• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.224-238
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• 2012

Objectives : From mechanism studies using animal models to high-level evidence based research such as randomized controlled trials or systematic reviews, various acupuncture studies have been performed. Nevertheless, the current research appears insufficient to satisfy clinicians' needs. We aimed at investigating clinicians' perception on the translational research and suggesting ways of symbiosis between basic research and clinical practice. Methods : Data were collected using a web-based questionnaire made available to Korean medicine doctors who were informed through social networking service or e-mail. The survey participants indicated their awareness of acupuncture research and their thoughts on the applicability of research in practice. Results : Forty-seven clinicians completed the survey. While most respondents agreed that acupuncture research is very important, only 40% of them answered that the results of acupuncture research are useful to their own practice. In more than half of those who responded to the survey, the current acupuncture research is not viewed as reflecting clinical practice very much. Respondents agreed that acupuncture research should be based on clinical practice, and they recognized the need to collect valid clinical data from real-world practice. Also, as many as 77% of clinicians had no scruple to participate in research programs. Conclusions : There is no doubt among practitioners that acupuncture research is necessary. More importantly, practice-based research remains essential in order to feed-back research outcomes to clinical practice. Communications and academic exchanges between clinicians and researchers can mutually benefit research and practice with better information, resulting in symbiosis.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.550-569
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of herbal medicine treatment for patients with migraine and to suggest research methods for herbal medicine treatment on migraine. Methods: In this study, a search was conducted through several academic sites using a combination of terms '편두통', 'Migraine', '한약', '한약치료', 'Herbal medicine', 'Herbal medicines', 'Herb', 'Traditional Chinese Medicine', and 'TCM'. Randomized controlled trials using herbal medicine treatments for adult patients with migraine were selected. Results: Ultimately, 46 papers were selected and analyzed. A statistically significant improvement was noted in the treatment group in terms of clinical migraine symptoms and other migraine evaluation tools before and after the herbal medicine treatment. Herbal medicines were administered in decoction, pill, and granule formulations. Many kinds of medicinal herbs, such as 解表藥類, 補益藥類, 淸熱藥類, 活血祛瘀藥類, and 平肝藥類, have been used for migraine. Among them, 川芎, belonging to 活血祛瘀藥類, is mentioned 36 times and is the most frequently used medicine. Herbal medicine was used safely for migraine treatment, without major adverse reactions, and the recurrence rate was significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group. Conclusions: In conclusion, the herbal medicine treatment for patients with migraine showed a statistically significant improvement in 46 papers. Future studies should utilize standardized and objective evaluation tools, along with appropriate experimental design. The relevant articles should be increased to a significant level to verify the effect of herbal medicine treatments on migraine.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.287-298
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• 2003

The purpose of the study was to develop an integrated prevention program to strengthen elders self-care capability and to examine its effectiveness on their psychological condition. This study used one group pre- and post-test design. Subjects were 85 elderly residents (over 65 years of age) who lived alone, and received free basic medical care and social welfare services in a rural community in Korea. Subject eligibility criteria for this study were to an elders who 1) is not currently taking any anti-depressant medication 2) is able to communicate, and 3) agrees to participate in this study. The integrated program was composed of horticulture, reminiscence, and friendship activities. Twelve sessions were provided for 12 weeks in community-based partnerships to achieve better outcomes. The intervention was case-managed by a public health nurse and aided by six volunteers. The main outcome variable was depression, which was assessed by using 15 items selected from the Geriatric Depression Scale-short form Korean version. Socio-demographic characteristics, functional status, and satisfaction with social support were used as covariates. Results showed that there was a significant intervention effect at post-intervention time point compared to pre-intervention time point(E.S. 0.94). Multiple linear regression analysis showed significant interaction effects between intervention and satisfaction with social support. These findings must be interpreted within the context that an effects of an integrated program could be more synergistically increased when social support factor is considered in the program. A community-based integrated prevention program of depression is effective for vulnerable rural elderly. It is suggested that randomized controlled trials within community setting for better methodological strength as well as multi-level outcomes on community need to be conducted in future.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.1-12
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• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to review laser acupuncture studies to find possibility for applying high intensity laser to acupuncture and moxibustion treatment. Methods : Searching papers was performed using search engines of five electronic databases, including Pubmed, Thomson ISI, EMBASE, Sciencedirect, and EBSCO, from inception to May 2011 without language limitation. Inclusion criteria were clinical studies with human, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), case-control studies, and case reports. Selecting papers was performed with titles and abstracts in first step, scrutinize full text in second step, and then the extrated data was analyzed by two authors independently. The methodological quality for RCTs was evaluated using Jadad's scale. Results : Total 8 papers, (3 RCTs, 5 controlld studies, and 1 case reports), were finally selected. The study dealt with surgical laser, argon and $CO_2$ laser was one for each, with GaAs laser was two, and with new semiconductor laser, GaN, were four. The output range was from 110 mW to 15 W. The study diseases were alcohol addiction, knee osteoarthritis, bronchopneumonia and asthma for children, and circulation. All studies reported positive effect. The methodological quality in all RCTs was low because of below 3 points and all studies had few subject numbers. Conclusions : We suggest that high intensity laser can be applied to acupuncture and moxibustion. Further rigorous and well-designed study will be needed for various disease. The oriental medical society needs to take active measures to study and clinical application of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment with high intensity laser.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2016

Objectives: Objectives : This study is aimed to develop a Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) on acupuncture treatment for the patients with Post-stroke Urinary Retention; PSUR. Methods: Experts committee, consisting of stroke or methodology specialists, searched Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and 19 Korean medicine journals. The search terms were selected to screen the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or systematic reviews for the effectiveness of acupuncture on PSUR compared with placebo or conventional group. Levels of evidence and grades of recommendations were appraised based on Recommendations for Development of Clinical Practice Guideline in Korean Medicine. Results & Conclusions: 4 RCT were included to build the CPG. There was a strong evidence to support the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment for PSUR. The moderate evidence was presented that over 3 times a week of the acupuncture should be performed over 4 weeks on the acupoints, such as SP6, CV3, CV6, CV4, SP9, BL28, BL23, BL22, KI3 or BL67, for 15-30 minutes. 20-140Hz frequency and 10-20 minutes of treatment is suggested if electro-acupuncture treatment is performed with. It was also suggested that the procedure should begin at the acute stage just after the vital signs of the patients are stabilized. Finally, there was a moderate evidence to support safety of acupuncture treatment for PSUR.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.17-27
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• 2018

Objectives: Ukgan-san does not appear in Traditional Korean Medicine classics. However, it has been used in research and clinical applications in Korea. In this paper, we are aiming to examine the records concerned with Ukgan-san to the present, and announce the present usage state in Korea. Methods: We searched and summarized the contents of previous medical books about Ukgan-san. In order to investigate the current status of utilization of Ukgan-san in Korea, a bibliographic database of Korea, a database of clinical researches, and a database of pharmaceuticals of the Korea Food and Drug Administration were searched. Results: As a result of searching Ukgan-san related documents, Ukgan-san has been developed in China (Ming dynasty). However, its clinical application has been expanded by modern Japanese kampo medicine doctors. In Korea, cases of Parkinson's disease, other movement disorders, and psychiatric disorders have been reported, and randomized controlled trials had been done and planned. In addition, some extracts which are consisted of Ukgan-san are also available. Conclusions: In Korea, Ukgan-san has been influenced by Japan and has been used for clinical and research purposes. The utilization rate in Korea is still small, but the utilization rate will increase according to the results of clinical studies.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.121-132
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• 2018

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of type of exercise on neck disability, pain, and postural changes in subjects with forward head posture. METHODS: Two independent researchers conducted a search using KISS, RISS, DBpia (domestic), PubMed, OVID, and Science Direct (overseas) databases. We selected randomized controlled clinical trials by searching using the terms "forward head posture", "exercise therapy", and "therapeutic exercise". Studies published from 2007 to December 2017 were included. PEDro Scale was used to evaluate the quality of the selected studies, and meta-analysis was conducted using the CMA program. This review was registered at PROSPERO (CRD42018068633). RESULTS: Of the total 13768 studies searched, 17 were selected. Positive effects on neck disability were achieved with the base and biomechanical elements (ES=1.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] .49 to 2.75) as well as base, modulator, and biomechanical elements (ES=1.50, 95% [CI] .69 to 2.30). Neck pain improved with the base, modulator, and biomechanical elements (ES=1.96, 95% [CI] 1.08 to 2.82), while postural changes improved with biomechanical elements (ES=1.45, 95% [CI] .64 to 2.25). Additionally, type of exercise had a positive effect. CONCLUSION: The most effective exercises for neck disability are of the base and biomechanical elements, while the most effective types for neck pain are of the base, modulator, and biomechanical elements and the most effective exercise for posture is of biomechanical elements. Combined exercises targeting biomechanical elements were effective at treating disability, pain, and postural changes.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2014

Ginsenoside Rg3 (G-Rg3) is one of protopanaxadiol ginsenosides characteristic of red ginseng, steamed and dried ginseng (Panax ginseng), which has recently attracted much attention for its antitumor properties in vitro and in vivo animal models. Experimental studies have demonstrated that it could promote cancer cell apoptosis, inhibit cancer cell growth, the apoptosis of cancer cells, adhesion, invasion and metastasis, and also prevent an angiogenetic formation in prostate, breast, ovarian, colorectal, gastric, liver and lung cancer etc. It has shown the antitumor activities by modulation of diverse signaling pathways, including regulation of cell proliferation mediators (CDKs and cyclins), growth factors (vascular endothelial growth factor), tumor suppressors (p53 and p21), cell death mediators (caspases, Bcl-2, Bax), inflammatory response molecules ($NF-{\kappa}B$ and COX-2), protein kinases (JNK, Akt, and AMP-activated protein kinase) and Wnt/${\beta}$-catenin signaling. In addition, the combination of Rg3 and chemotherapeutic agents have synergistically enhanced therapeutic efficacy and reduced antagonistically side effects. Furthermore, it can reverse the multidrug resistance of cancer cells, prolong the survival duration and improve life quality of cancer patients. Taken together, accumulating evidences could provide the potential of G-Rg3 in the treatment of cancers and the feasibility of further randomized placebo controlled clinical trials.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.106-110
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• 2014

Objectives : To report a case of the treatment of primary hypertension by Oryung-san (五苓散: Wulingsan in Chinese, Goreisan in Japanese) monotherapy. Methods : The blood pressure (BP) fluctuation was checked of a woman who had sudden BP elevation without a history of hypertension treatment. There were no specific history of disease and results for the laboratory examination and image diagnosis including MRI. The woman was diagnosed with primary hypertension and she was given supple of Oryung-san extract (Hanpoong Pharm Co.) 3 g, three times a day for three months. The BP has been checked with digital sphygmomanometer (HEM-7111, Omron Japan) in brachial artery at home. Results and Conclusions : The patient had had stable BP since three weeks after Oryung-san treatment was initiated. There were no subjective symptoms, then Oryung-san medication also had quit after three months treatments. This shows some possibility to control hypertension using Oryung-san, which resembles thiazide that acts on the distal convoluted tubule and inhibit sodium-chloride reabsorption. For further evaluation of the effectiveness, well-designed randomized controlled trials should be undertaken.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.101-108
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• 2016

Objectives: This study introduces the history and types of Korean pharmacopuncture and reports trends of research on Korean pharmacopuncture. Methods: Pharmacopuncture studies were searched from the first year of each search engine to 2014 by using seven domestic and foreign search databases. Selected studies were divided into the history of pharmacopuncture, kinds and features of pharmacopuncture, research types, and experimental and clinic studies and were then classified by year of publication, type of pharmacopuncture, disease, and topic. Results: Pharmacopuncture can be classified into four large groups: meridian field pharmacopuncture (MFP), eight-principles pharmacopuncture (EPP), animal-based pharmacopuncture (ABP) and mountain-ginseng pharmacopuncture, which is a single-compound pharmacopuncture (SCP). The largest numbers of studies were reported from 1997 to 2006, after which the numbers decreased until 2014. Of experimental studies, 51.9%, 18.7%. 14.3%, 9% and 3.4% were on SCP, ABP, MFP, formula pharmacopuncture (FP), and EPP, respectively. Of clinical studies, 54.7%, 15.3%. 14.9% 10.0% and 1.5% were on ABP, MFP, EPP, SCP, and FP (1.5%), respectively. Among clinical studies, case reports and case series accounted for 76.5%, followed by randomized controlled trials (RCTs, 16.4%) and non-RCT (13.9%). Musculoskeletal diseases, toxicity and safety tests, anti-cancer effects, and nervous system diseases were mainly treated in experimental studies while musculoskeletal diseases, nervous system diseases, toxicity and safety tests, and autonomic nerve function tests were addressed in clinical studies. Bee venom (BV) was the most frequently-used pharmacopuncture in mechanism studies. Pharmacopuncture was mainly used to treat musculoskeletal diseases. Conclusion: Pharmacopuncture and studies of it have made great progress in Korea. Studies on BV pharmacopuncture and musculoskeletal diseases accounted for most of the studies reported during the review period. Research on the types of pharmacopuncture and diseases has to be expanded. Especially, studies on the use of MFP and EPP for treating patients with various diseases are needed.