• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제13권1호
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• pp.33-37
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• 2009

Anti-inflammatory factor(AIF) is a water soluble extract of three herbs, Panax notoginseng(Burk.) F. H. Chen, Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch and Eleutherococcus senticosus. The present study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of herb extracts, AIF, on Korean knee osteoarthritis patients for six weeks. Fifty seven patients with knee osteoarthritis, ranging from 43 to 73 years of age, who fulfilled the "American College of Rheumatology"(ACR) classification of idiopathic osteoarthritis of knee and radiographic criteria were randomly selected and enrolled for the study. After initial screening and resting period, two capsules each of AIF(Each capsule contains; 400 mg) and similar identical placebo were administered twice a day to both groups. Pain intensity at second, fourth, and sixth weeks of study as well as one week after discontinuation of drugs was assessed by using 100 mm visual analogue scale(VAS). Changes in the Korean version of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities(K-WOMAC) index score were compared at the initiation and completion of the study. VAS assessed by patients were significantly reduced(at visit 2; $54.64{\pm}14.72$, at visit 4, $37.32{\pm}16.58$, p<0.001) after AIF administration. Results showed an improvement in the physical function of K-WOMAC scale which was significantly higher(p=0.013) in AIF than placebo group, and decreases of total K-WOMAC score were also significantly higher(p=0.030) in AIF groups than placebo group. No serious adverse effect was observed, and there was no difference in incidence of adverse effect between AIF and placebo groups. In this population of Korean patients with knee osteoarthritis, AIF was found to be safe, tolerable and effective for symptomatic improvement of pain and physical function.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.25-34
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• 2015

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate the efficacy and safety of the Mulberry Extract Complex in a placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial and animal study on degenerative arthritis. Methods : Animal study: Mulberry Extract Complex is composed of extracts of mulberry (Morus alba L.) fruit, mulberry leaves and black beans (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). To evaluate the serum level of interleukin-2, interferon-$\gamma$, and prostaglandin E2, an animal model of degenerative arthritis induced by monosodium iodoacetate was employed. Clinical study: The efficacy index (VAS, K-WOMAC) was compared among patients with symptoms of degenerative arthritis before and after Mulberry Extract Complex ingestion as well as the one in groups. Evaluations of the improvement by the subjects and by doctor assessment were also performed. Results : Animal study: Mulberry Extract Complex reduced the serum level of interferon-$\gamma$ and prostaglandin E2 in an animal model with degenerative arthritis. Clinical study: The VAS change showed statistical significance in the experimental groups after 4 weeks (PP set) and 8 weeks (ITT set) of ingestion. When the K-WOMAC was analyzed using a modified ITT set to determine the effectiveness, statistically significant results were obtained in the fields of pain & symptom within the Mulberry Extract Complex group as well as between the Mulberry Extract Complex and placebo groups after 8 weeks of ingestion. Results from the improvement evaluation by subjects and the assessment of improvement by doctors showed statistical significance in the experimental groups (PP set) after 8 weeks. Conclusions : Mulberry Extract Complex could be useful for the improvement of various symptoms of degenerative arthritis based on its anti-inflammatory activity and its reduction of VAS and K-WOMAC pain scores.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• 제34권4호
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• pp.445-452
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• 2023

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to report the efficacy of using Korean medicine treatment for depression induced by Plica syndrome operation and worsen by a traffic accident. Methods: We treated a patient's depression with Korean medicine treatments (Uwhangchungsimwon, acupuncture, pharmacoacupuncture, cupping, moxibustion, interferential current therapy). To evaluate the results of this treatment, we measured Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), EuroQol-Five Dimensions (EQ-5D), Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Results: Improvements of BDI, EQ-5D, NRS, ODI and WOMAC were observed after the treatments. Conclusions: This study suggests that Korean medicine treatment for depression may be effective.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.75-82
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• 2013

Objective : This study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the prescription Dokhwalkigisaengtangagambang(DGG) and Gamisayuktanggagambang(GSG), which has been utilized in the treatment of joint disease, for improving low back and knee joint pain. Methods : In the patients for the clinical studies, control group was 28 cases, experimental group was 41 cases. All subjects had low back pain and knee pain. The experimental group was treated with DGG or GSG, the control group was treated with 17 prescriptions. VAS (Visual Analag Scale), WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMasters Universties Osteoarthritis Index) and ODI (Oswestry Low back pain Disability index) measured before and after the prescription administration. Results : In the difference of VAS score, the experimental group (p <0.001) and the control group (p <0.001) were decreased significantly before and after the administration of prescription, and in the comparisons between the experimental group and the control group, experimental group was decreased significantly compared to the control group(p = 0.008). In the WOMAC score, there was no significant difference between the experimental group and the control group. In the difference of ODI items score, lifting (p = 0.020) and sleeping (p = 0.028) index were decreased significantly before and after the administration of prescription. Conclusion : The results indicated that the prescription DGG and GSG can reduce knee pain and low back pain. This study will be helpful for improving joint disease.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.113-128
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• 2019

Objectives To evaluate the pattern identification tool for knee osteoarthritis and to investigate the relationship between pattern identification tool and knee ROM (range of motion), VAS (visual analog scale) and WOMAC (Western Ontario & McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index). Methods We studied 50 patients who are diagnosed as degenerative osteoarthritis. With one patient dropping out, total of 49 patient went through pattern identification tool. Re-test of the pattern identification tool was implemented after about a week. The reliability was analyzed by calculating ICC (intraclass correlation coefficient). Also, reliability of each pattern identification score was calculated along with influence factor and correlation between knee ROM, VAS and WOMAC. Results Reliability of the pattern identification tool was evaluated as 'poor agreement beyond chance' with ICC value of 0.396. Reliablility of each pattern identification score was calculated and four out of five were measured 'good' with one 'moderate' reliability. Two of inter-item consistency were 'good', two were 'acceptable' and one was 'questionable'. Correlation between each pattern identification and knee ROM showed 'clear negative linear relationship' with two patterns. VAS showed 'clear positivie linear relationship' with all five patterns. WOMAC showed 'positivie linear relationship' with all five patterns. Conclusions According to the results, pattern identification tool for knee osteoarthritis seems to have meaningful relationship with other agnedas. Also, further research is needed to develop the tool.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.227-242
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• 2008

Objectives : To compare the efficacy of local acupoint with distal acupuncture at relieving pain and improving function in knee osteoarthritis. Designs : A randomized, single-blinded, crossover clinical trial. Settings : One outpatient clinic(department of acupuncture & moxibustion) located in academic teaching hospital, South Korea. Patients : 17 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee(mean age 62.76[$SD{\pm}4.37$] years). Interventions : The trial had 4 stages : baseline(2weeks), phase I and II(each 2weeks), washout period(2weeks). Patients were randomly assigned to either group A or group B. Group A received acupuncture at local acupoints during phase I, then acupuncture at distal acupoints in phase II. Group B received the treatments in reverse order. In each phase, the patients were treated with acupuncture for 6 times. Measurements : The primary outcome was subjective pain as measured by a 100mm visual analogue scale(VAS) ranging from 0(no pain) to 10(worst pain ever). Secondary outcomes were changes in the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index(WOMAC) total and pain scores. Measurements were obtained at baseline, 1st day of phase I and II, and 2 days after last treatment of phase I and II. Results : The 17 participants in 2 groups were well matched for age, sex, target knees, baseline VAS score, WOMAC pain score and WOMAC score. Participants in local acupoint group experienced greater improvement than distal acupoint group at 2 days after last treatment in WOMAC total score(mean difference, -10.65[95% CI, -20.56 to -0.74] ; P=0.036) but not in VAS(mean difference, -12.41[95% CI, -29.56 to 4.73] P=0.15) and WOMAC pain score(mean difference, -1.82[95% CI, -3.98 to 0.33] ; P=0.094). Conclusions : Local acupoints are more effective than distal acupoints at relieving pain and improving function in knee osteoarthritis.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.55-62
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• 2020

연구 목적 이 연구는 내측 반월상 연골판 손상으로 인한 무릎 통증을 호소하는 5명의 환자에서 한의학적 치료, 특히 신바로 약침으로 인한 통증 개선이 있었기에 보고함이다. 연구 방법 무릎 통증으로 본원 입원치료를 받은 환자 중, MRI 영상 검사상 내측 반월상 연골 파열 진단을 받은 환자들의 차트를 분석하였다. 슬관절 통증 호전 및 기능 개선은 Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC Index), 슬관절 Range Of Motion(ROM) 및 special tests 측정으로 판단하였다. 연구 결과 5증례에서 NRS는 평균 3.4의 호전, WOMAC Index는 평균 64.4%의 호전을 보였다. 슬관절 ROM 측정에서 환자 모두 입원시보다 증가되었으나, 무릎에 손상에 사용되는 보편적 검사인 Stress valgus, Stress varus, Drawer test, Apley compression test, Mcmurray's test 상 전후비교에서 4명의 환자는 호전되었고, 1명 환자에서는 변화가 없었다. 결과 이 연구는 내측 반월상 연골판 손상에 대한 신바로 약침을 포함한 한의학적 치료 후 단기간 내 통증 및 기능 향상을 보여주었다.

• Journal of Convergence Korean Medicine
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• 제1권1호
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• pp.35-44
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• 2021

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of ultrasound therapy on left knee pain and instability diagnosed with Baker's cyst in a 25-year-old male patient. Methods: Patient was treated with Radio frequency ablation treatment on left knee from Naeseulan (EX-LE4) to Wijoong (BL40). The effect of radio frequency ablation was assessed by Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) and Euro Qol-5 Dimension Index (EQ-5D Index). The treatment was executed one time a day everyday form May 28th to June 1st of 2020. Patient was observed from May 26th to June 1st. Results: After five sessions of radio frequency ablation, VAS of left posterior knee pain was improved while no improvement was discovered at left medial knee. In Korean WOMAC scale, only subscale of weight bearing and walking around plain were improved. EQ-5D did not show any improvement. Conclusion: The results suggest that radio frequency ablation treatment can be a valuable option in treating knee pain and daily living function. Further study seems to be needed based on long-term intervention.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.231-240
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• 2005

Objectives: In order to investigate the efficacy and safety of the newly developed herbal medicine Jetongdan, a placebo­controlled, randomized clinical trial of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee was undertaken. Methods: Data were obtained from 80 patients with OA of the knee. After enrollment, they were asked to answer a disease-specific questionnaire (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) OA index) and analyzed with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in order to evaluate the efficacy of Jetongdan, and analyzed for aspartate transaminase (AST) level, alanine transaminase (ALT) level, blood mea nitrogen (BUN) level, and creatinine (Cr) level in order to evaluate the safety of Jetongdan. Results: The liver function and renal function did not deteriorate after treatment with Jetongdan. Composite WOMAC score and physical function subscale was improved, but pain subscale, stiffness subscale, and ESR were not improved by. This was possibly because the baseline characteristics of the two groups were not homogenized after randomization. Conclusions: Jetongdan could be a promising treatment option for osteoarthritis of the knee. Further study in a larger population with appropriate severity grades is recommended.