• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of non-pharmacologic interventions for chronic nonspecific low back pain (CLBP) in adults aged 18-64 years. Methods: We searched for potentially relevant randomized controlled trials and non-randomized controlled trials through five Korean electronic databases (i.e., Korean Studies Information Service System, Research Information Sharing Service, Korean Medical Database, KoreaMed, and National Assembly Library) published from January 2010 to May 2019. Two investigators independently selected the studies based on the criteria and assessed risk of bias in the included studies. We estimated the effect size of interventions using Comprehensive Meta Analysis 3.3. Results: Of 10,151 studies, 26 studies met the inclusion criteria and 15 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Exercise reduced low back pain (Hedges's g=-1.53, 95% CI: -2.22 to -0.85) and pain-related disabilities (Hedges's g=-0.92, 95% CI: -1.40 to -0.45). We found that taping was effective in decreasing low back pain (Hedges's g=-1.12, 95% CI: -1.51 to -0.73) and pain-related disabilities (Hedges's g=-0.50, 95% CI: -0.93 to -0.07). Manual therapy yielded a marginally significant reduction in low back pain (Hedges's g=-2.32, 95% CI: -4.64 to 0.00), the therapy was not effective in decreasing pain-related disabilities. Conclusion: Although there was little evidence for the effectiveness of manual therapy in adults with CLBP, exercise and taping were effective to relieve pain and pain-related disabilities. Based on these findings, we suggest the development of non-pharmacologic interventions or a nursing intervention protocol for the CLBP management. Also, nurses should consider implementation of effective non-pharmacologic interventions for CLBP.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.47-60
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• 2017

Objectives The aim of this research is to assess the effects of bee venom acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis. Methods For a systematic review, we constructed a key question as the effect of bee venom acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis and selected RCTs and nRCTs. We searched the following 15 databases without a language restriction: Pubmed, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL (CENTRAL), CINAHL, AMED, seven Korean medical databases (KoreaMed, Kmbase, KISS, NDSL, KISTI, Koreantk, OASIS) and three Chinese databases including CNKI, Wanfang and VIP database. Results A total of 300 potentially relevant studies were identified; only 13 studies were selected for systematic review. Almost studies showed that bee venom acupuncture has significant effect on knee osteoarthritis. 5 studies comparing bee venom acupuncture with acupuncture were included in the meta-analysis. The effect size of standardized mean difference (SMD) was analyzed as 'small effect' with 0.47 (95% CI: 0.10~0.83, Z=2.49, p=0.01). Conclusions The research showed that bee venom acupuncture can significantly reduce pain, stiffness and improve the quality of life of patients with knee osteoarthritis. However, most of the studies included in the analysis were evaluated as methodologically high risk of bias. This suggests that there is limitation applying this study. In the future, more Randomized Controlled trial should be actively conducted.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.81-93
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• 2017

Objectives The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of Chuna therapy for primary dysmenorrhea. Methods Researchers searched on 7 electronic databases (Pubmed, National Digital Science Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wangfang med online, Korean Studies Information Service System, Research Information Sharing Service and Oriental medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System). The search included Korean, English, Chinese reports and there was no limit on the search period. All of randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) that used Chuna manual therapy for primary dysmenorrhea were selected. Results 27 RCTs met required condition. Meta-analysis showed positive results for Chuna manual therapy for primary dysmenorrhea in terms of therapeutic effects and reduction of symptom scores compared to west medicine, herbal medicine, acupucture and other treatments. Conclusions Above results showed that performing chuna is effective in treating dysmenorrhea. However, in some studies, there was no statistic significance between the experimental group and the control group. Also, according to Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB) evaluation method, quality of the studies were not high enough. Since most of the materials were in Chinese, more high-quality clinical trials about Chuna therapy for primary dysmenorrhea are needed in Korea.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.75-87
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• 2020

Objectives : This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of manual therapy for wrist pain. Methods : We searched electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, CAJ, KISS, RISS, NDSL, OASIS, and KMBASE) for randomized controlled trials for manual therapy as a treatment for wrist pain. Results : A total of 9 randomized controlled trials were selected and meta-analysis was conducted on 6 studies. Three studies with different design of the intervention/control group were excluded from the meta-analysis. A high risk of bias was observed for both performance bias and detection bias. Conclusions : Our systematic review verified the clinical effect of manual therapy on wrist pain. Based on the results of this study, it is expected that clinical studies on wrist diseases and high-level follow-up studies will be conducted.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.89-100
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• 2020

Objectives : This study aimed to verify the clinical effectiveness of Baduanjin for shoulder pain. Methods : We searched 10 electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CAJ, KISS, KISTI, KMBASE, RISS, NDSL, and OASIS) up to May 2020. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using Baduanjin for shoulder pain. The methodological quality of each RCT was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Results : As a result of the search, a total of 6 RCTs were eligible for analysis. Of these 6 studies, one applied Baduanjin alone and 5 cases used Baduanjin in combination with other treatments, such as acupuncture or electroacupuncture. Except for 2 studies, descriptive analysis was performed without meta-analysis due to the high level of heterogeneity between studies. A high risk of bias was observed in all studies. Conclusions : When considering the results of the included papers, there was limited information derived on the therapeutic effect of using Baduanjin as a single intervention, but the results showed significant effectiveness when Baduanjin was combined with other oriental interventions, such as acupuncture and electroacupuncture, in the clinical field. Although all RCTs included in the analysis were biased to CAJ and the number was limited, this study was conducted in accordance with the methodological process of systematic literature reviews and revealed the clinical effects of Baduanjin on shoulder pain.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.69-99
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• 2011

Objective : Scutellaria baicalensis is one of the most popular and multi-purpose herb in traditional medicine. It is also useful for its practicability to cultivate in Korea. The purpose of this study is to contribute to researches and applications of scutellaria baicalensis by analyzing and reviewing international researches on the compositions and the effects of scutellaria baicalensis. Methods : This study analyzed 146 articles from PubMed by searching with the keyword "Scutellaria baicalensis", "Huang quin", "Baical Skullcap", "Huang qin", "baical skullcap root", "ogon", "Hwanggeum" and "Hwangkeum", published within the last 10 years(from 2000 to 2009). We reviewed the 146 articles on Scutellaria baicalensis and its active constituents in terms of 'Active constituents', 'Experimental studies', 'Clinical studies', 'Drug interaction', 'Side Effects/Toxicity' and 'Pharmacokinetics'. Results : The active constituents of Scutellaria baicalensis are flavonoids such as baicalein, baicalin, wogonin and oroxylin-A. It is reported that scutellaria baicalensis and its active compounds have antiinflammatory activity, antitumor activity, antioxidant activity, antiviral and antibiotic activity, neuroprotective effects, hepatoprotective effects and cardiovascular effect. Conclusions : This study is aimed to summarize the results obtained within the last 10 years and to contribute to following researches and applications of Scutellaria baicalensis.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.393-399
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• 2019

Objective: This study investigates the impact of multimorbidity on work through a literature review of longitudinal studies. Methods: A systematic review was carried out in the databases Lilacs, SciELO, PAHO, PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane. There were no restrictions regarding the year of publication or language to maximize the identification of relevant literature. The quality of studies was assessed by the protocol STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE). Results: An initial database search identified 7522 registries, and at the end of the analysis, 7 manuscripts were included in the review. Several studies have demonstrated direct and indirect impacts of multimorbidity on the health of workers. For this, the number of missed days due to health-related issues was evaluated, as well as the reduction in work productivity of the unhealthy worker, vulnerability of the worker with multimorbidity regarding higher indices of dismissal and recruitment difficulties, and incidence of early retirement and/or receipt of benefits due to disabilities. Conclusions: Multimorbidity has a negative impact on work, with damages to quality of life and work productivity, worsening the absenteeism/presenteeism indices, enhancing the chances of temporary or permanent leaves, and lowering employability and admission of individuals with multimorbidity.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.115-124
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• 2017

Purpose: Researchers found that blocks of evidence-based practice (EBP) implementation lacked opportunities for EBP education. The study found that physical therapists had negative views of research as well as their roles in EBP, lacked confidence in EBP, and had limited access to web-based materials. The purpose of this study was to highlight the importance of information research technology for efficient EBP in a clinical environment. Methods: The web-based information research technologies that should be used for sustainable EBP include: the clinical practice guideline (CPG) and PubMed's My NCBI service. Journal mailing services and other academic information sources should also be used to gather information from RSS feeds. An EBP library or archive must be created. A site that provides EBP-specific information is also needed. Results: We should usually do EBP. Practitioners must learn and use information technologies that will help them improve their EBP skills. Conclusion: Facilitating EBP implementation and building an EBP system require related education as well as a practical work environment and equipment. However, the highest priority is individual efforts and trial. Information technology will complement the lack of time. It is important to use information research technology to overcome real obstacles. Lasting EBP must use a number of web-based information research technologies to overcome the practical challenges encountered in EBP implementation.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.396-412
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• 2014

Background: As a reform plan of health care system, Accountable Care Organization (ACO) has became an object of attention in the United States after Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was enacted. ACO is a group of various health care providers and provide coordinated care to its assigned beneficiaries. If ACOs improve the quality level and reduce the cost of care, they can get financial incentives. Under the discussion for a quite long time and demonstration projects, ACO has been established. We aimed to analysis and discuss the history, policy mechanism, contents, status and outcomes of ACO. Also, we intended to suggest political implication Korean health care system with regard to ACO. Methods: We searched the articles related ACO in PubMed and selected several available papers about ACO. Total 56 studies were reviewed and categorized three parts; demonstration projects for formation of ACO, policy mechanism and agenda, empirical results of ACO performance. Results: As a result, establishment of ACO was successful partly in the US. It seems to be due to various project and pilot test for verification in the long time. The empirical effect of ACO was also identified in a few study but it needs more evidences to judge its positive effect. Conclusion: In Korea, there are arguments for the application of ACO. However it is difficult to implement a ACO by different political conditions between Korean and US. Nevertheless ACO proposed us the necessity of paradigm shift in our health policy and could be significant to national policy orientation in the future.

• Journal of Environmental Policy
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.1-40
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• 2008

In this paper, I examine the welfare effects of various revenue-neutral tax reforms in the case of two vertically-related oligopolies(downstream and upstream), where the upstream industry is polluting. I show analytically when and how government can improve welfare by initiating various tax reforms, regardless of either the feasibility of a lump sum transfer or the availability of a tax on pollution. The profit wedge that is the difference between the unit price and the unit cost and the marginal environmental damages(MED) becomes important to decidethe direction of a tax reform and is crucial to determine the direction of welfare-improving tax-subsidy schemes. I also show that a tax on pollution(Pigouvian tax) is superior to a tax on intermediate good even in the case of vertically-related oligopolies, because the former always brings in positive welfare effect from the upstream firms' input substitutability, which a tax on intermediate good cannot provide. Some policy implications for 'reducing environmentally-harmful subsidies' are also discussed.