• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.319-332
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• 2017

Objectives: The present study aimed to provide clinical evidence on the effect of herbal medicine, Hyeolbuchukeo-tang or Xuefu Zhuyu decoction for the treatment of primary insomnia using a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods: This study included RCTs that verified the effects of Hyeolbuchukeo-tang or Xuefu Zhuyu decoction for the treatment of primary insomnia. Literature searches of English, Chinese and Korean databases were performed, and the selected literature was assessed for investigating the risk of bias. Results: The analysis included 10 RCTs. The Chinese Classification of Mental Disorders-3 was most frequently used to define the diagnostic criteria for Hyeolbuchukeo-tang or Xuefu Zhuyu decoction intervention in patients with primary insomnia. The effective rate was the most commonly used outcome measure. A meta-analysis revealed that the effective rate, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Athens Insomnia Scale in the Modified Xuefu Zhuyu decoction (MXZD) group were higher compared to Western Medicine (WM) group (RR: 1.17, 95% Cl: 1.08 to 1.26, p<0.0001, $I^2$=0/MD: -1.29, 95% Cl: -2.09 to -0.49, p=0.002, $I^2$=0%/MD: -0.99, 95% Cl: -1.81 to -0.18, p=0.02, $I^2$=15%). The effective rate of the MXZD+WM group was significantly different compared to the WM group (RR: 1.28, 95% Cl: 1.11 to 1.47, p=0.0006, $I^2$=2%). The included RCTs were of relatively poor quality and had small sample sizes. Conclusions: Treatment with Hyeolbuchukeo-tang or Xuefu Zhuyu decoction was found to be effective in treating primary insomnia. However, the included RCTs were of relatively poor quality and had small sample sizes. It is hypothesized that this study could serve as a foundation for further clinical studies on the development of diagnosis and treatment methods for primary insomnia based on Korean medicine.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.231-244
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• 2020

Objectives : This study was conducted to introduce the types and contents of books related to acupuncture published in North Korea that can be identified in South Korea, and to understand the general characteristics of North Korean acupuncture. Methods : Firstly, we identified books related to acupuncture in the Information Center on North Korea of the National Library of Korea. Specialized books on treatment interventions such as acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, electrotherapy, and manual therapy including acupressure which stimulate acupoints were included in the study. Two authors reviewed the title, table of contents, and contents of each book in the order of publication year for the searched books. Based on this, the characteristics and trends of North Korean acupuncture were comprehensively examined. Results : The included 18 books were published between 1964 and 2018. One of them was considered a Chinese book translated into Korean and published in China, and another was a North Korean book republished by a South Korean publisher. Except for these, all were published in North Korea, two of which were translations of Chinese books. Most of them were books on the theory and clinical applications of acupuncture, but some of them focused on specific treatment interventions such as auricular acupuncture, fire needling, manual therapy, cupping, or electrotherapy. Also, there was a book about the mechanism of acupuncture analgesia in a neurophysiological way. Conclusions : Since the mid-1960s, North Korea has been steadily attempting to combine acupuncture and Western medicine by applying the disease name and classification system of Western medicine, using modern diagnostic technique, and explaining the mechanism of acupuncture based on the latest research. After the 2000s, the standard international acupuncture nomenclature by World Health Organization was used. In recent years, there has been a tendency to publish and widely disseminate specialized books on non-pharmacological treatment such as cupping, electrotherapy, and fire needling.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.33-43
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• 2023

Objectives : Floating acupuncture (FA) is a kind of newly developed acupuncture technique that contains its own apparatus. The technique has unique points that the body of the acupuncture needle stays intradermal space and manipulation is performed by shaking the needle horizontally; after manipulation, part of the needle remained in the intradermal space for 2~3 days. FA is not a common acupuncture methodology while various clinical study claims its efficacy on musculoskeletal disorders. In this study, the authors aimed to enhance the use of FA by comparing related theories. Methods : The authors reviewed classics, books, and articles related to FA, Meridian Muscle (MM), Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS), and Wrist-Ankle Acupuncture (WAA), and compared its characteristics by related theory, related symptoms, apparatus, and performing procedures. Results : FA was related and had various common parts with MM, MPS, and WAA, however, there were unique parts in the manipulation, apparatus, and stimulation location. FA is based on MM and MPS which pointing 'ashi points' or 'trigger points' as a treating target while FA does not stimulate the points directly. FA also targets subcutaneous space by inserting the needle horizontally as WAA does, while FA remains the needle handle part in the subcutaneous area for 2~3 days for more stimulation. Conclusions : FA has a unique manipulation procedure and potential benefit for musculoskeletal disorders despite the crude theological base written by Fu himself. Thus, developing a new explanation and patient-friendly methodology/apparatus is required for further down-to-earth studies.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.145-163
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• 2018

Objectives: The study was designed to provide clinical evidence of homogeneity in analysis of the herbal medicine, Guipi decoction in treating insomnia, using a t-test of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods: This study included RCTs that verified homogeneity of Guipi decoction in treating insomnia. Literature studies of CNKI (Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure Database) were performed. The basic components group was made to the Guipi decoction of the Yixuerumen?s text. The excluded group was created with the number of herbs excluded from the basic components group. T-test performed that the effective rate in the basic components group and excluded groups. Results: The basic components of Guipi decoction contain Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba, Poria Sclerotium (Poria Sclerotium Cum Pini Radix), Polygalae Radix, Astragali Radix, Zizyphi Semen, Angelicae Gigantis Radix, Aucklandiae Radix, Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer, Ginseng Radix (Codonopsis Pilosulae Radix), Longanae Arillus. Herbs excluded from the basic components group were Longanae Arillus, Ginseng Radix (Codonopsis Pilosulae Radix), Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer and herbs added to the basic components group were Polygonum multiflorum Thunberg, Schisandrae Fructus, Salviae Militiorrhizae Radix, Paeoniae Radix Alba (in order from the most used to the least). T-test revealed the effective rate in the basic components group was not statistically significant compared to the excluded groups (p=0.161/p=0.162/p=0.103). Conclusions: Effectiveness in treatment of basic components of Guipi decoction and excluded groups were revealed to be homogeneous in treating insomnia. As the number of herbs in the basic components group decreased, mean value in effectiveness of treatment also decreased consequentially. However, there were no statistical significances.