• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.29-35
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• 2022

Objectives The purpose of this systematic review is to analyse randomized controlled trials about acupuncture for patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) and evaluate it's pain improvement effect. Methods Studies will be searched from ten databases (Medline/PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure [CNKI], WanFang Data, Citation Information by NII [CiNII], ScienceON, Koreanstudies Information Service System [KISS], KMBASE, and KoreaMed). Participants will be patients diagnosed with PFPS, regardless of cause, gender, age or race, and interventions will be acupuncture, electroacupuncture, dry needling, fire needle, and acupotomy. Other treatments than interventions will be the control group and the main outcome will be reviewed by visual analogue scale (VAS). Results Data will be extracted and assessed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis flow chart and Cochrane risk of bias tools. Meta-analysis will be conducted using random effect model within 95% confidence interval. Conclusions We expect this systematic review to provide useful data about the pain improvements of patellofemoral pain using acupuncture and expect to stimulate and systematize acupuncture treatment on PFPS in the future.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.1-17
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• 2021

Objectives The present study examined the recent domestic and international trends of non-surgical treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). Methods The studies on non-surgical treatment of LSS were investigated via searching Korean web databases and PubMed. As a result, 39 studies were analyzed according to the authors, the types of study, the relationship to surgical treatment and the method of treatment. Results The first authors' occupations were identified as 17 doctors, 12 Korean medicine doctors, six physiotherapists, three chiropractic doctors and one doctor of science. The most common type of study in Korea was the case report and most of the studies were retrospective. Overseas, there were many prospective or experimental studies including randomized controlled trials (RCT). In Korea, non-surgical treatment was performed independently of surgical treatment in most cases. Among non-surgical treatments, the most researched treatment was traditional Korean medicine (TKM), followed by injection therapy, exercise therapy, and physical therapy. Conclusions Through this review, we can determine the effectiveness of TKM and its research direction. TKM should be studied experimentally including RCT and it should be conducted not only on acupuncture, but also on other treatment methods such as acupotomy, chuna, and herbal medicine. It is also necessary to conduct studies on TKM before and after surgery to compare the effects of surgery and TKM together, as well the effects on non-surgical treatments.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.47-59
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• 2023

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.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.77-85
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• 2023

Objectives The aim of this study is to retrospectively evaluate the shoulder lesions in patients experiencing shoulder pain through the use of musculoskeletal ultrasound during Korean medicine intervention treatments. Methods A total of 20 cases were collected, including biceps tendinitis (n=4), calcification (n=3), SASD bursitis (n=4), partial tear (n=2), full-thickness tear (n=1), tendinopathy (n=5), and impingement syndrome (n=1). Musculoskeletal ultrasound was used by Korean medicine doctors to perform real-time scanning and to explain the patient's condition during treatment sessions. Results The use of musculoskeletal ultrasound allowed Korean medicine doctors to perform treatments such as pharmacoacupuncture, acupotomy, and acupuncture more safely and effectively. Patients were able to better understand their conditions through real-time imaging and explanations provided by the doctors. Conclusions Musculoskeletal ultrasound has the potential to enhance the safety and efficacy of Korean medicine intervention treatments for patients with shoulder pain. Institutional or governmental support is needed to further promote the use of medical devices by Korean medicine doctors, ultimately leading to an increase in cases and clinical evidence.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.105-114
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• 2022

Background: The objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) is used in the colleges of Korean Medicine, but few studies have validated the OSCE evaluation criteria or post-education questionnaires. Diagnostic ultrasound is used in Korean medicine treatment including acupuncture, acupotomy, and pharmacopuncture to increase the safety and efficacy of treatment. We aimed to develop and validate a OSCE checklist and questionnaire for diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound training. Methods: A OSCE checklist and rubric for diagnostic ultrasound training, and questionnaire was developed using literature research. Eight expert panelists verified each draft item in a single-round survey. Items with a content validity ratio (CVR) < 0.75 were excluded or modified to reflect the experts' opinions. Results: The OSCE checklist and rubric for diagnostic ultrasound training focusing on volar wrist and carpal tunnel syndrome included: 15 items revised according to CVR and expert opinions, the pre-examination procedure, structures to be identified by ultrasound, scans with 2 diagnostic criteria for carpal tunnel syndrome, an explanation of the exam results, and the post exam procedure. The questionnaire consisted of 15 items, including the overall evaluation of training, the effect of the OSCE, and the perception of the ultrasound. All 6 self-evaluation items were not revised, as they had a CVR of ≥ 0.75. Conclusion: An ultrasound OSCE for scanning the volar wrist and diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome was developed using 15 validated tasks, 15 survey questions about ultrasound training, and 6 questions for self-evaluation. These results may be used in the future for education in diagnostic ultrasound.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.151-158
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• 2018

Objectives: We investigated the efficacy and safety of miniscalpel acupuncture (MA) for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) in an assessor-blinded randomized controlled pilot trial; this would provide information for a large-scale randomized controlled trial. Methods: Participants (n = 24) were recruited and randomly allocated to the MA group (experimental) or acupuncture group (control). The MA group received treatment once a week for 3 weeks (total of 3 treatments), while the acupuncture group received treatment two times per week for 3 weeks (total of 6 treatments). The primary outcome was pain as assessed by a visual analogue scale (VAS). The secondary outcomes (intensity of current pain, stiffness, and physical function) were assessed using the short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Assessments were performed at baseline, 1, 2, and 3 during treatment and at week 5 (2 weeks after the end of treatment). Results: Of the 24 participants, 23 completed the study. Both groups showed significant improvements in VAS, SF-MPQ, and WOMAC. However, there were no significant differences between the MA and acupuncture groups. No serious adverse event occurred and blood test results were within normal limits. Conclusion: Our results suggest that although both MA and acupuncture provide similar effects with regard to pain control in patients with KOA, MA may be more effective in providing pain relief because the same relief was obtained with fewer treatments. A large-scale clinical study is warranted to further clarify these findings.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.69-77
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• 2021

연구 배경 최근 한국 및 중국에서 근골격계 질환에 대한 도침술의 활용이 늘고 있다. 하지만 현재까지의 임상연구는 대부분 증례보고 형태에 그치거나, 충분한 근거가 확보되지는 않은 실정이다. 우리는 요천추신경병증환자의 치료에 있어 도침치료와 통상한의치료와의 비교를 통해 도침치료의 유효성, 안전성, 경제성 평가를 시행하기 위해 본 연구를 기획하게 되었다. 연구 방법 본 연구는 예비임상 연구로, 다기관에서 진행되며, 무작위대조군, 활성 대조군을 통한 2개군 병행집단 연구로 평가자 맹검을 시행하게 된다. 이 연구에서는 총 50명의 요천추신경병증 환자를 대상으로 2개군으로 균등하게 분배하여 도침술 또는 통상한의치료를 시행하게 된다(각군당 25명). 도침술 그룹의 경우 협척혈에 도침치료를 시행 받게 되며, 통상 한의치료군은 연구자 판단하에 도침술을 제외한 적절한 한의치료를 시행 받게 된다. 두 개의 그룹은 주당 2회씩 총 3주간 치료를 받게 된다. 일차 유효성 평가는 요통으로 인한 기능장애를 평가하기 위한 Oswestry disability index를 통해 시행한다. 이차 유효성 평가지표로는 numeric rating scale, European Quality of Life 5-Dimension 5-Level, short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire, Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire scores를 시행하게 된다. 고찰 본 예비임상연구의 결과는 추후 있을 요천추신경병증에 대한 도침치료 및 한의통상치료 비교효과 연구의 유효성, 경제성평가 본 임상연구를 위한 기초 정보 및 가능성을 확인하고 적절한 대상자수 산정에 도움이 될 것이다.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.33-45
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• 2022

Objectives The purpose of this review was to investigate clinical treatment trends of Achilles tendinopathy. Methods Clinical studies about Korean medicine treatments on Achilles tendinopathy were searched in 5 databases. The included studies were classified according to the authors, published years, study designs, purposes of study, methods, interventions outcome measures and adverse event. Results In 23 studies, total number of patients were 1,135. The included studies consist of 14 randomized controlled trials (RCT), 5 non-RCT, 2 retrospective study and 2 case reports. Patients were conducted with 9 kinds of treatment, which is acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, acupotomy, moxibustion, cupping, Chuna, herbal medicine, physiotherapy. Most studies used visual analogue scale as primary outcome. Conclusions Based on the results of the collected studies, the use of Korean medicine treatment on Achilles tendinopathy seem to be effective. Despite the large number of RCTs, the level of research cannot be guaranteed, so it is considered that more rigorous researches are needed in future studies.