• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.1-14
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• 2019

Objectives : To evaluate the effectiveness of Chuna Manual Therapy for adhesive capsulitis by a systematic review manner. Methods : Five foreign electronic databases (Pubmed, Ovid-medline, Embase, Cochrane library, Chinese Academic Journals (CAJ)) and two Korean medical electronic databases (Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS) and Research Information Sharing Service (RISS)) were searched to find all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using Chuna Manual Therapy as a treatment for adhesive capsulitis. The methodological quality of each RCT was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Results : Twenty-one RCTs met our inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis showed positive results on the use of Chuna Manual Therapy combined with acupuncture or exercise therapy in terms of the efficacy rate and pain using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), compared to acupuncture or exercise alone [SMD-1.81 (95% CI & -2.54, -1.08), P<0.001, RR 1.19 (95% CI 1.14, 1.23), P<0.001)]. Positive results in terms of efficacy rate were also obtained comparing Chuna Manual Therapy to acupuncture alone [RR 1.10 (95% CI 1.02, 1.18), P=0.01]. Conclusions : Our systematic review found favorable results on the effectiveness of Chuna Manual Therapy for pain and efficacy rate of adhesive capsulitis. However, evidence was limited due to the lack of well-designed RCTs. More qualified clinical trials are needed to obtain stronger evidence.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.49-78
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• 2022

Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Korean Medicine Therapy (KMT) for the treatment of Chemotherapy-induced Cognitive Impairment (CICI) through systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) as proceeding research to further research the efficacy of KMT for CICI patients. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (PRISMA). The RCTs on the efficacy of KMT for treatment of CICI were searched by structured search strategies in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane library, CAJD, KISS, NDSL, KoreaMed, and OASIS. The searched RCTs were screened by inclusion and exclusion criteria. We evaluated the quality of the method in the included studies using the Jadad score and Cochran ROB tool. The efficacy outcomes were the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Clinical total Effective Rate (CER) of CICI. They were analyzed using mean difference for continuous variable or Relative Risk (RR) for Dichotomous variable in the random-effect model. The RevMan 5.3 program was used for meta-analysis. Results: We included 19 RCTs, including 653 participants, in the systematic review and meta-analysis. There were favorable results for the KMT group after the intervention compared with the pharmacotherapy group, physiotherapy group, and combined treatment group. KMT group showed improvement using CER and VAS compared with exercises, but their heterogeneities were slightly significant. KMT was more effective compared to the Rehabilitation program in CER and the subgroup analysis results showed that KMT had a significant difference compared to other therapies in VAS, to Medication therapy in CER. Conclusions: KMT presented reasonable evidence on improving the Clinical total Effective Rate and Visual Analogue Scale in CICI patients. However, further evaluation in future research is required.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.29-52
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• 2024

The aim of this review is to consolidate findings from clinical investigations spanning the past decade regarding the impact of acupuncture on Parkinson's disease (PD). The objective is to assess the efficacy of acupuncture as a therapeutic approach to PD, with the intention of informing future clinical practices and advancing the foundation for subsequent research endeavors in this area. A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify clinical trials exploring the effects of acupuncture on PD between January 2014 and August 2023. Databases search included PubMed, EMBASE, CNKI, OASIS, KISS, KMBASE, RISS, and ScienceON. Quantitative evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was systematically reviewed, and the methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using Cochrane's risk of bias tool. Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager (RevMan) 5.4.1 software. The systematic review encompassed a total of 38 RCTs involving 2,786 participants. Meta-analysis of 12 studies revealed that individuals treated with a combination of acupuncture and Western medicine exhibited notable improvements compared to those receiving Western medicine alone or sham acupuncture alongside Western medicine. However, the overall quality of the RCTs was deemed low, and no serious adverse events were reported. Across clinical investigations conducted in the past decade, acupuncture appears to hold promise as a complementary treatment for PD patients when administered alongside Western medicine. Nevertheless, this study identifies certain limitations that warrant consideration in future research endeavors. Enhanced emphasis on conducting high-quality RCTs is imperative to comprehensively evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture in managing PD.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.25-38
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• 2020

Objectives: This review aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Chai-Hu-Shu-Gan-San (CHSGS) for treatment of insomnia. Methods: 9 databases were comprehensively searched from their inception dates until Jan 2020 using keywords like Insomnia, Chai-Hu-Shu-Gan-San and Sihosogan-san. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using CHSGS as the main intervention for insomnia patients. We assessed the quality of RCTs using the Cochrane risk of bias tool and Jadad scale. Results: 5 RCTs were included. The Chinese classification of mental disorders -3 (CCMD-3) was the most frequently used diagnostic criteria. The effective rate was the most frequently used as outcome. All the 5 RCTs that reported CHSGS and CHSGS adjunctive therapy on insomnia were more effective compared to western medication. Only one study reported adverse effects. The methodological quality of the included RCTs were generally poor. Conclusions: This review found that CHSGS may be effective to treating insomnia. However, because of the small number, heterogeneity and very low methodological quality of included studies, we could not draw any definitive conclusions. Therefore, more rigorous randomized control studies are warranted.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.51-57
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• 2015

Objectives To evaluate the evidence supporting the effectiveness of Chuna manual therapy for nocturnal crying. Methods We conducted search across the 3 electronic databases (Pubmed, CAJ and Oasis) to find all of randomized controlled clinical trials(RCTs) that used Chuna manual therapy as a treatment for nocturnal crying. The methodological quality of each RCTs was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and nRCTs was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment tool for Non-randomized Study tool. Results Two RCTs and three nRCTs met our inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis showed positive results for the use of Chuna manual therapy in terms of the efficacy rate when compared to medication treatments alone. Positive results were also obtained, in terms of the efficacy rate, when comparing Chuna manual therapy combined with acupoint application therapy to Chuna manual therapy alone, but was not statistically significant. Conclusions Our systematic review found encouraging but limited evidence of Chuna manual therapy for nocturnal crying. We recommend clinical trials which compare the effectiveness of Chuna manual therapy with usual care to obtain stronger evidence without the demerits of trial design.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.71-84
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the effects of advance care planning on end-of-life decision-making. Methods: Databases including RISS, KISS, KMbase, KoreaMed, PubMed (MEDLINE), Embase, and CINAHL were searched for studies that examined the effects of advance care planning interventions. The inclusion criteria were original studies in English or Korean; adults ≥18 years of age (population); advance care planning (intervention); completion of advance directives (AD) or advance care planning (ACP) (outcomes); and randomized or non-randomized controlled trials (RCTs and non-RCTs, respectively) (design). Study quality was measured using the checklists of the Joanna Briggs Institute. Meta-analyses were conducted with the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis program. Results: Nine RCTs and nine non-RCTs were selected for the final analysis. The effect sizes (ES) of the outcome variables in nine RCTs were meta-analyzed, and found to range from 0.142 to 0.496 for the completion of AD and ACP (ES=0.496, 95% CI: 0.157~0.836), discussion of end-of-life care (ES=0.429, 95% CI: -0.027~0.885), quality of communication (ES=0.413, 95% CI: 0.008~0.818), decisional conflict (ES=0.349, 95% CI: -0.059~0.758), and congruence between preferences for care and delivered care (ES=0.142, 95% CI: -0.267~0.552). Conclusion: ACP interventions had a positive effect on the completion of AD and ACP. To apply AD or ACP in Korea, it is necessary to develop ACP interventions that reflect aspects of Korean culture.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.312-330
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• 2019

Objectives: The present study aimed to provide clinical evidence on the effect of herbal medicine on the treatment of hepatitis C using a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods: This study included RCTs that verified the effects of herbal medicine for the treatment of hepatitis C. A literature search of English, Chinese, and Korean databases was performed, and the selected literature was assessed to investigate the risk of bias. Results: The analysis included 14 RCTs. The total effective rate was the most commonly used outcome measure. The meta-analysis revealed that the total effective rate and total bilirubin difference were higher and that the recurrent rate was lower in the herbal medicine group than in the western medicine group (RR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.06-1.35, p=0.003, I2=52; MD: 0.52, 95% CI: -0.62 to 1.66, p=0.37, I2=0; RR: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.11-1.09, p=0.07, I2=0). The included RCTs had relatively poor quality and a small sample size. Conclusion: Treatment with herbal medicine was found to be partially effective in treating hepatitis C. The included RCTs had relatively poor quality and a small sample size. This study can serve as a foundation for further clinical studies on the development of treatment methods for hepatitis C based on herbal medicine.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.11-24
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• 2022

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate the effect of Banhahubak-tang on gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD) through a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials(RCTs). Methods : RCTs using Banhahubak-tang on GERD was searched in databases such as EMBASE, PubMed, MEDLINE, CENTRAL, CNKI, KISS, RISS, ScienceON, and OASIS. RCTs published up to October 8th, 2021 were included. Meta-analysis was performed by synthesizing outcome data, including Total Effectiveness Rate (TER), Reflux Symptom Index(RSI), Reflux Finding Score(RFS), and Incidence of Adverse Reactions. RevMan 5.4 software was used for data analysis. The Cochrane collaboration bias risk assessment scale was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the included studies. Results : Ten RCTs met the inclusion criteria. The total effective rate was the most commonly used outcome measure. The meta-analysis revealed that the TER in the experimental group was higher than that of the control group(N=2, RR:1.22, 95% CI:1.09 to 1.36, P=0.0004, I²=0%)(N=6, RR:1.22, 95% CI:1.14 to 1.32, P<0.00001, I²=0%)(N=8, RR:1.22, 95% CI: 1.14 to 1.30, P<0.00001, I²=0%). On the other hand, RSI(N=2, MD : -4.29, 95% CI: -4.71 to -3.86, I²=94%), RFS(N=2, MD : -3.28, 95% CI: -3.71 to -2.85, I²=96%), and Incidence of Adverse Reactions(N=5, RR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.17 to 0.61, I²=0%) in the experimental group were lower than that of the control group. Conclusion : Treatment with Banhahubak-tang was found to be effective on GERD. However the results might be biased because of the poor quality and small sample size of the included RCTs.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.159-169
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• 2022

Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) is a term that applies to symptoms such as persistent or recurring low back pain, paresthesia, sciatica, or numbness after spine surgery. Electroacupuncture (EA) has been reported to have excellent analgesic effects although there have been no systematic reviews on the effects of EA on FBSS. Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effectiveness of EA on FBSS was conducted. Eight databases were searched for studies that used EA for FBSS and 7 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. RCTs of EA as combination therapy for FBSS compared with conventional treatment demonstrated improvement in the level of pain, lumbar functional scale scores, and quality of life. However, meta-analysis showed that reduction in pain was not statistically significant, while evaluation of lumbar function significantly improved, although the quality of evidence in the RCTs was generally low. RCTs comparing EA alone with conventional treatment demonstrated an improved level of pain, lumbar function, and effective rate of treatment. Meta-analysis showed that pain was significantly decreased in the EA alone group compared with the control group, although the quality of evidence was low. To improve the quality of evidence, high-quality RCTs are required in the future.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.284-292
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to review randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of pes anserinus tendinitis or bursitis (PATB) syndrome in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure database to investigate the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine treatment for PATB syndrome. There were 20 RCTs published from 2001 to 2021 which were selected for analysis by publication year, number of samples, evaluation criteria, treatment duration, and treatment method. Out of the 142 retrieved RCTs, 20 were relevant to this review, and had performed Chinese medicine treatments including acupuncture (the most common treatment typically using acupoints SP10, ST35, SP9, and LR8), manipulation (typically using acupoints ST35, SP10, and SP9), and external application therapy (typically herbal medicine) in the treatment of PATB syndrome. Chinese medicine treatments were used widely in the treatment of PATB syndrome. We hope in the future, this review may initiate the development of treatments for PATB syndrome using Korean medicine.