• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.59-64
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• 2015

Objectives : This study aims to evaluate current clinical evidence of traditional Korean medicine treatment on wrist pain with carpal tunnel syndrome. Methods : Ten Korean databases were searched for prospective clinical trials of traditional Korean medicine therapy on wrist pain with carpal tunnel syndrome from the time of their inception to February, 2015. Studies conducted in Korean, Chinese and English were searched. Risk of bias in included non-randomized controlled trials was assessed by the Cochrane handbook procedure. Results : Four non-randomized controlled trials were included. A high risk of bias was observed in all trials. All of the included studies reported favorable effects being experienced by an intervention group compared to a baseline or control group. Included studies never described any occurrence of adverse events. Conclusions : There is no evidence that traditional Korean medicine treatments are effective for treating wrist pain associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. All of the included studies lacked appropriate methodological qualities and internal validity. Future well-designed clinical trials that evaluate the effects and safety of traditional Korean medicine treatment for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome are needed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2020

A total of 1,235 studies were retrieved on June 23, 2019, from 3 databases. Selected 59 studies were evaluated by year of publication, study type, subject condition/disease, acupoint, standards for reporting interventions in clinical trials of moxibustion (STRICTOM), Cochrane risk of bias (RoB), and risk of bias assessment tool for non-randomized study (RoBANS). Most studies were conducted in 2011, after which the number of studies decreased. The most common study type was 25 case reports (CR), 16 uncontrolled clinical trials (UCT), 11 randomized controlled trials (RCT), and 7 controlled clinical trials (CCT). Moxibustion treatment was mainly used for musculoskeletal and circulatory diseases/conditions. A total of 83 acupoints were used, A-shi points being the most used. As for STRICTOM, an average of 7.4 items were satisfactory for UCT and CR without a control group, and an average of 9.4 items were satisfactory for RCT and CCT. RCT was assessed using the RoB, and many items were rated as uncertain. In this study, the need for RCT of moxibustion treatment in Korea was identified. The detailed description of study methods and results will provide evidence for the efficacy of moxibustion treatment in preventive and therapeutic aspects of Korean traditional medicine.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2013

Objective: The aim of this review is to explore the latest intervention trends and effects of EMG-triggered functional electrical stimulation on the upper extremity functions in stroke patients. Design: Systematic review on clinical trials. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed to identify clinical trials evaluating the effects of EMG-triggered functional electrical stimulation (EMG-FES) and task-oriented EMG-triggered FES on the hand functions in stroke patients. Literature review was conducted with the following key words: hand function, functional electrical stimulation, task-oriented, stroke. Results: Ten clinical trials were included; 8 of them were randomized controlled trial, 1 was block-randomized, and 1 was a pre-post comparison study. A positive effect of electrical stimulation was reported in the patient groups that were treated with functional electrical stimulation combined with specific tasks, and volitional muscle contraction-triggered stimulation that was synchronized with tasks. Motor capabilities of the hand and arm were improved after the rehabilitation. Conclusions: EMG-triggered electrical stimulation may be more effective than non-triggered electrical stimulation in facilitating the hand functions in stroke patients in terms of muscle strength and voluntary muscle contraction of the paretic hand and arm. Triggered electrical stimulation can be even more effective when it is combined with specific tasks.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.33-45
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• 2007

Background : Hot flushes are general postmenopausal symptoms which about 75% of climacteric women undergo. They affect hotness, perspirations, systemic weakness, panic disorders, insomnia. Acupuncture is effective in alleviating hot flushes in practice. Assessment effectiveness and safety of acupuncture in hot flushes would be needed through multi-center trial. Objectives : Purpose of this study is to develope the protocol of effects of acupuncture on hot flushes, a postmenopausal symptom in climacteric women. Methods & Results : It will be a multi-centered, randomized, sham controlled, comparative trial. It will be performed by Good Clinical Practice after approval of Institutional Review Board. Selection criteria will be set according those of FDA above moderate degree. There will be a notice on concomitant medication, other herbs, dietary supplements. Superficial needling on sham points will be used for control group. Treatment period will be 8 weeks with 12 weeks' follow up. Some questionnaire scale will be used as the primary and secondary outcome. Conclusions : The clinical trials based on this protocol will be performed.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.17-28
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• 2017

Objectives : The aim of this study is reviewing the literature to extracting the key parameter and finding the calibration parameter for the clinical study with economical assessment protocol on atopic dermatitis. Methods : Literature search is performed using PUBMED for literature published from Janurary 2000 to December 2016. We included randomized controlled trials(RCTs) with economic assessment in which human participants. Results : Among the articles published from January 2000 to December 2016, The 1464 articles were found. After reviewing the title, abstract and full text, the five articles were selected. Selected articles are classified 3 CEA(cost effective analysis)study, 1 CMA(cost minimizing analysis)study and 1 cost analysis study. Conclusions : We found highly reliable key parameters and calibration parameters, which might be necessary factors for developing research protocol of economic evaluation alongside clinical trial about atopic dermatitis patients.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.48-68
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• 2019

Objectives The purpose of this study is to obtain knowledge from clinical studies conducted in China to examine the effectiveness of Chuna treatment and its potential in childhood obesity. Methods 6 clinical studies up to March, 2018 about childhood obesity were reviewed using 'CAJ', Chinese Academic Journal from China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and 'Pubmed'. Result 1. 6 eligible randomized control studies were selected based on our inclusion criteria. Then, the studies are analyzed by demographic information, treatment method, evaluation methods, and results. 2. Ordinary acupoints (正經穴) is the most common acupoint-applying method of Chuna therapy. The most frequently used acupoints were Zhongwan (CV12), Tianshu (ST25), Zusanli (ST36), Qihai (CV6), Fenglong (ST40) and Guanyuan (CV4). Conclusion In most of the studies, the overall effectiveness in the treatment group was better than that of the control group. The results of this study can be used for future studies of Chuna therapy in the child obesity.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.154-170
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study was review the current clinical studies about the effect of Korean traditional medicine treatment for meniscus injury. Methods: Clinical studies on Korean traditional medicine treatment of meniscus injury were searched through 11 online databases. We analyzed the authors, publication year, country, study design, subjects, treatment methods, treatment effects, evaluation tools and adverse events of the selected studies. Results: 23 studies which included 9 randomized controlled trials, 8 case reports, 4 retrospective observational studies, 2 non-randomized controlled trials were selected through the databases. A total of 9 Korean traditional medicine treatments were used, among them, acupuncture treatment was the most used. The most commonly used outcome was effective rate. Conclusions: Through this study, we could confirm that Korean traditional medicine is an effective treatment for meniscus injury. It was suggested that various clinical studies on the effects of Korean traditional medicine for meniscus injury are needed and it is necessary to establish more scientific evidence through studies with a high level of evidence.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.53-67
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• 2024

Objective This study aimed to assess the trend of randomized clinical trials conducted in China involving oral herbal medicine for treating adolescent polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods We used the China National Knowledge Infrastructure as our primary resource and conducted a search using keywords such as "PCOS", "多囊卵巢" and "多囊卵巢综合征". We identified and analyzed seven RCTs. Results 1. The group receiving herbal medicine treatment demonstrated significant improvements in total efficiency, sex hormone levels, and ultrasound-measurable values compared to the control group. 2. Epimedii Herba (淫羊藿), Alviae Miltiorrhizae Radix (丹參), and Angelicae Gigantis et Acutilobae Radix (當歸) were among the most used herbs in Traditional Chinese medicine decoctions for treating PCOS. Conclusions The findings suggest that oral herbal medicine is an effective treatment for patients with PCOS. This study provides a foundation for future research on the use of oral herbal medicine in PCOS treatment.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.138-148
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• 2020

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of Bangpungtongseong-san (Fangfengtongsheng-san, BTS) and Daesiho-tang (Dachaihu-tang, DST) on weight loss and improvement in lipid metabolism and glucose metabolism. Furthermore, we intend to develop a prediction model for drug effects through the analysis of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), gut-microbiota, and the expression of immune-related biomarkers. Methods: This study is a single-center, randomized, double-blind, parallel-design clinical trial. One hundred twenty-eight participants will be assigned to the BTS group (n=64) and DST group (n=64). Both groups will be administered 4 g medication three times a day for up to 2 weeks. The primary outcomes is weight loss. The secondary outcomes include bioelectrical impedance analysis, waist circumstance, body mass index, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, triglyceride, insulin resistance. The exploratory outcomes include 3-day dietary recall, food frequency questionnaire, quality of life questionnaire, gut microbiota analysis, immune biomarkers analysis, and SNP analysis. Assessment will be made at baseline and at week 4, 8, and 12. Conclusions: This protocol will be implemented by approval of the Institutional Review Board of Dongguk University. The results of this trial will provide a systematic evidence for the treatment of obesity and enable more precise herbal medicine prescriptions.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.90-111
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to the effect and safety of Korean Traditional Medicine treatment for postpartum pain, and to suggest desirable future clinical research trend. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on postpartum pain were searched using domestic and foreign search engines to investigate the effect and safety of Korean Traditional Medicine on postpartum pain, and 12 studies were selected as a result. Results: There were 4 studies using Acupoint Therapy, 3 studies using Herbal Medicine, 3 studies using Using Acupoint Therapy and Herbal Medicine together, and 2 studies using Manipulative Therapy for postpartum pain. As control interventions, non-treatment, other Korean Traditional Medicine treatment, or Western medicine were used. All the studies reported a significant effect in experimental group compared to the control group, with no or minor side effects. Conclusions: Korean Traditional Medicine treatment showed effectiveness and safety for postpartum pain. In the future, it is necessary to eliminate the ambiguity of recruiting subjects and to study the most effective application method of Korean Traditional Medicine treatment for postpartum pain.