• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.173-185
• /
• 2009

Objectives : Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(ALS) is a progressive disease that causes degeneration of the motor neurons of the brain and spinal cord. The purpose of this case study is to improvement of oriental mediacl treatment on ALS. Methods : The patients were treated by acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping therapy, herbal medication, physical treatment. To determine the effects of Oriental medical treatment, we evaluated weekly used by Korean version of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised(K-ALSFRS-R), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Severity Scale(ALSSS). Results : Symptoms such as cervical and shoulder pain, knee pain, cold sweating, insomnia etc were improved after above treatment. But K-ALSFRS-R and ALSSS were no improvement after above treatment. Conclusions : The Oriental medical treatment is effective on local symptoms of ALS, but there were no functional improvement of ALS in this case study. It is necessary to have more examination about ALS.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.13 no.4
• /
• pp.119-128
• /
• 2010

Objectives : The objective of this study is to report the change of progress in symptoms and various scales after treated with Mountain Ginseng Pharmacopuncture(MGP) on the patients of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(ALS). Methods : The three ALS patients who treated with MGP, were checked the change of progress by ALS Functional Rating Scale(ALSFRS), ALS Severity Score(ALSSS), grasping power on both arms and circumference of both thighs and calves. Results : After MGP treatment on three ALS patients, first case did not grow worse during MGP treated whereas she got worse rapidly during none treated period. Second case did not grow worse during treated period and third case got worse in progress by slow degrees despite of MGP treatment. Conclusions : Although MGP could not control the progress of ALS completely, MGP may help the improving of quality of life(QOL) in ALS patients and have the effect of delayed ALS progression.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.937-947
• /
• 2007

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive disorder that causes degeneration of motor neurons of the brain and spinal cord. ALS is a progressive, fatal neuromuscular disease characterized by loss of motor neurons leading to muscle weakness. Sensation and mental function stay intact during the course of the disease. ALS is characterized by both upper and lower motor neuron damage. Diagnosis includes magnetic response imaging (MRI) electromyogram (EMG), muscle biopsy, and blood test. There is no cure for ALS. We recently observed three cases of ALS. The patients were diagnosis with ALS by EMG and symptoms. This report was conducted to evaluate how oriental medical treatment can affect ALS. We report the change of their symptoms through oriental medical treatment compared with taking riluzole.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.67-73
• /
• 2014

Objectives : Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a selective death of motor neuron, leading to respiratory insufficiency. The purpose of this study was to assess the long term respiratory management of ALS patient with respiratory failure. Methods : One ALS patient applying a non-invasive BIPAP ventilator as well as Korean medical treatment such as acupuncture, pharmacopuncture and herbal medicine was measured on $SpO_2$, $EtCO_2$, Vte(expiratorytidalvolume) for 2 years 7 months. Results : The $SpO_2$, $EtCO_2$ of ALS patient were maintained in the normal range for 2 years 7 months. The Vte of ALS patient also wasn't worse in this study. Conclusions : In this study, the long term respiration management, combined administration of Korean medical treatment and non-invasive BIPAP ventilator, could be effective in ALS patient with respiratory failure.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.21-26
• /
• 2003

Background & Objectives: Hyperexcitablity of motor system is a well-established characteristic pathophysiologic finding of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Whereas little is known about the source of excitability according to the progression of the disease. We evaluated the excitability and its source in advanced ALS patients using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Meterial & Methods: Motor evoked potentials (MEP) by TMS were recorded for abductor pollicis brevis muscles in 20 patients, 11 men and 9 women, with ALS. Mean age was $54.2{\pm}12.1years$, and mean disease duration was $13.9{\pm}13.4years$. Serial magnetic stimulations were applied to get the parameters; excitability threshold (ET), amplitude and latency of MEP. We also had a facilitated MEP (fMEP). Results: The parameters were analyzed according to the clinical settings. ET was higher in ALS(mean $63.5{\pm}18.1$) than normal control (mean $46.0{\pm}8.4$, p<0.01). Amplitudes of MEP were reduced in ALS ($2.6{\pm}3.6mV$; control $6.5{\pm}3.1mV$, p<0.01). Duration of the disease and ET showed significant inverse correlation (Spearson correlation coefficient = -0.57, p<0.01). Duration of the disease and fMEP/MEP ratio showed less but also significant inverse correlation (Spearson correlation coefficient, r = -0.52, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Lower ET in advanced ALS patients, in spite of decreased fMEP/MEP ratio, may indicate the hyperexcitability of lower motor neurons in these patients. This study suggests that lower motor neurons is hyperexcitable due to upper motor neuron dysfunction at advanced stage.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.29 no.5
• /
• pp.187-195
• /
• 2012

Objectives : Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS) is a progressive and incurable disease that causes degeneration of the motor neurons of the brain stem and spinal cord. The purpose of this study was to report the effectiveness of Sa-am acupuncture treatment on ALS patient. Methods : Following the stabilization period, a ALS patient respiratory figures(Et $C_{O2}$, Sp $_{O2}$, RR, pulse) were measured by using capnography & pulse oximetry for 30 minutes before acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture treatment such as lung tonification($SP_3(+){\cdot}LU_9(+){\cdot}HT_8(-){\cdot}LU_{10}(-)$), heart tonification($HT_9(+){\cdot}LR_1(+){\cdot}SI_8(-){\cdot}KI_{10}(-)$), liver tonification ($KI_{10}(+){\cdot}LR_8(+){\cdot}LU_8(-){\cdot}LR_4(-)$) were conducted for 5 days. Each Sa-am acupuncture treatment conducted at AM 7 : 00, AM 11 : 00, PM 4 : 30 of the day. During acupuncture treatment, the patient respiratory figures were measured equally for 30 minutes. The patient was treated by using Dong-bang acupuncture needles($0.30{\times}4.0$) and also stimulated using infra red. Results : The value of Et $C_{O2}$ has decreased more after Sa-am acupuncture lung tonification treatment than others. The value of pulse has decreased more after Sa-am acupuncture heart tonification treatment than others. The value of raspiration rate has decreased more after Sa-am acupuncture liver tonification treatment than others. And the value of Sp $O_2$ has increased more after Sa-am acupuncture liver tonification treatment than others. Conclusions : Although this study was subject to a few limitations, but it shows that Sa-am acupuncture treatment for ALS patients has a meaningful effect. This study needs to be developed further using a larger sample size to obtain more valuable and meaningful data.