleviate painful diabetic neuropathy, with the aim of generating results that help making decisions when applying such treatments to tackle this pathology. Methods: A search was conducted in the main databases for Health Sciences, such as PUBMED, Web of Science (WOS), and IME biomedicina (Spanish Medical Reports in Biomedicine), to gather randomized controlled trials about treatments used for painful diabetic neuropathy. The analyzed studies were required to meet the inclusion criteria selected, especially those results related to pain intensity. Results: Nine randomized controlled trials were chosen. The meta-analysis shows significant positive effects for those treatments based on tapentadol [g: -1.333, 95% CI (-1.594; -1.072), P < 0.05], duloxetine [g: -1.622, 95 % CI (-1.650; -1.594), P < 0.05], pregabalin [g: -0.607, 95% CI (-0.980; -0.325), P < 0.05], and clonidine [g: -0.242, 95 % CI (-0.543; -0.058), P < 0.05]. Conclusions: This meta-analysis indicates the effectiveness of the treatments based on duloxetine, gabapentin and pregabalin, as well as other drugs, such as tapentadol and topic clonidine, whose use is better prescribed in more specific situations. The results provided can help increase the knowledge about the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy and also in the making of clinical practice guidelines for healthcare professionals.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.29-43
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to review and evaluate the effectiveness of oriental medicine per oral for recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC). Methods: We searched articles from Korean journal databases including Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology, Korean studies Information Service Studies, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Cochrane Library, PubMed. Searched keywords were "재발성 칸디다성 외음질염", "recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis", "㚆发性外阴阴道假丝酵母菌病", "中藥". Results: 10 randomized controlled trials with 700 patients were identified and reviewed. 8 studies compared combination of oriental medicine and anti-fungal agent with anti-fungal agent, and 6 of them reported that treatment group (TG) showed statistically higher total effective rate or cure rate and lower recurrence rate. One study compared oriental medicine and anti-fungal agent and TG showed statistically higher total effective rate and lower recurrence rate after 1 month. One study compared combination of oriental medicine and lacto bacillus capsule with lacto bacillus capsule, and TG showed statistically higher total effective rate and lower positive fungul test rate after 6 months. No severe adverse response was reported. Conclusions: Our review found that oriental medicine per oral is effective for alleviating symptoms, lowering recurrence rate and positive fungal test in RVVC patients. We recommend standardized randomized controlled trial guideline should be made to obtain stronger evidence and well designed trials with larger sample sizes are needed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.151-170
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• 2007

Backgraounds : Recent studies provide the evidences that the efficacy of acupuncture may be no better than placebo or inconclusive. These results are very different from those of the actual clinical situations in many acupuncture medical institutions. Objectives : The present study was designed to evaluate the influencing factors which affect the efficacy of acupuncture scale(FEAS) as the methodological assessment tool of acupuncture for examining acupuncture interventions and to demonstrate the importance of it in randomized controlled trials of acupuncture. Data sources : Electronic data were retrieved from NDSL, Pubmed, sciencedirect, LWW, OVID, Black-Well Synergy, Wiley Interscience, EBSCO HOST, springer, PML, and Kluwer. No electronic data were collected from MEDLIS and MEDLAS. Study selection : The inclusion criteria were five systematic reviews included in Alberta study and all randomized controlled trials obtained from their references. Study analysis : The acupuncture rationale, methods of stimulation, treatment regimen, and the practitioner's background were rated by FEAS, and the scores were compared with those by other methodological assessment tools. Results : The number of positive conclusions of high-rank RCTs by FEAS was the same as or higher than that of high-rank RCTs by other methodological assessment tools. Conclusions : We have analysed 5 systematic reviews and their objectives 58 RCTs using FEAS. Practitioner's background has been described slightly in some reviews and studies. It may directly influence the effectiveness of acupuncture negatively in the systematic reviews.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.114-136
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• 2021

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to analyze the effectiveness and safety of herbal medicine treatment for treating hyperthyroidism. Methods: We searched for randomized controlled trials of Hyperthyroidism treated with herbal medicine, published from January 2016 to May 2021, through electronic database such as Pubmed, EMBASE, China Academic Journal (CAJ). Interventions and results of the selected clinical studies were analyzed. Results: The 25 randomized controlled trials were finally included according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Treatment group was treated with herbal medicine alone in 2 studies, and with herbal medicine and conventional medicine in 23 studies. Control group was treated with conventional medicine. Outcome measures are total efficacy rate, thyroid function test, Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores, liver function test, recurrence rate, etc. Prunellae Spica (夏枯草) (60%) was the most frequently used herb in herbal medicine treatment. In all of 25 studies, treatment group was more effective and safer for hyperthyroidism than the control group. Conclusions: This study indicates that herbal medicine treatment alone or combined with conventional medicine treatment could be helpful in improving the therapeutic effect on hyperthyroidism and reducing side effects as well.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.89-105
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• 2019

Objectives: We conducted this study to evaluate the efficacy of Chuna Manual Therapy (CMT) for treatment of cervicogenic headache (CeH) through systematic review and Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) as a preceding research to further research the effective of Chuna Manual Therapy for patients who suffered from CeH. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We searched the studies from MEDLINE, Elsevier-EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, CAJD, KISS, KMBase, Korean Traditional Knowledge Portal, NDSL, and OASIS. The studies selected only in randomized controlled trials. We selected the chosen studies by the selection and the exclusion criteria, and evaluated the quality of the selected studies using the Jadad score and the Cochran ROB tool. We used the Visual Analogue Scale score (VAS) and Clinical total Effective Rate (CER) for the results and analyzed the results of the included studies using RevMan 5.3 software provided by the Cochran library. Results: We included 20 RCTs, including 1,673 subjects, in the systematic review and meta-analysis. After the intervention, the CMT group showed better results than the pharmacotherapy group, the physiotherapy group, and the combined treatment group. The CMT group showed a good effect on the CER and the VAS but showed a significant heterogeneity compared to the pharmacotherapy group. Conclusions: The CMT as monotherapy might have benefits on Cervicogenic Headache patient. Further well-designed studies need to be conducted.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.9-22
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• 2019

Background: The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate the effects of topical fluoride gel application on dental caries prevention in the permanent teeth of children and adolescents. Methods: We searched the EMBASE, PubMed, and Cochrane Library databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effects of self-applied or professionally applied topical fluoride gels in patients <18 years of age; the search was completed on April 1, 2018. All included trials involved an experimental group (fluoride gel application) and a control group (placebo or no treatment). The outcome measures were the D(M)FS and D(M)FT indices, which were compared between the two groups. Review Manager software was used for quantitative synthesis of the final selected articles, and a forest plot was generated via a meta-analysis conducted using a random effects model. Results: The results showed that the D(M)FS and D(M)FT indices were lower in the fluoride application group than in the control group, thus indicating that fluoride gel application was effective in dental caries prevention. We also performed a subgroup analysis to determine whether the effects of fluoride application differed if patients received oral prophylaxis (self or professional) before fluoride gel application. Therefore, the two groups showed slightly larger differences when studies without oral prophylaxis before fluoride gel application were considered; however, the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: These findings should be utilized to raise awareness about the caries-prevention effects of topical fluoride application among patients and guardians. Further RCTs should evaluate the effects of fluoride application with or without preceding oral prophylaxis, and appropriate fluoride application guidelines should be developed to maximize the effects of fluoride application in clinical practice.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.285-298
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• 2020

This study aimed to review clinical studies about Acupotomy used for Knee Osteoarthritis. We searched the following 12 online databases (KISS, NDSL, RISS, OASIS, Earticle, Kmbase, MEDLINE/Pubmed, Cochrane library, Ebscohost, Ovid, CNKI, Wanfang), to find randomized controlled trials that used Acupotomy for knee osteoarthritis. The methodological quality of randomized controlled trials were assessed by using the Cochrane risk of bias tool and meta-analyses were performed. 16 randomized controlled trials were included. Total number of patients was 1169. The average duration of treatment was 3.14 weeks and most of the patients were treated once a week. The major treatment sites were ligaments, muscles, and tender nodules and the most used evaluation tool was the efficiency. We selected 4 studies and meta-analyzed them. All of the studies performed Acupotomy+sodium hyaluronate injection as a treatment group, and sodium hyaluronate injection as a control group. Meta-analysis showed positive results for Acupotomy+sodium hyaluronate injection in terms of efficiency rate compared to sodium hyaluronate injection. Also Meta-analysis showed positive results for Acupotomy+sodium hyaluronate injection in terms of WOMAC (pain, stiffness, function) compared to sodium hyaluronate injection. In this study, we reviewed studies about Acupotomy used for knee osteoarthritis. The studies showed that Acupotomy can significantly effective on knee osteoarthritis. But according to Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB) evaluation method, most of the study's risk of bias was unclear. Threrefore, more high-quality studies will be needed.