• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.71-83
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• 2024

Objectives The purpose of this study is to analyze the trends in domestic and international clinical research on the Korean medicine for triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injuries and to contribute to future domestic research. Methods In this study, clinical studies on TFCC injuries treated with Korean medicine were searched through databases such as Research Information Sharing Service, ScienceON, DBpia, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, PubMed, Medline, and Embase. Fifteen clinical studies were selected, of which publication years, intervention methods, assessment tools, and various other factors were analyzed, including potential side effects. Results Among the selected 15 studies, total of 13 intervention methods were used. Electroacupuncture was the most frequently used method (40%), followed by herbal medicine (33%), acupuncture (26.7%), chuna manual therapy (26.7%), pharmacopuncture (20%), acupotomy (13%), herbal ointment (13%), hot medicinal compress therapy (13%) and etc. Most studies showed that Korean medicine treatments effectively alleviated TFCC injuries, with visual analogue scale being the most commonly used assessment tool. Conclusions Korean medicine treatments for TFCC injuries appears to be effective; however, further research is needed to enhance understanding. Large-scale clinical trials comparing the efficacy of Korean medicine treatments, along with investigations into side effects and recurrence rates are necessary. By doing so, the safety and efficacy of Korean medicine treatments for TFCC injuries can be further established.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.151-158
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• 2018

Objectives: We investigated the efficacy and safety of miniscalpel acupuncture (MA) for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) in an assessor-blinded randomized controlled pilot trial; this would provide information for a large-scale randomized controlled trial. Methods: Participants (n = 24) were recruited and randomly allocated to the MA group (experimental) or acupuncture group (control). The MA group received treatment once a week for 3 weeks (total of 3 treatments), while the acupuncture group received treatment two times per week for 3 weeks (total of 6 treatments). The primary outcome was pain as assessed by a visual analogue scale (VAS). The secondary outcomes (intensity of current pain, stiffness, and physical function) were assessed using the short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Assessments were performed at baseline, 1, 2, and 3 during treatment and at week 5 (2 weeks after the end of treatment). Results: Of the 24 participants, 23 completed the study. Both groups showed significant improvements in VAS, SF-MPQ, and WOMAC. However, there were no significant differences between the MA and acupuncture groups. No serious adverse event occurred and blood test results were within normal limits. Conclusion: Our results suggest that although both MA and acupuncture provide similar effects with regard to pain control in patients with KOA, MA may be more effective in providing pain relief because the same relief was obtained with fewer treatments. A large-scale clinical study is warranted to further clarify these findings.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.69-77
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• 2021

연구 배경 최근 한국 및 중국에서 근골격계 질환에 대한 도침술의 활용이 늘고 있다. 하지만 현재까지의 임상연구는 대부분 증례보고 형태에 그치거나, 충분한 근거가 확보되지는 않은 실정이다. 우리는 요천추신경병증환자의 치료에 있어 도침치료와 통상한의치료와의 비교를 통해 도침치료의 유효성, 안전성, 경제성 평가를 시행하기 위해 본 연구를 기획하게 되었다. 연구 방법 본 연구는 예비임상 연구로, 다기관에서 진행되며, 무작위대조군, 활성 대조군을 통한 2개군 병행집단 연구로 평가자 맹검을 시행하게 된다. 이 연구에서는 총 50명의 요천추신경병증 환자를 대상으로 2개군으로 균등하게 분배하여 도침술 또는 통상한의치료를 시행하게 된다(각군당 25명). 도침술 그룹의 경우 협척혈에 도침치료를 시행 받게 되며, 통상 한의치료군은 연구자 판단하에 도침술을 제외한 적절한 한의치료를 시행 받게 된다. 두 개의 그룹은 주당 2회씩 총 3주간 치료를 받게 된다. 일차 유효성 평가는 요통으로 인한 기능장애를 평가하기 위한 Oswestry disability index를 통해 시행한다. 이차 유효성 평가지표로는 numeric rating scale, European Quality of Life 5-Dimension 5-Level, short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire, Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire scores를 시행하게 된다. 고찰 본 예비임상연구의 결과는 추후 있을 요천추신경병증에 대한 도침치료 및 한의통상치료 비교효과 연구의 유효성, 경제성평가 본 임상연구를 위한 기초 정보 및 가능성을 확인하고 적절한 대상자수 산정에 도움이 될 것이다.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.33-45
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• 2022

Objectives The purpose of this review was to investigate clinical treatment trends of Achilles tendinopathy. Methods Clinical studies about Korean medicine treatments on Achilles tendinopathy were searched in 5 databases. The included studies were classified according to the authors, published years, study designs, purposes of study, methods, interventions outcome measures and adverse event. Results In 23 studies, total number of patients were 1,135. The included studies consist of 14 randomized controlled trials (RCT), 5 non-RCT, 2 retrospective study and 2 case reports. Patients were conducted with 9 kinds of treatment, which is acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, acupotomy, moxibustion, cupping, Chuna, herbal medicine, physiotherapy. Most studies used visual analogue scale as primary outcome. Conclusions Based on the results of the collected studies, the use of Korean medicine treatment on Achilles tendinopathy seem to be effective. Despite the large number of RCTs, the level of research cannot be guaranteed, so it is considered that more rigorous researches are needed in future studies.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.135-147
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• 2024

Objectives The aim of this study is to investigate the research trends in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment for pes anserine bursitis using the search results from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Methods We searched for clinical studies on pes anserine bursitis in the CNKI electronic database. We analyzed the publication year, study type, participant demographics, treatment methods and duration, evaluation criteria, adverse events, and the results of each article. Results Seventeen studies published from January 1, 2014 to January 1, 2024 were selected. Among the 17 selected studies, 14 were randomized controlled trials and 2 were case reports. The most frequently used treatment intervention was acupuncture. Nine types of acupuncture were identified, including electro-acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, acupotomy, floating acupuncture, and other new types of acupuncture. The most commonly used evaluation outcome was effective rate. Conclusions Various TCM treatments for pes anserine bursitis were introduced, and we could identify the effectiveness of TCM in treating pes anserine bursitis. However, it is anticipated that more well-designed and high-quality evaluation studies will be required in the future.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.85-100
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• 2024

Objectives This study aims to analyze clinical studies on subacromial-subdeltoid (SA-SD) bursitis and propose future directions for clinical research on SA-SD bursitis. Methods We searched eight databases to investigate research trends in Korean medicine treatments for SA-SD bursitis up to November 2023. A total of thirty-one studies were included in this analysis. Results Among the included studies, there were six case reports from Korea, fifteen case reports, and ten randomized controlled trials from abroad. Various interventions were uesd, including acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, manual therapy, electro-acupuncture, cupping, physiotherapy, acupotomy, warm-acupuncture, herbal medicine, and moxibustion. The evaluation tools used in these studies included the total effective rate, visual analogue scale, range of motion, and numeral rating scale. Conclusions This study provides an overview of the research trends in Korean medicine treatments for SA-SD bursitis. However, given the low quality and small sample sizes of the studies, the evidence supporting effect of Korean medicine treatments for SA-SD bursitis was insufficient. Further clinical trials and systematic reviews are required.