Vol.40 No.2, May 31, 2023 Article TypeCase ReportOriginal ArticleReview Article

• Review Article 2023-05-31

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  Trends of Clinical Research on Facial Spasm in Korean Medicine: A Review of Case Studies

  Hea Sun Chun , Ju Chul Kim

  Journal of Acupuncture Research 2023; 40(2): 97-110

  Abstract

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  Abstract : This review aimed to examine and analyze trends of clinical research using case studies on facial spasms in Korean medicine. Seven web databases were searched for case studies on facial spasms using Korean and English search terms. Case studies were selected using the exclusion and inclusion criteria. Overall, 13 case studies were selected, analyzed, and classified according to the publication year and journal, study participants, cause, treatment methods, pattern identification, evaluation methods, improvement, and side effects. Case studies reporting on various treatment methods in Korean medicine, including acupuncture and pharmacopuncture for facial spasms, have been published since 2000. In addition, studies on new treatment methods in Korean medicine for facial spasm have been published. Combination therapy is the most common method used in Korean medicine- based case studies; therefore, future studies on single treatment are necessary. Most of the case studies on Korean medicine reported improved symptoms and patient satisfaction with the Korean medicine treatment method. No side effects were reported, except for facial swelling and bruising, indicating that Korean medicine treatment methods for facial spasm were safe and effective. Therefore, the Korean medicine treatment methods for facial spasm can be actively used in clinical practice and future research.

• Review Article 2023-05-31

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  Effectiveness of Acupuncture and Acupotomy for Trigger Finger: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

  Hae-Won Hong , Myung-In Jeong , Hyun-Il Jo , Sun-Ho Lee , Ka-Hyun Kim , Sung-Won Choi , Jae-Won Park , Ji-Su Ha

  Journal of Acupuncture Research 2023; 40(2): 111-128

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  Abstract : Trigger finger is a common cause of hand disability that results in finger catching, clicking, or locking. Conventional treatment options such as medication, injection, and surgery have limitations. Studies have indicated that acupuncture and acupotomy can be effective in treating trigger finger. However, no review regarding these treatment modalities has been published yet. This review included randomized controlled trials published until January 2023, investigating acupuncture-related interventions. The primary outcomes of interest included the effectiveness rate (ER) and pain intensity, measured using a visual analog scale (VAS) and Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), and secondary outcomes were the Quinnell grade (QG) and recurrence rate (RR). Adverse events (AEs) have also been reported wherever available. Overall, 19 studies were included, and results demonstrated that arcedge acupuncture improved the ER and QG and reduced NRS, and acupuncture was effective in reducing VAS. Compared with conventional surgery, acupotomy alone improved the ER and QG and lowered VAS and RR, with relatively fewer AEs. Acupotomy add-on treatment was more effective than conventional treatment; however, careful interpretation is needed for VAS. Acupotomy add-on treatment was more effective than acupotomy alone. However, the overall results must be interpreted with caution because of study quality, small sample size, and heterogeneity of the results.

• Review Article 2023-05-31

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  Research Trends of Acupuncture-Related Therapy on Microbiome in Musculoskeletal Disorders

  Joo-Hee Kim

  Journal of Acupuncture Research 2023; 40(2): 129-134

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  Abstract : In this review, we searched for clinical and experimental studies related to acupuncture-related therapy (ART) on the microbiome in musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) through the electronic databases of MEDLINE via PubMed, EMBASE, and Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System up to May 2023, without language restriction, and after the selection/exclusion process, the study design, target disease, intervention details, treatment period, outcomes, and study results were extracted. A total of 8 articles were selected. Two randomized controlled trials and 6 animal studies evaluated knee osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, spinal cord injury, ankylosing spondylitis, and osteoporosis. ART, including electroacupuncture, thread-embedding acupuncture, and moxibustion, affected microbiome modulation in MSDs. The results reveal that ART could be a potential treatment for regulating the microbiome in MSDs. However, further high-quality studies are needed.

• Original Article 2023-05-31

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  Effects of Scutellaria baicalensis Extract on Gout-Induced Rats

  Eunchang Lee , Ho-Sueb Song

  Journal of Acupuncture Research 2023; 40(2): 135-142

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  Abstract : Background: This study aimed to investigate hyperuricemia, renal inflammation, and xanthine oxidase (XO) activity improvement in a rat model treated with Scutellaria baicalensis extract (SBE).
  Methods: The rats were divided into 4 groups (n = 5 each), including sham, potassium oxonate (PO) injected hyperuricemia (control group), PO + 10 mg/kg allopurinol administrated (allopurinol group), and a PO + 50 mg/kg SBE administrated (SBE group), to investigate the effectiveness and molecular mechanisms of SBE. The effects of SBE on PO-induced hyperuricemia rats, renal inflammation, and XO activity were measured. Body weight and organ index of the kidney and liver were measured in PO-induced hyperuricemia rats, and serum uric acid level was extracted from whole blood and was measured. Renal inflammation was observed under a microscope after sections. XO activity was measured by liver tissue and serum XO levels.
  Results: Organ indexes of the kidney and liver in rats were significantly decreased in the allopurinol group than in the control group and with no significant difference in the SBE group. A PO injection for 5 days significantly increased serum uric acid levels in the control group compared to the sham group. Meanwhile, the SBE and allopurinol groups have significantly decreased serum uric acid levels compared to the control group. The SBE group revealed effectively improved renal histopathological changes compared to the control group. The XO inhibitor, allopurinol, significantly decreased XO activity. Additionally, SBE significantly lowered XO activity in rats.
  Conclusion: SBE can be used as an effective treatment for gout in the future.

• Case Report 2023-05-31

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  Korean Medicine Treatment for Dyspepsia and Constipation in a Patient with HIV: A Case Report

  Ji-Su Ha , Han-Song Park , Hyun-Seo Park , Ka-Hyun Kim , Hae-Won Hong , In-Ae Youn

  Journal of Acupuncture Research 2023; 40(2): 143-149

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  Abstract : Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a chronic and recurrent upper gastrointestinal symptom that has no organic cause. A 49-year-old male patient positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) visited the clinic because of FD and constipation. He received complex Korean medicine treatment, including acupuncture and herbal medicines, from April 14 to July 18, 2022 (27 times) in the outpatient department. Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), Nepean Dyspepsia Index (NDI), FD-related quality of life (FD-QoL), Euro QoL visual analog scale (EQ-VAS), and Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) were used as evaluation tools in this study. Symptoms were relieved after 3 months of treatment, and his QoL improved (GSRS, 15–3; NDI, 110–21; FD-QoL, 52–20 [eating status, 10–3; liveliness status, 12–8; psychological, 1–0; role-functioning status, 18–9]; EQ-VAS, 40–65; NRS, 8–4). The results revealed that complex Korean medicine treatment could alleviate FD and constipation in patients with HIV.

• Case Report 2023-05-31

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  Drug-Induced Dyskinesia Treated with Korean Medicine: A Case Report

  Soo Min Ryu , Jung Won Byun , You Jin Heo , Eun Yong Lee , Cham Kyul Lee , Na Young Jo , Jeong-Du Roh

  Journal of Acupuncture Research 2023; 40(2): 150-155

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  Abstract : Drug-induced dyskinesia is an involuntary muscle movement caused by various dopamine receptor-blocking drug exposure, such as antipsychotics, antidepressants, and antiemetics. Causative drug removal is the main treatment for drug-induced dyskinesia whenever possible because its pathophysiology lacks a universally accepted mechanism; however, the symptoms can persist for years or decades in many patients even after causative drug removal. Herein, we present a case of drug-induced dyskinesia in a 61-year-old female patient who consumed medication for approximately 10 years for her depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Cervical and facial dyskinesia was suggested to be related to perphenazine and levosulpiride administration. The patient received acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, herbal medicine, and chuna treatment for 81 days during hospitalization. The symptoms were evaluated using the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale, Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale, Tsui’s score, and Numeric Rating Scale, which revealed remarkable improvement, suggesting the effectiveness of combined Korean medicine for drug-induced dyskinesia.

• Case Report 2023-05-31

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  Improvement of Weakness and Pain of the Right Upper Limb Associated with Herpes Zoster Following Complex Korean Medicine Treatment: A Case Report

  Hyesoo Jeon , Shin-Hyeok Park , Sohae Cho , Sol Jeong , Nam Geun Cho

  Journal of Acupuncture Research 2023; 40(2): 156-161

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  Abstract : Herein, we report the effectiveness of Korean medicine for the treatment of postherpetic upper limb weakness and pain. The patient received a combination of Korean medicine treatment modalities, including electroacupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and herbal medicine. Muscle strength and pain were evaluated using a manual muscle test (MMT) and a Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), respectively. The overall MMT score improved after hospitalization, and elbow extension improved from 3+ at admission to 5 at discharge. The NRS score improved to 2 at discharge. This study suggests the effectiveness of a combination of Korean medicine modalities in treating postherpetic motor nerve paralysis.

• Case Report 2023-05-31

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  Effects of Ultrasound-Guided Acupotomy Therapy on a Trigger Finger: A Case Report

  Ho Seok Jung , Tae Seong Jeong , Sung Chul Kim , Yeong Jin Jeong , Su Hak Kim , Jinwoong Lim

  Journal of Acupuncture Research 2023; 40(2): 162-166

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  Abstract : This study aimed to demonstrate a safe and effective procedure targeting the A1 pulley with ultrasound-guided acupotomy in patients with a trigger finger. Six ultrasound-guided acupotomy procedures were performed on 1 patient. The Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) score, Quinnell’s classification of triggering, Tanaka score, and A1 pulley thickness were measured using ultrasonography before and after treatment. This study revealed reduced NRS score, Quinnell’s classification of triggering, Tanaka score, and thickness of the A1 pulley, with no side effects during the procedure. This indicates ultrasound-guided acupotomy as an effective and safe treatment method for patients with a trigger finger. Further studies are required to evaluate the beneficial effects of this treatment.

• Case Report 2023-05-31

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  Clinical Effects of Moving Cupping Therapy Combined with Integrative Korean Medicine Treatment on Peripheral Facial Palsy: Case Series

  Jihun Kim , Yeonhak Kim , Taewook Lee , Eunseok Kim , Gi Young Yang

  Journal of Acupuncture Research 2023; 40(2): 167-175

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  Abstract : This study aimed to report the effect of moving cupping therapy (MCT) on peripheral facial palsy (PFP). Four patients with PFP treated with MCT combined with integrative Korean medicine treatment (KMT). Patients were hospitalized for < 17 days. House–Brackmann Grading System (HBGS), Yanagihara grading score (Y-score), and Sunnybrook Facial Grading System (SBGS) were used to assess the changes during treatment periods, and facial photos were taken at admission, interim, and discharge. Facial paralysis symptoms and HBGS grades improved in all patients (Patient 1: HBGS of IV to II; Patient 2: HBGS of V to III; Patient 3: HBGS of IV to II; Patient 4: HBGS of IV to II) following an average of 14.5 days of treatment. The mean (± standard deviation) Y-scores and SBGS scores also increased (Δ[Y-score]: 13.75 ± 3.50 and Δ[SBGS]: 40.00 ± 13.11) from baseline to end of treatment. These findings suggest the clinical effectiveness of MCT combined with integrative KMT in treating patients with PFP.