"Medicine for fifties, more effective than physical therapy"
Oct 14, 2024
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In general, various preservation treatments such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and intra-articular injections and physical therapy are in progress, but it is also considered a disease in which many patients choose oriental medicine. However, studies comparing the improvement effect between these treatments are insufficient.
Meanwhile, a research team led by Kim Du-ri, director of the Spinal Joint Research Institute (Director Ha In-hyuk) of Jaseng Oriental Hospital, announced on the 14th that it has proven the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture treatment for adherent joint cystitis. As a result of the study, herbal acupuncture treatment showed more significant improvement in terms of pain, function, and range of operation than physical therapy. The study was published in the SCI(E)-level international journal 『Integrative Medicine Research (IF= 3.4)』.
Pharmacopuncture treatment maximizes the therapeutic effect by combining the physical stimulation of saliva and the pharmacological effect of herbal extracts. It is widely used to treat various musculoskeletal diseases as it quickly relieves inflammation and pain while also promoting the recovery of damaged nerves, cartilage, and other soft tissues.
The research team randomly assigned 50 patients with adhesive joint cystitis who complained of moderate or higher pain to the acupuncture and physical therapy groups, treated them twice a week for six weeks, and followed the progress until 13 weeks. Acupuncture such as Shinbaro and Hwangryeon Sea Dogtang were used in the acupuncture treatment group, and interference wave therapy and deep heat therapy were performed in the physical therapy group.
As a result of the study, the herbal acupuncture treatment group showed better results in most indicators than the physical therapy group in both the 7th week immediately after the treatment was completed and the 13th week, the final observation point. The pain level evaluated by the pain number evaluation scale (NRS; the higher the pain, the more severe the pain) averaged 7 before treatment in both treatment groups, but the acupuncture treatment group fell to 1.63 at 7 weeks, showing a decrease of about 76%. On the other hand, the physical therapy group decreased by 45% to 3.85 during the same period, showing a greater improvement effect in the acupuncture treatment group. In the pain visual evaluation scale (VAS), which visually displays pain, the pain reduction effect of the acupuncture treatment group was better.
In the shoulder pain disorder index (SPADI; 0-100/the higher the disability), which is a measure of function improvement, the acupuncture treatment group improved from 62.6 before treatment to 20.89 after 7 weeks, and from 67.8 to 42.42 in the physical treatment group, showing higher treatment effects. The same result was found in the shoulder joint range of motion (ROM) test.
In particular, the two treatment groups also showed significant differences in quality of life indicators, and the medicinal acupuncture treatment group showed a clear improvement in quality of life than the physical treatment group. In the EQ-5D-5L score (0~1, the higher the quality of life), the medicinal acupuncture group recorded 0.84 and the physical therapy group recorded 0.75 at week 7, and the difference was maintained at week 13.
Kim Du-ri, director of the Spinal Joint Research Institute at Jaseng Oriental Hospital, said "This study confirmed that herbal acupuncture treatment can be an effective treatment compared to physical therapy for adherent joint cystitis."In addition, as this study is a pilot study prior to large-scale clinical trials, we hope that the scientific basis for herbal acupuncture treatment will be strengthened in the future to help patients suffering from poor quality of life."
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bellho@sportschosun.com
