• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.75-87
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• 2015

Background: Lumbar discogenic pain without pain mediated by a disc herniation, facet joints, or the sacroiliac joints, is common and often results in chronic, persistent pain and disability. After conservative treatment failure, injection therapy, such as an epidural injection, is frequently the next step considered in managing discogenic pain. The objective of this systematic review is to determine the efficacy of lumbar epidural injections in managing discogenic pain without radiculopathy, and compare this approach to lumbar fusion or disc arthroplasty surgery. Methods: A systematic review of randomized trials published from 1966 through October 2014 of all types of epidural injections and lumbar fusion or disc arthroplasty in managing lumbar discogenic pain was performed with methodological quality assessment and grading of evidence. The level of evidence was based on the grading of evidence criteria which, was conducted using 5 levels of evidence ranging from levels I to V. Results: Based on a qualitative assessment of the evidence for both approaches, there is Level II evidence for epidural injections, either caudal or lumbar interlaminar. Conclusions: The available evidence suggests fluoroscopically directed epidural injections provide long-term improvement in back and lower extremity pain for patients with lumbar discogenic pain. There is also limited evidence showing the potential effectiveness of surgical interventions compared to nonsurgical treatments.

• Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.361-375
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• 2018

We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of long-acting injectable (LAI) and oral second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) in treating schizophrenia by performing a systematic review and meta-analysis. MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library, as well as five Korean databases, were systemically searched to identify studies published from 2000 to 16 April 2015, which compared the efficacy and safety of LAI and oral SGAs. Using data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs), meta-analyses were conducted. In addition, the GRADE (the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach was applied to explicitly assess the quality of the evidence. A total of 30 studies including 17 RCTs and 13 observational studies were selected. The group treated with LAI SGAs was characterized by significantly lower relapse rates, longer times to relapse and fewer hospital days, but also by a higher occurrence of extrapyramidal syndrome and prolactin-related symptoms than that in the group treated with oral SGAs. Our findings demonstrate that there is moderate to high level of evidence suggesting that in the treatment of schizophrenia, LAI SGAs have higher efficacy and are associated with higher rates of extrapyramidal syndrome and prolactin-related symptoms. Additionally, the use of LAI SGAs should be combined with appropriate measures to reduce dopamine $D_2$ antagonism-related symptoms.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2023

Purpose: Evidence-based design is the process of making design decisions based on reliable research to achieve the best results, so it is important to accumulate reliable evidence through research. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to present new evidence by applying the evidence-based design process to improve the digital signage for each room spaces in hospitals and verifying its effectiveness. Method: Through the 8-step process of evidence-based design, improved digital signage for each room spaces are installed. It conducted surveys and statistical analysis to prove hypotheses by linking design and research. Results: The hypotheses established in the study are: 1) improvement in the readability of digital signage is correlated with patient satisfaction; 2) Improving the intuitiveness of digital signage correlates with patient satisfaction; 3) Improving the sufficiency of digital signage correlates with patient satisfaction. As a result of satisfaction analysis and correlation analysis, all of the above hypotheses were proven. Implications: Although the hospital sign system is the element that patients rely on most intuitively in the long journey of reception, waiting, examination, and treatment, there is insufficient evidence to refer to or apply it when designing. It is necessary to expand future research to expand the evidence that can be applied to hospital sign design.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.48-64
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• 2022

Objectives The purpose of this study was to review and evaluate the clinical evidence of the efficacy and safety of treatment based on Sasang constitutional medicine (SCM) for post-stroke patients by systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), published in 10 electronic databases up to December 2020, were searched. For the included studies, Cochrane's risk of bias assessment was performed to analyze the methodological quality. The strength of evidence was evaluated using the grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation system based on the results of analyses. All review processes were performed by two independent researchers. Results Five RCTs were finally included. All included RCTs were conducted for one month on post-stroke patients in 60-80s, four studies on Tae-Eum patients and one study on So-Yang patients. Four types of constitution-specific herbal medicine (Chungpyesagan-tang, Cheongsimsanyak-tang, Yeoldahanso-tang, and Yangkyuksanhwa-tang) and constitution-specific acupuncture therapy were identified as interventions. More than half of the included studies were evaluated as low quality due to the high-risk of bias in selection, performance, and detection. The combination of constitution-specific herbal medicine, acupuncture, and conventional treatment was more effective in improving the patients' motor impairment, dysphagia, aphasia, and depression than conventional treatment alone. No serious adverse events by SCM treatment were reported. Conclusions SCM treatment may improve the sequelae of post-stroke patients safely in combination with conventional treatment. Since the quality of clinical evidence included in this study was low, higher quality clinical evidence obtained in well-designed clinical studies will be needed.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.31-43
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• 2016

Objectives : It focuses on what the consumers expected Korean medicine to improve on, and analyzes patients' impressions. Methods : This research is based on the Ministry of Health and Welfare's Survey on Usage of Korean Medicine (2008, 2011, and 2014) and was new analysis for our research objective. Results : The general consensus among the consumers was uncertainty of effectiveness, expensive costs, side effects, need for expertise, lack of scientific evidence, expansion of diseases treated, and improvement of equipment. Consumers distrusted Korean medicine due to its uncertainty of its effectiveness, expensive costs, side effects, and lack of scientific evidence for its effectiveness, and avoided using Korean medicine. Conclusions : These results seem to be a combination of the Korean medicinal doctors treating patients not based on evidence but on their individual experiences, lack of health insurance for Korean medicine resulting in expensive costs, lack of research on toxicity and safety of Korean medicine, and lack of scientific and clinical studies for evidence-based research. To solve these problems, the Korean medicine community needs to standardize treatments based on evidence, and look to Chinese medicine for possible solutions.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.10-16
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• 2016

There were no Korean evidence-based multidisciplinary guidelines for gastric cancer. Experts from related societies developed guidelines de novo to meet Korean circumstances and requirements, including 23 recommendation statements for diagnosis (n=9) and treatment (n=14) based on relevant key questions. The quality of the evidence was rated according to the GRADE evidence evaluation framework and the recommendation grades were classified as either strong or weak. The topics of the guidelines cover diagnostic modalities (endoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound, and radiologic diagnosis), treatment modalities (surgery, therapeutic endoscopy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy), and pathologic evaluation. Major limitation of the present guideline is that there is no enough evidences in Korea. Therefore, clinical studies about gastric cancer for evidence generation should be conducted.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.78-90
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate measurement properties of self-report questionnaires measuring the social adjustment for youth after treatment of childhood cancer. Methods: Social adjustment measurement tools were identified through a two-stage systematic review. First, we searched for articles using self-report questionnaires to measure the social adjustment of youth after the treatment of childhood cancer. The appropriate tools were listed and categorized. Second, using methodological filters, we searched 5 electronic databases for articles examining the measurement properties of the tools when used with youth after the treatment of childhood cancer. The quality of these papers was then evaluated using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklist. Results: Eight tools were frequently used to measure social adjustment. Eight studies investigated the measurement properties of 4 of these tools. The PedsQL 4.0 and MMQL-AF had moderate to strong evidence in some domains, but the rest of the domains had a lack of evidence. The SF-36 and KIDSCREEN-27 were validated for only a few areas. Conclusion: We found a lack of evidence regarding the measurement properties of these tools. More research is required on the measurement properties of tools for use in this population.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.6-12
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• 2021

Insomnia is one of the most common sleep disorders experienced by modern people, and treatment is often not adequate due to various limitations. Digital therapeutics for insomnia are expected to play a revolutionary role in supplementing and satisfying unmet needs in real-world clinical treatment. Digital therapeutics for insomnia were developed based on cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia, which is the first standard treatment for insomnia. The effectiveness of digital therapeutics for insomnia developed by several companies has been proven through well-designed clinical research. Various approaches have been used for practical application of digital therapeutics for insomnia. Thus far, meaningful results have been drawn, but there are areas that need to be improved upon based on real-world evidence. Sleep researchers need to validate the safe and effective application of digital therapeutics for the treatment of insomnia.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.11-15
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• 2023

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a chronic idiopathic orofacial pain. BMS is currently classified as a neuropathic pain condition, but it is difficult to pinpoint the precise neuropathic mechanisms involved in each patient. It is challenging to complete the cure for BMS. Clinicians should treat BMS patients based on evidence. There is pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapy in the treatment modalities of BMS. The provision of objective information and reassurance as part of cognitive behavioral therapy is critical in the treatment of BMS. This paper will review the evidence-based treatment of BMS and discuss what we need to do.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.153-167
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• 2023

Objective: Bipolar disorder displays a spectrum of manifestations, including manic, hypomanic, depressive, mixed, psychotic, and atypical episodes, contributing to its chronic nature and association with heightened suicide risk. Creating effective pharmacotherapy guidelines is crucial for managing bipolar disorder and reducing its prevalence. Treatment algorithms grounded in science have improved symptom management, but variations in recommended medications arise from research differences, healthcare policies, and cultural nuances globally. Methods: This study compares Korea's bipolar disorder treatment algorithm with guidelines from the UK, Australia, and an international association. The aim is to uncover disparities in key recommended medications and their underlying factors. Differences in CYP450 genotypes affecting drug metabolism contribute to distinct recommended medications. Variances also stem from diverse guideline development approaches-expert consensus versus metaanalysis results-forming the primary differences between Korea and other countries. Results: Discrepancies remain in international guidelines relying on meta-analyses due to timing and utilized studies. Drug approval speeds further impact medication selection. However, limited high-quality research results are the main cause of guideline variations, hampering consistent treatment conclusions. Conclusion: Korea's unique Delphi-based treatment algorithm stands out. To improve evidence-based recommendations, large-scale studies assessing bipolar disorder treatments for the Korean population are necessary. This foundation will ensure future recommendations are rooted in scientific evidence.