• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.111-128
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• 2023

Trigger finger is a common cause of hand disability that results in finger catching, clicking, or locking. Conventional treatment options such as medication, injection, and surgery have limitations. Studies have indicated that acupuncture and acupotomy can be effective in treating trigger finger. However, no review regarding these treatment modalities has been published yet. This review included randomized controlled trials published until January 2023, investigating acupuncture-related interventions. The primary outcomes of interest included the effectiveness rate (ER) and pain intensity, measured using a visual analog scale (VAS) and Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), and secondary outcomes were the Quinnell grade (QG) and recurrence rate (RR). Adverse events (AEs) have also been reported wherever available. Overall, 19 studies were included, and results demonstrated that arcedge acupuncture improved the ER and QG and reduced NRS, and acupuncture was effective in reducing VAS. Compared with conventional surgery, acupotomy alone improved the ER and QG and lowered VAS and RR, with relatively fewer AEs. Acupotomy add-on treatment was more effective than conventional treatment; however, careful interpretation is needed for VAS. Acupotomy add-on treatment was more effective than acupotomy alone. However, the overall results must be interpreted with caution because of study quality, small sample size, and heterogeneity of the results.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.153-159
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• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report the effect of Miniscalpel acupuncture therapy on a patient with traumatic tears of both meniscuses. Methods : We treated a patient with tears in both meniscuses stemming from a traffic injury. The clinical effects of this treatment are measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS), European Quality of Life - 5 Dimensions (EQ-5D), and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Results : After Miniscalpel acupuncture therapy, the VAS score of the left knee changed from 7 to 3, while the VAS score of the right knee changed from 7 to 2~3. WOMAC of both knees changed from 70 to 8. Night pain and day-to-day pain have disappeared, with only a slightly heavy feeling remaining. Conclusion : These results suggest that Miniscalpel acupuncture therapy may be effective for treating traumatic meniscus tear.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.25-31
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• 2023

Strabismus is a vision disorder in which the eyes do not properly align with each other when looking at an object and it can negatively affect the quality of life. This case is a report on a strabismus patient who received Korean medicine treatment including scalp acupuncture. Scalp acupuncture, body acupuncture, and herbal medicine were performed on a patient diagnosed with strabismus and diplopia. The improvement of symptoms was evaluated by the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Scott and Kraft Score (SK score), and change of symptoms and progress of diplopia. NRS decreased by more than 85%, and the SK score gradually changed from -4 to 0, which means strabismus mostly recovered, and the symptom and progress of diplopia were reduced. In this study, it is considered that Korean medical treatment including scalp acupuncture is useful for strabismus patients.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.623-633
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• 2012

Objectives : Fatigue is a common and distressing symptom that is a concern for cancer patients. It has a decisive effect on quality of life. The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of clinical trial to evaluate of efficacy and safety of acupuncture on cancer related fatigue of lung cancer patients. Methods : Total lung cancer 9 patients complained of fatigue were treated by acupuncture twice a week for four weeks(8 times in total). Evaluation of the severity of fatigue was measured by FSS(Fatigue Severity Score). In visit 1, 10, we checked FSS. For check safety of acupuncture treatment, we did blood test. Results : After 4 weeks of acupuncture treatment, the FSS was significantly decreased from $4.92{\pm}1.06$ to $3.74{\pm}1.37$(p=0.008). And the level of hemoglobin was significantly increased from 10.87 g/dl to 12.01 g/dl(p=0.014). No other lab measures indicated any significant differences between before and after acupuncture treatment. Conclusions : This study suggests that acupuncture treatment will be beneficial for lung cancer patients to improve the fatigue severity. And acupuncture treatment is safe method for lung cancer patients. A large-scale study to confirm efficacy and safety of acupuncture is needed.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.150-163
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• 2022

Objectives: This research aimed to develop a guideline for evaluating safety and performance of electronic warm-acupuncture apparatus. With the development of medical devices like electronic warm-acupuncture apparatus with improved performance, convenience and safety measures compared to traditional warm-acupuncture needling, safety and performance guideline is a necessity. Methods: By referring to existing standards and guidelines of other electronic devices for Korean medicine with heating function, guideline for safety and performance assessment of electronic warm-acupuncture apparatus was drafted Results: The guideline, presents explanation for adequate temperature and settings of the apparatus, and safety measurements providing against thermal runaway situations along with guidelines for the manual. Guideline for detailed test method for the performance of the apparatus such as accuracy of temperature increase and the timer, and safety unit was also provided. The test items and suggested test methods for the requirements of biological, electrical and electromagnetic safety were referred to Korean approval documents of ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Conclusion: We proposed the relevant items to verify performance and safety of warm-acupuncture apparatus to assure patient safety and improve the quality of currently developing devices for application in clinical field.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.81-89
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• 2024

Purpose : This study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of laser acupuncture for each condition using information from laser acupuncture trials registered on clinicaltrials.gov from January 2013 to June 2023. Methods : We quantitatively and qualitatively analysed the results of 16 clinical trials of laser acupuncture whose research results were confirmed. A risk of bias assessment was also carried out to assess the quality of each clinical trial. Results : A meta-analysis including three clinical trials was conducted to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of laser acupuncture and sham laser acupuncture in reducing pain and found that the laser acupuncture group had a statistically significant reduction in pain compared with the sham laser acupuncture group. In addition, 11 of the 13 trials not included in the meta-analysis showed a positive effect of laser acupuncture. Conclusion : Although laser acupuncture has a long history of clinical use and a lot of research, there is still some scepticism due to the lack of a clear mechanism of action and inconsistent reports of clinical effectiveness. In addition, there is a significant lack of systematic reviews of clinical evidence for major disease specific, and ongoing research is needed to establish an objective evidence base for the clinical effectiveness of laser acupuncture.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.109-119
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• 2017

Objectives : The purpose of this report was to show that oriental therapy, specifically Shinbaro pharmacopuncture is effective for improvement of symptoms and and range of motion (ROM) in patients diagnosed with meniscus tears in the knee. Methods : Three patients were treated with herbal medicine, acupuncture, cupping, Shinbaro pharmacopuncture. The efficacies of the treatments in the three cases were assessed and the progress of the three cases were measured Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), European Quality of Life five dimensions dimensions (EQ-5D), and range of motion (ROM) measurements. Results : After all the treatments, NRS, WOMAC, and EQ-5D decreased. Active and passive ROM of the knee increased. Conclusion : These reports show the effect of Shinbaro pharmacopucture on a meniscus tear. Due to the small number of cases in this study, further case reports are needed.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.189-195
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• 2021

Foot drop due to lumbar disc herniation is perceived to be an indication for surgery. A 44-year-old male presented with motor deficit in left ankle dorsiflexion along with radiating pain and paraesthesia. Motion Style Acupuncture Therapy (MSAT) was administered on the left side every other day. Acupuncture and Chuna were performed daily. Herbal medicine was taken 3 times a day. His symptoms rapidly improved throughout treatment, verified by decreased Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), increased 5-level EuroQol-5 Dimension (EQ-5D-5L) scores, and improved motor grades. We suggest that a combination of MSAT with traditional Korean medicine could be a favorable option for foot drop in LDH patients in terms of rapid pain reduction and the improvement of quality of life.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.221-231
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• 2011

Objectives : Kamibojungikgi-tang is one of the most frequently used medical treatment for the allergic rhinitis. The main symptoms of the allergic rhinitis are nasal obstruction, watery rhinorrhea, and sneezing. In this study, we investigated the medical effect of the Kamibojungikgi -tang with intradermal acupuncture treatment on the allergic rhinitis in 10-11 years old children. Methods : For 8 weeks, we administered Kamibojungikgi-tang to 84 patients and treated them with intradermal acupuncture. We checked their serum IgE and examined 10 symptoms of the allergic rhinitis (nasal obstruction, watery rhiorrhea, sneezing, nasal pruritus, hyposmia, quality of life, color of nasal mucosa, edema of nasal mucosa, postnasal drip, and complication). Results : 1. Serum IgE decreased 2.62 point. which showed no significance. 2. Nasal obstruction, watery rhiorrhea, sneezing, nasal pruritus, hyposmia, quality of life, color of nasal mucosa, edema of nasal mucosa, and postnasal drip were improved. (p<0.005) 3. Complication showed no significance. Conclusions : After treatment, we had a lower symptom index scores. Kamibojungikgi-tang with intradermal acupuncture treatment had an effect on the allergic rhinitis.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.31-45
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• 2023

Objectives The aim of this study is to find the future perspective through analyzing the trends of acupuncture treatment for gouty arthritis (GA) by searching the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and PubMed. Methods We searched clinical studies about acupuncture treatment for GA through the searching the electronic database of CNKI and PubMed. We analyzed the characteristics of selected studies according to research design, sample size, publication year, treatment methods, evaluation criteria and adverse events. Results Twenty-nine studies published from January 1, 2015 to July 1, 2022 were selected. They consisted of 25 randomized controlled trials, 3 non-randomized controlled trials, and 1 case reports. In these studies, several types of acupuncture treatments were performed and the most treatment was conventional acupuncture treatment with fine needles. The most commonly used evaluation outcome was effective rate. Conclusions Through this result, the Chinese literature positively reported the effect of acupuncture on GA. However, high-quality evaluation by rigorous research using well-designed and more objective outcomes is required.