• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.471-483
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was done to evaluate the effects of dignity interventions on depression, anxiety and meaning of life in terminally ill patients. Methods: PubMed, Cochrane Library CENTRAL, EMBASE, CINAHL and several Korean databases were searched. The main search strategy combined terms indicating dignity intervention, presence of terminal illness and study design. Methodological quality was assessed using Cochrane's Risk of Bias for randomized studies and Risk of Bias Assessment tool for non randomized studies. Data were analyzed by the RevMan 5.2.11 program of Cochrane Library. Results: Twelve clinical trials met the inclusion criteria with a total of 878 participants. Dignity intervention was conducted for a mean of 2.2 weeks, 2.8 sessions and an average of 48.7 minutes per session. Effect sizes were heterogeneous and subgroup analysis was done. Dignity interventions had a significant effect on depression (ES= -1.05, p<.001, $I^2$=15%) and anxiety (ES= -1.01, p<.001, $I^2$=0). For meaning of life, dignity interventions were effective (ES= -1.64, p=.005) and effect sizes were still heterogeneous. Conclusion: Results support findings that dignity interventions can assist terminal ill patients in reducing emotional distress and improving meaning of life. Further well-designed dignity studies will lead to better understanding of the effects of treatments on spiritual well-being.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.13-29
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate the effects of non-pharmacological interventions on sleep disturbance amongst adults aged 55 and above. Methods: PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CINAHL and several Korean databases were searched. The main search strategy combined terms including non-pharmacological interventions and presence of insomnia. Non-pharmacological interventions included cognitive behavioral therapy, auricular acupuncture, aromatherapy, and emotional freedom techniques. Methodological quality was assessed using Cochrane's Risk of Bias for randomized studies and Risk of Bias Assessment tool for non randomized studies. Data were analyzed by the RevMan 5.3 program of Cochrane Library. Results: Sixteen clinical trials met the inclusion criteria with a total of 962 participants. Non-pharmacological interventions was conducted for a mean of 5.5 weeks, 7.7 sessions, and an average of 70 minutes per session. The effects of non-pharmacological interventions on sleep quality (ES=-1.18), sleep efficiency (ES=-1.14), sleep onset latency (ES=-0.88), awakening time after sleep onset (ES=-0.87), and sleep belief (ES=-0.71) were significant, and their effect sizes were ranged from moderate to large. However, the effects on total sleep time and insomnia severity were not significant. Conclusion: The findings of the current study suggest that non-pharmacological interventions have a positive impact on attitudes and beliefs about sleep, sleep quality, sleep duration, and sleep efficiency. Therefore, the findings of the study provide an evidence to incorporate various non-pharmacological interventions into nursing practice to improve both sleep quality and quantity in patients with insomnia.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.49-60
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• 2014

Objectives The purpose of this study is to research current trends of acupuncture treatment of lumbar herniated intervertebral disc using the PubMed database. Methods We set up the search strategy and investigated clinical trials on acupuncture treatment of lumbar herniated intervertebral disc through PubMed search. This study analyzed previous researched papers published from January 1st, 2000 to April 30th, 2014, and classified them by publication year, journal names, types of literature, treatment methods and evaluation scales. To assess the quality of the reviewed literature, randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies were assessed by Cochrane's risk of bias (ROB) tool and non-RCT studies were assessed by risk of bias for non-randomized studies (RoBANS). Results We found 35 studies on the acupuncture treatment of lumbar herniated intervertebral disc. Papers on this topic have been published, on average, three to four times annually in 9 journals since the mid-2000's. The journal with the largest number of publications was Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion, and most of articles were classified as RCT. Acupuncture treatment was performed individually or together with other treatments. The most frequently used pain evaluation index was visual analogue scale (VAS). The index of effective rate was used frequently but there was a lack of objectivity. In regards to the quality of the studies, outcome assessment in RCT showed that random sequence generation, allocation concealment, and the blinding of participants and personnel increase potential of risk of bias. For non-RCT assessment, outcome showed that confounding variable, measurement of intervention were at high risk of bias. Conclusions In order to obtain objective clinical evidence of acupuncture treatment of lumbar herniated intervertebral disc, further clinical studies should be designed to minimize the risk of bias, using STRICTA with larger sample sizes.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.1136-1149
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• 2018

Objectives: The aim of this study was to perform a meta analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that applied Opae-san to peptic ulcer. Methods: The databases NDSL, RISS, KISS, KISTI, Oasis, DBpia, Cochrane, EMBASE, Pubmed, and CNKI were searched to identify RCTs that evaluated the therapeutic response to Opae-san on peptic ulcer. The selected studies were assessed using Cochrane Group's risk of bias tool. Results: 12 RCTs were selected from a total of 312 identified. Combined therapies of Opae-san plus triple therapy were superior to only triple therapy in achieving the effective rate (risk ratio=1.26, 95% CI: 1.17 to 1.35, p<0.001, I2=0%), the helicobacter pylori eradication rate (risk ratio=1.23, 95% CI: 1.12 to 1.34, p<0.001, I2=7%) and the recurrence rate (risk ratio=0.31, 95% CI: 0.12 to 0.82, p=0.02, I2=0%). But only Opae-san was not superior in achieving the effective rate compared to anti gastric secretion drugs. Conclusions: The current evidence suggests that combined therapies of Opae-san plus triple therapy yield a higher effective rate, and helicobacter pylori eradication rate and a lower recurrence rate. However, in most of these studies, it is difficult to evaluate the bias and therefore better designed studies are needed.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2019

Objectives The purpose of this study is to provide an evidence base for the effectiveness of Chuna manual therapy (CMT) alone for cervicogenic dizziness. Methods We conducted a search up to October 2018 in 7 electronic databases. The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that performed CMT for cervicogenic dizziness were included. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Results Ten RCTs met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis of 4 RCTs showed favorable results for the use of CMT alone compared to medication. Conclusions In 10 RCTs, we found that CMT was effective in cervicogenic dizziness. However, most of the included RCTs were unclear risk of bias. Therefore, well designed RCTs would be needed to obtain the stronger evidence level of CMT for cervicogenic dizziness.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.13-23
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• 2019

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Chuna manual therapy (CMT) for the treatment of tinnitus. Methods : We performed a literature search using eight electronic databases, using related keywords, from January 1990 until the end of April 2019. The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which evaluated the effectiveness of CMT in the treatment of tinnitus were included in this study. The risk of bias were evaluated using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Results : Five appropriate RCTs were included and analyzed. The efficacy rate of the CMT group was statistically significantly higher (P<0.03) versus the control group treated with Western medicine, acupuncture, and herbal medicine-only. Conclusions : In this literature review, there was sufficient evidence that CMT is more effective than conventional therapy (including Western medicine, acupuncture, and herbal medicine) in treating tinnitus. However, it should be considered that the included studies lacked any reference of the risk of bias

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.30-36
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• 2013

The aim of this review was to assess the effectiveness of ginseng as a treatment option for managing menopause symptoms. We searched the literature using ll databases from their inception to 26 September 2012 and included all randomised clinical trials (RCTs) that compared any type of ginseng to a placebo controls in postmenopausal women. The methodological quality of all studies was assessed using a Cochrane risk of bias tool. Four RCTs met our inclusion criteria. Most RCTs had high risk of bias. One RCT showed that Korean red ginseng (KRG) significantly improved sexual arousal and global health compared with placebo. Another RCT reported the superiority of KRG over placebo for treating menopause symptoms on Kupperman's index and menopausal rating score. The third RCT failed to show a significant effect of KRG on hot flash frequency compared to placebo. The fourth RCT found beneficial effects of ginseng compared to placebo on depression and well-being. In conclusion, the evidence on ginseng as an effective treatment for managing menopause symptoms is limited. Most of the RCTs are burdened with a high risk of bias. Thus firm conclusions cannot be drawn. Rigorous studies seem warranted.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.49-64
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• 2020

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to provide a clinical evidence base for the effectiveness of the muscle energy technique (MET) for cervicalgia. Methods : We conducted a search of 10 electronic databases up to April 2019. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that performed the MET for cervicalgia were included. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias (RoB) tool. Results : Six RCTs met the inclusion criteria. The literature review of these studies showed favorable results for the use of the MET in comparison to other manual medicines. Conclusions : In 6 RCTs, we found that the MET was effective in cervicalgia treatment. However, most of the included studies had an unclear risk of bias. Therefore, well-designed RCTs are necessary to obtain a higher evidence level of the MET use in cervicalgia.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.274-284
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects and characteristics of health care programs for pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in Korea. Methods: This study was conducted according to the Cochrane Collaboration's systematic literature review handbook and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses reporting guideline. We searched eight international and domestic electronic databases for relevant studies. Two reviewers independently selected the studies and extracted data. For each study, information on the research method, participants, characteristics of the program, and results were extracted using a previously established coding table. The National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency's risk of bias assessment tool for non-randomized studies was used to assess the risk of bias of the included articles. A qualitative review of the selected studies was performed because the interventions differed considerably and the measured outcomes varied. Results: Out of 128 initially identified papers, seven were included in the final analysis. The risk of bias was evaluated as generally low. Health care programs for pregnant women with GDM showed positive effects on blood glucose control. Anxiety and depression were reduced, and self-management and self-care behavior, self-efficacy, and maternal identity improved. Conclusion: Our study provides clinical evidence for the effectiveness of health care programs for pregnant women with GDM, and its results can be used to support the development of health care programs for GDM. More well-designed research is needed on GDM, especially studies that deal with emotional stress and apply a family-oriented approach.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.51-59
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was designed to evaluate clinical evidence of acupuncture treatment for peripheral facial palsy in South Korea. Methods : All process was independently proceeded by two investigators. Literature search was performed in 9 databases from their inception to February 2013. Searched reports was twice excluded for title, abstract and body. And then, data extract and analysis was done before assessing risk of bias by Cochrane Handbook. Results : 10 randomized controlled trials(RCT) were finally included. 4 RCT handled postauricular pain with facial palsy. All articles at least used in combination with two treatments. Interventions like pharmacopuncture, electroacupuncture, scalp acupuncture etcetera were conducted as treatment to evaluate efficacy, and some study reported advantageous effects of treatment group compared to baseline or control group. Adverse events didn't referd to in any studies. In assessing risk of bias, indefinite and uncertain information made all included trials to have a high risk of bias. Conclusions : Because of methodological deficit, there is no sufficient evidence to allow any conclusion about the efficacy of acupuncture for peripheral facial palsy. Therefore, well designed trials with high quality is needed from now on.