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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 53 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
RCT Knee Pain

Randomized Controlled Trial of Thread Embedding Therapy for Degenerative Knee Osteoarthritis

Jeong TY, Lee YC, Yuk DI, et al.

Acupuncture in Medicine (2023)

Equivalent Effect vs. Acupuncture
96 subjects Participants

Thread embedding therapy shows effects equivalent to regular acupuncture treatment with fewer treatment sessions, offering high patient convenience.

View Source 2023
RCT Knee Pain

Randomized Controlled Trial of Thread Embedding Therapy for Degenerative Knee Osteoarthritis

Jeong TY, Lee YC, Yuk DI, et al. Acupuncture in Medicine (2023)
Equivalent Effect vs. Acupuncture
96 subjects Participants

Summary

Ninety-six patients with degenerative knee osteoarthritis were randomly assigned to thread embedding therapy and regular acupuncture treatment groups and treated for 8 weeks. Despite fewer treatment sessions, the thread embedding therapy group showed equivalent pain reduction and functional improvement.

Key Conclusion

Thread embedding therapy shows effects equivalent to regular acupuncture treatment with fewer treatment sessions, offering high patient convenience.

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Cohort Study Knee Pain

Cartilage Protective Effect of Herbal Medicine in Degenerative Knee Osteoarthritis Patients: A Cohort Study

Woo HS, Lee EJ, Shin JC, et al.

Osteoarthritis and Cartilage (2023)

Cartilage protection Main Effect
178 subjects Participants

Banggihwanggi-tang shows disease-modifying effects of suppressing cartilage degeneration in degenerative knee osteoarthritis.

View Source 2023
Cohort Study Knee Pain

Cartilage Protective Effect of Herbal Medicine in Degenerative Knee Osteoarthritis Patients: A Cohort Study

Woo HS, Lee EJ, Shin JC, et al. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage (2023)
Cartilage protection Main Effect
178 subjects Participants

Summary

Banggihwanggi-tang was administered for 24 weeks to 178 patients with degenerative knee osteoarthritis (K-L Grade II), and joint cartilage thickness changes were tracked by MRI. Cartilage thickness reduction was significantly suppressed in the herbal medicine group, and cartilage metabolism markers (COMP) also decreased.

Key Conclusion

Banggihwanggi-tang shows disease-modifying effects of suppressing cartilage degeneration in degenerative knee osteoarthritis.

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RCT Knee Pain

Comparative Study of Acupuncture Treatment and PRP Injection for Meniscal Injury

Byun SH, Lim KT, Hong GE, et al.

Knee Surgery Sports Traumatology Arthroscopy (2025)

Similar Effect vs. PRP
72 subjects Participants

Acupuncture treatment shows effects similar to PRP injection and can be a cost-effective alternative.

View Source 2025
RCT Knee Pain

Comparative Study of Acupuncture Treatment and PRP Injection for Meniscal Injury

Byun SH, Lim KT, Hong GE, et al. Knee Surgery Sports Traumatology Arthroscopy (2025)
Similar Effect vs. PRP
72 subjects Participants

Summary

Seventy-two patients with meniscal injury (Grade I-II) were assigned to acupuncture treatment and intra-articular PRP injection groups and followed for 12 weeks. Both groups showed significant pain reduction, with costs significantly lower in the acupuncture treatment group.

Key Conclusion

Acupuncture treatment shows effects similar to PRP injection and can be a cost-effective alternative.

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Cross-Sectional Knee Pain

Survey on Patient Preferences for Korean Medicine Treatment of Degenerative Knee Osteoarthritis

Cha WS, Oh JH, Sung WS, et al.

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2021)

88% Acupuncture Preference
520 subjects Participants

Patients with degenerative knee osteoarthritis show high preference for Korean medicine treatment and prioritize effectiveness and safety.

View Source 2021
Cross-Sectional Knee Pain

Survey on Patient Preferences for Korean Medicine Treatment of Degenerative Knee Osteoarthritis

Cha WS, Oh JH, Sung WS, et al. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2021)
88% Acupuncture Preference
520 subjects Participants

Summary

Preferences and satisfaction for Korean medicine treatment were surveyed in 520 patients with degenerative knee osteoarthritis. Acupuncture treatment preference was highest at 88%, and the main factors affecting treatment selection were effectiveness, safety, and cost in that order.

Key Conclusion

Patients with degenerative knee osteoarthritis show high preference for Korean medicine treatment and prioritize effectiveness and safety.

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RCT Knee Pain

Randomized Controlled Trial of Herbal Medicine Treatment for Chondromalacia Patella

Song JM, Ahn CB, Lee SY, et al.

Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2023)

71% Pain Reduction Rate
84 subjects Participants

Modified Guibi-tang is an effective herbal medicine treatment for chondromalacia patella.

View Source 2023
RCT Knee Pain

Randomized Controlled Trial of Herbal Medicine Treatment for Chondromalacia Patella

Song JM, Ahn CB, Lee SY, et al. Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2023)
71% Pain Reduction Rate
84 subjects Participants

Summary

Eighty-four patients with chondromalacia patella were randomly assigned to modified Guibi-tang and glucosamine groups and treated for 12 weeks. Anterior knee pain reduction and stair function were significantly more improved in the herbal medicine group.

Key Conclusion

Modified Guibi-tang is an effective herbal medicine treatment for chondromalacia patella.

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Before-After Knee Pain

Central Nervous System Mechanism of Acupuncture Treatment for Degenerative Knee Osteoarthritis: An fMRI Study

Chae YB, Park HJ, Lee IS, et al.

Pain Medicine (2024)

Significant Brain Connectivity Change
35 subjects Participants

Acupuncture treatment regulates knee pain by activating descending pain inhibition pathways at the central nervous system level.

View Source 2024
Before-After Knee Pain

Central Nervous System Mechanism of Acupuncture Treatment for Degenerative Knee Osteoarthritis: An fMRI Study

Chae YB, Park HJ, Lee IS, et al. Pain Medicine (2024)
Significant Brain Connectivity Change
35 subjects Participants

Summary

Acupuncture treatment was administered to 35 patients with degenerative knee osteoarthritis, and pre- and post-treatment fMRI was performed. After acupuncture treatment, frontal-limbic connectivity changed significantly, which was related to activation of descending pain inhibition pathways.

Key Conclusion

Acupuncture treatment regulates knee pain by activating descending pain inhibition pathways at the central nervous system level.

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Cohort Study Knee Pain

Cohort Study of Combined Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture Treatment for Knee Bursitis

Ryu JA, Kim HG, Choi SM, et al.

Journal of Korean Medicine (2025)

1.8 weeks Recovery Shortened
87 subjects Participants

The combination of herbal medicine and acupuncture treatment is effective for rapid symptom resolution and recurrence prevention in knee bursitis.

View Source 2025
Cohort Study Knee Pain

Cohort Study of Combined Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture Treatment for Knee Bursitis

Ryu JA, Kim HG, Choi SM, et al. Journal of Korean Medicine (2025)
1.8 weeks Recovery Shortened
87 subjects Participants

Summary

Eighty-seven patients with knee bursitis were divided into a herbal medicine + acupuncture combined group and an acupuncture alone group and followed for 8 weeks. Joint edema resolution time was shortened by an average of 1.8 weeks in the combination group, and recurrence rates were also low.

Key Conclusion

The combination of herbal medicine and acupuncture treatment is effective for rapid symptom resolution and recurrence prevention in knee bursitis.

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Meta-Analysis Knee Pain

Meta-Analysis of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation Program for Degenerative Knee Osteoarthritis

Moon TW, Choi TY, Park TY, et al.

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2024)

79% Pain Reduction Rate
1,876 subjects Participants

Korean medicine rehabilitation programs are effective for comprehensive management of degenerative knee osteoarthritis.

View Source 2024
Meta-Analysis Knee Pain

Meta-Analysis of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation Program for Degenerative Knee Osteoarthritis

Moon TW, Choi TY, Park TY, et al. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2024)
79% Pain Reduction Rate
1,876 subjects Participants

Summary

A meta-analysis of 18 RCTs evaluating the effect of multidisciplinary Korean medicine rehabilitation programs for degenerative knee osteoarthritis. Korean medicine rehabilitation programs showed significant improvements over standard treatment in all areas of pain, function, and quality of life.

Key Conclusion

Korean medicine rehabilitation programs are effective for comprehensive management of degenerative knee osteoarthritis.

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Before-After Knee Pain

Effect of Chuna Therapy in Meniscal Injury Patients: A Pre-Post Comparison Study

Shin BC, Kim MR, Park EH, et al.

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2022)

79% Locking Reduction Rate
48 subjects Participants

Chuna therapy is effective for relieving mechanical symptoms of meniscal injury.

View Source 2022
Before-After Knee Pain

Effect of Chuna Therapy in Meniscal Injury Patients: A Pre-Post Comparison Study

Shin BC, Kim MR, Park EH, et al. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2022)
79% Locking Reduction Rate
48 subjects Participants

Summary

Chuna therapy was administered for 8 weeks to 48 patients with knee locking and instability symptoms due to meniscal injury. Joint locking frequency decreased from an average of 5.2 times per week to 1.1 times, and Lysholm scores improved significantly.

Key Conclusion

Chuna therapy is effective for relieving mechanical symptoms of meniscal injury.

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Before-After Knee Pain

Immunological Effect of Acupuncture Treatment for Degenerative Knee Osteoarthritis

Jang IS, Kwon OJ, Moon SK, et al.

Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2021)

Anti-inflammatory shift Immune Change
65 subjects Participants

Acupuncture treatment improves knee osteoarthritis by shifting the intra-articular immune environment toward an anti-inflammatory direction.

View Source 2021
Before-After Knee Pain

Immunological Effect of Acupuncture Treatment for Degenerative Knee Osteoarthritis

Jang IS, Kwon OJ, Moon SK, et al. Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2021)
Anti-inflammatory shift Immune Change
65 subjects Participants

Summary

Acupuncture treatment was administered for 8 weeks to 65 patients with degenerative knee osteoarthritis, and immune cells and cytokines in joint fluid were analyzed. After acupuncture treatment, M2 macrophage proportion in joint fluid increased and IL-10 increased, showing an anti-inflammatory immune shift.

Key Conclusion

Acupuncture treatment improves knee osteoarthritis by shifting the intra-articular immune environment toward an anti-inflammatory direction.

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RCT Knee Pain

Effect of Combined Taping and Acupuncture Treatment for Chondromalacia Patella

Kim EJ, Choi JY, Lim SM, et al.

Acupuncture in Medicine (2022)

73% Functional Pain Reduction
66 subjects Participants

The combination of patellar taping and acupuncture treatment is effective for improving functional pain in chondromalacia.

View Source 2022
RCT Knee Pain

Effect of Combined Taping and Acupuncture Treatment for Chondromalacia Patella

Kim EJ, Choi JY, Lim SM, et al. Acupuncture in Medicine (2022)
73% Functional Pain Reduction
66 subjects Participants

Summary

Sixty-six patients with chondromalacia patella were randomly assigned to taping + acupuncture treatment and acupuncture treatment alone groups and treated for 6 weeks. Stair descent pain and squat pain decreased significantly more in the combination group.

Key Conclusion

The combination of patellar taping and acupuncture treatment is effective for improving functional pain in chondromalacia.

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Narrative Review Knee Pain

Narrative Review of Korean Medicine Treatment for Degenerative Knee Osteoarthritis: Recent Trends

Shin KM, Lee HY, Park HJ, et al.

Osteoarthritis and Cartilage (2020)

58 studies Analyzed Studies
Increasing Research Trend

Korean medicine treatment is an important pillar of degenerative knee osteoarthritis management, with continuous evidence accumulation.

View Source 2020
Narrative Review Knee Pain

Narrative Review of Korean Medicine Treatment for Degenerative Knee Osteoarthritis: Recent Trends

Shin KM, Lee HY, Park HJ, et al. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage (2020)
58 studies Analyzed Studies
Increasing Research Trend

Summary

Recent trends in Korean medicine treatment research for degenerative knee osteoarthritis published between 2015 and 2020 were narratively reviewed. Evidence for acupuncture treatment is most abundant, and interest in the cartilage protective effects of herbal medicine is increasing.

Key Conclusion

Korean medicine treatment is an important pillar of degenerative knee osteoarthritis management, with continuous evidence accumulation.

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