• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.96-103
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• 2002

Objectives : Dyspnea is one of the most common symptoms that we meet, but so far there has been no research about the effects of acupuncture therapy on it. This study was performed in order to evaluate the effect of acupuncture therapy on dyspnea by means of using objective indexes. Methods : The effect of acupuncture therapy was assessed by analyzing the pulmonary function test (PFT) in 10 patients, who had suffered from dyspnea and had pain at the acupuncture point Tian-zong (SI11) when it was compressed by a finger, at our outpatient department. Each patient was treated with acupuncture therapy at both sides of Tian-zong. We compared the results of pre-treatment and post-treatment PFTs, including forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1.0), and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). Results : FVCs of pre-treatment and post-treatment PFTs were $2.23{\pm}0.34(L)$ and $2.40{\pm}0.36(L)$ respectively (P<0.01). FEV1.0s of pre-treatment and post-treatment PFTs were $1.54{\pm}0.37(L)$ and $1.65{\pm}0.41(L)$ respectively (p<0.05). PEFRs of pre-treatment and post-treatment PFTs were $3.41{\pm}1.26(L)$ and $3.93{\pm}1.42(L)$ respectively (p<0.05). Conclusions From the above data, we conclude that FVC, FEV1.0, and PEFR in dyspneic patients have been improved after acupuncture therapy of Tian-zong, so acupuncture therapy of Tian-zong may relieve the dyspnea symptom.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.31-41
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was to evaluate inhibitory effects of Naegwan-acupuncture($PC_6$) on acute RE(reflux esophigitis) rat induced by pylorus and forestomach ligation operation. Methods : Twenty seven SD rats were divided three groups (intact normal rat; RE control rat; RE control rat respectively stimulated by Naegwan point($PC_6$)). All rats was fasted for 18 h but free water, we induced RE by pylorus and forestomach ligation operation. Six hour after the operation, rats were sacrified, collected bloods in the abdominal vein, dissected a esophagus and stomach. The stomach was washed a 1 ml PBS to research gastric volume, pH, acidity and mucin release of gastric juice, esophagus was cut longitudinally and pictured a innter mucosa area to research damages in esophagus. The proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine including IFN-${\gamma}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 and MCP-1 were analyzed by ELISA kit. Results : 1. Significantly, death rate of $PC_6$ acupuncture rat group was decreased compared to that of RE control group. 2. Gastric Volume, gastric injury and esophageal mucosa demage were decreased significantly, too. 3. Compared with RE, all of the proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine analyzed in serum of $PC_6$ were decreased remarkably. Especially, there were significant meanings TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 and MCP-1 in serum of $PC_6$ were decreased. Conclusion : The results suggest that antiinflammatory and protecting effects of PC6 could attenuate the severity of reflux esophagitis and prevent the esophageal mucosal damage, and validate its therapeutic use in esophageal reflux disease.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.107-117
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• 2003

Objective: This study was examined for effects of acupuncture of Zusanli(ST36) on the facial thermography in health subjects. Methods: The voiunteers who participating in this study had taken rest for 15 mins in room temperature ($19-21^{\circ}C$) before the examination and informed them what to prohibit smoking. drinking and administration of drug for the previous day. The thermography of face was taken using Digital Infrared Thermographic Imaging (D.I.T.I.: Dorex. DTI-16UT1. U.S.A.) by time interval of 35 minutes at 15 min before and 20 min after acupuncture stimuiation. Thermal temperature of Daying(ST5). Juliao(ST3) and Quanliao(SI18) was measured and compared. Results: The results showed that acupuncture of Zusanli(ST36) significantly decreased the Absolute defference of temperature between Daying(ST5) and Juliao(ST3) (p<0.05, Data were represented meant ${\pm}$S.E.M.(n=33)). The results showed that acupuncture of Zusanli(ST36) significantly decreased the Absolute defference of temperature between Quanliao(SI18) and Juliao(ST3)(p<0.01, Data were represented mean${\pm}$S.E.M. (n=33)). But, acupuncture of Zusanli(ST36) particularly decreased the absolute defference of temperature between Daying(ST5) and Quanliao(SI18). Also. it was observed that acupuncture of ST36 decreased variety of the color tone of thermographic contour line and decreased thermal distribution. Conclusions: The results showed that acupuncture of Zusanli(ST36) significantly decreased the absolute defference of temperature of partial facial surface. Hereafter. study about if acupuncture of Zusanli(ST36) significantly decrease the absolute defference of temperature of all the areas of facial surface is requested. Also. continued study of effects of acupuncture of other meridian on the facial thermography is requested.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.38-49
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• 2003

Objective: This study is aimed to compare the change of clinical comfort and improvement after auricular acupuncture theraphy and auricular acupuncture theraphy with common acupuncture theraphy(Shinmun HT7) on insomnia in stroke patients. Methods : Clinical study was carried out on 40 stroke patients who was traeted insomnia by auricular acupuncture theraphy and auricular acupuncture theraphy with common acupuncture theraphy(Shinmun HT7) at Kwang-Dong Oriental Medical Hospital. Results: 1. Total sleeping time was increased in auricular acupuncture theraphy and auricular acupuncture theraphy with common acupuncture theraphy(Shinmun HT7). 2. Average delaying time before sleep and Average Awake Times was decreased in auricular acupuncture theraphy and auricular acupuncture theraphy with common acupuncture theraphy(Shinmun HT7). 3. Quality of sleep was improved in auricular acupuncture theraphy and auricular acupuncture theraphy with common acupuncture theraphy(Shinmun HT7). 4. Insomnia Score was increased in auricular acupuncture theraphy and auricular acupuncture theraphy with common acupuncture theraphy(Shinmun HT7). Conclusions : According to the results, both auricular acupuncture theraphy and auricular acupuncture theraphy with common acupuncture theraphy(Shinmun HT7) were effective on insomnia in stroke patient. but, auricular acupuncture theraphy was more effective than auricular acupuncture theraphy with common acupuncture theraphy(Shinmun HT7) in total sleeping time and insomnia score.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.89-96
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• 2016

Objectives : The aim of this study is to investigate the needling depth of Hwangmun (BL51) and Jisil (BL52) retrospectively using an L-spine MRI. Methods : We measured the shortest distance from the skin to transversalis fascia at both sides of Hwangmun and Jisil, and analyzed the difference between male and female using a student t-test, and between the left and right sides with a paired t-test. Results : In the case of males, the average depth of left Hwangmun was $48.24{\pm}10.16mm$, and that of right was $47.23{\pm}9.59mm$ ; left Jisil was $56.91{\pm}9.00mm$ and right was $55.74{\pm}8.75mm$. In the case of females, the average depth of left Hwangmun was $42.26{\pm}9.29mm$, and that of right was $41.63{\pm}9.32mm$ ; left Jisil was $49.21{\pm}10.77mm$ and right was $48.41{\pm}11.38mm$. The depth of male insertion was deeper than that of female in Jisil, but there was no significant difference according to gender in Hwangmun. Conclusion : For males, the needling depth of left Hwangmun is 37.21 ~ 68.23 mm and right is 36.91 ~ 70.50 mm, while left Jisil is 42.97 ~ 70.84 mm and right is 43.75 ~ 72.00 mm. For females, the needling depth of left Hwangmun is 26.80 ~ 68.28 mm and right is 25.70 ~ 65.59 mm, while left Jisil is 30.94 ~ 79.06 mm and right is 28.13 ~ 77.27 mm.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.127-135
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• 2010

Objectives : The main purpose of this study is to evaluate effects of acupuncture at Fengchi($GB_{20}$) and Houxi($SI_3$) for acute headache due to whiplash injury. Methods : This study was observed among 50 patients with acute headache due to whiplash injury who admitted to Bundang oriental medicine hospital of Dongguk University from June 16, 2009 to January 31, 2010. These patients were divided into two groups; One was control group that was acupunctured at general acupuncture points except Fengchi($GB_{20}$), Houxi($SI_3$)(Control group) and the other was acupunctured at Fengchi($GB_{20}$), Houxi($SI_3$) with general acupuncture points(Experimental group). Each patient was acupunctured once a day. The effect was assessed through self-rating headache index. Results & Conclusions : As a result of evaluation by using self-rating headache index, pain score at 8th day declined in both groups. But they were not difference between two groups at 8th day.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.31-40
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• 2009

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Daedon($LR_1$) Supplementation and Eumgok($KI_{10}$) Draining on changes of cerebral blood flow in normal rats. Methods : Regional cerebral blood flow(rCBF) and mean arterial blood pressure(MABP) in normal rats are observed, and those mechanisms were also investigated with pre-treatment of indomethacin (IDM) and methylene blue(MTB) each. Results : In this study, $LR_1$ supplementation and $KI_{10}$ draining elevated level of rCBF after 30 min, but MABP level was lowered at 30 min, then recovered toward normal level. Pre-treatment with indomethacin (IDM), an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase, inhibited increase of rCBF effectively, and pre-treatment with methylene blue(MTB), an inhibitor of guanylate cyclase, also inhibited increase of rCBF levels. On the other hand pre-treatment with IDM or MTB did not affect MABP levels. Conclusions : In conclusion, these results suggest that $LR_1$ supplementation and $KI_{10}$ draining can increase rCBF, and the mechanisms are thought to be related to both of cyclooxygenase and Guanylate cyclase pathways.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.179-197
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• 2008

Objectives and Methods : The purpose of this study was to observe the effects of acupuncture and electro-acupuncture (EA) at PC6 on intestinal motility in rats. We made over-activated state of intestinal motility with carbachol and suppressed state of intestinal motility with loperamide in rat, and carried out acupuncture with needle retained (NR), low frequency (2 Hz) EA and high frequency (100 Hz) EA at PC6 before or after the administration of carbachol or loperamide. The charcoal travel rate was measured to evaluate the intestinal motility. Results : 1. NR showed no significant influences on intestinal motility of rat in normal state. While, 2 Hz EA and 100 Hz EA at PC6 significantly increased the intestinal motility of rat in normal state. 2. All of the pre-treatment and post-treatment of NR, 2 Hz EA and 100 Hz EA at PC6 showed no significant effects on intestinal motility of rat which was over-activated with carbachol. 3. Both pre-treatment and post-treatment of NR significantly increased intestinal motility in rat which was suppressed with loperamide. 4. Pre-treatment of 2 Hz EA and post-treatment of 100 Hz EA significantly increased intestinal motility in rat which was suppressed with loperamide. Conclusions : These results suggest that acupuncture (NR) and EA on PC6 have preventive and therapeutic effect on suppressed intestinal motility, and NR may be more effective than EA in that condition.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.55-69
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• 2012

Objectives : The aim of this study was to compare the effects of 12 acupuncture treatments versus 24 acupuncture treatments for patients with dry eye syndrome. Methods : We have assessed the symptom score, number of dry eye symptoms, and ocular surface disease index(OSDI) scores before and after the acupuncture treatments. The group A received 12 acupuncture treatments, and the group B received 24 acupuncture treatments. To evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture treatments the before and after scores of both groups were compared. Results : After treatment, symptom score, number of dry eye symptoms, and ocular surface disease index(OSDI) were significantly decreased in each group (p<0.001). The symptom score has shown a greater decrease in group B than group A, but no significant differences were seen in the numbers of existing symptoms and ocular surface disease index(OSDI) scores between the two groups. Conclusions : Acupuncture is an effective way to relieve the symptoms of dry eye syndrome. The more number of acupuncture treatments may be correlated with better outcomes in the means of symptom score.

• Journal of Oriental Medical Thermology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.45-53
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• 2005

Objectives; Hapkok(L14) and Taechung(Liv3) are acupuncture points located on both sides of each foot and hand of the human body. These two points are called sakwan points. Matching these acupuncture points have a significant reason in points of not only regulating the circulation of Yin-Yang as a source point of each meridian, but also playing a basic role of twelve meridian by controling circulation of ki and blood in the whole body. There are already related documents and studies on stimulating sakwan points. Since those papers mostly studied on either hapkok or taechung, we came to have a doubt of stimulating the two point at the same time when an inbalance of Yin-Yang and ki-blood appears. Accordingly, we got to investigate how thermogram of body changes after applying an acupuncture on sakwan points. Our study is as follows ; Methods; Our study was performed on 30 normal cases(M:F=17:13) with no past history to observe the effects of the acupuncture. We measured temperature of abdomen and the back of both hands by D.I.T.I(Digital Infrared Thermographic Imaging) before and after acupuncture on sakwan points. Results and Conclusion; The thermographic change on abdomen was $0.51{\pm}0.71^{\circ}C$. Temperature of abdomen after acupuncture was higher than before acupuncture with high validity(p <0.01). And the thermographic changes on the back of both hands were right hand $0.54{\pm}1.17^{\circ}C$, left hand $0.56{\pm}1.28^{\circ}C$. Temperature on the back of both hands after acupuncture was higher than before acupuncture, but the difference between them had little validity(p <0.01) In addition, we found that it doesn't necessarily follow that the thermographic changes on abdomen and back of both hands after acupuncture on sakwan points happen concurrently.