• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.225-239
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• 2009

Objectives : To establish a well organized and systematic oriental medicine classification of headache, the western and oriental medicine diagnosis and treatment systems of headache were reviewed. Methods : The history and development process of western medicine classification of headache were studied. A literature review of oriental medicine classification of headache was done. The characters of each classification systems were assessed. Results : In western medicine, many international societies concerning headache have been established. Through these societies, a classification of headache which can be used by both researchers and practitioners has been suggested. And the suggested classification system is highly recommended to be used in studies in order to increase utilization. As data is accumulated, new versions of the classification system were updated. But in the case of oriental medicine, various classification systems of headache are presented in numerous literatures. But the effort to unify and systemize the oriental medicine headache classification has been in lack. Conclusions : Establishment and utilization of a standardized oriental medicine headache classification system, based on various classifications and detailed descriptions is needed.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.43-61
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• 2021

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to review the acupuncture treatment for cold hypersensitivity of hands and feet. Methods : We searched articles in 7 search engines with keywords related to 'Cold hypersensitivity of hands and feet' and 'Raynaud disease' in March 2021. Clinical studies that used acupuncture for cold hypersensitivity of hands or feet were included. Animal studies and nonclinical data were excluded. Data on acupuncture treatment such as methods, site, duration, frequency, and period were analyzed. Also, network analysis between acupoints was conducted. Results : Of 41 selected articles, there were 32 case reports, 7 randomized controlled trials, and 2 uncontrolled clinical studies. Studies were conducted using manual acupuncture, electroacupuncture, warm needling, pharmacopuncture, fire needling, and auricular acupuncture. Most studies used more than one acupoint (n=40), and there were 111 acupoints selected for acupuncture treatment for cold hypersensitivity of hands and feet. The most commonly used acupoint was LI11 (n=27). In terms of the correlation of acupoints, LI11 had the highest value of degree centrality at 0.6989. The mean treatment time, number of treatments, and duration were 26.8±8.87 minutes, 15.51±15.75 times, and 77.69±132.80 days. Conclusions : The results of this study could be useful in establishing the evidence for performing standardized acupuncture treatment for cold hypersensitivity of hands and feet.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.55-66
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• 2018

Objectives To evaluate the evidence supporting the effectiveness of bee venom acupuncture for ankle sprain. Methods We conducted search across 11 electronic databases (Pubmed, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL [CENTRAL], KoreaMed, Kmbase, Koreanstudies Information Service System [KISS], National Digital Science Library [NDSL], Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information [KISTI], China National Knowledge Infrastructure [CNKI], Wanfang and Chinese Scientific Journals Database [VIP] database) to find clinical trials that used bee venom acupuncture as treatment for ankle sprain. The methodological quality of randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) were assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB) tool, while non-randomized controlled clinical trials (NRCTs) were assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment tool for Non-randomized Study (RoBANS) tool. Results Four RCTs and one nRCT met our inclusion criteria. Almost studies showed that bee venom acupuncture has positive effect on ankle sprain. 4 studies of same intervention and control included in the meta-analysis. When comparing bee venom acupuncture and acupuncture with acupuncture, the effect size of standardized mean difference (SMD) was -0.19 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.95~1.56, Z=0.55, p=0.83). And when comparing bee venom acupuncture with acupuncture, the effect size of SMD was -0.17 (95% CI: -0.65~0.31, Z=0.71, p=0.48). Conclusions Although our systematic review found encouraging but limited evidence of bee venom acupuncture for ankle sprain, most of the studies included in the analysis were evaluated as methodologically high risk of bias. From now on further well-designed RCTs should be encouraged.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.105-113
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• 2010

Objectives : This study was performed to analyze the quality of Ojeok-san extract powders distributed in Korea. Methods : HPLC analyses of Ojeok-san decoction produced in laboratory and 8 kinds of Ojeok-san extract powders were done. Also, quantity analyses of paeoniflorin in Paeonia lactiflora, Glycyrrhizin in Glycyrrhiza uralensis, alkaloid in Ephedra sinica, Hesperidin in Citrus unshiu Markovich, and cinnamic acid in Cinnamomum cassia Blume were performed to investigate the accurate content of 6 kinds of Ojeok-san extract powders. Results : In the pattern analysis, the peaks were compared. The content of components in herbal extract powders was 14.7 to 15.8% of that of decoction in average. The range was measured from 8.5 to 25.7%. The pattern comparison showed significant differences among the pharmaceutical companies' products. As for the quantity analysis, one of herbal extract powder contained insufficient amount of Paeonia lactiflora components and one of herbal extract powder was in short of Ephedra sinica components. All of the others contained more than standard component(over 90%). Conclusions : Because herbal extract powders are also medicine, standardized manufacturing methods and consistent quality management are necessary. Therefore exaction and operation of national standards and various researches to improve the quality management of herbal extract powders is urgent.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.35-41
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• 2020

The aim of this study was to examine pharmacopuncture treatment for lateral epicondylitis, and to contribute to developing a standardized treatment regimen by reviewing trends in clinical trials. Five randomized controlled trials, 1 case-control study, and 8 cohort studies published after 1999, that involved pharmacopuncture for lateral epicondylitis, were selected from Korean and international online databases (n = 8). The type of pharmacopuncture, dose, frequency, efficacy, and adverse events were analyzed. Seven types of pharmacopuncture were used, namely Bee Venom, Illicium henryi Diels, Akebiae Caulis, Angelicae sinensis Diels, Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort, Hominis Placenta, and Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix. Dose, treatment duration, and treatment frequency varied widely. One study assessed the treatment efficacy according to frequency. Nine studies lacked data on adverse events. The quality of 5 randomized controlled trials was low. Although pharmacopuncture treatment appeared to be effective for lateral epicondylitis, it was difficult to standardize the regimen for lateral epicondylitis.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.193-206
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• 2008

Purpose: In spite of many arguments on the result of WHI (Women's Health Initiative) study, no one can deny the necessity for researches on the alternative treatment to HRT (hormone replacement therapy). In this study, the author wanted to investigate the method of precedent acupuncture RCTs (randomized controlled trials) to make out the appropriate acupuncture study design on postmenopausal and perimenopausal hot flashes in Korea. Methods: Precedent studies were investigated using Pubmed search and key-words "acupuncture and hot flash", "acupuncture and menopause", "acupuncture and vasomotor", limited to RCT, from 2000 to 2008 April. Results: As a result. 10 studies were searched. In the hereafter studies, multi-center clinical trials which consist of population group of postmenopausal and perimenopausal women that would be pre-stratified and more than 50 patients per treatment arm seem adequate. Sham control study can make out the proper consequence because many people are get used to acupuncture in Korea. Flexible choice of acupoints addressed an individual's symptoms using standardized algorithm is recommended. Treatment consist of 4 weeks' observation, 11 acupuncture sessions during 7 weeks, follow-up of 3 months or more after treatment and hot flash score as a primary outcome measure seem appropriate. After all, higher level of description according to global standard must be obtained in the study report and publishing. Conclusion: The researchers should develope the methodology of acupuncture clinical trial on the postmenopausal and perimenopausal hot flashes.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.79-93
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• 2020

Objectives While sciatic neuropathy is one of the common symptoms which have the lifetime incidence of 13~40%, still there is no consensus about the standardized and the most effective conservative treatment. In addition, the importance of systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical are growing as they could suggest possible effective treatment strategy for future studies. Therefore, we conducted systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate analgesic effect of acupuncture on sciatica in rat models. Methods Systematic search was conducted for all controlled comparative preclinical trials which assessed analgesic effect of acupuncture in sciatica rat models. Database of PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, CNKI and 6 Korean databases were used. The primary outcome was pain, which is evaluated by stimulus behavior tests in rat models. We assessed the methodological quality with Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory Animal Experimentation's risk of bias tool. RevMan 5.3 was used for meta-analysis and subgroup analysis was conducted according to treatment site, acupuncture point, treatment period and frequency used in electroacupuncture. Results 14 studies were finally included following our inclusion criteria. The data from meta-analysis indicated that the acupuncture significantly improved the result values of behavior tests for pain evaluation, compared to no-treatment control group in animal models (standardized mean difference=4.43, 95% confidence interval 3.16 to 5.69, Z=6.84, p<0.00001; χ²=68.02, p<0.00001; I²=82%). The results of subgroup analysis indicate that acupuncture treatment of unilateral site, distal acupoints, longer treatment period and applying 2/100 Hz frequency in electroacupuncture could be more effective. Conclusions Systematic review and meta-analysis of animal studies are getting important for the future clinical studies and the improvement of heatlh care. Therefore the results of the study would provide evidence and better design for the forthcoming studies.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.93-103
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• 2006

Objectives : To Investigate Severity Measurement and the Correlation between Acupoints on the Face and the Upper limb in Bell's Palsy Patients by Using of DITI. Methods : By using of DITI, thermal differences between abnormal and normal site in acupoints on the face and the upper limbs of 21 Bell's palsy patients who visited department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion in National Medical Center from 1st February 2004 to 31th December 2005 were measured around 7days after the onset in standardized Environment. The patients were classified by severity scale. Results : The means of thermal difference of the facial acupoints were significantly distributed at each grade. The thermal difference of GB14 was significantly correlated with thermal difference of TE4, the thermal difference of S4 was significantly correlated with thermal difference of L6 and SI4, the thermal difference of STI18 was significantly correlated with thermal difference of LI11 and the thermal difference of LI20 was significantly correlated with thermal difference of LI11 and LI4. The thermal differences of acupoints in Large intestine meridian were more closely correlated with thermal difference of the facial acupoints than thermal difference of acupoints in the other meridians. Conclusion : Severity of Bell's palsy can be presumed through DITI image. And the theory of meridian was confirmed by DITI in Bell's palsy patients.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.121-142
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to review the acupuncture treatment Urinary incontinence (UI) and Overactive bladder (OAB) in postmenopausal women. Methods: We searched articles in 8 search engines with keywords related to 'Overactive bladder', 'Urinary incontinence' and 'Menopause' in July 2022. Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) that used acupuncture on Urinary incontinence (UI) and Overactive bladder (OAB) after menopause were included. Animal studies and non RCT data were excluded. Data on acupuncture treatment such as methods, site, duration, frequency, and period were analyzed. Also, network analysis between acupoints was conducted. Results: 15 articles were selected and analyzed. Studies were conducted using manual acupuncture, electroacupuncture, pharmacopuncture and fire acupuncture. Most studies used more than one acupoint, and there were 32 acupoints selected for acupuncture treatment for UI and OAB after menopause. The most commonly used acupoint was 中極 (CV3) (n=8). In terms of the correlation of acupoints, 太谿 (KI3) had the highest value of degree centrality at 0.75. The mean treatment time, number of treatments, and duration were 26.42±6.10 minutes, 18.71±9.09 times, and 6.87±4.77 weeks. Conclusions: The results of this study could be useful in establishing the evidence for performing standardized acupuncture treatment for Urinary incontinence and Overactive bladder in postmenopausal women.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.43-54
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• 2020

Objectives : The goal of this study is developing standardized pattern identification of dizziness using delphi method. Methods : The pattern identification of dizziness which derived through literature review is studied by delphi method. A group of 9 experts of korean medicine participated in Delphi examination. Experts carried out evaluating and correcting the pattern identification and symptoms by e-mail. Results : Through 3 delphi examinations, final standardized pattern identification of dizziness was suggested. It consisted of 2 items of excess syndrome, 2 items of excess-deficiency combination syndrome, and 3 items of deficiency syndrome. Conclusions : By the delphi examinations among experts, a standardized pattern identification of dizziness was suggested. These pattern identification will contribute to research and treatment of korean medicine. Further study is necessary for modification of pattern identification by practical clinical use.