• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.382-389
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• 2022

Objectives: The Korean Industrial Standard (KS) for sterile acupuncture needles was established in 2009 based on research on the quality control of acupuncture needles. We aimed to determine the quality of acupuncture needles available in South Korea in 2021 by examining their surface condition and chemical composition using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Methods: In South Korea, there are 23 brands of acupuncture needles, and we examined 10-15 needles from each brand, resulting in a total of 285 needles. The microstructures of the needles were assessed by SEM. Using SEM images, we evaluated the acupuncture needle tips for the following defects/aspects: scratches, lumps, detached coating, bent tip, and tip sharpness. EDS was used to determine the chemical composition of the selected acupuncture needles. Results: Overall, 88.4% of 285 needles were found to have at least one type of abnormality. The most frequently observed abnormalities were scratches and dents on the surface (68.1%), followed by detached coating (63.2%), and lumps (61.8%); blunt tips were observed in about 24% of them. Of 252 needles with at least one defect, 86.9% had two or more types of defects. The ratio of the number of needles with any defect to that of needles without any defect varied among brands, ranging from 50% to 100%. Regarding foreign materials, higher proportions of Si and O were observed on the needles, indicating incomplete or detached silicone coating. Conclusion: The quality of acupuncture needles varied among brands, suggesting that further improvements can be made through various inspection methods.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.177-187
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• 2023

Varicose veins have a substantial burden on individuals' aesthetics and overall quality of life. The current body of research on Korean medical interventions for varicose veins is limited in Korea, and exploration into clinical trends is lacking. This review specifically analyzed fire acupuncture, which is an understudied intervention in Korea that demonstrated efficacy in alleviating pain and paralysis while promoting tissue regeneration. A comprehensive investigation of the China National Knowledge Infrastructure database was conducted, utilizing terms such as "varicose vein," "fire needle," "fire acupuncture," "burning acupuncture," "burning needle," "huǒzhēn," "xiàzhī jìngmài," and "jìngmài qūzhāng." This review included 14 studies investigating the role of fire acupuncture in treating varicose veins. We extracted variables, including age, sex, disease duration, intervention method, treatment frequency, treatment period, acupoints, and outcomes. Fire acupuncture appeared as the primary intervention method, followed by general acupuncture. The protruding part of varicose veins is the main treatment area for fire acupuncture, while the acupoints BL57 and ST36 were most frequently utilized for general acupuncture. Treatment results revealed significant improvement in all studies. However, there are limitations, such as scarce studies, limited side effects studies, and potential bias. Consequently, extensive and well-structured future studies are necessary to demonstrate the role of fire acupuncture in varicose veins.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.95-109
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• 2006

Objectives : There has been a considerable debate about how to best control for placebo effects in clinical trials of acupuncture. Recently several sham needles were developed and validated. This study aimed at summarising the validation studies of these needles and evaluating the outcomes of the randomised controlled trials (RCTs) using them. Methods : Computerised literature searches were performed using 'acupuncture' AND 'placebo OR sham' with a limitation of the results to RCTs in Medline via PubMed and the Cochrane Library. Only formally validated sham needle controlled studies were included. Data were extracted regarding study design, condition, sample size, credibility testing, intervention and outcomes. Methodological quality was assessed using a modified Jadad scale. Results : Three validated sham needles by Streitberger, Park, and Fink, were identified. Acupuncture's effectiveness for various conditions was tested using these needles in 12 RCTs. Real acupuncture was superior to sham acupuncture for rotator cuff tendonitis and hypertension. No significant differences between real acupuncture and sham acupuncture emerged for chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting, postoperative nausea and vomiting, menstrually related migraine, acute stroke rehabilitation, chronic/episodic tension-type headache, neutrophil respiratory burst in healthy volunteers, alcohol withdrawal symptoms and chronic poststroke leg spasticity. Conclusions : The new sham devices have been adequately validated and may be useful tools for investigating specific research question. In spite of the sham needle's limits, the results of RCTs using such devices tend to suggest that the clinical effects of acupuncture are largely due to a placebo response.

• 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.27 no.4
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• pp.67-84
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• 2010

Objectives : To review RCTs on acupuncture treatment for shoulder pain in order to establish a standard acupuncture treatment model in treating shoulder pain. Methods : RCT articles on traditional acupuncture treatment for shoulder pain were searched through online database. Quality of studies were assessed using the FEAS and the modified Jadad score. Results : Eighteen trials of acupuncture for shoulder pain were analyzed. Based on the results of these reviews the following factors might contribute to optimal results from acupuncture treatment. 1) Usage of LI, SI, TE meridians, usage of $LI_{15}$, $TE_{14}$, $GB_{21}$, $LI_{11}$, $LI_4$, $SI_{14}$, $LI_{14}$, $TE_{15}$ acupuncture points. 2) More than four acupuncture points should be used. 3) More than 15 minutes of needle retention time. 4) Needle length-40mm and diameter-0.30mm. 5) More than 9 times treatment 6) More than 5 weeks treatment duration. Conclusions : There was no relation between quality of article and effectiveness of acupuncture. To improve the remedial value, it is necessary to mention De-qi, stimulation of acupuncture and correct variation in diagnosis with the above-mentioned. It is better that clinical trials of acupuncture treatment is designed that type of RCT and double blind. Also when it is set that sham nonpenetrating acupuncture, no treatment group as a control group, and participants don't distinguish wheather acupuncture treatment or not, it will be more meaningful.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.131-139
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• 2019

Background: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between heat transmission and intervention factors for warm acupuncture (such as features of acupuncture material and moxa, the treatment method, and clinical symptoms). Methods: Korean, English, Chinese and Japanese databases were analysed. Experimental studies that explored the association between thermal stimulation delivery and warm acupuncture intervention factors were included. The peak temperature, time to reach the peak temperature, and time of the effective stimulus, were set as the major parameters and analysed. Results: A total of 12 studies were included. Two studies were associated with the acupuncture needle material, 4 studies associated with the moxa mass, 1 study associated with the moxa density, 2 studies associated with the location of ignition, and 1 study associated with treatment environment were reviewed. The reporting quality of the 12 studies was low. Conclusion: This study provided limited information because of the heterogeneity of materials and parameters depending on each experiment. Further studies should clarify the correlation between heat transmission and intervention factors for warm acupuncture.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.13-29
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• 2023

Objectives To evaluate the evidence supporting the effectiveness of acupuncture for facet joint syndrome. Methods We conducted search across 9 electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL (CENTRAL), KoreaMed, Kmbase, Koreanstudies Information Service System (KISS), ScienceOn, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang) to find clinical trials that used acupuncture as treatment for facet joint syndrome. The methodological quality of randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) were assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB) tool, while non-randomized controlled clinical trials (nRCTs) were assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment tool for Non-randomized Study (RoBANS) tool. Results Nine RCTs and one nRCT met our inclusion criteria. Fire needle was more effective than medial branch block in terms of visual analogue scale (VAS) after 1 month (p=0.02). Also, Fire needle was more effective than Ibuprofen in terms of VAS and oswestry disability index (ODI) (p<0.05). However, in the rest of the study results, the intervention group did not show a statistically significant difference than the control group. Conclusions Although our review found encouraging but limited evidence of acupuncture for facet joint syndrome, most of the studies included in the analysis were evaluated as methodologically high risk of bias. From now on further well-designed RCTs should be encouraged.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.125-145
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• 2009

Objectives : To analyze the inclusion criteria of participants, control group interventions, and the results of prior studies of acupuncture for OA. Also to identify aspects of the procedure that are associated with positive outcomes in order to establish ideal acupuncture treatment model. And to assess the methodological quality of the trials with modified Jadad score and FEAS in order to evaluate the quality of prior studies and find out whether or not acupuncture has a positive effect in treating OA. Methods : Articles up to the date of November 2008 were searched via computerized databases of PubMed, Journal of Korean Oriental Medicine, The Journal of Korean Acupuncture & Moxibustion Society and Journal of Oriental Rehabilitation Medicine. Bibliographies of reviewed papers were also searched and reviewed. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews concerning the effects of acupuncture or electroacupuncture (EA) on symptoms of osteoarthritis of the human knee, published in English and Korean were included. The acupuncture treatment methods of the reviewed trials were assessed based on STRICTA. And the methodological quality of the trials was assessed by modified Jadad score and FEAS. Results : Twenty one trials of acupuncture for OA were analyzed. Based on the results of this review the following factors might contribute to optimal results from acupuncture treatment. 1) Usage of $ST_{35}$, $GB_{34$, $EX_{32}$, $ST_{36}$ and $SP_9$ acupuncture points. 2) More than four acupuncture points should be used. 3) More than 15 minutes of needle retention time. 4) Needle length-40mm and diameter-0.30mm 5) Usage of EA 6) more than 10 times treatment 7) Treatment frequency of more than once a week, 8) Treatment duration longer than 6 to 8 weeks. Conclusions : High quality clinical trials of Acupuncture for OA is still in lack. Future investigators must concentrate their attentions on the quality of acupuncture treatment itself used in the trials as well as the methodological quality of trials.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.224-232
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to assess the quality of the case reports in the Journal of Acupuncture Research (JAR). All case reports were retrieved from November 2017 to June 2020. There were 19 case reports included in this assessment based on the case report (CARE) guidelines and case report and standards for reporting interventions in clinical trials of acupuncture (STRICTA) guidelines. The overall quality of reporting was relatively high (83.08% on Case Report guidelines and 77.78% on Standards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture guidelines), but several crucial items remained substantially underreported, such as identifying as a case report (keywords), patient information and perspective, clinical findings, diagnostic assessment, and intervention information. In 18 out of 19 included case reports of acupuncture-related interventions, several items remained considerably underreported such as acupuncture regimen variation, depth of needle insertion, response sought, and experience of acupuncturists. In the classification by disease, condition, or syndrome, 13 out of 19 included case reports were for musculoskeletal disorders (68.4%), which is the main clinical medical field of Korean medicine services. The results of this study may help develop more appropriate reporting guidelines for case reports published in JAR.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.11-18
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• 2009

Objectives : The objective of this review was to evaluate clinical trials of warming acupuncture for musculoskeletal pain diseases, to assess the methodologic quality of the trials and determine whether low-quality trials are associated with positive outcomes, to document adverse effects and to identify the effectiveness of the warming acupuncture. Methods : Seven databases and the Journal ZHONGGUO ZHENJIU(中國鍼灸) published between 2004－2008 were searched. Korean and Chinese randomized trials were evaluated for methodologic quality using the modified Jadad scale. Outcome measurements were pain, function and global improvement. The best-evidence synthesis was performed to determine the strength of evidence by control group. Results : Six clinical trials representing 564 patients with musculoskeletal pain diseases were identified. For pain and function, there was moderate evidence that warming acupuncture is more effective than manual acupuncture. For patient global assesment, there was limited evidence that warming acupuncture is more effective than manual acupuncture. However, for function, there was inconclusive evidence that warming acupuncture is more effective than acupuncture with TDP or western medicine or acupoint-injection treatment. Conclusions : The evidence suggests that warming acupuncture is more effective for musculoskeletal pain diseases than manual acupuncture, acupuncture with TDP, western medicine and acupoint-injection treatment. But the evidence is moderate to inclusive due to the low methodologic quality of the trials. Further clinical trials with high methodologic quality is required to investigate the effectiveness of warming acupuncture.