Objectives This study was conducted to find out the antioxidant and inflammatory improvement effects of Wolbigachul-tang. Methods To evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of wolbigachul-tang, the total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were measured. And radical scavenging function was measured. In addition reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, cytokines productions were measured by treating wolbigachul-tang in the lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 cells. We also measured the gene expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, cytokines too. Results Radical scavenging experiments showed significant concentration-dependent scavenging capacity increase. The amount of reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, cytokines production in the cell all showed a significant concentration-dependent decrease compared to the control group. The gene expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and cytokines also showed a significant concentration-dependent decrease compared to the control group. Conclusions In conclusion, it is believed that wolbigachul-tang can be applied to various inflammatory diseases.

Objectives To evaluate the evidence supporting the effectiveness of acupuncture for facet joint syndrome. Methods We conducted search across 9 electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL (CENTRAL), KoreaMed, Kmbase, Koreanstudies Information Service System (KISS), ScienceOn, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang) to find clinical trials that used acupuncture as treatment for facet joint syndrome. The methodological quality of randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) were assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB) tool, while non-randomized controlled clinical trials (nRCTs) were assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment tool for Non-randomized Study (RoBANS) tool. Results Nine RCTs and one nRCT met our inclusion criteria. Fire needle was more effective than medial branch block in terms of visual analogue scale (VAS) after 1 month (p=0.02). Also, Fire needle was more effective than Ibuprofen in terms of VAS and oswestry disability index (ODI) (p<0.05). However, in the rest of the study results, the intervention group did not show a statistically significant difference than the control group. Conclusions Although our review found encouraging but limited evidence of acupuncture for facet joint syndrome, most of the studies included in the analysis were evaluated as methodologically high risk of bias. From now on further well-designed RCTs should be encouraged.

Objectives The aim of this study is to find the future perspective through analyzing the trends of acupuncture treatment for gouty arthritis (GA) by searching the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and PubMed. Methods We searched clinical studies about acupuncture treatment for GA through the searching the electronic database of CNKI and PubMed. We analyzed the characteristics of selected studies according to research design, sample size, publication year, treatment methods, evaluation criteria and adverse events. Results Twenty-nine studies published from January 1, 2015 to July 1, 2022 were selected. They consisted of 25 randomized controlled trials, 3 non-randomized controlled trials, and 1 case reports. In these studies, several types of acupuncture treatments were performed and the most treatment was conventional acupuncture treatment with fine needles. The most commonly used evaluation outcome was effective rate. Conclusions Through this result, the Chinese literature positively reported the effect of acupuncture on GA. However, high-quality evaluation by rigorous research using well-designed and more objective outcomes is required.

Objectives This paper is an analysis of domestic and foreign trends for the Korean medical treatment of avascular necrosis of the femoral head. Methods Domestic and foreign databases were searched and analyzed for Korean medical treatment interventions, research types, and treatment effects for avascular necrosis of the femoral head. Results There were 10 case reports in Korea, 2 case reports and 3 randomized controlled studies abroad. A total of 12 treatment interventions were used, and the types include acupuncture, herbal medicine, phamacopunture, electroacupuncture, cupping, physical therapy, chuna, acupotomy, moxibustion, warm acupuncture, laser acupuncture, and motion style treatment. As for the evaluation index, visual analogue scale, range of motion and harris hip score were the most common with 7 cases each. Conclusions Through this study, it was possible to understand the trends of domestic and foreign research on the treatment of avascular necrosis of the femoral head with Korean medicine. However, due to the small number of literature and no randomized control studies in Korea, treatment evidence is insufficient. It is considered that further research is needed in the future.

Objectives The purpose of this study is to find out what diseases or treatments the Korean Medicine Rehabilitation department is dealing with. Methods For data collection, papers published from 2012 to 2021 were searched and collected on the website of the Korean Society of Rehabilitation Medicine (https://www.ormkorea.org/). After that, reconfirmed data at the Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS) Traditional Medicine Portal (https://oasis.kiom.re.kr/). The searched papers were classified by year and classified according to format based on thesis and abstract. In addition, the papers were classified by subject, focusing on diseases and treatments. Results Total 557 studies were classified. The format of a total of 557 papers was distributed in 129 preclinical studies (23.2%), 136 literature studies (24.4%), 153 clinical studies (27.5%), 112 case reports (20.1%), and 27 other studies (4.8%). While preclinical studies and clinical studies are gradually decreasing over the years, case reports and literature studies are gradually increasing. Conclusions The number of papers in Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation is gradually decreasing. Papers on more diverse topics is needed for the qualitative growth of journals and Department of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation.

Objectives This study is designed to evaluate the safety of palmul-tang soft extract in healthy male volunteers. Methods Twelve healthy male volunteers were recruited. And this study was conducted in a single center. As a result of the laboratory test, the safety was evaluated by collecting vital signs of volunteers. Twelve subjects were assigned by serial number according to the registration order. For safety evaluation, blood samples were collected and vital signs were checked four times throughout the test period, including screening, pre-administration, post-administration (after 48 hours) and post-administration (after 7 days). The difference in variables was summarized as the mean±standard deviation. The normality was performed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk test. If normality is satisfied, a paired t-test is applied. Otherwise, the Wilcoxon sign rank test, which is a nonparametric method, is applied. The significance was p<0.05. The incidence of all side effects is expressed as a percentage. Results In the case of red blood cell, hemoglobin, and hematocrit values, the result of normality test of variables for the difference value before and after administration is significant level p<0.05. However, all laboratory test values before and after administration did not deviate from the normal range. Also the deviations in the normal range could not be seen as significance related to this clinical trial. And no side effects related to clinical trial drugs were observed. Conclusions The soft extract of palmul-tang was considered safe for healthy male volunteers.

This study aims to evaluate the effect of various Korean medicine treatment techniques on knee pain with medial plica syndrome. We treated three knee pain patients with medial plica syndrome using acupuncture, herbal medicine, pharmacopuncture and cupping during their hospitalization. EuroQol-five dimensions (EQ-5D), Western Ontario and Mcmaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), numerical rating scale (NRS) and the changes of symptoms were used for patient assessment. There were notable decreases in WOMAC and NRS and a notable increase in EQ-5D of case 1 and 3. There was also an improvement in the symptoms experienced by the patients. Our study is the first case report to demonstrate the applicability and effectiveness of Korean medicine treatment compared to those of the pre-existing surgical and conservative treatments for knee pain patients with medial plica syndrome.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of integrative Korean medicine treatment for patients who were diagnosed as acute fracture on pelvis. The patients were treated by Korean medicine as conservative management including acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, herbal medication and cupping for hospitalization periods. Numerical rating scale (NRS), EuroQol-5 dimensions (EQ-5D), Oswestry disability index (ODI), patient global impression of change (PGIC), self-walking distance and the changes of symptoms were measured to assess patients' improvement. NRS, ODI scores and EQ-5D definitely improved on 4 patients of 5 cases. NRS decreased from 6~7 to 3~5, ODI scores decreased from 62~75.11 to 40~52 and EQ-5D increased from 0.013~0.331 to 0.47~0.773. PGIC and self-walking distance were also enhanced after treatments. In conclusion, this study suggests that integrative Korean medicine could be effective treatment for acute pelvic fracture.