• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.222-234
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• 2021

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to examine the efficacy of fire needling and warm needling for De Quervain Syndrome by reviewing clinical studies for recent 10 years. Methods : Randomized controlled trials, non-randomized controlled trials, and case series containing more than 20 cases about fire needling and warm needling for De Quervain Syndrome published since 2011 were searched through four foreign online databases (CNKI, Pubmed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library) and five Korean online databases (OASIS, Science ON, DBPIA, KISS, RISS). The number and characteristics of participants, treatment points and main treatment methods involving other combination treatments, treatment cycle or total periods of treatments, evaluation indices, efficacy, and adverse events were analyzed. Risk of bias of included randomized clinical trials was assessed using a revised tool for assessing risk of bias in randomized trials (RoB 2). Results : A total of 6 randomized clinical trials and 2 case series involving 471 participants were included. Tender point or 'Ashi point' was the most commonly used treatment point, followed by LU4. Treatment frequency ranged from once a day to once a week. One to three outcome measures were used to evaluate the results of the studies, with the efficacy rate the most frequently used, followed by visual analogue scale. Overall risk of bias of all included randomized clinical trials was judged to have some concerns. Conclusions : All selected studies showed that fire needling and warm needling treatments for De Quervain syndrome were more effective than other clinical methods or acupuncture treatments. However, as the number of clinical studies is still too small and the risk of bias of the studies is not low, it is believed that more systematic and objective studies should be conducted.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.309-317
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• 2020

Objective: One of the treatment strategies for controlling chronic pain and preventing disability is patient education. Pain neuroscience education (PNE) has been proven to be effective in explaining the biological and physiological processes associated with pain experiences to patients. The purpose of this review is to investigate the effectiveness of PNE for kinesiophobia such as avoidance response in patients with chronic pain. Design: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PEDro, and the Cochrane Central Register of controlled trials databases were searched through November 2020 and included a randomized controlled trials evaluating kinesiophobia in musculoskeletal patients with chronic pain. In 8 randomized controlled trial studies, 'Cochrane's risk of bias (RoB) tool was used for qualitative analysis, and results of post-intervention were analyzed through RevMan 5.4 for quantitative analysis. Results: For this review, 8 randomized controlled trials of 369 patients with chronic pain were selected for PNE. A systematic review and meta-analysis also included 8 randomized controlled trials. The effect on kinesiophobia was more effective than the control group (-0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.22 to -0.51; heterogeneity [χ²=21.18, df=7, I²=67%]; overall effect [Z=4.80]). In addition, the effect on pain was more effective than the control group (-0.53; 95% CI, -1.05 to -0.01; heterogeneity [χ²=47.42, df=7, I²=85%]; overall effect [Z=2.01]). Conclusions: The results of this review suggest that PNE and combined PNE have a positive effect on the improvement of pain and kinesiophobia in patients with chronic pain.

• Korean Parent-Child Health Journal
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.50-60
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• 2018

Purpose: This study is a systematic literature review and meta-analysis study conducted to identify the effects of breastfeeding intervention program on premature infants by integrating and analyzing the results of randomized controlled trials and non-randomized trials. Methods: The literature review process was based on the PRISMA (Preference Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes) guideline. Data retrieval and collection were conducted from May 25 to May 30, 2018, and the articles analyzed were all domestic papers retrieved from the database. Two reviewers independently select the studies and assessed methodological risk of bias of studies using the Cochrane criteria. The topics of breastfeeding interventions were analyzed using descriptive analysis and the effects of intervention were meta-analyzed using the R program. Results: Finally, eight papers were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The breastfeeding intervention program for premature infants showed a significant increase in the self-efficacy and the amount of pumping and baby's hight. Conclusion: This study has some limitations due to the few randomized controlled trials and non-randomized trials comparing breastfeeding for premature babies in Korea. Therefore, it needs to be integrated with the research conducted in other countries.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.269-282
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• 2021

This review aimed to assess and compare the outcomes of the anesthetic efficacy of inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) and Gow-Gates mandibular nerve block (GGMNB) in patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. A descriptive systematic review of quantitative research was conducted wherein the "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA)" was adopted, and the Problem/Patient/Population, Intervention/Indicator, Comparison, Outcome (PICO) criteria were used to structure the research question. A literature search was performed using PubMed/Medline, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and Ovid. Selection criteria were applied for populations over nine years of age, of either sex, with irreversible pulpitis, and articles published in English regarding conventional IANB or IANB and Gow-Gates techniques between 2009 and 2019. Prospective randomized clinical trials or randomized controlled trials were included in the review, in which anesthetic efficacy or success was measured. After screening, four articles were included. Three studies were randomized clinical trials, and two were randomized controlled trials. The validity and reliability of the individual studies were examined. There was evidence of the higher efficacy of the GGMNB technique than that of the IANB technique. However, both techniques can be mastered through training.

• 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.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.136-144
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• 2019

Early identification and intervention for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were reported to be important for outcomes or clinical courses. However, there have been a few robust evidences for effectiveness of early intervention until now. This review aims to identify the effectiveness of early intervention by investigating the randomized controlled trial (RCT) of early intervention for autism. There are some RCT studies using behavioral program. Although there are some significant findings, the outcome measurements and small sample size are the limitations. Further studies are needed.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.119-135
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to confirm the effectiveness and safety of herbal medicine treatment for treating pregnancy-induced hypertension. Methods: We searched for randomized controlled trials of pregnancy-induced hypertension treated with herbal medicine, through nine databases. Interventions and results of the selected clinical studies were analyzed. Results: Eleven randomized controlled trials were finally included according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Treatment group was treated with herbal medicine alone in two studies, and with herbal medicine and western medicine in nine studies. Control group was treated with western medicine. Taxilli Ramulus (桑寄生) (54.5%) was the most frequently used herb in herbal medicine treatment. In all of eleven studies, treatment group was more effective for pregnancy-induced hypertension than the control group. Conclusions: This study suggested that herbal medicine treatment alone or combined with western medicine treatment could be helpful in improving the therapeutic effect on pregnancy-induced hypertension and reducing side effects as well. However, in order to obtain stronger evidence of herbal medicine treatment for pregnancy-induced hypertension, more high-quality and well-designed randomized controlled trials should be conducted.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.19-35
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to show effectiveness of Acupuncture treatment on gastrointestinal dysfunctions after Cesarean section by analyzing randomized controlled clinical trials. Methods: We searched randomized controlled clinical trials related with acupuncture treatment on gastrointestinal dysfunctions after Cesarean section through national and overseas database and analyzed them in detail. Results: 6 articles were included according to our selection criteria and 1,084 women were involved. 3 studies used TEAS (Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation), 2 studies used Elastic band and 1 study used Acupressure by hand. Their results were statistically more effective than control groups. The most frequently used acupoints were Neiguan (PC6), Zusanli (ST36) followed by Sanyinjiao (SP6), Hegu (IL4). Conclusions: There was significant difference in the effectiveness of the intervention including Acupuncture treatment. Based on analysis, it could be an effective way for the treatment of gastrointestinal dysfunctions after Cesarean section in clinical practice.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.50-70
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to show effectiveness of Korean medicine external treatment on bacterial vaginosis by analyzing randomized controlled clinical trials. Methods: We searched randomized controlled clinical trials related with Korean external treatment on bacterial vaginosis through national and overseas database and analyzed them in detail. Results: 15 articles were included according to our selection criteria and 2,176 women were involved. 1. All treatment groups were treated with intervention including Korean medicine external treatment and their results were statistically more effective than control groups. 2. External washing was the most frequently used method followed by vaginal tablet, fumigation and powder. 3. The most frequently used herbal medicine was Sophorae Radix followed by Phellodendri Cortex, Cindi Fructus, Dictamni Radicix Cortex and Kochiae Fructusa. 4. There were 4 studies reporting side effects of treatment and no significant side effects were observed. Conclusions: There was significant difference in the effectiveness of the intervention including Korean external therapy. Based on the analysis, it could be an effective way for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis in clinical practice.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.2049-2053
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• 2016

Background: The LigaSure vessel sealing system has been proposed to save operation time and reduce intraoperative blood loss for various surgeries. However, its usage for gastric cancer is still controversial. The aim of the present meta-analysis was to compare the effectiveness of LigaSure with conventional surgery in gastrectomy. Materials and Methods: Sources were retrieved from the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS and Google Scholar until February, 2015. All randomized controlled trials comparing LigaSure with conventional surgery in curative gastric cancer resection were selected. After data extraction, statistics were performed by Review Manager 5.1 software. Results: Three eligible randomized controlled trials were evaluated, with a total of 335 patients. The quality of the included trials was good, yet some methodological and clinical heterogeneity existed. There were no significant differences between the LigaSure and conventional groups in operative time (weighted mean difference [WMD], -22.95 minutes; 95% confidence interval [CI], [-59.75, 13.85]; P = 0.22), blood loss (WMD, -45.8 ml; 95% CI, [-134.5, 42.90]; P = 0.31), nor the incidence of surgical complications (odds ratio, 1.18; 95% CI, [0.68, 2.05]; P = 0.54). But there was a longer duration of hospital stay in LigaSure group (WMD, 1.41 days; 95% CI, [0.14, 2.68]; P = 0.03). Conclusions: All available randomized evidence has been summarized. LigaSure does not confer significant advantage over conventional surgery for curative gastric cancer resection. The usefulness of the device may be limited in gastrectomy. But, more trials are needed for further assessment of the LigaSure system for gastric cancer.