• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.83-95
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• 2024

Objectives This review was conducted to evaluate the therapeutic effects of manual acupuncture (MA) for shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS). Methods We searched 12 electronic databases (DBpia, Korean studies Information Service System [KISS], Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System [OASIS], Research Information Sharing Service [RISS], China National Knowledge Infrastructure [CNKI], CINAHL, Clinical Key, Cochrane Library, Embase, JAMA, PubMed, Web of Science) to find randomized-controlled clinical trials (RCTs) investigating therapeutic effects of MA for treating SIS. Shoulder Pain and Disability Index scores and numeric pain rating scale or visual analogue scale were analyzed as the main evaluation criteria. Results Among 181 studies, 169 were screened and only 12 RCTs were eligible in our review. Finally, 11 RCTs could be statistically analyzed. MA was more effective than sham treatment and physical therapy in terms of reducing pain (p=0.003, p=0.0007 each). Electroacupuncture (EA) showed more significant effect than physical therapy (PT) for improving shoulder pain (p<0.00001) and shoulder functionality (p<0.00001). Conclusions These results suggest that MA and EA could be superior option for treating SIS than sham treatment or PT. However this review has its limitations due to the small sample size and lack of well-designed RCTs that were included in the study. Further well-designed RCTs are necessary to provide high-level evidence.

• Hip & pelvis
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.87-100
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• 2024

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is an effective treatment for osteoarthritis, and the popularity of the direct anterior approach has increased due to more rapid recovery and increased stability. Instability, commonly caused by component malposition, remains a significant concern. The dynamic relationship between the pelvis and lumbar spine, deemed spinopelvic motion, is considered an important factor in stability. Various parameters are used in evaluating spinopelvic motion. Understanding spinopelvic motion is critical, and executing a precise plan for positioning the implant can be difficult with manual instrumentation. Robotic and/or navigation systems have been developed in the effort to enhance THA outcomes and for implementing spinopelvic parameters. These systems can be classified into three categories: X-ray/fluoroscopy-based, imageless, and computed tomography (CT)-based. Each system has advantages and limitations. When using CT-based systems, preoperative CT scans are used to assist with preoperative planning and intraoperative execution, providing feedback on implant position and restoration of hip biomechanics within a functional safe zone developed according to each patient's specific spinopelvic parameters. Several studies have demonstrated the accuracy and reproducibility of robotic systems with regard to implant positioning and leg length discrepancy. Some studies have reported better radiographic and clinical outcomes with use of robotic-assisted THA. However, clinical outcomes comparable to those for manual THA have also been reported. Robotic systems offer advantages in terms of accuracy, precision, and potentially reduced rates of dislocation. Additional research, including conduct of randomized controlled trials, will be required in order to evaluate the long-term outcomes and cost-effectiveness of robotic-assisted THA.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.29-52
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• 2024

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the effect of herbal medicines on alopecia areata (AA). Methods We searched 10 Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese databases for studies published until April 3, 2024. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of herbal medicines on AA were included. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to evaluate the quality of the studies. A meta-analysis was conducted according to outcome measurements, such as total effective rate (TER), full recovery rate, and recurrence rate, using the Review Manager software. Results Seventeen RCTs were included in this study, and the TER in the treatment group was 1.48 times higher than that in the control group [Risk ratio (RR): 1.48, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.40~1.55, I² = 43%]. The full recovery rate was 2.25 times higher in the treatment group [RR: 2.25, 95% CI: 1.62~3.12, I² = 53%], and the recurrence rate was 0.22 times lower, than that of the control group [RR: 0.22, 95% CI: 0.070~0.68, I² = 0%]. Four studies reported that there were no adverse events. Four studies reported mild gastric discomfort, a mild increase in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and constipation in the treatment group. Conclusions Our meta-analysis showed that herbal medicines are significantly effective in treating AA. However, owing to the low quality of the included studies, future clinical studies are required to determine their potential for clinical applications.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.559-566
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• 2022

Introduction: The aim of this systematic review is to provide evidence confirming the efficacy and safety of herbal medicines used in the treatment of liver cancer. Methods: The review will include randomized clinical trials that compared herbal medicines used as treatments for liver cancer with other therapies, such as placebos and Western medicine. Only randomized controlled trials will be included in this review, and all types of herbal medicine will be evaluated. Eleven electronic databases will be searched from the inception date: the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED, CINAHL, one Chinese database (CNKI), and five Korean databases (OASIS, DBpia, RISS, KISS, and NDSL). The selection of studies, data extraction, and management will be performed independently by four researchers. Methodological quality, including the risk of bias, will be assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias assessment tool. Results: The review of current evidence for the effectiveness of herbal medicine for liver cancer will be summarized and quantitatively analyzed. Conclusions: Our systematic review will provide evidence of the efficacy of herbal medicines as treatments for liver cancer. This evidence will provide useful information for practitioners and patients in the fields of oncology and complementary medicine.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.137-145
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• 2014

The purpose of this paper is to explore the strategy of future Korean medicine(KM) clinical research through the study on the current situation and issues for KM clinical research worldwide. In this study, the papers published in English through Pubmed were investigated mainly. And we analyzed the methodological issues from the clinical research reports in the KM fields. As a result of examining the current situation of the RCTs(Randomized Controlled Trials) studies in KM, the sample size for most studies was small and the overall methodological quality appeared to be low. And there was a discussion about whether or not to apply RCTs method to the KM clinical research. The majority of studies have argued the use of RCTs method for KM clinical research. In addition, we could find some problems through the analysis of KM clinical studies. First, the majority of RCTs in KM were of low quality. Second, RCTs method was applied to the KM clinical studies according to the Western medicine methods only. Third, the actual KM diagnosis was not used in the KM studies and inadequate outcomes measurement methods were utilized without considering the characteristics of KM practice. The methodological issues in the KM clinical research were caused by the conflict between the characteristics of KM practice and clinical research method based on the western medicine.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.372-388
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• 2018

Objective: This study evaluates the effectiveness and safety of moxibustion for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods: Using the keywords "benign prostatic hyperplasia", "benign prostatic hypertrophy", "benign prostatic enlargement", "prostatic hyperplasia", and "moxibustion", we searched papers in numerous databases, including National Discovery for Science Leaders (NDSL), Korean Traditional Knowledge Portal (KTKP), Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS), Research Information Sharing Service (RISS), PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL. The search range included randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Papers not matched with inclusion criteria were excluded. The methodological quality of each RCT was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. Where appropriate, meta-analyses were performed. Results: Initially, 77 studies were found. Of these, 11 duplicate studies were removed and 27 were excluded following title and abstract screening. After the remaining 39 papers were scanned, 13 RCTs were selected and analyzed. Among these 13 RCTs, five compared moxibustion therapy and oral medication, seven compared moxibustion plus acupuncture therapy and oral medication, and one compared moxibustion plus acupuncture therapy and sham-moxibustion. The meta-analysis showed positive results for the use of moxibustion therapy in terms of International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Quality Of Life (QOL), Maximum Flow Rate (Qmax), Prostate Volume (PV), and the efficacy rate. The meta-analysis showed positive results for the use of moxibustion plus acupuncture therapy in terms of IPSS, QOL, and the efficacy rate. Conclusions: This meta-analysis of clinical trials suggests that moxibustion is effective intreating BPH patients. The results of this study could be applied to clinical treatment of BPH. However, additional large-scale clinical researches should be conducted.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.85-100
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• 2024

Objectives This study aims to analyze clinical studies on subacromial-subdeltoid (SA-SD) bursitis and propose future directions for clinical research on SA-SD bursitis. Methods We searched eight databases to investigate research trends in Korean medicine treatments for SA-SD bursitis up to November 2023. A total of thirty-one studies were included in this analysis. Results Among the included studies, there were six case reports from Korea, fifteen case reports, and ten randomized controlled trials from abroad. Various interventions were uesd, including acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, manual therapy, electro-acupuncture, cupping, physiotherapy, acupotomy, warm-acupuncture, herbal medicine, and moxibustion. The evaluation tools used in these studies included the total effective rate, visual analogue scale, range of motion, and numeral rating scale. Conclusions This study provides an overview of the research trends in Korean medicine treatments for SA-SD bursitis. However, given the low quality and small sample sizes of the studies, the evidence supporting effect of Korean medicine treatments for SA-SD bursitis was insufficient. Further clinical trials and systematic reviews are required.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.115-129
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• 2015

Objective : This study aims to review clinical studies evaluating effectiveness of Korean medicine for smoking cessation. It also aims to critically analyze study design of the studies and suggest strategies for future clinical studies on smoking cessation. Method : Only domestic databases such as RISS, KISS, DBPIA, NDSL, and OASIS were searched from August to November 2011 for clinical studies on smoking cessation. There was no limitation on study design, period, and language. The studies were qualitatively analyzed focusing on study design including participants, intervention, and outcome measurements. Results : Out of 537 studies searched, 27 studies were included in the analysis. 56% of the studies were observational studies, 33% were quasi-experimental studies, and 11% were randomized controlled studies. 44% and 32% of the studies were conducted at educational institutions and hospitals, respectively. The average number of the participants were 182, which ranged from 15 to 1,056. Most of the participants were male. Intervention used were mostly auricular acupuncture, and the most frequently used acupoints were Lung, Shinmun, Endocrine, Pharynx & Larynx, and Inner nose. The average length of treatment period was four weeks, and the treatment was provided twice per week. The outcomes were measured at the end of the treatment and only 26% of the studies conducted follow-up measurements. 26% of the studies utilized questionnaires of which validity was evaluated and only 15% used objective measurements such as exhaled Carbon monoxide and Cotinine test. Conclusion : Though many clinical studies on effectiveness of Korean medicine for smoking cessation were conducted, there are still debates on quality of evidence. Recently, guidelines have been developed for clinical trials evaluating effectiveness of smoking cessation program. Thus, in the future, clinical studies should be developed based on these guidelines and designed to improve validity and reliability.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.947-958
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• 2020

Objectives: To investigate efficacy of Korean medicine for patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD) with pain. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of the medical records for patients diagnosed with PD between 2012 and 2019 at Gangdong Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital in South Korea. Results: Twenty-two patients with King's Parkinson's Disease Pain Scale(KPPS) scores at least twice were analyzed for evaluating the efficacy of Korean medicine for pain treatment in PD. The mean total scores before and after Korean medicine treatment were 15.23±1 .01 and 9.2±8.7, respectively, and the mean difference between the before/after total scores was 6.0±5.8 (P<0.001). Specifically, the score of radicular pain was significantly decreased (P=0.048). Conclusions: These findings suggest that Korean medicine could be beneficial for reducing pain associated with PD. Clinical efficacy should be confirmed by further studies, such as large-sample cohort studies and randomized controlled trials to clarify the pathological pain relief mechanism and the analgesic effect of Korean medicine.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.638-651
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to review the literature and examine the effects on non-pharmacological depression intervention for middle-aged women in Korea. This systematic review analyzed the literature from 2006 to September, 2015. The existing literature was searched in the electronic databases in RISS, KISS and DBPia using the following key words: middle-aged women and depression, menopause and depression, climacterium and depression. Two hundred eighty studies were found through the database. According to PICOTS-SD, twelve studies were included for analysis. Among the twelve studies, four studies were conducted in the nursing field. Six studies were randomized controlled trials. Aerobic exercise, laughter therapy, meditation, aroma massage, counseling and art therapy were performed as non-pharmacological interventions for depression in Korean middle-aged women. The length of each session ranged from 20 to 120 minutes. The intervention period varied from 2 to 24 weeks, and the total number of the interventions ranged from 8 to 72 times. They influenced not only depression, but also physical aspects that are associated with obesity and psychosocial variables, such as anxiety, quality of life, life satisfaction, etc.