• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.41-48
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• 2007

Objectives : These studies are designed to make a survey of the effectiveness of the non surgical decompression treatment. Methods : These studies 15 cases of L-spine herniated lumbar intervertebral disc(HIVD) which was treated with non surgical spinal decompression and other medicine treatment(acupuncture, cupping, interferential current therapy, ultra-sound therapy and hot poultice). Each patient has been treated with spine decompression and other medicine treatment. And degree of improvement has been evaluated by Visual Analogue Scale and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire score for low back pain. Results and Conclusions : Through the results, the medical treatment proved to have valid effect for L-spine HIDV. And further clinical studies comparing non surgical spinal decompression treatment and other medicine treatment is necessary.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.20-27
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to compare the slouched and upright sitting positions on lumbar joint reposition error (LJRE). Twenty subjects without low back pain were recruited for this study and, using a random number table, were randomly assigned to two groups; the upright sitting position group (UP group) and the slouched sitting position group (SP group). UP group was first asked to sit in an upright position and the SP group to sit in a slouched position as an intervention, and then the LJRE of both groups was measured at the neutral sitting position (lumbar flexion $0^{\circ}$). The measurement of the LJRE was repeated after one day. The sitting positions were performed for five minutes each and the LJRE was measured using an electronic goniometer. An independent t-test was used to compare the LJRE of both groups after each sitting position and after one day. The results of this study showed that the LJRE after an intervention in the UP group was lower than in the SP group (p<.05) and the LJRE after one day in the UP group was lower than in the SP group (p<.05). The findings of this study indicate that the upright sitting position can be applied to decrease LJRE, compared with the slouched sitting position. These findings also support that the upright sitting position reduces the potential for proprioceptive loss.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.84-88
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• 2016

Objective: Generally, it is known that there is a correlation between excessive calcaneus eversion and a patient with low back pain and it also affects pelvic alignment. However, there are not enough studies that show calcaneal eversion having an effect on the alignment of the trunk. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: A 3-dimensional motion analysis system was used to assess the lower limbs, pelvic alignment, and trunk alignment with increased unilateral and bilateral calcaneal eversion in twenty-one subjects. All subjects were asked to maintain a static posture for seven seconds on a wedge three times per posture for measurement and analysis purposes. The wedge used in the process was a lateral wedge with a 10-degree tilt to the lateral direction. To unify all of the subjects' foot position, the front and inner side of the wedge were marked. The height of the tilted wedge's inner side and flat wedge were balanced equally in order to be able to maintain the lateral part of the foot to the same height when producing an increased calcaneal eversion. Results: Comparing the changes in trunk and pelvic alignment in accordance to calcaneal eversion for each posture, there was a significant different in the X and Y-axis for each posture, but not in the Z-axis (p<0.05). Thus, it can be confirmed that calcaneal eversion in the sagittal plane and frontal plane may have and effect on the pelvis and the trunk. Conclusions: Postures with increased bilateral and unilateral calcaneal eversion has an effect on pelvic alignment, but does not cause any changes in trunk alignment.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.362-367
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• 2013

Ojeok-san has been commonly used to treat low back pain disease. We performed the experiments on simultaneous analysis of 11 compounds and antioxidant effects of Ojeok-san. A HPLC method was established for simultaneous analysis of 11 compounds. The detection wavelengths were set at 230, 254, 280, 320, and 330 nm. The detected 11 compounds from Ojeok-san water extract showed good linearity($r^2{\geq}0.9997$). Limit of detection(LOD) and limit of quantification(LOQ) were 0.04-0.87 ${\mu}g/mL$ and 0.13-2.63 ${\mu}g/mL$, respectively. The antioxidant effects of Ojeok-san water extract were investigated by DPPH and ABTS assays. Ojeok-san water extract significantly increased the DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging effects in a dose-dependent manner. The $RC_{50}$ value of Ojeok-san on DPPH radical was 284.71 ${\mu}g/mL$ and that of ABTS radical was 96.16 ${\mu}g/mL$.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.93-105
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• 2011

Objectives : This study aims to evaluate currently available clinical evidence for the use of acupuncture in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis in the context of Republic of Korea. Methods : Five Korean databases were searched for all clinical studies employing acupuncture for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. The exceptions were case reports and series involving less than 10 patients from their inception to September 2011. Only studies reported in Korean databases were searched. Results : Five retrospective audits among 22 initially identified studies were eligible for analysis in this review. There was no randomized controlled trial for this topic. The number of patients varied between 15 and 119 in each audit, and all the patients analyzed were inpatients. In all the included studies, acupuncture was conducted in combination with other concomitant treatments, including moxibustion, cupping, herbal remedies, acupoint injection, Chuna, and various physical therapies. All the included audits reported symptomatic and/or functional improvements compared to baseline. None of the included audits indicated whether any adverse events were reported. Conclusions : Current evidence for the use of acupuncture in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis in the context of South Korea is based solely on five retrospective audits that are very likely prone to a high risk of bias. Thus, further prospective and methodologically sound clinical trials to overcome this huge gap between clinical practice and the available evidence for the use of acupuncture in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis are needed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.195-202
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• 2010

Objectives : This study was performed to report adverse events in Ojeok-san extract powders RCT. Methods : 180 patients with LBP were randomized into groups for a double blind, placebo-controlled clinical study. They received Ojeok-san simple Extract, Ojeok-san complex Extract or placebo in powders, orally dissolved 3times a day for 4weeks. During 4weeks, we researched the symptoms and duration of adverse events and Digest ability, Milk hypersensitivity, Starch hypersensitivity, Caramel hypersensitivity, West-med hypersensitivity, Herb-med hypersensitivity in patients who had adverse events. Results : 52patients(28.9%) had adverse events and of them 44patients(28.9%) had lost adverse events naturally. But 5patients(2.8%) were withdrawn from the research because of the adverse events. Most of the symptoms of adverse event was Gastrointestinal symptom(88.3%) and adverse events frequency was not different from Ojeok-san simple Extract, Ojeok-san complex Extract and placebo. Conclusions : Ojeok-san extract powders had adverse events no different from the placebo, which shows that it is a safe drug.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.177-180
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• 2020

Background: The aim of this study was to examine whether the effects of acupotomy therapy were beneficial for the treatment of protrusion of lumbar intervertebral disc. Methods: The number of patients (n = 80) were equally assigned into treatment group and control group. Treatment group was given acupotomy therapy twice a week, and control group was given acupuncture 3 times a week, for 4 weeks. The beneficial effect and changes in score of the Japan Orthopedic Association (JOA) for low back pain were observed. Results: Among 40 cases in the treatment group, there were 25 (62.5%) with an excellent effect, 13 (32.5%) with good effect, 1 (2.5%) with a medium effect and 1 (2.5%) with poor effect, with the total experiencing an excellent/good effect of 95.0%. Among 40 cases in the control group, there were 11 (27.5%) with an excellent effect, 17 (42.5%) with good effect, 10 (25.0%) with a medium effect, and 2 (5.0%) with poor effect, with an excellent/good rate of 70.0%. The result of the rank sum test showed Z = -4.923, p < 0.05 in the comparison, indicating a significantly better outcome following acupotomy compared with acupuncture. JOA scores increased in both groups after treatment (p < 0.05), which was more significant in the acupotomy treatment group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Acupotomy therapy has a beneficial effect on protrusion of lumbar intervertebral disc.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.60-71
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• 2011

Purpose: This study explored cardiovascular health (CVH), depressive symptoms, and well-being among community-based Korean women according to hwa-byung (HB) symptoms. Methods: This cross-sectional study measured HB symptoms, depressive symptoms, quality of life (QoL), and spiritual well-being (SWB) in addition to biophysical indicators of CVH. Results: Fourteen women of the HB group are more likely to live alone with lower income than 36 women in the comparison group. Compared to the comparison group, the HB group has larger mean waist circumference and higher prevalence of abdominal obesity along with more knee arthritis and back pain. Although women in the HB group appeared worse in other CVH than their counterparts, this was not statistically significant. It is noteworthy, that the HB group showed a higher probability of having a hard cardiovascular event (CVE) within 10 years than the comparison group. Women in the HB group reported more depressive symptoms, poor QoL, and low SWB as well as smoking and sleep difficulties. Conclusion: Despite the small sample size, significant relationships of HB symptoms to abdominal obesity, the probability of a hard CVE within 10 years, and psychosocial health were found. Strategies for effective community-based cardiovascular programs for Korean women may include HB screening and/or management.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.407-415
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• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the health status of hospitalized North Korean refugees in a department of Korean internal medicine. Methods: From March 1st, 2011 to June 30th, 2014, 57 North Korean refugee patients were hospitalized 96 times in a department of Korean internal medicine. Their demographic and medical information was approached retrospectively. Results: Among the 57 North Korean refugees, 46 (80.7%) were women, 11 (19.3%) were men and their average age was 49.7. Except for 3 people, the other 54 (94.7%) have been to an outpatient hospital of Department of Western Medicine, National Medical Center. Orthopedics, Neurology and Gastroenterology were most frequently visited and hospitalized. Among the total 96 times of hospitalization in a Department of Korean internal medicine, low back pain was the majority chief complaint. Among the 96, 78 (80.4%) took herbal medicine and tonifying and replenishing formula (補益劑) was most frequently prescribed. As western medication, 32 (33.0%) took ones related to the musculo-skeletal system and 30 (31.0%) took ones related to the nervous system. Qi stasis was highest among 8 types of pattern identification and Deficiency pattern (虛症) was more frequent than Excess pattern (實證). Conclusions: There are several factors that have aggravated the health status of North Korean refugees, and Korean medicine can perform a proper role to improve their health.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.15-21
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• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the current trends in research on pharmacopuncture in Korea since 2007. Methods: A literature review was performed by using the search engines 'Science and Technology Society Village', 'Korean Studies Information Service System', 'National Discovery for Science Leaders', and 'Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System' in Korea from January 2007 to December 2013. Searched key words were 'pharmacopuncture', 'herbal acupuncture', 'aqua-acupuncture', and 'bee venom'. Finally, we selected 457 papers, including Korean experimental studies and clinical studies. Selected papers were classified according to year of publication, type of pharmacopuncture, disease & topic, research type and the publishing journal. Results: One hundred fifty pharmacopunctures were studied in 457 papers. Single compound pharmacopuncture was the most studied pharmacopuncture in experimental studies while animal-based pharmacopuncture was the most studied pharmacopuncture in clinical studies. Bee venom placed first among the various pharmacopunctures, followed by placenta, sweet bee venom, mountain-ginseng, and anti-inflammatory pharmacopunctures. Experimental research on pharmacopuncture has fallen since 2007 when 55 papers were published. However, clinical research has been increasing steadily. In clinical studies, case reports were numerous than randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Musculoskeletal diseases were the most frequently-treated diseases in studies on pharmacopuncture; among the musculoskeletal diseases, rheumatoid arthritis was the most frequently-treated disease in experimental studies and low back pain was the most frequently-treated condition in clinical studies. Since 2007, 45 different journals have published studies on pharmacopuncture, with the Journal of the Korean Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medicine Society having the largest number of papers on pharmacopuncture and the Journal of Pharmacopuncture the second largest number. Conclusion: The trends in research on pharmacopuncture published in studies from 2007 to 2013 were similar to those in studies published before 2006. Many studies on pharmacopuncture focused on bee venom and musculoskeletal diseases. Additional studies on diverse types of and indications for pharmacopuncture are needed.