• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.88-112
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• 2023

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to analyze the oriental medical treatments of burning mouth syndrome, understand the tendency of treatment, and apply it to clinical settings. Methods : We collected case reports, retrospective cohort studies and RCT studies related to oriental medical treatments of burning mouth syndrome using domestic and Chinese databases(CNKI, KISS, RISS, OASIS, KCI). Search terms include 'Burning Mouth Syndrome', 'BMS', 'Burning Tongue', '灼口综合征', and 'oriental medicine', 'oriental medical treatment', 'Korean medicine' and '中医'. A search was conducted by appropriately combining keywords. Results : A total of 27 papers were included in the analysis. Among them, 9 are case studies, 1 is a retrospective cohort study, 1 is a before and after study and 16 are RCT studies. Treatments for burning mouth syndrome included herbal medicine, acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, acupoint injection, auricular acupuncture treatment, external use herbal medicine and gargling. In all studies, symptoms of burning mouth syndrome were alleviated after oriental medical treatments. In 14 RCT studies comparing western medical treatments, the results of the treatment group that included oriental medical treatments were found to be more significant, except for one. Conclusions : As a result of the study, oriental medical treatments are effective in treating burning mouth syndrome. In the future, we hope that clinical research related to oriental medical treatments of burning mouth syndrome will be actively conducted so that evidence-based treatment can be implemented.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.603-620
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• 2023

Objectives: This study reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the efficacy of herbal medicine on sleep disorders associated with Parkinson's disease and suggests a better research process. Methods: We searched for RCTs for herbal medicine treatments for sleep disorders related to Parkinson's disease on July 31, 2023 using eight databases (PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure [CNKI], the Research Information Service System [RISS], Science ON, the Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System [OASIS], and the Korea Citation Index [KCI]). Cochrane's risk of bias tool was used to assess the quality of the RCTs. Results: A total of 16 RCTs met all the inclusion criteria, and in most reports, the treatment group showed a significant improvement in sleep disorders compared to the control group. Total effective rate (TER), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), TCM Symptom Score (TSS), Parkinson's Disease Sleep Scale (PDSS), etc., were used as evaluation indicators. Conclusion: Herbal medicine is a potential treatment for sleep disorders associated with Parkinson's disease. However, the selected RCTs were of poor quality, and it is necessary to perform more systematic studies.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.170-188
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• 2023

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the diagnostic factors of Damjeok in the literature. Methods: This study used the databases of five (Mediclassics, RISS, KMbase, OASIS, CNKI) to analyze diagnostic factors of Damjeok. Literatures published by May 2023 were assessed and we classified 91 literatures dealing with diagnostic factors by 5 categories, 'characteristics', 'location', 'symptom', 'pulse wave & tongue feature', and 'eating habits & lifestyle'. Results: Damjeok is mainly formed at the stomach in the form of lump or hard seed, and it can be observed in other regions or even the whole body by its trait of floating. Damjeok mainly shows symptoms of the digestive system and also causes various symptoms associated with the respiratory system and infection, musculoskeletal system, urogenital system, neuropsychiatric system and cardiovascular system. Regarding pulse wave and tongue feature, a slippery wave and greasy coated tongue are typical features of Damjeok. Additionally, bad eating habits and a lack of exercise have been described as a factor that cause and aggravate Damjeok. Conclusions: The two most important factors in the diagnosis of Damjeok are abdominal stiffness by physical examination and digestive symptoms, and these correspond to the definition of a syndrome. Diagnostic factors based on literature evidence will provide clues to the clinical diagnosis of Damjeok syndrome.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.29-52
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• 2024

The aim of this review is to consolidate findings from clinical investigations spanning the past decade regarding the impact of acupuncture on Parkinson's disease (PD). The objective is to assess the efficacy of acupuncture as a therapeutic approach to PD, with the intention of informing future clinical practices and advancing the foundation for subsequent research endeavors in this area. A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify clinical trials exploring the effects of acupuncture on PD between January 2014 and August 2023. Databases search included PubMed, EMBASE, CNKI, OASIS, KISS, KMBASE, RISS, and ScienceON. Quantitative evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was systematically reviewed, and the methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using Cochrane's risk of bias tool. Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager (RevMan) 5.4.1 software. The systematic review encompassed a total of 38 RCTs involving 2,786 participants. Meta-analysis of 12 studies revealed that individuals treated with a combination of acupuncture and Western medicine exhibited notable improvements compared to those receiving Western medicine alone or sham acupuncture alongside Western medicine. However, the overall quality of the RCTs was deemed low, and no serious adverse events were reported. Across clinical investigations conducted in the past decade, acupuncture appears to hold promise as a complementary treatment for PD patients when administered alongside Western medicine. Nevertheless, this study identifies certain limitations that warrant consideration in future research endeavors. Enhanced emphasis on conducting high-quality RCTs is imperative to comprehensively evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture in managing PD.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.35-57
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• 2024

Objectives: This systematic review of animal studies was designed to examine the therapeutic mechanisms of herbal medicines of insulin resistance in Polycystic ovary syndrome and composition of them. Methods: Studies were searched from PubMed, CNKI and Medline up to February 2024. Data was extracted and organized as animal model characteristics, treatment period, experimental and control group settings, evaluation index of treatment, therapeutic mechanism of herbal medicine and Composition of prescription. Results: In the 15 studies finally selected, the herbal medicine used in the study was effective in regulating the insulin resistance index, sex hormones and blood lipid index and improving the histological morphology of the ovaries. The herbal medicine prescriptions used in each of the 15 papers were different, and Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix (丹參), Wolfiporia cocos (茯苓) and Epimedii Herba (淫羊藿) were most frequently used herbs, 7 times. Conclusions: The results showed that herbal medicine is effective in treating insulin resistance in Polycystic ovary syndrome through several mechanisms. The herbs used in more than 4 papers had effects such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, estradiol hormone production control and glycolipid metabolism control. More diverse clinical studies on insulin resistance in Polycystic ovary syndrome are needed.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.31-54
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• 2024

Objectives: This study assessed the effectiveness of Hwanggigyejiomul-tang for postoperative breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) by a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods: A search was conducted using keywords such as "breast cancer", "lymphedema", "edema", "Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu decoction", "Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu tang", and "Hwanggigyejiomul tang" in 10 databases (PubMed, Cochrane, ScienceDirect, CNKI, CiNii, RISS, KISS, ScienceON, OASIS, DBpia) on February 11, 2024. There were no limits on the publication period and language, and the quality of the studies was evaluated using Cochrane's risk of bias tool. A meta-analysis was performed based on the outcome measurements, such as total effective rate (TER), increase in shoulder joint mobility (flexion, extension, abduction, adduction), Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA), and visual analog scale (VAS) using Review Manager Web. Results: Eleven RCTs were selected. The treatment group (Hwanggigyejiomul-tang-gagambang or hapbang with control group intervention) showed a more statistically significant effect compared with the control group (physical therapy or western medicine) in TER (upper limb circumference change), TER (upper limb edema grade change), increase in flexion angle, increase in extension angle, increase in adduction angle, FMA, and VAS. Conclusions: Hwanggigyejiomul-tang is effective in treating postoperative BCRL. However, because of the low quality of the included studies, more clinical studies are required to increase the possibility of clinical use.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.37-68
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• 2024

Objectives: This study aimed to systematically review thread-embedding treatment studies for depression, anxiety, and dementia and examine the effectiveness and safety of thread-embedding treatment. Methods: Ten domestic and international search databases were used for study selection, including CNKI, PubMed, CENTRAL, EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED, PsycArticles, RISS, OASIS, and KCI. We included studies that presented diagnostic or appropriate criteria for depression, anxiety, and dementia, and randomized control studies using thread-embedding therapy. We searched papers published until October 10, 2023. Results: Twenty-one studies were selected, of which 11 studies were conducted on depression, nine on dementia, and one on anxiety disorders. The most commonly used acupoint for depression was Gansu (BL18), whereas zusanli (ST36) and fenglong (ST40) were used for dementia. The most commonly used type of thread was 1-0 United States pharmacopeia (USP) and 1 cm for depression and 2-0 USP and 1 cm for dementia. The treatment period for most of the studies was once every 2 weeks and for 8 weeks. Among the included studies, 17 showed significant improvements in depression scales, such as Hamilton depression rating scale and Self rating depression scale, activities of daily living scales, and cognitive function scales, such as Hasegawa dementia scale and Mini-mental state examination. Six studies reported adverse events, and no studies reported significant adverse events. Two studies reported follow-ups. Conclusions: This study presents limited evidence for the effectiveness and safety of thread-embedding therapy for depression, anxiety, and dementia. Well-designed studies are needed to review the clinical efficacy and safety of thread-embedding therapy in the future.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.83-95
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• 2024

Objectives This review was conducted to evaluate the therapeutic effects of manual acupuncture (MA) for shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS). Methods We searched 12 electronic databases (DBpia, Korean studies Information Service System [KISS], Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System [OASIS], Research Information Sharing Service [RISS], China National Knowledge Infrastructure [CNKI], CINAHL, Clinical Key, Cochrane Library, Embase, JAMA, PubMed, Web of Science) to find randomized-controlled clinical trials (RCTs) investigating therapeutic effects of MA for treating SIS. Shoulder Pain and Disability Index scores and numeric pain rating scale or visual analogue scale were analyzed as the main evaluation criteria. Results Among 181 studies, 169 were screened and only 12 RCTs were eligible in our review. Finally, 11 RCTs could be statistically analyzed. MA was more effective than sham treatment and physical therapy in terms of reducing pain (p=0.003, p=0.0007 each). Electroacupuncture (EA) showed more significant effect than physical therapy (PT) for improving shoulder pain (p<0.00001) and shoulder functionality (p<0.00001). Conclusions These results suggest that MA and EA could be superior option for treating SIS than sham treatment or PT. However this review has its limitations due to the small sample size and lack of well-designed RCTs that were included in the study. Further well-designed RCTs are necessary to provide high-level evidence.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.29-48
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• 2024

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate recent trends in herbal medicine treatment for xerostomia. Methods : We searched for Randomized Controlled Trial(RCT) studies on xerostomia published after 2015 in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI). Studies were analyzed based on the year of publication, characteristics of patient groups, herbal medicine treatments and assessment scales. Results : A total of 16 RCT studies were selected. The most frequently used herbal prescription was Zengye Decoction(增液湯). Liriope Tuber(麥門冬), Rehmanniae Radix(生地黃), Glycyrrhizae Radix(甘草), Schisandrae Fructus(五味子), Scrophulariae Radix(玄蔘), Dendrobii Herba(石斛) and Gypsum Fibrosum(石膏) were commonly used herbs. Herbal medicine treatment demonstrated effectiveness in treating xerostomia across all the studies, and this effect was statistically significant. Conclusions : Herbal medicine treatment is effective in treating xerostomia. We anticipate that more high quality studies will be conducted in the future.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.1-16
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• 2024

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness and safety of herbal medicine treatment for acute pharyngitis. Methods : 2 databases(Wangfang Med Online, CNKI) were used to search Randomized Controlled Trials(RCTs) that used herbal medicine treatment for acute pharyngitis, which were published from January 2007 until April 2024. Results : 9 RCTs were selected in this study, and all studies compared herbal medicine alone treatment with western medicine alone treatment. The most frequently used medicine was Toxin-removing medicinal(淸熱解毒藥). Platycodonis Radix(桔梗) was the most frequently used herb. Meta-analysis of nine studies showed that the Total Effective Rate(TER) of treatment group was statistically higher than that of control group(RR:1.12, 95% CI:1.06 to 1.19, p<0.00001, I²=22%). Meta-analysis of 3 studies showed that the total symptom score of treatment group statistically improved than that of control group(MD: -1.00, 95% CI: -1.30 to -0.71, p<0.00001, I²=0%). Mild adverse events such as anorexia were identified in 4 RCTs, but no serious adverse events were reported. Conclusion : Using herbal medicine alone can be more effective and safe in improving acute pharyngitis than using western medicine. But further well-designed studies are needed because heterogeneity between studies existed and the quality of the reports needs to be improved.