• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.235-245
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• 2023

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze public and researcher interests in suicide and related illnesses and acupuncture and acupressure treatment using Google Trends and some electronic databases. Methods: Search results for keywords "suicide," "acupuncture," "acupressure," and several illnesses related to suicide were analyzed in Google Trends from January 2004 to June 2023. Illnesses included anxiety, depression (including major depressive disorder), schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), eating disorder (including anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa), substance use disorder, autism spectrum disorder, personality disorder (including borderline person- ality disorder), and chronic pain. Search results were extracted using relative search volume (RSV) scores between 0 and 100. Search terms were also searched in online databases, including PubMed, CNKI, and OASIS, to estimate the number of related studies, and descriptive analysis was conducted. Results: Google Trends analysis showed a strong positive correlation between the RSVs of "suicide and depression," "acupuncture and chronic pain," and "acupressure and PTSD." The electronic database search results produced numerous studies published on "suicide and depression," "acupuncture and depression," and "acupressure and anxiety." High interest in "suicide and depression," "acupuncture and chronic pain," and "acupressure and anxiety" was seen among the public and researchers. Interest in "suicide and chronic pain," "acupuncture and eating disorder," and "acupressure and PTSD" was higher in the public than among researchers, while "anxiety and suicide" and "anxiety and acu- puncture" showed opposite trends. Conclusions: The results of this research enable an understanding of public and researcher interest in suicide, acupuncture, acupressure, and suicide-related illnesses. The results also provide a basis for fu- ture research and examining public health implications in Korean medicine.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.25-31
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• 2023

Strabismus is a vision disorder in which the eyes do not properly align with each other when looking at an object and it can negatively affect the quality of life. This case is a report on a strabismus patient who received Korean medicine treatment including scalp acupuncture. Scalp acupuncture, body acupuncture, and herbal medicine were performed on a patient diagnosed with strabismus and diplopia. The improvement of symptoms was evaluated by the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Scott and Kraft Score (SK score), and change of symptoms and progress of diplopia. NRS decreased by more than 85%, and the SK score gradually changed from -4 to 0, which means strabismus mostly recovered, and the symptom and progress of diplopia were reduced. In this study, it is considered that Korean medical treatment including scalp acupuncture is useful for strabismus patients.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.44-53
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• 2023

Objectives : This study was conducted to reveal the relationship between multiple factors of traditional Korean Medicine diagnosis and consider the further probabilities of treating people with physical and mental problems not defined as diseases, which is called 'Mibyeong' in traditional Korean Medicine. Methods : 40 healthy participants were included in the observational clinical trial. The participants were asked to complete health questionnaires (e.g. State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Stress Response Inventory) and they went through a traditional diagnosis process, including four stages of diagnosis (looking, listening/smelling, inquiring, and pulse taking), by a Korean Medicine doctor. Both the Korean Medicine doctor and an artery tonometry device performed the pulse diagnosis. Results : Although all participants were healthy people with no history of disease, more than half of participants had a problem related with severe level of fatigue (n=19), sleep disturbance (n=26) and stress (n=27) status according to the related questionnaires. Participants diagnosed with phlegm syndrome by the Korean Medicine doctor showed significantly greater score in phlegm pattern questionnaires than participants who were not. However, there was little agreement between the doctor's pulse diagnosis and radial artery tonometry results. Conclusions : We conducted a pulse diagnosis and measured health-related information along with the traditional Korean Medicine diagnose procedure, including four stages of diagnosis, and we found a linkage between diagnosis of phlegm and the phlegm pattern questionnaire score. The results suggest that a number of healthy participants, with no disease diagnosed, have Mibyoung symptoms which need further clinical management. Thus, we suggest that Mibyoung management programs based on qualified diagnosis tools and traditional Korean medicine diagnosis procedures be developed, and that future research using various diagnostic tools be carried out on a large population.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.33-43
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• 2023

Objectives : Floating acupuncture (FA) is a kind of newly developed acupuncture technique that contains its own apparatus. The technique has unique points that the body of the acupuncture needle stays intradermal space and manipulation is performed by shaking the needle horizontally; after manipulation, part of the needle remained in the intradermal space for 2~3 days. FA is not a common acupuncture methodology while various clinical study claims its efficacy on musculoskeletal disorders. In this study, the authors aimed to enhance the use of FA by comparing related theories. Methods : The authors reviewed classics, books, and articles related to FA, Meridian Muscle (MM), Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS), and Wrist-Ankle Acupuncture (WAA), and compared its characteristics by related theory, related symptoms, apparatus, and performing procedures. Results : FA was related and had various common parts with MM, MPS, and WAA, however, there were unique parts in the manipulation, apparatus, and stimulation location. FA is based on MM and MPS which pointing 'ashi points' or 'trigger points' as a treating target while FA does not stimulate the points directly. FA also targets subcutaneous space by inserting the needle horizontally as WAA does, while FA remains the needle handle part in the subcutaneous area for 2~3 days for more stimulation. Conclusions : FA has a unique manipulation procedure and potential benefit for musculoskeletal disorders despite the crude theological base written by Fu himself. Thus, developing a new explanation and patient-friendly methodology/apparatus is required for further down-to-earth studies.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.8-15
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• 2022

Objectives : Saam acupuncture is one of the indigenous therapeutic modalities in traditional Korean medicine. In this study, the neuroprotective effect of Saam acupuncture of kidney tonification was investigated using 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-treated mice. Methods : Twelve-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were intraperitoneally administered with 30 mg/kg of MPTP at 24-h intervals for 5 days and acupuncture stimulation at LU8, KI7, SP3 and KI3 was performed once a day for 12 days from the first MPTP injection. The pole test and the rotarod test were performed to evaluate motor function, and dopaminergic neuronal survival in the substantia nigra (SN) and striatum was evaluated using tyrosine-hydroxylase immunohistochemistry. Results : MPTP administration caused behavioral impairment and dopaminergic neuronal death in the nigrostriatal pathway. Whereas the Saam acupuncture treatment alleviated the MPTP-induced motor dysfunction and dopaminergic neuronal death in the SN and striatum. Conclusions : Saam acupuncture of kidney tonification can alleviate the MPTP-induced motor dysfunction and dopaminergic neuronal death in the nigrostriatal pathway, suggesting a possible role for acupuncture in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.99-108
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• 2023

Objectives : The aim of this study was to assess the quantitative characteristics of pressure pain threshold (PPT) and pressure depth (PD) at the abdominal conception vessel (CV) acupoints according to subjective digestive status and digestive discomfort levels, accomplished by comparing a large group of healthy men and women, using the modified digital algometer. Methods : A total of 1,504 healthy adults aged 19 years or older participated in this study. A questionnaire was administered to evaluate participants' digestive status and discomfort. PPT (kgf/cm²/s) and PD (mm) measurements were obtained at CV14, CV12, and CV4 acupoints using a modified digital algometer. General characteristics were analyzed using the chi-square test, and differences in PPT and PD were assessed using two-sample t-tests and ANCOVA. Results : Significant difference in PPT was found based on digestive status at CV14 and CV12 for both sexes, and in PD at CV14 for women. Women exhibited significant difference in PPT based on digestive discomfort at CV14, CV12, and CV4, while men showed significant difference at CV14 and CV12. Significant difference in PD was observed at CV14 and CV4 among women. Even after adjusting for age and body mass index, significant difference persisted in PPT based on digestive discomfort at CV14 and CV12 for both sexes. PD exhibited significant differences at CV14, CV12, and CV4 among women. Conclusions : Using the modified digital algometer, this study showed the significant difference of pressure pain threshold at the CV14 and CV12 acupoints for subjective digestive discomfort levels in healthy men and women.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.128-133
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• 2023

Objectives : There are many variations in the ST36 acupoint location. The purpose of this article is to suggest a method of locating the ST36 acupoint. Methods : Based on the available research and the neuroanatomical characteristics of the underlying acupoint, we summarized the proper procedure for finding the ST36 acupoint. Results : ST36 is 3 B-cun inferior to ST35 and is vertically situated on the line that connects ST35 and ST41. The ST36 acupoint corresponds to the deep peroneal nerve, which is situated in the tibialis anterior muscle's back. The neurovascular bundles that are located on the interosseous membrane between the interosseous crests of the tibia and fibula include the deep peroneal nerve, anterior tibial artery, and anterior tibial vein. According to both classical and modern literature, this acupoint can be found horizontally between the two muscles, tibialis anterior and extensor digitorum longus. Conclusions : Based on a review of the literature and neuroanatomical features, we suggest that ST36 can be positioned horizontally between tibialis anterior and extensor digitorum longus. Additional imaging studies and clinical proof are required to determine ST36 acupoint.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.169-176
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• 2023

Objectives : This study aims to catalogue contraindicated acupoints for needling in Chimgupyeon of Dongeuibogam and to determine implications for citation accuracy. Methods : We found and compiled contraindicated acupoints for needling and their citations in Chimgupyeon of Dongeuibogam, then verified the accuracy of the citations by comparing them with what was written in the cited literature. In cases where the citation is not exact, the correct reference was estimated by comparing it with the acupuncture literature. And the thoughts of Heo Jun were predicted based on inferences and papers investigating Dongeuibogam. Results : There are two sections on contraindicated acupoints for needling in Chimgupyeon of Dongeuibogam: the section on the 14 meridians and their acupoints, and the section on Geumchimhyeol. In the section on the 14 meridians and their acupoints, the number of contraindicated acupoints for needling are 29, and most of them are quoted from Donginsuhyeolchimgudogyeong. And in the section on Geumchimhyeol, 34 contraindicated acupoints for needling are listed from Geumchimhyeol in Uihakipmun. Most of the quotations were accurate, but some were summarized, and some were inaccurate. However, most of the inaccurate citations are probably Heo Jun's own thoughts based on other literature. Conclusions : The contraindicated acupoints for needling in Chimgupyeon of Dongeuibogam are assumed to have been written by Heo Jun based on his medical knowledge and literature, with an emphasis on practicality, and it is suggested that they are based on the contents of Donginsuhyeolchimgudogyeong and Uihakipmun in particular.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.177-183
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• 2023

Objectives : One of the crucial combinations of acupoints for treating various disorders involves the Eight Confluent acupoints. The present study aims to investigate the selection patterns of the Eight Confluent acupoints in clinical trials and determine the most frequent pairings through network analysis. Methods : The frequencies of the Eight Confluent acupoints were extracted from the Acusynth database, which includes data from 421 clinical investigations. We examined the degree distribution, eigenvector centrality, proximity centrality, and betweenness centrality of these acupoint combinations using network analysis. Results : Data mining revealed that among the Eight Confluent acupoints, PC6 and TE5 were the most commonly applied in the treatment of 30 disorders. Additionally, we identified the most frequently co-occurring pairs of Eight Confluent acupoints by network analysis which included PC6-GV20, SP4-GV4, LU7-LI4, TE5-PC7, GB41-SP6, KI6-BL62, and SI3-BL62. Conclusions : Through the application of data mining and network analysis, we have elucidated the selection patterns and combinations of the Eight Confluent acupoints. These findings provide valuable insights that can enhance doctors' understanding of clinical database-driven Eight Confluent acupoint selection patterns.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.194-205
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• 2023

Objectives : This study investigated the current utilization status of thermotherapy devices in Korean medicine (KM) institutions and identified areas for improvement and further development, as perceived by KM doctors (KMDs). Methods : An online survey was conducted, targeting KMDs primarily engaged in clinical patient care. The questionnaire included items about respondents' clinical practices, the extent of thermotherapy device usage, their opinions on these devices, and perceived improvement needs. The collected data underwent quantitative analysis. Results : From the 1,025 respondents, data from 862 respondents who provided complete responses were analyzed. On average, respondents utilized thermotherapy treatments for 80% of their patients. Infrared (IR) phototherapy unit, electrical moxibustion apparatus, and heater-based thermotherapy devices were predominantly owned by respondents, with IR being the most frequently used. The average satisfaction score for current thermotherapy devices was 79. A significant concern raised was the necessity for improved health insurance coverage and efficacy evaluation. Conclusions : This research has confirmed that the extensive use of thermotherapy devices by KMDs in treating primarily musculoskeletal and gastrointestinal ailments - common conditions among patients in KM institutions. The main areas identified for improvement encompass safety, cost-effectiveness, and device efficacy. Future enhancements in thermotherapy devices should address these crucial aspects.