In this single-center, parallel, randomized controlled trial, we aim to examine the effects and safety of motion style acupuncture treatment (MSAT; a combination of acupuncture and Doin therapy) on pain reduction and functional improvement in patients with whiplash-associated disorders (WADs). Ninety-seven patients with cervical pain admitted to the Bucheon Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine, South Korea, due to acute whiplash injury were treated with integrative Korean medicine (IKM) with (MSAT group, 48 patients) or without (control group, 49 patients) an additional 3-day MSAT during hospitalization (5–14 days) and followed-up for 90 days. The mean numeric rating scale (NRS) scores of the MSAT and control groups at baseline were 5.67 (95% confidence interval (CI), 5.33, 6.01) and 5.44 (95% CI, 5.06, 5.82), respectively, and on day 5, 3.55 (95% CI, 3.04, 4.06) and 4.59 (95% CI, 4.10–5.07), respectively. The NRS change difference between the groups was −1.07 (95% CI, −1.76, −0.37). The rate of recovery of neck pain (NRS score change ≥ 2 points) was significantly faster in the MSAT than in the control group (log-rank test p = 0.0055). IKM treatment combined with MSAT may be effective in reducing the pain and improving the range of motion in patients with WADs.

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The present prospective observational study aimed to analyze the outcomes of inpatients who received integrative Korean medicine treatment in order to provide evidence on its effects on lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). Patients with LSS who received inpatient treatment at four Korean medicine hospitals from January 2015 to December 2018 were followed up. Outcomes measured included the numeric rating scale (NRS) scores for back and leg pain, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Changes in outcomes at admission, discharge, and follow-up, as well as associated predictors that could account for the improvement in outcomes were analyzed. The NRS score for back pain, NRS score for leg pain, and ODI decreased by 2.20 points (95% confidence interval (CI), −2.41 to −1.99), 2.28 points (95% CI, −2.59 to −1.96), and 17.31 points (95% CI, −19.6 to −15.02), respectively, at long-term follow-up compared with at admission. Patients with LSS who received inpatient integrative Korean medicine treatment exhibited an improvement in pain and functional disability. Further studies are required to determine the effects of integrative Korean medicine treatment.

Background: This two-arm, parallel, pragmatic, multicenter, clinical randomized, controlled trial with a 12-week follow-up period aimed to compare the effectiveness of pharmacopuncture therapy and physical therapy strategies for chronic neck pain. Methods: Eight sessions of pharmacopuncture therapy or physical therapy were administered within 2 weeks. The primary outcome was the visual analogue scale (VAS) score for neck pain. The secondary outcomes were the scores of the Northwick Park questionnaire (NPQ), VAS score for radiating arm pain, numeric rating scale (NRS) for neck and arm bothersomeness, neck disability index (NDI), patient global impression of change (PGIC), 12-item short form health survey (SF-12), and EuroQoL 5-dimension 5-level (EQ-5D-5L) instrument. The protocol was registered with Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04035018) and CRIS (KCT0004243). Results: We randomly allocated 101 participants with chronic neck pain to the pharmacopuncture therapy (n = 50) or physical therapy group (n = 51). At the primary endpoint (week 5) the pharmacopuncture therapy group showed significantly superior effects regarding VAS score for neck pain and arm bothersomeness, NRS for neck pain, NDI, NPQ, and PGIC compared with the physical therapy group. These effects were sustained up to 12 weeks after follow-up. Conclusion: Compared with physical therapy, pharmacopuncture therapy had superior effects on the pain and functional recovery of patients with chronic neck pain.

Background: Some factors associated with spiritual well-being in dying patients have previously been reported. However, there has been no cross-cultural study comparing factors related to spiritual well-being. The current investigation may shed light on this under-investigated area through a comparison of diverse factors. Aim: We aimed to (1) examine factors associated with spiritual well-being in the last days and (2) compare those factors across three East Asian countries. Design: This is an international multicenter prospective cohort study. Setting/participants: Newly admitted inpatients with far advanced cancer in palliative care units in Japan, Korea and Taiwan were enrolled. Each patient was classified into one of two groups based on spiritual well-being score in the last days of life. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the factors related to better spiritual well-being score in each country. Results: A total of 1761 patients treated at 37 palliative care units from January 2017 to September 2018 were analyzed. Seven variables were significant in Japan, three in Korea, and five in Taiwan. “Good death scale [acceptance],” “fatigue” and “expressed wish for hastened death” were unique in Japan. “Visit from a pastoral care worker within 48 h of death” was unique in Korea. “Patient’s preferences for place of death,” “dyspnea” and “continuous deep sedation” were unique in Taiwan. Conclusions: This study found novel factors related to spiritual well-being in the last days of life, several of which differed according to country. Recognition of factors associated with spiritual well-being can improve the quality of palliative care.