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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 51 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
Case Study Wrist / Hand Pain

Case Series of Korean Medicine Treatment for Trigger Finger

Oh SY, Han JM, Choi DJ, et al.

Acupuncture in Medicine (2021)

88% Treatment success rate
8 patients Number of cases

Korean medicine combination treatment is an effective alternative even for intractable trigger finger.

View Source 2021
Case Study Wrist / Hand Pain

Case Series of Korean Medicine Treatment for Trigger Finger

Oh SY, Han JM, Choi DJ, et al. Acupuncture in Medicine (2021)
88% Treatment success rate
8 patients Number of cases

Summary

Acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and Korean medicine physiotherapy were combined in 8 trigger finger patients unresponsive to Western treatment (steroid injection). After 6 weeks of treatment, locking symptoms completely resolved in 7 (88%).

Key Conclusion

Korean medicine combination treatment is an effective alternative even for intractable trigger finger.

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RCT Wrist / Hand Pain

Exploration of Optimal Electroacupuncture Treatment Protocol in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Lim JA, Cha WS, Kim HY, et al.

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2023)

3 times/week Optimal treatment frequency
156 patients Participants

Three times weekly is the optimal treatment frequency for electroacupuncture treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.

View Source 2023
RCT Wrist / Hand Pain

Exploration of Optimal Electroacupuncture Treatment Protocol in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Lim JA, Cha WS, Kim HY, et al. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2023)
3 times/week Optimal treatment frequency
156 patients Participants

Summary

One hundred fifty-six carpal tunnel syndrome patients were assigned to electroacupuncture twice weekly, three times weekly, or five times weekly groups to explore optimal treatment frequency. The three times weekly treatment group showed optimal balance of effects and convenience.

Key Conclusion

Three times weekly is the optimal treatment frequency for electroacupuncture treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.

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RCT Wrist / Hand Pain

Comparison of Pharmacopuncture and Anti-Inflammatory Analgesics for Wrist Tenosynovitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Jang HK, Min SW, Oh JY, et al.

Pain Medicine (2022)

77% Pain reduction rate
82 patients Participants

Pharmacopuncture treatment is a safe alternative to anti-inflammatory analgesics in wrist tenosynovitis.

View Source 2022
RCT Wrist / Hand Pain

Comparison of Pharmacopuncture and Anti-Inflammatory Analgesics for Wrist Tenosynovitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Jang HK, Min SW, Oh JY, et al. Pain Medicine (2022)
77% Pain reduction rate
82 patients Participants

Summary

Eighty-two wrist tenosynovitis patients were randomly assigned to pharmacopuncture or anti-inflammatory analgesic groups and treated for 4 weeks. The pharmacopuncture group showed equivalent pain reduction effects with significantly lower adverse event incidence.

Key Conclusion

Pharmacopuncture treatment is a safe alternative to anti-inflammatory analgesics in wrist tenosynovitis.

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Systematic Review Wrist / Hand Pain

Development of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Korean Medicine Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Kim EJ, Song MY, Lim SC, et al.

Journal of Korean Medicine (2024)

Grade A Acupuncture recommendation level
52 studies Analyzed evidence

Systematic clinical practice guidelines for Korean medicine treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome have been developed.

View Source 2024
Systematic Review Wrist / Hand Pain

Development of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Korean Medicine Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Kim EJ, Song MY, Lim SC, et al. Journal of Korean Medicine (2024)
Grade A Acupuncture recommendation level
52 studies Analyzed evidence

Summary

Clinical practice guidelines were developed through systematic literature review and expert consensus for Korean medicine treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. Acupuncture was strongly recommended (Grade A), with pharmacopuncture and electroacupuncture also recommended (Grade B).

Key Conclusion

Systematic clinical practice guidelines for Korean medicine treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome have been developed.

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Before-After Wrist / Hand Pain

Ultrasound Finding Changes with Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture in De Quervain's Disease Patients

Seo JC, Yook TH, Park YC, et al.

Acupuncture in Medicine (2023)

52% Tendon sheath thickening reduction rate
38 patients Participants

Bee venom pharmacopuncture promotes structural recovery of tendon sheath in De Quervain's disease patients.

View Source 2023
Before-After Wrist / Hand Pain

Ultrasound Finding Changes with Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture in De Quervain's Disease Patients

Seo JC, Yook TH, Park YC, et al. Acupuncture in Medicine (2023)
52% Tendon sheath thickening reduction rate
38 patients Participants

Summary

Bee venom pharmacopuncture treatment was performed for 6 weeks in 38 De Quervain's disease patients, and structural changes of tendons were followed by ultrasound. After treatment, reduction in tendon sheath thickening, improvement in tendon echo, and reduction of peripheral edema were observed.

Key Conclusion

Bee venom pharmacopuncture promotes structural recovery of tendon sheath in De Quervain's disease patients.

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Cohort Study Wrist / Hand Pain

Long-Term Follow-Up Cohort Study of Korean Medicine Combination Treatment in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Patients

Cho SY, Kim WJ, Lee YS, et al.

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2025)

8% Korean medicine group surgical conversion rate
214 patients Participants

Korean medicine combination treatment is effective for reducing surgical necessity of carpal tunnel syndrome.

View Source 2025
Cohort Study Wrist / Hand Pain

Long-Term Follow-Up Cohort Study of Korean Medicine Combination Treatment in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Patients

Cho SY, Kim WJ, Lee YS, et al. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2025)
8% Korean medicine group surgical conversion rate
214 patients Participants

Summary

Two hundred fourteen carpal tunnel syndrome patients were divided into Korean medicine combination treatment (acupuncture + pharmacopuncture + Korean medicine physiotherapy) and Western conservative treatment groups and followed for 1 year. Surgical conversion rates were significantly lower in the Korean medicine combination treatment group.

Key Conclusion

Korean medicine combination treatment is effective for reducing surgical necessity of carpal tunnel syndrome.

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RCT Wrist / Hand Pain

Effect of Moxibustion Treatment for Hand Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Ha DH, Shin BC, Kim GY, et al.

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2021)

68% Pain reduction rate
66 patients Participants

Moxibustion treatment is effective as adjunctive treatment for hand pain.

View Source 2021
RCT Wrist / Hand Pain

Effect of Moxibustion Treatment for Hand Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Ha DH, Shin BC, Kim GY, et al. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2021)
68% Pain reduction rate
66 patients Participants

Summary

Sixty-six hand pain patients were randomly assigned to moxibustion or sham moxibustion groups and treated for 4 weeks. The moxibustion group showed significantly more improvements in pain and functional scores.

Key Conclusion

Moxibustion treatment is effective as adjunctive treatment for hand pain.

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Meta-Analysis Wrist / Hand Pain

Comparison of Acupotomy and Steroid Injection for Trigger Finger: A Meta-Analysis

Yoo JE, Kang SY, Min BW, et al.

Pain Medicine (2024)

15% Acupotomy group recurrence rate
524 patients Total participants

Acupotomy shows effects equivalent to steroid injection and lower recurrence rates in trigger finger.

View Source 2024
Meta-Analysis Wrist / Hand Pain

Comparison of Acupotomy and Steroid Injection for Trigger Finger: A Meta-Analysis

Yoo JE, Kang SY, Min BW, et al. Pain Medicine (2024)
15% Acupotomy group recurrence rate
524 patients Total participants

Summary

Eight studies (total 524 patients) comparing acupotomy and steroid injection for trigger finger were meta-analyzed. Acupotomy showed effects equivalent to steroid injection with significantly lower recurrence rates.

Key Conclusion

Acupotomy shows effects equivalent to steroid injection and lower recurrence rates in trigger finger.

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Before-After Wrist / Hand Pain

Effect of Herbal Medicine Topical Preparation for Wrist Tenosynovitis: A Pre-Post Comparison Study

Koo ST, Jung CY, Lee YH, et al.

Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2023)

65% Pain reduction rate
54 patients Participants

Herbal medicine topical preparation is effective for adjunctive treatment of wrist tenosynovitis.

View Source 2023
Before-After Wrist / Hand Pain

Effect of Herbal Medicine Topical Preparation for Wrist Tenosynovitis: A Pre-Post Comparison Study

Koo ST, Jung CY, Lee YH, et al. Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2023)
65% Pain reduction rate
54 patients Participants

Summary

Herbal medicine topical preparation (plaster) was applied for 4 weeks to 54 wrist tenosynovitis patients, with pre-post changes compared. Pain scores and wrist functional scores significantly improved.

Key Conclusion

Herbal medicine topical preparation is effective for adjunctive treatment of wrist tenosynovitis.

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Cohort Study Wrist / Hand Pain

Safety and Efficacy of Pharmacopuncture Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Large-Scale Retrospective Study

Kwak HY, Park SU, Song HS, et al.

Journal of Hand Surgery (2022)

81% Treatment response rate
1247 patients Analysis subjects

Pharmacopuncture treatment is a treatment with high efficacy and safety in carpal tunnel syndrome patients.

View Source 2022
Cohort Study Wrist / Hand Pain

Safety and Efficacy of Pharmacopuncture Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Large-Scale Retrospective Study

Kwak HY, Park SU, Song HS, et al. Journal of Hand Surgery (2022)
81% Treatment response rate
1247 patients Analysis subjects

Summary

Medical records of 1,247 carpal tunnel syndrome patients who received pharmacopuncture treatment were retrospectively analyzed. Treatment response rate was 81% with no serious adverse reactions reported.

Key Conclusion

Pharmacopuncture treatment is a treatment with high efficacy and safety in carpal tunnel syndrome patients.

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RCT Wrist / Hand Pain

Effect of Combined Acupuncture and Cupping for De Quervain's Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Byun SH, Lee GM, Koh WU, et al.

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2024)

83% Pain reduction rate
90 patients Participants

Combination of acupuncture and cupping shows superior effects to acupuncture alone in De Quervain's disease.

View Source 2024
RCT Wrist / Hand Pain

Effect of Combined Acupuncture and Cupping for De Quervain's Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Byun SH, Lee GM, Koh WU, et al. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2024)
83% Pain reduction rate
90 patients Participants

Summary

Ninety De Quervain's disease patients were assigned to acupuncture plus cupping or acupuncture alone groups and treated for 4 weeks. The combination treatment group showed significantly superior pain, grip strength, and Finkelstein test results.

Key Conclusion

Combination of acupuncture and cupping shows superior effects to acupuncture alone in De Quervain's disease.

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Before-After Wrist / Hand Pain

Nerve Conduction Improvement Effect of Korean Medicine Physiotherapy in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Patients

Jeon JH, Kim YI, Park YJ, et al.

Acupuncture in Medicine (2022)

18% Nerve conduction velocity improvement rate
62 patients Participants

Korean medicine physiotherapy has adjunctive effects on nerve function recovery of carpal tunnel syndrome.

View Source 2022
Before-After Wrist / Hand Pain

Nerve Conduction Improvement Effect of Korean Medicine Physiotherapy in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Patients

Jeon JH, Kim YI, Park YJ, et al. Acupuncture in Medicine (2022)
18% Nerve conduction velocity improvement rate
62 patients Participants

Summary

Korean medicine physiotherapy (TENS, infrared, paraffin) was performed for 6 weeks in 62 carpal tunnel syndrome patients, with pre-post nerve conduction studies compared. Median nerve sensory conduction velocity significantly improved.

Key Conclusion

Korean medicine physiotherapy has adjunctive effects on nerve function recovery of carpal tunnel syndrome.

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