• 한방재활의학과학회지
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• 제32권3호
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• pp.37-53
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• 2022

Objectives This study was conducted to investigate a randomized controlled trial study on the clinical treatment of herbal medicines for avascular necrosis of the femoral head. Methods By March 2022, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) was reviewed about randomized controlled trial studies on the herbal treatment of avascular necrosis of the femoral head through. The publication year, evaluation criteria, treatment period, treatment method and effectiveness were analyzed for articles published from 2017 to 2022. Results 16 articles were selected and 14 kinds of herbal medicines were used. In most studies, Western medical treatments such as injection therapy, oral drug administration, traction therapy and mid-frequency electric therapy were treated alone in the control group, and a combination of Western medical treatment and herbal treatment was administered to the experimental group. Conclusions In China, there have been many studies on herbal treatment for avascular necrosis of the femoral head. In Korea, more clinical studies on the herbal treatment of avascular necrosis of the femoral head are needed. This study will be helpful for future research in Korean medicine on avascular necrosis of the femoral head.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제38권4호
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• pp.284-292
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to review randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of pes anserinus tendinitis or bursitis (PATB) syndrome in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure database to investigate the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine treatment for PATB syndrome. There were 20 RCTs published from 2001 to 2021 which were selected for analysis by publication year, number of samples, evaluation criteria, treatment duration, and treatment method. Out of the 142 retrieved RCTs, 20 were relevant to this review, and had performed Chinese medicine treatments including acupuncture (the most common treatment typically using acupoints SP10, ST35, SP9, and LR8), manipulation (typically using acupoints ST35, SP10, and SP9), and external application therapy (typically herbal medicine) in the treatment of PATB syndrome. Chinese medicine treatments were used widely in the treatment of PATB syndrome. We hope in the future, this review may initiate the development of treatments for PATB syndrome using Korean medicine.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.53-66
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• 2009

Objective : Acupuncture has been widely used throughout the world for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (knee OA). This study investigated whether acupuncture, particularly Sa-am acupuncture, could be effective in relieving pain and improving the symptoms of knee OA. Method : This study was conducted as a prospective, randomized, controlled, and patient- and investigator-blinded clinical trial. Forty volunteers with knee OA participated in the study. All participants were screened through an inclusion and exclusion criteria. Thirty four participants completed the clinical trial. In total, forty subjects were randomly selected to receive Sa-am acupuncture. Eight sessions of acupuncture were given at the contralateral side of the problematic knee for 4 weeks. Korean translation of Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (KWOMAC) scores were measured twice: at the beginning and end of the clinical trial period. Both the Patient Global Assessment and physical health scores based on the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey were also used to measure the results. Results : Compared to the pre-trial scores, the Sa-am acupuncture group (n=34) showed a significant decrease in KWOMAC total scores according to a paired t-test. The Sa-am acupuncture group also showed significant improvement in the Patient Global Assessment when compared to the pre-trial. Conclusions : Sa-am acupuncture for knee OA resulted in an improved KWOMAC total score. This was mostly driven by the function component score that was greatly affected by acupuncture. However, further studies with expanded designs are needed to solidify this finding with scientific rigor.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.116-125
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• 2017

Objectives : The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating prehypertension and stage 1 hypertension in postmenopausal women. Methods : The study was a multi-center, four-arm, non-blinded, randomized clinical trial. Sixty participants were randomly assigned to experimental or control groups. The experimental groups received 10 acupuncture sessions over 4 weeks(Group A, n=20) or 20 sessions over 8 weeks(Group B, n=20) along with usual care. The acupoints were GB20, LI11, ST36, and SP6, bilaterally. The acupuncture groups were followed-up for an additional 12 weeks after acupuncture treatment. The control groups received usual care for 16 weeks(Group C, n=10) or 20 weeks(Group D, n=10). The outcomes were blood pressure, blood pressure control rates, lipid profile, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP). Results : After 4 weeks, DBP in the acupuncture groups(A+B) showed no significant decrease compared to the control group(C+D). However, after 8 weeks of acupuncture treatment, group B showed a significant decrease in DBP after acupuncture treatment and follow-up period compared to control group. Although there was no difference between the acupuncture and control groups in SBP after acupuncture treatment, group B showed a significant decrease in SBP compared to control group after follow-up period. Lipid profiles and hs-CRP did not differ significantly between acupuncture and control groups. Conclusions : Acupuncture treatment for 8 weeks showed the effect on prehypertension and mild hypertension. To verify the effect of acupuncture on blood pressure, rigorous trials including more participants are required.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제21권3호
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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.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.19-27
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• 2020

The effectiveness of fire needling or warm needling treatment in clinical studies for the treatment of ankle sprains was reviewed using 4 international (PubMed, Cochrane library, EMBASE, CNKI) and 5 Korean databases (NDSL, RISS, KISS, OASIS, KTKP). Randomized controlled trials, that performed fire needling or warm needling treatment for ankle sprains until October, 2018 were retrieved (n = 8). All studies were performed in China, and 7 out of 8 studies were published within the last 5 years. There were 4 studies that used fire needling treatment, 3 studies used warm needling treatment, and 1 study used fire and warm needling treatment. The ashi-points and gallbladder meridian were the most frequently selected acupoint and meridian each. All intervention groups in the 8 studies showed statistically significant beneficial effects compared with control groups. The results of this study could provide preliminary data as the basis for well-designed randomized controlled trials on fire needling or warm needling treatment for ankle sprains.

• 한방안이비인후피부과학회지
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• 제36권1호
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• pp.64-77
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• 2023

Objectives : Recently, the number of patients with dry eye syndrome has been steadily increasing. However, established treatment for it does not yet exist. This study compared electronic moxibustion with acupuncture for patients with dry eye in terms of efficacy and safety. Methods : This trial was designed as an investigator-initiated, single-blinded, comparative, randomized controlled trial. Thirty patients with dry eye were randomized to the electronic moxibustion treatment group(EMG) or the acupuncture treatment group(AG) in equal proportion. The participants who assigned to the EMG were treated with electronic moxibustion to ten acupoints including both sides of BL2, GB14, TE23, and LI4 for 12 minutes. The participants who were assigned to the AG were treated with acupuncture to the same acupoints for 15 minutes. Over 4 weeks, each intervention was carried out twelve times in total. The primary outcome was the ocular surface disease index(OSDI). The secondary outcomes were the subjective symptoms visual analog scale(VAS), quality of life(QoL), Schirmer I test(SIT), and general assessment. Adverse events and vital signs were also investigated for safety assessment. Results : In intragroup comparisons, both the EMG and the AG significantly improved the OSDI scores, the subjective symptoms VAS scores, the QoL scores, and the SIT results after 4 weeks of the trial. However, there were no statistical differences in intergroup comparisons between the two groups after 4 weeks. The safety of electronic moxibustion and acupuncture was confirmed by no occurrence of serious adverse events. Conclusions : Both electronic moxibustion and acupuncture were effective for dry eye syndrome, and they were safe. Electronic moxibustion and acupuncture can be used for dry eye syndrome as equivalent treatments.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.1-15
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• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of massive clinical research and to make a basic analysis on the effectiveness and safety of moxibustion treatment on knee osteoarthritis compared to usual care. Methods and Results : This study is a protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial. Forty participants are assigned to the moxibustion group (n=20) and usual care group (n=20). Participants assigned to the moxibustion group receive moxibustion treatment on the affected knee(s) at six standard acupuncture points (ST36, ST35, ST34, SP9, Ex-LE04 and SP10) three times per week for four weeks (total of 12 sessions). Participants in the usual care group don't receive moxibustion treatment during the study period and follow-up are made on the 5th, 9th and 13th weeks after random allocation. Both groups are allowed to use any kind of treatment, including surgery, conventional medication, physical treatment, acupuncture, herbal medicine, over-the-counter drugs and other active treatments. Education material that explains knee osteoarthritis and current management options and self-exercise is provided for each group. The pain scale of the Korean Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Questionnaire (K-WOMAC) is the primary outcome measurement used in this study. Other subscales of the K-WOMAC, the Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Physical Function test, Patient Global Assessment, and Pain Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) are used as outcome variables to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture. Safety is assessed at every visit. Conclusions : The result of this trial will provide a basis for the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture treatment for knee osteoarthritis.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.177-186
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• 2011

Objectives : The aim of this study is to review clinical trials using Qigong exercise on patients with hypertension and to assess their methodology and results. Methods : Electronic literature searches for clinical trials (randomized trial, non-randomized trial, before-after study) of Qigong exercise were performed in 21 electronic databases (5 international databases and 16 Korean databases). English, Korean or Chinese articles were included. Laboratory or animal studies were excluded. Results : A total of 11 studies met the inclusion criteria. Five randomized controlled trials, Four non-randomized trials and two before-after studies were included. Seven studies used self-developed Qigong exercise. Two studies used Guolin Qigong exercise and two studies used Qigong exercise with an anti-hypertension drug. Of the nine randomized trials or non-randomized trials, four studies used an anti-hypertension drug control and three studies used waiting list controls. Compared to baseline, a change in blood pressure after the Qigong exercise treatment was significant in all studies. However, the results effect of blood pressure between Qigong exercise and controlled trials were not consistent. Conclusions : There are low-quality clinical trials of Qigong exercise for hypertension. To evaluate the effects of Qigong exercise, more rigorous trials are warranted.

• 한방안이비인후피부과학회지
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.76-87
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• 2017

Objectives : This study aimed to analyze the recent acupuncture clinical trial on atopic dermatitis and to suggest the plan about how to improve its quality. Methods : Data were collected through electronic database including MEDLINE. We set up the search terms for "atopic dermatitis AND acupuncture" and limited period of data within 6 years and type for RCT(Randomized Clinical Trial), SR(Systemic Review). Results : Total 5 studies were selected. Two were RCTs, and the rest were SRs. RCTs were insufficient about acupoint selection criteria and foundation. SRs both pointed out that systematic clinical trial is required. Conclusions : Based on these, we suggested the plan as follows. 1. Selection criteria - We should reevalute the participants by using diagnostic criteria and scales. 2. Selection acupoints - We should present the foundation that why we choose these acupoints. 3. Establishing acupuncture and control group - We should make control group clearly after calculating the number of participants statistically. 4. Blinding - We should propse the method, type, procedure and evaluation about randomization. 5. Evaluation scale - We should select the suitable scales for research objectives.