• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.259-274
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• 2023

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to provide clinical evidence to support the use of auricular blood-letting therapy (ABT) for headaches. Methods: Studies were identified by a comprehensive search of five databases. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the effects of the ABT for headaches were included. Two authors independently extracted the data and assessed the methodological quality of the included studies using Cochrane's risk-of-bias tool. If two or more studies reported the same outcome, a meta-analysis was performed. Meta-analysis results for dichotomous variables are expressed as risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: A total of eight RCTs were included in this review. The total effective rate (TER) was the most commonly used outcome measurement. Among the eight RCTs, five were included in the metaanalysis. The TER was not statistically significantly different in the ABT group compared to the medication group (two studies, n=55, RR=1.24, 95% CI: 0.78 to 1.96, p=0.36, I² =86%). However, the TER of the combined ABT and medication group was significantly different compared to the medication alone group (four studies, n=159, RR=1.23, 95% CI: 1.12 to 1.35, p<0.0001, I² = 0%). Pain and mental health-related outcomes in the combined ABT and medication group were significantly different from the control groups. The methodological quality of the included RCTs was generally low. Conclusions: ABT combined with medication may be effective for treating headaches. However, the number of studies included was small, so the results were insufficient, and statistically significant effects were not confirmed for a single implementation of ABT. Thus, well-designed further studies based on the findings of this study are recommended.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.87-98
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• 2013

Objectives The purpose of this study is to find a literature study of infantile anorexia clinical cases with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to utilize with Korean medicine treatment methods. Methods 5 TCM journals with the highest impact factors were searched and selected among the journals listed in www.cnki.net. The search keywords were, "Children's Anorexia", "Infantile Apositia", "Infantile Anorexia", "Anorexia Nervosa", and "child of anorexia". he search was limited to the publication date from 2000 to 2012. Results Total 20 studies were selected: Acupuncture (5), Herbal medicine (9), Complex Treatment (3), External Application (2) and Moxibustion (1). Among the Acupuncture related studies, 1 study tested the effect of Sifeng (EX-UE10, 四縫), 3 studies tested the effect of Sifeng (EX-UE10, 四縫) and other acupoints treatment together, and 1 study tested the effect of combination of other acupoints. In all these studies, the study groups showed better therapeutic effects compared to the control groups. The Herbal medicine related studies showed the improvement in appetite and weight as a result of Herbal Medicines treatment. Among the Complex Treatment related studies, 2 studies tested the effect of Acupuncture and Chiropractic co-treatment, 1 study tested the effect of Moxibustion and Herbal medicine co-treatment. In all these studies, symptoms of Infantile anorexia showed significantly improved. Other papers related to External Application and Moxibustion treatment were reported improving in appetite and had other the clinical effects as well. Conclusions Clinical studies testing the effect of TCM for the treatment of Infantile Anorexia have been conducted in small scales, and all the studies showed a certain level of symptom improvement of the patients in the study groups. These results implicate that the methods in Korean medicine can be highly potential treatment options for the treatment of Infantile Anorexia. Accurate and well-controlled studies in large scale would be required to prove the effect of Korean medicine for the treatment of patients with Infantile Anorexia.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.21-32
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• 2018

Objectives This study was designed to investigate the effects of wet cupping on Wisu (BL12) in non-acute low back pain patients. Methods We recruited 30 participants for this study. Fifteen patients were randomly assigned to the Wisu (BL21) treatment group (WT group) and 15 were assigned to the non-acupoint treatment group (NT group). Both groups were treated with the pricking-cupping bloodletting method three times. Values at baseline and follow-up were analyzed by Wilcoxon signed rank test and the differences between the two groups were determined by Wilcoxon rank sum test. p-values less than 0.05 were considered significant. The primary outcome was the visual analogue scale (VAS), and secondary outcomes were the Oswestry disability index (ODI), Rolland-Morris disability questionnaire (RMDQ), Euroqol-5 dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D) and finger-to-ground distance (FTGD). These outcomes were measured on the day of first treatment before the procedure and on follow-up 7 days after the last treatment. Results Significant changes were identified in the VAS for pain and ODI in each group after wet cupping treatment on Wisu (p<0.05). However, no significant changes were found between groups. Meanwhile, RMDQ and EQ-5D were significantly decreased only in the NT group (p<0.05) without any differences between groups. FTGD was decreased in both groups, but not significantly. Conclusions Wet cupping with both Wisu treatment and non-acupoint had significant effects on non-acute low back pain, although there were no differences between the two groups. A large-scale study is needed to identify the effect of wet cupping on Wisu.

• Journal of Sleep Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.37-42
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• 2018

Objectives: To assess the effect and safety of transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) in primary chronic insomnia. Methods: A one-month, double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled trial was performed. A total of 7 patients with primary chronic insomnia received tDCS using anodal (n=3), cathodal (n=2), or sham stimulation (n=2). They were followed up at 1 week and 1 month after treatment. The primary outcome measures included improvement in total sleep time (TST), sleep latency (SL), and sleep efficiency (SE) at 1 month follow-up. Results: TST and SE were improved with tDCS at 1 month follow-up in all patients (100%) of the anodal group, one (50%) of the cathodal group, and one (50%) of the sham group. tDCS improved SL at 1 month follow-up in two patients (67%) of the anodal group, one (50%) of the cathodal group, and none (0%) of the sham group. With respect to adverse events, transient itching sensation occurred in one patient of the anodal group. None of the other groups reported adverse events. Conclusions: Our results suggest that tDCS may be effective and safe for treatment of primary chronic insomnia. A larger controlled study needs to be further investigated.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.117-125
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• 2017

Background: To compare the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic capsular release in patients with and without inferior capsular release for shoulder stiffness. Methods: Between January 2010 and December 2015, 39 patients who underwent arthroscopic capsular release for shoulder stiffness were enrolled and randomized into two groups. In group I, 19 patients underwent arthroscopic capsular release of the rotator interval and anterior capsule. In group II, 20 patients underwent arthroscopic capsular release of the anterior to inferior capsule, including the rotator interval. The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Constant scoring system, Simple Shoulder Test, visual analogue scale for pain, and range of motion (ROM) were used for evaluation before surgery, at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery and on the last follow-up. Results: Preoperative demographic data revealed no significant differences (p>0.05). The average follow-up was 16.07 months. Both groups showed significantly increased ROM at the last follow-up compared with preoperative (p<0.05). At the last follow-up, no statistical differences were found (p>0.05) between groups I and II in functional scores and ROM (forward flexion, p=0.91; side external rotation, p=0.17; abduction external rotation, p=0.72; internal rotation, p=0.61). But we found that group II gained more flexion compared to group I at 3 months and 6 months (p<0.05) after the surgery. Conclusions: Both techniques of capsular release are effective for stiffness shoulder. However, the extended inferior capsular release shows superiority in forward flexion over anterior capsular release alone during 6 months of follows-up (level of evidence: Level I, therapeutic randomized controlled trial).

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.19-29
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• 2015

Purpose: To investigate the effects of the intake of xylooligosaccharide-sugar mixture (XOS) on defecation frequency and symptoms in 56 young women (mean age of 22.1 years old) with constipation. Methods: Two experiments were conducted. In experiment 1, a randomized double-blind study was performed to evaluate the effect of 6 weeks' intake of 10 g sucrose containing 7% xylooligosaccharide or 10 g sucrose on constipation. In experiment 2, 24 g coffee mixture containing 12.8 g plant cream and 11.2 g xylooligosaccharide-sugar mixture was consumed by the subjects. During the study, the clinical efficacy was assessed by using a daily diary. The subjects indicated the number of frequencies they defecated in a day and the clinical symptom scores. Results: In experiment 1, the mean frequency of defecations was 2.07 in the pretreatment week and increased significantly to 4.05, 4.42, 4.84, 4.84, and 4.05 in weeks 2 to 6 of XOS intake, in comparison with the 3-3.67 with sucrose intake (sucrose, SUC). In experiment 2, the mean frequency of defecations significantly increased from 2.47 in the pretreatment week to 4.11-5.67 in weeks 1-6 of XOS intake. The occurrence of very loose or loose stools in the XOS group was significantly increased in weeks 5 and 6, compared with the pretreatment week and SUC group. XOS intake significantly alleviated the abdominal displeasure and feeling of residual stool leftness in weeks 2, 3, 5, and 6, while SUC did so in weeks 4 and 6 (p < 0.05). The coffee mixture containing xylooligosaccharide-sugar mixture reduced the abdominal displeasure and feeling of residual stool leftness from week 3 until the end of the experiment (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our results suggest that xylooligosaccharide-sugar mixture intake was effective, without adverse effects, for the alleviation of constipation in the young women in this study.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.139-162
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• 2008

Objectives : Korean tradithional acupuncture Theory, Sa-am's 5 phases acupuncture method was originated in 1644-1742, in the middle of the Cho Sun dynasty. This study was to vertify the effect of Sa-am Acupuncture Treatment on Primary dysmenorrhea of Women. Methods : The subjects were 80 volunteers who was suffering for dysmenorrhea, employed using Measure of Menstrual Pain (MMP) questionnaire. Subjects were divided into two groups including Sa-am acupuncture treatment group(n=25), minimal acupuncture treatment group(n=22). They had agreed to take part in this experiment, with didn't take any anodyne drugs. In the acupuncture group, subjects were stimulated at G41, $SI_3$, B66, $SI_2$(Small intestine jung-guk), $SP_6$, $CV_6$ and one points were inserted additionally depending the symptoms among $ST_{36}$ or $LI_2$. In the control group, subjects were needled at 5 non-acupuncture points have any effect on Dysmenorrhea. A total of 8 acupuncture sessions were performed for each patient depending on the individual menstruation cycle The MMP score by using 7 questions and the Menstrual Symptom Severity List(MSSL-D) was measured before and after menstruation cycle. Collected data were analyzed as frequency, percentage, paired t-test, independent t-test using SPSS 10.0 WIN Program. Results : Acupuncture treatment produced a significant decreasing the symptom of Primary dysmenorrhea in two groups, but a statistically significant difference was not shown in the acupuncture group compare to control group. Conclusions : Based on the above results, it was verified that Acupuncture Treatment was effective in decreasing the symptom of Primary Dysmenorrhea.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.63-79
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• 2007

Objectives : Korean traditional acupuncture Theory, Sa-am's 5 phases acupuncture method was originated in 1644-1742, in the middle of the Cho Sun dynasty. This study was to verify the effect of Sa-am Acupuncture Treatment on dysmenorrhea of Women. Methods : The subjects were 49 volunteers who were suffering for dysmenorrhea, employed using Measure of Menstrual Pain (MMP) questionnaire. Subjects were divided into two groups including Sa-am acupuncture treatment group(n=23) and minimal acupuncture treatment group(n=26). They had agreed to take part in tIris experiment, with didn't take any anodyne drugs. In the acupuncture group, subjects were stimulated at $GB_{41}$, $SI_3$, $GL_{66}$, $SI_2$(Small intestine jung-guk) and $SP_6$. In the control group, subjects were needled at $L_{10}$, $S_{40}$, $P_5$, $G_{40}$ points have any effect on dysmenorrhea. A total of 5 acupuncture sessions were performed for each patient depending on the individual menstruation cycle. The MMP score by using 7 questions and the Menstrual Symptom Severity List(MSSL-D) were measured before and after menstruation cycle. Collected data were analyzed as frequency, percentage, paired t-test, independent t-test using SPSS 10.0 WIN Program. Results : Acupuncture treatment produced a significant improvement on dysmenorrhea in two groups, but a statistically significant difference was not shown in the acupuncture group compare to control group. Conclusions : Based on the above results, it was verified that Acupuncture Treatment was effective in decreasing the symptom of Dysmenorrhea.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.75-89
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• 2010

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of Sweet Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture and Scolopendrid Pharmacopuncture on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Methods : From February to September 2010, the number of patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome who volunteered for this clinical study was 16 and 7 out of 16 patients complained both hands. Total 23 cases of hands were randomly divided by 2 groups. We injected Sweet Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture on PC7(Daereung) twice a week for 4weeks for experimental group(n=11), and Scolopendrid Pharmacopuncture with the same methods for control group(n=12). One case was dropped out due to itchiness of allergic response in the experimental group. Improvement of the symptoms was evaluated by Visual Analogue Scale, Pain Rating Scale, Tinel's sign, Phalen's sign and Nerve Conduction Velocity. Nerve Conduction Velocity was checked at baseline and the end of the trial and others were checked at baseline, after 2 and 4 weeks. Results : Both groups showed significant improvement in Visual Analogue Scale, Pain Rating Scale, but no significant difference between two groups. Only the control group showed significant reduction of the 'poitive response' in the Tinel's sign and Phalen's sign. However, no groups improved in Nerve Conduction Velocity. Conclusions : These results showed that Sweet Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture and Scolopendrid Pharmacopuncture could decrease the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Further studies will be required to examine more cases for the long period and use more various concentration and amount pharmacopuncture for the effect on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.184-193
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• 2016

Purpose: The aims of the current study were to evaluate the effects of superficial cold and heat after spine surgery on pain, satisfaction with pain control and comfort level, and to identify subjective responses and adverse effects. Methods: A prospective, single-blind, randomized controlled trial was utilized. The intervention group (n=36) received superficial cooling until the wound drain was removed and thereafter followed by superficial heating until discharge, while the control group (n=34) received only superficial cooling until wound drain was removed. Data were collected from August 4 to November 11 2014. Results: There was significant difference in pain according to time within groups (F=71.87, p<.001). However, we found no difference in pain between groups. The intervention group reported higher patient satisfaction with pain control (4 vs 3, z=-2.83, p=.005) and higher comfort level (5 vs 4, z=-4.12, p<.001) than the control group. Conclusion: Results indicate that sequential application of superficial cold and heat is a useful method in clinical practice for management of pain after spine surgery.