• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.93-106
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• 2021

This study aimed to analyze the use of Korean medicine treatments for alopecia in among clinical studies. We identified and analyzed 22 studies from Korean databases; Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS), Science ON, Korean Studies Information Service System (KISS), and Research Information Sharing Service (RISS) and international database; PubMed. We analyzed the Korean medical treatment in each case and determined the tendency to use each intervention. We analyzed 1,464 patients from 22 selected studies. Herbal medicine, acupuncture, external medicine or products, pharmacopuncture, and phototherapy were used for alopecia treatment. The herbal medicines mainly used to treat alopecia were Gagam Cheongyoung-tang, Gagam Hwajung-hwan, and Yukmijihwang-tang·hwan. The acupoints primarily used were GV20, EX-HN1, GB5, KI3, PC6, ST36, GV22, and A-shi. The most commonly used pharmacopuncture therapies were Hwangryunhaedoktang (HH), Carthami Fructus (CF), Bee Venom (BV), and Hominis placenta (HP). The Korean medical treatment for alopecia improved the condition of patients. However, seven studies reported the occurrence of side effects such as pruritus, dazed, drowsiness, headache, pain, and diarrhea. This study shows the potential of Korean medicine for the treatment of alopecia. Further studies with a large sample size and long-term follow-up are warranted to establish the primary treatment guidelines and objective outcome measures for alopecia.

• The Korean Journal of Medicine
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• v.93 no.6
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• pp.509-517
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• 2018

A small number of viable tuberculosis bacilli can reside in an individual with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) without obvious clinical symptoms or abnormal chest radiographs. Diagnosis and treatment of LTBI are important for tuberculosis (TB) control in public and private healthcare facilities, particularly in high-risk populations. The updated 2017 Korean guidelines for TB recommend that tuberculin skin tests, interferon-gamma release assays, or a combination of them can be used for the diagnosis of LTBI, depending on the age and immune status of the patient as well as their TB contact history. For diagnosis of LTBI, exclusion of active TB is essential, and the possibility of healed TB in those without a history of treatment for TB but at risk of its development must be considered. The treatment options for LTBI include isoniazid, rifampicin, isoniazid/rifampicin, and isoniazid/rifapentine. The benefits and risks of these agents based on the age of the patient and their hepatotoxicity must be considered when selecting the appropriate drug. Standardized diagnosis and treatment of LTBI based on the updated 2017 guidelines will contribute to the control of TB in Korea as well as to further revisions of the guidelines.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.26-36
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this review is to overview the studies of acupuncture treatment for vulvodynia. Methods: In order to investigate the effect of acupuncture treatment for vulvodynia, we searched relevant studies in Pubmed, Cochrane, Oasis, KISS up to October 2018. After searching studies, we analyzed selected studies. Results: Six studies were included in this review. There were 3 randomized controlled studies and 3 before and after studies. The outcome measurement of vulvodynia was divided into pain, sexual function, and quality of life. The acupuncture treatment was effective in relieving vulvar pain, dyspareunia and improving quality of life. Conclusions: This study shows that acupuncture treatment is one of effective treatment methods for vulvodynia. Further large randomized placebo controlled trials will be needed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.182-185
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• 2019

Dural ectasia is defined as ballooning or expansion of the dural sac surrounding the spinal cord. This report describes a rare case of low back pain and sciatica, suspected as being dural ectasia. The patient was hospitalized for 45 days, and underwent integrative Korean medical treatment, including pharmacopuncture, acupuncture, herbal medicine, Chuna therapy, cupping therapy, and physiotherapy. The effect of the treatment was evaluated using the numerical rating scale, Oswestry disability index, European quality of life 5 dimensions, and subjective symptoms. After inpatient treatment, the pain the patient experienced was significantly reduced and the evaluation indices improved. This case report suggested that integrative Korean medical treatment could be an effective therapeutic choice for low back pain and sciatica, with dural ectasia. Further clinical studies are needed to support this observation.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.154-160
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• 2019

Background: The purpose of this study was to analyze the medical dispute cases in Acupuncture and Moxibustion treatment, and present the guidelines of treatment to prevent medical disputes. Methods: Korean Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medicine Society medical dispute cases from January 2013 to September 2018 were collected and analyzed. Results: There were 80 cases, which included acupuncture treatment (54 cases), cupping treatment (7 cases), local infection / inflammation (17 cases), and neurological symptoms (13 cases). Analysis of the correlation between types of medical accidents and the treatment methods, showed that local infection and inflammation (12 cases) were the most reported in acupuncture treatment. Conclusion: This study was performed to analyze the current status of medical disputes in the field of acupuncture and moxibustion, and provide basic data for guidelines to prevent them. Further study preparing for clinical guidelines to prevent medical disputes in specific departments are warranted in the future.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.86-101
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• 2019

Objectives: This review is aimed at assessing the efficacy and effectiveness of acupuncture treatment for interstitial cystitis patients through literature research and overview. Methods: Database searching was conducted to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and clinical studies on the acupuncture treatment for interstitial cystitis patients. Studies were searched from Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology, KISS, KMBASE, CNKI, Cochrane library, PubMed and EmBase up to April 2019. Results: Five studies including three RCTs and two clinical studies were finally selected. Three studies showed that acupuncture was effective for interstitial cystitis. One study showed ineffectiveness of acupuncture treatment. Conclusions: From three studies, acupuncture treatment for interstitial cystitis patients showed symptoms relief and improvement of QoL (Quality of Life). Further strictly designed studies are needed to confirm the efficacy and setup the acupuncture treatment protocol.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.280-285
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• 2019

Background: Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) is a treatment modality that alleviates radicular pain by intermittently applying high-frequency currents adjacent to the dorsal root ganglion. There has been no comparative study on analgesic effect according to the position of the needle tip in PRF treatment. The objective of this study is to evaluate the clinical outcomes of PRF according to the needle tip position. Methods: Patients were classified into 2 groups (group IP [group inside of pedicle] and group OP [group outside of pedicle]) based on needle tip position in the anteroposterior view of fluoroscopy. In the anteroposterior view, the needle tip was advanced medially further than the lateral aspect of the corresponding pedicle in group IP; however, in group OP, the needle tip was not advanced. The treatment outcomes and pain scores were evaluated at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after applying PRF. Results: At 4, 8, and 12 weeks, there were no significant differences between the successful response rate and numerical rating scale score ratio. Conclusions: The analgesic efficacy of PRF treatment did not differ with the needle tip position.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.39-47
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• 2019

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the scientific literature demonstrating the effectiveness of Chuna manual therapy (CMT) in the treatment of spinal scoliosis. Methods : A literature search was conducted using eight electronic databases to identify all randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) that investigated CMT as a treatment for spinal scoliosis. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to assess the methodological quality of each RCT. Results : Five RCTs met our inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. These studies demonstrated positive results of CMT with respect to the reduction of Cobb's angle, vertebral rotation angle score, bending test score, and efficacy rate compared with brace treatment. Positive results were also assured, in terms of the reduction of Cobb's angle, pulmonary function, and efficacy rate when comparing CMT combined with other therapy with brace treatment, gymnastic training, or traction therapy. Conclusions : This review has identified encouraging and limited evidence of CMT for the treatment of spinal scoliosis. However, to obtain stronger evidence, without the disadvantages of study design and quality, we recommend that treatment effectiveness of CMT for spinal scoliosis is investigated further using a well-designed RCT.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.1-11
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• 2020

Objectives: The effectiveness of acupuncture on cancer pain is relatively well established, while there have been few clinical studies on pharmacopuncture on that. This research was aimed to investigate a trend of pharmacopuncture treatment for cancer pain and to propose information for further research. Methods: Clinical studies on pharmacopuncture for cancer pain were collected from 5 Korean medical databases. And the studies were analyzed by classifications of cancer, chief complaints, interventions, treating skills, additional treatments, treatment session, outcome measures, results and adverse effects. Results: The literatures were 8 case reports and 1 randomized controlled trial. Interventions were pharmacopunctures of soyeom, mountain ginseng, Harpagophyti Radix, snake venom, Trionycis Carapax, bee venom, Aconitum Ciliare Decaisne. Treatment skills, procedures, and indications of each pharmacopuncture were different. An adverse effects of bruising, bleeding, mild chilling, sore throat and pain were mentioned on snake venom and bee venom treatment. Conclusions: An appropriate interventions and treatment skills should be selected according to the type of cancer pain. And treatment procedures to ensure safety must be developed.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.97-102
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• 2021

Powder quality, including high flowability and spherical shape, determines the properties of additively manufactured products. Therefore, the cheap production of high-quality powders is critical in additive manufacturing. Radio frequency plasma treatment is an effective method to fabricate spherical powders by melting the surface of irregularly shaped powders; in the present work, mechanically milled Zr powders are spheroidized by radio frequency plasma treatment and their properties are compared with those of commercial Zircaloy-2 alloy powder. Spherical Zr particles are successfully fabricated by plasma treatment, although their flowability and impurity contents are poorer than those of the commercial Zircaloy-2 alloy powder. This result shows that radio-frequency plasma treatment with mechanically milled powders requires further research and development for manufacturing low-cost powders for additive manufacturing.