• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.119-130
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• 2019

This study analyzed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and case studies investigating Chuna manual therapy and variations of this term, for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. On June $15^{th}$, 2019, 6 online databases were used to retrieve studies. A total of 527 articles were retrieved, and 14 RCTs and 20 case studies were selected for review. Typically, the frequency of Chuna therapy was 1-2 times/week. The most common period of treatment was 12 months in RCTs and 3-6 months in case studies. Cobb's angle was the most frequent evaluation index used (11 RCTs and 20 case studies). In control groups, brace treatment was used in 8 RCTs. In 6 RCTs and 20 case studies, Cobb's angle significantly decreased after Chuna therapy, and in 4 RCTs, Chuna therapy was as effective as brace treatment, with no significant difference between groups. Adverse events were not reported except for minor reactions in only 3 case studies. This review suggested that Chuna therapy for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis was more advantageous than and as effective as brace treatment in most cases, although the risk of bias in 13 RCTs was unclear.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.78-91
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• 2016

Objectives: Breast cancer patients in Korea need to care about symptoms with complementary medicine including acupuncture. We reviewed the randomized controlled studies using acupuncture in breast cancer patients to establish a basic knowledge of clinical practice guidelines. Methods: We searched the following databases through July 2015: the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Ovid-Medline, Ovid-EMBASE, the Allied and Complementary Medicine Databases and OASIS. The articles of RCTs using acupuncture in breast cancer for all symptoms were selected and analyzed. The acupoints, treatment period, inclusion criteria of participants, follow-up period and effectiveness were extracted. Results: Three hundred fifty five records after duplicate were screened, and 14 RCTs were selected. RCTs of Hot flush, pain, fatigue were reviewed. The adverse symptoms using medical treatment in breast cancer patients were targets of acupuncture in RCTs. The acupuncture treatment was decreased the hot flush, pain and fatigue. However, the effect was not confirmed due to various study design. Conclusions: The analysis of the research would be conjugated to establish a basic knowledge of clinical practice guidelines. Well designed studies in Korea are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in patients with breast cancer.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.62-78
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• 2023

Objectives : This study aims to assess the impact of acupotomy on migraine through an examination of clinical studies conducted since 2015. Methods : We conducted a comprehensive search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized controlled trials (nRCTs) related to acupotomy treatment for migraine, utilizing five Korean online databases (OASIS, Science ON, DBPIA, KISS, RISS), as well as four foreign online databases (CNKI, PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library). We identified a total of 10 relevant studies for analysis. Participants characteristics, treatment points, combination treatments, treatment cycles or frequencies, evaluation indices, efficacy, and adverse events were analyzed. The risk of bias in the 10 RCTs was assessed using the Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2.0). Results : A total of 931 participants were included in 10 studies. In the intervention group, the average duration of migraine morbidity ranged from 15.5±4.5 months to 15.9±4.2 years. Six studies based their diagnoses on the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD), while five studies relied on Chinese diagnostic criteria. All studies specified the treatment area as the region exhibiting tenderness or induration on the head and neck. Treatment cycles ranged from a minimum of 2 days to a maximum of 1 week, with the number of days per treatment course varied from 5 days to 4 weeks. The diameter of acupuncture needles used varied between 0.3 mm and 1 mm. Of the eight studies specifying needle length, the shortest was 20 mm, and the longest was 40 mm. A total of eight evaluation indices were employed, with total efficacy rate (TER) and visual analogue scale (VAS) being the most frequently used. Statistically, all intervention groups showed more significant results compared to the control groups. Adverse events were reported in only two studies within the intervention group. Overall, the risk of bias assessment for the selected RCTs ranged from 'some concerns' to 'high risk of bias.' Conclusions : This study showed that acupotomy treatments for migraine were effective.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.312-330
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• 2019

Objectives: The present study aimed to provide clinical evidence on the effect of herbal medicine on the treatment of hepatitis C using a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods: This study included RCTs that verified the effects of herbal medicine for the treatment of hepatitis C. A literature search of English, Chinese, and Korean databases was performed, and the selected literature was assessed to investigate the risk of bias. Results: The analysis included 14 RCTs. The total effective rate was the most commonly used outcome measure. The meta-analysis revealed that the total effective rate and total bilirubin difference were higher and that the recurrent rate was lower in the herbal medicine group than in the western medicine group (RR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.06-1.35, p=0.003, I2=52; MD: 0.52, 95% CI: -0.62 to 1.66, p=0.37, I2=0; RR: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.11-1.09, p=0.07, I2=0). The included RCTs had relatively poor quality and a small sample size. Conclusion: Treatment with herbal medicine was found to be partially effective in treating hepatitis C. The included RCTs had relatively poor quality and a small sample size. This study can serve as a foundation for further clinical studies on the development of treatment methods for hepatitis C based on herbal medicine.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.1-10
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• 2010

Objectives : The aim of this systematic review was to assess the efficacy of acupuncture and its relevant modality on post-stroke muscle spasticity Methods : We included 7 randomized controlled trials(RCTs) and 1 crossover study on acupuncture on the post-stroke muscle spasticity. Articles searches were performed in various databases in October 2009. Eight studies from 38 articles met the inclusion criteria and were used to assess the quality of clinical trials by means of Jadad scale, STRICTA, CONSORT statement and cochrane-handbook for systematic reviews of interventions. Results : Electrical stimulation such as electroacupuncture and TENS on acupoints was used in five studies. Repeatition of electroacupuncture showed significant decrease of the post-stroke muscle spasticity and persistence of the effect. Only three studies were assessed high quality as the methodological assessment tool(Jadad scale) and none of the studies matched STRICTA recommendations. Conclusions : This systematic review shows that there is beneficial effects of electroacupuncture on the post-stroke muscle spasticity. Further study of large population with high methodological quality will be needed.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.17-30
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• 2020

Objectives : To find treatment techniques and design clinical studies, this study reviewed controlled clinical studies on traditional Asian medicine treatment for childhood cancer. Methods : Literature searches were performed on four databases, such as NDSL, OASIS, PubMed, and CNKI. Studies were categorized and analyzed according to the treatment goal and we also assessed the quality of the randomized controlled trials (RCT) using Van Tulder Scale. Results : Twenty-seven studies met our inclusion criteria: 21 RCTs, 4 controlled trials, 2 Cohort studies, however only 6 among the 21 RCTs got the scores of high quality. Various interventions were used, such as herbal medicine, acupuncture, acupressure, and chuna. 7 studies were focused on cure of leukemia or solid cancer. 11 studies were performed to alleviate chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting. 9 studies were focused on other complications of chemotherapy. Conclusions : Most of the studies reported significant effectiveness of traditional medicine treatment compared to controlled group. However we could not made a definite conclusion because of the low quality and heterogeneity of the studies included. More studies should be performed to introduce traditional Asian medicine to childhood cancer treatment.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.39-45
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• 2021

Objectives The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of fascia chuna therapy in the treatment of piriformis syndrome. Methods A literature search was conducted using 8 databases to identify all randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) that investigated fascia chuna therapy as a treatment for piriformis syndrome. The selected studies are analyzed the risk of bias through Cochrane risk of bias tool. Results Among 37 articles that were searched, 3 RCTs met our inclusion criteria and were included in this analysis. These studies demonstrated positive results of Fascia Chuna Therapy with respect to the reduction of pain scale and functional scale compared with other treatment methods. Conclusions Based on results, fascia chuna therapy could be effective in piriformis syndrome. However there are limitations that the number of selected studies was small and risk of bias was unclear. More well-designed RCTs are required to provide clearer evidence.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.57-74
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• 2020

Objectives The purpose of this study is to analyze clinical studies on the efficacy and safety of herbal medicine in vitiligo by analyzing randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods Three electronic databases including the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane library were used to search for randomized controlled trials, by using specific key words and criteria up to January 4^th, 2020. Data in regards to years of publication, nation, demographic information, disease characteristics, duration of diseases, treatment methods, treatment period, outcome measures, results and adverse events were collected for this study. Results A total of 11 randomized controlled trials were selected and analyzed. The total effective rate of the treatment group treated with herbal medicine was significantly higher than that of the control group. In the other outcome measures, the treatment group also showed statistically significant differences in improving the outcome measures compared to the control group, or showed similar treatment effects to the control group. The most commonly used herbal medicines were Carthami Flos (紅花), Angelicae Gigantis Radix (當歸), Angelica dahurica Bentham et Hooker f. (白芷), Astragali Radix (黃芪), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (甘草), Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix (丹參), Persicae Semen (桃仁), Araliae Continentalis Radix (獨活), Tribuli Fructus (白蒺藜), Psoraleae Semen (補骨脂) etc. Hardly any severe adverse events were reported from the trials selected. Conclusions Based on the results of the clinical studies, herbal medicine treatment could be an effective and safe option for vitiligo treatment and symptom improvement.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.1-19
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture for women with overactive bladder (OAB) comparing with sham- acupuncture, and electroacupuncture plus drugs. Methods: We searched 8 databases upto May 26, 2020. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were eligible. The risk of bias was assessed by two independent authors using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Study outcomes were calculated by standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (Cls) and mean differences (MD) with 95% Cls. Results: Of 146 screened, 5 RCTs were included. Number of participants per study ranged from 5 to 57. The combined results showed that electroacupuncture (EA) may be more effective than sham acupuncture or enhance solifenacin succinates in improving Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) and urination frequency of 24 h. However, more trials with high quality and larger sample sizes will be needed to provide sufficient evidence. Only 5 of 187 OAB patients from the included studies reported mild adverse reactions related to EA, therefore, electroacupuncture is safe for treating OAB. Conclusions: Electroacupuncture might have effect in decreasing urination frequency of 24 h and OABSS. However, the evidences ins in sufficient to show the effect using electroacupuncture alone or additional effect to drugs in treating OAB.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.267-280
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• 2018

Objectives: The objective of this study was to provide clinical evidence to support the use of a herbal medicine (Cheonwangbosim-Dan/Tianwangbuxin-Pellet (TWBXP)) for insomnia. Methods: Randomized controlled trials that verified effects of Herbal Medicine (Cheonwangbosim-Dan, Tianwangbuxin-Pellet) treating primary insomnia were carried out. A literature search of English, Chinese, Korean databases was also performed. The selected literature were assessed by Risk of Bias (RoB). Results: The total number of selected trials was 13 RCTs. Among the 13 RCTs, 10 were meta-analyzed. The Chinese Classification of Mental Disorders-3 (CCMD-3) was frequently used as the diagnostic criteria for interventions during the analysis of the use of herbal medicine (Cheonwangbosim-Dan/Tianwangbuxin-Pellet) for management of primary insomnia. As for outcome measurement, the effective rate was used. From the Meta-analysis of the studies, it was established that the insomnia cure effective rate in the TWBXP group was higher than that in the Western Medicine (WM) group (RR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.07 to 1.24, p<0.0001, $I^2=33%$). Also, the effective rate in the TWBXP+ACU group was significantly different compared to the WM group (RR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.13 to 1.54, p=0.0004, $I^2=0%$). The quality of the selected RCTs was low. Conclusions: Herbal medicine (Cheonwangbosim-Dan/Tianwangbuxin-Pellet) is effective for treating primary insomnia. It is worth noting that this studies were of relatively poor quality. The sample sizes were also small. Therefore, further investigations into the diagnosis and treatment of insomnia are warranted.