• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.441-452
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• 2012

Objectives : As the attempts to make good uses of laser acupuncture in korean medicine have been steadily carried on, to ensure the safety is needed to increase the use of laser acupuncture. The aim of this study was to examine the safety of using laser acupuncture therapy irradiated with 830 nm laser and 905 nm laser. Methods : Fifteen rats were randomly divided into three experimental groups - Intact ; no therapy group. LAT830 ; laser acupuncture therapy(830 nm) group at GB34 GB39. LAT905 ; laser acupuncture therapy(905 nm) group at GB34 GB39. During eight weeks of treatment, LAT830, LAT905 were treated 2 times weekly, frequency 20 Hz, intensity 20 mW. Test items were mortality, body weight, food consumptions, hematological values, blood chemical values, urinalysis values, absolute organ weights and relative organ weights. Results : Statistically significant differences were not found among 3 groups. The values measured in LAT830, LAT905 and Intact(no therapy) group have shown similar results and it indicated that LAT830, LAT905 had no abnormal influence on the reaction of living bodies. There was little difference on the liver weight of relative organ weight test between laser-treated groups(LAT830, LAT905) and Intact group. Conclusions : In conclusion, laser acupuncture therapies irradiated with 830 nm laser and 905 nm laser caused no abnormal reaction of living bodies. More studies are needed to further establish the safety of many other laser acupuncture therapies.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.121-128
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• 2010

Objectives : This study was to investigate the effects of Oriental medical treatment on ALS. Methods : We investigated 12 ALS patients which were admitted to Gwang-Ju O.M.hospital for 3 months and follow-up at 8 months after discharge. All patients were treated by SAAM-acupuncture, herb medication, Bee venom Pharmacopuncture therapy, Needle-embedding therapy, etc and after discharge self-therapy at home. We evaluated patients using the Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised(ALSFRS-R), Medical Research Council (MRC) Scale. Results : After 1 month, mean ALSFRS-R score of patients was $29.08{\pm}7.99$, 2 months $28.70{\pm}7.17$, 3 months $28.16{\pm}8.23$, 1 year $21.33{\pm}9.93$ and mean MRC Scale of patients was $25.34{\pm}8.45$, 2 months $25.34{\pm}8.45$, 3months $21.56{\pm}9.20$. But in both cases, the variation was not statistically significant. Conclusions : We think that the results of this case be a pilot study that proves the effect of Oriental Medical treatment on ALS.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.29-41
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• 2008

Objectives : The aim of this study is to examine the effects of SSP(silver-spike point) therapy, applied to acupuncture points, on the middle cerebral arteries blood flows of sample group(tention-type headache patients, n=12) and control group(non tension-type headache patients, n=12), and on the reduction of their headaches, when applied to acupuncture points. Methods : We stimulated 6 acupuncture points for headache with the SSP(three times a week for three weeks), and measured VAS(visual analogue scale) and the blood flow of the middle cerebral arteries with TCD(transcranial doppler ultrasonography). Results : The blood flow of the middle cerebral artery and VAS of the sample group and the control group were compared four times(initial, 1weeks, 2weeks, 3weeks) and significant differences in the measurements were found at 3 weeks(p<.05). The blood flow of the middle cerebral artery of the sample group was significantly increased, and VAS was significantly decreased in both groups. Conclusions : The silver-spike-point low-frequency electrical-stimulation treatment, applied to acupuncture points, can significantly increase the blood flow of the middle cerebral arteries in headache patients and can thus alleviate their headaches.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.35-42
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• 2012

Objectives : This study was to observe clinical application of auto-microneedle therapy system (AMTS) in patients with peripheral facial paralysis. Methods : 27 peripheral facial paralysis patients were observed after taking AMTS at Facial Palsy Center, Kyung Hee University Oriental Medicine Hospital from March 1, 2011 to January 9, 2012. We assessed the symptoms of facial paralysis with Yanagihara unweighted grading system, Sunnybrook facial grading system(SBGS) and facial disability index(FDI), and observed adverse events and total safety of the treatment. Results : The scores of facial palsy scales increased after AMTS in Yanagihara grading system and Sunnybrook facial grading system. AMTS-related adverse events were mild pain(5.9%) and fatigue(3.5%), which needed no extra treatment. The total safety evaluation was between 'safe' and 'nearly safe' level. There were no other serious adverse events. In addition, patients were satisfied with subjective improvement including facial tingling and numbness. Conclusions : AMTS can be applied as an adjunctive treatment for patients with peripheral facial paralysis due to its safety and clinical usefulness. It is easier to stimulate wide skin area in a short time. Further clinical research is required to investigate the effectiveness of ATMS in a more rigorous RCTs.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 2005

Objectives : This study was to investigate the effect of the Carthami Semen Herbal acupuncture therapy on a Cauda equina syndrome patient who has a complex of low back pain, bilateral sciatica, saddle anesthesia and motor weakness in the lower extremity and paraplegia with bladder and bowel incontinence. Methods : Oriental Medical Therapy was performed on the Cauda equina syndrome patient from July 15th 2004 to July 29th 2004. The patient was treated with Carthami Semen Herbal acupuncture at BL22, BL23, BL25, BL28 and GV3 in combination with herbal medicine and conventional body acupuncture. We evaluated The Visual Analog Scale(VAS), Improvement index, The Oswestry Diability Index(ODI), gaiting, dyschezia, bladder incontinence, duration of urination and area of anesthesia, Digital Infrared Thermographic Imaging(DITI) before and after treatment. Results : 1. After treatment, VAS, Improvement index, ODI were improved each from 10 to 2, from 21 to 73, from 333 to 166. 2. After treatment, gaiting, bladder incontinence, duration of urination and area of anesthesia and DITI were improved well, but dyschezia was remained. Conclusions : From this case it is thought Carthami Semen herbal acupuncture therapy is very effective to Cauda Equina Syndrome and further study is needed for the confirmation of the effect of Carthami Semen Herbal acupuncture.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.149-163
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• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of Functional Cerebrospinal Therapy(FCST) on patients from traffic accidents with Temporomandibular Joint Disorder. Methods : We reviewed the medical records of 33 patients who were treated for injuries stemming from traffic accidents at the Dong-Eui University Korean Medicine Hospital from December 29th, 2015 to August 29th, 2016. The patients were divided into 2 groups: Group A(n = 15) and Group B(n = 18). In Group A, patients received Korean medical treatments with FCST using an Accurate Balancing Appliance(ABA) - a standard intra-oral appliance. In Group B, patients received Korean medical treatments without FCST. To estimate the efficacy of the treatments in decreasing pain, we analyzed the Visual Analogue Scale(VAS), Neck Disability Index(NDI) and Oswestry Disability Index(ODI). Results : In Group A, VAS of headache(VAS H), VAS of neck & nuchal pain(VAS N), VAS of shoulder pain(VAS S), and VAS of low back pain(VAS L) were significantly improved during each period. In Group B, VAS H was significantly improved during each period, except the period from the first visit to two weeks later. VAS N, S, L were significantly improved during each period, except the period from the first visit to one week later. The total VAS improvement during each period in Group A was significantly higher than Group B. In both groups, NDI and ODI were improved significantly during each period. The improvement of NDI and ODI during each period in Group A was significantly higher than Group B. Conclusion : According to the results, FCST using ABA may be an effective treatment for patients from traffic accidents.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.95-113
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• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this review is to introduce the recent advance in allergic rhinitis and to provide help in establishing strategy and selection of drugs for Korean medical treatment of allergic rhinitis. Methods : We searched articles about allergic rhinitis comprehensively in PubMed, CNKI, JStage, KISTI. And in order to reflect clinical situation, we also reviewed some profession's writing for practitioners. Results : This review discussed allergic rhinitis's epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis. We found many standardized clinical practice guideline have been published in this field. And some guideline reflected accumulation of medical evidence on interventions in Korean medicine. It suggested that acupuncture, herbal medicine, herbal patch are useful to prevention and alleviate allergic symptoms. But some interventions have heterogeneity due to each nation's medical background. Conclusions : Acupuncture therapy is now recommended world widely for treating allergic rhinitis. But other interventions of Korean medicine are not well recognized in the same manner. We need more research to identify mechanism and rigorous clinical trials to clarify efficacy and safety of Korean medicine intervention.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.159-169
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• 2019

Objectives The purpose of this study was to assess the use of Korean Medicine for treating cauda equina syndrome. Methods We searched for studies of the use of Korean Medicine for the treatment of cauda equina syndrome in 8 electronic databases and analyzed these studies. Results We found 297 studies on cauda equina syndrome from 8 electronic databases. We excluded 230 duplicate studies, 53 studies that did not involve the use of Korean Medicine and 1 review article. In addition, 13 case studies (13 patients) were included. Acupuncture, herbal medicine (13 times), moxibustion (9 times), pharmacopuncture (8 times), physical therapy (6 times), cupping therapy (5 times), and the bladder stimulation technique (4 times) were used. ST36 for acupuncture, Bojoongikgi-tang as a herbal medicine, CV4 for moxibustion, bee venom as a pharmacopuncture material and BL23 in pharmacopuncture point were the most frequently used. Conclusions Korean Medcine for cauda equina syndrome was effective. However, we found limited evidence regarding Korean Medicine for cauda equina syndrome. Thus, we think various type of studies including much more case reports, for cauda equina syndrome should be performed in the future.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.291-303
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• 2018

Objectives: The objective of this study is to analyze the Clinical reports of treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Methods: Clinical reports on obsessive compulsive disorder treatment from 2001 to 2017 were searched using the following key words in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). 'OCD', 'qiangpo zheng'. Results: A total of 22 papers were selected, 12 of which were clinical research papers and 10 case report papers. The acupuncture and moxa treatment was more effective in relieving the clinical symptoms of OCD patients as compared to only using western medicine, and it was also possible to reduce the adverse effects of western medicine. Conclusions: It was established that Traditional Chinese medicine has some effect on the treatment of OCD, but there were limitations as follows. The selected papers were retrieved from only one site of CKNI and did not follow a systematic review methodology. Therefore generalized results could not be derived, further studies should therefore be carried out.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.43-49
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• 2001

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of acupuncture, moxibustion and whuallak-tang on acute back pain and liver function. Methods : We investigated 34 acute back pain patients. We treated them with acupuncture, moxibustion and bed rest, herbal medicine (Whuallak-tang, Huoluo-tang, 活絡湯) and physical therapy and we observed clinical effects and checked the changes of AST,ALT,ALP on admission and 1week later. Results : The result obtained is as follows. The patients were 58.8% male and 41.2% female ranging in age from 29 to 76 years. after treatment, of the 34 cases, 10(29.4%) were obtained excellent results and 23(67.7%) were good, and 1(2.9%) case was obtained fair result, with the total effective rate being 97.1%. AST,ALT,ALP was within normal range on admission and 1week later. and AST and ALP were decreased but had no statically significance.(P>0.05) Conclusion : This study suggests that acupuncture, moxibustion and Whuallak-tang are effective on acute back pain and should not induce hepatotoxicity. even though there are few toxic herbs in Oriental medicine, acupuncture and general herbal medication by a oriental doctor should not injure liver function of human.