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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
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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RCT Shoulder Pain

Local Microcirculation Improvement Effect of Pharmacopuncture in Patients with Shoulder Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Yoon JH, Kim TH, Koh HK, et al.

Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2023)

42.3% Microcirculation increase rate
84 patients Participants

Pharmacopuncture significantly improves local microcirculation, which is an important mechanism for shoulder pain relief.

View Source 2023
RCT Shoulder Pain

Local Microcirculation Improvement Effect of Pharmacopuncture in Patients with Shoulder Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Yoon JH, Kim TH, Koh HK, et al. Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2023)
42.3% Microcirculation increase rate
84 patients Participants

Summary

Eighty-four patients with shoulder pain were assigned to pharmacopuncture or saline control groups, and local blood flow was measured by laser Doppler. The pharmacopuncture group showed significantly increased local microcirculation for 30 minutes post-procedure (PU 42.3% increase), which showed positive correlation with pain reduction.

Key Conclusion

Pharmacopuncture significantly improves local microcirculation, which is an important mechanism for shoulder pain relief.

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Cohort Study Shoulder Pain

Effect of Combined Extracorporeal Shockwave and Acupuncture for Calcific Tendinitis: A Cohort Study

Hong SH, Kim SJ, Yoon MJ, et al.

Pain Medicine (2023)

52.1% Calcium disappearance rate
96 patients Participants

Combination of acupuncture and extracorporeal shockwave shows synergistic effects in calcific tendinitis treatment.

View Source 2023
Cohort Study Shoulder Pain

Effect of Combined Extracorporeal Shockwave and Acupuncture for Calcific Tendinitis: A Cohort Study

Hong SH, Kim SJ, Yoon MJ, et al. Pain Medicine (2023)
52.1% Calcium disappearance rate
96 patients Participants

Summary

Ninety-six patients with calcific tendinitis were followed for 12 weeks, divided into extracorporeal shockwave plus acupuncture combination group and extracorporeal shockwave alone group. The combination group showed significantly superior calcium disappearance rate (52.1% vs 37.5%), pain reduction (VAS 2.3 vs 3.8), and functional improvement (ASES 82.4 vs 71.6).

Key Conclusion

Combination of acupuncture and extracorporeal shockwave shows synergistic effects in calcific tendinitis treatment.

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RCT Shoulder Pain

Effect of Thread-Embedding Acupuncture for Periarthritis of Shoulder: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Lee JH, Choi YJ, Park JW, et al.

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2022)

18% Pain recurrence rate
86 patients Participants

Combined thread-embedding acupuncture enhances treatment efficacy and reduces recurrence in periarthritis of shoulder.

View Source 2022
RCT Shoulder Pain

Effect of Thread-Embedding Acupuncture for Periarthritis of Shoulder: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Lee JH, Choi YJ, Park JW, et al. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2022)
18% Pain recurrence rate
86 patients Participants

Summary

Eighty-six periarthritis of shoulder patients were assigned to thread-embedding acupuncture plus acupuncture or acupuncture alone groups. After 8 weeks, the thread-embedding combination group showed significantly superior SPADI scores (28.4 vs 42.1), ROM (external rotation 48.7 degrees vs 37.2 degrees), and pain recurrence rate (18% vs 38%).

Key Conclusion

Combined thread-embedding acupuncture enhances treatment efficacy and reduces recurrence in periarthritis of shoulder.

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Cohort Study Shoulder Pain

Long-Term Prognosis of Korean Medicine Treatment for Frozen Shoulder: A 5-Year Follow-Up Cohort Study

Kim AR, Kang JW, Seo BK, et al.

Spine (2025)

94.4% 1-year functional recovery rate
198 patients Participants

Long-term prognosis of frozen shoulder patients receiving Korean medicine treatment is favorable with low recurrence rates.

View Source 2025
Cohort Study Shoulder Pain

Long-Term Prognosis of Korean Medicine Treatment for Frozen Shoulder: A 5-Year Follow-Up Cohort Study

Kim AR, Kang JW, Seo BK, et al. Spine (2025)
94.4% 1-year functional recovery rate
198 patients Participants

Summary

One hundred ninety-eight frozen shoulder patients who received Korean medicine treatment were followed for 5 years. At 1 year after treatment completion, 94.4% had recovered to normal levels of daily activity function, with a low recurrence rate of 8.1% at the 5-year follow-up.

Key Conclusion

Long-term prognosis of frozen shoulder patients receiving Korean medicine treatment is favorable with low recurrence rates.

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Before-After Shoulder Pain

Effect of Electroacupuncture on Intra-Articular Pressure Changes in Frozen Shoulder Patients: A Pre-Post Comparison Study

Park SU, Jung WS, Moon SK, et al.

Acupuncture in Medicine (2025)

4.2 mmHg Intra-articular pressure reduction
32 patients Participants

Electroacupuncture contributes to ROM improvement by decreasing intra-articular pressure in frozen shoulder patients.

View Source 2025
Before-After Shoulder Pain

Effect of Electroacupuncture on Intra-Articular Pressure Changes in Frozen Shoulder Patients: A Pre-Post Comparison Study

Park SU, Jung WS, Moon SK, et al. Acupuncture in Medicine (2025)
4.2 mmHg Intra-articular pressure reduction
32 patients Participants

Summary

Electroacupuncture was performed on 32 frozen shoulder patients, and ultrasound-guided intra-articular pressure was measured before and after treatment. Intra-articular pressure significantly decreased after electroacupuncture (average 4.2 mmHg reduction), which correlated with immediate ROM improvement.

Key Conclusion

Electroacupuncture contributes to ROM improvement by decreasing intra-articular pressure in frozen shoulder patients.

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Systematic Review Shoulder Pain

Tendon Regeneration-Promoting Effect of Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture in Rotator Cuff Disease: A Systematic Review

Choi AR, Do KH, Yun YJ, et al.

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2024)

34% Tendon thickness increase
11 studies Analyzed papers

Bee venom pharmacopuncture is a potential treatment that promotes rotator cuff tendon regeneration, and additional large-scale studies are needed.

View Source 2024
Systematic Review Shoulder Pain

Tendon Regeneration-Promoting Effect of Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture in Rotator Cuff Disease: A Systematic Review

Choi AR, Do KH, Yun YJ, et al. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2024)
34% Tendon thickness increase
11 studies Analyzed papers

Summary

Eleven basic and clinical studies on tendon regeneration effects of bee venom pharmacopuncture for rotator cuff disease were analyzed. The melittin component of bee venom promoted tenocyte proliferation and collagen synthesis, and was clinically associated with increased tendon thickness on ultrasound.

Key Conclusion

Bee venom pharmacopuncture is a potential treatment that promotes rotator cuff tendon regeneration, and additional large-scale studies are needed.

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RCT Shoulder Pain

Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Herbal Medicine for Shoulder Impingement Syndrome: A Randomized Double-Blind Trial

Cho KH, Jung WS, Moon SK, et al.

Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2024)

45% IL-6 reduction rate
94 patients Participants

Anti-inflammatory herbal medicine significantly reduces inflammation markers in shoulder impingement syndrome and improves clinical symptoms.

View Source 2024
RCT Shoulder Pain

Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Herbal Medicine for Shoulder Impingement Syndrome: A Randomized Double-Blind Trial

Cho KH, Jung WS, Moon SK, et al. Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2024)
45% IL-6 reduction rate
94 patients Participants

Summary

Ninety-four patients with shoulder impingement syndrome were assigned in a double-blind manner to an anti-inflammatory herbal medicine or placebo group and treated for 6 weeks. The herbal medicine group showed significant decreases in serum CRP (-42%), ESR (-38%), and IL-6 (-45%), with improvements in VAS pain scores and Neer test positive rates.

Key Conclusion

Anti-inflammatory herbal medicine significantly reduces inflammation markers in shoulder impingement syndrome and improves clinical symptoms.

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Meta-Analysis Shoulder Pain

Effect of Chuna Therapy for Periarthritis of Shoulder: A Meta-Analysis

Shin KM, Hong JY, Park TY, et al.

The Journal of Pain (2024)

18.4° Abduction ROM improvement
1,334 patients Total participants

Chuna therapy is effective for range of motion recovery in periarthritis of shoulder and has a high level of evidence.

View Source 2024
Meta-Analysis Shoulder Pain

Effect of Chuna Therapy for Periarthritis of Shoulder: A Meta-Analysis

Shin KM, Hong JY, Park TY, et al. The Journal of Pain (2024)
18.4° Abduction ROM improvement
1,334 patients Total participants

Summary

A meta-analysis of 17 RCTs evaluating Chuna therapy for periarthritis of shoulder. The Chuna therapy group showed significantly improved external rotation (MD=12.7 degrees), abduction (MD=18.4 degrees), and flexion (MD=15.2 degrees) ROM compared to controls, with reduced pain.

Key Conclusion

Chuna therapy is effective for range of motion recovery in periarthritis of shoulder and has a high level of evidence.

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Cross-Sectional Shoulder Pain

Differences in Treatment Response by Constitution in Frozen Shoulder Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Han CH, Kwon OJ, Moon SK, et al.

Journal of Korean Medicine (2022)

91.2% Soyangin efficacy rate
248 patients Participants

Sasang constitution is a significant factor affecting treatment response and duration in Korean medicine treatment of frozen shoulder.

View Source 2022
Cross-Sectional Shoulder Pain

Differences in Treatment Response by Constitution in Frozen Shoulder Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Han CH, Kwon OJ, Moon SK, et al. Journal of Korean Medicine (2022)
91.2% Soyangin efficacy rate
248 patients Participants

Summary

Treatment response by Sasang constitution was analyzed in 248 frozen shoulder patients who received Korean medicine treatment. The Soyangin constitution showed the fastest and best treatment response (efficacy rate 91.2%), while the Taeumin constitution had the longest treatment duration (average 2.4 weeks additional).

Key Conclusion

Sasang constitution is a significant factor affecting treatment response and duration in Korean medicine treatment of frozen shoulder.

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