• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.59-69
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• 2017

Objectives : This study analyzed the current status of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of miniscalpel acupuncture for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) in China. Methods : A literature search was performed using the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database. All studies up to June 7th, 2017 were searched. The quality of included RCTs was assessed with the Jadad scale. Results : Five RCTs were finally included in this review. The overall quality of the RCTs was assessed as low. All articles evaluated miniscalpel acupuncture as monotherapy or in combination with filiform needle therapy, drug injection therapy, Tuina treatment, thermal coagulation therapy, or spinal decompression. Miniscalpel acupuncture as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy showed greater therapeutic effect and fewer adverse effects. Conclusion : Miniscalpel acupuncture is a safe and effective nonpharmacological treatment for LSS. However, high-quality studies with consistent treatment protocols are needed to confirm these findings.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.139-152
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• 2017

Objectives : This study reports the clinical effects of miniscalpel needle therapy in patients with carpal tunnel or tarsal tunnel syndrome. Methods : Three patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) or tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS) (first case, patient with CTS and TTS; second case, patient with CTS; and third case, patient with TTS) were treated with miniscalpel needle (MSN) therapy and integrative Korean medical treatment. The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Neuropathic Pain Scale (NPS), Boston scale score, and AOFAS (American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society) ankle-hindfoot score were measured. Results : In general, outcome measures after treatment showed improvement in all cases. In the first case (CTS and TTS), scores on the NRS, NPS, and Boston scale decreased, and AOFAS ankle-hind foot scores increased. In addition, Tinel's sign showed improvement. In the second case (CTS), scores on the NRS, NPS, and Boston scale, and Tinel's sign, were decreased. In the third case (TTS), scores on the NRS and NPS, and Tinel's sign, showed improvement, and AOFAS ankle-hind foot scores were increased. Conclusion : These results suggest that MSN therapy has a meaningful clinical effect in CTS and TTS.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.13-28
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• 2018

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the use of Korean and English terminology of acupotomy therapy among Korean Researchers. Methods: The search was conducted on eight medical journals (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, OASIS, KISS, IMR, NDSL, RISS), Google Scholar and 8 Korean medine journals. The definitions of acupotomy therapy, Korean and English terminology were analyzed in the studies that met the criteria. Results: A total of 60 studies were finally included in the analysis. In Korean terminology, Chim-Do was the most used with 37 studies, Do-Chim with 23 (including duplicates). In English termology, 46 studies were used acupotomy and 10 studies were used miniscalpel acupuncture. Conclusions: As a result of analyzing the terminology use of acupotomy therapy studies in Korea, it was confirmed that Korean and English terminology are different according to the study. It will be necessary to discuss the standardization of terminology.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.226-237
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• 2018

Background: This study examined the characteristics and prognosis of patients admitted to the Dunsan Korean medicine hospital for treatment of herniated intervertebral disc (HIVD) or spinal stenosis with Miniscalpel needle therapy (MSN). Methods: Patients were admitted to the Dunsan Korean medicine hospital from January 01, 2016 to September 30, 2017 for the treatment of HIVD or spinal stenosis with MSN. Crossover analysis, Independent sample t test, one-way ANOVA, multiple linear regression analysis, and binary logistic regression analysis were performed. Results: Crossover analysis showed statistically significant differences in treatment methods according to gender, current pain according to the disease duration, satisfaction of MSN according to disease duration, treatment methods, and intention of re-treatment with MSN according to treatment methods. Independent t test and one-way ANOVA showed that there was a difference in current Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) according to disease duration, and difference between discharge and current NRS, and number of MSN according to disease. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that age, disease duration, and number of MSN affect discharge NRS, disease duration, and number of MSN affect current NRS, and Western medical treatment after MSN, discharge NRS, and current NRS affect satisfaction of MSN. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that discharge NRS affects current pain, and gender, discharge NRS, and treatment methods affect intention of re-treatment with MSN. Conclusion: Characteristics, prognosis, satisfaction and variables affecting prognosis of MSN were statistically significant, indicating that more systematic studies are required to further examine the effects of MSN on HIVD or spinal stenosis.