• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.97-103
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• 2013

Objectives : To observe the changes in the expression of nNOS, iNOS, eNOS and NO by the needle insertion on river points, one of the five transport points of three yang meridians of the foot. Methods : Based on rats, needle was inserted on both left and right sides of ST41, BL60 and GB38 and retained for five minutes. After the retention, blood was drawn via cardiac puncture and tissues from each point around meridian vessels were extracted to observe the changes in the expression of nNOS, iNOS, eNOS and NO. Results : In terms of the effect on expression of nNOS within tissues, ST41 showed significant decrease based on the results of immunohistochemistry. In terms of the effect on expression of iNOS within tissues, none of the experimental groups showed any significant change compared to the Normal group. Regarding expression of eNOS within tissues, GB38 showed significant increase based on the results of immunohistochemistry. In terms of the effect on NO creation in tissues, none of the experimental groups showed any significant change compared to the Normal group. Conclusions : The effect of needle insertion on the river points of three yang meridians of the foot on the function of nNOS, iNOS, eNOS and NO could be observed, and based on this study, it is considered that the effect of needle stimulation on the changes of nervous system could be found out through additional research.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2020

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to review needling depth and location of LU7, BL62 and KI6 by the medical classics' records. Methods : 1. We researched the medical classics describing LU7, KI6 and BL62, and reorganized data about the location and needling depth. 2. We compared the medical classics' records on LU7, KI6 and BL62 with description of WHO standard acupuncture point location. 3. We reviewed different location and needling depth of LU7, BL62, and KI6 recorded in the medical classics with the anatomical structure. Results : 1. The common needling depth of LU7 is about 0.2 chon. But in some medical classics, the depth of LU7 is 0.8 chon. Needling depth of LU7 varied depending on the patient's hand posture. In the 'half-up' position with the thumb upward, it is possible to stimulate acupuncture on LU7 by 0.8 chon because there is a space between the tendons. 2. In WHO standard acupuncture point location, the locations of BL62 and KI6 are just below the lateral and medial malleolus. But in some medical classics, the locations of BL62 and KI6 are between the bones and muscles below the malleolus. In the locations between the bones and muscles below the malleolus, it is possible to stimulate acupuncture on BL62 and KI6 by penetrating acupuncture because there is no bone structure. Conclusions : 1. By the 'half-up' position with the thumb upward, it is possible to stimulate vertically acupuncture on LU7 by 0.8 chon. 2. By the locations of BL62 and KI6 between the bones and muscles below the malleolus, it is possible to stimulate on BL62 and KI6 by penetrating acupuncture.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.14-23
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• 2020

Objectives : We investigated the efficacy and safety of miniscalpel acupuncture (MA) treatment combined with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for chronic neck pain (CNP) in an assessor-blinded randomized controlled pilot trial to establish a basis for larger-scale randomized controlled studies on this subject. Methods : Participants (n=36) were recruited and randomly allocated to the MA group, NSAIDs and combined treatment group. The MA group received MA three times over three weeks. The NSAIDs group was administered orally with zaltoprofen 80mg t.i.d. over three weeks. The combined treatment group received MA and zaltoprofen in the same manner as MA and NSAIDs groups. The primary outcome was pain as assessed by a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the secondary outcomes were assessed using the Neck Disability index (NDI), EuroQol 5-dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D), and Patients' Global Impression of Change scale (PGIC). Assessments were made at week 0 (baseline), 1, 2, 3 (primary end point) during treatment and at week 7 (4 weeks after the end of treatment). Results : 35 participants completed the study. No serious adverse event occurred and blood test results were within normal limits. The improvement of VAS and NDI was significantly greater in combined and MA group than that in NSAIDs group (p<0.017). The combined group showed better outcomes in EQ-5D at visit 2 and 5, in PGIC at visit 4 than the NSAIDs group (p<0.017). No significant differences were found between combined and MA group. Conclusions : Our results suggest that both combined and MA group can be more effective in improving pain control than NSAIDs group. A large-scale clinical study is warranted to further clarify these findings.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.54-62
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• 2020

Objectives : Acute low back pain syndrome causes pain and poor quality of life. There are various studies of SBV (Sweet bee venom) pharmacopuncture, but few have identified the therapeutic effects for patients unable to walk due to acute back pain. This case series report three cases of acute low back pain syndrome treated with SBV pharmacopuncture combined with Korean Medicine (KM) treatments. Methods : Three acute low back pain syndrome patients with no other acute abnormalities in the imaging were treated by KM treatments including SBV pharmacopuncture, acupuncture, cupping, herbal medicine and physical therapy. The improvement of symptoms was evaluated using Numerical rating scale (NRS), Oswestry disability Index (ODI), EuroQol-5 dimension index (EQ-5D) and EuroQol-visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS). Results : Patients who were unable to walk due to acute back pain were able to walk. There were significant improvements of NRS, ODI, EQ-5D and EQ-VAS after treatment. The patients experienced an average 90% decrease in low back pain after inpatient KM treatment for about 8 days. NRS decreased by an average of 78.9%, ODI decreased by an average of 49.4%, and EQ-VAS increased by an average of 92.6%. In the case 1, EQ-5D decreased in all categories, but in the case 2, it decreased in all categories except for pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression, but in the case 3, it decreased in all categories except anxiety/depression. There was no serious side effect after treatment of SBV pharmacopuncture. Conclusions : KM treatments including SBV pharmacopuncture may be effective for acute low back pain syndrome patients. However, randomized controlled trials are needed in the future to confirm the clinical effects of these interventions.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.131-144
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• 2020

Objectives : The aim of this study is to analyze the details of acupuncture treatment methods and the reporting quality of acupuncture on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). Methods : Search was conducted in Pubmed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library for acupuncture studies on CTS. The reporting quality of acupuncture treatment was assessed using the following guidelines: Standards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture (STRICTA) for analyzing the method of acupuncture treatment, Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) for analyzing study design and study process, and Risk of Bias (ROB) for analyzing bias. The number of reported items was calculated and evaluated as a proportion. The reported proportion of each study was classified into three grades: Grade A (% score ≥75), Grade B (50≤ % score <75), and Grade C (% score <50). Results : A total of 9 Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) were included in this study. All trials reported 12 items (66.67%) on average in STRICTA guidelines. Five studies were conducted with manual acupuncture and 3 studies were conducted with electroacupuncture. PC7 (Daereung) was most frequently used to treat CTS. In STRICTA guideline evaluation, 3 studies were classified as Grade A, 5 studies were classified as Grade B, and 1 study was classified as Grade C. In the CONSORT statement assessment, all trials reported an average of 20.56 items. Of the 9 RCTs, 6 studies were classified as Grade B and 3 studies were classified as Grade C. In ROB assessment, most studies showed a low (63.49%) or unclear (26.98%) risk of bias. The selective reporting bias and the incomplete outcome data bias were found to have the lowest risk of bias, and the allocation concealment of selection bias was found to have the most unclear risk of bias. Conclusions : Recent acupuncture studies on CTS showed moderate reporting quality. However, more detailed reports on acupuncture are still needed to establish more solid evidence of acupuncture treatment.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.172-182
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• 2020

Objectives : In this study, we conducted a focus group interview among expatriates living in Korea, to investigate their experiences and perceptions of acupuncture and Korean Medicine in order to improve the usage of Korean Medicine in the medical tourism market. Methods : The inclusion criteria for the focus group interview was: (1) participants between the age of 20 to 75 years old; (2) those who had lived in Korea for more than 90 days, and (3) those who were able to express their thoughts freely in English. The participants were informed that the interviews will be recorded and transcribed. We ended recruitment once saturation of materials was met. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the data was analyzed after each interview. Results : The interviews were held between June to December 2016. Twenty-four participants were recruited but four dropped out and a total of twenty participants successfully finished the interviews. Six focus group interviews were conducted. Analysis revealed that Korean Medicine was relatively less known compared to Traditional Chinese Medicine or Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Participants automatically associated acupuncture with the management of pain or stress and replied that these were the areas that they thought acupuncture would be most effective. Positive experiences with acupuncture and with the acupuncture practitioners were factors that promoted the use of acupuncture whereas lack of awareness, accessibility and accreditation were factors that hindered its use. Other factors that hindered the use of acupuncture was needle phobia and the perception that acupuncture lacks scientific evidence. Conclusions : Awareness on Korean Medicine and acupuncture is low. Participants lack awareness on what diseases acupuncture can treat, the scientific evidence behind the mechanism of action, and the rigorous education system that Korean Medicine doctors must go through to get their license. Rigorous marketing should be encouraged, which includes greater exposure in the media, more honest reviews from patients, and promotion of the scientific evidence base.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.317-325
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• 2017

Objectives This study is aimed to develop a Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) on acupuncture treatment for the stroke patients with Post-stroke Urinary Incontinence(PSUI). Methods Experts committee, consisting of stroke or methodology specialists, searched Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and 19 Korean medicine journals. The search terms were selected to screen the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or systematic reviews for the effectiveness of acupuncture on PSUI, compared with placebo or conventional group. Levels of evidence and grades of recommendations were appraised based on Recommendations for Development of Clinical Practice Guideline in Korean Medicine. Results & Conclusions 8 RCT were included to build the CPG. There was a strong evidence to support the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment for PSUI. The moderate evidence was presented that over 3 times a week of the acupuncture should be performed over 4 weeks on the acupoints, such as BL23, CV3, SP6, CV4, CV6, ST28, BL28, BL32, GV20, BL22, GV4 or ST36, for 15-30 minutes. 1-150 Hz frequency is suggested if electro-acupuncture treatments is performed with. It was also suggested that the procedure should begin at the acute stage just after the vital signs of the patients are stabilized. There was a moderate evidence to support safety of acupuncture treatment for PSUI. We recommend acu-points of constitutional acupuncture for Sasangin on the healthy side.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2016

Objectives The purpose of this study is to find out the effect of various concentrations of Hwangnyeonhaedok-tang (HTT) pharmacopuncture on ST25 (天樞) in rats with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis.Methods Colitis was experimentally induced by feeding rats with water mixed with 5% (w/v) DSS for 20 days. The rats were divided into 5 groups: the normal group (Nor, n=5), the control group - colitis induced rats with no treatment (Con, n=5), the acupuncture group - colitis induced rats with acupuncture applied on ST25 (Acu, n=5), the pharmacopuncture group 1 - colitis induced rats with 0.729 mg/250 g/40 μl of pharmacopuncture applied on ST25 (PA-1, n=5), the pharmacopuncture group 2 - colitis induced rats with 3.645 mg/250 g/40 μl of pharmacopuncture applied on ST25 (PA-2, n=5). The changes in weight, excrement concentration and hemafecia were observed 5 times every 2 days. The colon lengths were measured from appendix to the end of colon after the experiment. Hematological and serological exams were conducted the day after the last treatment by cardiac puncturing anesthetized rats.Results ST25 is the abdominal front point (募穴) of large intestine meridian and is known to have effect in colitis. Various concentrations of HTT pharmacopuncture (HTTP) applied on ST25, in rats with DSS-induced colitis inhibited decrease in colon lengths and body weight in both PA-1 and PA-2 groups. Hematological and serological exam results also showed that HTTP has significant effect on colitis in both PA-1 and PA-2 groups.Conclusions Colon lengths were significantly increased in the acupuncture group, PA-1 group and PA-2 group, compared to the control group. The body weight was significantly increased (p<0.05) in PA-2 group after the first treatment, compared to the control group. TNF-α, IL-6, AST were significantly decreased in PA-1 and PA-2 groups, compared to the control group.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.252-260
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• 2002

Introduction Urticaria is widely spread disease. About 15-20 $\%$ of population has experienced at least once in a life time. The etiology of urticaria is uncertain till now, and the affcting factors are various chemical material, physical factors, alcohol, fever, exercise, and hormone, etc. The symptoms of urticaria are small or large wheal-erythema reaction and itching or tingling sense. Cause there is no probe to detect the urticaria clearly, the treatment of urticaria is symptomatic. And mostly urticaria can be chronic and very hard to treat it fundamentally. Nowadays, many trials to treat the urticaria in oriental medical way show good curability. In this paper I'd like to report the treatment rate and degree of urticaria patients mostly using anti-histamine medication. Subjects From the outpatients who visited Korean Hospital of Kyunghee Kangnam during 2000-4 and 2002-1, the 36 chronic urticaria patients, at least more than 4 weeks from onset and 2weeks of treatment period, were chosen. Methods I evaluated the results of treatment with the following scale. Very Good: The all symptoms are clearly disappeared or one third of symptoms remain and sometimes eruption is appeared. Good: Half of the symptoms are improved but most of symptoms remain. No Change: No change appears before and after treatment. Worse: The degree and duration of eruption get worse than pre-treatment state. Results For Acupuncture treatment, I chose the several Acu points like Hapgok(합곡), Taichung(대충), Gokji(곡지), Yanggok(양곡), Yanggea(양계), and lmeup(족임읍), and usually lasted it 15 minutes. With the acupuncture treatment and herb medicine, 2-3 times a week, the patients whose treatment period was 2 to 4 weeks were 17(47.2$\%$), 4 to 8 weeks were 11(30.5$\%$), 8 to 12 weeks were 3(8.3$\%$), 12 to 16 weeks were 3(8.3$\%$), longer than 16 weeks were 2(5.5$\%$) Collecting the statistics of the frequency of prescripted herb medicine, Hyangsosan(향소산) was prescripted 21 times(58.3$\%$), Hyangsapyungwisan(향사평위산) was 15 times(41.6$\%$), Hwapisan(화피산) was 9 times(25$\%$), Yangwitang(양위탕) was 6 times(16.6$\%$), Bojungikkitang(보중익기탕가미) was 4 times(11.1$\%$), Yongdamsagantang (용담사간탕가미) was 4 times(11.1$\%$). The result of the treatments, evaluating with mentioned rate scale, was 11 cases(30.5$\%$) were Very Good degree, 19 cases(52.7$\%$) were Good , 6 cases(16.6$\%$) were No Change. No cases were Worse degree. Conclusion According to this research, we could say that chronic urticaria can be treated with Oriental medical methods. But more precise probes in both Oriental and Western medicine to diagnose the chronic urticaria should be established and we need to make standards for testing and diagnosing the chronic urticaria.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.151-161
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• 2021

Objectives : The effects of a combined stimulation of 658 nm, 830 nm, 904 nm, and 1064 nm laser acupuncture treatment (LAT) and electroacupuncture treatment (EAT) on GB39 and GB34 on neuropathic pain in rats induced by tibial and sural nerve transection were studied in this paper. Methods : To express a neuropathic pain model, surgery was performed to transection rats' tibial and sural nerves. The rats were divided into normal group, control group, and experimental groups. In addition, the experimental groups were divided into 658 nm laser and electroacupuncture (LAT658+EAT), 830 nm laser and electroacupuncture (LAT830+EAT), 904 nm laser and electroacupuncture (LAT904+EAT), and 1064 nm laser and electroacupuncture (LAT830+EAT). For the treatment of the experimental groups, electroacupuncture and different laser wavelengths were alternately applied to GB34 and GB39 twice a week for 3 weeks for 1 minute 30 seconds. The withdrawal response of neuropathic rats' legs by acetone stimulation was observed, as well as the c-Fos in the central gray region in the midbrain of neuropathic rats together with Bax, Bcl2, and mGluR5 expressions associated with apoptosis. Results : Compared with the control group, a significant decrease in the frequency of paw withdrawal in response to acetone allodynia was observed in LAT658+EAT and LAT830+EAT groups in 6th times, LAT904+EAT group in 2^nd, 3^rd, and 6^th times, and LAT1064+EAT group in 2^nd and 6^th times, respectively. For c-fos positive cells in the central gray region, a significant decrease was observed in LAT830+EAT, LAT904+EAT, and LAT1064+EAT groups in comparison with the control group. In Bax expression, LAT1064+EAT group showed a significant decrease compared to the control group. In Bcl-2 expression, the LAT658+EAT,the LAT904+EAT, and the LAT1064+EAT groups increased significantly compared to the control group. LAT830+EAT, LAT904+EAT, and LAT1064+EAT groups showed significantly increased mGlu5 expression compared to the control group. Conclusions : The combination of laser for each wavelength and electroacupuncture alternately performed in this study is thought to be effective in improving neuropathic pain and apoptosis.