A Review of Pharmacopuncture Treatment for Frozen Shoulder: A Literature Review of Clinical Trials

Abstract

The objective of this study was to review clinical trials of pharmacopuncture treatment for Frozen Shoulder and to evaluate trends in this field. The literature search was performed using PubMed, the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and 5 Korean electronic databases. A combination of "pharmacopuncture," "acupoint injection," "Frozen Shoulder," "adhesive capsulitis," and "periarthritis of shoulder" search terms were used. A total of 9 studies were included in this review. The studies were classified into herbal extract-based (5 types) and animal-based (2 types) pharmacopuncture treatment of Frozen Shoulder. There were 14 different acupoints and Ashi points used in the 9 studies. The total volume of herbal extract-based pharmacopuncture injected was usually between 2 mL and 4 mL, and for animalbased pharmacopuncture it was 1 ml. In most studies of Frozen Shoulder, pain was reduced and function was significantly improved after pharmacopuncture treatment. These results demonstrate that pharmacopuncture alleviates pain and restores function in patients with Frozen Shoulder. Further studies must be conducted on pharmacopuncture for management of Frozen Shoulder.

Effectiveness of Pharmacopuncture Therapy in Adhesive Capsulitis: a Study Protocol for a Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Various herbal medicine extracts are used in this therapy. In China, Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort, Angelica sinensis, and Salvia miltiorrhiza extracts have been employed to treat AC patients [18]. Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort inhibits TNF-α production and exhibits anti-inflammatory effects [30].…”

“…A prior review identified only two studies examining the impact of pharmacopuncture therapy on adhesive capsulitis in South Korea [18]. These studies consisted of one randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluating the efficacy of bee venom pharmacopuncture [19] and one non-RCT investigating the effectiveness of scolopendrid pharmacopuncture on AC [20].…”

Prospects for the Development of Acupuncture Treatment Led by the Use of Ultrasound Imaging Devices

“…, 침 치료 효과 전달을 위한 신경 생리학적 기전 [3][4][5] , 침 시술부위의 물리적 변형 6,7) , 및 다양한 생물학적, 화학적 기전연구 16) , 안태석등이 보고한 늑골골절연구 17) , 박정욱 등이 보고한 교통사고후 급성요통 연구 등 18) 에서 임상적 효능 을 확인하였다고 보고 하였고, 김성하등은 총비골신경 마비에 서 초음파 유도하 도침치료 효과 19) [13][14][15] 초음파 유도하 약침(Ultrasound guided pharmacopuncture; 봉약침, 소염약침, 자하거약침 등) [16][17][18] 초음파 유도하 시술(Ultrasound guided stimulation; 도침, 등) 19,20) 10 https://doi.org/10.54461/JKMST.2021.…”