• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.62-78
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• 2023

Objectives : This study aims to assess the impact of acupotomy on migraine through an examination of clinical studies conducted since 2015. Methods : We conducted a comprehensive search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized controlled trials (nRCTs) related to acupotomy treatment for migraine, utilizing five Korean online databases (OASIS, Science ON, DBPIA, KISS, RISS), as well as four foreign online databases (CNKI, PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library). We identified a total of 10 relevant studies for analysis. Participants characteristics, treatment points, combination treatments, treatment cycles or frequencies, evaluation indices, efficacy, and adverse events were analyzed. The risk of bias in the 10 RCTs was assessed using the Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2.0). Results : A total of 931 participants were included in 10 studies. In the intervention group, the average duration of migraine morbidity ranged from 15.5±4.5 months to 15.9±4.2 years. Six studies based their diagnoses on the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD), while five studies relied on Chinese diagnostic criteria. All studies specified the treatment area as the region exhibiting tenderness or induration on the head and neck. Treatment cycles ranged from a minimum of 2 days to a maximum of 1 week, with the number of days per treatment course varied from 5 days to 4 weeks. The diameter of acupuncture needles used varied between 0.3 mm and 1 mm. Of the eight studies specifying needle length, the shortest was 20 mm, and the longest was 40 mm. A total of eight evaluation indices were employed, with total efficacy rate (TER) and visual analogue scale (VAS) being the most frequently used. Statistically, all intervention groups showed more significant results compared to the control groups. Adverse events were reported in only two studies within the intervention group. Overall, the risk of bias assessment for the selected RCTs ranged from 'some concerns' to 'high risk of bias.' Conclusions : This study showed that acupotomy treatments for migraine were effective.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.96-120
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• 2023

Objectives: This study reports the findings that support the efficacy of herbal medicine (HM) for premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Methods: We conducted meta-analysis of findings from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for PMS treated with HM. The articles were published before July 2022, located using 9 databases (Pubmed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, CNKI, CiNii, SCIENCE ON, KoreaMed, OASIS). Results: We observed 2,034 studies, of which 23 RCTs met our inclusion criteria. The risk of bias in the included studies was relatively unclear or high. Meta-analysis of 3 RCTs showed that HM group had a significantly higher total effective rate than the western medicine group (RR 1.20 [95% CI 1.06, 1.36, p=0.004]). Meta-analysis of 1 RCT showed that HM group had a significantly lower symptom score (MD -3.04 [95% CI -5.36, -0.72, p=0.01]), while there was no significant difference in daily record of severity of problems scale (MD -20.52 [95% CI -49.33, 8.29, p=0.16]). Conclusions: HM significantly improved PMS symptoms than general treatment and no serious adverse events were reported. However, the evidence on the effectiveness and safety of HM for PMS was not enough to provide reliable results due to the small number and low quality of included studies. We believe that rigorous RCTs will lead to more reliable evidence of the intervention.

• The Journal of Korea CHUNA Manual Medicine
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.97-109
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• 2002

Objectives : Electroacupuncture(EA) has been suggested as a treatment for stroke rehabilitation. But whether, how much, by what mechanism and when it is effective has not been answered satisfactorily. Therefore it is important to critically review clinical trials and laboratory researches about EA for stroke rehabilitation. Subjectives : We researched various recent sources of EA for stroke rehabilitation such as medical journals and especially tried to review methodologically best randomized controlled trials(RCTs). Results and Conclusions : 1) EA increases brain plasticity, activity, blood flow and secretion of neuropeptides in CNS. 2) EA is significantly effective at the case that more than half of the neural motor pathway is reserved. 3) The acupoints, frequncy and intensity of EA should be determined by patient-specific symptoms of stroke. 4) More studies is needed for merdian functions for stroke rehabilitation.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.71-82
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• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this systematic review was to overview and evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture treatment for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: Relevant randomized controlled studies (RCTs) were identified by database searches in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL, up to Dec 2013, and by additional hand searches. Data were extracted regarding anovulation, hyperandrogenism, obesity indices. Meta-analyses were separatedly conducted for the symptoms of PCOS. The risk of bias was assessed. Results: Three studies which were included for analysis, but they showed severly heterogeneity therefore meta-analysis could not be performed. Outcomes for evaluating the efficacy of acupuncture treatment for PCOS were anovulation index (menstrual frequency), hyperandrogenism index (free testosterone) and obesity index (body-mass index). For menstrual frequency, acupuncture treatment consistently suggested an interventional benefit. Although other outcomes did not suggest any enough relevant evidence to interventional benefit for acupuncture treatment. Conclusions: Acupuncture treatment appeared to improve menstrual frequency in PCOS patients. Since a limited number of RCTs were available in the current literature and those studies were also clinically heterogeneous, further research is needed to gather evidence to support acupuncture therapy in PCOS.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.183-192
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• 2010

While Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) has been recommended in some diabetes mellitus (DM) patients population according to the 2010 American Diabetes Association (ADA), 2007 Korean Diabetes Association (KDA), 2005 International Diabetes Federation guideline, it is excluded from a routine insurance coverage for outpatients in Korea. The objective of this study is to meta-analyze the impact of SMBG on HbA1c in non insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (NIT) DM patients. Published clinical literatures were identified through electronic database searches from inception and until May 2010. Studies were selected if they met the following inclusion criteria: 1) randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 2) comparing SMBG with non-SMBG in NIT type 2 diabetes, 3) measuring HbA1c as an outcome. Literature qualities were assessed by the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network Checklist. The mean difference of HbA1c between the 2 groups was pooled from non-heterogeneous 6 RCTs by meta-analysis using Review Manger (RevMan) Version 5.0 program. Pooled results demonstrated that SMBG is associated with a statistically significant improvement in glycemic control (mean HbA1c difference -0.23, 95%CI -0.32, -0.13). Sensitivity analysis showed that glycemic controls were significantly improved in patients with shorter study duration, more frequent self-monitoring, higher baseline HbA1c value, and without prior SMBG experiences. Conclusively SMBG is effective in improving glycemic control in NIT DM patients, but additional evidences from further researches in Korean patients and cost-effectiveness analysis would be necessary to make a suggestion for coverage expansion.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.95-105
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• 2017

Objectives To evaluate the evidence supporting the effectiveness of Soyeom pharmacopuncture therapy for Pain. Methods We conducted search across 6 electronic databases (Pubmed, CAJ, Oasis, RISS, DBPIA and KoreanTK) and 2 journals to find clinical trials that used Soyeom pharmacopuncture therapy as treatment for pain. The methodological quality of Randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB) tool, while NRCTs (Non-Randomized controlled clinical trials) were assessed using the Risk of Bias Assessment tool for Non-randomized Study (RoBANS) tool. Results Among 75 articles that were searched, 5 RCTs and 2 NRCTs were finally selected. Among 7 selected studies, all studies showed that Soyeom pharmacopuncture therapy has significant effect on Pain. Conclusions Our systematic review found encouraging but limited evidence of Soyeom pharmacopuncture therapy for Pain. We recommend clinical trials which compare the effectiveness of Soyeom pharmacopuncture therapy with other pharmacopuncture therapies to clarify the effectiveness of Soyeom pharmacopuncture therapy from other pharmacopuncture therapies.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.433-442
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• 2017

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture for the treatment of Raynaud's disease. Methods: This review was conducted using nine electronic databases (CINAHL, CiNii, CNKI, EMBASE, J-STAGE, NDSL, OASIS, PubMed, and WANFANG) and the keywords "Raynaud's disease", "Raynaud disease", "acupuncture", and "needling". Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using acupuncture for Raynaud's disease were included, and the methodological quality of the trials was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. Results: After screening, six RCTs were selected among 67, and the total effective rate and peripheral blood flow were used as evaluation methods. In five studies, the total effective rate was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group. In three studies, peripheral blood flow was higher in the intervention group than in the control group, with two studies being statistically significant and the remaining study not being statistically significant. Conclusions: Acupuncture could be a suitable treatment without adverse effects for Raynaud's disease because it improves peripheral blood flow. However, further studies, including randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind methods, and clear evaluation criteria are needed.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.204-215
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• 2018

Background: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the effect of metformin on weight loss was assessed to determine whether metformin should be recommended for the prevention or treatment of weight gain in patients receiving antipsychotic medication for the treatment of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Methods: The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for all published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from inception to June 2018. In addition, the references of relevant articles were also examined. Using Review Manager 5, the pooled estimates of the weighted mean difference (WMD) of the changes in body weight and body mass index (BMI) and the corresponding 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Results: The meta-analysis included 15 RCTs. The pooled analysis showed that compared with placebo, metformin led to significant reductions in body weight (WMD: -2.09, 95% CI: -2.59, -1.60; p<0.00001) and BMI (WMD: -0.90, 95% CI: -1.08, -0.72; p<0.00001). The effect of metformin on weight loss was greater in patients receiving olanzapine than in patients receiving clozapine (body weight, WMD: -2.39, 95% CI: -3.76, -1.02; p=0.0006 for olanzapine; -1.99, 95% C: -3.47, -0.51; p=0.009 for clozapine; BMI, WMD: -1.15, 95% CI: -1.74, -0.57, p=0.0001 for olanzapine; WMD: 0.76, 95% CI: -1.23, -0.28; p=0.002 for clozapine). Conclusion: Metformin can be recommended to manage olanzapine-induced weight gain in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. The magnitude of the reductionss in body weight and BMI implieds that the use of metformin to attenuate olanzapine-induced weight gain can minimize the risk of coronary heart disease.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.123-130
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• 2015

Objectives : Primary dysmenorrhea is one of the most common female gynecological diseases. Acupuncture and moxibustion therapy have been used to treat dysmenorrhea in Korea. The aim of this review was to examine the effectiveness of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy for primary dysmenorrhea as described in studies in Korea. Methods : A total of 8 databases were searched, with the search concluding February 15, 2015. These were the Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System, DBpia, Korean Studies Information Service System, National Digital Science Library, Korean Traditional Knowledge Portal, Research Information Sharing Service, and Pubmed. Randomized controlled Trails(RCTs) comparing acupuncture or moxibustion therapy with non acupoints stimulation or medication were selected. Data abstraction and assessment of methodology was conducted by authors and disagreements were resolved by discussion. Results : 7 trials were included in this review, with a total of 308 participants. 4 trials reported on acupuncture, 1 trial reported on acupress by magnet, 1 trial reported on pharmacopuncture, and the other trial reported on moxibustion. Quality of methodology was low. 2 trials showed that experimental therapy was effective for pain relief compared to the controlled group. However, 5 trials did not show a significant difference in pain relief. Conclusions : Acupuncture and moxibustion therapy may reduce period pain, however, it is needed for well designed RCTs in Korea.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.67-77
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• 2016

Objectives To evaluate the evidence supporting the effectiveness of Bee Venom therapy for traumatic injury. Methods We conducted search across 3 electronic databases (Pubmed, CAJ and Oasis) to find clinical trials that used Bee Venom therapy as treatment for traumatic injury. The methodological quality of RCTs (Randomized controlled clinical trials) were assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB) tool, while NRCTs (Non-Randomized controlled clinical trials) were assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment tool for Non-randomized Study (RoBANS) tool. Results Among 87 articles that were searched, 10 RCTs and 19 NRCTs were finally selected. Among 19 selected studies, all studies showed that Bee Venom therapy has significant effect on traumatic injury. Conclusions Our systematic review found encouraging but limited evidence of Bee Venom therapy for traumatic injury. We recommend clinical trials which compare the effectiveness of Bee Venom therapy with other pharmacopuncture therapies to clarify the effectiveness of Bee Venom therapy from other pharmacopuncture therapies.