Objectives : Practice-Based Research Networks (PBRNs), collaborations of practitioners and academic researchers, have provided platforms for conducting research to address clinical questions generated from daily routine care. This review aimed to critically analyse articles from PBRNs that are related to complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) and to suggest future directions for a PBRN which is appropriate for Korean Medicine (KM). Methods : PubMed, PBRN registries in Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and relevant PBRN websites were searched up to November 2019 for research articles from PBRNs that focused on CIM regardless of study design. Methodological quality of the included studies was assessed. The included studies were read in full, classified and summarised according to their topics. Results : A total of 51 articles published from 1998 through 2020 were included in this review. They were categorised into three principal themes based on research questions and findings: health services research (embracing researches examining characteristics of patients and CIM practitioners/practices, and communication between patients and practitioners); effectiveness and safety of CIM practices/interventions; and feasibility studies of instruments and interventions in PBRN settings. The study designs varied including surveys (n=30), prospective observational studies (n=6), 2ndary analyses of existing studies (n=7), protocols (n=7), retrospective chart review (n=1) and qualitative study (n=1). Quality of the included studies greatly varied. Conclusions : PBRNs can serve as a feasible platform for conducting practice-relevant research on KM and CIM. Considering growing demands on evidence-base for routine practice of KM amid various stakeholders, a PBRN in KM community and further researches nested within PBRN designs are warranted.

Objectives : This study was conducted to introduce the types and contents of books related to acupuncture published in North Korea that can be identified in South Korea, and to understand the general characteristics of North Korean acupuncture. Methods : Firstly, we identified books related to acupuncture in the Information Center on North Korea of the National Library of Korea. Specialized books on treatment interventions such as acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, electrotherapy, and manual therapy including acupressure which stimulate acupoints were included in the study. Two authors reviewed the title, table of contents, and contents of each book in the order of publication year for the searched books. Based on this, the characteristics and trends of North Korean acupuncture were comprehensively examined. Results : The included 18 books were published between 1964 and 2018. One of them was considered a Chinese book translated into Korean and published in China, and another was a North Korean book republished by a South Korean publisher. Except for these, all were published in North Korea, two of which were translations of Chinese books. Most of them were books on the theory and clinical applications of acupuncture, but some of them focused on specific treatment interventions such as auricular acupuncture, fire needling, manual therapy, cupping, or electrotherapy. Also, there was a book about the mechanism of acupuncture analgesia in a neurophysiological way. Conclusions : Since the mid-1960s, North Korea has been steadily attempting to combine acupuncture and Western medicine by applying the disease name and classification system of Western medicine, using modern diagnostic technique, and explaining the mechanism of acupuncture based on the latest research. After the 2000s, the standard international acupuncture nomenclature by World Health Organization was used. In recent years, there has been a tendency to publish and widely disseminate specialized books on non-pharmacological treatment such as cupping, electrotherapy, and fire needling.

Objectives : The objective of this study was to examine the acupoint location of Kyoshin (KI8) from classic literatures. Methods : A review of KI8 location along the meridian route from 18 classics of acupuncture and moxibustion - 『Huangdineijing·Lingshu』, 『Huangdimingtangjingjixiao』, 『Zhenjiujiayijing』, 『Huangdineijingtaisu』, 『Huangdimingtangjiujing』, 『Beijiqianjinyaofang』, 『Waitaimiyaofang』, 『Ishimpo』, 『Taipingshenghuifang』, 『Tongrenshuxuezhenjiutujing』, 『Shengjizonglu』, 『Zhenjiuzishengjing』, 『Shisijingfahui』, 『Shenyingjing』, 『Zhenjiujuying』, 『Yixuerumen』, 『Zhenjiudacheng』, and 『Yizongjinjian』 - was performed. Then, KI7 location on classics and current standard KI8 location were compared. Results : Based on modern standard acupoint location system, the acupoint of KI8 is located on the medial aspect of the leg, in the depression posterior to the medial border of the tibia and it is on the route of spleen meridian. But no classics of acupuncture and moxibustion said KI8 was located on the route of spleen meridian. In addition, KI8 location on classics was largely described as being located in front of KI7, but only in 『Yizongjinjian』 was it written that KI8 was located posterior to KI7. Conclusions : Through a classic literature review, it is possible to explain that KI8 is located posterior to spleen meridian. The acupoint of KI8 seems to be located between medial border of flexor pollicis longus and flexor digitorum longus based on anatomical location.

Objectives : This study aimed to evaluate adverse outcome associated with acupotomy and compare it with that of acupuncture. Methods : We retrospectively analyzed the chart records of 71 patients who received acupotomy at Daemyung Korean medical clinic from January 7, 2020 to March 6, 2020. We divided the acupotomy treatment area into 10, including the head, hand, chest, knees, shoulders, low back, neck, upper extremities, thighs, and feet. Furthermore, we investigated the adverse effect of acupotomy on those areas after treatment. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and frequency analysis. Results : 'Bruise of specific region' accounted for the largest portion with 29 cases, followed by 24 cases of 'feeling tired and sleepy' and 17 cases of 'itch'. There were 16 cases of 'sustained pain' at the area of treatment, 11 cases of 'fatigue', 5 cases of 'swelling', 5 cases of 'dizziness', 4 cases of 'hematoma'. There were 3 cases of 'vertigo' and 2 cases of 'parathesia' and 'wide bruises', 'headache', 'gastric discomfort', 'bleeding', and 'skin rash' each. There was one case each that experienced 'unclear pronunciation', 'nausea', 'abnormal sweating', 'vomiting' and 'emotional/psychological reactions'. Conclusions : Adverse outcomes associated with acupotomy were mostly 'bruise of specific region', 'feeling tired and sleepy', 'itch', 'sustatained pain', and 'fatigue'. However, no adverse outcome or irreversible damage that have a serious effect on the body were observed.

Objectives : The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of Daebangfung-tang (DBFT) on suppressing muscle atrophy followed by immobilization. Methods : Twenty young male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into two groups. The rats in experimental group (DBFT group) were orally administrated DBFT once a day for 2 weeks, and the rats in control group were given normal saline in the same manner. The immobilization on left leg was carried out using casting tape. The morphologies of gastrocnemius in both groups were assessed. The cross sectional area of them was measured by image analyzer. Immunohistochemical staining was implemented and the numbers of immunopositive cells implying the expression of TNF-α were measured and quantified. Results : DBFT represented the significant suppressive effects against the weight loss of the left gastrocnemius muscle and the reduction in cross sectional area of the left gastrocnemius muscle compared with normal saline. Also the treatment with DBFT significantly reduced the expression of TNF-α in gastrocnemius compared with normal saline. Conclusions : DBFT is thought to have the significant suppressive effect against muscle atrophy followed by immobilization.

Objectives : The acupoint TE11 (cheongnaengyeon; CNY) firstly appeared in the ≪A-B Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (AB Classic)≫. The name CNY is known to be originated from an ancient deep pool described in the book of ≪Chuangtzu (Jangja in Korean)≫. Description of the name, however, was not found in a single form in the book of ≪Chuangtzu≫ and its annotated books which made a confusion. The aim of the present study is to review the name of TE11 in terms of its origin. Methods : We have compared printed editions of ≪Chuangtzu≫ and its annotated books and various acupuncture classics including ≪AB Classic≫, ≪Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold for Emergencies (Essential Prescriptions)≫, ≪Illustrated Manual of Acupuncture Points of the Bronze Figure (Illustrated Manual)≫, ≪Collection of Gems of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (Collections of Gems)≫, and ≪Complete Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (Complete Compendium)≫. Results : The name of ancient deep pool was found in two different forms in the book of ≪Chuangtzu≫ and its annotated books. One was CNY, the other was Cheong Ryeong Yeon (CRY). The description in the ≪Chuangtzu≫, the source book, was CRY. In addition, the acupoint TE11 was described as CRY in the ≪AB Classic≫, Cheong Ryeong Cheon in the ≪Essential Prescriptions≫. Meanwhile, the point was described as CNY in the ≪Illustrated Manual≫, the ≪Collections of Gems≫ and the ≪Complete Compendium≫. Conclusions : Data suggest that the original description was CRY and a mix of CNY and CRY as a name of TE11 was used. The Korean standard name of TE11 should be changed as CRY.

Objectives : In each section of Huangdineijing, we reviewed how the actual clinical application of Five-Transport-points was reflected and looked at the pattern of the application at the time. Methods : The contents related to Five-Transport-points in Huangdineijing were collected from each part, and analyzed. Results : There was a great difference in the number and contents of the clinical application of each Five-Transport-point for each 12 meridian, and only 28.3% of all Five-Transport-points had been related to clinical treatment. In addition, in specific applications, spring point, stream point, and sea point were used more often than well point, and Five-Transport-points between the same meridian or different meridians were used in combination as needed. Conclusions : Five-Transport-points described in Huangdineijing are intended to be operated within the overall framework structurally or functionally with a certain principle, but as a result of comprehensive analysis of specific examples of clinical application, there was a difference in the application between Five-Transport-points. This indicates that at the time of the establishment of Huangdineijing, which was the early stage of the development of Traditional East Asian Medicine, a variety of miscellaneous acupuncture methodologies were used in addition to those based on five elements principle.