• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.227-233
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to report the clinical effects of catgut-embedding acupuncture therapy on plantar fasciitis. Methods : Two patients were treated mainly with catgut-embedding acupuncture therapy and partly with other Korean medicine modalities. Catgut-embedding acupuncture therapy was applied once a week for three weeks, and follow-up observation was conducted by telephone survey two months after the first treatment. Results : In these two cases, the pain numerical rating scale(NRS) gradually decreased from 8 to 1, and the pain relief as well as the improvement in ambulatory function was maintained at two-month follow-up. Conclusions : Catgut-embedding acupuncture therapy could be effective for pain-reduction and functional improvement in plantar fasciitis.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.55-69
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• 2020

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to analyze research trends on the effects of catgut-embedding therapy on allergic rhinitis. Methods : We searched potentially relevant randomized controlled trials using various electronic databases and extracted data using a standardized form. Results : Finally, 11 studies were selected and analyzed. All studies were conducted in China and the number of studies has increased especially in recent 3 years. 11 studies compared catgut-embedding therapy with usual care, acupuncture, sham catgut-embedding therapy. Most studies showed that catgut-embedding therapy was effective and had long lasting effect compared with comparison group. Conclusions : All studies were conducted in China and it is necessary to review its evidence for clinical application in Korea. Further studies are needed on this topic in order to demonstrate the effectiveness and safety clearly.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.43-49
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• 2015

Objectives: We evaluated the effect of the traditional Korean medical therapy of catgut-embedding therapy in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Methods: Thirteen patients(20 hands) with CTS underwent catgut-embedding therapy once per week for a total of 1-4 sessions. We measured the time to tingling in the fingers on performing Phalen's test. We also had patients use a visual analog scale (VAS) to indicate the severity of tingling. We also asked about the awakening time at night due to pain and tingling. We controlled the treatment as being limited to four sessions. Even if a patient had not been treated for four sessions, we ended the patient's treatment if symptoms resolved. Results: Patients who received catgut-embedding therapy showed significant improvements in the clinical symptoms of CTS. After treatment, in a total of 19 hands, the status of fourteen was changed from positive to negative in Phalen's test and the average of tingling occurrence time in that test was delayed. Among the 20 hands, the VAS in eight hands changed to zero and the average of VAS score decreased. Furthermore, in nine patients, four could sleep well without the use of a splint. Conclusions: Patients undergoing this traditional Korean medical therapy showed alleviation of finger tingling after even a single treatment. We thus concluded that this traditional Korean catgut-embedding therapy, may be effective for treating CTS. However, to confirm the effects of catgut-embedding therapy on CTS, further tests are required, including under the defined, strict conditions of a randomized controlled trial.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.312-321
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was to report the effect of catgut-embedding therapy on scalp acupoints in stroke patients with hemiparesis. Methods : Three stroke patients with hemiparesis were treated by catgut -embedding therapy on scalp acupoints twice a week. After three weeks, the score of manual muscle test (MMT) and modified Barthel index (MBI) were improved compared with the first examination. Results and Conclusions : After the treatment, MMT and MBI score improved in all three patients. These results showed that catgut-embedding therapy on scalp acupoints is possible to be effective for treating hemiparesis in stroke patients, and further studies should be conducted to provide more valuable information.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.58-74
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• 2024

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of urinary incontinence treatment using catgut embedding therapy. Methods: Using electronic databases including Pubmed, EMBASE, and CAJ, we looked for randomized controlled trials that treated urinary incontinence with catgut embedding that were published between January 2000 and December 2023. The chosen clinical studies' interventions and outcomes were examined. Results: Ultimately, eight randomized controlled trials met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Treatment group was treated with catgut embedding alone in 3 studies, and with Biofeedback Electrical Stimulation Therapy (Biofeedback EST), Kegel exercises, Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture Injection in 5 studies. Control group was treated with Biofeedback EST, Kegel exercises, Herbal Medicine, Vitamin B, Electroacupuncture (EA), Denitine Tolterodine Tartrat with Bladder Drill, Tension-free Vaginal Tape Obturator (TVT-O) and Acupoint Injection Therapy. Outcome measures are total efficacy rate, Urine pad test, Urinary frequency, Maximum bladder capacity, VRP, POP-Q, etc. 關元 (CV4) was the most frequently used acupoint in catgut embedding therapy. In all of 8 studies, treatment group was more effective for urinary incontinence than the control group. Conclusions: According to this study, catgut embedding may be useful in enhancing the therapeutic outcome for urine incontinence, either by itself or in conjunction with standard medical treatment.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.71-80
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• 2017

Objectives: The purpose of this systematic review was to overview and evaluate the effectiveness of acupoint catgut embedding for climacteric hot flush. Methods: We searched articles from CNKI, Pubmed CENTRAL, Koreantk, Oasis online databases. After searching the articles, we performed quality assessment using Cochrane risk of bias (RoB) tools. Results: Among the 20 articles were searched, one radomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) was selected. 1 Study showed that Acupoint catgut embedding treatment has significant effect on climacteric hot flush in terms of the effectiveness rate. Conclusions: This study found encouraging but limited evidence of aupoint catgut embedding theragpy for climacteric hot flush.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.29-40
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• 2015

Objectives We have attempted to provide the basis of treatment effects by considering foreign & domestic randomized controlled trials (RCTs), being implemented with catgut-embedding therapy for lumbar disc herniation. Methods We found the literatures prepared in Korean, English, and Chinese by December 2014 in electronic databases (Pubmed, Science Direct, Proquest, OASIS, KMbase, NDSL, RISS, National Assembly Library). We choosed RCTs by selection criteria through abstracts & articles, extracted and analyzed data. Cochrane's Risk of Bias Tool was used & implemented for the risk of bias. Results The total of 17 studies were included in the review. 88.2% of studies were accomplished within the last decade. The experimental group has shown more significant effects in 70.6% of studies, and the long-term & partial significant results were obtained in 29.4% of studies. Affected lumbar area and pelvic limb area with radiating pain were mostly selected for acupoint. Conclusions Overall and partial significant results were obtained from 17 foreign & domestic comparative RCTs which substantiates the treatment effects of catgut-embedding therapy for lumbar disc herniation. Since all studies, however, were exposed to the risk of bias, so future research of higher quality shall be necessary.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.16-44
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• 2014

Objective : To search the trend of studying thread-embedding therapy in Korean medicine academia up to now and to expand the range of using thread-embedding therapy in the future, this study was designed. Methods : Using search portal sites the following; http://oasis.kiom.re.kr, http://www.riss.re.kr, collected 37 articles and devided those three parts and classificated those into four subsection as follows; total analysis, original article, case report. Results : The number of articles are 8 review articles, 14 original articles, 15 case reports. In the year 2013, 14 articles were published and ranked highest(37.8%). The journal of acupuncture & moxibustion medicine society ranked highest(40.5%). 5 persons ranked highest(32.4%) in number of author. Facial beauty care ranked highest(21.6%) in clssification of disease. Remedy item ranked highest(50.0%) in classification of subjects of 8 review articles. No more than 25 persons ranked highest(66.7%) and 6~12months of treatment period ranked highest(33.3%) in 14 original articles. Conclusions : Thread-embedding therapy is considered very useful on various part of Korean medicine clinic. We need to expand application scope of thread-embedding therapy in the future.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.56-67
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to review clinical studies of herb medicine and acupuncture treatment on obesity in menopausal women. Methods: Key words "Obesity", "Menopause", "Herb medicine", "Acupuncture", "Moxibustion", "Catgut embedding" were searched on 9 database systems (PubMed Central, Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials, Embase, China Academic Journals, Korean Traditional Knowledge Portal, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System, Korean Studies Information Service System, National Digital Science Library, DBpia) on April 30th 2019. Results: 1 case report and 17 clinical trials were collected in accordance with the selection and exclusion criteria. Among the 17 trials, 6 were randomized controlled trials, 1 was controlled clinical trial, and 10 were single-arm trials. The types of intervention were herb medicine, electroacupuncture, acupuncture, auricular acupuncture, warm needle acupuncture, moxibustion, laser acupuncture, and catgut embedding. The study design, study results and method of intervention were analyzed. Conclusions: 1 case report described the effectiveness of pharmacopuncture, 4 trials described the effectiveness of herbal medicine, 2 of electroacupuncture, 1 of laser acupuncture, and 2 of catgut embedding. Among the 17 trials, 2 studies showed that herbal medicine treatment was more effective than no treatment or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and 1 study showed that electroacupuncture was more effective than hormone therapy. All of 18 selected studies reported the effectiveness of weight reduction and abdominal obesity reduction after the traditional Korean medicine treatment for obesity in menopausal women.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.219-224
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• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to report the clinical effects of needle-embedding acupuncture therapy combined with Korean medicine on a lumbar herniated intervertebral disc. Methods : We treated one patient with a lumbar herniated intervertebral disc with needle-embedding acupuncture therapy combined with Korean medical treatment. We checked the numeric rating scale(NRS), oswestry low back pain disability index(ODI) and straight leg raising test(SLRT). Results : In this case, the numeric rating scale decreased, while the straight leg raising test results improved. Conclusion : Needle-embedding acupuncture therapy could be effective for pain-reduction for a lumbar herniated intervertebral disc.