• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.201-213
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• 2023

This study reviewed clinical papers reported on hemifacial spasm (HFS). Six online databases were searched for clinical papers published between January 2000 and December 2022. This study reviewed 14 studies, including 13 case reports and 1 combination of case reports and randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The most frequently used acupoints were ST7 and TE17, and the stomach meridian was the most frequently selected. Herbal medicine, pharmacopuncture, thread embedding acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion, and physical therapy were combined with acupuncture. The most frequently used evaluation method is Scott's scale. Out of 95 cases, 82 reported improved HFS symptoms after treatment. Our findings indicated the effectiveness of Korean Medicine treatment in treating HFS. However, evidence of efficacy and safety remains insufficient. Large-scale and well-designed investigations will be required in the future to corroborate these results. We believe that this paper will serve as the foundation for future RCTs.

• 한방안이비인후피부과학회지
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• 제36권3호
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• pp.99-118
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• 2023

Objectives : The purpose of this review is to investigate the effect of herbal medicine treatment on cytokines and symptom improvement in patients with psoriasis. Methods : We searched four web databases for studies on psoriasis treated with herbal medicines published from 2000 to April 2023. After searching for studies, we analyzed selected studies based on inclusion criteria. Results : Seven randomized controlled trials have been found and analyzed. All of research which selected have reported that herbal medicine treatment for psoriasis patients have an effect on cytokines and was effective in improving symptoms, and all were statistically significant. Conclusions : According to the results, herbal medicine treatment can be an effective treatment for improving symptoms and cytokines in patients with psoriasis. This study will be helpful for future research in herbal medicine.

• 대한한방부인과학회지
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• 제36권3호
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• pp.129-153
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• 2023

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to report the clinical effectiveness and safety of herbal medicine treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis. Methods: Researchers searched papers through 5 online databases including The Cochrane Library Central, Pubmed, China Academic Journal (CAJ), Oriental medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS) and Korean studies Information Service System (KISS). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that used herbal medicine as treatment were included. Results: Twenty three studies were selected by the selection and exclusion criteria. The treatment group was treated with herbal medicine alone or with herbal medicine and conventional medicine. The control group was treated with conventional medicine. Most common evaluation index was Bone Mineral Density (BMD) followed by total efficacy rate and level of bone metabolism markers, level of sex hormones, etc. Compared with the control group, the treatment group was more effective and safer in all of 23 studies. Conclusions: Herbal treatment alone could be an effective and safe option in treating postmenopausal osteoporosis. Moreover herbal treatment with conventional medicine could improve its therapeutic effect on postmenopausal osteoporosis as well.

• 한국식품과학회지
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• 제54권1호
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• pp.52-58
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• 2022

Phosphatidylserine (PS) is an essential component of the cerebral cortex and is associated with cognitive function. In this systematic review, the effects of PS on cognitive function in the elderly population are examined. The literature search included PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases. Subsequently, nine studies, including five randomized controlled trials and four pre-post studies, were selected. There were 961 participants in the selected studies; PS dosage varied from 100 to 300 mg/d, and the experimental period ranged from 6 weeks to 6 months. Five out of the nine selected studies were assessed to have a 'low' risk of bias, whereas the other four studies were assessed to have 'some concerns' regarding the risk of bias. The results of the meta-analysis concluded that PS had a positive effect on the memory of older adults with cognitive decline. Thus, PS appears to improve age-associated cognitive decline, especially memory, with no adverse effects.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제16권sup1호
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• pp.47-56
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• 2022

This paper examines the process and evidence used to create the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) + docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for Koreans. ALA (18:3n3) is an essential fatty acid, and EPA and DHA are known to have beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease risk and reduction of triglyceride levels. Various international organizations have suggested dietary recommendations for n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), including ALA, EPA, and DHA. A DRI for Koreans was established for the first time in 2020, specifically for the adequate intake (AI) of ALA and EPA + DHA. This recommendation was based on the average intake of ALA and EPA + DHA from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013-2017. For Korean infants, the AI of ALA and DHA was based on the fatty acid composition of maternal milk. Estimated average requirement and a tolerable upper intake level have not been set for n-3 PUFA due to insufficient evidence. In addition, the intake level of n-3 PUFA for prevention of chronic disease has also not been determined. Future studies and randomized controlled trials are required to establish the UL and to define the level for disease prevention.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.169-173
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• 2023

Background: In terms of physical performance, elastic tape (ET) is known to contribute to injury prevention and performance enhancement. Objects: This study aimed to compare and analyze the effect on lower extremity muscle activity of young adult women with and without ET during squats. Methods: In this study, six healthy, young women were recruited as participants in a university laboratory. Participants were allocated to two groups of three after measuring muscle activity in a pre-test, and the experiment was conducted for a total of two weeks (two sessions). First, 10 half squats were taped once in the first week, and 10 half squats were performed without taping in the second week. The other group did this in reverse and measured muscle activity after the squat was over. Results: As a result of this study, there was no significant difference in the quadriceps with or without ET (Z = -0.11, p > 0.05). Similarly, no significant difference was found in hamstring (Z = -0.31, p > 0.05). Conclusion: No beneficial effect was found on changes in muscle activity following ET application during squats. Further studies require randomized controlled trials that increase the number of participants and the intensity of the intervention, and measure pain, function, and performance rather than muscle properties depending on the biomechanical lifting mechanism.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제23권3호
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• pp.428-450
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• 2023

This meta-analysis examined the surgical management of older patients (>80 years) with gastric cancer, who were often excluded from randomized controlled trials. We analyzed 23 retrospective cohort studies involving 18,372 patients and found that older patients had a higher in-hospital mortality rate (relative risk [RR], 3.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.46-7.17; P<0.01) and more post-operative complications (RR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.19-1.56; P<0.01) than did younger patients. However, the surgical complications were similar between the two groups. Older patients were more likely to undergo less extensive lymph node dissection and longer hospital stays. Although older patients had statistically significant post-operative medical complications, they were not deprived of surgery for gastric cancer. The comorbidities and potential risks of post-operative complications should be carefully evaluated in older patients, highlighting the importance of careful patient selection. Overall, this meta-analysis provides recommendations for the surgical management of older patients with gastric cancer. Careful patient selection and evaluation of comorbidities should be performed to minimize the risk of post-operative complications in older patients, while recognizing that they should not be deprived of surgery for gastric cancer.

• 대한융합한의학회지
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.23-34
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• 2021

Objectives: This study aimed to review the effects of Daoyin exercise on scoliosis in clinical studies. Methods: In this study, we reviewed 9 electronic databases (Pubmed, CAJ, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CiNii, KISS, KMBASE, OASIS, ScienceON) on May 22, 2021. We included only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which evaluated the effect of Daoyin exercise on scolisos. The methodological quality of the included studies was checked using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Results: After screening, eight RCTs fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The results of the meta-analysis showed that Daoyin exercise improves the measurement value of Cobb's angle, SRS-22, pulmoary function, physiological curvature, muscle strength, effective rate in scoliosis patients. Conclusion: We concluded that Daoyin exercise has therapeutic effects in relief of imbalance, improvement of symptoms, improvement of function, muscle strength for scoliosis. However, the quality of the original articles was low and the number of papers included were few. Thus, to confirm these results, further well-designed RCTs should be conducted.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• 제1권2호
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• pp.82-88
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• 2013

Cancer is the first leading cause of death in Korea and the second leading cause of death in the USA. There is extensive research into prevention of cancer and the support of oncology patients with diet or dietary supplements. In vitro and in vivo animal studies have indicated that antioxidants, including beta-carotene, alpha-tocopherol, and ascorbic acid, can yield anti-cancer effects in addition to providing protection against oxidative damage. Although many observational studies have shown that consuming fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of some cancers, the results of several large-scale human intervention trials testing the benefits of a single or combined higher-dose of individual micronutrients have been inconsistent. Cancer can cause profound metabolic and physiological changes which may affect patients' nutrient requirements. Although the optimal route of nutrient delivery is through diet, cancer patients often suffer symptoms that disrupt their food intake, including anorexia, premature satiety, altered taste and smell, and changes in bowel mobility. In particular, micronutrient deficits can slow postoperative healing, contribute to depression symptoms, and decrease immune competence. Cancer patients are generally motivated to take dietary supplements to improve responses to treatment and quality of life. The Physician's Health Study II (PHS II) randomized controlled trial reported recently that daily multivitamin supplementation significantly, albeit modestly, reduced the risk of total cancer. Although evidence of multivitamin use benefits is limited in cancer patients, taking dietary supplements with constituents in the range of the recommended daily allowance according to the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) recommendation is generally considered to be safe.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• 제12권3호
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• pp.278-292
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• 2023

Objective: This study was performed to investigate the effects of thoracic joint mobilization and breathing exercises on diaphragmatic thickness, chest expansion, respiratory function, and endurance in patients with chronic stroke. Design: Randomized controlled trial Methods: The study included 24 chronic stroke patients who were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group (12 people) performed 15 minutes of thoracic joint mobility exercises and 15 minutes of breathing exercises, three times a week for 6 weeks, 30 minutes each time. The control group (12 people) received 15 minutes of conservative physical therapy and 15 minutes of breathing exercises, 3 times a week for 6 weeks, 30 minutes per session, the same as the experimental group. The experimental and control groups performed the same breathing exercises. To assess training effectiveness, changes in diaphragm thickness, chest expansion, respiratory function, and endurance were measured. Results: As a result, the experimental group exhibited significant improvements in diaphragm thickness, chest expansion, and respiratory function. The endurance mode also displayed significant enhancement (p<0.05), a finding consistent with the control group. However, the experimental group displayed more substantial improvements in non-affected diaphragm thickness and thoracic expansion compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: Drawing from these findings, breathing exercise which combine thoracic mobilization, will be actively utilized in addition to physical therapy interventions in clinical trials as an effective intervention method.