A survey on the current clinical use and perceptions of warm needle acupuncture among Korean medicine doctors

Warm needle acupuncture (WNA), a traditional Korean Medicine modality, combines acupuncture with moxibustion. Although previous studies have suggested the clinical value and therapeutic potential of WNA, its routine use remains limited within contemporary Korean Medicine practice. This study aimed to investigate the current clinical use, perceptions, barriers to broader clinical application, and future needs related to WNA among Korean Medicine doctors (KMDs). A nationwide web-based survey of KMDs was conducted from September 27 to November 3, 2025, to assess WNA utilization, perceived effectiveness, adverse events, barriers to clinical use, and demands for device development and insurance support. A total of 28,319 KMDs were invited and 1,076 completed the survey. Among the respondents, 68.7% reported using WNA in clinical practice. Subgroup analyses showed that WNA utilization increased with longer clinical experience and older age. Among 739 respondents who had used WNA, 87.8% reported having encountered at least one WNA-related adverse event in clinical practice. Major barriers to broader clinical use of WNA included procedural complexity, safety concerns, and reimbursement limitations. Most respondents (70.7%) prioritized the development of user-friendly and safe WNA devices, and 74.9% expressed a willingness to adopt dedicated devices. Desired features included improved ease of application (64.7%) and enhanced safety (46.7%). The findings suggest that the clinical utilization of WNA may be influenced primarily by procedural and systemic constraints rather than concerns regarding its perceived clinical effectiveness. The development of standardized and safer WNA devices, together with appropriate insurance support, may facilitate broader adoption in Korean Medicine. Further clinical research is required to strengthen the evidence on the efficacy and safety of WNA and to support its broader clinical and international adoption.