• 대한한방소아과학회지
• /
• 제26권1호
• /
• pp.46-59
• /
• 2012

Objectives The purpose of this study is to investigate recent clinical studies on effect of acupuncture for rhinitis in other countries. We have analyzed the studies on effect of acupuncture for rhinitis within randomized controlled trial(RCT), reviewed for 11 years (from 2001 to 2011). Methods The search database includes PubMed. To narrow the search, the following key search terms were used: 'rhinitis, acupuncture'. The search was limited to the publication date from 2001 to 2011. Results Total 20 studies were selected: RCT(13), review(5), case report(1), and cost effectiveness study(1). In RCT, 9 studies used acupuncture only, and 8 studies of them have revealed that acupuncture is effective on rhinitis. In review, 3 studies are systematic review, 2 studies are no systematic review. Among systematic review, 2 studies have revealed partial effectiveness of acupuncture for rhinitis, but they suggested the necessity of further studies. Conclusions Domestic studies on effect of acupuncture for rhinitis are necessary. For more accurate results, controlled, large scale and well designed studies are recommended.

• 한방안이비인후피부과학회지
• /
• 제31권3호
• /
• pp.26-38
• /
• 2018

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the possibility of applying acupuncture to the treatment of meniere's disease, which has no definite treatment methods, by analyzing the latest clinical researches about acupuncture treatment of meniere's disease. Methods : A case study and Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) related to the acupuncture treatment of meniere's disease were searched using domestic and international thesis search engines including OASIS, CNKI, J-STAGE, PubMed. This study include acupuncture treatment and acupuncture combined with other treatments such as herbal medicine. The search was limitied to the publication date from 2000 to 2018 with free full text. Results : 17 cases were selected. There were 7 case studies in Korea, 5 case studies in China, and 5 RCT papers in China. All 12 cases reported improvement in meniere's disease and all RCT studies showed significantly higher treatment effects in the experimental group than in the control group. Conclusions : Acupuncture treatment showed significant effects for meniere's disease when applied alone or in combination with other treatments. In the future, various systematic studies should be conducted only for acupuncture treatment.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• 제29권3호
• /
• pp.421-430
• /
• 2012

Objectives : We investigated the incidence rate and type of adverse events associated with RCTs(Randomized Controlled Trials) of acupuncture and moxibustion. Methods : This study included 949 patients who received acupuncture or moxibustion or usual care from 8 RCTs. We collected data including gender and age of patients, intervention, treatment frequency and type of adverse events in clinical trials from their case report forms. Results : Among the 949 patients, 83 patients(8.7%) suffered at least one adverse event throughout the clinical trials. Types of adverse event in acupuncture & moxibustion clinical trials are common cold, skin changes, pain, dizziness, bruise, gastrointestinal diseases, changes of blood chemistry, burn. Adverse events were significantly correlated to patients' age, intervention, body mass index and treatment group. Conclusions : A Guide-line for collecting and managing adverse events of acupuncture & moxibustion clinical trials are needed.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• 제34권3호
• /
• pp.116-125
• /
• 2017

Objectives : The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating prehypertension and stage 1 hypertension in postmenopausal women. Methods : The study was a multi-center, four-arm, non-blinded, randomized clinical trial. Sixty participants were randomly assigned to experimental or control groups. The experimental groups received 10 acupuncture sessions over 4 weeks(Group A, n=20) or 20 sessions over 8 weeks(Group B, n=20) along with usual care. The acupoints were GB20, LI11, ST36, and SP6, bilaterally. The acupuncture groups were followed-up for an additional 12 weeks after acupuncture treatment. The control groups received usual care for 16 weeks(Group C, n=10) or 20 weeks(Group D, n=10). The outcomes were blood pressure, blood pressure control rates, lipid profile, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP). Results : After 4 weeks, DBP in the acupuncture groups(A+B) showed no significant decrease compared to the control group(C+D). However, after 8 weeks of acupuncture treatment, group B showed a significant decrease in DBP after acupuncture treatment and follow-up period compared to control group. Although there was no difference between the acupuncture and control groups in SBP after acupuncture treatment, group B showed a significant decrease in SBP compared to control group after follow-up period. Lipid profiles and hs-CRP did not differ significantly between acupuncture and control groups. Conclusions : Acupuncture treatment for 8 weeks showed the effect on prehypertension and mild hypertension. To verify the effect of acupuncture on blood pressure, rigorous trials including more participants are required.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• 제26권1호
• /
• pp.41-49
• /
• 2009

Objective : To make comprehensive picture of clinical trials using moxibustion and their results by today, then help a strategy for moxibustion-derived clinical studies in the future. Methods : Surveyed literatures containing randomized controled clinical trial (RCT) from PubMed and Korean journals. Analysis was performed according to distribution mainly by study subject, target diseases, study design, and its efficacy. Results : Fifty two literatures were selected according to inclusion criteria of randomized controled clinical study. Moxibustion-derived RCT have been rapidly increased from 2003 since the first was published in China in 1992. The main subjects of RCT are associated with immunity, cancer, arthritis, chronic colitis and urogenital disorders, which are connected to cold-elated pathogenesis. The average number of subjects was 94, and direct-moxibustion was mainly applied. The control groups were set up by giving conventional therapy, herbal medicine, acupuncture or only observation. The most of RCTs showed positive results. Conclusions : This study would be helpful for designing or conducting RCTs to develop the scientific development of moxibustion.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• 제32권3호
• /
• pp.99-107
• /
• 2015

Objectives : This study was designed to obtain basic data for a further large-scale trial as evaluating the efficacy and safety of Geochangmanryeung-dan(GMD) and acupuncture on patient with spinal stenosis treated by epidural steroid injection. Methods: The study is a randomized controlled pilot clinical trial, conducted over 8 weeks. Twenty participants will be recruited and randomly allocated to 2 groups: an experimental(GMD and acupuncture with epidural steroid injection) group and a control(only epidural steroid injection) group. The epidural steroid injection will be administered once per 2 weeks for 6 weeks(3 times in total). GMD will be administered as a dose of 5 pills, 3 times per day, for 6 weeks. Acupuncture will be performed 2 times per week for 6 weeks(12 times in total). The primary outcome will be measured by visual analogue scale and self-rated walking distance. The secondary outcome will be measured by PainVision, short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire, and Oswestry Disability Index. Both primary and secondary outcomes will be measured at baseline, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks. The last assessment(at 8 weeks) will be performed 2 weeks after treatment cessation. Conclusions : This clinical trial, as the pilot study for a future large-scale trial, will provide clinical information for evaluating the efficacy and safety of GMD and acupuncture treatment in combination with epidural steroid injection for the treatment of spinal stenosis.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• 제24권1호
• /
• pp.127-135
• /
• 2007

Objectives: To evaluate the methodological quality of Korean Acupuncture Clinical trials Methods : Two independent researchers reviewed 12 protocols of Acupuncture clinical trials which were conducted in Korea 2006. Also, Survey Principal Investigator of those was conducted. We compare the results of protocol review with investigator reponses of actual practice. Quality assessment consisted of 5 items including random sequence generation, randomization method, allocation concealment, subject blinding, assessor blinding. Results : Randomization was performed using the proper procedure to insure that treatment assignment is unbiased and concealed from subjects in all clinical trials, According to protocols, 6(50%) of 12 clinical trials used computer-generated random numbers, 6(50%) remaining trials didn't describe the randomization method. Also all trials used appropriate randomization methods on the basis of the survey results: 8 trials used computer-generated random number, 2 used random table. Of 7 protocols in which allocation concealment was stated, 5(71%) reported appropriate method (Calling a central office or statisticians, Sealed opaque envelopes). However according to survey, 5(42%) of 12 trials used inappropriate allocation concealment (Keeping a master randomization list and referring to when subject entered the trial). In addition, the result of protocol review and survey response was not coincident in 5(42%) trials. Subject blinding was conducted in all except 1 clinical trials. Although 11(92%) of 12 trials were conducted using assessor blinding in actual practice, only 7(58%) reported that in protocol. Conclusion : Although randomization and blinding were conducted adequately, allocation concealment was used inadequately, Not only appropriate allocation concealment, but also every quality assessment item including randomization, blinding should be stated in more detail in protocol.

• 대한한방부인과학회지
• /
• 제26권2호
• /
• pp.138-150
• /
• 2013

Objectives: To observe randomized controlled trials(RCTs) related to investigating the effects of acupoint treatments on nausea and vomiting in pregnancy to establish the basis of korean medical treatments, and suggest the problems of future clinical research. Methods: After searching for national and international papers published after 2000 and restricting the parameters to 'clinical trial', 'controlled clinical trial', 'randomized controlled trial', then comparing the subjects, methods, research tools, and results to understand the effects and re-comparing the conflicting results to assume the cause. Results: Of the 9 research papers that applied acupressure, four of them used control and experimental groups, and three(75%) research papers indicated significant reduction in vomiting and nausea, and of the seven research papers that utilized the experimental and placebo groups, five(71.4%) reported significant reducing effects. Of the four research papers the used acupuncture treatments, four research papers using control and placebo groups, two showed improvements in symptoms but did not have significant results compared to sham acupuncture groups, and two showed significant reduction of symptoms compared to the control groups. The one research paper that used electrical stimulation showed significant results in the reduction of vomiting and nausea compared to the control group. Conclusions: Acupressure and electrical stimulation showed efficacy reducing the symptoms. Acupuncture treatments did not indicate efficacy some experiments. Therefore it is thought that future acupuncture treatments should use methods that resemble actual clinical medicine to establish efficacy to produce significant results.

• 대한한방소아과학회지
• /
• 제29권4호
• /
• pp.119-126
• /
• 2015

Objectives The purpose of this study is to investigate recent clinical studies on effect of acupuncture for Autism Spectrum Disorder in other countries. We have analyzed the studies on effect of acupuncture for Autism Spectrum Disorder within randomized controlled trail (RCT) for 6years (from 2010 to 2015). Methods The search database includes Medline, Embase, Cochrane library and CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure). To narrow the search, the following key search terms were used: 'autism or ASD or Asperger's Syndrome or pervasive developmental disorder, acupuncture'. The search was limited to the publication date from 2010 to 2015. 7 control studies in Medlin, Embase, Cochrane library and 5 control studies in CNKI were selected for analysis. Results and Conclusions 1. The acupuncture and rehabiliation treatment is more effective than only acupuncture treatment. Especially, Retention of needling is helpful. 2. It is necessary to set up standard scale in assessment of ASD patients and serum arginine-vasopressin (AVP) can be substitution. 3. Head acupuncture and tongue acupuncture is effective for ASD.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• 제28권5호
• /
• pp.29-38
• /
• 2011

Objectives : Recent well-designed randomized controlled trials(RCTs) and their meta-analysis have been published on the efficacy of acupuncture in different condition. In most of them, real acupuncture is compared with sham acupuncture including invasive and non-invasive sham methods. But it is not clear how active sham methods are. These results tend to lead the conclusion that acupuncture has no more effective than sham acupuncture. In order to investigate that sham acupuncture is appropriate as a control, we reviewed several acupuncture trials using different sham acupuncture as a control. Methods : We searched Cochrane researches of acupuncture, reviewed and analyzed 25 RCTs in 42 Cochrane reviews. And especially we compared the effect of acupuncture according to the type of sham acupuncture. Results : Invasive sham acupunctures are used in 12 RCTs and non-invasive types are used in the rest. The majority of studies(19 RCTs) fail to show effects beyond a sham acupuncture. Streitberger's sham needle is a validated sham acupuncture of non-invasive type that was used in 8 trials and also no significant group differences are shown except one trial. Conclusions : Acupuncture is a complex intervention. Clinical trials of acupuncture need to be reexamined and redesigned to remove several bias. Especially, sham acupuncture as a control might be investigated for physiological effects as well as validation test including patient-blinding and de qi sensation. Other research need to be investigated and developed for acupuncture trials.