• The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
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• v.8 no.7
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• pp.1103-1110
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• 2013

This study was investigated the subjects' satisfaction in the therapy among the internet age. The subjects of the study were 200 women who have menses in ages from 18 to 55 among visitors of five public health centers and attendants of A church in Gwangju. The period of the study ranged from September 6 to October 10, 2010. As a study instrument, this study used a questionnaire developed based on questions from studies published by An Seung-duk(2003). This study used SPSS 17.0, for a frequency analysis, a cross-tabulation and a chi-squared test. During the analysis, 43.4% of the subjects used the complementary alternative therapy. 56.3% visited used oriental medical clinics or herbal medicine shops as places to use the therapy, 42.5% received medicine, acupuncture, moxibustion and cupping at oriental medical clinics. As expenses of the therapy, 56.3% spent less than 500,000 won a year. After the therapy, 51% answered they were satisfied with the therapy. In conclusion, it was discovered that use rate of the therapy is increasing, the subjects decided to use the therapy for themselves or through recommendation from acquaintances, and they mainly depended on reliable oriental medical clinics or folk remedies against menstrual pain, and insurance benefits for the therapy should be considered except oriental medical hospitals or clinics.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.79-89
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• 2023

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate various application methods of focused ultrasound and apply them to clinical use in Korean medicine. Methods : Search was performed using the search engines of electronic databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), ScienceON, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, Japan Science Technology Information Aggregator, Electronic (J-STAGE) and Citation Information by NII (CiNii), from inception to July 2023 without language limitation. Inclusion criteria were clinical studies including randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and animal experimental studies related with focused ultrasound treatments for acupoints or meridian sinews. Results : Total 17 papers, 7 for RCT, 6 for in vivo animal studies, and other experimental studies, were finally selected. Indications used in studies were shoulder pain, back pain, chronic back pain, and degenerative knee arthritis. In experimental studies, studies on animal models of hypoxic ischemic brain damage and hyperlipidemia were also conducted. As for the acupoints, LR3, LI4, and ST36 were used in clinical studies and, in animal experimental studies, GV20, KI1, and ST36 were used. As for the dose, 4 studies below 3 W/cm² and 3 studies in the range of 0.625 to 5 W/cm² in clinical studies, and all studies did not exceed 5 W/cm². In animal experimental studies, 0.5 W/cm², 2 W/cm², 7.5 WW/cm², 15 W/cm², 10~20 W/cm² were used. In all three studies describing the penetration depth during irradiation, it was less than 1 cm. Conclusions : We suggest that focused ultrasound is an appropriate treatment tool for stimulating the acupoints to transfer heat energy. Future studies with rigorous and well-designed RCTs for various diseases will be required to ascertain the focused ultrasound stimulate acupoints or meridian sinews.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.143-154
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• 2020

Objectives To analyze the prognosis of patients with low back pain according to the severity of abnormal lumbar lordotic angle and Ferguson's angle. Methods Data from electronic medical record of a total of 199 patients hospitalized in Korean medicine hospital were analyzed. With the sagittal view of lumbar spine X-ray, lumbar lordotic angle was defined as the angle between the superior endplate of L1 with the inferior endplate of L5. Ferguson's angle was defined as the angle between the superior surfaces of the sacral with a horizontal line. 'Measure Cobb's Angle Tool' of 'INFINITT PACS' was used to measure both angles. Lumbar lordotic angle and Ferguson's angle were subdivided into five sections. The number of days from onset and the duration of hospitalization were analyzed in each section. Results Severe hypolordotic lumbar lordotic angle group were found to have longer medical history and hospitalization duration than the control group. The ratio of long-term hospitalization (over 15 days) and chronic medical history (over 180 days) of patients with severe hypolordotic Ferguson's angle were significantly higher than the control group. The ratio of patients with chronic medical history (over 180 days) was significantly higher in severe hyperlordotic Ferguson's angle group than the control group. Conclusions Severe hypolordotic lumbar lordotic angle was related to patient's prognosis. Both severe hyperlordotic and severe hypolordotic Ferguson's angle were found to be related to patient's prognosis. However, a moderate loss of lumbar lordotic angle and Ferguson's angle was not related to prognosis of low back pain patients.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.45-68
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• 2020

Objectives : This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of manual and electroacupuncture on glaucoma. Method : We searched 11 electronic databases using index words to identify randomized clinical trials. Meta-analysis of weighted mean difference (WMD) or standardized mean difference (SMD) were used to evaluate the outcomes. Cochrane bias risk assessment tool was used to assess the risk of bias in each clinical study. The collected data was analyzed using RevMan software (ver. 5.3). Results : At the initial stage of data retrieval, 549 papers were searched. After reviewing 37 full texts, a total of 10 RCT studies (426patients, 715 eyes) were selected and 8 RCT studies (357 people, 617 eyes) were involved in meta-analysis. Meta-analysis of 8 RCTs showed that acupuncture alone was more effective in reducing intraocular pressure(IOP) than conventional treatment (WMD = -5.73, 95% CI: [-12.30, 0.83], P = 0.09, I² = 97%) The combination of acupuncture or electroacupuncture with conventional treatment was also effective in lowering IOP (WMD = -1.84, 95% CI: [-2.31, -1.37], P <0.00001, I² = 45%). It was estimated that the combination of acupuncture with conventional treatment was also effective for improving visual field (VF) (WMD = -2.17, 95% CI: [-4.32, -0.02], P = 0.05, I² = 89%) but improvement in visual acuity (VA) was not significant (MD = 0.06, 95% CI: [-0.03, 0.15], P = 0.23, I² = 0%). Subgroup analyzes were performed only for the studies that used open glaucoma as the study's disease and combination of acupuncture or electroacupuncture with conventional therapy would have an effect on lowering intraocular pressure (WMD = -1.68)., 95% CI: [-2.46, -0.90], P <0.0001, I² = 29%). Conclusion : This study suggests that acupuncture treatment for glaucoma may be effective in reducing intraocular pressure and helpful in improving visual field defects. However, due to the small sample size, high risk of bias and high heterogeneity in the methodology, it is expected that further studies will be needed to verify the results. Further studies in large-scale samples based on a minimized biased methodology would be necessary.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.135-148
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• 2023

Objectives To investigate the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of post-disaster musculoskeletal pain by reviewing relevant clinical studies. Methods A systematic search was conducted across 10 electronic databases to identify relevant clinical studies on acupuncture treatment for post-disaster musculoskeletal pain until May 2023. The methodological quality was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 and Risk of Bias Assessment tool for non-randomized studies tools. Results Six articles were analyzed, including two randomized controlled trials (RCTs), two before-after studies, one qualitative research, and one case series. Overall, acupuncture therapy showed some improvement in pain scale among musculoskeletal pain survivors. However, no significant improvement was observed in the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ-2). Subgroup analysis of participants who completed at least four acupuncture sessions revealed a significant effect on the SFMPQ-2. Additionally, a significant improvement in 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF36P) was observed after 6 months of treatment, but the 2-month treatment period did not show statistically significant effects on SF-36P improvement. The evaluation of the methodological quality of the RCTs identified some concerns of bias. Conclusions The results suggest that acupuncture is effective in alleviating post-disaster musculoskeletal pain. However, considering the limited number of selected studies and the inclusion of subjective evaluation measures, caution should be exercised in interpreting the results. Further large-scale follow-up studies are needed to determine the optimal frequency and duration of acupuncture treatment. Well-designed controlled trials should be conducted to provide more robust evidence regarding the effectiveness of acupuncture for post-disaster musculoskeletal pain.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.135-147
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• 2024

Objectives The aim of this study is to investigate the research trends in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment for pes anserine bursitis using the search results from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Methods We searched for clinical studies on pes anserine bursitis in the CNKI electronic database. We analyzed the publication year, study type, participant demographics, treatment methods and duration, evaluation criteria, adverse events, and the results of each article. Results Seventeen studies published from January 1, 2014 to January 1, 2024 were selected. Among the 17 selected studies, 14 were randomized controlled trials and 2 were case reports. The most frequently used treatment intervention was acupuncture. Nine types of acupuncture were identified, including electro-acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, acupotomy, floating acupuncture, and other new types of acupuncture. The most commonly used evaluation outcome was effective rate. Conclusions Various TCM treatments for pes anserine bursitis were introduced, and we could identify the effectiveness of TCM in treating pes anserine bursitis. However, it is anticipated that more well-designed and high-quality evaluation studies will be required in the future.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.33-48
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• 2024

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of Korean-Western medicine integrative care for patients on hospitalized with gynecologic and breast cancer. Methods: The records were searched for integrative medical treatment the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in a Korean medical hospital between January 1st, 2021 and April 30, 2024, based on the Electronic Medical Record system (EMR). The records were reviewed and analyzed based on the patient's characteristics, the chief symptom, Korean medical treatment which patients received, and follow-up observation Results: 61 cases were screened, the patient's age is the highest in their 50s with 16 cases (26.23%). The average hospitalization period for patients with integrative care is 7.64 days. Among the patients with integrative care, 60 patients (98.36%) underwent surgery. Gastro-intestinal symptoms (nausea/vomiting, constipation /diarrhea etc.) showed the largest proportion in total symptoms (40.72%). After Korean-medicine integrative treatment, 62.30% of patients improved their symptoms, and 19.67% of cases were not improved because follow-up was not performed. Acupuncture is the most frequently performed Korean-medicine treatment (90.16%), followed by moxibustion (55.74%) and herbal medicine (37.70%). Among the herbal medicines, Gamisipjeon-tang and Geonchil-dan were the two most used herbal medicines. Conclusions: Included cases showed that treatments used in Korean medicine hospitals for integrative care with gynecologic and breast cancer are safe and effective based on several evidence. In the future, further high-quality large-scale study is needed to prove effectiveness of Korean-Western integrative care for patients with gynecologic and breast cancer.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.27-54
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• 2021

Objectives : This review was conducted to validate the effectiveness and safety of herbal medicine combined with conventional therapy for rosacea. Methods : Randomized controlled trials(RCTs) reporting the effects of herbal medicine treatment on rosacea were searched through eight electronic databases from 2016 to March 17, 2020. This study collection and data extraction were performed by two independent reviews. The Cochrane risk-of-bias tool was used for the evaluation of the risk of bias in all included RCTs. Mean differences(MD) and Risk ratio(RR) of 95% Confidence intervals(Cls) were calculated and data synthesis was conducted using Review Manager(RevMan, ver.5.4) Results : Eighteen RCTs were included and all trials compared the combined therapy of herbal medicine with conventional western therapy to conventional therapy alone. The effective rate of the combination of herbal medicine with western medicine(RR 1.20, 95% CI : 1.13-1.28, p<0.00001, I²=0%), the effective rate of the combination of herbal medicine with laser-based therapy(RR 1.12, 95% CI : 1.04-1.21, p=0.004, I²=18%) and the effective rate of the combination treatment group using herbal medicine, western medicine and external drugs were all statistically higher that of the control group(RR 1.19, 95% CI : 1.11-1.28, p<0.00001, I²=0%). The score of non transient erythema(MD -0.36, 95% CI : -1.01 0.29, p=0.27, I²=93%), flushing(MD -0.69, 95% CI : -0.97, 0.41, p<0.00001, I²=32%), papules or pustules(MD 0.10, 95% CI : -0.15, 0.35 p=0.44, I²=0%) were also seen in the herbal medicine and western medicine combination group. The overall risk of bias of the included studies was some concerns. No serious adverse effects were observed. Conclusions : This review found the safety and effectiveness of the combined therapy of herbal medicine with conventional western therapy for rosacea.