• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.135-146
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• 2015

Objectives : This study was designed to evaluate clinical evidence of moxibustion treatment for knee pain. Methods : All processes were independently carried out by three investigators. A literature search was performed in 3 databases from their inception to May 2015. Ten reports were found based on their title, abstract and text. Following this, data extraction and analysis were done using a risk of bias(ROB) and through an assessment of multiple systematic reviews(AMSTAR). Results : 10 studies(6RCT, 2SR, 2CR) were included. Generally, indirect moxibustion was used for knee pain, but only one study indicated the use of direct moxibustion. Moxibustion was shown to be effective in treating knee pain, and the number of required treatments was fourteen on average. In assessing risk of bias, indefinite and uncertain information made all included trials subject to a high risk of bias. On the other hand, SR showed all evaluation items in the assessment of multiple systematic reviews, with the exception of an included or excluded studies list. Conclusions : Because of deficient study design or limited research planning, there is not sufficient evidence to allow for any conclusion about the efficacy of moxibustion for knee pain. Therefore, well-designed high quality trials are needed from now on.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.131-144
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• 2020

Objectives : The aim of this study is to analyze the details of acupuncture treatment methods and the reporting quality of acupuncture on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). Methods : Search was conducted in Pubmed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library for acupuncture studies on CTS. The reporting quality of acupuncture treatment was assessed using the following guidelines: Standards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture (STRICTA) for analyzing the method of acupuncture treatment, Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) for analyzing study design and study process, and Risk of Bias (ROB) for analyzing bias. The number of reported items was calculated and evaluated as a proportion. The reported proportion of each study was classified into three grades: Grade A (% score ≥75), Grade B (50≤ % score <75), and Grade C (% score <50). Results : A total of 9 Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) were included in this study. All trials reported 12 items (66.67%) on average in STRICTA guidelines. Five studies were conducted with manual acupuncture and 3 studies were conducted with electroacupuncture. PC7 (Daereung) was most frequently used to treat CTS. In STRICTA guideline evaluation, 3 studies were classified as Grade A, 5 studies were classified as Grade B, and 1 study was classified as Grade C. In the CONSORT statement assessment, all trials reported an average of 20.56 items. Of the 9 RCTs, 6 studies were classified as Grade B and 3 studies were classified as Grade C. In ROB assessment, most studies showed a low (63.49%) or unclear (26.98%) risk of bias. The selective reporting bias and the incomplete outcome data bias were found to have the lowest risk of bias, and the allocation concealment of selection bias was found to have the most unclear risk of bias. Conclusions : Recent acupuncture studies on CTS showed moderate reporting quality. However, more detailed reports on acupuncture are still needed to establish more solid evidence of acupuncture treatment.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.49-60
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• 2014

Objectives The purpose of this study is to research current trends of acupuncture treatment of lumbar herniated intervertebral disc using the PubMed database. Methods We set up the search strategy and investigated clinical trials on acupuncture treatment of lumbar herniated intervertebral disc through PubMed search. This study analyzed previous researched papers published from January 1st, 2000 to April 30th, 2014, and classified them by publication year, journal names, types of literature, treatment methods and evaluation scales. To assess the quality of the reviewed literature, randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies were assessed by Cochrane's risk of bias (ROB) tool and non-RCT studies were assessed by risk of bias for non-randomized studies (RoBANS). Results We found 35 studies on the acupuncture treatment of lumbar herniated intervertebral disc. Papers on this topic have been published, on average, three to four times annually in 9 journals since the mid-2000's. The journal with the largest number of publications was Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion, and most of articles were classified as RCT. Acupuncture treatment was performed individually or together with other treatments. The most frequently used pain evaluation index was visual analogue scale (VAS). The index of effective rate was used frequently but there was a lack of objectivity. In regards to the quality of the studies, outcome assessment in RCT showed that random sequence generation, allocation concealment, and the blinding of participants and personnel increase potential of risk of bias. For non-RCT assessment, outcome showed that confounding variable, measurement of intervention were at high risk of bias. Conclusions In order to obtain objective clinical evidence of acupuncture treatment of lumbar herniated intervertebral disc, further clinical studies should be designed to minimize the risk of bias, using STRICTA with larger sample sizes.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to review the effectiveness of Chuna manual therapy for the treatment of tension type headache(TTH). Methods : All processes were independently carried out by three investigators. Literature search was performed in 3 databases(pubmed, OASIS, NDSL) from their inception to May 2016. Searched reports was twice excluded for title, abstract and body. And then, data extract and analysis was done before assessing risk of bias by Cochrane Handbook. Results : 11 RCT were included. Generally, Fascia Chuna therapy and Chuna spine & joint manipulation therapy were used for TTH. Except for 1 report, Chuna manual therapy was shown to be effective in treating TTH. In assessing risk of bias, because of the characteristic of intervention, blinding of participants was high risk of bias in most reports. Conclusions : Chuna manual therapy was shown to be effective in treating TTH. In korea, better designed trials with high quality is needed from now on.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2022

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with storage, voiding, and post-micturition reduce quality of life and cause mental health problems. In traditional medicine, Baliao points have been empirically used to treat urinary system diseases. In this review, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using sacral acupuncture on Baliao points with sham treatment, other remedies, or other acupoints were retrieved from 8 electronic databases up to June 2021. Sixteen RCTs met the inclusion criteria. The quality of the included studies was assessed using a risk-of-bias (ROB) tool. Most of the evaluation indicators used in the included RCTs showed that sacral acupuncture had a significant therapeutic effect compared with the sham control intervention groups, and other remedies. However, all studies using acupoints (other than the Baliao points) as a control intervention had a "high" ROB and only reported secondary processed information, making it difficult to evaluate the efficacy of sacral acupuncture treatment for LUTS. No serious adverse effects were reported for sacral acupuncture, and only a low number of minor side effects were observed. These results suggest that sacral acupuncture could be considered as an alternative to existing treatments, with the added benefit of low cost. Large-scale, long-term RCTs are required in the future.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.8-20
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• 2017

Objectives: Traditional oriental herbal medicine is used in cancer care to alleviate symptoms. Anorexia is a symptom which is frequently observed in patients with cancer and impairs their quality of life. The objective of this systematic review is to summarize current available evidence to evaluate the effect of traditional oriental herbal medicine on anorexia in cancer patients. Methods: The review evaluated randomized controlled trials (RCTs) measuring the effect of any types of herbal medicine on anorexia in cancer patients within 4 electronic databases and manual search up to December 2015. The Cochrane risk of bias tool (ROB) was used to assess the quality of RCTs. Results: In total, 11 RCTs met the inclusion criteria. All of the studies reported the rate or severity of anorexia improved after treatment in herbal-conventional medicine combined group compared to conventional medicine group. 7 of 11 studies showed between-group statistical differences. The methodological quality of RCTs was insufficient with unclear and high ROB. Conclusions: Traditional oriental herbal medicine may have a potential to improve anorexia in patients with cancer. To confirm the clinical recommendation, further researches with rigorous study design are required to support the effects of herbal medicine.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.1-11
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• 2020

Purpose : The purpose of this meta-analysis was to examine the effects of microcurrent on inflammatory musculoskeletal diseases. Methods : Domestic databases (RISS, NDSL, KISS, DBpia, and Kmbase) were searched for studies that conducted clinical trials associated with microcurrent and its impact on inflammatory musculoskeletal diseases. A total of 606 studies published between 2002 and 2019 were identified, with 8 studies satisfying the inclusion data. The studies were classified according to patient, intervention, comparison, and outcome (PICO). The search outcomes were items associated with blood component, pain, and function. The 8 studies that were included in the study were evaluated using R meta-analysis (version 4.0). The quality of 7 randomized control trials was evaluated using Cochrane risk of bias (ROB). The quality of 1 non-randomized control trial was evaluated using risk of bias assessment tool for non-randomized studies (RoBANS). Effect sizes were computed as the corrected standard mean difference (SMD). A random-effect model was used to analyze the effect size because of the high heterogeneity among the studies. Egger's regression test was carried out to analyze the publishing bias. Results : The following factors had a large effect size involving microcurrent on inflammatory musculoskeletal diseases: blood component (Hedges's g=-2.46, 95 % CI=-4.20~-0.73), pain (Hedges's g=3.51, 95 % CI=2.44~4.77), and function (Hedges's g=3.06, 95 % CI: 1.53~4.58). Except for function (t=1.572, p=.191), Egger's regression test showed that the publishing bias had statistically significant differences. Conclusion : This study provides evidence for the effectiveness of microcurrent on inflammatory musculoskeletal diseases in terms of blood component, pain, and function. However, due to the small sample sizes used in the included studies, the results of our study should be interpreted cautiously, especially considering the publishing bias.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.105-113
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• 2011

Objectives: To examine the current status of clinical research in oriental medicine, and to assess 'risk of bias'(ROB) of randomized clinical trials(RCTs) in oriental medicine in Korea. Methods: Special committee for EBM, KOMS(Korean Oriental Medicine Society) reviewed 17 journals related to oriental medicine in Korea (from the first issue to May 2010), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library Issue 2, 2010), and PubMed (1966 to May 2010). Then we selected eligible RCTs in terms of oriental medicine, and assessed 'risk of bias'. Results: We reviewed 12,653 articles from the 17 journals, and 41 articles from CENTRAL and PubMed. After non-clinical articles were excluded, 1,004 articles were left. Among them, the number of eligible studies in terms of oriental medicine was 306. In these eligible studies, 130 were RCTs. Of RCTs, 69 were on acupuncture, 25 on herbal medicine. The proportion of 'unclear' is high in the criteria of 'Allocation concealment', 'Blinding of participants and personnel', 'Blinding of outcome assessment' and 'Other bias'. On the other hand, 'low' has high in the criteria of 'Incomplete outcome data' and 'Selective reporting'. Conclusions: Risk of bias on oriental medicine is unclear in terms of 'allocation concealment' and 'blinding'. For high-quality research in oriental medicine, further research should be needed on randomization and blinding in the RCTs.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.62-74
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• 2021

Objectives : The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of acupuncture and the details of acupuncture treatment methods on skin wrinkles. Methods : Search was conducted in Pubmed, KISS, and NDSL databases for acupuncture studies on skin wrinkles. The detailed therapeutic techniques of acupuncture used for skin wrinkles and the effect of acupuncture on skin wrinkle improvement were analyzed. Then, the study results using the same indicator were compared through meta-analysis in order to compare the effects of acupuncture with the control group. The quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was assessed using the risk of bias (ROB) assessment tool (Ver. 1.0, Cochrane Collaboration). Results : A total of 10 RCTs and 19 case series were included in this study. The most frequently used therapeutic technique for skin wrinkle improvement was Microneedle therapy system (MTS, n=19), and they were mostly used with aesthetic solutions (13 out of 19 studies). Skin wrinkle related indexes were most commonly used to evaluate skin wrinkle improvement (n=14). Panax Ginseng pharmacopuncture showed the most remarkable effect in improving the range of skin wrinkles and the depth of skin wrinkles. MTS+epidermal growth factor improved the levels of skin hydration, skin elasticity, and variation of skin pigment the most. MTS+Endothelial precursor cell improved the number of skin melanin the most. Three RCTs included in the meta-analysis showed moderate ROB on average. Conclusions : Acupuncture treatment was effective in improving skin wrinkles. However, a precise study design using unified indicators and appropriate controls needs to be performed in further studies in order to establish more convincing evidence of the effectiveness of acupuncture for improving skin wrinkles.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.343-355
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• 2019

Objectives: Traditional oriental medicine is used in treating breast cancer-related lymphedema to alleviate symptoms. Upper limb lymphedema is a symptom that is frequently observed in patients with breast cancer, and it impairs their quality of life. This systematic review aimed to summarize the current available evidence to evaluate the effect of traditional oriental medicine on upper limb lymphedema in breast cancer patients. Methods: The review evaluated randomized controlled trials (RCTs) measuring the effect of herbal medicine, acupuncture, and moxibustion on upper limb lymphedema in breast cancer patients within four electronic databases. The Cochrane risk of bias (ROB) tool was used to assess the quality of the RCTs. Results: In total, 23 RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Among them, 22 studies reported that the rate of severity of lymphedema improved after treatment in the traditional treatment group using herbal medicine, acupuncture, or moxibustion better than in the conventional medicine group. The methodological quality of the RCTs was insufficient with an unclear and high ROB. Conclusions: Traditional oriental medicine may have a potential to improve lymphedema in patients with breast cancer. To confirm the clinical recommendation, further research with a rigorous study design is required to support the effects of traditional oriental medicine.