• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.29-49
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• 2024

Objectives The purpose of this study is to systemically review the recent studies in the Korean medicine treatments for torticollis. Methods We search the clinical studies from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2023. The studies were searched through 10 databases (Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System, Korean studies Information Service System, Research Information Sharing Service, Korean Medical Database, ScienceON, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Wanfang Data, China National Knowledge Infrastructure). Results A total of 19 studies were included in the study. 12 studies were case report studies, 5 studies were randomized controlled trials, 2 studies were non-randomized controlled trials. Of the 19 interventions, Chuna was the most used in this study and of the 28 evaluation tools, Sternocleidomastoid thickness was the most used in this study except efficiency rate. All 19 studies had improvements after treatment, and 8 studies had statistically significant improvements. As a result of the study, we found that Chuna, GB, GB20, BL10, Glycyrrhiza uralensis were commonly used Korean medicine treatments for torticollis. Conclusions We analyzed the Korean medicine treatments for torticollis. Through this study, we found that the Korean medicine was effective for torticollis. However, more research is needed to confirm the more detailed effect.

• 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.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.101-134
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• 2024

Objectives The purpose of this study is to observe the effectiveness of acupotomy treatment for lateral epicondylitis by comparing it with various control groups. Methods We searched 11 domestic and international databases for systematic reviews and meta-analysis. The subjects were studies published from January 1, 2017 to September 1, 2023, and only randomised controlled trials were included. Results 208 studies were searched, of which 21 studies were finally selected. Among the studies published after 2017, the largest number of studies was published in 2019. The average number of participants per study was 72.28±20.26 and the average age was in the 40s. The most frequent intervention in the study was acupotomy alone, and the treatment most often mentioned as a control group was local nerve block. The most used evaluation tool is efficiency. Acupotomy+manipulation had statistically better effect than that of local nerve block in terms of pain (standard mean difference -1.87, 95% confidence interval, -2.18 to -1.57, p<0.00001) and elbow joint function (standard mean difference 2.25, 95% confidence interval, 1.65 to 2.86, p<0.00001). Conclusions As a result of the meta-analysis, the effect of acupotomy added manual therapy treatment was statistically significant compared to the local nerve block frequently used for lateral epicondylitis. Based on these results, it appears that more research on combination treatments other than acupotomy treatment will be needed. Also, it appears that more large-scale randomized controlled studies that strictly adhere to the standards for reporting interventions in controlled trials of acupuncture, risk of bias 2 criteria will be needed.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.191-203
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• 2024

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of an integrated medical service model for a fibromyalgia patient and their caregiver, focusing on reducing pain and improving quality of life. Methods: A single-case study design was employed, involving a fibromyalgia patient and their primary caregiver treated at W University Hospital. The integrated medical service program, based on the Ministry of Health and Welfare's model, included medical consultations and complementary therapies such as psychological counseling, art therapy, music therapy, horticultural therapy, yoga, and meditation. The program was conducted weekly for 8 weeks, with each session lasting up to 100 minutes. Data collection involved both quantitative and qualitative assessments. Quantitative data included demographic surveys, psychological tests, health-related quality of life measures, pain indices, and sleep quality indices. Qualitative data were gathered through feedback evaluations and emotional assessments. Results: The patient showed improvements in mobility, self-care, daily activities, and anxiety/depression, with EQ-VAS scores increasing from 20 to 40 and pain perception decreasing from 67.41 to 42.58. The caregiver reported reduced anxiety/depression and an increase in EQ-VAS scores from 95 to 98. Both patient and caregiver exhibited emotional changes, with decreased depression and increased happiness. However, the patient showed an increase in fear and anger. Conclusions: The integrated medical service model positively impacted the emotional and psychological well-being of the fibromyalgia patient and their caregiver. Despite the limitations of a small sample size and a single-case study design, the findings suggest that an integrated approach can be beneficial. Larger-scale studies are needed to confirm and generalize these results.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.205-216
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• 2024

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of Mindfulness & Loving Beingness (M&L) psychotherapy combined with traditional Korean medicine in treating acute sleep disorders in patients hospitalized following traffic accidents. Methods: We applied traditional Korean medicine treatments in conjunction with various mindfulness meditation techniques from M&L therapy, including Resource Mindfulness and Nourishment Brief Therapy. This study was conducted on three patients who reported acute sleep disorder symptoms on the first day of hospitalization following a traffic accident. The effectiveness of these interventions was assessed using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5-K), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), EuroQol 5-Dimension (EQ-5D), Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), and Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC). Results: ISI and PCL-5-K scores showed significant improvements after treatment, indicating reduced sleep disturbances and stress symptoms. Additionally, EQ-5D and PGIC scores were enhanced, reflecting an overall improvement in quality of life. Conclusions: This study suggests that integrating M&L therapy with traditional Korean medicine could significantly improve symptoms in patients with acute sleep disorders following traffic accidents.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.64-71
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• 2024

The most critical aspect of full-arch prosthodontic treatment is evaluating whether the patient's vertical occlusal dimension is appropriate, and if necessary, restoring it through increasing vertical dimension. If the vertical occlusal dimension is too low, it can lead to reduced chewing efficiency, as well as not only aesthetic concerns but also potential issues like hyperactivity of muscles and posterior displacement of the mandible. This report is about the patient dissatisfied with pronunciation and aesthetics due to an inappropriate vertical occlusal dimension resulting from prior prosthetic interventions, underwent full-arch prosthodontic restoration treatment. Through the utilization of digital diagnostic apparatus, a comprehensive evaluation was undertaken for patient's vertical occlusal dimension, occlusal plane orientation, and the condition of prosthetic restorations. Through 3D facial scanning, the facial landmarks were discerned, and subsequently, the new occlusal plane was established. This provided the foundation for a digitally guided diagnostic wax-up. An elevation of 5 mm from the incisor was determined. Comprehensive dental rehabilitation was then executed for all remaining teeth, excluding the maxillary four incisors. The treatment protocol followed a systematic approach by initially creating implant-supported restorations on both sides of the dental arch to establish a stable occlusal contact. Subsequently, prosthetic restorations for the natural dentition were generated. Diagnostic and treatment planning were established through the utilization of facial scanning. This subsequently led to a reduction in treatment complexity and an expedited treatment timeline.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.1212-1242
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• 2023

Objectives: This study aims to explore the current usage status of orally administered Korean herbal medicine in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in the Journal of Korean Medicine and member journals using the CONSORT-Chinese Herbal Medicine Formulas 2017 (CONSORT-CHM 2017) checklist. Methods: We searched the OASIS, RISS, and KMBASE archives as well as the websites of the Journal of Korean Medicine and 45 member journals to identify RCTs that used herbal interventions. Two independent researchers searched and categorized the RCTs and performed a quantitative evaluation by journal, study design, and target disease, as well as qualitative evaluation of the literature using CONSORT-CHM 2017. Results: After the search, 66 articles were selected. The quantitative evaluation resulted in 13 articles (19.6%) that were published in the Journal of Korean Medicine and 12 articles (18.1%) in the Journal of Internal Korean Medicine. In terms of study design, 62 articles (93.9%) were parallel, 4 articles (6%) were crossover, and 2-arm parallel study designs were the most common in 45 articles (68.2%). In terms of the study participants, physiological characteristics and mechanisms in healthy individuals were the most common in 21 studies (31.8%) and obesity in 9 studies (13.6%). In terms of assessing completeness in the CONSORT-CHM 2017 items, 29 articles were rated high, 31 were rated moderate, and 6 were rated low. Items 4a, 6a, and 7a had low reporting rates (≤ 30%), while items 2a, 2b, and 12a were completely reported in all studies. Conclusion: Future RCTs using orally administered Korean herbal medicine need to be reported completely, and the CONSORT-CHM 2017 checklist can be a helpful tool for this purpose.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.82 no.4
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• pp.1011-1017
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• 2021

Bone cement embolism often occurs during percutaneous vertebroplasty. Bone cement pulmonary arterial embolism generally requires no treatment because of the small size and asymptomatic manifestation. Intracardiac bone cement embolisms are rare but associated with a risk of severe complications. Intracardiac bone cement embolisms are mainly removed through open heart surgery. To the best of our knowledge, only three cases of intracardiac bone cement embolisms removed with interventions have been reported. Here, we report another case of successful transcatheter retrieval of a 6-cm-long cement embolism in the right atrium after percutaneous vertebroplasty. The embolus broke in half and migrated to the right pulmonary artery intraoperatively. Using two snares and a filter retrieval device, we advanced from opposite directions. Further, we gently grasped and pulled the fragments of the right pulmonary artery and aligned them in a linear fashion directly into the sheath for uneventful removal.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.69-80
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• 2023

Purpose: Suicide ranks among the top causes of death among youth in South Korea. This study aimed to identify the characteristics of suicidal individuals treated at emergency departments between 2011 and 2020. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using data from January 2011 to December 2020 in the Injury Surveillance Cohort, a prospective registry. Patients' sex, age, mortality, methods of self-harm, and previous suicide attempts were analyzed. The methods of self-harm were categorized into falls, asphyxiation, blunt injuries, penetrating injuries, poisoning, and others. Sub-groups with and without poisoning were compared. Results: The proportion of self-harm/suicide attempts increased from 2.3% (2011) to 5.0% (2020). The mortality rate decreased from 10.8% (2011) to 6.3% (2020). Poisoning was the most common method (61.7%). Mortality rates ranged from 42.0% for asphyxiation to 0.2% for blunt injuries. Individuals in their 20s showed a marked increase in suicide/self-harm attempts, especially in the last three years. A large proportion of decedents in their 70s or older (52.6%) used poisoning as a method of suicide. The percentage of individuals with two or more previous attempts rose from 7.1% (2011) to 19.7% (2020). The death rates by poisoning decreased from 7.7% (2011) to 2.5% (2020). Conclusion: Our findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions and suicide prevention policies. Managing and reducing suicide and self-harm in emergency settings will require a focus on poisoning, the 10-29 age group, and the elderly. This paper will be valuable for future policies aiming to reduce the societal burden of suicide and self-harm.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Sensory Integration
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.65-78
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• 2023

Objective : In this study, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of family-centered intervention conducted with caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in South Korea through a systematic literature review. Methods : Previous studies published from 2011 to 2021 were searched through RISS, KISS, and DBpia. The search terms applied included "autism spectrum" OR "general developmental disorder" OR "high-functioning autism" OR "Asperger's" AND "parent education" OR "family-centered intervention" OR "parent coaching" OR "parent training" OR "family participation." A total of 11 experimental studies were chosen based on the selection criteria. Results : According to the findings on the general characteristics of the study participants, intervention strategies, and effects of the intervention, it was observed that the majority of children with ASD who participated in the study were preschool-aged, and the majority of participating caregivers were mothers. The effects of family-centered interventions were evident in both children and parents. In children, the most significant effects were observed in interaction and communication skills. In parents, a reduction in parenting stress and an improvement in parenting efficacy were observed. The intervention strategies employed in the study varied, with sensory integration intervention, responsive communication, and interaction-centered intervention being the most commonly used, followed by developmental-centered intervention, positive behavior support (PBS), and parent-mediated intervention based on pivotal response treatment (PRT). Conclusion : The results of this study are significant in that they confirm that family-centered intervention is effective not only in improving the functioning of children with autism spectrum disorder, but also in reducing parenting stress and enhancing parenting efficacy, and provide evidence for clinical use.