• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.199-212
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• 2021

Purpose: This randomized clinical placebo-controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of Lactobacillus reuteri as a probiotic in guided pocket recolonization (GPR) for the treatment of chronic periodontitis (CP) adjunctive to scaling and root planing (SRP). Methods: Forty-eight CP patients were randomly assigned to 3 treatment groups: group 1 (SRP+placebo), group 2 (SRP+single application of probiotic), and group 3 (SRP+incremental application of probiotic). Clinical parameters were evaluated at baseline and at 8, 12, and 24 weeks, whereas biochemical parameters were measured at baseline and 12 weeks. Results: At 24 weeks, the probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level improved in all 3 groups from baseline with no significant intergroup differences; however, a statistically significant difference was observed in localized plaque and gingival scores between groups 1 and 3 (P<0.05). At 12 weeks, matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8), nitric oxide (NO), and gingipains-R (Rgps) levels improved in all 3 groups, with statistically significant differences between groups 1 and 3 for MMP-8 and NO (P<0.05), but no difference for Rgps levels. Conclusions: Within its limitations, the results of this study show that incremental 3-time application of L. reuteri as a probiotic led to improvements in clinical and biochemical parameters. This protocol can be a useful adjunct to SRP in the non-surgical management of CP.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.213-234
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• 2023

Objectives: To investigate current status of randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) registration for suicide attempters. Methods: The World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (WHO-ICTRP) was used to search for data using 'suicide' as a search term. All registration information of RCTs registered up to April 2023 were collected. Results: Among a total of 68 RCTs registered, the United States ranked the highest in terms of quantity in this field (n=30, 46.15%), whereas Asia had only six (8.82%). A total of 62 (91.18%) RCTs involved individual interventions, while nine (13.24%) RCTs involved group interventions. Among individual interventions, 11 (16.18%) and 54 (79.41%) RCTs were on pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy, respectively. Within psychotherapy, there were a total of 17 (25%) studies utilizing digital media, with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) via phone being the most common approach. Among non-digital media-based studies, CBT was used the most frequently (n=11, 16.18%), followed by attempted suicide short intervention program (n=6, 8.82%). There were no studies using interventions from East Asian traditional medicine, including Korean medicine (KM). The most frequently used main outcome was the Beck scale for suicidal ideation. Conclusions: Studies on suicide attempts in Asia, especially in South Korea, are very scarce. Despite vigorous psychotherapeutic research in this field, KM psychotherapy has not been used. Thus, KM clinical trial for suicide attempters might be planned in the future based on our findings.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.1-13
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• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of this research is to examine the effects of Sa-am acupuncture Simpojeongkyeok treatment on Hwa-byung. Methods : The study was performed through a patient-assessor blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in which the volunteers, data collector and analyst were unaware of individuals which were receiving the treatment. Fifty volunteers were divided into a trial and a control group, each of which consisted of 25 subjects. The trial group was treated with Sa-am acupuncture Simpojeongkyeok, while needle insertion at non-acupoints was given to the control group. The Likert scale for major symptoms of Hwa-byung was measured as the 1st evaluative instrument, and then a comparative analysis was conducted by comparing the results with those measured by of STAXI-K, STAI-K and BDI-K. Results : In the Likert scale comparison of major symptoms, total scores in both groups were decreased after treatment. However, a more significant decrease was found in those of trial group compared to those of the control group from a statistical perspective. The results measured by BDI scores also decreased significantly in the trial group after treatment. In comparison of STAXI and STAI scores, there were no significant differences found between the groups. Conclusions : The results suggest that Sa-am Acupuncture Simpojeongkyeok treatment is effective in the treatment of Hwa-byung.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.66-87
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• 2013

Objectives: The aim of this study was to review systemically clinical trials on the trends of studies for Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the treatment of female sexual dysfunction and provide basic resource for future treatment and suggestions for improving research methods. Methods: Through medical website 'Pubmed', foreign clinical literatures about female sexual dysfunction were searched and domestic clinical literatures about female sexual dysfunction were searched using internet websites 'National assembly library', 'KISS', 'RISS', 'Korean traditional knowledge portal'. Results: Total 19 literatures were selected from January 2000 to June 2012. 15 foreign literatures were selected through medical website and 4 domestic literatures were chosen using internet websites or hand-searching. 5 literatures were published in 2008 and 13 literatures mentioned about age group of patients. FSFI is most common tool for female sexual dysfunction. 9 of 19 literatures were using Herbal medicine for treatment. 5 literatures were about CBT, 6 literatures were about Biofeedback and other one literatures are about Perineal massage. There were 14 Randomized controlled trials and 5 Non-randomized controlled trials. And randomized controlled trials were relatively low in risk of bias than non-randomized controlled trials. Conclusions: Upon these results, in similar future more clinical trials should be done and accumulate Evidence-based literatures.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.1-11
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• 2010

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate any clinical studies regarding rhinitis published by the Korean Oriental Medical Society and its sub-societies for future rigorous clinical research. Methods: Every article relevant to rhinitis was initially obtained from journals of the Korean Oriental Medical Society and its sub-societies by electronic search at journal web sites or manual searches. Journals were limited to those registered with the Korea Research Foundation. From initial findings, two independent reviewers selected clinical articles and these articles were further analyzed separately by predefined criteria according to prospective and retrospective studies. For prospective studies, quality assessment was also conducted. Results: From 36 initially obtained articles, 17 were finally analyzed. 2 articles were randomized controlled studies, 6 articles were prospective whereas 9 were retrospective. In the prospective articles, there were no randomized controlled trials and the other non-randomized studies had no control group with several problems of quality regarding pre-calculated study size and unbiased assessment. None of the retrospective studies described rhinitis diagnosis objectively and outcome measures were either non-relevant to rhinitis or non-validated. Conclusions: Further well-designed randomized controlled studies for rhinitis are mandatory and more rigorous non-randomized controlled studies should be conducted.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.57-69
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• 2008

Objectives : To review the controlling methods used in RCTs (randomized controlled trials) of auricular acupuncture. Methods : To investigate the controlling methods used in clinical trials of auricular acupuncture, 46 articles were retrieved from PUBMED (from August 1976 to August 2007, with limits: english, clinical trial) using the key words of "ear acupuncture", "auricular acupuncture", "auriculo-medicine", and sorted out according to the types of control treatments. Among them, 10 articles were selected based on STRICTA (Standards for Reporting Intervention in Controlled Trials of Acupuncture), and the controlling methods used in those articles were reviewed. Results : In clinical trials of auricular acupuncture, 'sham acupoints (non-acupoints and non-treatment acupoints included)', 'minimal acupuncture', 'pseudo-intervention', and 'placebo devices' have been used as controlling methods, but their 'inactivity' have been in question. To compensate the disadvantages of 'minimal acupuncture', and 'pseudo-intervention' control, placebo auricular acupuncture needles have been developed, although these needles didn't satisfy the conditions of 'blinding' and 'physical inactivity' simultaneously. Conclusions : Further researches on 'sham acupoints' and new development of 'placebo auricular acupuncture needles' are needed.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.32-37
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• 2012

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to obtain some understanding about Korean medicine treatment on language disorder in cerebral palsy for future practice and the research, from the clinical studies. Methods: The literature was searched using the database-China Academic Journals (CAJ). Clinical studies of Korean medicine treatment for language disorder in cerebral palsy, including Randomized controlled trial (RCT), case control study, case series, case report were analyzed. Results: Fifteen Clinical studies met our inclusion criteria; One case study and six case series, one non-randomized controlled trial and seven RCTs. Acupuncture treatment, especially Head acupuncture, was the major treatment for language disorder of cerebral palsy in clinical studies, as it was used in fourteen studies. Acupoint massage, tuina, and acupoint injection were employed as treatment methods in the studies. Acupuncture treatment was used for language disorder of cerebral palsy combined with language therapy and other rehabilitation treatment in many studies. The effectiveness in the treatment groups, regardless of treatment methods, was higher than that of control group in all RCT studies. Conclusions: The results of this study could be used in the practice and the future study about language disorder of cerebral palsy.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to review the acupuncture and moxibustion therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD) in China. Methods : The literatures were searched using the database-China Academic Journals(CAJ)(~2015.1.). Clinical studies of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy for GERD such as randomized controlled trial(RCT), non-randomized controlled trial(NRCT), case series, or case report were included. Results : Thirty studies met our inclusion criteria: 24 RCTs, 4 NRCTs, 1 case series, 1 case report. Various kinds of treatment such as body acupuncture, abdominal acupuncture, acupuncture therapy with finger on back-shu point, electroacupuncture, acupoint injection, auricular acupuncture, and moxibustion were used in the clinical studies. The treatment groups take herbal medicines at the same time in 16 studies, and proton pump inhibitor(PPI) and histamine 2 receptor antagonist were used as a comparative treatment in the most of studies. Acupuncture or moxibustion treatments were done daily or 2~3 times a week for 5 days~18 weeks. All of studies reported higher effective rate in the acupuncture or moxibustion treatment group compared to the western medication control group. Conclusions : The results of this study could be used for the future practice and the clinical research about the acupuncture and moxibustion therapy for GERD.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.147-158
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• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to obtain some knowledge about the acupuncture treatments on Parkinson's disease for the future practice and the research from the clinical studies in China. Methods : The literatures were searched using the data base-China Academic Journals (CAJ) (1994-2011). Clinical studies of acupuncture for Parkinson's disease such as randomized controlled trial (RCT), non-randomized controlled trial (NRCT), case series, case report were included. Results : Of 145 articles, 52 Clinical studies met our inclusion criteria: 20 RCTs, 7 NRCTs, 22 case series and 3 case reports. Various kinds of acupuncture treatments such as scalp acupuncture, body acupuncture, abdominal acupuncture, acupoint injection, eye acupuncture and thick needle acupuncture (粗鍼) were used in the clinical studies. The treatment and control groups take Madopa Tablet (Levodopa + Benserazide HCl) in the same time in many studies, and Madopa treatment was used as a comparative treatment in the most of studies. Acupuncture treatment was done daily or 2~3 times a week for 2~20 weeks. All of studies reported high effective rate in the treatment group compared to control group. Conclusions : The results of this study could be used for the future study about the acupuncture therapy for Parkinson's disease.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.149-157
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• 2018

Background: Parkinson's disease is the second most common degenerative brain disease after Alzheimer's disease. This study reviewed clinical practice of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for Parkinson's disease to assess the future direction of these treatments. Methods: The literature search used 5 Korean Internet databases. The search terms were "Parkinson's disease." and "Parkinson (Korean)." 36 papers were selected: 27 case reports, 2 respropective studies, 3 uncontrolled clinical trials, 3 randomized controlled trial, 1 non-randomized controlled trial. Results: Filiform needles were used in most of studies. Pharmacopuncture, electro-acupuncture, and auricular acupuncture therapy were also used in combination with Filiform needles. 2. The most commonly used basic acupoints for Parkinson's disease was Saamchimbeop. The most commonly used form of pharmacopuncture involved Bee-venom. Conclusion: It is expected that treatment of Parkinson's disease with a variety of acupuncture and moxibustion therapies will continue to be studied, in addition to treatments that utilize existing Filiform needle treatments in clinical practice.