• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.66-80
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine acupuncture treatment suggested on the papers of hyperemesis gravidarum(HG) in medicine journals and to establish the future direction. Methods: The papers which were associated with acupuncture and HG published between 2000 and 2012 in Medline were searched. Results: 14 studies met the condition. They were 13 randomized controlled trial (RCT)s and 1 clinical study. 13 studies revealed that acupuncture has efficacies in HG. 1 study was shown to have no statistically significant efficacy. 2 studies revealed that acupuncture was safe treatment, and 1 study revealed that acupuncture was reliable treatment. Conclusions: From the paper research, acupuncture treatment seems to be effective on HG. However, due to the lack sufficient research of HG, it would be necessary to fulfill further study about the period of acupuncture treatment on HG and the selection of acupoint through well-designed study and establish standard of evidence of them.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.19-35
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to show effectiveness of Acupuncture treatment on gastrointestinal dysfunctions after Cesarean section by analyzing randomized controlled clinical trials. Methods: We searched randomized controlled clinical trials related with acupuncture treatment on gastrointestinal dysfunctions after Cesarean section through national and overseas database and analyzed them in detail. Results: 6 articles were included according to our selection criteria and 1,084 women were involved. 3 studies used TEAS (Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation), 2 studies used Elastic band and 1 study used Acupressure by hand. Their results were statistically more effective than control groups. The most frequently used acupoints were Neiguan (PC6), Zusanli (ST36) followed by Sanyinjiao (SP6), Hegu (IL4). Conclusions: There was significant difference in the effectiveness of the intervention including Acupuncture treatment. Based on analysis, it could be an effective way for the treatment of gastrointestinal dysfunctions after Cesarean section in clinical practice.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.17-25
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• 2022

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of manual therapy for knee meniscus injuries. Methods We searched seven electronic databases (MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, CAJ, Wanfang, RISS, ScienceON, and OASIS) to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using the keywords "manual therapy OR chuna OR tuina" and "meniscus injury." Results Eleven RCTs were selected based on the inclusion criteria, and all studies were conducted in China. Five studies were meta-analyzed. The systematic review revealed a positive effect of manual therapy for knee meniscus injury. Low risk of selection, attrition, and reporting bias were demonstrated in all studies. Ten studies had a high risk of performance bias. Conclusions The systematic review reported favorable results using manual therapy for knee meniscus injury. However, this study has several limitations because of the high risk of bias. Further clinical studies and reviews with higher levels of evidence are warranted.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.65-82
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine acupuncture intervention suggested in the papers of assisted reproductive technology(ART, hereafter) in medicine journals and to establish the further direction. Methods: The papers published between 1996 and 2009 in Pubmed were reviewed. Results: 1. A variety of randomized controlled trials and case series were found in Pubmed concerning influence of acupuncture in ART. It was investigated into improvement of pregnancy rate, analgesic effect during oocyte retrieval, change of serum hormone, and reduction of anxiety. 2. It was on clinical pregnancy rate that main focus of the investigation was placed and the improvement of pregnancy rate differed from studies. 3. For the analgesic effect during oocyte retrieval, the electro acupuncture was mainly used and the studies reported the reduced pain rate, tiredness, and nausea. 4. Acupuncture was reported as significant in improving the state of anxiety during ART. Conclusion: It would be necessary to further study the period of acupuncture intervention, the selection of acupoint through well-designed study, and establish standard of evidence of them.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.35 no.1
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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.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.519-536
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to figure out which acupoints are selected to treat low back pain and attempt to analyze the effectiveness of those acupoints in current clinical trials. Methods : We searched the three electronic databases(PUBMED, RISS, KISS) and manually checked related Korean journals and reference lists up to April 2012. We included randomized controlled trials, clinical controlled trials, and case reports/series using needle type acupuncture( manual acupuncture, electronic acupuncture) to treat low back pain in English and Korean. We investigated the frequency of selected acupoints, change of visual analogue scale of low back pain and statistical significance in each study among trials. Results : We included 37 articles(Domestic 17, International 20) 53 studies(Domestic 28, International 25) in this study. The most frequently adopted acupoints were BL23, BL24, BL25, GB30, BL26, BL60, BL32, BL40, KI3, GV3, ST36 in domestic studies and BL23, BL25, BL40, BL60, GB30, GB34, BL32, BL26 in international studies. There were differential effectiveness of acupoints between domestic and the international studies using statistical significance of visual analog scale for low back pain. Conclusions : These results suggest that both proximal and distal acupoints based on meridian theory were used in clinical trials to treat low back pain. It would be helpful to provide clinical guideline, evaluate the results of clinical trials appropriately, and reveal the effectiveness of acupoints.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.130-138
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• 2018

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to explore patients' perceptions that deserve attention when designing core questions for a clinical practice guideline of Korean medicine(KM) for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). Methods : Patients who had been admitted to Pusan National Korean Medicine Hospital from November 1, 2015 to October 31, 2016 were invited to the survey. Patients were eligible if they were both clinically and radiologically confirmed as degenerative LSS. The structured questionnaire was distributed by mail and outpatient visits. Questions included types of experienced Korean/Western medical interventions for LSS, their perceived effectiveness on symptoms, the necessity for studies of KM for degenerative LSS, the types of KM interventions to be investigated and the types of outcome measures after treatments. Data were descriptively analysed. Results : Twenty of thirty-one invited participants responded to the questionnaire. Acupuncture and herbal medicine were the most frequently used KM interventions. Eighteen respondents reported that KM treatments were helpful for their improvement. Sixteen patients who mentioned that research on KM is needed chose acupuncture as the top priority(88%) among KM interventions. The most important outcomes in the view of nineteen respondents included functional recovery (68%) and pain relief (53%). Thirteen respondents (65%) replied that both short-term and long-term outcome were important for them. Conclusions : Our findings may have limited validity due to the small number of respondents and the potential selection and information bias. Further qualitative studies and large-scale surveys to comprehensively identify patients' views are warranted.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.145-163
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• 2009

Background : Stroke occurrences are prevalent and require intensive care for its treatment and rehabilitation. Acupuncture has been widely used in Korea throughout the history and provides an efficient method in the treatment of it. Objectives : To establish a distinctive and efficient acupuncture method for the treatment of stroke based in literature research. Method : We reviewed four Korean medical literature, $ll$治腫指南Guide to Swollen Sore Treatment$gg$, $ll$東醫寶鑑Treasured Mirror of Eastern Medicine$gg$, $ll$鍼灸經驗方Experiential Prescriptions of Acupuncture and Moxibustion$gg$, and $ll$舍岩鍼法Essential Rhymes on Acupuncture and Moxibustion by Master Sa-am$gg$, and analyzed the therapeutic characteristics in the treatment of stroke. Result : 1. In $ll$治腫指南Guide to Swollen Sore Treatment$gg$, various types of treatment can be found. Besides acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion with moxa tube, and bath therapy using Duchesneae Indicae Herba and Sal was applied. Needling in sublingual and vocal region, and also points like GB20, GB31, LI15, BL60, GV20, GV20, TE4, GB39, LU5, ST36, GB30 were frequently inserted. 2. In $ll$東醫寶鑑Treasured Mirror of Eastern Medicine$gg$, moxibustion treatment were in top priority. Points like GV20, LI15, LI11, GB31, ST36, GB39, LI4, GB20 pertinent to Governor, Conception, Gallbladder, Large Intestine, and Stomach meridian were most frequently needled. Selection of adjacent point was widely applied. 3. $ll$鍼灸經驗方Experiential Prescriptions of Acupuncture and Moxibustion$gg$ has some similarity compared to $ll$東醫寶鑑 Treasured Mirror of Eastern Medicine$gg$ in considering the moxa in top priority. But selected points far from the disease site. Main points were LI4, ST36, GB39, PC5, GV20, LI11, LR3, BL40, HT7. 4. $ll$校勘 舍岩道人鍼法Essential Rhymes on Acupuncture and Moxibustion by Master Sa-am$gg$ having the same content orders with $ll$鍼灸經驗方Experiential Prescriptions of Acupuncture and Moxibustion$gg$, it may had some influence from it. But the differences are also apparent. It emphasized in using mother-supplementing child-draining method, experiential prescriptions and visceral pattern identification. Conclusions : We could find various efficient methods through literature research of medical classics. This will not be limited in stroke alone but also will be applied in other diseases. This study will concurrently result in establishing distinctive therapeutic method characteristic of Korea.

• 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.