• 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 Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.305-311
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• 2009

Objective : The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy, radiological findings, clinical outcomes and complications in patients with lumbar stenosis and osteoporosis after the use of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) augmentation of a cannulated pedicle screw. Methods : Thirty-seven patients with degenerative spinal stenosis and osteoporosis (T-score < -2.5) underwent lumbar fusion using the Dream Technology Pedicle Screw ($DTPS^{TM}$, Dream Spine Total Solutions, Dream STS, Seoul. Korea) between 2005 and 2007. The clinical outcomes were evaluated by using the visual analog scale (VAS) and the Prolo scale. Radiologic findings were documented through computed tomography (CT) and plain films. Results : Thirty-seven patients were evaluated and included, 2 males and 35 females with an average bone mineral density (BMD) of $0.47g/cm^2$. The average age of the patients was 68.7 (range, 57-88). The preoperative VAS for low back and leg pain ($7.87{\pm}0.95$ and $8.82{\pm}0.83$) were higher as compared with postoperative VAS ($2.30{\pm}1.61$ and $1.42{\pm}0.73$) with statistical significance (p = 0.006, p = 0.003). According to the Prolo scale, 11, 22, one and three patients were in excellent, good, fair and poor conditions, respectively. The average amount of the injected cement per one cannulated screw was $1.83{\pm}0.11\;mL$. Conclusion : The results show favorable outcome both clinically and radiographically for 37 patients who underwent lumbar fusion using $DTPS^{TM}$ and PMMA. Based on the results, the use of this surgical method can be a safe and effective option for the operation on the osteoporotic spine.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.148-160
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• 2009

Purpose: We intended to observe the correlations between Primary dysmenorrhea severity and Questionnaires for Blood Stasis Pattern. Methods: After initial approval by Kyung-Hee University Oriental Medical Hospital Institutional Review Board of Clinical Trials, volunteers for the clinical trial were recruited. We selected the 52 primary dysmenorrhea patients by the screening tests (clinical examination and inquiry). The severity of dysmenorrhea was evaluated by VAS (Visual Analog Scale), VRS (Verbal Rating Scale) & MVRS (Multidimensional Verbal Rating Scale). The severity of Blood Stasis was evaluated by Questionnaires for Blood Stasis Pattern. For statistics, we used Spearman's rho correlations, SPSS 13.0 for windows. Results: In case of VAS, though two items (眼瞼下靑紫, 便黑) of Questionnaires for Blood Stasis Pattern were correlated, total score & discriminant function score of Questionnaires for Blood Stasis Pattern were not correlated. In case of VRS, though two items (小腹痛, 夜間痛) of Questionnaires for Blood Stasis Pattern were correlated, total score & discriminant function score of Questionnaires for Blood Stasis Pattern were not correlated. In case of MVRS, though one items (久痺症) of Questionnaires for Blood Stasis Pattern were correlated, total score & discriminant function score of Questionnaires for Blood Stasis Pattern were not correlated. Conclusion: Though the results showed partial correlation of Primary dysmenorrhea severity and Questionnaires for Blood Stasis Pattern, we need further study after improvement and complementation of Questionnaires for Blood Stasis Pattern.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.9-14
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• 2016

Purpose: Many people are suffering from Low back pain due to HIVD and muscular problems, lack of joint functions on lumbar spine. In this study we compared the change of the herniation index, Oswestry LBP disability index (OLDI), visual analog scale (VAS), lumbar flexion range of motion (ROM) between the pre-experiment and after 4 weeks treatment by maitland manual therapy. Method: we selected and managed both the 15 people. They are $46.80{\pm}15.46$ years old people with HIVD and Stenosis. We treated for the people with HIVD and Stenosis by manual therapy(maitland manipulation method) during 4 weeks. And then we compared with pre-experiment and after 12 weeks through measuring the herniation index change by using computor themograpy (CT), LBP OLDI, VAS, lumbar flexion ROM. Results: The changes in the herniation index, Oswestry lumbar Disability Index, VAS, lumbar flexion ROM between the pre-experiment and after 4 weeks treatment by maitland manual therapy, there was a statistically significant difference. Although there was a significant difference after 4 weeks in OLDI, VAS, lumbar flexion ROM. But disc herniation index was no significant difference. Conclusion: Manual therapy is very effective for Lumbago due to the HIVD and spinap stenosis patients. OLDI, VAS and lumbar flexion ROM were increased. But disc herniation index was no significant difference. We suggest the combination treatment between manual exercise and spinal traction.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.241-256
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• 2011

Objectives: This study is to observe the effect of oriental medicine treatment combined with Soyeom pharmacopuncture therapy on traumatic rupture of intervertebral disc patients caused by traffic accidents. Methods: The patients who have traumatic rupture in lumbar(L)-spine(case 1) and cervical(C)-spine(case 2) were treated by oriental medicine treatment in combination with Soyeom pharmacopunture therapy. VAS(visual analog scale), ROM(range of motion), and physical exam were checked on a daily basis while NDI(neck disability index) and ODI(Oswestry disability index) were examined for 3 times at 7 day interval. Results: 1. Fer 8-9 days from the admission day, the sole use of oriental medicine treatment did not make many improvements in the case of two patients' symptoms. After combining with Soyeom pharmacopuncture therapy, chief complaints were improved significantly. 2. In case 1, lumbago decreased from VAS 10 to VAS 5 and lumbar ROM got better than before. ODl score cropped from 42 to 27. 3. In case 2, left shoulder pain and nuchal pain lowered from VAS 10 to VAS 4, left upper limb numbness and weakness were improved, The patient showed nearly fun ROM. NDI score decreased from 26 to 19. Conclusions: Oriental medicine treatment in combination with Soyeom pharmacopuncture therapy is proved to be helpful to improve the symptoms of the traumatic rupture of intervertebral else patients caused by traffic accident.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.289-300
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• 2017

Objectives: This case report describes the effect of Hominis placenta pharmacopuncture (HPP) on multiple sclerosis. Methods: A multiple sclerosis patient with gait disturbances, tremors, spasms of both lower limbs, and diplopia was treated with only HPP for two weeks. To evaluate the effects of HPP on the balance ability of the patient, the Functional System (FS) scale, Expanded Disability Statue Scale (EDSS), visual analog scale (VAS), manual muscle test (MMT), and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were used. Results: The HPP treatment reduced the patient's gait disturbance, tremors, spasms of the lower limbs, and diplopia. According to the FS scale, the patient's cerebellar and optic functions were enhanced. In addition, the patient's performance on the EDSS improved from 4.0 to 3.0.3. As shown by the MMT, the lower extremities showed a mild improvement (from F+ to G.4). Furthermore, the VAS showed a considerable improvement, decreasing from 9 to 6.5 post-treatment. The patient's performance on the BBS, which denotes balance ability, showed a considerable improvement, increasing from 38 to 49. Conclusion: Treatment with only HPP could help to ameliorate the symptoms of multiple sclerosis.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.207-214
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• 2006

Objectives : This study is designed in order to evaluate the therapeutic effect of Scalp Acupuncture and Do-ma Acupuncture related with Governer Vessel(Dok) and Bladder Meridian(Chok-taeyang) on acute low back pain Methods : We investigated 30 patients suffering from acute low back pain were admitted to Dunsan O.M.hospital from March. 1st 2005 to December. 30th 2005. We divided into two groups: one group was treated with Scalp acupunture, another group was treated with common acupuncture. 30 patients, were diagnosed only straightened curvature on lateral view of lumbar spine X -ray. Scalp acupunture related with Governer Vessel(Dok) and Bladder Meridian(Chok-taeyang) and Do-ma acupuncture. To estimate the efficacy of treatment that applied for two groups, we compared the visual analog scale(VAS), Oswestry disabiliby index(ODI) and Straight Leg Raising Test(SLRT) score of two groups statistically. Results : Both Scalp acupuncture related with Governer Vessel(Dok) and Bladder Meridian (Chok-taeyang) and Do-ma acupuncture therapy showed good effect on acute low back pain. It was proved by the difference between VAS, ODI and SLRT score checked before treatment and what checked after treatment on each groups. Conclusion: The therapeutic effect of Scalp Acupuncture and Do-ma Acupuncture on acute low back pain can be recommended as a useful therapy to treat acute low back pain.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2011

Purpose: We examined the clinical and radiological outcomes for displaced proximal humerus fractures that were treated with a PHILOS angular stable plate. Materials and Method: Forty four patients who underwent surgery between March 2007 and February 2010 were included in this study. All the cases were followed up for an average of 12 months. All the patients were examined and interviewed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score, the Constant score and standardized X-rays to check the neck-shaft angle (NSA) and the presence of medial support. Results: The average Visual Analog Scale score was 2.8 points and the average Constant score was 70.5 points. The average neck shaft angle was $122.5^{\circ}$ and this was statistically significant between the good result group and the poor result group. There were 36 cases of the presence of medial support and 8 cases of the absence of medial support and the difference was statistically significant. Complications such as fixation failure happened in 12 cases. Conclusion: PHILOS angular stable plate fixation as an operative treatment for displaced proximal humerus fractures is a good and reliable treatment option.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.11 no.11
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• pp.4331-4337
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• 2010

This study was to investigate the effectiveness of deep neck flexor exercise with using modalities in pain reduction and functional improvement to those who have chronic neck pain. The subjects were instructed the patients with chronic neck pain (37 people). Randomized study design of two groups was used: Only using modalities group and deep neck flexor exercise group with using modalities, and each group was taken by three times per week for 12 weeks. To evaluate the effects of therapies was to research the questionnaire about VAS(visual analog scale), NDI(neck disability index), and endurance of deep neck flexor before experiment, after 6 weeks and after 12 weeks. In visual analog scale(VAS) and neck disability index(NDI), there were significant decreased in using modalities group and deep neck flexor exercise group after 6 weeks more than before experiments but were only significant decrease in deep neck flexor exercise group after 12 weeks. The endurance of deep neck flexor was significantly increased in deep neck flexor exercise group after 6 weeks and 12 weeks more than before experiments. Thorough these results deep neck flexor exercise has the effectiveness to the therapies of chronic neck pain. Using the deep neck flexor exercise would be high effects on pain reduction and functional improvement and also considered in improving the living qualities of those who have chronic neck pain.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.344-351
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• 2020

Background: The effects of far-infrared radiation (FIR) on the treatment of rotator cuff diseases remains unknown. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of FIR after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with regard to postoperative pain and healing. Methods: This prospective randomized comparative study included 38 patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair due to a medium-sized tear. Patients were randomly divided into the FIR or control group (n = 19 per group). In the FIR group, FIR with an FIR radiator started 1 week postoperatively for 30 minutes per session twice daily. It lasted until abduction brace weaning at 5 weeks postoperatively. We assessed pain using a pain visual analogue scale (pVAS) and measured the range of motion (ROM) of the shoulder at 5 weeks, and 3 and 6 months, postoperatively. The anatomical outcome was evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging at 6 months postoperatively. Results: At 5 weeks postoperatively, the average pVAS score was lower in the FIR group than in the control group (1.5 ± 0.8 vs. 2.7 ± 1.7; P = 0.019). At 3 months postoperatively, the average forward flexion was higher in the FIR group (151.6° ± 15.3° vs. 132.9° ± 27.8°; P = 0.045), but there was no significant difference at 6 months postoperatively. There was no significant difference in healing failure between the groups (P = 0.999). Conclusions: FIR after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair could be an effective and safe procedure to reduce postoperative pain, thereby facilitating rehabilitation and better ROM in the early postoperative period.