• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.37-47
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• 2011

Objectives : We have studied the effects of GaAlAs (808 nm) low level laser therapy (LLLT) and acupuncture at BL40 on neuropathic pain in rats induced by lumbar spinal nerve 5 ligation. Methods : To produce the model of neuropathic pain, under isoflurane 2.5% anesthesia, the lumbar spinal nerve 5 was ligated by 6-0 silk thread. After neuropathic surgery, we examined if the animals exhibited the behavioral sign of allodynia. The allodynia was assessed by stimulating the medial malleolus with von Frey filament and acetone. Three weeks after the neuropathic surgery, GaAlAs (808 nm) low level laser and acupuncture was inserted at BL40 once a day for 6 days. We examined the withdrawal response of neuropathic rats' legs by von Frey filament and acetone stimulation. And also the author examined c-Fos, nociceptin and nociceptin receptor in the midbrain central gray of neuropathic rats. Results : The GaAlAs (808 nm) low level laser therapy and acupuncture at BL40 decreased the withdrawal response of mechanical allodynia that assessed with von Frey filament in LLLT group on 5 and 6 times and with acetone in AT group and LLLT on 6times. The LLLT and acupuncture at BL40 decreased the c-Fos protein expression in AT and LLLT groups. The 808 nm LLLT and acupuncture at BL40 decreased the nociceptin protein and nociceptin receptor protein in LLLT group. Conclusions : We have noticed that GaAlAs (808 nm) LLLT and acupuncture at BL40 decreased mechanical allodynia in the model of neuropathic pain. c-Fos, nociceptin and nociceptin receptor expression in the central gray of that group was also decreased. This study can be used as a basic resource on a study and a treatment of pain.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.1-15
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• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of massive clinical research and to make a basic analysis on the effectiveness and safety of moxibustion treatment on knee osteoarthritis compared to usual care. Methods and Results : This study is a protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial. Forty participants are assigned to the moxibustion group (n=20) and usual care group (n=20). Participants assigned to the moxibustion group receive moxibustion treatment on the affected knee(s) at six standard acupuncture points (ST36, ST35, ST34, SP9, Ex-LE04 and SP10) three times per week for four weeks (total of 12 sessions). Participants in the usual care group don't receive moxibustion treatment during the study period and follow-up are made on the 5th, 9th and 13th weeks after random allocation. Both groups are allowed to use any kind of treatment, including surgery, conventional medication, physical treatment, acupuncture, herbal medicine, over-the-counter drugs and other active treatments. Education material that explains knee osteoarthritis and current management options and self-exercise is provided for each group. The pain scale of the Korean Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Questionnaire (K-WOMAC) is the primary outcome measurement used in this study. Other subscales of the K-WOMAC, the Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Physical Function test, Patient Global Assessment, and Pain Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) are used as outcome variables to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture. Safety is assessed at every visit. Conclusions : The result of this trial will provide a basis for the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture treatment for knee osteoarthritis.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.55-68
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• 2009

Objectives : To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi pharmacopuncture in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory rat model. Methods : Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups; LPS control (n=6), LPS+Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi pharmacopuncture at BL23 (n=6, BL23), LPS+Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi pharmacopuncture at CV12 (n=6, CV12), and LPS+Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi pharmacopuncture at GV4 (n=6, GV4). Pharmacopuncture was given every two days for 4 weeks followed by inflammation induction by intraperitoneal LPS injection (5mg/kg). Blood, liver tissue, and peritoneal lavage fluid were taken and proinflammatory cytokines and other related factors were analysed. Results : For proinflammatory cytokines, CV12 pharmacopuncture group was significantly different compared with the control group in plasma IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$, and IL-10 5 h after LPS injection (P<0.05). For plasma IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6, CV12 pharmacopuncture group also showed significant difference at 2 h compared with the control (P<0.05). GV4 pharmacopuncture group was significantly different compared with the control at 5 h in plasma IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-$\alpha$ and at 2 h in IL-10 (P<0.05). Liver cytokines were analyzed at 5 h after LPS injection; only CV12 pharmacopuncture group showed significant difference in IL-$1{\beta}$ (P<0.05) and others including IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$, and IL-10 had no difference compared with the control group. CD4/CD8 ratio and the phagocytic activities of polymorphonuclear neutrophils were not different from those of control group in all pharmacopuncture groups (P>0.05). Plasma NO3-/NO2- and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 of CV12 pharmacopuncture group were significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.05). In the plasma concentration of prostaglandin E2, all 3 pharmacopuncture groups had significantly lower values than that of the control group (P<0.05), but there was no difference among pharmacopucnture groups. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and cytokine-induced neutorphil chemoattractant-1 in peritoneal lavage fluid was significantly decreased in CV12 pharmacopuncture group compared with the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions : These results indicate that Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi pharmacopuncture at CV12 may have a potent anti-inflammatory effect in an LPS-induced inflammatory rat model.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.147-166
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• 2008

Objectives : Crohn's disease (CD) is characterized by a chronic relapsing inflammation of the bowel in which proinflammatory cytokines play an important perpetuating role. Methods : Mice (preventive animal model of gliotoxin) were treated with 5 % 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) at day 1 and day 7. To investigate preventive effects of acupuncture with Gujin at $LI_{11}$, acupuncture was carried out at day -1, day 1, day 3. And, to investigate therapeutic effects, acupuncture with Gujin was carried out at day 3, day 5, day 7. For the data analysis, we checked weight and width of colon, diarrhea, edema, survival rate, changes of body weight, and myeloperoxygenase (MPO) activity. For analysing protein expression, we carried out immunohistochemical staining and Western blot and we analyzed mRNA expression by RT-PCR. Results : Colon of TNBS treated mice was erosive and shortening compared with the colon of control mice and induced damages of colon epithelial cell layer and induced infiltration of immune cells in all layer of colon. Acupuncture of gujin at $LI_{11}$ in preventive mode suppressed macorscopic damages such as erosive and shortening of colon by TNBS and damages of intestinal epithelial cells and infiltration of immune cells in the colon. The average weight of 5 cm distal colon was increased in TNBS treated mice (758${\mu}g$) compared with in control mice (112${\mu}g$) and width of distal colon was also increased in TNBS treated mice (4.9mm) compared with in control mice (1.3mm). Acupuncture with Gujin at $LI_{11}$ in preventive and therapeutic mode suppressed increase of colon weight and width by TNBS. TNBS induced edema of colon and diarrhea and Acupunctured with Gujin at $LI_{11}$ in preventive and therapeutic mode ameliorated these symptom by TNBS. In preventive and therapeutic mode, the effects of acupuncture with Gujin at $LI_{11}$ were increasing the motility, suppressing body weight decreasing, suppressing MPO activity, reducing expressing of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-1b, and ICAM-1 in colon compared with that by TNBS Conclusions : This study demonstrates that acupuncture with Gujin at $LI_{11}$ represents a potential therapeutic method of Crohn's disease.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.43-51
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• 2008

배경 : 최근까지 이루어진 천식의 침치료 무작위 대조군 연구들에 의한 결과는 뚜렷한 효과를 보여주지 못하고 있다. 이러한 요인의 하나로 적절한 피험자 수를 정하기 위한 예비 임상시험의 부재가 거론되고 있다. 따라서 천식에 대한 침치료의 본 임상시험에 앞서 이의 실행 가능성 및 규모를 예측하는 예비임상시험이 필요한 상황이다. 목적 : 예비임상시험을 통해 서양의학적 치료를 받고 있는 천식환자들에 대한 침치료의 부가적 효과를 검증하기 위한 본 임상시험의 실현 가능성을 예측하기 위함. 방법 : 본 시험은 무작위 단일 맹검 대조군 평행 설계 예비 임상시험이다. 1차 평가변수는 최대 호기량 검사기로 집에서 아침, 저녁으로 매일 측정한 수치로 구해진 최대 호기 유속 일중 변동률의 1주간 평균치 변화이며 2차 평가변수는 의료기관에서 시행하는 폐기능 검사, 기준시점 호흡곤란 지수, 호흡곤란 변화에 대한 지수, 천식환자들의 삶의 질 평가를 위한 설문 등이다. 피험자 수는 총 45명으로 선정 및 제외기준을 통해서 참여하게 되며 1주간의 최대 호기 유속 기저치 평가 기간을 거친 후 진짜침 처치 군, 가짜침 처치 군, 대기군 세 군에 각각 무작위로 15명씩 할당된다. 모든 피험자에게 기존의 천식관련 약물의 사용을 허용하며, 진짜침 처치군 및 가짜침 처치군은 주 3회 4주간 해당 처치를 받고 2주 후에 각 평가 항목에 대하여 추적, 관찰하게 된다. 대기군은 기존의 천식관리를 유지하면서 2주마다 방문하여 총 6주간 평가를 받고 진짜침 처치를 4주간 받게 된다. 고찰 : 본 연구는 국내에서 최초로 이루어지는 천식에 대한 침 무작위 대조군 예비 임상시험으로 향후 적절한 피험자 수와 실행가능성을 예측할 수 있으리라 기대된다.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.65-80
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• 2008

Objective : In recent years, many investigators have questioned whether the analgesic effect of acupuncture is simply related to the stress-induced analgesia (SIA). However, there has been lack of studies on this issue. In this study, the stress levels induced by manual acupunctures are compared with the stress in animal experiment models. The experiments have been carried out with Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. Method : For stress level evaluation, Hot plate test has been used. Maximum Possible Effect (MPE) has been measured by checking the pre-test time and post-test time. Cortisol and corticosterone concentrations in serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results : In the hot plate test, MPE values of post-test time were significantly decreased after 10 minutes than after 5 minutes. Therefore, optimal time interval was chosen as 10 minutes. There was significant difference of MPE values between Suspension group and all other treatment groups. However, there were no significant differences of MPE values between Sham group and all other treatment groups. However, MPE values showed tendency to decrease when acupuncture needle diameter increased. MPE values of ST040, ST040(lido), NAP040(lido) groups were markedly decreased than that of Suspension group, while that of NAP040 group was substantially increased than that of Sham group increased in acupoint and nonacupoint models. Serum cortisol concentrations of treatment groups were not significantly different from that of Suspension and Sham groups. Serum corticosterone concentration of 0.25 mm group was substantially increased than that of compared with Sham group. Serum cortisol and corticosterone concentrations of treatment groups were not significantly different from those of Suspension and Sham groups in acupoint and nonacupoint models. Conclusion : From hot plate test and serum stress hormones concentrations, it is found that manual acupuncture treatment induces negligible stress or SIA on ST36. And the stress induced by manual acupuncture is more closely related to acupuncture point needlings than diameters of acupuncture needles.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.136-145
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial was to examine how acupuncture treatment at Shinmun(HT7) affects the brain activity and the autonomic nervous system(ANS), using electroencephalograms(EEG) and heart rate variability(HRV). Methods : Eighteen healthy volunteers participated in two separate experiments: in each experiment, either real acupuncture(RA) or non-penetrating sham acupuncture(SA) was applied at HT7 in random sequences to each person. The EEG and HRV measurements were conducted simultaneously before and during the acupuncture stimulation for 5 minutes, respectively. Resulting EEG and HRV parameters were compared between RA and SA groups. To assess differences according to the stress levels for participants, subgroup analysis was performed based on the results of the stress response index questionnaire. Results : In the results, acupuncture stimulation at HT7 increased ${\alpha}$ band in EEG. In the HRV analysis, heart rate was decreased significantly but HF and RMS-SD were increased in the RA group, compared with those of the SA group. In the subgroup analysis by stress level, participants in the RA group with high stress exhibited an increased in ${\alpha}$ band in their EEG while the low stress participants showed decrease or little increase in the band. For the SA group, ${\alpha}$ band reported relatively moderate changes in all channels. Conclusions : Our results showed that acupuncture induces changes in brain activation and the ANS. Acupuncture was related to the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system. The brain activities of the participants were different depending on the stress level.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.125-135
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• 2014

Objectives : Warm needling is the method combining the effects of acupuncture and moxibustion. In modern clinics, warm needling is only affected by treatment time or frequency. We need to study the physical characteristics of warm needles currently used in clinics in order to develop more efficient and economical treatments. Methods : We collected various warm needle specimens and analyzed chemical constitutions, measured heat transfer velocity, micro Vicker's hardness and specific resistance. We studied the relationship between heat transfer velocity and micro Vicker's hardness as well as that between heat transfer velocity and specific resistance. Results : The heat transfer velocity of the Silver_HL was 3.3 mm/sec, of the Au alloy group was 1.3~2.6 mm/sec, and Silver_IN, Silver_ZK and SS groups was less than 0.3 mm/sec. We therefore concluded that the needle composed of Ag has the best heat transfer velocity. In the Micro Vicker's hardness test, Vicker's hardness of the Au alloy group was 159~170 Hv, of Silver_HL was 181 Hv, and of the Silver_IN, Silver_ZK, SS group was 450.8~519 Hv. In the Silver_IN, Silver_ZK and SS groups, hardness was inversely proportial to thermal conductivity. In the specific resistance test, the specific resistance of Silver_HL was the lowest, that of the Au alloy group was the second lowest, and that of the Silver_IN, Silver_ZK, SS groups were the highest. Conclusions : We concluded that the needle composed of Ag has the best heat transfer velocity, highest electric conductivity and thermal conductivity, therefore the needle composed of Ag is suitable for warm needling.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.193-200
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• 2013

Objectives : This study is to examine the effects of moxibustion at Junggeuk(CV3), Singwol(CV8) on women's urinary incontinence and quality of life. The study is a research based on the non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design. Methods : The subjects of the study were 45 women who were using either of 2 health clinics located in Ulsan. They were sampled in accordance with predetermined standards and then divided into the experimental and control groups, respectively consisting of 22 and 23 members. In treating those women through moxibustion, this researcher applied 2 sheets of 'shingigu' to each of the women on 40 min, per time basis. This experiment was conducted 6 times in total for 2 weeks on every two day basis. Data from all of the measurements were statistically processed and analyzed using SPSS/WIN 12.0. Demographic characteristics of the subjects were examined and indicated in frequency and percentage. The homogeneity test of the two groups was conducted using $x^2$-test, Fisher's exact test, t-test and Mann-Whitney U Test. Hypotheses set for the study were verified through t-test and Mann-Whitney U Test. Results : The experimental group who take moxibustion will be lower in the severeness of urinary incontinence than the control group who do not was supported(p<0.001). 2. The experimental group who take moxibustion will be higher in score for life quality than the control group who do not was supported(U=42.00, p<0.001). Conclusions : These findings suggest that moxibustion can be an effective intervention for women having urinary incontinence because it treats the symptom with no adverse effect and it is non-invasive and easily applicable.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.185-192
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• 2013

Objectives : Many studies have investigated the electric specificity of meridian and acupoint. However, the definition about the real substance of 'Ki(Qi)' that flows in the meridian has not been established yet. The authors hypothesized that the 'Ki(Qi)' may be the very 'bioelectricity' of western medicine, from two common features that they are not visible with naked eyes and that they function in the living body only. Methods : 20 healthy adults participated in this study. Heart rate was measured before and after exercise. Acupuncture was performed at PC6 immediately after exercise with counter balance in the first experiment. In the second experiment, acupuncture group was further divided to the three groups, i.e. glove acupuncture group, manual acupuncture group, and NaCl acupuncture group. In the glove group, acupuncturist put on the two folds of latex gloves to block bioelectric currents between the acupuncturist and subject. In the NaCl group, acupuncturist had his fingertips wet with NaCl solution. Results : Exercise increased Heart Rate and acupuncture at PC6 inhibited this increase. In the second experiment, the significant difference compared to the comtrol group was the most in NaCl acupuncture and the least in Glove acupuncture. However, there was no significant difference between three groups. Conclusions : The results of this study seem to be deficient as a conclusive evidence for the hypothesis that the 'Ki(Qi)' of Korean Medicine is the 'bioelectricity' of western medicine.