• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.300-317
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• 2020

Purpose: Hysteroscopy can be used both to diagnose and to treat intrauterine pathologies. It is well known that hysteroscopy helps to improve reproductive outcomes by treating intrauterine pathologies. However, it is uncertain whether hysteroscopy is helpful in the absence of intrauterine pathologies. This study aimed to confirm whether hysteroscopy improves the reproductive outcomes of infertile women without intrauterine pathologies. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of 11 studies retrieved from Ovid-MEDLINE, Ovid-Embase, and the Cochrane Library. Two independent investigators extracted the data and used risk-of-bias tools (RoB 2.0 and ROBINS-I) to assess their quality. Results: Diagnostic hysteroscopy prior to in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was associated with a higher clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) and live birth rate (LBR) than non-hysteroscopy in patients with recurrent implantation failure (RIF) (odds ratio, 1.79 and 1.46; 95% confidence interval, 1.40-2.30 and 1.08-1.97 for CPR and LBR, respectively) while hysteroscopy prior to first IVF was ineffective. The overall meta-analysis of LBR showed statistically significant findings for RIF, but a subgroup analysis showed effects only in prospective cohorts (odds ratio, 1.40 and 1.47; 95% confidence interval, 0.62-3.16 and 1.04-2.07 for randomized controlled trials and prospective cohorts, respectively). Therefore, the LBR should be interpreted carefully and further research is needed. Conclusion: Although further research is warranted, hysteroscopy may be considered as a diagnostic and treatment option for infertile women who have experienced RIF regardless of intrauterine pathologies. This finding enables nurses to educate and support infertile women with RIF prior to IVF/ICSI.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.9-18
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• 2020

Objectives This study verified the clinical effectiveness of Qigong exercise therapy for individuals with hypertension. Methods Ten electronic databases were used for information retrieval. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using Qigong exercise therapy as a treatment for hypertension were included in this study. Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to assess the methodological quality of each RCT. Results After a thorough review, six RCTs were deemed eligible. These studies were divided into two groups: Qigong vs. no intervention and Qigong plus anti-hypertensive drug vs. anti-hypertensive drug alone. Among the six RCTs, four studies were Qigong vs. no intervention, and two studies were Qigong plus anti-hypertensive drug vs. anti-hypertensive drug alone. The meta-analysis demonstrated that adding Qigong exercise to anti-hypertensive drug treatment lowers diastolic blood pressure more than the anti-hypertensive drug alone. Conclusions Although Qigong exercise is not widely used in the Korean medical field, the results of this study demonstrated the necessity of exercise while controlling hypertension. However, the number of included studies was small, with their high risk of bias. In conclusion, although it is difficult to determine whether Qigong exercise lowers blood pressure in hypertensive patients, exercise including Qigong must be parallel with the intake of anti-hypertensive drugs.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.403-414
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• 2020

Purpose: This study examined how performing chin tuck exercises in supine, sitting, and standing positions affects changes in the muscle activity of the neck and shoulder. Methods: Seventeen men and three women with forward head posture participated in the study. The subjects performed the chin tuck exercise using a pressure biofeedback unit. After determining the ideal order for performing the chin tuck exercise in supine, sitting, and standing positions through randomized controlled trials, muscle activity was measured in the dominant-side sternocleidomastoid, scalenus anterior, upper trapezius, and levator scapulae. Muscle activity was measured three times in each muscle for each position, and the average of the three measurements was used for analysis. Results: In this study, the chin tuck exercise performed in a supine position reduced muscle activity of the sternocleidomastoid, scalenus anterior, upper trapezius, and levator scapulae significantly more than performing the exercise in either sitting or standing positions (p < 0.05). No significant difference in muscle activity was observed when the exercise was performed in a sitting position versus a standing position (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Performing a chin tuck exercise in a supine position is more effective for stabilizing the neck and shoulder than performing it in a sitting or standing position, as it reduces excessive tension and fatigue in the neck and shoulder.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.149-163
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• 2021

Objectives This study is to review the effectiveness of exercise after lung cancer surgery. Methods Relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were searched in PubMed database. The systematic review was conducted through flow diagram. The risk of biases were assessed through the Cochrane guideline. Characteristics and outcomes were extracted from each study. Meta-analyses of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), quality of life (QoL), pulmonary complications were conducted. Results 14 RCTs were selected. In meta-analysis, exercise improved FEV1 (mean difference [MD] 0.14; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.04 to 0.25; p=0.009; I2=55%) and mean change of FEV1 (MD 0.11; 95% CI 0.02 to 0.20; p=0.02; I2=0%). Exercise increased the distance of 6MWT, but there was considerable heterogeneity (MD 45; 95% CI 21.16 to 68.83; p=0.0002, I2=89%). There was no differences in QoL scores by 2 questionnaires (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life questionnaire, short form-36). Exercise reduced the duration of hospital stay (MD -3.32; 95% CI -5.27 to -1.36; I2=0%; 2 studies) but not duration of chest tube intubation (MD -1.37; 95% CI -2.81 to 0.06; I2=0%) and incidence of pulmonary complications (pooled risk ratio 0.54; 95% CI 0.23 to 1.30; I2=0%). Conclusions Exercise might reduce the duration of hospital stay after lung surgery. There was not enough evidence to prove improvement of lung function, aerobic capacity, muscle strength, QoL, and decline of pulmonary complications. Low-quality risk of bias, different units or estimation of outcome, different exercise type and duration, heterogeneity among studies make the evidence of effectiveness weak. Future researches are required to redeem these defects.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.22-31
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• 2021

Objective: This review aims to analyze the effects of electromechanically assisted walking in patients with cerebral palsy(CP). Design: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: We reviewed systematically using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) checklist guidelines. The inclusion criteria for this study were all CP patients. The intervention was electromechanically assisted walking. The outcome measures included gait parameters, function, spasticity. Studies excluded from this review were excluded from the review if they were non-English languages and if the study was not published as a full report, and if they were not randomized controlled trials (RCTs) designs. The RevMan 5.4 program was used to evaluate and explain the results. The risk of bias was evaluated independently by two reviewers. The quantitative meta-analysis, including mean differences (MD) and associated standard deviations (SD) from baseline and follow-up assessments, were recorded. Results: A total of 634 articles were searched. Two hundred eighty-nine duplicate articles were excluded, and 345 of 634 originals were left for selection. Of these 74 papers, 44 were out of topic, and 19 reported no mean or standard deviation values. And one was a non-experimental study. Finally, ten studies were included. All 10 RCTs of electromechanically assisted walking were analyzed. The meta-analysis showed a significant improvement in gait cycle (95% CI (confidence intervals), 0.09 to 0.19, I2=0%), Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) D (95% CI, 3.27 to 13.17, I2=0%) and GMFM E (95% CI, 0.22 to 6.41, I2=0%). Conclusions: Electromechanically assisted training helps in walking in patients with CP.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.95-109
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• 2021

Objectives: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a global pandemic. Mental sequelae occurring in patients with COVID-19 and the general population are important concerns. In Korea, herbal medicine is used nationwide to respond to this pandemic. It can be prescribed by COVID-19 telemedicine center of Korean medicine (KM). Among some herbal medicines, Gamiguibi-tang is the only herbal medicine prescribed for individuals with mental health, especially for those with insomnia. In this mini-review, the objective of this study was to summarize the evidence of some promising herbal medicines available for treating primary insomnia based on existing clinical and preclinical studies. Methods: A research team was formed for KM clinical practice guidelines for insomnia (version 1.0). Team members were provided with a list of references of relevant herbal medicines for insomnia. To gather evidence from clinical studies with appropriate sample sizes, among the list of references, randomized controlled trials for primary insomnia that included 50 subjects or more per arm and used herbal medicine were included in the final analysis. Moreover, pre-clinical studies examining the mechanism of action of each herbal medicine and studies on herb-drug interactions, were searched and summarized. Results: Four herbal medicines (Ondam-tang, Sanjoin-tang, Guibi-tang, and Hyeolbuchugeo-tang) were reviewed based on existing clinical and preclinical studies. Based on findings of existing studies, some suggestions of herbal medicines for insomnia in the COVID-19 era in Korea were suggested. Conclusions: Data of this study could be used to prepare a future revision of the manual of COVID-19 telemedicine center of KM.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.153-164
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• 2021

Objectives: Despite the low cost and high accessibility of manual acupuncture (MA) treatments for the carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), this intervention has not been uniformly evaluated in systematic reviews (SR), and no SR has evaluated MA monotherapy for CTS. This review was conducted to summarize the findings and undertake a quality assessment of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture treatment methods for mild-to-moderate CTS to identify clinical evidence for the use of MA in CTS. Methods: We searched five databases for articles on relevant RCTs that were published until June 2021 without imposing specific restrictions, such as age or sex, on CTS patients. RCTs that evaluated MA were included without any restriction on comparator interventions. Measurement tools for evaluating pain reduction and functional improvement or for evaluating efficacy using electrophysiological indicators were included as outcome measures. Results: We included seven RCTs, of which three studies reported both post-treatment improvement effects and statistical significance using p-values for all outcomes. Five studies reported statistically significant intergroup differences (p-values for all outcomes) in posttreatment improvement. None of the studies reported severe adverse effects of MA. In all of the RCTs, the reporting rates of the 2c, 2a, and 6a items of STRICTA 2010 were 14%, 29%, and 29%, respectively. PC7 (Daereung) was used to treat CTS in all of the included studies. Conclusion: MA can be used for CTS treatment without serious adverse effects. PC7 was the most commonly used acupoint. In order to ensure objective and reliable reporting, accurate standardization of acupuncture treatment methods acupoint terms should be undertaken in future RCTs.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.1-37
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• 2022

Objectives This study aimed to provide a basis for applying Korean medical treatment for childhood anorexia in clinical practice by examining Korean medical etiology, pattern differentiation, and treatment, and focusing on research articles on Chinese medicine. Methods Articles on Chinese medicine related to childhood anorexia published before November 4, 2021, in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), were analyzed. The etiology, pattern differentiation, and Chinese medical treatment were summarized. Results Of a total of 73 studies, 13 were randomized controlled trials (RCT), 32 were case studies, and 28 were review papers. The most common Chinese medical etiology of childhood anorexia was emotional instability, and the western medical etiology was problems with diet and lifestyle. The most frequently reported pattern differentiations were spleen-stomach-qi deficiency (脾胃氣虛), stomach-yin deficiency (胃陰不足), and spleen failing in transportation syndrome (脾失健運). The most frequent prescriptions were modified Yangwijeungaektang (养胃增液湯加減), Samryongbakchulsan (蔘苓白术散加减), and Ekongsan (異功散加減). As frequntly used tuina acupoints, Naepalgwae (内八卦), Joksamli (足三里), and Bigyeong (脾經) were mentioned. Conclusions This study analyzed the etiology, pattern differentiation, and Korean medical treatment of anorexia in children. Based on this study, standardization and well-designed clinical studies on Korean medical treatments for childhood anorexia can be expected in the future.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.479-506
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• 2021

Background: Chronic neuropathic pain (NP) presents therapeutic challenges. Interest in the use of cannabis-based medications has outpaced the knowledge of its efficacy and safety in treating NP. The objective of this review was to evaluate the effectiveness of cannabis-based medications in individuals with chronic NP. Methods: Randomized placebo-controlled trials using tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabidivarin (CBDV), or synthetic cannabinoids for NP treatment were included. The MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases were examined. The primary outcome was the NP intensity. The risk of bias analysis was based on the Cochrane handbook. Results: The search of databases up to 2/1/2021 yielded 379 records with 17 RCTs included (861 patients with NP). Meta-analysis showed that there was a significant reduction in pain intensity for THC/CBD by -6.624 units (P < .001), THC by -8.681 units (P < .001), and dronabinol by -6.0 units (P = .008) compared to placebo on a 0-100 scale. CBD, CBDV, and CT-3 showed no significant differences. Patients taking THC/CBD were 1.756 times more likely to achieve a 30% reduction in pain (P = .008) and 1.422 times more likely to achieve a 50% reduction (P = .37) than placebo. Patients receiving THC had a 21% higher improvement in pain intensity (P = .005) and were 1.855 times more likely to achieve a 30% reduction in pain than placebo (P < .001). Conclusion: Although THC and THC/CBD interventions provided a significant improvement in pain intensity and were more likely to provide a 30% reduction in pain, the evidence was of moderate-to-low quality. Further research is needed for CBD, dronabinol, CT-3, and CBDV.

• CELLMED
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.17.1-17.4
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• 2021

Episiotomy is the commonest obstetrics intervention in the world to reduce severe perineal injuries. Its prevalence is 43% to 100% in primiparous women in Asia. Further, worldwide approximately 10-95% of pregnant women undergo episiotomy incision during birth. Delay in wound healing probably increases the risk of wound infection, changes the muscular structure, and ultimately causes muscle tone loss. So, wound care is of specific significance to postnatal maternal outcomes. Hence, this case study aimed to evaluate the effect of Marham-i-Raal in episiotomy wound healing and pain relief. The study was conducted in eleven postpartum primi or multipara pregnant women aged between group 19 and 35 years with term gestational age, singleton pregnancy in a cephalic presentation who had a normal vaginal delivery with mediolateral episiotomy, without a perineal tear, and perineal hematoma. Externally, application of Marham-i-Raal 2g on episiotomy incisional wound, twice a day for 10 days was advised. Wound healing of episiotomy and pain intensity was assessed with REEDA ["redness, oedema, ecchymosis, discharge and approximation of the edges"] scoring and VAS scoring for pain intensity respectively. At one hour (baseline), the REEDA mean score of eleven patients was 3.90±1.04 whereas on day 7-10 it was 0.18±0.40 with statistically significant difference (p<0.001). The VAS mean score at one hour was 6.90±1.22 whereas on day 7-10 it was 0.72±0.78 with a statistically significant difference (p<0.001). Marham-i-Raal would be effective in episiotomy wound healing and reducing pain intensity. Further, randomized double-blind controlled trials in large sample size are recommended.