• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.84-98
• /
• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the feasibility of recruiting women into a clinical trial designed to examine the effects of acupuncture and electroacupuncture in treating overactive bladder (OAB) in menopause women. We tried to determine if there was preliminary evidence to suggest that acupuncture may be effective in reducing OAB symptoms and improving disease-specific quality of life. We also tried to determine the appropriate treatment duration of OAB, with safety of performing acupuncture and electroacupuncture treatment. Methods: This study was a randomized clinical trial. 7 menopause women were randomly assigned to a electroacupuncture group (EA group) (n=4) or acupuncture group (AC group) (n=3) and received electroacupuncture or acupuncture treatment twice a week (16 sessions) in 8 weeks, and follow up assessment was performed after the end of treatment. Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS), 3-day bladder diary, and King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ) were performed 4 times (at baseline (visit 0), the middle of treatment (visit 8), after the end of treatment (visit 16), and at 4 weeks of follow-up (visit 17)) and analyzed. 2 subjects were dropped out, and finally 5 subjects completed the study. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 18.0 for window program. Results: There was an significant improvement in night-time frequency after the treatment (visit 17) in PP (Per-protocol) group analysis (p=0.042). In additional ITT (Inter-to-treat) group analysis, the OABSS (p=0.042) and night-time frequency (p=p=0.017) were improved significantly after the treatment (visit 17). But there was no significant difference of KHQ before and after the treatment. Also there was no significant difference between EA and AC group after the treatment (visit 16, 17). Conclusions: The results of this pilot study suggested that it was feasible to recruit subjects and perform the study procedures, after reconstructing several details of study protocol in performing further clinical trial.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.45-68
• /
• 2020

Objectives : This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of manual and electroacupuncture on glaucoma. Method : We searched 11 electronic databases using index words to identify randomized clinical trials. Meta-analysis of weighted mean difference (WMD) or standardized mean difference (SMD) were used to evaluate the outcomes. Cochrane bias risk assessment tool was used to assess the risk of bias in each clinical study. The collected data was analyzed using RevMan software (ver. 5.3). Results : At the initial stage of data retrieval, 549 papers were searched. After reviewing 37 full texts, a total of 10 RCT studies (426patients, 715 eyes) were selected and 8 RCT studies (357 people, 617 eyes) were involved in meta-analysis. Meta-analysis of 8 RCTs showed that acupuncture alone was more effective in reducing intraocular pressure(IOP) than conventional treatment (WMD = -5.73, 95% CI: [-12.30, 0.83], P = 0.09, I² = 97%) The combination of acupuncture or electroacupuncture with conventional treatment was also effective in lowering IOP (WMD = -1.84, 95% CI: [-2.31, -1.37], P <0.00001, I² = 45%). It was estimated that the combination of acupuncture with conventional treatment was also effective for improving visual field (VF) (WMD = -2.17, 95% CI: [-4.32, -0.02], P = 0.05, I² = 89%) but improvement in visual acuity (VA) was not significant (MD = 0.06, 95% CI: [-0.03, 0.15], P = 0.23, I² = 0%). Subgroup analyzes were performed only for the studies that used open glaucoma as the study's disease and combination of acupuncture or electroacupuncture with conventional therapy would have an effect on lowering intraocular pressure (WMD = -1.68)., 95% CI: [-2.46, -0.90], P <0.0001, I² = 29%). Conclusion : This study suggests that acupuncture treatment for glaucoma may be effective in reducing intraocular pressure and helpful in improving visual field defects. However, due to the small sample size, high risk of bias and high heterogeneity in the methodology, it is expected that further studies will be needed to verify the results. Further studies in large-scale samples based on a minimized biased methodology would be necessary.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.396-407
• /
• 1999

Although tinnitus is a common disease, it's reason, pathogenesis and treatment are not examined clearly. As tinnitus is a subjective complaint, it is not easy to evaluate objectively and to compare with another. In this study, we intend to estimate the effect of a variety of oriental medical treatments to tinnitus. We inquired about 30cases of tinnitus patients visited the Kwang-ju Oriental Medical Hospital of Wonkwang University from Apr. 1998 to Sep. 1998. We examined the 30cases in the view of sex, age, occupation, duration, etiologic factors, past history, associating symptoms, quality of tinnitus, and recovery rate after treatments. The results were as follows: 1. In distribution of sex, the ratio of male was $63.3\%$(19cases)and\;female\;was\;36.6\%$(11cases). 2. In distribution of age, the ratio of the 2th decade was $6.6\%(2cases),\;the\;3th\;decade\;was\;20.0\%(6cases),\;the\;4th\;decade\;was\;16.6\%(5cases),\;the\;5th\;decade\;was\;23.3\%(7cases),\;the\;6th\;decade\;was\;30.0\%\;(9cases),and\;the\;7th\;decade\;was\;3.3\%(1case)$. 3. In distribution of occupation, the ratio of employee was $23.3\%$(7cases), house-keeper was $63.3\%(11cases),\;farmer\;was\;16.6\%(5cases),\;teacher\;was\;13.3\%$ (4cases), and student, merchant, soldier was each $3.3\%$(1case). 4. In distribution of duration, the ratio of under 1month was $6.6\%$ (2cases), 1 month -6 months was $20.0\%$(6cases), 6 months- 12months was $30.0\%$(9cases), 12months-36months was $23.3\%$(7cases), and over 36months was $20.0\%$(6cases). 5. In etiologic factor of tinnitus, the ratio of unknown reason was $40.0\%$ (12cases), overwork was $16.6\%$(5cases), emotional stress was $10.0\%$(3cases), noise was $6.6\%$(2cases), cases of laying overwork upon stress was $13.3\%$(4cases), head trauma was $3.3\%$(1case), gun report was $3.3\%$ (1case), and after sickness was $6.6\%$(2cases). 6. 9 cases had experienced such a disease as meniere's disease, tympanitis, labyrinthitis, trauma of tympanum, hypertension, etc. 7. Commonly associated symptoms were dizziness, deafness, uneasiness, headache, ear fullness, fatigue, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, and forgetfulness. 8. Most frequent quality of tinnitus were buzzing, whistling, humming etc. 9. In $76.6\%$(23cases) of tinnitus patients, it was improved, but in $23.3%$(7cases) of them, not improved. Total recovery rate was $42.2\%$.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.21-29
• /
• 2015

Objectives This study aimed to investigate therapeutic effect of Korean Medicine Steam Therapy (KMST) for leukorrhea patients. Methods From December 1st 2013 to Nov 31st 2014, 16 leukorrhea outpatients treated with KMST filled out questionnaire before and after treatments. The questionnaire was composed of 8 question items such as sleep, appetite & digestion, urination, defecation, emotion, cold hypersensitivity, menstrual pain, leukorrhea and patients were told to evaluate their symptoms as NRS score. We analyzed mean NRS score of each question item before and after KMST by using Wilcoxon's signed rank test of SPSS ver. 19. Results Mean age of participants was 40.8±13.0 years and mean value of treatment numbers per person was 3.8±1.8 times. 43.75% (n=7) of the patients had history of vaginitis caused by gardnella vaginalis, ureaplasma urealyticum or candida albicans. All patients were treated with acupuncture, moxibustion and Korean medicine. In addition, there was no side effect reported by participants. NRS score of quantity, odor of leukorrhea, perineal unpleasant sensation such as itching, dryness, burning sensation remarkably decreased (p<0.01, p<0.05, p<0.01 each). NRS score of symptoms including sleep, urination, cold hypersensitivity, menstrual pain also remarkably decreased (p<0.05). Conclusions Symptoms of leukorrhea patients including sleep, urination, cold hypersensitivity, menstrual pain, leukorrhea showed significant decrease after treated with concurrent KMST.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.200-212
• /
• 2007

Purpose: To find objective validity of minimal acupuncture using a modified guide tube as a method to verify the effect of acupuncture. Methods: Subjects of this study were participants of a randomized clinical trial which was practiced to verify the effect of acupuncture on postmenopausal hot flash. There were 2 arms of treatment, one's for active acupuncture group(AG) with manipulation and De qi, the other's for minimal acupuncture group(MG) using a modified guide tube which was designed to give minimal stimulation to the patient. After 8 weeks' treatment followed by 4 weeks' observation, participants were asked to fill in self-report forms on their education, previous experiences of acupuncture, original idea on the efficacy of acupuncture and recognition of blinding. Results: 19 participants of 26 in AG and 19 of 26 in MG completed the self-report form. There was no difference between AG and MG in their education(p=0.5976, Fisher exact test) and previous experiences of acupuncture(p=0.9999, Fisher exact test). In their original ideas on the efficacy of acupuncture, most of AG and MG respondents have been thought that acupuncture is very effective or quite effective, and there was no difference between 2 groups(p=0.5065). 16 of 19 in AG and 14 of 19 in MG believed that they underwent more effective way, there was no statistical difference between 2 groups(p=0.6928, Fisher exact test). Participants believed in undergoing more effective way not because they recognized treatment method, but they were satisfied with the effectiveness of treatment retrospectively. Conclusion: As the result of this study, these authors suggest that minimal acupuncture using a modified guide tube is acceptable as a method to verify the effect of acupuncture in acupuncture-familiar Korean culture. Also further studies on the stimulation-specific effect of minimal acupuncture are demanded.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.49-63
• /
• 2021

Objectives This study aimed to investigate the trend in treating fracture with acupuncture and to evaluate the quality of case reports. Methods All case reports of fractures treated with acupuncture were extracted from four Korean web databases. We classified these studies by five fracture sites and investigated frequently used meridian and acupoint, outcome measurements, treatment period. And we assessed the quality of the case reports by the STandards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture (STRICTA) guidelines. Results A total of 33 case reports were included. The outcome measurements were divided into six categories, and the outcome measurements used in more than three studies showed improvement in patient symptoms. The mainly used meridians for each fracture site were as follows: chest and abdomen (GB, LR, CV), back (BL, GB), upper limb (LI, TE), lower Limb (GB, ST, BL, SP). The most commonly used acupoints for each fracture site were as follows: chest and abdomen (Ashi points, GB24, GB25, GB26, LR13, LR14, CV16, CV17, CV18, CV19), back (BL23, BL24, BL25, BL26, BL40, BL51, BL52, BL60, GB34), upper limb (LI4, LI10, LI11, TE3), lower limb (GB34, GB40). According to the STRICTA guidelines, more than 54.54% of the reports were found to be 'not reported' or 'not sufficient' in the following categories: 'response sought', 'description of participating acupuncturist', and 'number of needle insertions per subject per session'. Conclusions The meridians and acupuncture points frequently used for acupuncture treatment of fractures were near the fracture site. Future clinical studies involving acupuncture must be reported in accordance with the STRICTA guidelines to improve transparency and uniformity.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.41 no.6
• /
• pp.1100-1118
• /
• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of acupuncture as a treatment for allergic rhinitis (AR). We used a meta-analysis and systematic review to analyze the results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that applied acupuncture to AR patients. Methods: The key question assessed the effects of acupuncture on patients with AR, and we included only RCTs. We searched the KoreaMed, NDSL, KMBASE, Koreantk, OASIS, PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases, with no language restriction. We assessed risk of bias with the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. The random effects model was used to adjust for the heterogeneity of the included studies, and the effect sizes between two groups were reported as mean differences (MD) and risk ratios (RR). Results: Twelve RCTs were analyzed, with a total of 1788 participants; 824 participants were in the treatment group (i.e., acupuncture) and 964 were in the control group (sham acupuncture, western medicine, or waitlist). The meta-analysis results of 7 RCTs comparing the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture with that of sham acupuncture showed a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) in the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) and the Change of Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS). The meta-analysis of 4 RCTs comparing the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture with western medicine showed statistically significant differences (p<0.05) in the RQLQ but not in the changes in effective rate (p>0.05). Conclusions: Acupuncture can be an effective treatment for AR, but more studies are required to enhance the level of evidence and to confirm safety.

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

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.93-104
• /
• 2005

Objective : Because the cause and etiology of chronic headache are not yet fully explained, the treatment of this symptom is not simple. In order to study the effectiveness of East-West pain treatment on chronic headache, we evaluated its effect of pain alleviation and quality of life improvement on chronic headache patients who were treated with nerve block and acupuncture, and only acupuncture for eight weeks. Methods : 92 clinical experiment participants were gathered and through a questionnaire patients who experienced headache for more than 4 hours a day and more than 15 days per month were qualified as chronic headache patients. The qualified patients were classified into two groups, nerve block and acupuncture group(EW group, n=49) and acupuncture group(E group, n=43). Treatment was applied 2 times a weeks for 8 weeks. The acupoints, GV20, HN23, ST8, HN46, TE17, GB20, LI20O, LI11, LI14, ST36, and LR3 were stimulated for 20 minutes. The effects of two groups were analyzed using VAS scores and BPI(Brief Pain Inventory).

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
• /
• v.20 no.1 s.51
• /
• pp.47-60
• /
• 2007

While sedimentological researches on Western coastal tidal flats of Korea have been much pelformed previously, mineralogical and biogeochemical studies are beginning to be studied. The objectives of this study were to investigate mineralogical characteritics of the inter-tidal flat sediments and to explore phase transformation of iron(oxyhydr)oxides and biomineralization by metal-reducing bacteria enriched from the inter-tidal flat sediments from Muan, Jeollanam-do, Korea. Inter-tidal flat sediment samples were collected in Chungkye-myun and Haeje-myun, Muan-gun, Jeollanam-do. Particle size analyses were performed using the pipette method and sedimentation method. The separates including sand, silt and clay fractions were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffiaction (XRD). After enriching the metal-.educing bacteria from the into,-tidal flat sediments, the bacteria were used to study phase transformation of the synthesized iron (oxyhydr)oxides and iron biomineralization using lactate or glucose as the electron donors and Fe(III)-containing iron oxides as the electron accepters. Mineralogical studies showed that the sediments of tidal flats in Chung]rye-myun and Haeje-myun consist of quartz, plagioclase, microcline, biotite, kaolinite and illite. Biogeochemical researches showed that the metal-reducing bacteria enriched from the inter-tidal flat sediments reduced reddish brown akaganeite and mineralized nanometer-sized black magnetite. The bacteria also reduced the reddish brown ferrihydrite into black amorphous phases and reduced the yellowish goethite into greenish with formation of nm-sized phases. These results indicate that microbial Fe(III) reduction may play one of important roles in iron and carbon biogeochemistry as well as iron biomineralization in subsurface environments.