• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.306-325
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• 2020

Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of a Dachaihu decoction for hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis (HLAP) by systematic review and meta-analysis of Chinese clinical studies. Methods: China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) was utilized as the major search engine. The date of the literature search was March 7, 2020. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about using a Dachaihu decoction for HLAP were included in this study. Meta-analysis was performed by synthesizing outcome data, including total effective rate, abdomen pain relief time, first bowel movement time, blood amylase recovery time, and triglyceride (TG) levels (mmol/L). The selected literature was assessed using Cochrane's risk of bias (RoB). Results: Twelve of 44 RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Most studies were evaluated with RoB as having unclear risk. The total effective rate of herbal medicine treatment based on the Dachaihu decoction was significantly higher than that of symptomatic supportive treatment in 10 articles (risk ratio=1.15, 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.21, p<0.00001, I²=0%). Herbal medicine treatment based on a Dachaihu decoction was significantly more effective than symptomatic supportive treatment in terms of reducing abdomen pain relief time (in all articles; mean difference=-1.70, 95% CI: -1.91 to -1.41, p<0.00001, I²=45%), first bowel movement time (in 7 articles; mean difference=-1.46, 95% CI: -1.86 to -1.05, p<0.00001, I²=73%), blood amylase recovery time (in 8 articles; mean difference=-1.48, 95% CI: -2.04 to -0.92, p<0.00001, I²=90%), and TG levels (in 8 articles; mean difference=-1.59, 95% CI: -2.28to -0.91, p<0.00001, I²=90%). Only one article reported side effects of treatment among the intervention group and control group, citing pancreatic ulcer and pancreatic pseudocyst formation. Conclusions: This study suggests that herbal medicine treatment based on a Dachaihu decoction could yield higher efficacy for HLAP than symptomatic supportive treatment alone. However, the results might be somewhat biased because of the poor quality and small sample size of the included RCTs. Well-qualified clinical studies are needed to prove the effectiveness of Dachaihu decoction therapy for HLAP.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.455-474
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• 2021

The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that applied herbal medicine to treat viral hepatitis B and C in order to determine the therapeutic efficacy of herbal medicine. EMBASE, Pubmed, NDSL, KMBASE, KISS, KISTI, Koreamed, Koreantk, and Oasis databases were searched to identify RCTs. The selected studies were assessed by the Cochrane group's risk of bias tool. A total of 15 RCTs were selected, and the hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA reduction was significantly higher in patients treated with herbal medicine combined with Western medicine than in patients treated with herbal medicine. Herbal medicine combined with Western medicine was also superior to Western medicine alone in achieving hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) and alanine aminotransferase [ALT] reduction. Only herbal medicine alone was not superior to Western medicine treatments in achieving HBV DNA, HBeAg, and ALT reduction.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.55-67
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• 2021

Objectives This review aimed to investigate studies of Chuna manual therapy (CMT) for low back pain and the evidence of their effects in order to suggest a better research method in the future. Methods We investigated studies on CMT for low back pain by searching Korean web databases from 2020 to 2021. As a result, 72 research papers were analyzed according to their published year, the titles of journals, the types of studies, the techniques of Chuna, and the instruments used for assessment. Results The results were as follows: 1. There were three papers published initially in 2000. this number showed a steady increase, and a total of 72 papers were published that year. 2. Studies on CMT were mainly published in the Journal of Korea Chuna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves. 3. When categorized according to the methods of studies, a simple case report was used more often than the sum of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs. 4. The most frequently adopted technique of Chuna in the examined studies was the COX flexion and distraction technique. 5. The Visual Analog Scale and Oswestry Disability Index were used as primary means of assessment. Conclusions Based on the analysis, it was observed that this review provided limited evidence of CMT use in patients with LBP. Therefore, further investigation using well-designed RCTs is required to obtain higher evidence.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.159-168
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• 2024

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to review the dissolving microneedle patches literature, which is loaded with pharmacopuncture preparation. By exploring types of pharmacopuncture preparation applied to microneedle patches, we aim to develop new potential preparation. Methods: This review included both animal and human studies that published between February 2015 and March 2024. After searching, no RCTs were found, the final selected in-vivo and in-vitro studies were analyzed. A total of 13 articles were retrieved from the international database, and a total of 5 articles were retrieved from the domestic database. Finally, 7 studies were selected, and evaluated by the published year, country of publication, types of animal model, disease type, retention type, evaluation index, adverse effects. Conclusions: According to 7 studies, pharmacopuncture preparation coated dissolving microneedle patch include bee venom, placenta, and ginseng in osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertrophic scar, psoriasis, and neurodegeneration. In the future, follow-up studies on the safety, retention time, and optimal effective dose of the microneedle patches are expected.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.85-96
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• 2017

Objectives To summarize and evaluate the efficacy of traditional Chinese herbal medicine (TCHM) treatment for antibiotic associated diarrhea (AAD). Methods Eight electronic databases were searched from their inception to August 2017. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the efficacy of TCHM treatment for AAD were included. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool. Data analysis was performed using RevMan software version 5.3. Results Seventeen RCTs involving 1138 patients with AAD were included for qualitative synthesis. TCHM treatment improved total effective rate (TER). However, the results that TER in experimental group was significantly higher than in control group were different between the included studies. TCHM enema treatment improved TER, but not significantly higher than control group. The most frequently used herbal formulas were Gamiwekwanjeon, Gamiinsampaedoksan, and Samryungbaekchulsan. The most frequently used TCHMs were Atractylodes macrocephala (Bai Zhu), Dioscorea batatas (Shan Yao). Within the studies documenting the adverse events, no serious adverse events associated with TCHM treatment were observed. Conclusions Evidence of TCHM treatment efficacy for AAD is encouraging, but not conclusive, because of the low methodological qualities, diversity of TCHM treatment prescriptions. Further well-designed RCTs with rigorous randomization and blinding method are needed to confirm these results.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.362-413
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this research is to examine the recent clinical research trends on the efficiency of traditional herb medicine (THM) on gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and to provide clinical evidence of herbal medicine, Banhasasin-tang or Banxiexin decoction by using a systemic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials (RCTs). Methods: In this study, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included that verified effects of traditional herbal medicine (THM), including a Banxia-xiexin-tang decoction, as a treatment for GERD. A study of the literature in Chinese and Korean databases was performed for papers published from January 1, 2010, to January 1, 2020. The selected literature was assessed by Cochrane's risk of bias (RoB). Results: A total of 90 RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Except for four RCT studies, all studies identified the effect of a Banxia-xiexin-tang decoction in the treatment of GERD. The effectiveness of treatment was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group, as shown through various evaluation indicators, including the reflux disease diagnostic questionnaire (RDQ). Adverse effects were reported in 22 articles (24.44%). Conclusions: Treatment with Banhasasin-tang, or a Banxia-xiexin-tang decoction, was found to be effective in treating GERD. However, due to the low quality of available studies, the significance of this conclusion is somewhat limited. This study could serve as a foundation for further clinical studies on the development of diagnosis and treatment methods for GERD based on Korean medicine.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.67-88
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• 2021

Objectives The purpose of this study is to analyze randomized clinical trials (RCTs) on traditional Chinese medicine to summarize its efficacy and safety for the treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) in children. Methods We searched literatures published up to March 19, 2021 using two Chinese electronic databases. Data regarding patients, interventions, results, and adverse events were extracted from RCTs of herbal medicine for children with FGIDs. Results A total of 34 RCTs were included: 16 trials on functional dyspepsia, 7 trials on functional constipation, 6 trials on functional abdominal pain, 4 trials on irritable bowel syndrome, and 1 trial on functional diarrhea. 26 of 29 trials that reported total effective rate, the treatment group showed a significant improvement compared to the control group. Most of other evaluation indicators, such as symptom score, symptom disappearance time, and recurrence rate also demonstrated statistically significant improvement. Of the 16 studies which reported safety, 5 studies reported no adverse reactions in either group, and 4 studies reported no statistically significant differences in the incidence of adverse events between two groups. Also, reported adverse events were mostly mild. Conclusions Herbal medicine may help improve symptoms of FGIDs in children. However, due to limited types of studies on sub-diseases of FGIDs and small sample sizes in each study, additional large scale clinical studies on various other FGIDs are necessary.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.62-74
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• 2021

Objectives : The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of acupuncture and the details of acupuncture treatment methods on skin wrinkles. Methods : Search was conducted in Pubmed, KISS, and NDSL databases for acupuncture studies on skin wrinkles. The detailed therapeutic techniques of acupuncture used for skin wrinkles and the effect of acupuncture on skin wrinkle improvement were analyzed. Then, the study results using the same indicator were compared through meta-analysis in order to compare the effects of acupuncture with the control group. The quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was assessed using the risk of bias (ROB) assessment tool (Ver. 1.0, Cochrane Collaboration). Results : A total of 10 RCTs and 19 case series were included in this study. The most frequently used therapeutic technique for skin wrinkle improvement was Microneedle therapy system (MTS, n=19), and they were mostly used with aesthetic solutions (13 out of 19 studies). Skin wrinkle related indexes were most commonly used to evaluate skin wrinkle improvement (n=14). Panax Ginseng pharmacopuncture showed the most remarkable effect in improving the range of skin wrinkles and the depth of skin wrinkles. MTS+epidermal growth factor improved the levels of skin hydration, skin elasticity, and variation of skin pigment the most. MTS+Endothelial precursor cell improved the number of skin melanin the most. Three RCTs included in the meta-analysis showed moderate ROB on average. Conclusions : Acupuncture treatment was effective in improving skin wrinkles. However, a precise study design using unified indicators and appropriate controls needs to be performed in further studies in order to establish more convincing evidence of the effectiveness of acupuncture for improving skin wrinkles.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.38-56
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• 2022

Objectives The purpose of this study was to analyze the trend of recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that used herbal medicine for the treatment of tic disorders in China and to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the treatment. Methods RCTs published from January 2017 to December 2021 were searched for using the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). These were then analyzed using herbal medicine treatment methods and their results. Results A total of 35 randomized controlled trials were selected and analyzed. In most studies, evaluation indicators such as the Yale tic symptom scale and total effective rate were significantly improved in the herbal medicine treatment group compared to the control group. The most commonly used herb for tic disorder was Uncaria Rhynchophylla (釣鉤藤), followed by Glycyrrhizae Radix (甘草), Gastrodiae Rhizoma (天麻), Paeoniae Radix Alba (白芍藥), Batryticatus (白殭蠶), Poria (茯笭), and Bupleuri Radix (柴胡). In all studies that reported adverse events, herbal medicine was identified as a relatively safe treatment with fewer adverse reactions or no significant difference compared with the control group. Conclusions Based on the results of RCTs, herbal medicine has been shown to be safe and effective for the treatment of intellectual disability. However, additional well-designed large-scale clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.137-156
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• 2021

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of taking herbal medicine for the postpartum lactation. Methods: We searched 9 databases for recent three years, that contained four english, two chinese, one japanese and two korean database from September 17, 2016 to December 31, 2020. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were eligible. Measurement of outcome included total curative effective rate, volume of lactation, volume of milk supplement, and serum prolactin concentration. The risk of bias was assessed by two independent authors using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Results: Total 725 of studies was screened, 11 RCTs were finally selected. Number of participants per study ranged from 60 to 257. The treatment group of taking a herbal medicine is effective for improving total curative effective rate, volume of lactation, volume of milk supplement, and serum prolactin concentration compared with control group. Because most of the studies had considerable heterogeneity in terms of type of intervention and comparison for outcome measurement, meta analysis for quantitative analysis was impossible. Conclusions: This studies showed that taking a herbal medicine is effective on increasing volume of lactation and speeding up the start of the first breastfeeding. However, included studies suffered from incomplete reporting, high or unclear risk of bias and substantial heterogeneity between studies. In the Future, further high-quality RCTs are needed to prove effectiveness of herbal medicine for breastfeeding and reduce the risk of bias.