동상의 한의치료에 대한 국내외 임상 연구 동향 분석: 주제범위 문헌고찰

Abstract

Objective : Frostbite occurs due to prolonged exposure to extreme cold, leading to skin and tissue damage. It often results in sensory deficits, motor impairment and chronic pain. Conventional treatments such as rapid rewarming, antibiotics and physical therapy, show limited effectiveness in severe cases. Moreover, some individuals are unwilling to pursue surgical options. Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), including acupuncture, moxibustion and herbal medicine, offers alternative treatments, but their efficacy has not been comprehensively evaluated. This review aims to examine global research on TKM treatments for frostbite, highlighting trends, techniques and research gaps to inform clinical practice and future studies. Methods : Using the Arksey and O'Malley framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a systematic search was conducted across nine databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE and CNKI. Studies on TKM-based frostbite treatments were analyzed for study design, intervention methods, outcomes and areas for further research. The ROBINS-I tool was employed to evaluate bias. Results : A total of 18 studies were reviewed, mostly before-after studies(11 studies, 61.1%) and non-randomized controlled trial(4 studies, 22.2%). Common treatments included acupuncture, moxibustion, herbal remedies and external preparations. Positive outcomes were frequently reported, but limitations in sample size and study design reduced the overall quality of evidence. High risk of bias was noted in the majority of studies. Conclusion: TKM shows potential as an effective frostbite treatment. However, the lack of high-quality randomized trials limits robust conclusions. Future research should focus on larger sample sizes and improved study designs to strengthen evidence for TKM interventions.