Efficacy and safety of ephedra-containing oral medications: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and exploratory dose-response analysis for weight reduction.

Introduction: Despite the widespread use of ephedra in various forms, including food supplements and herbal prescriptions, comprehensive studies reviewing its efficacy and safety across different countries are lacking.

Methods: We systematically searched 5 electronic databases and conducted a meta-analysis of 16 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on ephedra-containing oral medications (EOMs), performing a dose-response analysis for weight loss.

Results: The meta-analysis results revealed a statistically significant reduction in the body mass index (BMI) (MD: 1.

Korean Medicine Subcision Therapies in Scar Treatment: A Retrospective, Multicenter Study at Network Clinics.

Purpose: This study is a retrospective, multicenter research designed to report the efficacy of Korean medicine subcision therapies in scar treatment.

Patients And Methods: Charts and photographs of 29 patients who received subcision treatment between May 2016 and June 2020 in four scar treatment network clinics were analyzed. The Qualitative Global Acne Scarring Grade System (QGASC) and the Stony Brook Scar Evaluation Scale (SBSES) were used to objectively measure scar scores.

Effectiveness and safety of acupuncture modalities for overweight and obesity treatment: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of RCTs.

Introduction: The effectiveness and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of obesity have not been assessed. This poses a challenge for clinicians who choose to use acupuncture in the treatment of obesity, as they are unable to prioritize this approach based on outcome variables.

Methods: In May 2024, a literature search of five databases was conducted.

Effectiveness and safety of traditional herbal medicine on cardiac arrhythmic condition: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control clinical trial.

Introduction: The prevalence of cardiac arrhythmia, which can lead to cardiac death, heart failure, and cardioembolic stroke, is increasing. Although various Western medicines for cardiac arrhythmias have been developed, there are still various difficulties in the management of arrhythmias. Traditional herbal medicines (THM) are widely used to manage arrhythmia in East Asia.

Current Research Status and Implication for Further Study of Real-World Data on East Asian Traditional Medicine for Heart Failure: A Scoping Review.

This study used real-world data (RWD) to explore the long-term effects of East Asian traditional medicine (EATM) on heart failure (HF). A comprehensive search was conducted across five databases to identify relevant studies, which were then reviewed using the Arksey and O'Malley scoping review framework. The analysis focused on a descriptive examination of the long-term outcomes associated with EATM intervention.

Validity and Reliability of POM-Checker for Measuring Shoulder Range of Motion in Healthy Participants: A Pilot Single-Center Comparative Study.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare shoulder movement measurements between a Kinect-based markerless ROM assessment device (POM-Checker) and a 3D motion capture analysis system (BTS SMART DX-400).

Methods: This was a single-visit clinical trial designed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the POM-Checker. The primary outcome was to assess the equivalence between two measurement devices within the same set of participants, aiming to evaluate the validity of the POM-Checker compared to the gold standard device (3D Motion Analysis System).

Effectiveness and Safety of Fufang Danshen Dripping Pill (Cardiotonic Pill) on Blood Viscosity and Hemorheological Factors for Cardiovascular Event Prevention in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

: Diabetes can cause various vascular complications. The Compounded Danshen-Dripping-Pill (CDDP) is widely used in China. This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness and safety of CDDP in the blood viscosity (BV) with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Effect of a massage chair (BFM-M8040) on neck and shoulder pain in office workers: A randomized controlled clinical trial.

Background: With the increasing work-related musculoskeletal disorders, neck and shoulder pain among office workers has also increased. That said, this randomized controlled trial aimed to seek the potential effects of a massage chair (BFR-M8040) on neck and shoulder pain among office workers.

Methods: This was conducted at the Wonkwang University Gwangju Medical Center from April 2022 to December 2022.

Acupotomy in Korean Medicine Doctors: A Preliminary Survey on Experiences, Perceptions, and Clinical Usage Status.

Acupotomy is a widely used medical intervention in traditional East Asian medicine, and efforts are being made to improve its effectiveness and safety. As a first step toward establishing more standardized procedural guidelines, a survey was conducted to explore the current clinical practice status and perceived adverse events (AEs) by Korean Medicine (KM) practitioners. The survey was developed via expert consensus and included information on clinical usage, perception, and the AEs experienced.

Effectiveness and Safety of Acupotomy Treatment on Shoulder Pain: 25 Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Objective: Shoulder pain is a common complaint in outpatient clinics and can result in an inability to work or perform household activities, leading to significant socioeconomic burden. Acupotomy, as one kind acupuncture that has flat knife-shaped tip, has been widely used for treating shoulder pain. However, despite the widespread use of acupotomy in primary medical institutions, large sample size clinical trials have not sufficiently been performed.

Anatomical structures and needling method of the back-shu points BL18, BL20, and BL22 related to gastrointestinal organs: A PRISMA-compliant systematic review of acupoints and exploratory mechanism analysis.

Background: Acupuncture treatment on back-shu points (BSPs) has received attention owing its ability to control the function of visceral organs. We aimed to conduct a systematic review to provide detailed information on the effectiveness and safety of BL18, BL20, and BL22 on the digestive system in terms of soft tissue and anatomical structure and assist in the appropriate application.

Methods: Medline, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, OASIS, RISS, and CNKI were searched from their inception to July 2021.

Prevention and management of adverse events following COVID-19 vaccination using traditional Korean medicine: An online survey of public health doctors.

Background: Since February 2021, vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has started in Korea.

Aim: To perform a questionnaire survey about the prevention and management of adverse events of COVID-19 vaccination among public health doctors of Korean Medicine (PHKMDs).

Methods: An online questionnaire was developed, comprising categories about adverse events of vaccination (AEVs) and perception of using Korean medicine (KM) in managing vaccine adverse events (AEs) among PHKMDs.

Comparative effectiveness of bisphosphonate treatments for the prevention of re-fracture in glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Long-term usage of glucocorticoids results in a loss of bone mass and a higher risk of fracture, and the most common cause of secondary osteoporosis is glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP). For preventing GIOP, bisphosphonate (BP) is widely used. However, analysis on BP's effect on the prevention of re-fracture is insufficient.

Comparison of Metabolites and Gut Microbes between Patients with Ulcerative Colitis and Healthy Individuals for an Integrative Medicine Approach to Ulcerative Colitis-A Pilot Observational Clinical Study (STROBE Compliant).

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an intractable disease associated with high morbidity and healthcare costs. Metabolites and gut microbes are areas of interest for mainstream and complementary and alternative medicine. We, therefore, aimed to contribute to the discovery of an integrative medicine for UC by comparing and analyzing gut microbes and metabolites in patients with UC and in healthy individuals.

The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Complementary and Alternative Medicine: A Systematic Scoping Review.

The development of artificial intelligence (AI) in the medical field has been growing rapidly. As AI models have been introduced in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), a systematized review must be performed to understand its current status. To categorize and seek the current usage of AI in CAM.

Comparison of Metabolites and Gut Microbes between Patients with Parkinson's Disease and Healthy Individuals-A Pilot Clinical Observational Study (STROBE Compliant).

Introduction: Even if levodopa, dopamine agonists, and others are used for patients with Parkinson's disease, the effect is not sustained, and side effects such as motor fluctuation and dyskinesia are more likely to appear as the dose increases. Thus, new approaches for managing Parkinson's disease are needed. This study aimed to compare the metabolites and gut microbes between patients with Parkinson's disease and healthy individuals.

Comprehensive traditional East Asian medicine treatment strategy for obesity considering the therapeutic effects and adverse events: A protocol for systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Background: Obesity has become a serious global health problem due to its increasing prevalence. Because of several limitations or adverse events associated with conventional western medicine therapies, there has been an increase in demand for alternative therapies such as traditional East Asian medicine (TEAM). This study aims to provide comprehensive evidence-based information assessing the clinical efficacy and safety of TEAM treatment for obesity as the basis for reliable clinical strategies for patients with obesity.

Combined Korean medicine therapies in children with allergic rhinitis: A multi-center, observational explanatory registry trial: A study protocol.

Introduction: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is the third most prevalent disease in early and middle adolescence in South Korea and one of the most common allergic diseases worldwide. Due to the ineffectiveness and frequent side effects of conventional medications for AR (such as antihistamines, corticosteroids) complementary and alternative medical (CAM) therapies have been in the spotlight. Although previous clinical trials conducted on AR with CAM showed efficacy and safety, these research results have limitations in that they did not estimate the effectiveness of combining multiple interventions.

Comparison of gait recovery patterns according to the paralyzed side in stroke patients: An observational study based on a retrospective chart review (STROBE compliant).

Gait rehabilitations have been abundantly performed for post-stroke patients, because gait is the most important factor for the return of post-stroke patients to daily life. However, conventional uniform gait rehabilitations tend to be tedious and reduce motivation. The aim of this study was to contribute to the development of personalized rehabilitation of gait by identifying differences in gait recovery pattern according to the paralyzed side of post-stroke patients.

Cupping Therapy for Migraine: A PRISMA-Compliant Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Migraine is a common reason for primary headache disorders. Cupping is a frequently used traditional intervention for controlling pain including migraine. There have been no systematic reviews on the clinical effects of cupping on migraine.

Telemedicine Center of Korean Medicine for treating patients with COVID-19: a retrospective analysis.

Background: Since January 2020, novel coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2) - infected pneumonia (COVID-19) rapidly spread in Korea. This study aimed to introduce the Korean Medicine (KM) telemedicine center for treatment of COVID patients in Korea.

Methods: This work was a retrospective review of medical records on patients who received at least one telemedicine session from March 9, 2020 to April 12, 2020 provided by the COVID-19 telemedicine center of Korean Medicine.

Development of Integrative Medicine Therapy for Gastrointestinal Autoimmune Diseases: A study protocol for a registry study.

Background: Although the incidence of AD, including gastrointestinal AD, increases every year, there is no effective therapy for it yet. This causes high medical costs to be spent on the management of autoimmune patients every year. The aim of this study is to identify the characteristics related to the causes and symptoms of gastrointestinal autoimmune disease (AD) by collecting patients' information and to further contribute to the development of an integrative medicine therapy for gastrointestinal AD.

Difference in gait recovery rate of hemiparetic stroke patients according to paralyzed side: A cross-sectional study based on a retrospective chart review.

In Donguibogam, a representative encyclopedic source of knowledge on traditional Korean medicine, left-sided hemiparesis due to stroke is called "Tan" as a sort of "Heyol-Byeong," while right-sided hemiparesis due to stroke is called "Tan" as a sort of "Gi-Byeong." According to the theory of Donguibogam, diseases on the left or right side of the human body must be treated differently. Clinically, the symptoms caused by left and right hemisphere lesions in stroke patients differ, as the functions of the left and right hemispheres differ.