• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제28권6호
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• pp.27-34
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• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of thread-embedding therapy against partial obesity. Methods : 9 women from 20 to 30 with partial obesity were treated with thread-embedding therapy and then surveyed satisfaction, reaction after treatment and whether they were re-treated or not. The results of before and after treatment were compared with physical measurement, body composition tests and fat thickness measured by ultrasound. Results : The satisfaction of patients was high and side effects were pain, bruises and unnaturalness of action, but 8 of 9 patients wanted to re-treatment. The effect of thread-embedding therapy against partial obesity was continuous and was most pronounced during the first week. Conclusions : Thread-embedding therapy may be useful to reduce partial obesity without different treatments of obesity, diet, exercise etc.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.61-66
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to examine the duplicate effect of thread-embedding therapy against obesity. Methods : 5 women from 20 to 30 with obesity were treated with thread-embedding therapy and compared the results with physical measurement, body composition tests and fat thickness measured by ultrasound. Results : The thread-embedding therapy locally reduced body size and fat thickness and had a cumulative effect, but showed the greatest effect in the abdominal region. It didn't affect to the overall change of body composition. Conclusions : The duplicate procedure of thread-embedding therapy for obesity had a cumulative effect, but it depended on the treatment region.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제35권4호
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• pp.159-165
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• 2018

Objectives : This study was performed to review the efficacy of national and international randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating evidence on thread embedding therapy for knee osteoarthritis. Methods : Online databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, NDSL, OASIS, CNKI) were searched for studies where thread embedding therapy was performed for Knee Osteoarthritis from their inception to July 2018. Two researchers independently performed the search. Only RCTs were selected. Eligible studies were selected first by the abstract and the title and then included after full-texts were read. Risk of bias of the included studies were evaluated using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool. Data were narratively summarized. Results : There were 334 studies retrieved from the databases, resulting in analysis of 3 RCTs. There was an average of 1.5 treatment visits over a 7 day period and evaluation tool used was efficacy rate, with traditional acupuncture being the most common control used in the trials. Statistically significant improvement by thread embedding therapy was reported. None of the included RCTs reported on adverse reactions. The risk of bias of the included studies was generally unclear. Conclusion : The review suggests that thread embedding therapy can be effective in knee osteoarthritis. But there was a lack of detailed information about the treatment procedures, and the risk of bias was unclear. Therefore, there is insufficient evidence for thread embedding therapy for knee osteoarthritis.

• 한방안이비인후피부과학회지
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• 제36권4호
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• pp.113-121
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• 2023

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to analyze the treatment mechanism of Thread-embedding acupuncture, which is used in Korean medicine beauty treatment. Methods : After searching papers published up to January 1, 2023 using the keyword "Thread-embedding" through the OASIS site, we selected beauty papers that mentioned the treatment mechanism of Thread-embedding acupuncture. Results : A total of 60 papers were retrieved: 19 papers on the topic of cosmetic diseases, 35 papers on the theme of other diseases, and 6 papers written unrelated to diseases. Among the 19 papers on the topic of cosmetic diseases, one unreadable paper was excluded. Among the 18 papers, we finally selected 6 papers that mentioned treatment mechanisms: 2 on facial wrinkles, 2 on obesity, 1 on breast enlargement, and 1 on transdermal hydration. The treatment mechanism of Thread-embedding acupuncture is that in the case of facial wrinkles, polydioxanone(PDO) is embedded to fill the volume, and as it decomposes, it causes a tissue reaction around the area. In obesity, it promotes fat decomposition by improving circulation, and promotes breast enlargement and elasticity through collagen formation. In transdermal hydration, it induces the production of surrounding fibers to increase skin elasticity and moisture. Conclusions : Thread-embedding acupuncture appears to have a cosmetic effect through a mechanism that promotes the production of collagen and elastic fibers in the subepidermal dermal layer and increases the activity of skin moisturizing factors during the absorption process after the PDO suture is embedded.

• 동의신경정신과학회지
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• 제35권1호
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• pp.37-68
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• 2024

Objectives: This study aimed to systematically review thread-embedding treatment studies for depression, anxiety, and dementia and examine the effectiveness and safety of thread-embedding treatment. Methods: Ten domestic and international search databases were used for study selection, including CNKI, PubMed, CENTRAL, EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED, PsycArticles, RISS, OASIS, and KCI. We included studies that presented diagnostic or appropriate criteria for depression, anxiety, and dementia, and randomized control studies using thread-embedding therapy. We searched papers published until October 10, 2023. Results: Twenty-one studies were selected, of which 11 studies were conducted on depression, nine on dementia, and one on anxiety disorders. The most commonly used acupoint for depression was Gansu (BL18), whereas zusanli (ST36) and fenglong (ST40) were used for dementia. The most commonly used type of thread was 1-0 United States pharmacopeia (USP) and 1 cm for depression and 2-0 USP and 1 cm for dementia. The treatment period for most of the studies was once every 2 weeks and for 8 weeks. Among the included studies, 17 showed significant improvements in depression scales, such as Hamilton depression rating scale and Self rating depression scale, activities of daily living scales, and cognitive function scales, such as Hasegawa dementia scale and Mini-mental state examination. Six studies reported adverse events, and no studies reported significant adverse events. Two studies reported follow-ups. Conclusions: This study presents limited evidence for the effectiveness and safety of thread-embedding therapy for depression, anxiety, and dementia. Well-designed studies are needed to review the clinical efficacy and safety of thread-embedding therapy in the future.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.39-47
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• 2016

Objectives : This study was conducted to examine the clinical effects of thread embedding acupuncture on lumbar herniated intervertebral disc patients. Methods : This is a retrospective study based on clinical charts. Despite the treatments of acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, herbal medicine, and physical therapy during admission period, 10 lumbar herniated intervertebral disc patients who had shown few improvements in their symptoms were selected as subjects. Thread embedding acupuncture was conducted to reduce patient pain. Patient progress was categorized into three periods based on when the embedding procedure performed. Verbal numeric rating scale (VNRS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), and a 5 step evaluation scale for satisfaction were used to analyze the outcome. Results : Regarding comparison of VNRS improvement rate, both 3 and 6 days after embedding progress showed significant difference compared to before embedding progress. ODI improvement rate showed significant difference only 6 days after embedding progress. Patients' satisfaction with treatment had increased by several degrees. Conclusion : Thread embedding acupuncture for lumbar herniated intervertebral disc patients may be effective in reducing pain and improving their quality of life.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제29권6호
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• pp.85-89
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• 2012

Objectives : This study is to evaluate the current situation of Japanese tourists for medical tour of Daejeon University hospital and to draw up a plan for better policies. Methods : 59 Japanese tourists visiting oriental medicines hospital of Daejeon University from January 2012 to September 2012, were analysed in the statistics. And 8 of them answer a questionnaire about reasons for selection of Daejeon University hospital, satisfaction for thread embedding therapy and side effects of thread embedding therapy. Results : A total of 59 foreigners visited oriental medicines hospital of Daejeon University for medical service, consisting of 54 females(92 %), the thirties to fifties 71 % by age. The 87.5 % of patients answered that the reason for choosing this hospital was the subsidization of the medical expenses, and 50 % for appropriate payment, 37.5 % for safety, 12.5 % for recommendation of the people who had good experience at this hospital. The 71% of patients selected thread-embedding therapy for treating wrinkles. The degree of satisfaction was evaluated as quite satisfaction of 87.5 %, full satisfaction of 12.5 % showing that a whole number of the patients treated with thread-embedding therapy showed relative satisfaction. This evaluation is, however, a short term survey which should lead to a further term study. For the evaluation of side effects of thread-embedding therapy, 75 % of patients answered as pain occurred during the therapy, 62.5 % as edema, 50 % as hypodermal bleeding. Conclusion : First of all, there should be more constructive promotion and support for medical tour of oriental medicines, ultimately leading to promoting better clusters of oriental medicines. Secondly, support in terms of a medical law should be established for medical disputes, and the best follow-up service should be considered.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제41권2호
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• pp.96-106
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• 2024

This study aimed to provide the basis of treatment effects by analyzing randomized control trials (RCTs) on the use of thread embedding acupuncture (TEA) for low back pain that were published between February 2018 and July 2023. In total, 2,865 articles were retrieved from international and Korean databases. Nine of these articles were selected and evaluated based on the following categories: (1) year of publication, (2) type of disease, (3) sample size, (4) treatment interventions, (5) treatment frequency and duration, (6) insertion point and depth of thread embedding, (7) types and sizes of threads and needles, (8) evaluation indexes, (9) treatment outcomes, and (10) side effects. The risk of bias in RCTs was also assessed. This study also emphasizes the importance of further research on TEA for clinical treatment and the use of objective approaches. Furthermore, detailed method descriptions and results are important in determining the efficacy of TEA.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.59-66
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• 2017

Objectives : This study aims to report the effectiveness and safety of Korean medicine with thread embedding acupuncture in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Methods : A 73-year-old man who had suffered from severe facial pain for one year and who had had a healthy tooth extracted due to the pain is reported. He could not eat or sleep due to the severe pain. Acupuncture, thread embedding acupuncture, cupping, herbal steam, and herbal medicines were used for the treatment. Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and adverse events were checked daily, and other outcomes (Baseline Evaluation, Visual Analogue Scale [VAS], Short Form Health Survey 36-Bodily Pain [SF-36 BP], and Patient Global Assessment [PGA]) were measured at hospital admission and discharge. During the follow-up examinations, his pain was evaluated roughly, without using any formal measurements, on the basis of a global assessment. Results : All measured parameters, including pain, quality of life, and patient satisfaction were noted to have improved at the time of discharge compared to admission: VAS from 10 to 1.5, NRS from 7-8 to 1-2, and SF-36 BP from 0 to 22.5, and the patient's global assessment was somewhat improved. He did not take any analgesics after discharge and noted only mild adverse events, like pain where the acupuncture and thread embedding acupuncture needles were inserted. His pain relief was maintained for 6 months. Conclusion : Korean medicine with thread embedding acupuncture might be a safe and effective treatment for TN. In the future, larger sample sizes and high quality randomized clinical trials are warranted to confirm its efficacy and safety.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제38권3호
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• pp.122-132
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• 2021

Objectives : This systematic review aims to assess the effectiveness of thread embedding therapy on animal model for rheumatoid arthritis. Methods : Search was conducted in the Cochrane library, MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wan-Fang Database, Technology Journal Database, the Korean Studies Information Service System, the Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System, the Research Information Sharing Service, the National Digital Science Library, the Korean Traditional Knowledge Portal and the Korea Citation Index. Data were extracted concerning animal model, intervention and rheumatoid arthritis indicator by two independent reviewers. Reporting quality was also evaluated by the ARRIVE (Animal Research: Reporting In Vivo Experiments) guidelines 2.0. Results : One thousand thirty six studies were primarily selected. After screening, 10 studies met the inclusion criteria. 1 study was published 2005, 1 study was published 2010, 1 study was published 2012, 1 study was published 2015, 2 studies were published 2016, 3 studies were published 2017, 1 study was published 2018. The most frequently used acupoints were ST36 and BL23, and were used with an average frequency of 11.8 days. All of these thread embedding therapy studies were effective on behavioral, morphological, immunohistological and hematological indicators to treat of rheumatoid arthritis model. Conclusions : These results demonstrated the effectiveness of thread embedding therapy and suggested the putative mechanism. However, considering the small number of included studies, low reporting quality and differences in study design, further studies with rigorous designs and high reporting quality need to be conducted.