• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.213-220
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• 2016

Objectives : The aim of this paper is to develop acupuncture needle heating system by utilizing the new method which uses high frequency(HF) time-varying magnetic field. Also, it is possible to make an assessment for reliability and clinical significance of the system. Methods : We designed the system with solenoid coils for generation of HF time-varying magnetic field that oscillates at 150 kHz. Acupuncture needles are quickly magnetized and heated by 150 kHz. We assessed clinical significance of system, such as body temperature, pressure pulse waveform. Results : Temperature of acupuncture needle increased up to 60 degree. In the result for clinical significance of system, in case of manual acupuncture stimulation(MAS), body temperature change was $0.373^{\circ}C{\pm}0.224$(p<0.05), rate of pulse energy change increased about 7.6%. In case of warm acupuncture stimulation(WAS), body temperature change was $0.645^{\circ}C{\pm}0.281$(p<0.05), rate of pulse energy change remarkably increased about 35.9%. Conclusions : We confirm that the system is able to be applied clinically to various warm acupuncture needle therapy in the area of oriental medicine.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.176-182
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• 2016

Objectives : This study was designed to analyze the characteristic of heart rate variability(HRV) changes between Deficiency Pattern and Excess Pattern in Stroke Patients admitted to the hospital. Methods : We measured heart rate variability of stroke patients who were admitted to the Department of Korean Internal medicine, Stroke and Neurological Disorders Center from February 1, 2015 to May 30, 2016. We recruited a total of 28 stroke patients and heart rate variability tests were performed on the first day of admission, 2weeks after admission, and 4 weeks after admission. Results : VLF and LF/HF ratio significantly increased over time in Deficiency Pattern group compared with those in the Excess Pattern group. Conclusions : This results suggest that the parasympathetic function of Deficiency Pattern group is lower than that of the Excess Pattern group, resulting in imbalance of the autonomic nervous system.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.88-99
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• 2017

Objectives : Saam acupuncture initiated by Saamdoin in $17^{th}$ century is one of the most widely adopted acupuncture techniques used by Korean medical doctors in clinic. Our study aimed to analyze the application of the Saam acupuncture method to pain diseases based on the literature data. Methods : Based on the contents described in "(Do Hae Kyo Kam) Saam's acupuncture method", the texts related to pain condition were analyzed. The frequency of prescription of Saam acupuncture method was analyzed, and then the relationships between each acupoint were visualized by network analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis for the quantitative aspect. Results and conclusions: In our study, Lung tonifying and Liver tonifying acupuncture were the most frequently used method for the treatment of pain disease. As the acupoints, BL66 and SI5 were used the most frequently. It was found that visceral pattern identification was considered as the most important factor in the selection of the Saam acupuncture method. Network analysis and hierarchical clustering analysis showed that each acupoint was closely related to other acupoints, and most of them were connected more closely according to the method of Saam acupuncture operation. The experiential prescriptions of Saam acupuncture were classified as an independent group. In the future, fundamental research on the principle of Saam acupuncture method is needed for the various diseases, and research for the clinical efficacy and the mechanism of Saam acupuncture method should be preceded.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.82-87
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• 2017

Objectives : Recently the case of lactobacillus mixture culture fluid appliment was reported. In this study, anti-inflamation effects and anti-allergy effects were studied by stimulus of lactobacillus mixture culture fluid extracts in HaCaT cells. Methods : The atopic dermatitis were induced by TNF-${\alpha}$ and interferon-${\gamma}$ in HaCaT cells. TARC/CCL17, MDC/CCL22, RANTES/CCL5 and ROS production were investigated to explain anti-inflamation and allergy effects of lactobacillus mixture culture fluid with cell-enzyme-linked Immunosorbent assay in 450 nm, 485 nm, 535 nm with spectro-fluorometer. Results : The extracts of lactobacillus mixture culture fluid were decreased TARC/CCL17, MDC/CCL22, RANTES/CCL5 expressions and ROS production with a concentration dependent manner. Conclusions : The effects mechanism of Lactobacillus mixed culture fluid for atopic dermatitis symptoms were considered to be explain anti-inflamation and allergy effects via control of cytokine, chemokine and ROS production, and the fluid could be applied in skin cells directly. But classified AD symptom degrees reported in clinical case before as Reaction Period, Reduction Period, Effect Period, Reproduction Period and Rebound Period could not be explained. Further study will be expected.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.251-264
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• 2017

Objectives : To identify the prevalence and types of spin in randomised controlled trials(RCTs) of obesity with statistically non-significant results for primary outcomes to provide adequate reporting directions. Methods : Spin is specific reporting strategy that could lead the readers to misinterpret the results of RCTs. RCTs on obesity with statistically non-significant primary outcomes published from July 2015 to June 2016 were retrieved from PubMed. All included RCTs were classified into 3 intervention categories. The identification and classification of spin in the included articles was performed by two independent researchers. Results : Among 46 RCTs with statistically non-significant primary outcomes, 32 studies were assessed as having at least one spin in title, abstract or main text. Of these, 9 articles were on complementary and alternative medicine, 7 on western medicine and 16 on dietary supplement and exercise. The frequency of spin among the types of interventions was similar. The most common type of spin was 'focusing on statistical significance within-group comparison' in results section of abstract and main text, and 'focusing only on treatment effectiveness with no consideration of statistical significance' in conclusion section of abstract and main text. Studies where random sequence generation was appropriately done was less likely to have spin. Conclusions : As a majority of obesity RCTs have spin, researchers should pay more attention to adequately interpreting and reporting statistically non-significant results.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.191-208
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• 2017

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to analyze the trend of pharmacopuncture in Korean patent in order to establish database for patent technology. Methods : Electronic literature searches for Korean patents related to pharmacopuncture were performed in two electronic databases (Korea Intellectual Property Right Information Service and National Digital Science Library) to June 2017. Patents that were not Korean ones, did not use medicinal herb, only described method of manufacture, or had nothing to do with pharmacopuncture were excluded in this study. The status and application date of patents, Medicinal herb, target diseases, International Patent Classification (IPC), model of experiment and extracting methods were analyzed. Results : A total of 379 patents were retrieved. Based on our inclusion/exclusion criteria, 297 patents were excluded. Of 82 included patents, 27 patents did not include experiments using pharmacopuncture, and 9 patents were invented for treating animals such as pig or calf. In IPC analysis, Bee Venom, Panax (ginseng), Angelica, and Paeoniaceae were used frequently. Musculoskeletal diseases were the most targeted diseases followed by nervous diseases. For extracting, hot water extraction, distillation extraction, and solvent extraction using alcohol, ethanol, or methanol for solvent were commonly used. Conclusions : These data are useful for inventing new patent and extending range of pharmacopuncture in clinical use, however, more systematically analyzed patent studies and pharmacopuncture-related studies for new application on various diseases are needed in further studies.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.209-230
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• 2017

Objectives : The aim of this study was to describe the details and to assess the clinical evidence of acupuncture and moxibustion for non-specific chronic neck pain. Methods : We searched seven databases including Korean, English, and Chinese databases through July 2016. Studies using acupuncture, moxibustion, pharmacopuncture, electroacupuncture, auricular-acupuncture, acupressure for non-specific chronic neck pain were included. Only controlled clinical trials or randomized clinical trials were assessed. Study design, number of subject, inclusion criteria, intervention, and results were extracted. In addition, details of intervention including needle type, retention time, acupoints were analyzed. Results : Total 64 studies(39 acupuncture, 9 laser, 6 pharmaco-acupuncture, 3 electro-acupuncture, 3 auricular-acupuncture, 3 moxibustion, 1 acupressure) were included. Among 39 acupuncture studies, 35 used acupuncture as sole intervention. Sham treatment was the most common intervention for control group, followed by no intervention. Various outcome including pain, disability, quality of life, range of motion was used as outcome measurement. The effect of acupuncture and moxibustion was different depending on the type of control and outcome measurement. The most commonly used method in acupuncture for neck pain was GB21, SI3, GB20, LI4, BL11 acupoints, 10~30 mm insertion depth, 20~30 retention time, and 1~2 times per week. Conclusions : Analyzing the details of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment could be helpful for researches and clinics. Further studies should consider the characteristics of study design, intervention, and outcome to assess the effect of TKM.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.117-124
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to understand the meaning and the yin-yang properties of the six qi and the three yin and three yang as well as to understand the relationship between the six qi and the three yin and three yang. Methods : As the concept of six qi is the six climatic influences after all, I tried to grasp the yin and yang properties of the six qi on the basis of the meteorology and Yun Qi theory. Based on this I studied the concept and properties of the three yin and three yang. Results and Conclusions: (1) Among the six qi, cold and heat refer to temperature, dryness and dampness to humidity, and wind and ministerial fire to atmospheric pressure. Wind is an ascending air current while ministerial fire is a descending air current. Therefore, wind, heat, and dampness are the yang, and ministerial fire, dryness, and cold are the yin. (2) Three yin and three yang represent changes of ying and yang of all things following six qi changes. Simple deviation of qi can be described by yin and yang, but consequent changes in form required further developed concepts of three yin and three yang. In other words, the changes of the form caused by wind, heat, and dampness are namely reverting yin, lesser yin, and greater yin respectively, while the changes of the form caused by ministerial fire, dryness, and cold are expressed as lesser yang, yang brightness, and greater yang respectively.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.99-107
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• 2014

Objectives : This study was designed to analyze correlation in deficiency syndrome of kidney index and bone mineral density(BMD) in 130 osteoporosis patients. Methods : 130 women who were over 50 years old and visited in Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion Medicine, Cheonan Oriental Hospital of Daejeon University from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2013, answered the questionnaire consisting of symptom of deficiency syndrome of kidney, to determine the deficiency syndrome of kidney Index(DSKI). Grade of low back pain were measured in the visual analogue scale(VAS). BMD of the patients were determined by quantitative computerized tomography(QCT). Then, DSKI with BMD, VAS and age were analyzed by correlation analysis, variance analysis and Kruskal-Wallis test. Results : 1. Between DSKI and BMD, patients in total and in-their-50's group did not show a statistically significant result, but in-their-60's group and over-70 group showed a statistically significant result by correlation analysis. 2. Between DSKI and VAS, groups in total, in-the-50's, 60's, and over-70 groups showed a statistically significant result by correlation analysis. Conclusions : DSKI and BMD of the patients group who are over 60, DSKI and VAS of the patiens over 50 years old were associated with each other.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.200-209
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• 2019

Objectives : The liver is rich in mitochondria and it plays a key role in whole-body energy homeostasis. Mitochondria is double membrane-bound organelle that supplies energy for intracellular metabolism including Krebs cycle and beta-oxidation. Acupuncture is known to stimulate and regulate the flow of energy. To explore the effect of acupuncture on the mitochondrial respiratory chain activity in the rats' livers, the activity of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I to IV was observed. Methods : The rats were divided into 4 groups; Normal 1 (no acupuncture treatment and anesthesia for 5 min), Normal 2 (no acupuncture treatment and anesthesia for 10 min), MA1 (acupuncture treatment at bilateral LR3 under anesthesia for 5 min), and MA2 (acupuncture treatment at bilateral LR3 under anesthesia for 10 min). All rats were sacrificed and the livers were examined for respiratory chain change. Results : There was no difference in ubiquinon oxidoreductase, succinate dehydrogenase, and ubiquinol cytochrome C oxidoreductase after acupuncture at LR3. Acupuncture at LR3 for 10 min increased the activity of cytochrome C oxidase compared with no acupuncture groups. Conclusions : Acupuncture at LR3 mediated mitochondrial respiratory chain activity via the cytochrome C oxidase signaling pathway in the livers of rats.