• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.97-106
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• 2018

Objectives : Recently, Thread Embedding Acupucnture (TEA) targeting under dermis became known to be effective for facial wrinkles and folds; its practice has begun in clinics. The introduction of a new form of TEA is continuing, and 'Volume TEA' is introduced recently. Therefore, we would like to report on the improvement of facial wrinkles by using the recently introduced 'volume TEA'. Methods : We reviewed the medical records of three patients who received 'Volume TEA' treatment at a Korean medical clinic, the photographs taken before and after the procedure were corrected using a Photoshop program and the length of the each wrinkles and folds were measured. Results : The length of wrinkles measured in all three cases decreased. Especially, the decrease of the length of the nasolabial folds was obvious. In case 1, the length of the nasolabial folds of 177mm and 97mm were reduced to 94mm and 63mm, respectively. In the case 2, the length of the nasolabial folds of 155mm and 155mm were reduced to 0mm and 70mm, respectively, after the procedure. In case 3, the length of the nasolabial folds of 170mm and 50mm decreased to 38mm and 37mm after the procedure, respectively. Conclusions : At present, it seems that the ongoing accumulation of relevant studies on the efficacy and safety of wrinkle and folds of TEA seems necessary. This study also has some significance in the level of case report.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.283-296
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• 2022

In this study, the evidence of thread embedding acupuncture (TEA) in treating cervical radiculopathy in randomized controlled trials was investigated. We searched 16 databases up to August 22, 2022. Of the 2,644 studies retrieved, 22 randomized controlled trials (2,483 participants) were selected. Quality assessments were performed using Cochrane's risk-of-bias tool and RevMan 5.4 software. Outcome measures in the included studies typically showed TEA had a significant therapeutic effect compared with simple acupuncture and other remedies, and TEA was better than sham TEA. Catgut and polydioxanone had no difference in effectiveness, however, catgut was considered to be less safe. TEA was shown to be more therapeutic when inserted deeper into the skin. Ultrasound guided TEA was more effective and safer than conventional TEA, and using a flat blade needle was better than conventional needles for TEA. No serious adverse events were reported from using TEA, and only a few mild side effects were observed. However, the limited number and heterogeneity of the included studies, together with the unclear methodological quality, indicate that higher-quality studies need to be conducted to determine the effectiveness and safety of TEA for cervical radiculopathy.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.133-143
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• 2017

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of combined treatment of needle-embedding therapy and acupuncture for breast augmentation. Methods: 136 patients had needle-embedding therapy and acupuncture combined treatments for breast augmentation. The treatments was performed once a week for 10 weeks. We measured bust circumference, underbust circumference, bust circumference and underbust circumference difference, treatments either before or after. Results: The mean of bust circumference was $77.75{\pm}4.93cm$ before the procedure and $80.25{\pm}5.01cm$ after the procedure, $2.50{\pm}1.95cm$ significantly increased. The mean of underbust circumference was $70.01{\pm}3.99cm$ before the procedure and $70.49{\pm}4.08cm$ after the procedure, $0.48{\pm}1.48cm$ significantly increased. the mean of bust circumference and underbust circumference difference was $7.74{\pm}2.24cm$ before the procedure and $9.76{\pm}2.55cm$ after the procedure, $2.01{\pm}1.72cm$ significantly increased. Conclusions: The combined treatment comprising needle-embedding therapy and acupuncture had a significant effect with regard to breast augmentation.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.149-160
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• 2023

Objectives This study is for reporting current status and strategies of thread embedding acupuncture (TEA) in temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) using web-based survey. Methods Survey was conducted online via E-mail among Korean medicine doctors registered with the Association of Korean Medicine. The questionnaire is developed by Korean medicine doctor in Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong. The survey consisted mainly of multiple-choice questions on the current status and strategies of TEA for TMD. Results Total of 427 doctors responded. TEA was mostly used for 'Cosmetic purpose and others' with 287 respondents (67.2%), and 102 respondents (23.9%) having experience with TEA for TMD. The most common purpose for TEA for TMD was 'Improving muscle contraction and tension' with 290 respondents (67.9%). The average interval was reported 2.12 weeks, and the most common response for the number of treatments was five sessions with 127 respondents (29.7%). The most common criterion for determining the treatment site was based on anatomical structure, accounting for 92.7%. The most effective anatomical structure was the 'Masseter muscle' with 83.1%, followed by the 'Temporal muscle' with 51.8%. TEA direction for TMD was dominant in 'affected side' for all muscles. Conclusions Through a survey, we can investigate clinical usage of TEA for TMD. This study can be helpful in creating standardized criteria for TEA on TMD in the future.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.165-172
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• 2024

Objectives This study aims to report current status and strategies of thread embedding acupuncture (TEA) on face through survey of Korean medicine doctors. Methods The survey was conducted online via e-mail to certified Korean medicine doctors. The questionnaire is developed by Korean medicine doctors in Kyung-Hee Korean Medicine Hospital at Gangdong. The survey mainly consisted with multiple-choice questions on the current status, cost, and adverse reactions. Results TEA was predominantly utilized for cosmetic purposes, and the billing cost was commonly determined based on the number of threads used. The reported incidence of adverse reactions during TEA was 69.9%. The most frequent self-resolving adverse reaction was bruising, while the most common adverse reaction requiring medical intervention or resulting in sequelae was the 'dimple phenomenon'. According to the questionnaire, the primary factor associated with adverse reactions was the treatment area. Conclusions This study provided insights into the practical use of TEA on face in Korean medical clinic.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.1-7
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• 2015

Objectives: The aim of this study was to observe the effect of Embedding therapy on frozen shoulder. Methods: 57 patients with frozen shoulder were treated with Embedding therapy. It was performed once a day, once per a week. 15~20 Embedding thread were used in one time Embedding therapy. The total number of Embedding therapy was 10. Trapezius muscle including the Gyeonjeong ($GB_{21}$), Deltoid muscle including the Nosu ($SI_{10}$), Supraspinatus muscle including the Byeongpung ($SI_{12}$), Infraspinatus muscle including the Cheonjong ($SI_{11}$) and gokwon($SI_{13}$), Lavator scapular muscle including the Gyeonjunsu ($SI_{15}$), Rhomboides major muscle including the Pungmun ($BL_{12}$), Rhomboides minor muscle including the Daejeo ($BL_{11}$) and Teres major muscle including the Gyeonjeong ($SI_{19}$). VAS scale, SPADI scale and ROM were compared between before and after treatment to evaluate the effect of Embedding therapy. Results: VAS scale decreased significantly (p=0.003). SPADI Scale decreased significantly (pain (p=0.006), disability(p=0.005)). ROM angle range increased significantly(flexion (p=0.005), extension(p=0.005), abduction(p=0.003), adduction(p=0.003), external rotation (p=0.005), internalrotation(p=0.005)). 29.8% patients were very much satisfied, 62.0% patients were satisfied and 8.0% patients were answered so so about Embedding therapy. Conclusion: The Embedding therapy could be effective to improve symptoms of frozen shoulder.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.129-134
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• 2023

In this review, we searched for clinical and experimental studies related to acupuncture-related therapy (ART) on the microbiome in musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) through the electronic databases of MEDLINE via PubMed, EMBASE, and Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System up to May 2023, without language restriction, and after the selection/exclusion process, the study design, target disease, intervention details, treatment period, outcomes, and study results were extracted. A total of 8 articles were selected. Two randomized controlled trials and 6 animal studies evaluated knee osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, spinal cord injury, ankylosing spondylitis, and osteoporosis. ART, including electroacupuncture, thread-embedding acupuncture, and moxibustion, affected microbiome modulation in MSDs. The results reveal that ART could be a potential treatment for regulating the microbiome in MSDs. However, further high-quality studies are needed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.121-128
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• 2024

This study presents a case of facial nerve injury that occurred after parotidectomy for a benign tumor of the parotid gland that improved with integrated Korean medicine (IKM). On June 24, 2023, the patient presented with facial nerve injury based on a facial nerve conduction study after parotidectomy, with a score of five on Yanagihara's unweighted grading system (Y-system) and a grade of five on the House-Brackmann facial grading scale (H-B scale). During the 15 days of admission, IKM treatments, including acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, moxibustion, herbal steam therapy, physiotherapy, herbal medicine, and thread embedding acupuncture treatment, were performed. After treatment, the strength of the orbicularis oculi, orbicularis oris, and masticatory muscles improved, with a Y-system score of 17 and an H-B scale of III. In conclusion, the findings of this study confirm the applicability and effectiveness of IKM in the treatment of facial paralysis following parotidectomy.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.201-213
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• 2023

This study reviewed clinical papers reported on hemifacial spasm (HFS). Six online databases were searched for clinical papers published between January 2000 and December 2022. This study reviewed 14 studies, including 13 case reports and 1 combination of case reports and randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The most frequently used acupoints were ST7 and TE17, and the stomach meridian was the most frequently selected. Herbal medicine, pharmacopuncture, thread embedding acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion, and physical therapy were combined with acupuncture. The most frequently used evaluation method is Scott's scale. Out of 95 cases, 82 reported improved HFS symptoms after treatment. Our findings indicated the effectiveness of Korean Medicine treatment in treating HFS. However, evidence of efficacy and safety remains insufficient. Large-scale and well-designed investigations will be required in the future to corroborate these results. We believe that this paper will serve as the foundation for future RCTs.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.75-108
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• 2024

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to review the acupuncture treatment for Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women. Methods: We searched articles in 3 search engines with keywords related to 'Polycystic ovary syndrome', 'PCOS', and 'Stein-leventhal' in February 2024. Clinical researches and case reports that used acupuncture on PCOS were included. Animal studies and non clinical data were excluded. Data on acupuncture treatment such as methods, site, duration, frequency, and period were analyzed. Results: Of 60 selected articles, there were 51 randomized controlled trials, 5 clinical trials and 4 case reports. Studies were conducted using manual acupuncture, electro acupuncture, auricular acupuncture, thread embedding acupuncture, warm needling and laser acupuncture. Most studies used more than one acupoint, and there were 78 acupoints selected for acupuncture treatment for PCOS. The most commonly used acupoint was 三陰交 (SP6)(n=50). By analyzing the network of acupoints, 關元 (CV4), 氣海 (CV6), 中脘 (CV12), 三陰交 (SP6), 血海 (SP10), 天樞 (ST25), 足三里 (ST36) were located in center of the network. The mean treatment time, number of treatments, and duration were 28.63±4.48 minutes, 34.52±29.26 times, and 98.18±38.25 days. Conclusions: The results of this study could be useful in establishing the evidence for performing standardized acupuncture treatment for Polycystic ovary syndrome.