• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.23-36
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• 2012

Objectives : This study was conducted to investigate effective treatment point selection method using oppressive pain in acupoints as elementary attempt for standard methodology of clinical acupuncture studies. Methods : Twenty seven subjects with hypertension or within prehypertension category - systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) over 120/80mmHg - were divided into two groups, oppressive pain point treatment group and oppressive painless point treatment group. In oppressive pain point treatment group, single point acupuncture (SPA) was conducted for 16 sessions during 8 weeks on most oppressive painful point among 6 selected acupuncture points used in previous trials and clinic. As a SPA intervention, 15 minutes with deqi sensation- elevating manipulation was conducted on the treatment acupoint. Same process was conducted in oppressive painless point treatment group on most oppressive painless point with subject blinding. Results : Significant reduction was observed in both systolic and diastolic BP after short time intervention (15.5/8.8 mmHg, 10.7/7.1 mmHg, P<0.05, respectively at 1 week) and maintained for 8 weeks intervention period in all groups (12.8/8.0 mmHg, 19.4/12.6 mmHg, P<0.05, respectively). No significant difference of BP change between oppressive pain point treatment group (N=10) and oppressive painless point treatment group (N=9) was observed during 8 weeks study period. Conclusions : SPA treatment as used in this pilot study was effective for lowering BP in mild hypertensive population, but oppressive pain in acupoint had no effect on treatment. This present result suggests the possibility of SPA for hypertension treatment regardless of oppressive pain.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.75-89
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• 2009

Objectives: Warm needling combines simultaneously the effects of acupuncture and moxibustion. This study was to investigate whether warm needling could relieve acute knee arthritis induced by carrageenan in rats. Methods: To illuminate the underlying mechanisms of the warm needling-induced antinociception, weight bearing force (WBF) was observed on the acute knee arthritic rat model. Under general anesthesia, ST36, SP9, Hakjung extra point, LI4 were punctured and stimulated with 30 mg moxa ball combustion on top of the needle (${\emptyset}0.18{\times}8mm$). Results: In behavioral test, rats subsequently showed a reduced stepping force of the affected limb 3 hours after the induction of arthritis. Warm needling on the contralateral or ipsilateral ST36 failed to show antinociceptive effect on the acute knee arthritis. Warm needling on the contralateral SP9 or LI4 increased WBF values to normal level in the acute stage of the arthritis. Warm needling on the Hakjung extra-point resulted in the significant antinociceptive effects through acute stage. These effects of warm needling were suppressed by opioids receptor antagonist naltrexone (10 mg/kg, i.p.) and alpha adrenoceptor antagonist phentolamine (5 mg/kg, i.p.). Conclusion: The data suggest that warm needling-induced antinociception is differently mediated by acupoints and accomplished by activating the descending inhibitory systems including endogenous opioids and $\alpha$-adrenoceptors.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.13-22
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• 2009

Objectives : Informations on pulse diagnosis in literature are based on diagnosing pulse waveforms on supine posture. However, today's pulse waveforms are measured on various postures for the convenience of patients or doctors. For objective measurement, the effect of posture on the pulse waveforms should be considered. The objective of this study was to find posture-related changes in the radial pulse waveforms. Methods : We used an instrument, DMP-3000(DAEYOMEDI Co., Ansan, Korea), measuring radial pulse waveforms noninvasively by tonometric method. 25 male subjects participated in the trial. Before measuring radial pulse waveforms subjects had rest for 5 min. The pulse waveforms were measured on the left wrist. Each subject underwent this course on the supine, sitting, and standing posture. We analyzed pulse waveforms with Height-parameters, Time-parameters, Energy, and Elastic rate. Results : Height-parameters(h1~h5) on the supine posture were bigger than those on the sitting and standing posture. In case of Time-parameters, the parameters making up systolic time decrease in order of on standing, sitting, and supine position. However, systolic time and diastolic time didn't have any changes. Energy of pulse was the biggest on supine posture and Elastic rate on standing posture. Conclusions : In this study we found that posture changes affect radial pulse waveforms. For quantification of the changes, more trials should be done. After analyzing much data we might apply parameters of pulse waveforms changed by posture. Also, we might diagnose special disease with properties of pulse waveforms by posture.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.13-22
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• 2010

Objectives: The information on the depth where pulse wave appears is as important as pulse waveform. The aim of this study was to classify pulse pattern using pressure-height(P-H) volume-curve by 5 applied pressure levels to find out the information on the depth of pulse and interpret the floating & sinking pulse in oriental medical pulse diagnosis. Methods: We used 3 dimensional pulse imaging analyser (DMP-3000, DAEYOMEDI Co., Korea), which measures radial pulse waveforms noninvasively by way of tonometric method at 5 applied pressure levels, and shows P-H volume-curves by applied pressure. 448 subjects were enrolled, pulse waveforms were measured and the P-H volume-curves were gained on the three locations of Chon, Kwan, and Cheok. Results: Gained P-H volume curves were classified into 3 types ; increase type, decrease type, and increase-decrease type. Increase-decrease type appeared more often on Chon and Kwan, while increase type appeared more often on Cheok. In a few cases, decrease-type appeared on Chon and Kawn, however it never appeared on Cheok. Conclusions: Through the classification of pulse by P-H volume-curve, we gained the information on the depth of pulse. We speculate the decrease type as floating pulse, the increase-decrease type as middle pulse, and the increase type as sinking pulse in oriental medical pulse diagnosis. After more researches on P-H volume-curve by applied pressure, the P-H volume-curve may be used as an important factor for pulse diagnosis.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.1-12
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• 2010

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to gain the objective indicators for the classification of hypertension by oriental medical pulse diagnosis, through finding out the parameters which can distinguish the pulse of hypertensive patient from that of normal subject, and characterizes the wiry pulse of hypertension. Methods: 30-59 yr, male, 946 healthy volunteers and 35 hypertensive patients were enrolled in this study. All the hypertensive patients were taking medicine to control the blood pressure and the blood pressure of the hypertension group was not statistically different from that of the normal healthy group. Data were acquired using 3 dimensional pulse imaging analyser(DMP-3000, DAEYOMEDI, KOREA) and analysed according to the age bands and the applied pressure levels. Results: 1. RAI/t, w/t and t2/t decreased with the levels of applied pressure and increased with age in the normal healthy group, not in the hypertension group. 2. RAI/t, w/t, t2/t were significantly higher in the hypertension group than the normal healthy group in the 30-age band, and elasticity coefficient was higher in the hypertension group than the normal healthy group in the 40-age band. 3. Researches on the patients without hypotensive agents are needed to figure out whether these parameters are the components of hypertensive wiry pulse. Conclusions: Analysing the radial pulse at 5 applied pressure levels using 3 dimensional pulse imaging analyser may be useful to differentiate the pulses of the hypertensive patients from those of the normal subjects, and characterize the hypertension.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.82-90
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• 2018

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of acupoint and meridian muscle massage given by automatic massage chair. Methods : We recruited 30 patients with back pain who met inclusion criteria. Two weeks were given as a waiting period, and the massage intervention was applied 12 times for 4 weeks. The programmed automatic massage chair was used to provide effective stimulus on acupoints and meridians for 20 minutes. We used Visual analog scale(VAS) and Korean Oswestry Disability Index(KODI) to quantify pain and function. We also recorded patients' all of vital signs and abnormal reactions during the trial to asses to assess safety. Results : Two participants dropped out due to personal reasons and 28 participants completed the clinical trial. We found that the degree of back pain (VAS, KODI) decreased significantly after the trial. As a result, VAS score decreased from $6.44{\pm}0.85$(Visit 2) to $4.59{\pm}1.52$ (Visit 14)(p<0.001), and KODI score was also reduced from $14.79{\pm}5.13$(Visit 14) to $9.04{\pm}4.52$ (Visit 2) (p<0.001). Also, we did not find any adverse effects in this study. Conclusions : We found that the acupoint and meridian muscle massage can effectively decrease back pain. This proves that the massage program designed by Korean medicine can be a good option to patients with back pain. However, further study with controlled design is still needed to verify its effectiveness.

• 한국의사학회지
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.107-132
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate the research trends of hypertension in Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM), and it aims to promote hypertension research in Korean Medicine. Methods : We first collected more than 1,900 papers about hypertension research, and finally selected 108 papers related to this study. They were analyzed by the annul situation, the subject of the study, the perspective of TCM, the study stream, the research fields, the diagnostic patterns, and the distinguishing treatments of TCM. Results : The first review about hypertension in TCM was performed in 1963, and the number of studies has increased since 2000s. Doctors and researchers in China tried various diagnostic patterns to treat the patient because the diagnostic patterns were not unified. For this reason, most researches were reported to the diagnostic patterns and the treatments. Also we have discovered the diversity in treatments methods such as not only the typical herbal medicine, acupuncture, and Qigong but also specific treatments like Chuna, herbal acupoints stimulation, footbath, and pillow. Conclusions : Based on the results of this study, it can be proposed as follows : First, the various approach about hypertension in Korean Medicine is required. Second, the domestic research is needed to be extended to the external treatments as the distinguishing treatments of TCM.

• 대한한방부인과학회지
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.78-91
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• 2016

Objectives: Breast cancer patients in Korea need to care about symptoms with complementary medicine including acupuncture. We reviewed the randomized controlled studies using acupuncture in breast cancer patients to establish a basic knowledge of clinical practice guidelines. Methods: We searched the following databases through July 2015: the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Ovid-Medline, Ovid-EMBASE, the Allied and Complementary Medicine Databases and OASIS. The articles of RCTs using acupuncture in breast cancer for all symptoms were selected and analyzed. The acupoints, treatment period, inclusion criteria of participants, follow-up period and effectiveness were extracted. Results: Three hundred fifty five records after duplicate were screened, and 14 RCTs were selected. RCTs of Hot flush, pain, fatigue were reviewed. The adverse symptoms using medical treatment in breast cancer patients were targets of acupuncture in RCTs. The acupuncture treatment was decreased the hot flush, pain and fatigue. However, the effect was not confirmed due to various study design. Conclusions: The analysis of the research would be conjugated to establish a basic knowledge of clinical practice guidelines. Well designed studies in Korea are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in patients with breast cancer.

• 대한한방부인과학회지
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.193-206
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• 2008

Purpose: In spite of many arguments on the result of WHI (Women's Health Initiative) study, no one can deny the necessity for researches on the alternative treatment to HRT (hormone replacement therapy). In this study, the author wanted to investigate the method of precedent acupuncture RCTs (randomized controlled trials) to make out the appropriate acupuncture study design on postmenopausal and perimenopausal hot flashes in Korea. Methods: Precedent studies were investigated using Pubmed search and key-words "acupuncture and hot flash", "acupuncture and menopause", "acupuncture and vasomotor", limited to RCT, from 2000 to 2008 April. Results: As a result. 10 studies were searched. In the hereafter studies, multi-center clinical trials which consist of population group of postmenopausal and perimenopausal women that would be pre-stratified and more than 50 patients per treatment arm seem adequate. Sham control study can make out the proper consequence because many people are get used to acupuncture in Korea. Flexible choice of acupoints addressed an individual's symptoms using standardized algorithm is recommended. Treatment consist of 4 weeks' observation, 11 acupuncture sessions during 7 weeks, follow-up of 3 months or more after treatment and hot flash score as a primary outcome measure seem appropriate. After all, higher level of description according to global standard must be obtained in the study report and publishing. Conclusion: The researchers should develope the methodology of acupuncture clinical trial on the postmenopausal and perimenopausal hot flashes.

• 대한한방부인과학회지
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• 제33권1호
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• pp.19-35
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to show effectiveness of Acupuncture treatment on gastrointestinal dysfunctions after Cesarean section by analyzing randomized controlled clinical trials. Methods: We searched randomized controlled clinical trials related with acupuncture treatment on gastrointestinal dysfunctions after Cesarean section through national and overseas database and analyzed them in detail. Results: 6 articles were included according to our selection criteria and 1,084 women were involved. 3 studies used TEAS (Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation), 2 studies used Elastic band and 1 study used Acupressure by hand. Their results were statistically more effective than control groups. The most frequently used acupoints were Neiguan (PC6), Zusanli (ST36) followed by Sanyinjiao (SP6), Hegu (IL4). Conclusions: There was significant difference in the effectiveness of the intervention including Acupuncture treatment. Based on analysis, it could be an effective way for the treatment of gastrointestinal dysfunctions after Cesarean section in clinical practice.