Objectives This study aims to analyze clinical studies on subacromial-subdeltoid (SA-SD) bursitis and propose future directions for clinical research on SA-SD bursitis.
Methods We searched eight databases to investigate research trends in Korean medicine treatments for SA-SD bursitis up to November 2023. A total of thirty-one studies were included in this analysis.
Results Among the included studies, there were six case reports from Korea, fifteen case reports, and ten randomized controlled trials from abroad. Various interventions were uesd, including acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, manual therapy, electroacupuncture, cupping, physiotherapy, acupotomy, warm-acupuncture, herbal medicine, and moxibustion. The evaluation tools used in these studies included the total effective rate, visual analogue scale, range of motion, and numeral rating scale.
Conclusions This study provides an overview of the research trends in Korean medicine treatments for SA-SD bursitis. However, given the low quality and small sample sizes of the studies, the evidence supporting effect of Korean medicine treatments for SA-SD bursitis was insufficient. Further clinical trials and systematic reviews are required. (J Korean Med Rehabil 2024;34(2):85-100)