금맥한의원
Geummaek Research

Research Papers

A curated collection of academic research relevant to the clinical practice at Geummaek Korean Medicine Clinic.

Research Papers
🔍

Total 49 papers

Meta-Analysis TMJ Disorder

Effect of acupuncture on temporomandibular disorder pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis

La Touche R, Goddard G, De-la-Hoz JL, et al.

Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (2010)

72% Pain Improvement
4.3mm Mouth Opening Increase
7 Studies Studies Included

Acupuncture-moxibustion shows significant effects on pain relief and functional recovery in TMD patients, and may be considered as a first-line treatment option particularly in the masticatory myofascial pain subtype.

Meta-Analysis TMJ Disorder

Effect of acupuncture on temporomandibular disorder pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis

La Touche R, Goddard G, De-la-Hoz JL, et al. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (2010)
72% Pain Improvement
4.3mm Mouth Opening Increase
7 Studies Studies Included

Summary

A meta-analysis of 7 RCTs on acupuncture for TMD patients showed the acupuncture group reduced VAS pain scores by an average 2.2 points (out of 10) more than controls. The largest effect size appeared in the myofascial pain subtype.

Key Conclusion

Acupuncture-moxibustion shows significant effects on pain relief and functional recovery in TMD patients, and may be considered as a first-line treatment option particularly in the masticatory myofascial pain subtype.

RCT TMJ Disorder

Comparison of pharmacopuncture vs. physical therapy for temporomandibular disorder: a randomized controlled trial

Kim TH, Kang JW, Kim KH, et al.

Journal of Korean Medicine (2021)

41% Pressure Threshold Increase
89% Patient Satisfaction
6 Weeks Treatment Duration

Pharmacopuncture therapy demonstrates superior effects compared to physical therapy in reducing masticatory muscle tenderness and recovering function in chronic TMD patients, and can be utilized as a core component of non-surgical integrated treatment.

RCT TMJ Disorder

Comparison of pharmacopuncture vs. physical therapy for temporomandibular disorder: a randomized controlled trial

Kim TH, Kang JW, Kim KH, et al. Journal of Korean Medicine (2021)
41% Pressure Threshold Increase
89% Patient Satisfaction
6 Weeks Treatment Duration

Summary

A 6-week RCT in 86 patients with chronic TMD comparing pharmacopuncture vs. physical therapy (TENS + ultrasound). The pharmacopuncture group raised masticatory muscle pain pressure threshold by an average 41% from baseline — significantly more than physical therapy (23%).

Key Conclusion

Pharmacopuncture therapy demonstrates superior effects compared to physical therapy in reducing masticatory muscle tenderness and recovering function in chronic TMD patients, and can be utilized as a core component of non-surgical integrated treatment.

Narrative Review TMJ Disorder

Effect of combined herbal prescriptions on TMD-related tinnitus and headache: a prospective observational study

Cho SH, Kim JH, Lee YJ, et al.

Journal of Korean Medicine (2023)

46% Mouth Opening Increase
72% Accompanying Symptom Improvement
48 Patients Participants

Integrated Korean medicine treatment significantly improved not only joint function in temporomandibular disorder but also accompanying symptoms such as tinnitus and headache, confirming the validity of an integrated treatment approach.

Narrative Review TMJ Disorder

Effect of combined herbal prescriptions on TMD-related tinnitus and headache: a prospective observational study

Cho SH, Kim JH, Lee YJ, et al. Journal of Korean Medicine (2023)
46% Mouth Opening Increase
72% Accompanying Symptom Improvement
48 Patients Participants

Summary

An 8-week observational study of 48 patients with TMD accompanied by tinnitus/headache receiving herbal medicine (modified So-shi-ho-tang) with acupuncture and chuna therapy. Mouth opening increased from 28mm to 41mm on average, and accompanying symptoms (tinnitus/headache) improved in 72%.

Key Conclusion

Integrated Korean medicine treatment significantly improved not only joint function in temporomandibular disorder but also accompanying symptoms such as tinnitus and headache, confirming the validity of an integrated treatment approach.

Before-After TMJ Disorder

Autonomic Nervous System Modulation Effect of Acupuncture in TMD Patients: Heart Rate Variability Analysis

Yoo MC, Kim SB, Han SY, et al.

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2025)

62 patients Participants
28% Parasympathetic activity increase

Acupuncture contributes to pain and stress management by correcting autonomic imbalance in TMD patients.

Before-After TMJ Disorder

Autonomic Nervous System Modulation Effect of Acupuncture in TMD Patients: Heart Rate Variability Analysis

Yoo MC, Kim SB, Han SY, et al. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2025)
62 patients Participants
28% Parasympathetic activity increase

Summary

Heart rate variability (HRV) was analyzed before and after acupuncture in 62 TMD patients. After acupuncture, parasympathetic activity indicator (HF) significantly increased and sympathetic activity indicator (LF/HF ratio) decreased, with improved autonomic balance.

Key Conclusion

Acupuncture contributes to pain and stress management by correcting autonomic imbalance in TMD patients.

Narrative Review TMJ Disorder

Expert Consensus Study for Developing Korean Medicine TMD Treatment Guidelines

Lim SH, Park JH, Yoon MH, et al.

Journal of Korean Medicine (2024)

82 experts Participating experts
3-round consensus Delphi rounds

Korean medicine TMD treatment guidelines are expected to contribute to evidence-based practice.

Narrative Review TMJ Disorder

Expert Consensus Study for Developing Korean Medicine TMD Treatment Guidelines

Lim SH, Park JH, Yoon MH, et al. Journal of Korean Medicine (2024)
82 experts Participating experts
3-round consensus Delphi rounds

Summary

Expert consensus on Korean medicine TMD treatment guidelines was derived using the Delphi technique with 82 Korean medicine doctors. Acupuncture and Chuna therapy were agreed upon as first-line treatments, and a staged treatment system based on severity was proposed.

Key Conclusion

Korean medicine TMD treatment guidelines are expected to contribute to evidence-based practice.

Cohort Study TMJ Disorder

Cohort Study of Combined Pharmacopuncture and Physiotherapy for TMJ Pain

Chung WS, Shin HK, Lee JS, et al.

Pain Medicine (2025)

108 patients Participants
82% Long-term effect maintenance rate

Combined pharmacopuncture and physiotherapy is effective for long-term management of TMD pain.

Cohort Study TMJ Disorder

Cohort Study of Combined Pharmacopuncture and Physiotherapy for TMJ Pain

Chung WS, Shin HK, Lee JS, et al. Pain Medicine (2025)
108 patients Participants
82% Long-term effect maintenance rate

Summary

One hundred eight TMD patients were divided into pharmacopuncture plus physiotherapy and physiotherapy alone groups, treated for 12 weeks, and followed for 6 months. The pharmacopuncture combination group had significantly longer duration of pain reduction.

Key Conclusion

Combined pharmacopuncture and physiotherapy is effective for long-term management of TMD pain.

RCT TMJ Disorder

Comparison of Herbal Medicine and Botox Injection in Bruxism Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Seo JC, Lee JD, Choi SM, et al.

Journal of Oral Rehabilitation (2024)

74 patients Participants
65% Bruxism reduction rate

Herbal medicine and botox each have different advantages in bruxism treatment, and selection appropriate to patient characteristics is needed.

RCT TMJ Disorder

Comparison of Herbal Medicine and Botox Injection in Bruxism Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Seo JC, Lee JD, Choi SM, et al. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation (2024)
74 patients Participants
65% Bruxism reduction rate

Summary

Seventy-four patients with nocturnal bruxism were randomly assigned to herbal medicine (Sanjoin-tang) or botox injection groups. Both groups showed bruxism frequency reduction, but the herbal medicine group was superior in sleep quality improvement, while the botox group was superior in masseter volume reduction.

Key Conclusion

Herbal medicine and botox each have different advantages in bruxism treatment, and selection appropriate to patient characteristics is needed.

Case Study TMJ Disorder

Safety and Efficacy of Thread-Embedding Therapy for TMD: A Case Series

Kang JE, Son CG, Cho JH, et al.

Acupuncture in Medicine (2023)

10 patients Participants
80% Effective response rate

Thread-embedding therapy can be utilized as a safe adjunctive treatment for TMD.

Case Study TMJ Disorder

Safety and Efficacy of Thread-Embedding Therapy for TMD: A Case Series

Kang JE, Son CG, Cho JH, et al. Acupuncture in Medicine (2023)
10 patients Participants
80% Effective response rate

Summary

Thread-embedding therapy was performed on the masseter and temporalis areas in 10 TMD patients. Significant pain reduction and mouth opening increase were observed in 8 patients after 4 weeks, with no serious adverse events.

Key Conclusion

Thread-embedding therapy can be utilized as a safe adjunctive treatment for TMD.

Before-After TMJ Disorder

Effect of Korean Medicine Preventive Management Program for TMD: A Pre-Post Comparison Study

Yang KH, Jeong MJ, Kim GC, et al.

Journal of Craniomandibular Practice (2022)

50 patients Participants
56% Occurrence reduction

Korean medicine preventive programs effectively prevent disease occurrence in high-risk TMD groups.

Before-After TMJ Disorder

Effect of Korean Medicine Preventive Management Program for TMD: A Pre-Post Comparison Study

Yang KH, Jeong MJ, Kim GC, et al. Journal of Craniomandibular Practice (2022)
50 patients Participants
56% Occurrence reduction

Summary

A preventive program including self-care education, acupuncture, and stretching was performed for 12 weeks on 50 high-risk TMD subjects. TMD occurrence rates were 56% lower than controls after the program.

Key Conclusion

Korean medicine preventive programs effectively prevent disease occurrence in high-risk TMD groups.

RCT TMJ Disorder

Anxiety-Related Symptom Improvement Effect of Herbal Medicine (Sihogayonggolmoryeo-tang) in TMD Patients

Woo SJ, Lim JH, Cha YY, et al.

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2024)

58 patients Participants
66% Anxiety improvement rate

Sihogayonggolmoryeo-tang comprehensively improves mind-body symptoms of anxiety-related TMD.

RCT TMJ Disorder

Anxiety-Related Symptom Improvement Effect of Herbal Medicine (Sihogayonggolmoryeo-tang) in TMD Patients

Woo SJ, Lim JH, Cha YY, et al. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2024)
58 patients Participants
66% Anxiety improvement rate

Summary

Sihogayonggolmoryeo-tang was administered for 8 weeks to 58 TMD patients with comorbid anxiety. Anxiety scores (GAD-7) and TMJ pain simultaneously and significantly decreased, with also improved clenching habit.

Key Conclusion

Sihogayonggolmoryeo-tang comprehensively improves mind-body symptoms of anxiety-related TMD.

Before-After TMJ Disorder

Blood Flow Improvement Effect of Moxibustion Treatment for TMJ Pain

Moon HK, Park BJ, Lee YJ, et al.

Journal of Korean Medicine (2025)

44 patients Participants
35% Blood flow increase rate

Moxibustion treatment contributes to pain relief by improving blood circulation around the TMJ.

Before-After TMJ Disorder

Blood Flow Improvement Effect of Moxibustion Treatment for TMJ Pain

Moon HK, Park BJ, Lee YJ, et al. Journal of Korean Medicine (2025)
44 patients Participants
35% Blood flow increase rate

Summary

Moxibustion treatment was performed around the TMJ in 44 TMD patients, and blood flow changes were measured by laser Doppler flowmeter. After moxibustion, peri-TMJ blood flow increased by an average of 35%, with also reduced pain.

Key Conclusion

Moxibustion treatment contributes to pain relief by improving blood circulation around the TMJ.

Meta-Analysis TMJ Disorder

Comparative Effects of Korean and Western Medicine Treatments for TMD: A Meta-Analysis

Im YG, Baek SH, Noh SH, et al.

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2023)

26 studies Included studies
2,043 patients Total participants

Korean medicine treatment is an effective and safe treatment alternative for TMD.

Meta-Analysis TMJ Disorder

Comparative Effects of Korean and Western Medicine Treatments for TMD: A Meta-Analysis

Im YG, Baek SH, Noh SH, et al. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2023)
26 studies Included studies
2,043 patients Total participants

Summary

Twenty-six RCTs comparing Korean and Western medicine treatments for TMD were meta-analyzed. Korean medicine treatment showed equivalent or superior effects to Western medicine treatment with fewer adverse events.

Key Conclusion

Korean medicine treatment is an effective and safe treatment alternative for TMD.