The Utilization of Medical Devices by Traditional Korean Medicine Doctors Investigated through Traditional Korean Medicine Clinical Studies

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the current status of modern medical devices utilized in diagnosis and treatment in traditional Korean medicine (TKM).

Methods: We searched the following six Korean electronic databases to collect TKM clinical studies that were published in a five-year period (January 2012 to December 2016). Clinical studies of TKM when medical devices were used for diagnosis or treatment were investigated.

Results: The search generated a total of 3,735 articles, and 1,328 of these were considered to be clinical studies. Of a total of 1,328 clinical studies of TKM, 774 articles (58.3%) used medical devices for diagnosis or treatment, and 554 articles (41.7%) did not use medical devices for diagnosis or treatment. The three most used diagnostic devices were as follows: MRI scanners, which were used in 194 (20.6%) studies; X-ray machines, which were used in 172 studies (18.3%); and CT scanners, which were used in 139 studies (14.8%). The three most used treatment devices were electroacupuncture equipment (20.3%), transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) equipment (18.4%), and interferential current therapy (ICT) equipment (16.4%).

Conclusions: This study suggests that TKM doctors use diagnostic information derived from modern medical devices clinically. It is therefore necessary to institutionalize considering changes to the medical acts of traditional medicine (TM) doctors. Additionally, this information can be utilized as a reference for developing TM policy and education.

Figure 1

Flowchart of the study selection process.

Figure 2

Utilization of medical devices in Korea from 2012 to 2016 by publication year.

Figure 3

Study trend of diagnostic devices reported in clinical studies of TKM per year. MRI: magnetic resonance imaging; CT: computed tomography; EKG: electrocardiography; DITI: digital infrared thermal imaging; HRV: heart rate variability; EMG: electromyography.

Figure 4

Study trend of treatment devices reported in clinical studies of TKM per year. TENS: transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation; ICT: interferential current therapy; IR: infrared rays; M/W: microwave therapy; EST: electrical stimulation therapy; SSP: silver spike point.