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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 50 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 Shoulder Pain

Combined acupuncture-pharmacopuncture for frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis): a randomized controlled trial

Park JY, Lee SH, Kim KH, et al.

Journal of Korean Medicine (2023)

71% SPADI Improvement
85% Range-of-Motion Recovery
4 Weeks Time to Meaningful Improvement

Combined acupuncture-pharmacopuncture therapy showed superior effects compared to physical therapy in pain relief and joint range-of-motion recovery for adhesive capsulitis, and can be strongly recommended as a first-line non-surgical treatment option for frozen shoulder.

View Source 2023
RCT Shoulder Pain

Combined acupuncture-pharmacopuncture for frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis): a randomized controlled trial

Park JY, Lee SH, Kim KH, et al. Journal of Korean Medicine (2023)
71% SPADI Improvement
85% Range-of-Motion Recovery
4 Weeks Time to Meaningful Improvement

Summary

A 12-week RCT comparing combined acupuncture-pharmacopuncture vs. physical therapy in 84 patients with frozen shoulder. The acupuncture group showed an average 71% improvement in SPADI (Shoulder Pain and Disability Index) scores from baseline — significantly higher than physical therapy (43% improvement).

Key Conclusion

Combined acupuncture-pharmacopuncture therapy showed superior effects compared to physical therapy in pain relief and joint range-of-motion recovery for adhesive capsulitis, and can be strongly recommended as a first-line non-surgical treatment option for frozen shoulder.

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Meta-Analysis Shoulder Pain

Systematic review and meta-analysis of chuna therapy for shoulder impingement syndrome

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

European Journal of Integrative Medicine (2022)

2.4 Points Additional VAS Reduction
87% Patient Satisfaction
8 Studies Studies Included

Integrated Korean medicine care including chuna therapy showed significant effects compared to conventional physical therapy for pain relief and functional recovery in shoulder impingement syndrome, and can be utilized as a core component of non-surgical shoulder treatment strategies.

View Source 2022
Meta-Analysis Shoulder Pain

Systematic review and meta-analysis of chuna therapy for shoulder impingement syndrome

Kim MR, Shin JS, Lee JH, et al. European Journal of Integrative Medicine (2022)
2.4 Points Additional VAS Reduction
87% Patient Satisfaction
8 Studies Studies Included

Summary

A meta-analysis of 8 RCTs (total 692 participants) showed that Korean medicine integrated care including chuna reduced VAS pain scores by an average 2.4 points more than standard physical therapy, with significant improvement in Constant-Murley shoulder function scores as well.

Key Conclusion

Integrated Korean medicine care including chuna therapy showed significant effects compared to conventional physical therapy for pain relief and functional recovery in shoulder impingement syndrome, and can be utilized as a core component of non-surgical shoulder treatment strategies.

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Cohort Study Shoulder Pain

Effect of combined herbal prescriptions on conservative care for partial rotator cuff tears: a prospective observational study

Hwang DS, Lee SH, Park WH, et al.

Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation (2022)

69% SPADI Improvement
93% Tendon Thickness Maintenance
12 Weeks Treatment Duration

Integrated Korean medicine treatment showed significant effects on pain reduction and functional recovery in partial rotator cuff tears, and can be actively considered as a pre-surgical conservative treatment option.

View Source 2022
Cohort Study Shoulder Pain

Effect of combined herbal prescriptions on conservative care for partial rotator cuff tears: a prospective observational study

Hwang DS, Lee SH, Park WH, et al. Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation (2022)
69% SPADI Improvement
93% Tendon Thickness Maintenance
12 Weeks Treatment Duration

Summary

A 12-week observational study of 72 patients with partial rotator cuff tears who received herbal medicine (modified Dokhwal Gisaeng-tang) combined with acupuncture and moxibustion. SPADI scores improved by an average 69%, and MRI follow-up showed 93% tendon thickness maintenance.

Key Conclusion

Integrated Korean medicine treatment showed significant effects on pain reduction and functional recovery in partial rotator cuff tears, and can be actively considered as a pre-surgical conservative treatment option.

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Meta-Analysis Shoulder Pain

Effect of Acupuncture for Patients with Frozen Shoulder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Kim SH, Lee JH, Shin BC, et al.

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2023)

81% Pain reduction rate
1,892 patients Total participants

Acupuncture is an effective treatment for pain management and range of motion recovery in frozen shoulder.

View Source 2023
Meta-Analysis Shoulder Pain

Effect of Acupuncture for Patients with Frozen Shoulder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Kim SH, Lee JH, Shin BC, et al. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2023)
81% Pain reduction rate
1,892 patients Total participants

Summary

A meta-analysis of 24 RCTs evaluating acupuncture for frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) patients. The acupuncture group showed significant improvements in both pain (VAS) and range of motion (ROM) compared to controls, with effects maintained for more than 6 months.

Key Conclusion

Acupuncture is an effective treatment for pain management and range of motion recovery in frozen shoulder.

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RCT Shoulder Pain

Effect of Pharmacopuncture for Rotator Cuff Tears: A Randomized Controlled Trial

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

Acupuncture in Medicine (2024)

76% SPADI improvement rate
104 patients Participants

Pharmacopuncture is effective for pain reduction and functional recovery in patients with partial rotator cuff tears.

View Source 2024
RCT Shoulder Pain

Effect of Pharmacopuncture for Rotator Cuff Tears: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Park JW, Choi YJ, Kim MR, et al. Acupuncture in Medicine (2024)
76% SPADI improvement rate
104 patients Participants

Summary

One hundred four patients with partial rotator cuff tears were randomly assigned to a pharmacopuncture or physiotherapy control group. After 12 weeks, the pharmacopuncture group showed significant improvement in SPADI scores, with increased tendon thickness observed on ultrasound.

Key Conclusion

Pharmacopuncture is effective for pain reduction and functional recovery in patients with partial rotator cuff tears.

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Before-After Shoulder Pain

Clinical Effects of Chuna Therapy for Shoulder Impingement Syndrome: A Pre-Post Comparison Study

Lee MK, Seo BK, Han CH, et al.

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2022)

64% Neer test conversion rate
68 patients Participants

Chuna therapy is effective for symptom relief and functional improvement in shoulder impingement syndrome.

View Source 2022
Before-After Shoulder Pain

Clinical Effects of Chuna Therapy for Shoulder Impingement Syndrome: A Pre-Post Comparison Study

Lee MK, Seo BK, Han CH, et al. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2022)
64% Neer test conversion rate
68 patients Participants

Summary

Chuna therapy was performed twice weekly for 8 weeks on 68 patients with shoulder impingement syndrome. After treatment, Neer test positive rate decreased from 89.7% to 32.4%, with significant improvements in VAS pain scores and ASES functional scores.

Key Conclusion

Chuna therapy is effective for symptom relief and functional improvement in shoulder impingement syndrome.

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Cohort Study Shoulder Pain

Effect of Korean Medicine Combination Therapy for Periarthritis of Shoulder: A Multicenter Cohort Study

Cho HJ, Lee SH, Park YC, et al.

Journal of Korean Medicine (2023)

92.3% Treatment response rate
286 patients Participants

Korean medicine combination therapy is an effective treatment strategy for periarthritis of shoulder, particularly excellent for nocturnal pain improvement.

View Source 2023
Cohort Study Shoulder Pain

Effect of Korean Medicine Combination Therapy for Periarthritis of Shoulder: A Multicenter Cohort Study

Cho HJ, Lee SH, Park YC, et al. Journal of Korean Medicine (2023)
92.3% Treatment response rate
286 patients Participants

Summary

Two hundred eighty-six patients with periarthritis of shoulder were managed with combination therapy including acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, Chuna, and Korean medicine physiotherapy at 4 Korean medicine hospitals for 16 weeks. After treatment, 92.3% of patients showed 30% or more improvement in SPADI scores, with most notable reduction in nocturnal pain.

Key Conclusion

Korean medicine combination therapy is an effective treatment strategy for periarthritis of shoulder, particularly excellent for nocturnal pain improvement.

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RCT Shoulder Pain

Comparison of Acupuncture and Intra-Articular Steroid Injection for Frozen Shoulder: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Jung SY, Kim EJ, Jeon JH, et al.

Pain Medicine (2023)

28.4° External rotation ROM improvement
128 patients Participants

Acupuncture shows equivalent or superior effects to steroid injection in frozen shoulder with higher safety.

View Source 2023
RCT Shoulder Pain

Comparison of Acupuncture and Intra-Articular Steroid Injection for Frozen Shoulder: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Jung SY, Kim EJ, Jeon JH, et al. Pain Medicine (2023)
28.4° External rotation ROM improvement
128 patients Participants

Summary

One hundred twenty-eight patients with frozen shoulder were assigned to an acupuncture or intra-articular steroid injection group. After 12 weeks, both groups showed significant ROM improvement, but the acupuncture group showed greater external rotation ROM improvement (28.4 degrees vs 21.7 degrees) with lower adverse event rates.

Key Conclusion

Acupuncture shows equivalent or superior effects to steroid injection in frozen shoulder with higher safety.

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Systematic Review Shoulder Pain

Effect of Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture for Calcific Tendinitis: A Systematic Review

Yoo JH, Kim TH, Baek YH, et al.

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2024)

72% Calcium size reduction rate
487 patients Total participants

Bee venom pharmacopuncture has significant effects on calcium absorption promotion and pain relief in conservative treatment of calcific tendinitis.

View Source 2024
Systematic Review Shoulder Pain

Effect of Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture for Calcific Tendinitis: A Systematic Review

Yoo JH, Kim TH, Baek YH, et al. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2024)
72% Calcium size reduction rate
487 patients Total participants

Summary

Nine studies investigating the effect of bee venom pharmacopuncture treatment for shoulder calcific tendinitis were systematically analyzed. Bee venom pharmacopuncture promoted reduction in size of calcium deposits and significantly improved pain and functional disability.

Key Conclusion

Bee venom pharmacopuncture has significant effects on calcium absorption promotion and pain relief in conservative treatment of calcific tendinitis.

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Meta-Analysis Shoulder Pain

Comparison of Chuna Therapy and Joint Mobilization in Frozen Shoulder Patients: A Meta-Analysis

Hwang EH, Lim KT, Song MY, et al.

Spine (2022)

0.31 External rotation effect size
1,243 patients Total participants

Chuna therapy shows equivalent or slightly superior effects to joint mobilization for range of motion recovery in frozen shoulder.

View Source 2022
Meta-Analysis Shoulder Pain

Comparison of Chuna Therapy and Joint Mobilization in Frozen Shoulder Patients: A Meta-Analysis

Hwang EH, Lim KT, Song MY, et al. Spine (2022)
0.31 External rotation effect size
1,243 patients Total participants

Summary

A meta-analysis of 16 RCTs comparing the effects of Chuna therapy and Western joint mobilization for frozen shoulder. Both treatments showed significant ROM improvement, with Chuna therapy slightly superior in external rotation (SMD=0.31) and internal rotation (SMD=0.28).

Key Conclusion

Chuna therapy shows equivalent or slightly superior effects to joint mobilization for range of motion recovery in frozen shoulder.

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RCT Shoulder Pain

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Acupuncture in Rotator Cuff Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Shin JS, Ha IH, Lee TG, et al.

Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2023)

45% CRP reduction rate
92 patients Participants

Acupuncture exerts systemic and local anti-inflammatory effects in rotator cuff disease.

View Source 2023
RCT Shoulder Pain

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Acupuncture in Rotator Cuff Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Shin JS, Ha IH, Lee TG, et al. Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2023)
45% CRP reduction rate
92 patients Participants

Summary

Ninety-two patients with rotator cuff disease were assigned to acupuncture or sham acupuncture control groups and treated for 8 weeks. The acupuncture group showed significant reductions in serum CRP, TNF-alpha, and IL-1beta levels, with observed improvements in tendon blood flow on ultrasound Doppler.

Key Conclusion

Acupuncture exerts systemic and local anti-inflammatory effects in rotator cuff disease.

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Cross-Sectional Shoulder Pain

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Shoulder Impingement Syndrome: A Large-Scale Cross-Sectional Study

Yang SB, Moon SK, Jang JH, et al.

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2021)

18.7% Prevalence
3,240 patients Participants

Shoulder impingement syndrome is a common disease in middle-aged and older adults, with occupational factors and metabolic diseases as major risk factors.

View Source 2021
Cross-Sectional Shoulder Pain

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Shoulder Impingement Syndrome: A Large-Scale Cross-Sectional Study

Yang SB, Moon SK, Jang JH, et al. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2021)
18.7% Prevalence
3,240 patients Participants

Summary

A study investigating the prevalence and risk factors of shoulder impingement syndrome in 3,240 adults aged 40-65. Overall prevalence was 18.7%, with repetitive upper limb elevation work, BMI, and diabetes identified as independent risk factors.

Key Conclusion

Shoulder impingement syndrome is a common disease in middle-aged and older adults, with occupational factors and metabolic diseases as major risk factors.

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