Real-world evidence on the safety and effectiveness of integrative Korean medicine for older patients post-traffic accident: A retrospective observational study.

Korean researchers examined whether integrative Korean medicine (IKM)—which combines acupuncture, herbal medicine, and other traditional therapies with conventional treatments—could safely help older adults recover from traffic accident injuries. The study looked at medical records from 1,788 hospitalized patients aged 65 and older who received IKM treatment between 2021 and 2023.

The research is particularly important because Korea's aging population means more older adults are involved in traffic accidents. Seniors often face slower recovery times, multiple health conditions, and take several medications, making their treatment more complex than younger patients.

Patients in the study received a combination of therapies that typically included acupuncture, Korean herbal medicine, manual therapies, and conventional treatments. The researchers measured improvements in pain levels, quality of life, physical function, and range of motion from hospital admission to discharge.

The results were encouraging across all measures. Neck pain scores dropped from an average of 5.17 to 3.49 on a 10-point scale, while lower back pain improved from 5.19 to 3.55. Patients also showed significant improvements in their ability to perform daily activities, overall quality of life, and joint mobility. These improvements were statistically significant, meaning they were unlikely to occur by chance.

Importantly, the treatment appeared safe for older patients. Most side effects were mild, and no serious adverse events were reported—a crucial consideration for elderly patients who may be more vulnerable to treatment complications.

For older adults recovering from accident-related injuries, this study suggests that integrative approaches combining acupuncture with other Korean medicine therapies may offer a safe and effective treatment option. If you're considering acupuncture or integrative treatment following an injury, seek care from a licensed acupuncturist or qualified integrative medicine provider.

This retrospective observational study evaluated integrative Korean medicine (IKM) treatment outcomes in 1,788 hospitalized traffic accident patients aged ≥65 years across four Korean medicine hospital branches (2021-2023). IKM typically combined acupuncture, herbal medicine, manual therapies, and conventional treatments. Primary outcomes included pain (NRS), quality of life (EQ-5D), functional disability (NDI, ODI, SPADI, WOMAC), and range of motion, assessed via within-group comparisons between admission and discharge.

Results demonstrated statistically significant improvements (P<0.001) across all measured parameters. Mean neck pain NRS decreased from 5.17±0.93 to 3.49±1.24 (1.68-point reduction), while lower back pain improved from 5.19±0.91 to 3.55±1.21 (1.64-point reduction). Quality of life and functional disability indices showed comparable improvements. Safety profile was favorable, with only mild adverse events reported and no serious AEs.

Clinical significance: IKM demonstrates promise as a multimodal intervention for geriatric trauma patients, addressing pain, function, and quality of life with acceptable safety. The large sample size strengthens external validity, though the observational design limits causal inference.