Safety of Thread-Embedding Acupuncture: A Multicenter, Prospective, Observational Pilot Study.

: Thread-embedding acupuncture (TEA) is widely used for cosmetic and therapeutic purposes; however, its safety profile, particularly in real-world clinical settings, remains under-researched. This study aimed to evaluate the safety profile of TEA through a prospective, observational analysis and confirm the feasibility of the study design for future studies involving larger patient populations. : A multicenter, prospective observational study was conducted involving 100 patients who received TEA.

Cross-cultural adaptation of the Korean Synkinesis Assessment Questionnaire: A validation study.

Objective: The Synkinesis Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) is a reliable tool to assess synkinesis symptoms; however, it is yet to be validated in Korea. Thus, this study aimed to translate and validate the Korean SAQ.

Methods: This validation study was set in a clinic in Seoul, Korea, that provides general integrative medicine services.

Efficacy of Laser Therapy on Paralysis and Disability in Patients with Facial Palsy: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

(1) Background: Facial palsy is a common health issue which leads to sequelae and disability. This systematic review aimed to assess the efficacy of laser therapy for the treatment of facial palsy. (2) Methods: Only randomized controlled trials comparing the effectiveness of laser therapy to non-laser intervention, no intervention, or placebo were searched for.

Clinical effect and safety of thread embedding acupuncture on facial nerve palsy sequelae: A retrospective observational study.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical effect and safety of thread embedding acupuncture (TEA) in patients with facial nerve palsy sequelae. This was a retrospective observational study on 82 patients treated with TEA from January 2021 to May 2022. The Facial Disability Index (FDI) reported by patients and Sunnybrook Facial Grading System scores assessed by clinical practitioners were used to evaluate the intensity of facial movements, functional problems, and psychosocial status.

Clinical use of thread embedding acupuncture for facial nerve palsy: A web-based survey.

Although thread embedding acupuncture (TEA) is widely used for facial nerve palsy (FNP) in Korea, it lacks clinical evidence. Therefore, a large-scale and long-term clinical trial is needed. It is necessary to standardize and optimize TEA treatment for clinical study.

Thread Embedding Acupuncture for Temporomandibular Disorder: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) affects multiple tissues of the temporomandibular joint complex and manifests as orofacial pain and functional disturbance. While thread embedding acupuncture (TEA) is used for the treatment of TMD in clinical practice, sufficient clinical evidence is lacking. This pilot trial will explore the feasibility of a confirmatory randomized controlled trial (RCT) by considering the efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of TEA to address pain, function, and quality of life in patients with TMD.

A spadework for integrative medicine based critical pathways for facial palsy: Web-based survey from traditional Korean medicine doctors.

Patients affected with facial palsy consult both traditional Korean medicine doctors and conventional medicine doctors. Considering that the optimal approach varies depending on the progress of the disease, there is a need for facial palsy management through integrated medical care. However, no critical pathway has been developed to manage facial palsy from an integrated medical perspective.

Appraising the safety and reporting quality of thread-embedding acupuncture: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Thread-embedding acupuncture (TEA) is a special type of acupuncture treatment in which medical threads are inserted into subcutaneous tissues or muscles at therapeutic points. TEA is a medical practice that combines acupuncture and medical threads. As such, it is necessary to evaluate the safety of TEA.

Korean Medicine Clinical Practice Guidelines for Lumbar Herniated Intervertebral Disc in Adults: Based on Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE).

A significant number of individuals suffer from low back pain throughout their lifetime, and the medical costs related to low back pain and disc herniation are gradually increasing in Korea. Korean medicine interventions have been used for the treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. Therefore, we aimed to update the existing Korean medicine clinical practice guidelines for lumbar intervertebral disc herniation.

Thread embedding acupuncture for herniated intervertebral disc of the lumbar spine: A multicenter, randomized, patient-assessor-blinded, controlled, parallel, clinical trial.

Background: and purpose: Although several studies have reported that thread embedding acupuncture (TEA) is effective for lumbar herniated intervertebral disc (LHIVD), the evidence remains limited because previous studies had a high risk of bias. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of TEA for LHIVD through a rigorously designed trial.

Materials And Methods: This was a randomized, patient-assessor-blinded, sham-controlled trial.

The Responsiveness of Bee Venom Phospholipase A2 on Regulatory T Cells Correlates with the CD11cCD206Population in Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells.

Bee venom phospholipase A2 (bvPLA2) has been reported to have therapeutic effects such as neuroprotection, anti-inflammation, anti-nociception, anti-cancer properties, caused by increasing regulatory T cells (Tregs). The mechanism of Tregs modulation by bvPLA2 has been demonstrated by binding with the mannose receptor, CD206 in experimental models of several diseases. However, it remains unknown whether this mechanism can also be applied in human blood.

A bibliometric analysis of research on the treatment of facial nerve palsy.

Background: There are various treatments for facial nerve palsy, and research into this topic is ongoing. In the present study, we carried out bibliometric and visualized analyses to identify the trends of research into facial nerve palsy treatment.

Methods: To identify articles, the SCOPUS database was searched for articles published from its inception to December 27, 2020.

Acupuncture for lateral epicondylitis: A prisma-compliant protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Acupuncture has been widely used for relieving pain associated with musculoskeletal disorders, such as lateral epicondylitis. Although the effect of acupuncture on pain has been demonstrated in previous reviews, it is still under debate. This study is aimed at evaluating the efficacy of acupuncture to treat lateral epicondylitis and establishing the evidence systematically.

The efficacy of laser therapy in patients with facial palsy: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Facial palsy involves paralysis of any structure affected by the facial nerve and affects facial appearance. Face palsy can result from congenital, idiopathic, neoplastic, infection-related, traumatic, malignant, diabetic, iatrogenic, and other inflammatory causes. Numerous studies have suggested that laser treatment is beneficial for managing facial palsy.

Thread-embedding acupuncture for lumbar herniated intervertebral disc: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Lumbar herniated intervertebral disc (LHIVD) is a frequent disease among patients attending Korean medicine hospitals, and it is associated with considerable medical expenses for the patients. Although several recent randomized clinical trials (RCTs) have reported that thread-embedding acupuncture (TEA) has a more favorable therapeutic effect on LHIVD than other types of acupuncture or other treatments, the evidence remains limited because these trials used poor assessment methods and had a high risk of bias. This study aims to evaluate the evidence for the effectiveness and safety of TEA for LHIVD.

Clinical efficacy and safety of thread-embedding acupuncture for treatment of the sequelae of Bell's palsy: A protocol for a patient-assessor blinded, randomized, controlled, parallel clinical trial.

Background: The sequelae of Bell's palsy cause critical problem in facial appearance, as well as social and psychological problems in the patient's life. The aim of the present study is to establish clinical evidence of thread-embedding acupuncture (TEA) in the treatment of sequelae of Bell's palsy.

Method/design: This is a patient-assessor blinded, randomized, sham-controlled trial with two parallel arms.

Clinical research on the efficacy and safety of Bosinji for low back pain with radiculopathy caused by herniated intervertebral disc of the lumbar spine: A protocol for a multicenter, randomized, controlled equivalence trial.

Background: A lumbar herniated intervertebral disc (LHIVD) is a common problem that usually causes low back pain and radiating pain. The effectiveness of Bosinji, one of the herbal medicines used for low back pain and radiating pain in patient with LHIVD, has been reported in several studies; however, little clinical evidence is available owing to the methodological limitations in previous studies. Hence, the present study aims to establish the clinical evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of Bosinji in improving pain, function, and quality of life in LHIVD patients.

Parotid gland sparing effect by computed tomography-based modified lower field margin in whole brain radiotherapy.

Purpose: Parotid gland can be considered as a risk organ in whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the parotid gland sparing effect of computed tomography (CT)-based WBRT compared to 2-dimensional plan with conventional field margin.

Materials And Methods: From January 2008 to April 2011, 53 patients underwent WBRT using CT-based simulation.

Parotid gland as a risk organ in whole brain radiotherapy.

Background And Purpose: Since the introduction of CT-based simulation for use in whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT), we have observed that a large volume of the parotid glands is included in the radiation fields. The purpose of this study is to analyze the dose-volume statistics of the parotid glands in patients undergoing WBRT.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-two patients received WBRT using CT-based simulation with bilateral two-field arrangement.

Cupping for hypertension: a systematic review.

The objective of this review is to assess the clinical evidence for or against cupping as a treatment for hypertension. We searched the literature using 15 databases from their inception to 30 June 2009, without language restrictions. We included all clinical trials (CTs) of cupping to treat hypertension in human patients.