• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제20권4호
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• pp.157-169
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• 2003

Objective : The effects of electroacupuncture(EA) stimulation on heart rate variability(HRV) for healthy adults are investigated with power spectrum analysis(PSA) of HRV. Methods : The HRVs of every 10 minute for 22 healthy volunteers(13 men and 9 women) were measured for an hour with SA-3000P(Medicore Co., Ltd., Korea). The median age with arithmetic range of 13 men and 9 women was 26.00 years with 22.75~27.00 years. The initial 20 minutes were defined as baseline period(pre-EA period), the following 20 minutes as the EA period and the last 20 minutes as the post-EA period. In each EA periods, volunteers received EA(2Hz, 0.6~0.8ms duration, maximal tolerated stimulation without discomfort) on the right Zusanli(ST36), Shangjuxu(ST37) acupoints while supine, resting. Results : Heart rate of volunteers at post-EA period was significantly decreased compare to that of pre-EA period, while SDNN at post-EA period was significantly increased. Heart rate at EA period was significantly decreased compare to that of pre-EA period, but Ln(LF) and LF/HF at EA period were significantly increased. Ln(HF) at post-EA period was significantly decreased compare to that of EA period, while the other variables were not significantly changed. Conclusions : The results suggest that EA in healthy adults is associated with changed activity in the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. Further study is needed for investigating the effects of EA on HRV and autonomic nervous system.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제21권5호
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• pp.123-136
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• 2004

Objective : Because the cause and etiology of chronic headache is not yet fully explained, the treatment of this symptom is not simple. This study compares the effects of aroma acupuncture and normal acupuncture applied on chronic headache patients, in order to establish a primary data for further studies of new treatments and developments of new practical acupunctures. Methods : 38 clinical experiment participants were gathered and through a questionnaire patients who experienced headache for more than 4 hours a day and more than 15 days per month were qualified as Chronic Headache patients. The qualified patients were classified in to two groups, aroma acupuncture group(Aroma AT group, n=23) and normal acupuncture group(AT group, n=15). Treatment was applied 2 times a weeks for 8 weeks. The acupoints, GV20, HN23, ST8, HN46, TE17, GB20, LI20, LI11, LI14, ST36, and LR3 were stimulated for 20 minutes in both the groups. The effects of both groups were analyzed using VAS scores and BPI (Brief Pain Inventory). Results : The VAS pain scores improved significantly in both groups. The decrease rate was larger in the Aroma AT group(p<0.05). The BPI scores for the both groups also decreased. The improvement in the Aroma AT group was larger(p<0.05). Conclusion : Aroma acupuncture applied on chronic headache patients showed effects of relieving pain, improving general activities, changing the mood, and improving sleeping behaviors. These effects were analyzed using VAS scores and BPI. The Aroma AT group showed significant changes of VAS and BPI compared to the AT group, suggesting that this new practical acupuncture is very effective when treating chronic headaches. Further researches are needed to evaluate the distinct functional mechanism of aroma acupuncture, but this study is meaningful in the sense that it will act as a fundamental study to build on.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.111-118
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• 2004

Background and purpose: Opposing-needling technique involves selecting acupoints at unaffected limb. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of LI4-LI11 electrical acupuncture at unaffected limb on the cerebral blood flow in ischemic stroke patients using SPECT Methods: We selected 9 ischemic stroke patients. Baseline brain SPECT was done with triple head gamma camera(MultiSPECT3, Siemens, USA) after intravenous administration of 925 MBq of Tc-99m ECD). Fifteen-minute electro-acupuncture at Hapgok(LI 4) and Gokji(LI 11) were applied on unaffected upper limb of subjects. The same dose of Tc-99m ECD was injected during the electro-acupuncture, and the second SPECT images were obtained. Using the computer software(ICON 7.1, Siemens, USA), 3 SPECT slices(upper, middle, lower) surrounding the brain lesion were selected and each slice was divided by 10-16 brain regions. Asymmetry indexes were analyzed in each brain region. We regarded$\geq$10% changes of asymmetry index between before and after electro-acupuncture as significance. Results: Seven Patients(77.8%) had significantly increased perfusion and 2(22.2%) didn't show increased perfusion in post-acupuncture scans compared to pre-acupuncture scans(baseline). The regions of CBF improvement were mostly frontal lobes and anterior temporal lobes. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that LI4-LI11 electro-acupuncture at unaffected limb increased regional cerebral blood perfusion to the corresponding brain areas in ischemic stroke patients.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.43-54
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• 2007

Objectives : This study was designed to evaluate the effect of acupuncture with various scales on symptoms of Idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Methods: Subjects were voluntarily recruited through newspapers and internet advertisement. All the subjects were confirmed as idiopathic parkinson's disease by a neurologist. The acupuncture therapy was performed twice a week for 4 weeks by oriental medical doctor at Kyung-hee University hospital. Patients were randomly assigned to three groups : sham acupuncture group, acupuncture treatment group and Sasang-Constitution acupuncture treatment group. Acupun cture points used in acupuncture treatment group were $GB_{34}$, $LR_3$, and $ST_{36}$, which were proven to be effective in rat Parkinson's disease study. Acupuncture points used in sham treatment were non-acupoints near $GB_{34}$, $LR_3$, and $ST_{36}$. In Sasang-Constitution acupuncture treatment, we classfied Sasang constitution of patients by QSCCII. Acupuncture was applied based on theory of Korean medicine. The patient's symptoms were assessed at baseline and after 4 weeks of treatment by one evaluator with Unified Kingdom Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), modified Hoehn-Yahr(H-Y) stage, and Schwab & England activ ity of daily living and freezing of gait questionnaire (FOGQ). Results : The results were as follows ; 1. UPDRS IV score differences between sham group and Sasang-Constitution acupuncture treatment were statistically significant(p=0.001). 2. UPDRS total score differences between Sasang-Constitution acupuncture treatment and acupuncture treatment group, Sasang-Constitution acupuncture treatment and sham group were statistically significant(p=0.041, p=0.014). 5. FOGQ score differences between Sasang-Constitution acupuncture treatment and acupuncture treatment group, Sasang-Constitution acupuncture treatment and sham group were statistically significant(p=0.001, p=0.001). Conclusion : The results suggest Sasang-Constitution acupuncture treatment can be applicable to improve symptoms in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.81-97
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study is analyzing the current research methodology of pharmacopucture for the treatment of animal cancer models. Methods : Four electronic databases were searched for animal studies published from January 2000 to September 2014 onward using these search terms "cancer, anticancer, pharmacopuncture, beevenom". Selected articles were described about animal cancer models. The methods used to induce cancer and the outcome measures used to assess the effects of pharmacopuncture on animal cancer models were analyzed. Results : 37 articles were included. For producing animal cancer models BALB/C mice(n=22) and C57BL/6 mice(n=17) were selected. And intravenous injection of B16-F10 melanoma cells into tail vein(n=14) or intraperitoneal injection of sarcoma-180 cells(n=14) were frequently used to induce cancer. Various pharmacopunctures were injected into acupoints $CV_{12}(n=19)$, $ST_{36}(n=8)$, $BL_{18}(n=8)$ or peritoneal cavity(n=6), tumor site(n=2), tail vein(n=2). Outcome measures were categorized into anti-cancer, anti-metastasis, general condition, cytotoxicity, immune response, toxicity. Median Survival Time(MST) and increase of life span(ILS)(n=26) was frequently used for evaluating anti-cancer effects. And pulmonary colonization assay(n=13) was frequently used for evaluating anti-metastasis effects Conclusions : Based on these data, further research would be needed to ascertain the effectiveness of pharmacopuncture for treating cancer and broaden the range of clinical applications.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제32권4호
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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.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.220-229
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• 2013

Objectives : Electroacupuncture(EA) has been used effectively in producing analgesia on ankle sprain pain of humans and animals. Currently to examine the underlying mechanisms of the EA-induced analgesia, the effects of EA on weight-bearing forces(WBR) were examined at ankle sprain classified as grade 3 in rats. Methods : The severe ankle sprain classified as grade 3 was induced surgically by ankle ligament injury in the Sprague-Dawley rats. WBR of the affected foot were examined to evaluate effects and mechanism of EA(2 Hz, 1 ms pulse width, 2 mA intensity, for 15 min) which was applied to either SI6, GB34, or GB39 acupoints. The rats were pretreated with naltrexone(10 mg/kg, i.p.) as an opioid receptor antagonist or phentolamine(5 mg/kg, i.p) as an ${\alpha}$-adrenoceptor antagonist at 30 min before EA. Results : The daily repeat EA at either SI6, GB34, or GB39 showed significant analgesic effects on the severe ankle sprain. Particularly, daily EA at GB34 showed more potent analgesic effect than the others. In addition, the naltrexone pretreatment completely blocked the analgesic effect of EA at GB34, indicating the involvement of the endogenous opioid system in mediating the effect of EA at GB34. However, the phentolamine pretreament blocked analgesic effects of EA at either SI6 or GB39, indicating the involvement of ${\alpha}$-adrenoceptors in mediating the effect of EA at either SI6 or GB39. Conclusions : These data suggest that EA-induced analgesia on ankle sprain pain is mediated through either endogenous opioids or ${\alpha}$-adrenoceptors dependant on acupoint specific pattern.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.7-12
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• 2000

Objectives : This studies were performed to investigate the correlation between the treatment effects and the changes of the thermal differences at the pre and post-treatment by using the digital infrared computer thermographic imaging (D.I.T.I) to the irritable colon syndrome 30 patients. Methods : The extracts of the gwakhyangjunggisan were administerd to the patients by oral method three times per day during four weeks. we selected the Chung-Wan($CV_{12}$), Chunchu($S_{25}$). Hapkok($LI_4$), Naegwan($P_6$), Yongdo($H_4$) acupoints and treated the patients two times per week during four weeks. One week later, we investigated the changes of the pressure pain around left side Pokkyol($SP_{14}$), the symptoms. and the skin temperature changes on Pokkyol($SP_{14}$) and Kimun($LR_{14}$) around, by using the D.I.T.I. Results : In the correlation between the severity of the pressure pain around left side Pokkyol($SP_{14}$) and the thermal differences on Pokkyol($SP_{14}$) and Kimun($LR_{14}$) around, before the treatment, the more the pain was severe, the more the skin temperature was differential significantly. In the correlation between the severity of the symptoms and the thermal differences on Pokkyol($SP_{14}$) and Kimun($LR_{14}$) around, before the treatment, the more the symptom was severe, the more the skin temperature was differential significantly. In the changes of the pressure pain around left side of Pokkyol($SP_{14}$), the improved were significantly higher than the unimproved. In the changes of the symptoms, the improved were significantly higher than the unimproved. In the correlation between the changes of the pressure pain around left side Pokkyol($SP_{14}$) and the changes of the thermal differences at the pre and post- treatment, the more the pain was improved, the more the thermal change was widened significantly. In the correlation between the changes of the symptoms and the changes of thermal differences at the pre and post-treatment, the more the symptom was improved. the more the thermal change was widened significantly. Conclusions : Above the results, the treatments was effective and the digital infrared computer thermographic imaging (D.I.T.I) was useful to prove the improvements of the pressure pain and the symptom with the irritable bowel syndrome patients.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.169-180
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• 2000

Objectives : To satisfy the demand of good treatment of constipation Methods : we investigated the literatures of Oriental Medicine about Constipation. Results: 1. There are three categories of etimological factors of constipation, that is, endogenous, exogenous and non-exo-endogenous factor. The endogenous factor is caused by seven emotions, called depression of Ki and stagnation of Ki. The exogenous factor is six excessive atmospheric influences, for example, wind, cold, dampness, heat and dryness. And the non-exo-endogenous factors are overfatigue, improper diet, stagnated blood and deficiency of Ki and blood that comes from old age, long disease and after delivery. 2. Classification: According to cause of disease it is classified by constipation due to cold, heat, wind, dryness, retention of undigested and phlegm. According to Internal Organs there are constipation due to deficiency syndrome of the stomach, excess syndrome of the stomach, deficiency syndrome of kidney and splenic constipation. And Differentiation of syndromes according to Ki and blood, there are constipation of deficiency type and excess type. There are constipation due to stagnation and deficiency of Ki, deficiency of blood and stagnated blood. 3. Principles and Methods of treatment 1) Herbal Medicine (1) Excess type [1] Constipation due to heat : Seunggitang(承氣湯) and Majainwhan(麻子仁丸) [2] Constipation due to stagnation of Ki : Samatang(四磨湯) and Yukmatang(六磨湯) (2) Deficiency type [1] Constipation due to deficiency of Ki : Whanggitang(黃?湯) [2] Constipation due to deficiency of blood: Yunjangwhan(潤腸丸) [3] Constipation due to cold : Jechunjun(濟川煎) and Banyuwhan(半硫丸) 2) Enema therapy: It is a method to induce defecation by honey or pig's bile juice for weak people. 3) Acupuncture and Moxibustion: Acupoints used to treat constipation are BL25, ST25 and TE6. Moxibustion at CV8, CV6 is good for constipation due to cold. (4) Diet therapy: It is very important that we eat meals regularly and defecate on the same time even if you don't. And we have to eat food like fruits, vegetables and beans. (5) finger pressure: Finger pressing around these points like ST25, SP25, BL25, BL31, BL32, BL33 and BL34 is good for it. (6) Kigong therapy: Abdominal breathing (7) Old man' s constipation: Hip bath or diet therapy is commended. Laxation with lubricant like Supungyunjangwhan(搜風潤腸丸) is used. (8) Women' s constipation: After delivery, we have to administer tonifying prescription Sipjundaebotang(十全大補湯) and enema can be used. Conclusion : We have to examine the cause of disease and bowl movement carefully. After comprehensive analysis of the data gained by the four methods of diagnosis, we diagnose and treat patients on the base of overall of symptoms and signs.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.66-80
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• 2003

Objectives : Recently, herbal acupuncture has been developed in the Korea since the earlier 1960' applied to various diseases including the cerebrovascular accident. The main characteristics of herbal acupuncture are a combination the merit of acupuncture and herbal medicine. It was not well known the therapeutic effect and the mechanism of herbal acupuncture on transient forebrain ischemic injury, although it has been used frequently in clinics. Ramulus Uncariae Cum Uncis (釣鉤藤) has been claimed to possess sedative, anti-spasmodic actions, and treat childhood epilepsy in oriental medical preparation. Also, it has been stated that Ramulus Uncariae Cum Uncis was antioxidatvie effect and neuroprotection against glutamateinduced neuronal death. Methods : In this study, effects of Ramulus Uncariae Cum Uncis' herbal acupuncture on the $GV_{20}{\;}or{\;}LR_3$, named Baek-hue or Tae-chung, on neuroprotection after the transient forebrain ischemia were investigated in Sprague-Dawely rats. Expressions of cFos, FosB and BDNF protein in the hippocampus and cortex were observed at 2 hrs and 48 hrs after transient forebrain ischemia by immunohistochemistry and ELISA technique. Results : Expression of cFos protein was increased slightly in the hippocampus and cortex at 2 hrs after transient forebrain ischemia, but FosB protein was increased highly comparing to cFos protein. However, pretreatment with Ramulus Uncariae Cum Uncis' herbal acupuncture on $GV_{20}{\;}or{\;}LR_3$ significantly increased expression of cFos protein and significantly decreased expression of FosB protein compared to control group, respectively. These features were observed in the motor cortex and retrosplenial granular cortex as well as the hippocampus. Especially, cFos expression was more increased at the herbal acupuncture on $GV_{20}{\;}than{\;}LR_3$, but FosB expression was more decreased in $LR_3$ group than $GV_{20}$ group. Also, pretreatment with Ramulus Uncariae Cum Uncis' herbal acupuncture on $GV_{20}{\;}or{\;}LR_3$ significantly increased the expression of BDNF protein in the hippocampus ($254.88{\pm}12{\;}pg/ml{\;}in{\;}GV_{20}$ group, $245.93{\pm}44.4{\;}pg/ml{\;}in{\;}LR_3$ group) and the cortex ($85.81{\pm}3.45{\;}pg/ml{\;}in{\;}GV_{20}$ group, $111.51{\pm}15.79{\;}pg/ml{\;}in{\;}LR_3$, group) compared to the hippocampus ($134.07{\pm}2.96{\;}pg/ml$) and the cortex ($61.16{\pm}4.11{\;}pg/ml$) in control group at 48 hrs after transient forebrain ischemia. Conclusion : These results suggest that pretreatment with Ramulus Uncariae Cum Uncis' herbal acupuncture on $GV_{20}{\;}or{\;}LR_3$ has neuroprotective effect on transient forebrain ischemia and the herbal acupunture on $GV_{20}{\;}or{\;}LR_3$ may be related to antioxidative effect and calcium channel block of Ramulus Uncariae Cum Uncis. Also, it could be mentioned there is specificity of acupoints treating ischemic injury through the difference between the herbal acupuncture of $GV_{20}{\;}and{\;}LR_3$.