• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.69-82
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• 2004

Objectives : In the present study, the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) applied to hand yang meridian on the ankle sprain model was examined. Methods & Results : A common source of persistent pain in humans is the lateral ankle sprain. To model this condition, the rat's right ankle was bent repeatedly, overextending lateral ligaments, for 4 min under halothane anesthesia. The rat subsequently showed swelling of the ankle and a reduced stepping force of the affected limb for the next several days. The reduced stepping force of the limb was presumably due to a painful ankle. EA was applied to the several acupuncture point on the contralateral forelimb for 30 min under gaseous anesthesia. After the termination of EA, behavioral tests measuring stepping force were periodically conducted during the next 4 h. EA applied to SI-6 point produced a significant improvement of stepping force of the sprained foot lasting for at least 2 h. However, neigher LI-4 point nor TE-3 point produced any significant increase of weight bearing force. The improvement of stepping pressure was interpreted as an analgesic effect. The analgesic effect was specific to the acupuncture point since the analgesic effect on the ankle sprain pain model could not be mimicked by EA applied to a nearby point, LI-4 or TE-3. The analgesic effect of EA applied to SI-6 was more powerful when EA was applied by low-frequency and high-intensity stimulation. In addition, this effect need to be stimulated more than 15 min. Conclusions : These data suggest that EA produces a potent analgesic effect on the ankle sprain pain model in the rat. This analgesic effect is produced by applying EA to a Tae-Yang meridian at opposite side from the painful area in a stimulus point-specific way.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.113-127
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• 2004

Objectives : The usage of acupuncture has gained popularity as an alternative method of treatment for certain chronic pain conditions. However, the efficacy of acupuncture in various diseases has not been fully established and the underlying mechanism is not clearly understood. In the present study, the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) applied to foot samli$(ST_{36})$ on the carrageenan-induced knee arthritic pain was examined. Methods : A common source of persistent pain in humans is the knee arthritis. Knee arthritis was induced by injection of 2 % carrageenan $50\;{\mu}l$ into the knee joint cavity. When rats developed pain behaviors, EA was applied for 30 min. under enflurane anesthesia with repeated train stimuli at the intensity of 10X of muscle twitch threshold. The weight bearing force of the hind limb was measured for an indicator of pain level after each manipulation. Results : The average weight borne by the hind limb during normal gait was 55% of total body weight, which was reduced to less than 10% after knee arthritis. EA improved the weight bearing of the arthritic hind limb significantly for the duration of 4 hr. EA applied to $ST_{36}$ point produced a significant improvement of stepping force of the arthritic foot lasting for at least 4 h. However, $GB_{31}$ point did not produce any significant increase of weight bearing force. The analgesic effect was specific to the acupuncture point since the analgesic effect on the knee arthritis model could not be mimicked by EA applied to a nearby point, $GB_{31}$. The relations between EA-induced analgesia and endogenous nitric oxide(NO) and inducible NO synthase(iNOS)/neuronal NOS was also examined. Results were turned out that both NO production and nNOS/iNOS protein expression which is increased by arthritis were suppressed by EA stimulation applied to $ST_{36}$ point. Conclusions : The data suggest 1) that EA produces a potent analgesic effect on the rat model of chronic knee arthritis pain in a point specific manner and 2) that EA-induced analgesia modulate endogenous NO through the suppression of nNOS/iNOS protein expression.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.160-168
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• 2015

Objectives : This study was intended to observe the changes in the expression of neurotransmitters, such as nNOS, NO and NE upon the needle insertion at varying depths at the connecting point. Methods : Needles were inserted into rats, on both left and right sides of the connecting point, including the LI6, SI7 and TE5 acupoints which are three yang meridians of the hand. After insertion, needles were retained for five minutes. Each acupuncture groups were treated acupuncture at each acupoint and at the depths of superficial, middle and deep layer. After the retention, blood was drawn via cardiac puncture, and tissues of each point near meridian vessels were extracted to examine the changes in the expression of nNOS, NO and NE. Results : In terms of the effect in nNO production, there was a significant increase only in the middle and deep layer at SI7 acupoint, but there was no significant change in the expression of NO. Regarding the formation of norepinephrine within tissues, the middle layer on LI6 acupoint, the middle layer and the deep layer on TE5 acupoint showed a significant increase, while production of plasma norepinephrine was significantly decreased at the middle layer and the deep layer on LI6 acupoint and the deep layer on SI7 acupoint. Conclusions : The effect of needles applied at the connecting point of three yang meridians on the activities of nNOS, and NE could be observed, and it can be induced that the effect of needle stimulation on disrupted nervous system can be examined through additional researches based on this one.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.724-728
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• 2004

Several studies have shown that a low frequency stimulation can depress blood pressure in hypertension. We had developed a new auriculoelectrostimulator as an electronic blood pressure regulator for simple and easy stimulation. The new auriculoelectrostimulator was employed in hypertensive rat model induced by immobilization stress, diabetic and essential hypertensive rat models. Rats were stimulated by auriculoelectrostimulator at ear acupoint (Ear point for hypertension) bilaterally. Ear stimulation by auriculoelectrostimulator significantly decreased blood pressure in all hypertensive rat models and inhibited the increase of heart rates in stressed and spontaneous hypertensive rats. The results showed that auriculoelectrostimulator had depressive effects on hypertension in rat hypertensive models, suggesting that it is useful in treatment of hypertension.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.113-126
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• 2011

Objectives : We have examined and analyzed patents regarding acupuncture point stimulating methods in order to understand the stimulation technology and research trends of acupuncture points. Methods : We searched and analyzed the total of 135 on-line DB based patents under time limit of Dec, 2010. Results : According to the analyzed results, non-invasive method is used more than invasive method. Electric stimulation is used more than any other method, such as magnetic, ionic, laser, light, ultrasonic, water, Far IR and thermal stimulation. There are numbers of cases such as rejected during screening procedure, waived before the screening, of failed to renew its registrational status which outnumber those patents registered and maintained. Conclusions : These data suggest that we need to move away from using one side method such as non-invasive and electrical method. Thus follow-up service is recommended.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.12-22
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• 2015

Objectives Myopia has a higher prevalence rate in eastern countries, which also have a higher rate of educational fever compared to western countries. Considering this, social costs paid for myopia will increase rapidly in Korea. Although the development of myopia treatment is necessary, there has been a lack of relevant studies. Thus, this study aims to produce data to prevent unnecessary treatments and medical expenses. Methods The objective is to evaluate the effect of periocular acupressure exerted by a medical massager for myopia. This is an open-label, prospective, single-arm, and pre and post superiority study. The subjects are 7~12-year-old myopia patients with under 5 D (diopter) of spherical equivalent. A total of 56 subjects were enrolled. The selected subjects will wear the massager for 15 minutes twice a day for 24 weeks. The primary endpoint is the refraction change. The secondary endpoint is the axial length change. Statistical analysis was performed at a significant level of 0.05, using a two-tailed test. The criterion for significantly improved refraction was $-0.17{\pm}0.50$ D/6 months and that of axial length change was 0.126 mm. Results and Conclusions This study did not include a control group because children represent a vulnerable group. This objective study will bring some impact on Korean medical myopia treatment. A long-term confirmatory clinical study may be necessary in future.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.150-161
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• 2019

Objectives : The authors aimed at contributing to the safety of acupuncture in the clinic by analyzing the information of contraindicated acupoints described in Uihakipmun. Methods : We investigated the contents related acupuncture contraindications in Uihakipmun, categorized the contraindicated acupoints by site and identified whether they can cause adverse events from the anatomical point of view. Results : In Uihakipmun, 49 acupoints - BL6, BL8, BL9, ST1, SI18, BL1, BL2, TE18, TE19, TE20, GB1, GB3, GV22, GV24, ST12, ST9, TE16, GV6, BL15, BL30, CV17, LU2, GB22, SP16, CV8, CV9, CV15, KI11, ST30, SP11, BL56, GB32, GB33, GB42, LI13, HT2, TE8, GV17, GB18, EX-HN11, GB21, GV11, GV10, ST17, CV5, CV1, ST42, SP6, LI4 - were described as contraindicated acupoints. Among them, the contraindications induced by acupuncture treatment were described for just 5 acupoints. Anatomically, acupuncture stimulation at the contraindicated acupoints can cause organ, nerve or vessel damage near the acupoints. And the number of contraindicated acupoints in Uihakipmun was increased compared to those in Hwangjenaegyeong, Chimgugabeulgyeong, Bigeupcheongeumyobang, Donginsuhyeolchimgudogyeong and Chimgujasaenggyeong. Conclusions : In Ming dynasty, the knowledge associated with adverse events on acupuncture was increased by the accumulation of medical knowledge. Acupuncture stimulation at the contraindicated acupoints described in Uihakipmun can cause tissue damage, therefore we should perform acupuncture procedure carefully to avoid adverse events when stimulating the contraindicated acupoints.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.187-202
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• 2018

Objectives : Non-invasive transcranial electrical stimulation is one of therapeutic interventions to change in neural excitability of the cortex. Transcranial electro-acupuncture (TEA) can modulate brain functions through changes in cortical excitability as a model of non-invasive transcranial electrical stimulation. Some composites of fermented Scutellaria baicalenis (FSB) can activate intercellular signaling pathways for activation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor that is critical for formation of neural plasticity in stroke patients. This study was aimed at evaluation of combinatory treatment of TEA and FSB on behavior recovery and cortical neural excitability in rodent focal stroke model. Methods : Focal ischemic stroke was induced by photothrombotic injury to the motor cortex of adult rats. Application of TEA with 20 Hz and $200{\mu}A$ in combination with daily oral treatment of FBS was given to stroke animals for 3 weeks. Motor recovery was evaluated by rotating bean test and ladder working test. Electrical activity of cortical pyramidal neurons of stroke model was evaluated by using multi-channel extracellular recording technique and thallium autometallography. Results : Compared with control stroke group who did not receive any treatment, Combination of TEA and FSB treatment resulted in more rapid recovery of forelimb movement following focal stroke. This combination treatment also elicited increase in spontaneous firing rate of putative pyramidal neurons. Furthermore expression of metabolic marker for neural excitability was upregulated in peri-infract area under thallium autometallography. Conclusions : These results suggest that combination treatment of TEA and FSB can be a possible remedy for motor recovery in focal stroke.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.47-63
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• 2004

In most tissues, apoptosis plays a pivotal role in normal development and in regulation of cell number. Therefore inappropriate apoptosis is revealed in a variety of diseases. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of acupuncture and needle electrode electrical stimulation on the change of caspase-3, 9 and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) immunoreactive cells in the sprague dawley rats (SD rat). In immobilized SD rats (n=5), enhanced caspase-3 and caspase-9 expression were detected in the reticular part of substantia nigra, and enhanced nNOS was detected in the dorsolateral periaqueductal gray (DL-PAG) of midbrain and the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus using immunohistochemistry. Following the immobilization, acupuncture (n=5) and needle electrode electrical stimulation (n=5, 2 Hz) was applied at H$\acute{e}$g$\breve{u}$ (LI4) acupoint of SD rats, respectively. The stress-induced enhancement in the expression of caspase-3, 9 and nNOS were The present results demonstrate that and needle electrode electrical stimulation are effective in the modulation of expression of caspase-3, 9 and nNOS induced by immobilization.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.139-149
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• 2019

Objectives : A dermal needle is one of the therapeutic method by stimulating or tapping on the certain points of skin. Recently, roller or stamp-needle have been applied to various diseases in combination with microneedle technology. In this study, we analyzed the trend of roller and stamp-needle in Korean patent. Methods : Electronic search for Korean patent of roller or stamp needle was performed in Korea Intellectual Property Right Information Service database to April, 2019. Results : Sixty seven patents (51, roller-needle; 15, stamp-needle; 1, both types of needle) met the inclusion criteria. According to patent details, 34 of 67 patents were skin stimulation, 14 patents were intended to increase the efficiency of drug delivery through skin stimulation, 16 patents combined skin stimulation with technologies such as electrode or high frequency, and three patents applied both electrode or high frequency stimulation, and drug application as well as physical skin stimulation. Each of these patents aims to increase the efficiency of the needle manufacturing process (n=24), to facilitate the use of tools or to increase the efficiency of the technology (n=61), or to increase the technical skill of the needle itself (n=23). Conclusions : This study confirms that technological advances were being made by combining various types of stimuli to dermal needle and there have been attempts to expand the scope of drug delivery in terms of application of dermal needle. In the future, more research and development is needed in order to apply the dermal needle to modern technology.