• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.131-136
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• 2012

Objective: This study evaluated and compared the adherence to the CONSORT for quality of reports on the randomized controlled trials (RCT) abstracts by four major Korean Science Citation Index (SCI) journals and The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). Methods: A descriptive analysis of published RCT abstracts in Korean SCI journals and NEJM from 2007/01 to 2011/06 was conducted by two reviewers, independently extracting data from a PubMed search. A modification of CONSORT for abstract was used including 16 checklist items. Reporting of checklist items for individual group was conducted to compare adherence patterns between two groups. Results: We identified the potential 57 RCT abstracts from Korean SCI and 50 from NEJM meeting our inclusion criteria; among them, three abstracts from Korean SCI and one from NEJM were excluded. Among total 16 checklist items based on CONSORT statement, Korean SCI journals and NEJM were statistically equivalent in 4 items; Korean journals were better in three items and NEJM were in nine. The methodological quality domains were inadequately reported in both journals: allocation concealment about 1.9% and 4.0%, and blinding 44.4% and 40.8%. In general, The CONSORT adherence of NEJM was better than that of Korean SCI in the method and result domain (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The quality of NEJM reporting of RCT abstracts was better than that of Korean SCI, in general. This study on adherence of RCT reports from Korean SCI journals and NEJM abstracts to the CONSORT statement reveals that there is a need for improvement, especially Korean SCI. Further investigation on the quality of RCT reports and ways to improve reporting quality is required.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.55-66
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• 2018

Objectives To evaluate the evidence supporting the effectiveness of bee venom acupuncture for ankle sprain. Methods We conducted search across 11 electronic databases (Pubmed, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL [CENTRAL], KoreaMed, Kmbase, Koreanstudies Information Service System [KISS], National Digital Science Library [NDSL], Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information [KISTI], China National Knowledge Infrastructure [CNKI], Wanfang and Chinese Scientific Journals Database [VIP] database) to find clinical trials that used bee venom acupuncture as treatment for ankle sprain. The methodological quality of randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) were assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB) tool, while non-randomized controlled clinical trials (NRCTs) were assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment tool for Non-randomized Study (RoBANS) tool. Results Four RCTs and one nRCT met our inclusion criteria. Almost studies showed that bee venom acupuncture has positive effect on ankle sprain. 4 studies of same intervention and control included in the meta-analysis. When comparing bee venom acupuncture and acupuncture with acupuncture, the effect size of standardized mean difference (SMD) was -0.19 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.95~1.56, Z=0.55, p=0.83). And when comparing bee venom acupuncture with acupuncture, the effect size of SMD was -0.17 (95% CI: -0.65~0.31, Z=0.71, p=0.48). Conclusions Although our systematic review found encouraging but limited evidence of bee venom acupuncture for ankle sprain, most of the studies included in the analysis were evaluated as methodologically high risk of bias. From now on further well-designed RCTs should be encouraged.

• The Korean Fashion and Textile Research Journal
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.635-645
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• 2015

This study analyzed the range of motion of upper body in different configurations of firefighters' protective clothing and equipment. The purpose of this study was to understand the influence of firefighters' protective clothing and equipment over upper body motion in order to improve design of firefighters' protective clothing and equipment. 12 firefighters' upper body range of motion was analyzed while performing standing and walking trials in five different garment configurations including turnout ensemble, fire boots and the self-contained breathing apparatus. Analysis of upper body range of motion included spinal joints of L5S1, L4L3, T1C7, and C1Head. During standing trials, garment configurations caused a significant difference in range of motions at joints of L5S1, L4L3, T1C7, and C1Head. Analysis on the mean of range of motions at L5S1 and L4L3, showed that firefighters' waist bent forward significantly to a greater extent while they wore a self-contained breathing apparatus. A significantly increased range of motion was found for T1C7 and C1Head while carrying a self-contained breathing apparatus, which indicated an increase in the extension of the trunk and neck backward to stand upright and look squarely. A significant difference in range of motion was also found for L5S1 and L4L3 during walking trials.

• Journal of Internet Computing and Services
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.45-55
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• 2012

Electronic data management is getting important to reduce overall cost and run-time of clinical data management with the enhancement of data quality. It also critically needs to meet regulated guidelines for the overall quality and safety of electronic clinical trials. The purpose of this paper is to develop the performance evaluation framework in electronic clinical data management. Four key metrics in the area of infrastructure, intellectual preparation, study implementation and study completion covering major aspects of clinical trial processes are proposed. The performance measures evaluate the extent of regulation compliance, data quality, cost and efficiency of electronic data management process. They also provide measurement indicators for each evaluation items. Based on the key metrics, the performance evaluation framework is developed in three major areas involved in clinical data management - clinical site, monitoring and data coordinating center. As of the initial attempt how to evaluate the extent of electronic data management in clinical trials by Delphi survey, further empirical studies are planned and recommended.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.17-30
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• 2020

Objectives : To find treatment techniques and design clinical studies, this study reviewed controlled clinical studies on traditional Asian medicine treatment for childhood cancer. Methods : Literature searches were performed on four databases, such as NDSL, OASIS, PubMed, and CNKI. Studies were categorized and analyzed according to the treatment goal and we also assessed the quality of the randomized controlled trials (RCT) using Van Tulder Scale. Results : Twenty-seven studies met our inclusion criteria: 21 RCTs, 4 controlled trials, 2 Cohort studies, however only 6 among the 21 RCTs got the scores of high quality. Various interventions were used, such as herbal medicine, acupuncture, acupressure, and chuna. 7 studies were focused on cure of leukemia or solid cancer. 11 studies were performed to alleviate chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting. 9 studies were focused on other complications of chemotherapy. Conclusions : Most of the studies reported significant effectiveness of traditional medicine treatment compared to controlled group. However we could not made a definite conclusion because of the low quality and heterogeneity of the studies included. More studies should be performed to introduce traditional Asian medicine to childhood cancer treatment.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 1997

The effects of genetic, physiological, and environmental factors(temperature, and type of watering system) on growth factors, accumulation of abdominal fat(AF), and the association between growth factors and AF of broilers and Athens-Canadian Randombred (ACRB) were studied in a series of nine trials. The final BW(6 or 7 wk) and 4-6 or 5-7 wk gain (G) were greater in groups raised at 21.1˚C than 26.7˚C. There was no consistent effects of environmental temperature on feed conversion ratio (FCR) although the FCR was significantly (P$\leq$.o5) reduced in 21. 1˚C group compared with the 26.7˚C group in two of six trials. The overall mean weight of AF relative to BW at 43 or 50 days of age were not significantly different between temperature groups: the means of AF of 21.1˚C and 26.7˚C groups were 1.81 and 1.78%, respectively. Environmental temperature had no consistent effect on the relationship between 4-6 or 5-7 wk C and 43 or 50 days AF, and 4-6 wk FCR and 43-days AF ; however, the association of 50 days AF with 5-7 wk FCR was highly significant in both temperature groups. The overall mean of correlation coefficient between FCR and AF was very low (r=.107). The waterer types did not significantly affect the AF. Generally, the effect of sex on the relationship between G and AF was not consistent in both sex groups. However, the association of AF with G was much greater in ACRB group compared with broiler group. The initial body weights (4 or S wk) was significantly (P$\leq$.001) correlated with AF in ACRB group, but not in the broiler groups. The effect of sire on AF was very high(P$\leq$.0001) in five of six trials.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.722-730
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• 2010

Objectives : While the proportion of clinical trials is increasing in oriental medical research, no studies in recruitment strategies exist. This study was conducted to investigate which recruitment strategy was efficient to increase the number of potential subject and to reduce cost. Methods : Data from 179 callers in a single-center between June 22 and August 12, 2010 were analyzed. Results : We found that daily newspaper and free newspaper advertisement collected maximal participants. Advertisements in the hospital and on the Internet were considered as the most cost-effective methods. Conclusions : Intensive multiple overlapping recruitment strategies might be effective in success of participant registration in a clinical trial.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.75-86
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• 2011

Objectives : This study investigated oriental diagnosis and treatment of reflex esophagitis (RE) such as syndrome differentiation and herbal medicine by reviewing Chinese journals. Methods : A journal search was performed using China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) from January 2006 to December 2010. The keywords were the various combinations of 'reflex esophagitis', 'Chinese medicine', 'syndrome differentiation', and 'herbal medicine'. All types of journal entries that explained or referred to herbal medicines and definite syndrome differentiations were included. The Types of the journals were randomized clinical trials (RCT), reviews, essays, case series and reports. Vague syndrome differentiations and experimental studies were excluded. Selected journals were extracted and summarized by two researchers independently. Results : 47 Chinese entries were finally selected. 61% of them were case-control trials that had non-randomized, active controlled clinical trials. 36 kinds of syndrome differentiations about RE were investigated. We summarized and divided them into 10 syndrome differentiation groups. 肝胃不和(syndrome of liver qi invading the stomach) in syndrome differentiation, 和胃降逆 (harmonize the stomach and direct qi downward) in method of treatment, and Jwa kum-whan (左金丸) were cited with high frequency in RE. Conclusions : We find that many kinds of syndrome differentiation groups and herbal medicines for reflex esophagitis are used in China, compared with Korea. Further studies will be required about oriental syndrome differentiation and treatment of this disease.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.57-64
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• 2010

Background : Meditation is one of the healing therapies used to prevent and cure ailments and to improve health through regular practice. Although Meditation is within the paradigm of modern Western medical science, effects on the human body could be possible. Objectives : This study performed a systematic review of the literature published in Korea focused on mindfulness meditation (MM), which is being applied as mind-body therapy around the USA lately. Method : Three hundred sixty six articles were found after searching with keyword, 'mindfulness meditation (MM)' in 6 journals and web databases. Ninety papers related MM were analyzed trend, Seventeen randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 38 controlled clinical trials (CCTs) were researched by systematic review. Result : Most of them were studies about relationship between MM and syndrome such as stress, depression, anxiety and MM was also applied to some disease like hypertension, temporomandibular joint disorder in some cases. In 55 studies, It was shown that MM has positive effects on various symptoms and sometimes the effect of MM showed at post and follow-up study although there was no significant difference between control group and experimental group in some cases according to outcome measurement. Interestingly, there was no study reported about side effects of MM after the application. Conclusions : MM is being clinically applied at both western and oriental hospital in Korea, but more clinical trials with the high quality are needed to support its scientific basis.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.16-35
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• 2012

Objectives The purpose of this study is to investigate various treatments in Japan for atopic dermatitis. The treatments on atopic dermatitis from diet modification and kampo medicine were studied for 11 years (from 2001 to 2011). Methods The search database includes PubMed. To narrow the search, the following key search terms were used: 'atopic dermatitis, diet, japan', 'atopic dermatitis, kampo, japan'. The search was limited to the publication date from 2001 to 2011. Results 1. There are 16 studies on atopic dermatitis treatment by using diets - 2 clinical trials and 12 animal experiments. All researches have revealed that diet modification is effective for atopic dermatitis. 2. There are 6 studies on atopic dermatitis treatment by using kampo medicine - 2 clinical trials and 4 animal experiments. All researches have revealed that kampo medicine is effective for atopic dermatitis. 3. There are 4 studies on atopic dermatitis treatment by using herbs - 4 animal experiments. All researches have revealed that herb is effective for atopic dermatitis. Conclusions Most of the animal experiments were using mice, so the studies on safety and effectiveness are needed to be confirmed to human as well. In the future, systematic guidelines and protocols are necessary for clinical trials and development of successful treatments on atopic dermatitis is needed.