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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
Before-After Shoulder Pain

Effect of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation After Rotator Cuff Tear Surgery: A Pre-Post Comparison Study

Go HY, Kim YK, Choi WC, et al.

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2023)

87.6 points Final ASES score
46 patients Participants

Korean medicine rehabilitation is an effective adjunctive treatment that promotes functional recovery after rotator cuff surgery.

View Source 2023
Before-After Shoulder Pain

Effect of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation After Rotator Cuff Tear Surgery: A Pre-Post Comparison Study

Go HY, Kim YK, Choi WC, et al. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2023)
87.6 points Final ASES score
46 patients Participants

Summary

Korean medicine rehabilitation (acupuncture, moxibustion, Korean medicine physiotherapy) was performed for 16 weeks on 46 patients after arthroscopic rotator cuff tear surgery. ASES scores improved from an average of 42.3 to 87.6 at 6 months post-surgery, with good muscle strength recovery.

Key Conclusion

Korean medicine rehabilitation is an effective adjunctive treatment that promotes functional recovery after rotator cuff surgery.

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RCT Shoulder Pain

Effect of Combined Pharmacopuncture and Exercise Therapy for Shoulder Impingement Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Kwon CY, Lee B, Kim SY, et al.

Acupuncture in Medicine (2024)

72.4 points Constant-Murley score
102 patients Participants

Combined pharmacopuncture and exercise therapy shows superior results to exercise therapy alone in shoulder impingement syndrome.

View Source 2024
RCT Shoulder Pain

Effect of Combined Pharmacopuncture and Exercise Therapy for Shoulder Impingement Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Kwon CY, Lee B, Kim SY, et al. Acupuncture in Medicine (2024)
72.4 points Constant-Murley score
102 patients Participants

Summary

One hundred two patients with shoulder impingement syndrome were assigned to a pharmacopuncture plus exercise therapy combination group or exercise therapy alone group. After 8 weeks, the combination group showed significantly superior Constant-Murley scores (72.4 vs 61.3), VAS (2.1 vs 3.6), and abduction ROM (162 degrees vs 148 degrees).

Key Conclusion

Combined pharmacopuncture and exercise therapy shows superior results to exercise therapy alone in shoulder impingement syndrome.

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Meta-Analysis Shoulder Pain

Effect of Herbal Medicine Treatment for Periarthritis of Shoulder: A Meta-Analysis

Lim CS, Ahn CB, Song HS, et al.

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2025)

11.2 points SPADI score difference
1,678 patients Total participants

Herbal medicine shows significant efficacy for pain reduction and functional recovery in periarthritis of shoulder.

View Source 2025
Meta-Analysis Shoulder Pain

Effect of Herbal Medicine Treatment for Periarthritis of Shoulder: A Meta-Analysis

Lim CS, Ahn CB, Song HS, et al. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2025)
11.2 points SPADI score difference
1,678 patients Total participants

Summary

A meta-analysis of 20 RCTs evaluating herbal medicine treatment for periarthritis of shoulder. The herbal medicine group showed significant improvements compared to controls in SPADI scores (MD=-11.2), VAS (MD=-1.87), and ROM (external rotation MD=14.3 degrees).

Key Conclusion

Herbal medicine shows significant efficacy for pain reduction and functional recovery in periarthritis of shoulder.

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Cohort Study Shoulder Pain

Predictive Factors for Treatment Course in Frozen Shoulder Patients: A Cohort Study

Ryu BH, Kim HY, Chung WS, et al.

Spine (2023)

3 factors Major predictors
214 patients Participants

Treatment prognosis of frozen shoulder is influenced by symptom duration, initial ROM, and comorbidities, with early intervention being important.

View Source 2023
Cohort Study Shoulder Pain

Predictive Factors for Treatment Course in Frozen Shoulder Patients: A Cohort Study

Ryu BH, Kim HY, Chung WS, et al. Spine (2023)
3 factors Major predictors
214 patients Participants

Summary

Predictive factors affecting treatment course in 214 frozen shoulder patients were analyzed by following them for 12 months. Shorter symptom duration, wider initial ROM, and absence of diabetes were associated with better treatment response, and early initiation of Korean medicine treatment was also associated with favorable prognosis.

Key Conclusion

Treatment prognosis of frozen shoulder is influenced by symptom duration, initial ROM, and comorbidities, with early intervention being important.

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Case Study Shoulder Pain

Effect of Chuna Therapy for Calcific Tendinitis: A Case Series

Park HJ, Nam SS, Kim YJ, et al.

Journal of Korean Medicine (2021)

78.6% Pain reduction response rate
14 patients Participants

Korean medicine treatment including Chuna therapy may contribute to symptom relief and calcium absorption in calcific tendinitis.

View Source 2021
Case Study Shoulder Pain

Effect of Chuna Therapy for Calcific Tendinitis: A Case Series

Park HJ, Nam SS, Kim YJ, et al. Journal of Korean Medicine (2021)
78.6% Pain reduction response rate
14 patients Participants

Summary

Korean medicine treatment including Chuna therapy and acupuncture was performed for 10 weeks on 14 patients with calcific tendinitis. Pain decreased by more than 50% in 11 patients (78.6%), and calcium size reduction was confirmed in 9 patients (64.3%) on X-ray.

Key Conclusion

Korean medicine treatment including Chuna therapy may contribute to symptom relief and calcium absorption in calcific tendinitis.

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RCT Shoulder Pain

Nocturnal Pain Improvement Effect of Acupuncture in Frozen Shoulder Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Lyu YS, Jung IC, Kang KW, et al.

Pain Medicine (2024)

62% Nocturnal pain reduction rate
96 patients Participants

Acupuncture is particularly effective for nocturnal pain relief and sleep quality improvement in frozen shoulder.

View Source 2024
RCT Shoulder Pain

Nocturnal Pain Improvement Effect of Acupuncture in Frozen Shoulder Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Lyu YS, Jung IC, Kang KW, et al. Pain Medicine (2024)
62% Nocturnal pain reduction rate
96 patients Participants

Summary

Ninety-six frozen shoulder patients complaining of nocturnal pain were assigned to acupuncture or sham acupuncture control groups and treated for 6 weeks. The acupuncture group showed nocturnal pain VAS reduction from 7.4 to 2.8, significantly more improved than the control group (7.2 to 5.1), with also improved sleep quality.

Key Conclusion

Acupuncture is particularly effective for nocturnal pain relief and sleep quality improvement in frozen shoulder.

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Systematic Review Shoulder Pain

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Korean Medicine for Rotator Cuff Disease: A Systematic Review

Kim MR, Shin JS, Lee J, et al.

The Journal of Pain (2022)

54% Cost ratio vs surgery
2,890 patients Total participants

Korean medicine is a cost-effective treatment alternative for mild-to-moderate rotator cuff disease.

View Source 2022
Systematic Review Shoulder Pain

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Korean Medicine for Rotator Cuff Disease: A Systematic Review

Kim MR, Shin JS, Lee J, et al. The Journal of Pain (2022)
54% Cost ratio vs surgery
2,890 patients Total participants

Summary

Seven studies comparing cost-effectiveness of Korean medicine and surgical/injection treatment for rotator cuff disease were analyzed. Korean medicine had 54% lower cost per QALY compared to surgery in partial tears and was confirmed as a cost-effective first-line treatment for mild-to-moderate cases.

Key Conclusion

Korean medicine is a cost-effective treatment alternative for mild-to-moderate rotator cuff disease.

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RCT Shoulder Pain

Effect of Moxibustion for Shoulder Impingement Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Jeong SH, Lim JH, Cho NG, et al.

Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies (2023)

74.8 points Constant-Murley score
78 patients Participants

Combined moxibustion and acupuncture shows superior pain relief effects to acupuncture alone in shoulder impingement syndrome.

View Source 2023
RCT Shoulder Pain

Effect of Moxibustion for Shoulder Impingement Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Jeong SH, Lim JH, Cho NG, et al. Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies (2023)
74.8 points Constant-Murley score
78 patients Participants

Summary

Seventy-eight patients with shoulder impingement syndrome were assigned to moxibustion plus acupuncture or acupuncture alone groups. After 6 weeks, the combination group showed significantly superior VAS pain scores (2.4 vs 3.7) and Constant-Murley scores (74.8 vs 66.2).

Key Conclusion

Combined moxibustion and acupuncture shows superior pain relief effects to acupuncture alone in shoulder impingement syndrome.

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Cross-Sectional Shoulder Pain

Acupoint Temperature Characteristics in Patients with Periarthritis of Shoulder: An Infrared Thermography Cross-Sectional Study

Lee IS, Park SW, Choi SM, et al.

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2022)

0.8°C Left-right temperature difference
278 patients Participants

Infrared thermography acupoint temperature analysis can be utilized as an auxiliary diagnostic tool for periarthritis of shoulder.

View Source 2022
Cross-Sectional Shoulder Pain

Acupoint Temperature Characteristics in Patients with Periarthritis of Shoulder: An Infrared Thermography Cross-Sectional Study

Lee IS, Park SW, Choi SM, et al. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2022)
0.8°C Left-right temperature difference
278 patients Participants

Summary

Acupoint temperatures around the shoulder were measured by infrared thermography in 186 patients with periarthritis of shoulder and 92 healthy controls. The patient group showed significantly higher temperatures at LI15 and TE14, with larger left-right temperature differences than controls.

Key Conclusion

Infrared thermography acupoint temperature analysis can be utilized as an auxiliary diagnostic tool for periarthritis of shoulder.

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Before-After Shoulder Pain

Effect of Acupotomy for Frozen Shoulder: A Pre-Post Comparison Study

Hwang JH, Lee DH, Kim BH, et al.

Acupuncture in Medicine (2021)

25.6° External rotation ROM increase
38 patients Participants

Acupotomy shows immediate and significant effects on range of motion recovery in frozen shoulder.

View Source 2021
Before-After Shoulder Pain

Effect of Acupotomy for Frozen Shoulder: A Pre-Post Comparison Study

Hwang JH, Lee DH, Kim BH, et al. Acupuncture in Medicine (2021)
25.6° External rotation ROM increase
38 patients Participants

Summary

Thirty-eight frozen shoulder patients underwent 2-4 acupotomy treatments and were followed for 8 weeks. After treatment, external rotation ROM increased by an average of 25.6 degrees, with significant improvements in flexion and abduction. SPADI scores decreased from 68.4 to 32.7.

Key Conclusion

Acupotomy shows immediate and significant effects on range of motion recovery in frozen shoulder.

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RCT Shoulder Pain

Scapular Kinematic Changes with Chuna Therapy in Frozen Shoulder Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Cho JH, Chung HJ, Shin BC, et al.

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2024)

8.2° Scapular upward rotation improvement
74 patients Participants

Chuna therapy is effective for normalizing scapular movement patterns in frozen shoulder patients.

View Source 2024
RCT Shoulder Pain

Scapular Kinematic Changes with Chuna Therapy in Frozen Shoulder Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Cho JH, Chung HJ, Shin BC, et al. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2024)
8.2° Scapular upward rotation improvement
74 patients Participants

Summary

Seventy-four frozen shoulder patients were assigned to Chuna therapy or sham Chuna control groups and treated for 8 weeks. 3D motion capture analysis showed the Chuna therapy group had significantly improved scapular upward rotation toward normalization, with restored scapulohumeral rhythm.

Key Conclusion

Chuna therapy is effective for normalizing scapular movement patterns in frozen shoulder patients.

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Narrative Review Shoulder Pain

Delphi Study for Korean Medicine Treatment Guidelines of Rotator Cuff Disease

Nam DH, Kim KW, Lee SH, et al.

Journal of Korean Medicine (2023)

87% Expert consensus rate
48 experts Participating experts

Expert consensus-based Korean medicine treatment guidelines for rotator cuff disease have been developed and can contribute to standardized treatment.

View Source 2023
Narrative Review Shoulder Pain

Delphi Study for Korean Medicine Treatment Guidelines of Rotator Cuff Disease

Nam DH, Kim KW, Lee SH, et al. Journal of Korean Medicine (2023)
87% Expert consensus rate
48 experts Participating experts

Summary

A 3-round Delphi survey was conducted with 48 Korean medicine experts to develop Korean medicine treatment guidelines for rotator cuff disease. Acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and Chuna therapy were selected as core treatments, and stage-based treatment protocols were agreed upon.

Key Conclusion

Expert consensus-based Korean medicine treatment guidelines for rotator cuff disease have been developed and can contribute to standardized treatment.

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