• Acupuncture Adverse Events in China: A Glimpse of Historical and Contextual Aspects 

      Birch, Stephen; Alræk, Terje; Norheim, Arne Johan (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2013)
      The article by He and colleagues, ‘‘Adverse Events Following Acupuncture: A Systematic Review of the Chinese Literature for the Years 1956–2010’’ is an important and timely contribution. In this commentary, the article is reviewed and issues are highlighted about how to interpret and contextualize the results of their study. While their review has been well performed, certain areas have been ...
    • Acupuncture and Moxibustion for Cancer-Related Fatigue: An Overview of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis 

      Choi, Tae-Young; Ang, Lin; Jun, Ji Hee; Alræk, Terje; Lee, Myeong Soo (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2022-05-10)
      Although acupuncture (AT) is used in the treatment of CRF, the evidence from different systematic reviews (SRs) of AT has not yet been comprehensively evaluated. Moxibustion, which is a treatment method that is well established within Traditional East Asian Medicine, applies the heat of burning herbs towards or onto special points on the skin. Commonly, the herb Artemisia vulgaris, is used. It ...
    • Acupuncture for managing cancer-related fatigue in breast cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis 

      Choi, Tae-Young; Ang, Lin; Jun, Ji Hee; Alræk, Terje; Birch, Stephen; Lu, Weidong; Lee, Myeong Soo (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2022-09-11)
      Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer in women and is a serious threat to women’s health. Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a distressing symptom in BC patients during and after chemotherapy or radiation therapy that severely affects quality of life (QoL). AT is widely used for fatigue management. However, the effect of AT on CRF is still uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy ...
    • The acupuncture on hot flashes among menopausal women (ACUFLASH) study : observational follow up results at six and 12 months 

      Borud, Einar Kristian; White, Adrian; Alræk, Terje; Grimsgaard, Sameline (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2010-03)
      Objective: The previously published ACUFLASH study compared the effectiveness of individualized acupuncture treatment plus self-care versus self-care alone on hot flashes and health-related quality of life in postmenopausal women. This paper reports on the observational follow-up results at six and 12 months. <br>Methods: The ACUFLASH study was a pragmatic, multicenter, randomized, controlled ...
    • Adverse effects of homeopathy, what do we know? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials 

      Stub, Trine; Musial, Frauke; Kristoffersen, Agnete Egilsdatter; Alræk, Terje; Liu, Jianping (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2016-03-26)
      Objectives:<br>Homeopathy is a popular treatment modality among patient, however there is sparse research about adverse effects of homeopathy. A concept unique for homeopathy, is homeopathic aggravation that is understood as a transient worsening of the patients’ symptoms before an expected improvement occurs. From a risk perspective it is vital that a distinction between homeopathic aggravations ...
    • Chinese red yeast rice (Monascus purpureus) for primary hyperlipidemia. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials 

      Grimsgaard, Sameline; Zhang, Jing; Yi, Shi; Alræk, Terje; Fønnebø, Vinjar; Liu, Jianping (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2006-11-23)
      Extracts of Chinese red yeast rice (RYR, a traditional dietary seasoning of Monascus purpureus) contains several active ingredients including lovastatin, and several trials of its possible lipid-lowering effects have been conducted. This meta-analysis assesses the effectiveness and safety of RYR preparations on lipid modification in primary hyperlipidemia. We included randomized controlled trials ...
    • Clinical reasoning in traditional medicine exemplified by the clinical encounter of Korean medicine: a narrative review 

      Kim, Tae-Hun; Alræk, Terje; Bian, Zhao-Xiang; Birch, Stephen; Bovey, Mark; Lee, Juah; Lee, Myeong Soo; Robinson, Nicola; Zaslawski, Christopher (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2020-08-11)
      Background - Clinical reasoning is generally defined as a way of thinking about diagnostic or therapeutic decision making in clinical practice. Different cognitive models have been proposed for the clinical reasoning process which takes place during the clinical encounter with a patient. This may have similarities with similar approaches used in Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM). Jinchal, the clinical ...
    • Comparative effectiveness of acupuncture in sham-controlled trials for knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and network meta-analysis 

      Lee, Boram; Kim, Tae-Hun; Birch, Stephen; Alræk, Terje; Lee, Hye Won; Nielsen, Arya; Wieland, L. Susan; Lee, Myeong Soo (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2023-01-09)
      Objectives: Although many trials have assessed the effect of acupuncture on knee osteoarthritis (KOA), its efficacy remains controversial. Sham acupuncture techniques are regarded as representative control interventions in acupuncture trials and sometimes incorporate the use of sham devices (base units) to support a non-penetrating needle. To achieve successful blinding, these trials also use ...
    • Complementary and alternative medicine for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome : a systematic review 

      Alræk, Terje; Lee, Myeong S.; Choi, Tae-Young; Cao, Huijuan; Liu, Jianping (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2011)
      Throughout the world, patients with chronic diseases/illnesses use complementary and alternative medicines (CAM). The use of CAM is also substantial among patients with diseases/illnesses of unknown aetiology. Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also termed myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), is no exception. Hence, a systematic review of randomised controlled trials of CAM treatments in patients with CFS/ME ...
    • Complementary and alternative medicine for treatment of atopic eczema in children under 14 years old: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials 

      Lu, Chun-Li; Lui, Xue-han; Stub, Trine; Kristoffersen, Agnete Egilsdatter; Liang, Shi-bing; Wang, Xiao; Bai, Xue; Norheim, Arne Johan; Musial, Frauke; Alræk, Terje; Fønnebø, Vinjar; Liu, Jianping (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2018-09-26)
      <i>Background</i>: Due to limitations of conventional medicine for atopic eczema (AE), complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is widely used as an alternative, maintaining, or simultaneous treatment for AE. We aimed to evaluate the beneficial and harmful effects of CAM for children with AE under 14 years old.<p> <p><i>Methods</i>: We searched for randomized trials on CAM in 12 Chinese and ...
    • Conceptualization and utilization of blood stasis syndrome among doctors of Korean medicine: Results of a web-based survey 

      Park, Bongki; Yun, Kyung-Jin; Jung, Jeeyoun; You, Sooseong; Lee, Ju Ah; Choi, Jiae; Kang, Byoung-Kab; Alræk, Terje; Birch, Stephen; Lee, Myeong Soo (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2014)
    • Corrigendum to “Clinical reasoning in traditional medicine exemplified by the clinical encounter of Korean medicine” [Integr Med Res 2021: 10; 100641] 

      Kim, Tae-Hun; Alræk, Terje; Bian, Zhao-Xiang; Birch, Stephen; Bovey, Mark; Lee, Juah; Lee, Myeong Soo; Robinson, Nicola; Zaslawski, Christopher (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2021-11-22)
      The authors regret that the funding number was incorrectly published in the above article. It is now reproduced correctly below. The authors would like to apologize for any inconvenience caused.
    • Descriptions of qi deficiency and qi stagnation in traditional East Asian medicine: A comparison of Asian and Western sources 

      Birch, Stephen; Alræk, Terje; Lee, Myeong Soo; Kim, Tae-Hun (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2022-08-20)
      Introduction - In a previous study, evidence was found of the variability of signs/symptoms (s/s) of blood stasis syndrome among texts of Chinese and Asian origin and English language texts including evidence of the differences between non-Asian and Asian patients. In the current study the diagnostic patterns of qi deficiency (QD) and qi stagnation (QS) were examined to see if similar results could ...
    • Different Outcomes According to Needling Point Location Used in Sham Acupuncture for Cancer-Related Pain: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis 

      Lee, Boram; Kwon, Chan-Young; Lee, Hye Won; Nielsen, Arya; Wieland, L. Susan; Kim, Tae-Hun; Birch, Stephen; Alræk, Terje; Lee, Myeong Soo (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2023-12-17)
      Numerous acupuncture studies have been conducted on cancer-related pain; however, its efficacy compared to sham acupuncture remains controversial. We confirmed whether the outcome of acupuncture differs according to the needling points of sham acupuncture for cancer-related pain. We searched 10 databases on 23 May 2023 to screen acupuncture trials using sham acupuncture or waiting list as controls ...
    • The effect of TCM acupuncture on hot flushes among menopausal women (ACUFLASH) study: A study protocol of an ongoing multi-centre randomised controlled clinical trial 

      White, Adrian; Borud, Einar Kristian; Alræk, Terje; Fønnebø, Vinjar; Grimsgaard, Sameline (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2007-02-26)
      Background: After menopause, 10–20% of all women have nearly intolerable hot flushes. Long term use of hormone replacement therapy involves a health risk, and many women seek alternative strategies to relieve climacteric complaints. Acupuncture is one of the most frequently used complementary therapies in Norway. We designed a study to evaluate whether Traditional Chinese Medicine acupuncture-care ...
    • Ginseng for Erectile Dysfunction: A Cochrane Systematic Review 

      Lee, Hye Won; Lee, Myeong Soo; Kim, Tae-Hun; Alræk, Terje; Zaslawski, Chris; Kim, Jong Wook; Moon, Du Geon (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2021)
      The objectives of this study were to assess the effects of ginseng on erectile dysfunction. We searched multiple electronic databases from their inceptions to 30 January 2021 without restrictions by language. We included randomized or quasirandomized controlled trials that evaluated the use of any type of ginseng as a treatment for erectile dysfunction compared to placebo or conventional treatment. ...
    • Global research trends of sham acupuncture: A bibliometric analysis 

      Lee, Boram; Kwon, Chan-Young; Lee, Ye-Seul; Alræk, Terje; Birch, Stephen; Lee, Hye Won; Ang, Lin; Lee, Myeong Soo (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2023-10-30)
      Objective - Sham acupuncture has been used as a control in acupuncture efficacy trials. However, questions have been raised about whether it is a physiologically inert placebo. We aimed to understand global research trends and provide guidance for future research by conducting a bibliometric analysis of sham acupuncture studies.<p> <p>Methods - Journal articles published to date related to sham ...
    • Health complaints attributed to dental amalgam: a retrospective survey exploring perceived health changes related to amalgam removal 

      Kristoffersen, Agnete Egilsdatter; Alræk, Terje; Stub, Trine; Hamre, Harald Johan; Björkman, Lars; Musial, Frauke (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2016)
      Background: Many patients have complex health complaints they attribute to dental amalgam. There is some evidence of symptom relief after removal of amalgam. Objective: The aims of this study were to assess the total symptom load in patients with all their amalgam fillings removed, and to investigate the self-reported improvement of health with regard to precautions taken under amalgam ...
    • Historical perspectives on using sham acupuncture in acupuncture clinical trials 

      Birch, Stephen; Lee, Myeong Soo; Kim, Tae-Hun; Alræk, Terje (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2021-04-02)
      <i>Background</i> - Trials of acupuncture in the West began before textbooks about acupuncture were generally available. This placed trials at risk of possible faulty assumptions about the practice of acupuncture and adoption of problematic research assumptions and methods. Further, this lack of information has had an influence on the theories of developing a valid and reliable sham control treatment ...
    • Implementing evidence into clinical practice. A survey amongst Norwegian acupuncturists 

      Dahle, Merete Lindén; Alræk, Terje (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2023-01-30)
      Introduction - As the knowledge base evolves in research and clinical application, the demands for adaptability and development in the acupuncture community increase. This study investigates whether acupuncturists in Norway implement changes in their practice according to the developments in research, and which sources of information they use to inform their practice.<p> <p>Methods - Between June ...