Korean Studies Information Service System Research Articles

Attraction and achievement as 2 attributes of gamification in healthcare: an evolutionary concept analysis

This study conducted a conceptual analysis of gamification in healthcare utilizing Rogers’ evolutionary concept analysis methodology to identify its attributes and provide a method for its applications in the healthcare field. Gamification has recently been used as a health intervention and education method, but the concept is used inconsistently and confusingly. A literature review was conducted to derive definitions, surrogate terms, antecedents, influencing factors, attributes (characteristics with dimensions and features), related concepts, consequences, implications, and hypotheses from various academic fields. A total of 56 journal articles in English and Korean, published between August 2 and August 7, 2023, were extracted from databases such as PubMed Central, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the Association for Computing Machinery Digital Library, the Research Information Sharing Service, and the Korean Studies Information Service System, using the keywords “gamification” and “healthcare.” These articles were then analyzed. Gamification in healthcare is defined as the application of game elements in health-related contexts to improve health outcomes. The attributes of this concept were categorized into 2 main areas: attraction and achievement. These categories encompass various strategies for synchronization, enjoyable engagement, visual rewards, and goal-reinforcing frames. Through a multidisciplinary analysis of the concept’s attributes and influencing factors, this paper provides practical strategies for implementing gamification in health interventions. When developing a gamification strategy, healthcare providers can reference this analysis to ensure the game elements are used both appropriately and effectively.

A Modern Interpretation of Cold-Heat Pattern in Traditional Medicine with a Focus on Thermo-Regulation

Cold-heat patterns (C-HPs) in Traditional East Asian Medicine are essential for individually diagnosing and treating patients. However, the concept of C-HPs and their biological mechanisms (thermoregulation) remains unclear. C-HPs studies published between January 2000 and May 2023 were retrieved from 5 databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, OASIS, Korean studies Information Service System, and Research Information Sharing Service). Among the 8,373 articles screened, 132 were included in the review and categorized. Nineteen articles were clinical studies related to traditional concept of C-HP identification, 14 studies investigated diseases affecting thermosensation or thermoregulation, and 99 studies identified candidate genes as potential markers for C-HP identification. Further analysis, including gene ontology, and gene set enrichment analysis of the candidate genes, revealed 3 primary biological processes closely associated with thermoregulation-related genes, including localization, responses to stimuli, and homeostatic processes. Notably there was a significant association between the candidate genes and inflammatory mediator regulation of transient receptor potential channels (<i>p</i> < 0.001). A significant association between C-HPs and inflammation-related pathways across thermosensation-related and thermoregulation-related clinical and preclinical studies was observed, suggesting that the traditional concept of C-HPs should be studied further from an immunological perspective.

Constipation among Korean older adults in long-term care facilities: A scoping review

Purpose: This study synthesized the literature on constipation among Korean older adults in long-term care (LTC) facilities. Methods: This scoping review utilized the Joanna Briggs Institute protocol. We conducted a literature search using Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health, PubMed, PsycINFO, Korean databases Research Information Sharing Service, Korean Studies Information Service System, and ScienceON. Two reviewers independently selected the studies and extracted their characteristics using pretested forms to determine the final inclusion. In total, 473 articles were identified, and eight were used for the final analysis. Results: Quasi-experimental design was the most common research design. Sex, age, state of mobility, admission periods, LTC classification, sleep satisfaction, depressive symptoms, diet type, daily fluid intake, and history of digestion were identified as factors related to constipation. The most widely used constipation measurement method is measuring the frequency of defecation per week. Massage is the most commonly used nursing intervention to relieve constipation. Conclusion: The diversification of research on constipation is necessary to improve the quality of life of older adults living in LTC facilities. Therefore, the use of reliable tools to determine constipation in older adults in LTC facilities should be expanded. There is a need to develop and implement diverse non-pharmacological interventions for older adults in LTC facilities. The results of this study are intended to serve as a basis for the development of constipation programs for Korean older adults in LTC facilities.

Efficacy of acupuncture for whiplash injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectivesThis study aimed to establish clinical evidence for acupuncture by analysing data from trials that demonstrated the efficacy of acupuncture for whiplash-associated disorder (WAD) with the following research question: Is...

Recent Clinical Research on Acupuncture Therapy for Cluster Headache

Objectives: This study presents evidence by analyzing the research trends in acupuncture treatment for cluster headache in the last 10 years.Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about acupuncture for cluster headache were searched from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System, ScienceON, Korean Studies Information Service System, and Research Information Sharing Service. The search terms were the combinations of “cluster headache”, “acupuncture”, and “needle therapy”, and the articles were restricted to those published between 2013 and 2023. Only RCTs were selected. The risk of bias (RoB) was assessed according to the revised Cochrane RoB2 criteria.Results: Six RCTs were selected and analyzed in this review. All selected studies were conducted in China. All RCTs comprised 628 participants. Manual acupuncture was used in all studies. Acupuncture targeting the sphenopalatine ganglion was performed in two papers published after 2020. ST8, Ex-HIN3, and GB14 were the most frequently used acupoints in acupuncture treatment. The most commonly used indicators for evaluation were headache attack frequency, clinical efficacy, and the visual analog scale. In each study, adding acupuncture treatment to conventional therapy had significant effects in relieving the symptoms of cluster headaches.Conclusion: The results suggest that acupuncture is an effective treatment for cluster headache. To ensure objective evidence for the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment in cluster headache, it is important to continue large-scale case reports and RCTs.

Herbal Medicine for the Treatment of Non-Erosive Reflux Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocol

Introduction: Non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) is the most common subtype of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This study aims to synthesize evidence on the efficacy and safety of various herbal medicines for the treatment of NERD.Methods and analysis: Ten electronic databases will be examined: MEDLINE (via PubMed), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, Citation Information by Nii, Korean Medical Database, Korean Studies Information Service System, National Digital Science Library, and Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System. All randomized controlled trials published from inception to May 2023 that meet the eligibility criteria will be selected. Two independent researchers will extract data, such as publication year, study design, intervention details, outcome measures, main results, and adverse events. The risk of bias and quality of evidence will be assessed, and subgroup analyses will be performed according to the type of control intervention and herbal medicine. The analysis process will be conducted using Review Manager 5.4 software.Discussion: This review will present a summary and rationale for herbal medicine’s effectiveness in treating NERD. The findings of this review can help those who want to apply herbal medicine to the treatment of NERD. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO registration number CRD42023423052.

Palliative Care for Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Scoping Review.

This scoping review aimed to explore the characteristics of neonatal palliative care in the neonatal intensive care unit, including the features, contents, and experiences of infants, parents, and nurses during palliative care. Five databases (PubMed, Cochrane, CINAHL, Research Information Sharing Service, and Korean Studies Information Service System) were searched to identify relevant articles published between 2011 and 2020. From the systematic search and review process, 13 studies that met the eligibility criteria were selected for the analysis. From the literature review, 2 key principles were found to facilitate neonatal palliative care: family-centered care and integrative care in the neonatal intensive care unit. In addition, the themes found in this review included (1) providing comfortable care to dying infants with respect to infants and offering parents choices, (2) therapeutic communication, (3) support with respect, and (4) bereavement care for parents of dying infants in the neonatal intensive care unit. Caregivers require effective communication, manpower support, emotional support, educational programs, and well-defined protocols. The evidence mapped and synthesized in this review indicates the need to facilitate the provision of palliative care in the neonatal intensive care unit in line with the unique needs of infants, parents, and nurses.

Social support for nursing students: A concept analysis study

ObjectivesThis study aimed to analyze the concept of social support in nursing students. DesignA concept analysis method was used. Data sourcesArticles on concept analysis, published from 2000 to 2022, were examined. Science Direct, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Google Scholar were searched to identify international articles, and Research Information Sharing Service, Korean Studies Information Service System, and Database periodical information academic were searched to identify Korean articles. In total, 27 articles were examined. ResultsThe following attributes of social support were found: 1) structural (social integration and social support network); 2) educational (academic support and support of a role model); 3) psychosocial (emotional, positive appraisal, and self-esteem supports); and 4) instrumental (informational and material supports). Furthermore, social support was found to have the following antecedents: 1) stress and crisis, 2) personal need, 3) social network, and 4) social climate. The consequences of social support were as follows: 1) improved mental health and 2) quality of life. ConclusionsSocial support among nursing students includes both structural and functional attributes. Structural attributes are social integration and support networks, and functional attributes are educational, psychosocial, and instrumental. Based on the results, we recommend developing a tool to measure social support for nursing students in the future.

Acupoint catgut embedding for simple obesity in animal studies: a systematic review and Meta-analysis.

To assess the efficacy of acupoint catgut embedding (ACE) for simple obesity in preclinical animal experiments. We searched the following 14 electronic databases: PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System, KoreaMed, Korean Studies Information Service System, Science-on, Research Information Sharing Service, Korea Citation Index, Korea Traditional Knowledge Portal, China Network Knowledge Infrastructure Database, Wanfang Database, Chinese Science and Technology Journal Database, and Chinese Biology Medicine Database, from inception to November 2021 without language limitation. The assessment was performed according to the guidelines of Animal Research: Reporting of experiments; and Meta-analysis was performed using Reviewer Manager 5.4.1 software. Twenty-four studies involving 813 animals were selected. Meta-analysis showed that ACE was beneficial for weight control [ 40, = -50.63, 95% (－57.59, －43.67), 0.000 01, = 0%] and reduced the Lee index [ 40, = －18.79, 95% (－20.01, －17.57), 0.000 01, = 0%]. However, when efficacy of ACE was compared with that of manual acupuncture, electroacupuncture, or oilistat therapy, statistical difference was not observed between the two groups. This systematic review suggests that ACE may be efficacious in treating obesity. Moreover, the analyses highlighted the necessity to perform well-designed, higher-quality experiments.

The Effect of Fenugreek in Type 2 Diabetes and Prediabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Fenugreek is a widely used herbal medicine as a complementary therapy for diabetes mellitus. Lots of clinical trials have proved its beneficial effect on glycemic control parameters and lipid profiles. Thus, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of fenugreek as a treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus. We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database (CNKI), Korean studies Information Service System (KISS), Research Information Sharing Service (RISS), and ScienceON to select RCTs which used fenugreek targeting hyperglycemia with a control group. We used either a random effect model or a fixed model in a meta-analysis of Fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2 h plasma glucose during a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) (2-hPG), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c)/total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein (LDL-C), body mass index (BMI). After screening, a total of 10 studies (706 participants) remained. Fenugreek significantly reduced FBG, 2-hPG, and HbA1c, but it did not significantly decrease HOMA-IR. Moreover, it significantly improved TC, TG, and HDL-C, while there were no significant differences in LDL-C and BMI. Hepatic or renal toxicity was not observed, and there were no severe adverse events associated with fenugreek despite mild gastrointestinal side effects in some studies. In conclusion, fenugreek improves overall glycemic control parameters and lipid profile safely.

Effect of exercise-based interventions in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

The global burden of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is rapidly increasing. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of exercise on intrahepatic lipid (IHL), serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), body mass index (BMI), and insulin resistance in NAFLD patients. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, KMbase, and the Korean Studies Information Service System through April 2022. The included studies were randomised control trials (RCTs) of exercise, in which IHL was measured using magnetic resonance imaging in adult NAFLD patients. Eleven RCTs with 577 participants were included in this meta-analysis. Exercise was significantly associated with a reduction in IHL (mean difference (MD), -2.03; 95% CI, -3.26 to -0.79; P=0.001) and a decrease in ALT (MD, -4.17; 95% CI, -6.60 to -1.73; P=0.0008). Regarding the duration of exercise, maintaining exercise for more than 3 months significantly improved IHL (MD, -3.62; 95% CI, -5.76 to -1.48; P=0.0009), while exercise for less than 3 months did not (MD, -1.23; 95% CI, -2.74 to 0.29; P=0.11). BMI and insulin resistance did not improve significantly with exercise. We found that exercise improved IHL and ALT levels in NAFLD patients. The effect of exercise is particularly increased when one engages in exercises that last longer than 3 months.

Acupuncture for gouty arthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

: We examined the effects of acupuncture on gouty arthritis by comparing acupuncture versus—and in addition to—conventional treatment. : We searched randomized controlled trials published from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2022, from eight electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, KoreaMed, Korean Studies Information Service System, Research Information Service System, and Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure), and selected studies by eligibility criteria for meta-analysis. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used, and meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model. : We retrieved 1,909 articles and selected 12 studies. Compared to conventional treatment, acupuncture was significantly better at reducing pain intensity (95% Confidence interval [CI]: -2.03 to -1.09, p < 0.00001) and showed a better effective rate (95% CI: 1.03 to 1.17, p = 0.003). The combination of acupuncture with conventional treatment significantly improved pain intensity (95% CI: -2.18 to -0.76, p < 0.0001), pain relief duration (95% CI: -1.28 to -0.50, p < 0.00001), and serum uric acid (SUA) level (95% CI: -0.93 to -0.33, p < 0.0001) compared with conventional treatment alone. According to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology, acupuncture alone and acupuncture with conventional treatment showed a very low quality of evidence for reducing pain intensity as a primary outcome measure due to a high risk of bias and imprecision. : Acupuncture might be a beneficial alternative or adjunctive treatment for patients with gouty arthritis. However, due to very low certainty in the evidence, well-powered and rigorously designed clinical trials are necessary to further validate these preliminary findings.

Oriental medicine as collaborating treatments with conventional treatments for knee osteoarthritis: A PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis.

We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of oriental medicine (OM) treatments as monotherapy and add-on therapy compared to conventional treatments for knee osteoarthritis and assess the quality of evidence for these results. OM treatment included acupuncture, herbal medicine, pharmacoacupuncture, and moxibustion. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Google Scholar, 4 Korean medical databases (KoreaMed, Korean Studies Information Service System, Research Information Service System, and Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System), and one Chinese database (China National Knowledge Infrastructure) were searched for articles published between January 1, 2000, and January 1, 2021. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effect of OM interventions, single or combined with conventional treatments, on knee osteoarthritis were searched. The risk of bias and quality of evidence of the included studies were evaluated using the Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methods, respectively. A total of 3911 relevant studies were retrieved and only 23 studies were included for systematic review. Most of the studies showed a significant effect on knee osteoarthritis. 21 studies comparing single OM treatment with conventional treatment were included in the meta-analysis. The effect size of standardized mean difference (SMD) was analyzed as a "small effect" with 0.48 (95% CI -0.80 to -0.16, Z = 2.98, P = .003). In addition, a meta-analysis of 4 studies comparing integrative treatment with conventional treatment showed a "very large effect" with 1.52 (95% CI -2.09 to -0.95, Z = 5.19, P < .001). Our results suggest that single OM treatment and integrative treatment significantly reduce pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis. However, there is a limited number of RCTs considering integrative treatment which implies more related RCTs should be conducted in the future.

Effectiveness of SBAR-based simulation programs for nursing students: a systematic review

BackgroundSituation, background, assessment, and recommendation (SBAR) has been extensively used in clinical and nursing education. A structured communication program increases effective communication, positivity, and education satisfaction during inter-professional collaboration among nursing students. This systematic review aimed to identify and synthesize evidence on the effectiveness of SBAR-based simulation training for nursing students.MethodsA research protocol was developed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols guidelines. The protocol for this study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021234068). Eight bibliographical databases were searched for studies published between 2001 and 2021, using relevant search terms. Searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for literature in English, and DBpia, Research Information Sharing Service, Korean Studies Information Service System, and Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information for literature in Korean. After screening titles, abstracts, and full-text papers, pertinent data were extracted, and critical appraisals of the retrieved studies were performed. Data were analyzed using the framework approach, and the findings were presented in a narrative summary. The Effective Public Health Practice Project “Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies” was used to assess the quality of the included studies.ResultsTwelve studies were included: 3 randomized controlled trials and 9 quasi-experimental studies. Two overarching themes were noted, namely communication clarity and critical thinking. The results of six out of 12 studies produced significant results in favor of SBAR-based simulation in terms of communication clarity. Divergent results were obtained regarding communication ability, critical thinking, confidence, learning self-efficacy, and attitude toward patient safety. The results of these studies highlight that communication clarity ultimately leads to positive results in terms of nursing students’ behaviors related to patient safety.ConclusionsThis review provides a comprehensive update of the literature on the effectiveness of SBAR-based nursing simulation programs for nursing students. These programs were found to have positive learning outcomes because of clear and concise communication. Further studies on the effectiveness of various learning outcomes derived from SBAR-based programs are required.

Integrative medicine using East Asian herbal medicine for inflammatory pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis integrated with multiple data mining for core candidate discovery.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by a wide range of clinical symptoms affecting various bodily functions, including skeletal, vascular, metabolic, and cognitive functions. This review aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of integrative medicine (East Asian herbal medicine combined with conventional medicine) used for the treatment of inflammatory pain in rheumatoid arthritis and to identify key candidate drugs based on the data. A comprehensive literature search will be conducted in 4 core databases (PubMed, Excerpta Medica database, Cochrane Library, and Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature) 4 Korean databases (Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System, Korean Studies Information Service System, Research Information Service System, and Korea Citation Index), 2 Chinese databases (Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure Database and Wanfang data), and 1 Japanese database (Citation Information by National Institute of Informatics) for randomized controlled trials from December 13, 2022. Statistical analysis will be performed using R version 4.1.2 and R Studio program. The American College of Rheumatology 20/50/70 score and rate of adverse events will be the primary outcomes. All outcomes will be analyzed using a random-effects model to produce more statistically conservative results. Sensitivity, meta-regression, and subgroup analyses will be used to identify the sources of any heterogeneity in the study. The revised tool for assessing the risk of bias in randomized trials, version 2.0, will be used to evaluate methodological quality. The overall quality of evidence will be assessed according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation Pro Framework. There are no ethical issues, as no primary data will be collected directly from the participants. The results of this review will be reported in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42023412385.

Validity and reliability of the single camera marker less motion capture system using RGB-D sensor to measure shoulder range-of-motion: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

The range-of motion (ROM) is an essential component of joint mobility. Shoulder ROM measurement has been problematic due to its complexity. A marker less motion capture system can be a potential alternative for upper limb assessment. Currently, there is no systematic review to evaluate the validity of a marker less motion capture system for assessing shoulder ROM. This study aims to describe methods to evaluate the reliability and validity of a single camera marker less motion capture system that uses an RGB-depth sensor to measure shoulder ROM. Studies that measured shoulder ROM with a single camera marker less motion capture system using the RGB-depth sensor and assessed the intra- and/or inter-rater reliability, and/or validity of the device will be included. The search of electronic databases, such as MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochran library, Cumulative Index to Nursing, and Allied Health Literature via EBSCO, IEEE Xplore, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, KoreaMed, Korean studies Information Service System, and Research Information Sharing Services will be performed for all relevant articles from inception to December 2022. Two authors will independently perform quality assessments using the Consensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments checklist for reliability, measurement error of outcome measurement instrument, and criterion validity. The primary outcomes will be the intra- and inter-rater reliability and validity of the markerless motion capture system measuring shoulder flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, internal rotation, or external rotation. A subgroup analysis would be performed if there are sufficient data to pool to identify an influencing factor in the measurement of ROM using a marker less motion capture system. These findings will present tools to utilize and evaluate single camera motion capture systems for the medical use for clinicians and healthcare experts and can aid in further clinical research using such a system for different movements and other joints.

폐경기 비만 여성의 운동 중재 효과

Objectives This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis study to confirm the characteristics and effects of domestic exercise intervention programs for health promotion in postmenopausal obese women.&#x0D; Methods This study investigated literature published in academic journals published in Korea until August 2022. The search was conducted through four databases: Korean Studies Information Service System (KISS), Research Information Sharing Service (RISS), Korean Medical Papers Database, and National Assembly Library. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the final 4 RCT papers were analyzed. For the selected literature, the effect size was calculated using RevMan 5.4.&#x0D; Results As a result of the analysis, it was confirmed that exercise intervention in postmenopausal obese women had significant effects on body fat percentage -8.96 and body mass index -1.50. In addition, significant effects of exercise were found on systolic blood pressure -6.91, total cholesterol -5.30, triglyceride -3.00, low-density lipoprotein -22.13, high-density lipoprotein 2.26, and blood glucose -10.66.&#x0D; Conclusions With the development of modern medicine, the average life expectancy of women is increasing, and the risk of obesity after menopause is increasing due to various reasons such as long-term hormonal changes. Therefore, by confirming the effect of exercise intervention on postmenopausal obese women, this researcher will be able to use it as evidence for the development of educational programs for obesity prevention and health promotion exercise for subjects in the community.

Effects of Taekwondo Training on Growth Factors in Normal Korean Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

The growth of children and adolescents is both an important health indicator and a major public health issue. Many recent studies have investigated the effects of taekwondo on growth factors, but no consensus has yet been reached. This meta-analysis aimed to determine the effects of taekwondo on the growth factors in children and adolescents (aged 8 to 16 years). Randomized controlled trials from PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, the Research Information Sharing Service, the Korea Citation Index, and the Korean-studies Information Service System were analyzed. The effect sizes (standardized mean differences, SMD) were calculated, the risk of bias and publication bias were assessed, and the effect size and subgroup analyses were pooled. We found that the taekwondo group had significantly higher levels of growth hormones (SMD 1.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.98-2.58, and p < 0.001) and insulin-like growth factors (SMD 1.76, 95% CI 0.60-2.92, and p < 0.001) than the control group. For height, a medium effect size was observed (SMD 0.62, 95% CI -0.56-1.80, and p = 0.300), but the between-group difference was not significant. Thus, taekwondo had significant positive effects on the secretion of growth hormones and insulin-like growth factors in Korean children and adolescents. A longitudinal follow-up is necessary to determine the effect on height. This suggests that taekwondo can be recommended as an appropriate physical exercise for maintaining normal growth in children and adolescents.

Integrative medicine (East Asian herbal medicine combined with conventional medicine) for psoriasis: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune skin disease. The aim of this review is to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of integrative medicine (East Asian herbal medicine combined with conventional medicine) used to treat inflammatory skin lesions of psoriasis. A comprehensive literature search will be conducted in 3 English databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase), 4 Korean databases (Korean Studies Information Service System, Research Information Service System, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System, and Korea Citation Index), 2 Chinese databases (Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure Database and Wanfang data), and 1 Japanese database (Citation Information by National Institute of Informatics) for randomized controlled trials from their inception until July 29, 2021. Statistical analysis will be performed using R version 4.1.2 and the R studio program using the default settings of the "meta" and "metafor" packages. The primary outcome will be an improvement in the psoriasis area severity index. All outcomes will be analyzed using a random-effects model to produce more statistically conservative results. If heterogeneity is detected in the study, the cause will be identified through sensitivity, meta-regression, and subgroup analyses. Methodological quality will be assessed independently using the revised tool for the risk of bias in randomized trials, version 2.0. The overall quality of evidence will be evaluated according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation pro framework. This study will review all available trials on the same subject and arrive at a more statistically robust conclusion based on a sufficient sample size of participants and additional analysis using data mining techniques will be performed on intervention prescription information in clinical studies collected according to rigorous criteria. We believe that this study will provide useful knowledge on managing inflammatory skin lesions of psoriasis vulgaris using integrative medicine using East Asian herbal medicine.

Oral herbal medicine for treatment of postherpetic neuralgia: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most common complication of shingling. Herbal medicine for PHN is clinically used to improve chronic pain and other symptoms that reduce the quality of life (QoL), such as sleep disturbances and emotional problems. This study aims to describe methods for synthesizing evidence for the effectiveness and safety of herbal medicine for treating PHN. Randomized controlled trials using herbal medicine in patients with PHN will be included in this review. Electronic databases such as MEDLINE via PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang, KoreaMed, Research Information Service System, Korean Studies Information Service System, Database Periodical Information Academic, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System, and Korea Citation Index will be searched without language limitations from their inception to September 2022. Two authors will perform quality assessments independently using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. The primary outcome will be pain intensity, and the secondary outcomes will be global impression, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, QoL, and safety. All data from eligible studies will be synthesized for meta-analysis. This study will be a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of oral herbal medicine for treatment of PHN. This study will provide evidence for herbal medicine as a potential treatment for PHN which is advantageous not only for patients but also for researchers and policymakers.