• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.250-266
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• 2021

Objectives : This study was conducted to suggest new alternative methods to improve pharmacopuncture and Korean medicine research by analyzing the injection route, pharmacological effect, and status studies of Chinese herbal injections. Methods : 130 types of marketed and licensed Chinese herbal injection were searched from National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China. CNKI, PubMed, EMBASE, and the 2020 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia were used to collect additional information. 'Herbal injection' and 'Chinese herbal injection' were used as keywords. All data were collected mainly on the treatment of Chinese herbal injection. But data which were not related to the relevant research or Chinese herbal injection were excluded. Results : Intramuscular injection accounted for more than half of the single injection route (51%). Acupoint and intramuscular injections accounted for 55% of dual injection routes. Acupoint, intravenous, and intramuscular injections accounted for the largest proportion (76%) of the multiple routes of injections. As for the pharmacological effect, injection for cardiovascular diseases accounted for 29%. About the number of raw herbal materials, single herbal material was the most common. Twelve intervention studies all tested intravenous injections, and half of them investigated cardiocerebrovascular diseases. All were given by intravenous injection. In the side effect section, the most common symptoms were nausea and vomiting. Conclusions : Through the results, it is expected to be used for research and development of new pharmacopuncture and herbal medicine.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.197-208
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• 2021

Objectives : The aim of this study was to conduct a scoping review focusing on acupuncture points information applied in experimental studies using electroacupuncture for stroke. Methods : First, we set the research question of this study to identify which acupuncture points were studied for various symptoms of post-stroke sequelae in clinical and animal experiments. For this purpose, among the records searched through EMBASE, experimental studies including acupuncture points used in electroacupuncture treatment for stroke were selected as inclusion criteria for this study. The acupoints information used in each experiment was extracted from the included studies according to the type of study design and symptoms of stroke sequelae, and quantitative analysis was performed. Results : A total of 973 studies using acupuncture treatment, of which 429 papers including electroacupuncture were analyzed. Most of the animal experiments were conducted on general conditions instead of specific symptoms of stroke, and in clinical studies, electroacupuncture studies were conducted on symptoms such as hemiplegia and spasticity, cognitive and mental problems, dysphagia, shoulder problems, and depression that occur after stroke. Acupuncture points such as GV20, ST36, LI11, and LI4 were mainly used regardless of stroke symptoms. Except for these acupuncture points, GV26, GV14, GV16, and GV24 were frequently used in animal experiments, and TE5, LI15, LI10, and LR3 were widely used in clinical studies. Conclusions : Although this study extracted and analyzed only the frequent acupuncture points in the electroacupuncture study for stroke. However, in the future, it is necessary to be able to secure the evidence for acupuncture treatment elements through comparative studies between different acupuncture points or other elements constituting electroacupuncture.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.222-234
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• 2021

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to examine the efficacy of fire needling and warm needling for De Quervain Syndrome by reviewing clinical studies for recent 10 years. Methods : Randomized controlled trials, non-randomized controlled trials, and case series containing more than 20 cases about fire needling and warm needling for De Quervain Syndrome published since 2011 were searched through four foreign online databases (CNKI, Pubmed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library) and five Korean online databases (OASIS, Science ON, DBPIA, KISS, RISS). The number and characteristics of participants, treatment points and main treatment methods involving other combination treatments, treatment cycle or total periods of treatments, evaluation indices, efficacy, and adverse events were analyzed. Risk of bias of included randomized clinical trials was assessed using a revised tool for assessing risk of bias in randomized trials (RoB 2). Results : A total of 6 randomized clinical trials and 2 case series involving 471 participants were included. Tender point or 'Ashi point' was the most commonly used treatment point, followed by LU4. Treatment frequency ranged from once a day to once a week. One to three outcome measures were used to evaluate the results of the studies, with the efficacy rate the most frequently used, followed by visual analogue scale. Overall risk of bias of all included randomized clinical trials was judged to have some concerns. Conclusions : All selected studies showed that fire needling and warm needling treatments for De Quervain syndrome were more effective than other clinical methods or acupuncture treatments. However, as the number of clinical studies is still too small and the risk of bias of the studies is not low, it is believed that more systematic and objective studies should be conducted.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.209-221
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• 2021

Objectives : The aim of this study was to compare and analyze studies related to fire acupuncture (FA) published in South and North Korea. Methods : FA studies published in South Korea were searched through domestic and overseas databases (KISS, RISS, OASIS, and EMBASE). For North Korean studies, databases from the Information Center on North Korea and Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information were used. Among the searched literatures, clinical studies using FA as a treatment intervention were selected (i.e., randomized controlled trials, and case reports). Finally, information such as the disease for which FA was used, the characteristics of FA, and details of treatment methods for FA were extracted from the screened literatures and the results of South and North Korean studies were compared and analyzed. Results : This review included 28 South Korean studies and 9 North Korean studies. All studies in South Korea, except for the three articles that used traditional FA treatment, applied "warm needling"-like acupuncture (WA) in the form of heating the handle of the needle after inserting the needle into the skin, and most studies were conducted on diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Whereas in the North Korean studies, FA was applied to various diseases such as trigeminal neuralgia, skin diseases, and gastrointestinal diseases, and standardized FA tools were used. Conclusions : Studies on traditional FA treatment have rarely been reported in South Korea. The amount of information described in the FA studies in North Korea was limited. In this review, the characteristics of FA treatment tools in South and North Korean studies were mainly analyzed. In the future, FA studies from more diverse perspectives are needed.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.267-274
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• 2021

Objectives : Acupoints education is important in that it can determine the clinical competency of Korean Medicine Doctors (KMDs). Accordingly, we aimed to develop a practical simulator for acupoints education, acupoints training, acupoints practice, and acupoints evaluation. Methods : Korean Medicine (KM) SMART Table can be divided into hardware, server and components, and is organically linked. We develop KM SMART Table that combines the hardware of a human-sized table with a UHD display capable of multi-touch in two cases and software that can teach acupoints. We make Augmented Reality (AR) contents linked with KM SMART Table contents and develop applications that can use contents using mobile devices. By developing an AR image tracking module to react with KM SMART Table, it enables acupoint learning according to the mobile device platform and human anatomy. Results : The current system is a prototype where some 3D technology has been implemented, but the AR function will be produced later. New learning using 3D and AR will be required during acupoints education and acupoints practice. It will be used a lot in OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) practices for strengthening the competency of KMDs, and it will be of great help not only in KM education as a unique simulator of KM, but also in the practice of acupuncture and chuna for musculoskeletal diseases. Conclusions : The KM SMART Table is a technology that combines 3D and AR to learn acupoints, and to conduct acupoints OSCE practice, and we suggest that it can be usefully used for educational evaluation.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.275-281
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• 2021

Objectives : This study reports changes in liver function test (LFT) after Korean Medicine treatment in patients admitted to Korean Medicine hospital with abnormal LFT. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between the Korean medicine treatment and abonormal LFT to verify safety of Korean medicine treatment by analyzing index of LFT. Methods : From Oct. 2015 to Sep. 2020, the result was analyzed for 91 patients admitted to the Pohang Korean Medicine Hospital and received Korean Medicine treatment. Asparate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and total bilirubin (TB) were compared at admission and discharge. Results : Comparison between admission and discharge LFT showend AST decreased from 52.72±25.08 to 43.2±19.20, ALT from 70.85±32.40 to 62.13±29.40, and TB from 1.33±0.37 to 0.81±0.29. Conclusions : After Korean medicine treatment, AST, ALT, and TB decreased compared with the values at admission. Further studies on safety of Korean Medicine treatment are warranted.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.317-323
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to report a case diagnosed with cellulitis and ankle joint synovitis after acupuncture treatment. An 85-years old female suffering from low back pain was managed by acupuncture including BL60. After treatment, unintended ankle pain occurred. The pain was diagnosed with cellulitis and synovitis by MRI. The patient was transferred to the Western medical hospital, and ankle joint arthroscopic synovectomy was performed. It was difficult to find a clear relationship between acupuncture and ankle joint synovitis. But it would be reasonable to assume that cellulitis was associated with acupuncture needling and synovitis was followed. Serious adverse effects, such as septic arthritis, are rare, but need significant attention. For acupuncture treatment on the ankle, especially using BL60, the depth and manipulation should be carefully performed along with sterilization.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.84-90
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• 2022

Objectives : Acupoints are divided into three categories: classical acupoints, extra-acupoints, and Ashi points. The aim of this study was to understand the meaning and features of Ashi points. Methods : We examined the original meaning of Ashi points from the classical medical texts, including the Beijiqianjinyaofang, the Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold for Emergencies, and the Huangdi Neijing, the Yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine. Results : First, the Ashi method is to locate the points for the acupuncture and moxibustion based on the patients' reactions mainly manifested by sensations of comfort and pain, which can help identify not only Ashi points but also classical and extra-acupoints. Thus, Ashi points may or may not match to classical or extra-acupoints, and we propose that Ashi points should not be classified mutually exclusive to classical or extra-acupoints. Second, there are several similarities between Ashi points and myofascial trigger points. They are located by palpation and have no fixed anatomical positions. Patients experience painful but pleasant feeling when Ashi and myofascial trigger points are pressed, and stimulation of these points have treatment effects. Conclusions : We suggest that Ashi method be used to identify the acupoints based on how patients react when these points are pressed. Ashi points may or may not correspond to classical or extra-acupoints, and share traits with myofascial trigger points.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.107-113
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• 2022

Gastrocnemius muscle partial rupture is a common muscle injury. This case is report on a patient with a gastrocnemius muscle partial rupture who was continuously observed with ultrasonography while receiving Korean medicine treatment. Acupuncture, pharmacoacupuncture, herbal medicine, physical therapy and rehabilitation treatment were performed on a patient diagnosed with gastrocnemius partial rupture. The improvement of symptoms was evaluated using Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Range of Motion (ROM) of ankle, circumference of calf and size of hematoma by using ultrasonography. NRS decreased more than 90%, ROM of ankle joint gradually improved, calf circumference improved, and hematoma reduced by more than 90% when measured by ultrasonography. In this study, gastrocnemius muscle partial rupture was observed with ultrasonography, and it is considered that the Korean medical treatment is useful for gastrocnemius muscle partial rupture.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.54-62
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• 2022

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential of the test substance, SU-Eohyeol Pharmacopuncture (SUEP), to induce micronuclei in bone marrow cells of Sprague-Dawley (SD) Rats. Methods : The dose range preliminary study was performed first. 1 ml/animal was selected as the high dose of this study. Two additional lower dose levels (0.5 and 0.25 ml/animal) were produced by applying a geometric ratio of 2. In addition, the positive and negative control groups were set. Then, after intramuscular administration (1 ml/animal) of SUEP to 8-week-old male SD rats, an in vivo micronucleus test was performed to evaluate the induction of micronuclei in SD rat bone marrow cells. Results : As a result of the main study, the incidence of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCE) in polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE) in the test substance SUEP groups was not statistically significantly different from the negative control group. In addition, the ratio of PCE to total erythrocytes in the test substance SUEP groups was not statistically significantly different from the negative control group. In the positive control group, the incidence of MNPCE in PCE was statistically significantly increased when compared to the negative control group. The ratio of PCE to total erythrocytes in the positive control group was not statistically significantly different from the negative control group. Conclusions : Based on these results, the test substance, SUEP, did not have any potential to induce micronuclei formation in bone marrow cells of rats under the conditions of this study.