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Geummaek Research

Research Papers

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

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Research Papers
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Total 1642 papers

All Wellness / Restoration Gongjindan (拱辰丹) Gyeongokgo (瓊玉膏) Gwanjeoldan (關節丹) Hyangseongpajeokhwan (響聲破笛丸) Mental Health Skin Conditions Digestive Disorders Respiratory Conditions ENT Disorders Neurological Disorders Pediatric / Adolescent Care Women's Health / Infertility Men's Health / Urology Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet Geum! Maek! Beauty Clinic Private Inpatient Room Traffic Accident Aftercare Pediatric Traffic Accident Workers' Compensation Lower Back Pain Neck Pain Shoulder Pain Elbow Pain Wrist / Hand Pain Hip Pain Knee Pain Ankle / Foot Pain TMJ Disorder
Systematic Review Wrist / Hand Pain

Systematic review of acupuncture for carpal tunnel syndrome: RCT evidence

Choi GH, Wieland LS, Lee H, et al.

Medicine (2018)

68% Symptom Improvement
11 Studies Studies Included
4 Weeks Time to Meaningful Improvement

Acupuncture is effective for the non-surgical treatment of mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome, showing positive effects on nocturnal symptom improvement and nerve function recovery, and can be utilized as a core component of conservative care.

View Source 2018
Systematic Review Wrist / Hand Pain

Systematic review of acupuncture for carpal tunnel syndrome: RCT evidence

Choi GH, Wieland LS, Lee H, et al. Medicine (2018)
68% Symptom Improvement
11 Studies Studies Included
4 Weeks Time to Meaningful Improvement

Summary

A systematic review of 11 RCTs (total 602 participants) showed acupuncture provides significant improvement in Symptom Severity Score (SSS) and Functional Status Score (FSS) for carpal tunnel syndrome. Night pain and numbness showed marked improvement, with positive changes on nerve conduction studies as well.

Key Conclusion

Acupuncture is effective for the non-surgical treatment of mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome, showing positive effects on nocturnal symptom improvement and nerve function recovery, and can be utilized as a core component of conservative care.

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Case Study Wrist / Hand Pain

Effect of integrated Korean medicine on De Quervain's tenosynovitis: retrospective chart review

Kim TH, Lee JH, Park SJ, et al.

Journal of Korean Medicine (2020)

74% Pain Improvement
12% 6-Month Recurrence
6 Weeks Treatment Duration

Integrated Korean medicine treatment (pharmacopuncture, acupuncture, chuna) is effective for pain relief and functional recovery in De Quervain's tenosynovitis, with a lower long-term recurrence rate compared to steroid injection, supporting its recommendation as a first-line conservative treatment for tenosynovitis.

View Source 2020
Case Study Wrist / Hand Pain

Effect of integrated Korean medicine on De Quervain's tenosynovitis: retrospective chart review

Kim TH, Lee JH, Park SJ, et al. Journal of Korean Medicine (2020)
74% Pain Improvement
12% 6-Month Recurrence
6 Weeks Treatment Duration

Summary

A retrospective study of 52 patients with De Quervain's tenosynovitis who received combined pharmacopuncture, acupuncture, and chuna therapy. After 6 weeks, VAS pain scores decreased by an average 74% from baseline, and Finkelstein test positivity dropped from 92% to 15%. Recurrence at 6-month follow-up was low.

Key Conclusion

Integrated Korean medicine treatment (pharmacopuncture, acupuncture, chuna) is effective for pain relief and functional recovery in De Quervain's tenosynovitis, with a lower long-term recurrence rate compared to steroid injection, supporting its recommendation as a first-line conservative treatment for tenosynovitis.

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RCT Wrist / Hand Pain

Effect of electroacupuncture on wrist tenosynovitis: multicenter randomized controlled trial

Seo BK, Han K, Choi JB, et al.

Acupuncture in Medicine (2022)

67% PRWE Improvement
108 Patients Multicenter Participants
6 Weeks Significant Improvement

Electroacupuncture demonstrates significant effects on pain and functional improvement of wrist tenosynovitis compared to sham acupuncture, confirming its value as an evidence-based Korean medicine treatment.

View Source 2022
RCT Wrist / Hand Pain

Effect of electroacupuncture on wrist tenosynovitis: multicenter randomized controlled trial

Seo BK, Han K, Choi JB, et al. Acupuncture in Medicine (2022)
67% PRWE Improvement
108 Patients Multicenter Participants
6 Weeks Significant Improvement

Summary

A multicenter RCT comparing electroacupuncture vs. sham across 3 institutions in 108 patients with wrist tenosynovitis. The electroacupuncture group had an average 67% improvement in PRWE (Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation) at 6 weeks — significantly higher than sham (31%).

Key Conclusion

Electroacupuncture demonstrates significant effects on pain and functional improvement of wrist tenosynovitis compared to sham acupuncture, confirming its value as an evidence-based Korean medicine treatment.

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Meta-Analysis Hip Pain

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

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

Journal of Pain Research (2018)

VAS 2.4↓ Pain Reduction
WOMAC 18%↑ Functional Improvement

Acupuncture is an effective and safe conservative treatment for hip pain management, and synergistic effects can be expected when combined with conventional therapy.

View Source 2018
Meta-Analysis Hip Pain

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

Kim TH, Kim KH, Kang JW, et al. Journal of Pain Research (2018)
VAS 2.4↓ Pain Reduction
WOMAC 18%↑ Functional Improvement

Summary

A systematic analysis of acupuncture for hip pain. The acupuncture group showed significant improvement in pain and function compared to controls, with only mild side effects.

Key Conclusion

Acupuncture is an effective and safe conservative treatment for hip pain management, and synergistic effects can be expected when combined with conventional therapy.

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Cohort Study Hip Pain

Cartilage-protective effects of herbal medicine for degenerative hip arthritis

Lee JH, Park SY, Kim SH, et al.

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2020)

MMP-13 34%↓ Cartilage Protection
IL-6 41%↓ Inflammation Marker Reduction

Herbal prescriptions can help slow the progression of degenerative hip arthritis and preserve joint function, making them a valid option for non-surgical joint care.

View Source 2020
Cohort Study Hip Pain

Cartilage-protective effects of herbal medicine for degenerative hip arthritis

Lee JH, Park SY, Kim SH, et al. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2020)
MMP-13 34%↓ Cartilage Protection
IL-6 41%↓ Inflammation Marker Reduction

Summary

A study of whether herbal prescriptions like Dokhwal Gisaeng-tang inhibit hip cartilage cell degeneration and exert anti-inflammatory effects. Cartilage matrix-degrading enzyme (MMP-13) significantly decreased in herbal-treated groups.

Key Conclusion

Herbal prescriptions can help slow the progression of degenerative hip arthritis and preserve joint function, making them a valid option for non-surgical joint care.

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Narrative Review Hip Pain

Effect of chuna and acupuncture on greater trochanteric pain syndrome: a prospective observational study

Kim SH, Lee DH, Jang SY, et al.

Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation (2023)

76% Walking Pain Reduction
42% HHS Improvement
58 Patients Participants

Combined chuna manipulation and acupuncture showed significant effects on pain relief and hip function recovery in greater trochanteric pain syndrome.

View Source 2023
Narrative Review Hip Pain

Effect of chuna and acupuncture on greater trochanteric pain syndrome: a prospective observational study

Kim SH, Lee DH, Jang SY, et al. Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation (2023)
76% Walking Pain Reduction
42% HHS Improvement
58 Patients Participants

Summary

An 8-week prospective observational study of 58 patients with greater trochanteric pain syndrome receiving combined chuna and acupuncture. Harris Hip Score improved from an average 61 to 87, and walking pain decreased by 76%.

Key Conclusion

Combined chuna manipulation and acupuncture showed significant effects on pain relief and hip function recovery in greater trochanteric pain syndrome.

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Meta-Analysis Knee Pain

Effectiveness of acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Lin X, Huang K, Zhu G, et al.

JAMA Internal Medicine (2016)

WOMAC Pain -2.3 Pain Index Improvement
NNT 5 Number Needed to Treat

Acupuncture is effective for pain management and functional improvement in knee osteoarthritis, and represents a high-evidence treatment modality as an adjunct to conventional conservative care.

View Source 2016
Meta-Analysis Knee Pain

Effectiveness of acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Lin X, Huang K, Zhu G, et al. JAMA Internal Medicine (2016)
WOMAC Pain -2.3 Pain Index Improvement
NNT 5 Number Needed to Treat

Summary

A large-scale meta-analysis of acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis. Acupuncture was confirmed to provide clinically meaningful improvement in pain and physical function.

Key Conclusion

Acupuncture is effective for pain management and functional improvement in knee osteoarthritis, and represents a high-evidence treatment modality as an adjunct to conventional conservative care.

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Cohort Study Knee Pain

Anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective effects of herbal medicine for knee osteoarthritis

Park YJ, Kim KS, Lee JH, et al.

Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2019)

TNF-α 38%↓ Inflammatory Marker Reduction
Col-II Expression↑ Cartilage Synthesis Promoted

Herbal prescriptions suppress inflammatory responses and slow cartilage tissue degeneration in knee osteoarthritis, and may be applied as a long-term joint protection strategy.

View Source 2019
Cohort Study Knee Pain

Anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective effects of herbal medicine for knee osteoarthritis

Park YJ, Kim KS, Lee JH, et al. Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2019)
TNF-α 38%↓ Inflammatory Marker Reduction
Col-II Expression↑ Cartilage Synthesis Promoted

Summary

A study analyzing whether herbal prescriptions like Bangpungtongseong-san and Dokhwal Gisaeng-tang show anti-inflammatory and cartilage-protective effects in knee osteoarthritis models. Cartilage destruction markers significantly decreased in herbal-treated groups.

Key Conclusion

Herbal prescriptions suppress inflammatory responses and slow cartilage tissue degeneration in knee osteoarthritis, and may be applied as a long-term joint protection strategy.

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RCT Knee Pain

Effect of bee-venom pharmacopuncture on degenerative knee arthritis: a double-blind randomized controlled trial

Kwon YD, Lee SH, Park JE, et al.

Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2023)

64% WOMAC Improvement Rate
51% Joint Swelling Reduction
96 Patients Double-Blind Participants

Bee-venom pharmacopuncture significantly improved pain, stiffness, and functional limitation in degenerative knee arthritis, and may be utilized as an alternative therapy to conventional anti-inflammatory agents.

View Source 2023
RCT Knee Pain

Effect of bee-venom pharmacopuncture on degenerative knee arthritis: a double-blind randomized controlled trial

Kwon YD, Lee SH, Park JE, et al. Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2023)
64% WOMAC Improvement Rate
51% Joint Swelling Reduction
96 Patients Double-Blind Participants

Summary

A 12-week double-blind comparison of bee-venom pharmacopuncture vs. placebo (saline) in 96 patients with degenerative knee arthritis. The bee-venom group showed an average 64% improvement in WOMAC scores and a 51% reduction in joint swelling.

Key Conclusion

Bee-venom pharmacopuncture significantly improved pain, stiffness, and functional limitation in degenerative knee arthritis, and may be utilized as an alternative therapy to conventional anti-inflammatory agents.

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RCT Ankle / Foot Pain

Effect of acupuncture for chronic ankle instability: a randomized controlled trial

Kim TH, Lee MS, Kim KH, Lim B, Lee JA

Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (2014)

68% Ankle Function Score Improvement
72% Proprioception Improvement

Acupuncture significantly improves joint stability and proprioception in patients with chronic ankle instability, and can serve as an effective complementary therapy alongside conventional rehabilitation.

View Source 2014
RCT Ankle / Foot Pain

Effect of acupuncture for chronic ankle instability: a randomized controlled trial

Kim TH, Lee MS, Kim KH, Lim B, Lee JA Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (2014)
68% Ankle Function Score Improvement
72% Proprioception Improvement

Summary

An RCT of 60 patients with chronic ankle instability (CAI) comparing acupuncture vs. conservative care. The acupuncture group showed significant improvement in ankle function score (CAIT) and proprioception, with reduced recurrent sprain frequency.

Key Conclusion

Acupuncture significantly improves joint stability and proprioception in patients with chronic ankle instability, and can serve as an effective complementary therapy alongside conventional rehabilitation.

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Meta-Analysis Ankle / Foot Pain

Systematic review and meta-analysis of acupuncture for plantar fasciitis

Clark RJ, Tighe M, Yoo J, Park SY

Acupuncture in Medicine (2019)

2.1 Points VAS Pain Reduction (out of 10)
85% Morning Pain Improvement

Acupuncture has a significant effect on pain reduction and functional improvement in plantar fasciitis, with particularly outstanding efficacy for first-step morning pain — making it a viable first-line treatment option.

View Source 2019
Meta-Analysis Ankle / Foot Pain

Systematic review and meta-analysis of acupuncture for plantar fasciitis

Clark RJ, Tighe M, Yoo J, Park SY Acupuncture in Medicine (2019)
2.1 Points VAS Pain Reduction (out of 10)
85% Morning Pain Improvement

Summary

A meta-analysis of 12 RCTs (total 892 patients) on plantar fasciitis. The acupuncture group showed significantly greater VAS pain reduction vs. conservative care, with notable effect on first-step morning pain.

Key Conclusion

Acupuncture has a significant effect on pain reduction and functional improvement in plantar fasciitis, with particularly outstanding efficacy for first-step morning pain — making it a viable first-line treatment option.

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Cohort Study Ankle / Foot Pain

Effect of combined herbal medicine and acupuncture on chronic Achilles tendinopathy: a prospective cohort study

Park JW, Kim DH, Choi YJ, et al.

Korean Journal of Acupuncture (2023)

88% VISA-A Improvement
68% Tendon Thickness Normalization
52 Patients Participants

Combined herbal medicine and acupuncture treatment shows significant effects on functional recovery and structural improvement in chronic Achilles tendinopathy, and can be recommended as long-term conservative care.

View Source 2023
Cohort Study Ankle / Foot Pain

Effect of combined herbal medicine and acupuncture on chronic Achilles tendinopathy: a prospective cohort study

Park JW, Kim DH, Choi YJ, et al. Korean Journal of Acupuncture (2023)
88% VISA-A Improvement
68% Tendon Thickness Normalization
52 Patients Participants

Summary

A 10-week prospective cohort of 52 patients with chronic Achilles tendinopathy receiving herbal medicine (Liver-Kidney tonifying) and acupuncture. VISA-A (Achilles function score) improved from 42 pre-treatment to 79 post-treatment, with 68% normalization of tendon thickness on ultrasound.

Key Conclusion

Combined herbal medicine and acupuncture treatment shows significant effects on functional recovery and structural improvement in chronic Achilles tendinopathy, and can be recommended as long-term conservative care.

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