• Clinical Nutrition Research
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.22-32
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• 2024

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic inflammatory autoimmune disorder with widespread synovitis. Isoflavones, the main active component of soy, have been reported to have potent anti-inflammatory effects; the previous RA animal models showed the promising effect of soy supplementation. We aimed to evaluate the effect of soy bread on inflammatory markers and lipid profiles in RA patients. The present study was designed as a randomized controlled trial. RA patients were randomly allocated to obtain soy bread (n = 22) or placebo bread (n = 22) for 8 weeks. Fasting serum levels of lipid profile, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), and DAS28 were checked. Findings showed that there were no significant differences between the two groups in physical activity and dietary intake at the beginning of the study and the end of the study. There were no significant differences between the two groups in measured lipid profile markers, including high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and very low-density lipoprotein, at the end of the trial. In addition, TAC and CRP also were not significant at the end of the trial between the 2 groups (0.66 and 0.12, respectively). However, the serum levels of TNF-α reduced significantly in the soy bread group at the end of the intervention (p < 0.000) and compared with the control group (p < 0.019). Soy bread consumption only decreased circulating TNF-α serum concentration. Other outcome measures were not changed following supplementation. Future long-term, well-designed studies are needed to confirm these findings.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.123-125
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• 2024

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.93-108
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• 2012

Objectives : This study aims to review randomized controlled trials on acupuncture for shoulder pain according to Jadad Scale and revised STRICTA. Methods : Seven electronic databases including PUBMED, SCOPUS, RISS were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCT) of acupuncture for shoulder pain. Results : 16 RCTs were included: 14 were published in English and 2 were published in Korean. According to Jadad scale, 15 RCTs had high quality. However, most of the studies could not meet the double blindness criteria. All RCTs meet 12.9 items on average in STRICTA. Conclusions : This systematic review shows four conclusions as follows. Traditional Chinese Medicine is often used in style of acupuncture. Spots of LI15, TE14, GB21 and LI11, stainless steel needle($0.3mm{\times}40mm$), 20 retention time, manual stimulation, $Deqi$, and 2 times a week treatment (total 12) are often used. Double-blinded clinical trials needs to be conducted. It is controversial to use minimal acupunctures on controlled groups of RCTs on acupuncture for shoulder pain. Description about practitioner's background needs clarifying.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.46-59
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• 2012

Objectives The purpose of this study is to investigate recent clinical studies on effect of acupuncture for rhinitis in other countries. We have analyzed the studies on effect of acupuncture for rhinitis within randomized controlled trial(RCT), reviewed for 11 years (from 2001 to 2011). Methods The search database includes PubMed. To narrow the search, the following key search terms were used: 'rhinitis, acupuncture'. The search was limited to the publication date from 2001 to 2011. Results Total 20 studies were selected: RCT(13), review(5), case report(1), and cost effectiveness study(1). In RCT, 9 studies used acupuncture only, and 8 studies of them have revealed that acupuncture is effective on rhinitis. In review, 3 studies are systematic review, 2 studies are no systematic review. Among systematic review, 2 studies have revealed partial effectiveness of acupuncture for rhinitis, but they suggested the necessity of further studies. Conclusions Domestic studies on effect of acupuncture for rhinitis are necessary. For more accurate results, controlled, large scale and well designed studies are recommended.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.169-175
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• 2018

Background: The objective of this study was to compare hemodynamic and recovery characteristics of total intravenous anesthesia using propofol target-controlled infusion (TCI) versus sevoflurane for extraction of four third molar teeth. Methods: One hundred patients undergoing extraction of four third molar teeth under general anesthesia were randomized to one of two groups. Group 1 received propofol TCI-oxygen for induction and propofol TCI-oxygen-air for maintenance. Group II received a propofol bolus of 2 mg/kg for induction and sevoflurane-oxygen-air for maintenance. Heart rate, mean arterial pressure (MAP), operating time, time to emergence, nausea and vomiting, and sedation and pain scores were measured in each group. Results: Demographic data, including age, gender, weight, and height, were not significantly different between the two groups. The MAP was significantly higher after intubation (P = 0.007) and injection of anesthesia (P = 0.004) in the propofol group than in the sevoflurane group, with significant reflex bradycardia (P = 0.028). The mean time to emergence from anesthesia using propofol was 25 s shorter than that of sevoflurane (P = 0.02). Postoperatively, the propofol group was less sedated than the sevoflurane group at 30 min (0.02 versus 0.12), but this difference was not significant (P = 0.065). Conclusion: Both propofol TCI and sevoflurane are good alternatives for induction and maintenance of anesthesia for short day-case surgery. However, propofol TCI does not blunt the hemodynamic response to sudden, severe stimuli as strongly as sevoflurane, and this limitation may be a cause for concern in patients with cardiac comorbidities.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.165-182
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• 2017

Objectives: The purpose of this systematic review was to understand clinical usefulness of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) on students' mental health. Methods: Ten databases were included to extract clinical studies on effects of EFT intervention with students. Characteristics of selected studies were described, and biases were assessed with Risk of Bias (RoB) or Risk of Bias Assessment for Non-Randomized Studies (RoBANS). Results: A total of 14 clinical trials were extracted for analysis. There were 8 randomized-controlled trials (RCTs), 2 non-randomized-controlled trials (nRCTs), and 4 before-after studies. EFT have significant clinical usefulness in public speaking anxiety, test anxiety, stress, depression, learning related emotions, adolescent anxiety, and eating issues. The risk of selection bias in most studies was high or uncertain. Conclusions: EFT is an effective clinical technique for managing students' mental health issues. However, the included studies have been conducted with relatively poor quality and small sample size. Clinical trials with high quality study design and well-designed EFT education programs are needed to generalize clinical usefulness.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.125-138
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• 2020

The aim of this study was to review previous literature to determine the effects of nature-based program for workers. This systematic review was conducted in accordance with National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency's guidance for undertaking systematic reviews for intervention. Literature search was performed using National Assembly Digital Library, Korean Studies Information Service System, and Korea Education & Research Information Service for literature published until March 2019. The participants were full-time workers, and intervention of nature-based programs was conducted in the outdoor, indoor, and indirect nature contact exposures, with comparators in the control group who did not receive the treatment. The results showed that the programs were effective in physical, psychological, and social health. The methodological quality of randomized controlled trials (RCT) was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias(RoB) tool, while non-randomized controlled trials (N-RCT) were assessed using the Cochrane Risk of bias assessment tool for non-randomized studuies (RoBANS). A total of 16 studies were selected for assessment: two RCTs, 10 N-RCTs, and four one-group pretest-posttest designs. Most interventions were provided at the workplace and in the community. There were many kinds of nature-based interventions, and forest therapy and horticultural therapy programs were most common. Various interventions for workers effectively improved job stress, depression, serum cortisol and stress-response. However, the included studies lacked methodological rigor. Future research is needed to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of nature-based programs for workers using rigorous research designs.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.59-69
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• 2017

Objectives : This study analyzed the current status of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of miniscalpel acupuncture for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) in China. Methods : A literature search was performed using the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database. All studies up to June 7th, 2017 were searched. The quality of included RCTs was assessed with the Jadad scale. Results : Five RCTs were finally included in this review. The overall quality of the RCTs was assessed as low. All articles evaluated miniscalpel acupuncture as monotherapy or in combination with filiform needle therapy, drug injection therapy, Tuina treatment, thermal coagulation therapy, or spinal decompression. Miniscalpel acupuncture as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy showed greater therapeutic effect and fewer adverse effects. Conclusion : Miniscalpel acupuncture is a safe and effective nonpharmacological treatment for LSS. However, high-quality studies with consistent treatment protocols are needed to confirm these findings.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.131-137
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• 2010

Objectives：In this study, we surveyed papers about Oriental herbal medicines(prescriptions and herbs) for dementia. Method：We collected 64 research papers on Oriental herbal medicines(prescriptions and herbs) for dementia in the internet site OASIS using the keyword dementia. Then we analysed them according to year, research method, etc. Result & Conclusion：The absolute majority of research papers on Oriental herbal medicines(prescriptions and herbs) for dementia was experimental papers. And there were not enough clinical papers. In the future, we have to perform more studies such as RCT(Randomized Controlled Trial) and research papers on combined medication of the oriental and the western medicines for dementia.

• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.99-112
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• 2010

This study attempted to review the recent, high-quality evidence-based practical research related to the treatment effectiveness of voice disorders which focus on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and translational research of vocal fold tissue engineering for vocal fold regeneration. Methodology including PICO (P; Populations or Patients, I; Interventions, C; Comparison group (control, placebo, gold standard), O; Outcomes or measures made) information for RCTs and animal models (species), regenerative therapy method, and outcomes of translational research for clinical application was summarized and discussed for future voice disorder research.