Search

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a common musculoskeletal disorder worldwide, with a lifetime prevalence of up to 80%. Among nonsurgical treatments for chronic LBP, Korean medicine treatments are highly preferred, and pharmacopuncture therapy combining acupuncture and herbal medicine is widely used. However, no evidence-based study has focused on the use of various types of pharmacopuncture. Methods: The pragmatic randomized controlled clinical trial will include 44 participants; recruitment will start in July 2023. All participants will receive integrated Korean medicine treatment including acupuncture, cupping, and infrared therapy, and the intervention group will also receive pharmacopuncture. After 16 treatment sessions, twice a week for 8 weeks, follow-up assessments will be performed at week 9. As a pragmatic randomized controlled clinical protocol, the type, dose, and acupoints of acupuncture and pharmacopuncture are not determined in advance but are selected and recorded according to the clinical judgment of the Korean medicine doctor. Results: The primary outcome will be measured using a visual analog scale score, and the secondary outcomes include the Oswestry disability index, patient global impression of change, no worse than mild pain, and range of motion. Safety will be assessed by examining participants’ self-reported adverse events and vital signs and conducting blood tests before and after the test. Conclusion: This study aims to provide clinical evidence of the effectiveness and safety of pharmacopuncture for chronic LBP.

This study presents a case of facial nerve injury that occurred after parotidectomy for a benign tumor of the parotid gland that improved with integrated Korean medicine (IKM). On June 24, 2023, the patient presented with facial nerve injury based on a facial nerve conduction study after parotidectomy, with a score of five on Yanagihara’s unweighted grading system (Y-system) and a grade of five on the House–Brackmann facial grading scale (H–B scale). During the 15 days of admission, IKM treatments, including acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, moxibustion, herbal steam therapy, physiotherapy, herbal medicine, and thread embedding acupuncture treatment, were performed. After treatment, the strength of the orbicularis oculi, orbicularis oris, and masticatory muscles improved, with a Y-system score of 17 and an H–B scale of III. In conclusion, the findings of this study confirm the applicability and effectiveness of IKM in the treatment of facial paralysis following parotidectomy.

This report presents the clinical progress of a 50-year-old male diagnosed with a left acetabular fracture and left rib fracture after falling from a height of 3 m. The patient was treated nonsurgically and underwent complex traditional Korean medicine (TKM) treatment and rehabilitation, including acupuncture, electroacupuncture, pharmacopuncture, bee venom, herbal medicine, physiotherapy, and moxibustion. Patient progress was assessed using the numerical rating scale (NRS), manual muscle test (MMT), and modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS). During 113 days of hospitalization, the NRS score decreased from 7 to 3, and the MMT grade increased to normal in the hip, knee, and ankle joints. The mHHS score increased from 26 to 99 points. Radiographs and computed tomography scans of the left acetabulum were obtained periodically, and fracture union was successfully achieved. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of complex TKM treatment and rehabilitation of acetabular fractures.

This paper presents the clinical outcome of an 82-year-old female who experienced sudden back pain combined with lower limb paresthesia and weakness after epidural steroid injection. The magnetic resonance imaging of the thoracolumbar spine showed a spinal epidural hematoma (SEH) extending from T8 to L4. She was treated non-operatively in the traditional Korean medicine (TKM) hospital. The patient’s progress was assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), American Spinal Injury Association (ASIS), Spinal Cord Independence Measure version III (SCIM III), and self-reported symptoms. During the 22-day hospitalization period, the NRS score decreased from 7 to 2 points, the motor score on the ASIS scale increased from 65 to 95 points. The subjective sense of lower extremities was felt by 1 increased to 8. The SCIM III score increased from 32 to 69 points. These results suggest that TKM could effectively reduce pain and aid the rehabilitation of patients with SEH.

Background To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Phellinus linteus (PL) extract for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) a pilot clinical study was performed. Methods There were 24 patients with KOA who enrolled in this double-blind, randomized, controlled, clinical trial. There were 3 groups: PL 1,000 mg/day (PL 1,000), PL 1,500 mg/day (PL 1,500), and dextrin 3,000 mg/day (placebo). Patients took capsules twice a day, 3 capsules at a time, over 8 weeks. Patients were monitored prior to treatment (Visit 1: Week 0), and followed up every 4 weeks (Visit 2: Week 4 and Visit 3: Week 8) where outcome measurements were taken. The primary outcome measure was the score from the Korean version of the Western Ontario and McMasters Universities from baseline to Week 8. The secondary outcomes were measurements from the visual analog scale, quality of life scale, erythrocyte sedimentation, and c-reactive protein. Adverse events were recorded at every visit. Results The Korean version of the Western Ontario and McMasters Universities score showed the greatest improvement in symptoms of KOA in the PL 1,500 group compared with the placebo group. The erythrocyte sedimentation tended to decrease in the PL 1,500 group compared with the placebo group (which was within the normal range). The visual analog scale score decreased in all groups, with no significant differences between groups. No adverse events related to PL were reported. There were no abnormal hematological or physical findings. Conclusion This pilot clinical trial was the first step to assess the efficacy and safety of PL used in the treatment of patients with KOA.

Abstract Background As the population of Korea ages, interest in healthcare has increased. In particular, there is an increasing demand for immune-function improvement to prevent infectious diseases. Phellinus linteus (PL) has previously been shown to exert immune-enhancing and anticancer effects. We aim to evaluate whether PL mycelium extract, cultured from the PL KCTC0399BP strain, can increase immune function, as measured using blood-test indicators. This clinical trial protocol is designed as the main trial and is based on the results of a pilot study. Methods This clinical trial is a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Ninety-eight participants are enrolled and randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group (PL 1000 mg) and the control group (placebo). Participants are administered with experimental food or placebo for eight weeks. Blood tests are performed before trial initiation and 8 weeks later, at trial completion. Laboratory evaluation items are as follows: natural killer cell activity, tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-12, immunoglobulin (Ig)G1, IgG2, and IgM. We will mainly use the full analysis dataset to statistically analyze the effectiveness of the treatment. Discussion This study evaluates the effects of PL extract on immune function and will contribute to knowledge on the value of PL as an immune-function–boosting functional food. Trial registration Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS) of Korea CRIS-KCT0005460 . Registered on 12 October 2020

In this Case Report, a patient with Buerger’s disease who had a leg amputation below his lower right knee and a vascular bypass of right leg, developed a wound caused by his prosthetic leg and subjective discomfort. The patient received skin flap surgery but the wound did not heal properly. He was admitted to the Korean Medicine Hospital where his wound, right leg coldness, and phantom pain were treated with combined Korean medicine. The patient was hospitalized again where he underwent micro-drilling surgery. The patient was re-admitted to the Korean Medicine Hospital where he received combined Korean medicine treatment (CKMT) and carbon arc light treatment (CALT) for his wound, leg coldness, stiffness, and hypoplasia. The temperature of his right leg increased, the numeric rating scale score for assessing pain fell from 5 to 1.5, and subjective discomfort was reduced (< 20%) suggesting this may be an effective treatment.

Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) is a rare variant of Guillain–Barré syndrome characterized by ocular paralysis, ataxia, and insensitivity. This report describes the effect of Complex Korean Medicine Treatment (CKMT) on a patient previously diagnosed with MFS presenting with diplopia and facial palsy. The distance at which diplopia occurs, the diplopia questionnaire, the range of diplopia, the degree of facial paralysis, and the degree of ptosis were evaluated at the time of admission and weekly for 1 month. After receiving CKMT for 4 weeks the 62-year-old female had improved symptoms of diplopia, bilateral facial palsy and ptosis caused by MFS. These results show the significant association of MFS with facial paralysis and the improvement achieved with CKMT.

Sacral insufficiency fractures (SIF) are a common, but often underdiagnosed source of lower back pain without apparent trauma. This report presents the clinical outcome of a 75-year-old female with SIF, and an underlying medical history of osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. She was treated non-operatively, in-hospital, with Korean medicine. Patient progress was assessed using the numerical rating scale and self-reported symptoms. Post-treatment, the numerical rating scale score for pain in her hip decreased from 7 to 2. At admission, the patient was unable to sit, and could only walk 3 m with assistance. At discharge, she could sit for longer than 1 hour and walk further than 200 m unassisted. On the follow-up visit, the patient was asymptomatic, and x-ray scans showed ossification of the sacral and pubic fractures. These results suggest that, Korean medicine can effectively reduce pain and aid rehabilitation in patients with SIF, without the need for surgery.

Background The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory response of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activated macrophages (RAW 264.7 murine cell line) to JCE003 which is an extract including Eucommia ulmoides, Juglans regia, Eleutherococcus senticosus, and Zingiber officinale. Methods An MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay was performed to analyze the survival rate of RAW 264.7 cells. The production of nitric oxide and proinflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. mRNA expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) were analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. Results Exposure of LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells to JCE003 was not cytotoxic up to 400 μg/mL, but cell survival was statistically significantly decreased at 800 μg/mL (p < 0.001). Nitric oxide production was not markedly lowered in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells by exposure to JCE003 (10, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800 μl/mL) compared with the Control group. In addition, JCE003 reduced the production of TNF-α in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells at 400 μg/mL (p < 0.05), but IFN-γ and TNF-α mRNA expression in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells was decreased at 100, 200, and 400 μg/mL JCE003 (p < 0.01). Conclusions These results suggest that JCE003 inhibited the expression and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells. The findings of this study provide basic data for the development of new Korean medicine anti-inflammatory drugs.

This study analyzed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and case studies investigating Chuna manual therapy and variations of this term, for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. On June 15th, 2019, 6 online databases were used to retrieve studies. A total of 527 articles were retrieved, and 14 RCTs and 20 case studies were selected for review. Typically, the frequency of Chuna therapy was 1-2 times/week. The most common period of treatment was 12 months in RCTs and 3-6 months in case studies. Cobb’s angle was the most frequent evaluation index used (11 RCTs and 20 case studies). In control groups, brace treatment was used in 8 RCTs. In 6 RCTs and 20 case studies, Cobb’s angle significantly decreased after Chuna therapy, and in 4 RCTs, Chuna therapy was as effective as brace treatment, with no significant difference between groups. Adverse events were not reported except for minor reactions in only 3 case studies. This review suggested that Chuna therapy for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis was more advantageous than and as effective as brace treatment in most cases, although the risk of bias in 13 RCTs was unclear.

Acupuncture treatment for oculomotor nerve palsy has been increasing recently. This study analyzed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and case reports, using the Cochrane risk of bias tool to investigate the efficacy of acupuncture therapy for oculomotor nerve palsy. This analysis was performed on March 7, 2019, using online databases (PubMed, Cochrane, NDSL, OASIS, CNKI) where 208 articles were retrieved. Of these, there were 18 case reports and 18 RCTs that matched the inclusion criteria, of which 32 studies used acupuncture as the primary intervention, 1 used pharmacopuncture, 1 used fire-needling, and 1 used electroacupuncture. The most commonly used acupoints were BL1, BL2, ST2, TE23, Ex-HN5, LI4, GB14, ST36, GB20 and GB1. Significant findings were reported in all RCTs. Six adverse events were reported in 3 RCTs, with no effect on the outcome. No side effects were reported in the case reports. The risk-of-bias analysis showed that the articles did not report the experimental protocol used and it was not clear whether the study was blinded. Hence, it was difficult to assess the risk of bias. Analysis of 36 studies showed that acupuncture therapy for oculomotor nerve palsy was effective in many cases. It was difficult to evaluate the potential bias.

Background This was a retrospective review of published articles reporting acupuncture and moxibustion treatment of peroneal nerve palsy. Methods On-line database searches were carried out using; Cochrane Library, Pubmed, CNKI, NDSL and OASIS to find articles reporting acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for peroneal nerve palsy. Duplicate articles and studies that were not relevant to the topic were excluded, along with review articles and commentaries. Results 20 studies were selected, 18 clinical case studies (47 patients) and 2 randomized controlled trials (154 patients). Intervention treatments included acupuncture, moxibustion, bee-venom (BV), pharmacopuncture, electroacupuncture and acupotomy. Surprisingly, although peroneal nerve palsy is not a very rare disease, only 2 studies out of 20 carried out a randomized controlled trial. Conclusions Although studies to date report the efficacy of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment in peroneal nerve palsy patients, the absence of objective evaluation and the absence in the reporting of side-effects remains an issue.

Highly phosphorus-doped silicon source/drains are investigated to improve the performance of N-type metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors by decreasing their resistance and imparting strain to their channels. To find effective high temperature annealing for the activation of phosphorus in the source/drains, we apply single- and multi-pulse nanosecond laser annealing on highly phosphorus-doped silicon. The microstructure, strain, and electrical properties of highly phosphorus-doped silicon before and after laser annealing are analyzed. Our results demonstrate that the defects in both the recrystallized silicon and the end of range are decreased with 600 mJ cm−2 10-pulse annealing while considerable increase in phosphorus activation is achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]