• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제25권5호
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• pp.27-42
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• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to observe the effects of acupuncture and electro-acupuncture at $LR_3$ on intestinal motility in rat. Methods : We made over-activated state of intestinal motility with carbachol and suppressed state of intestinal motility with loperamide in rat and carried out needle retention acupuncture and high frequency electro-acupuncture at $LR_3$ in rat devided into pre-treatment group and post-treatment group. The charcoal travel rate was measured to evaluate the intestinal motility. Results : 1. High frequency electro-acupuncture at $LR_3$ have significant influences on intestinal motility of rat in normal state. 2. Pre-treatment of needle retention acupuncture, high frequency electro-acupuncture significantly decreased intestinal motility in rat which over-activated with carbachol. 3. Post-treatment of high frequency electro-acupuncture significantly increased intestinal motility in rat which suppressed with loperamide. Conclusions : These results suggest that acupuncture and electro-acupuncture at $LR_3$ are effective on intestinal motility in rat.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.201-204
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• 2001

Objective : This study was to report a clinical trial in which acupuncture treatmnt on 會陰(Huiyin, CV1) was effectively applied to a patient who had suffered from teasing pruritus ani for 38 years. pruritus ani was thought to be initiated by dystonia. Methods : The acupoint, 會陰(Huiyin, CV1) was selected, because needling on perineal muscles was mainly used to alleviate pelvic pain or pruritus ani in the light of MPS(Myofascial Pain Syndrome) theory, on which 會陰(Huiyin, CV1) was located and also had pelvic pain and pruritus ani in its indications. On the acupoint, the following maneuver was used. (1) Make a patient stand and bend forward (2) Insert a needle on 會陰(Huiyin, CV1) (3) Repeat lifting and pushing (4) Draw a needle immediately without retaining needle on the acupoint Results : The patient with Pruritus ani recovered after above treatment two times and had no recurrence up to Feb. 2001. Conclusion : In this study, Needling on 會陰(Huiyin, CV1) proved to be effective in the aspect of MPS and acupuncture treatment as well, but more clinical trials are expected to follow this study.

• 한방재활의학과학회지
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.187-199
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• 2009

Objectives : The electroacupuncture was generally has been used in oriental medicine doctors. In recent years, there have been a few studies about safety and stability of acupuncture needle in itself, but then again research of acupuncture needle safety and stability on applying electroacupuncture have been insignificant. Therefore we investigated the safety and change in mechanical characteristic of acupuncture needle in electroacupuncture therapy. Methods : We observed mechanical characteristic change by SEM(Scanning Electron Microscope) and EDX(Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy), evaluated the hardness by vickers hardness tester. We used MTT assay and cell stain to study about biocompatibility of electroacupuncture. Results : In this study, any corrosion of material, alternation of elements, and change of hardness were not observed in surface analysis using SEM and EDX. In cytotoxity evaluation using MTT assay and cell stain, cell survival rate was low when practicing the electroacupuncture for more than 3 hours. Conclusions : Change of mechanical property was not observed based on the test results using surface analysis and hardness estimation by the electroacupuncture. And considering the biocompatibility, electroacupuncture was thought to be safe in an hour based on cytotoxity evaluation using MTT assay and cell stain.

• 한방재활의학과학회지
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• 제19권4호
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• pp.203-217
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• 2009

Objectives : We have evaluated the effects of conservative treatment on two patients who were diagnosed to lumbosacral radiculopathy. Methods : Two patients were diagnosed as lumbosacral radiculopathy through needle electromyoram. We used acupuncture therapy, Cox technique to the patients. We measured visual analog scale(VAS) and needle electromyogram before and after treatment. Results : After treating acupuncture therapy, Cox technique in the cases, We find out that the patients were improved, and changed of needle electromyogram result. Conclusions : These results suggest that Cox thechnique and acupuncture therapy were effective to lumbosacral radiculopathy and reduced the low back pain and the leg myasthenic.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.319-329
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• 1998

The purpose of this study was finding the pain inhibitory effect of acupuncture based on rataining time at LI -4. The pain at dentes incisor was evoked by noxious electric stimulation and digastric electromyogram(dEMG) changes based on time interval were measured. To do this, the opioid antagonist was administered intraperitoneally and four groups were made for convenience. Without naloxone, dEMG was changed by either retaining the needle for 40 minutes (Group I) or by lifting and thrusting the needle (Group II). With naloxone administration, dEMG was changed by either retaining the needle for 40 minutes (Group III) or by lifting and thrusting the needle (Group IV). The results are as following 1. The pain inhibitory effect of acupuncture at LI -4 was expressed best in Group I. 2. The pain inhibitory effect was somewhat expressed in Group II but the effect was smaller than Group I. 3 .In Groups III and IV, the pain inhibitory effect was not expressed. The overall result should be the foundation for the further studies to figure out the underlying mechanism of acupuncture. In addition, it is assumed that the results will be useful for optimal retaining time of acupucture for its maximal effect.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.135-145
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• 2006

Objectives and Methods : Using the 2-channel DROS SQUID (Korea Research Institute of Standards of Science, 1999), the present study was carried out to record changes elicited in the auditory cortex by acupuncture stimulus on right TE5 (Waiguan) and GB43 (Xiaxi). Needle-retention stimulation of TE5 and GB43 were done for acquiring the brain activities changed by acupuncture. Acupoint TE5 and GB43 is known to be effective for the treatment of ear-related disease, such as deafness and tinnitus, and to be suspected to be related to the auditory cortex. Auditory evoked magnetic fields were recorded hem the left hemisphere of five subjects, in response to contralateral ear stimulation by irregularly spaced 170 msec long 1kHz tone busts (Korea Research Institute of Standards of Science) Results and Conclusions : The result as follows. The latency and amplitude of SQUID MEG responses at the human auditory cortex changed by needle-retention condition on TE5 were 4msec and 9.2 fT, respectively, which were slower and smaller than those of no-acupuncture condition. The latency and amplitude of SQUID MEG responses at the human auditory cortex changed by needle-retention condition on GB43 were 7.2 msec and 1.6 fT, respectively, which were slower and larger than those of no-acupuncture condition. The latency of SQUID MEG responses at the human auditory cortex changed by needle-retention condition on GB43 condition was slower than that of TE5 acupuncture condition.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.12-18
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• 2003

Objectives : Hypertension is very prevalent disease, and causes serious cardiovascular complications. Nowadays optimal hypertension treatment is emphasized to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular complications. Auricular acupuncture therapy is economical, safe and effective. Its clinical application is various, and it can be used to control blood pressure. So The effect of auricular acupuncture therapy was investigated. Daily variation of blood pressure during needle-embedded period and variation of blood pressure by blood pressure classification were observed. Methods : The auricular acupuncture points we used were Gangapjeom (降壓點), Sinmun (神門), Gyogam (交感), Sim(心), and Icheom (耳尖). Auricular acupuncture needles were embedded for three days. Blood pressure was checked four times per day and the mean obtained. Results : The following results were obtained : 1. During needle-embedded period, systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased. Blood pressure decreased most significantly 2 days after treatment. 2. The change of blood pressure in the higher blood pressure group was more remarkable than that of the lower blood pressure group. Conclusions : Through this research, auricular acupuncture therapy is considered as an effective and safe method to lower blood pressure.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제12권4호
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• pp.77-88
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• 2009

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of acpuncture and electro-acupuncture of low(EA(L)) and high(EA(H)) frequency at Haegye(ST41) on intestinal hypomotility induced with loperamide in rats. Methods : We made suppressed state of intestinal motility with loperamide in rats and carried out needle retention acupuncture, low frequency electro-acupuncture and high frequency electro-acupuncture at ST41 in rats devided into pre-treatment group and post-treatment group. We fed charcoal to them after the treatment and measured the travel rate of charcoal in the gastrointestinal track to analyze which treatment is more effective in state of intestinal hypomotility. Results : None of acupuncture, EA(L) and EA(H) at ST41 had significant influences on intestinal motility of rat in normal state. Needle retention at ST41 did not significantly increase intestinal motility suppressed with loperamide in rats. Pre-treatment of EA(L) and EA(H) at ST41 significantly increased intestinal motility suppressed with loperamide in rats. Post-treatment of EA(L) and EA(H) at ST41 did not have significant influences on intestinal motility of rat in normal state. Conclusions : These results suggest that treatment of EA(L) and EA(H) at ST41 may be effective on gastric disorders such as intestinal hypomotility and its effect had more prevention than cure. Further study is necessary to know more effects of ST41 and electro-acupuncture of low and high frequency.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.382-389
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• 2022

Objectives: The Korean Industrial Standard (KS) for sterile acupuncture needles was established in 2009 based on research on the quality control of acupuncture needles. We aimed to determine the quality of acupuncture needles available in South Korea in 2021 by examining their surface condition and chemical composition using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Methods: In South Korea, there are 23 brands of acupuncture needles, and we examined 10-15 needles from each brand, resulting in a total of 285 needles. The microstructures of the needles were assessed by SEM. Using SEM images, we evaluated the acupuncture needle tips for the following defects/aspects: scratches, lumps, detached coating, bent tip, and tip sharpness. EDS was used to determine the chemical composition of the selected acupuncture needles. Results: Overall, 88.4% of 285 needles were found to have at least one type of abnormality. The most frequently observed abnormalities were scratches and dents on the surface (68.1%), followed by detached coating (63.2%), and lumps (61.8%); blunt tips were observed in about 24% of them. Of 252 needles with at least one defect, 86.9% had two or more types of defects. The ratio of the number of needles with any defect to that of needles without any defect varied among brands, ranging from 50% to 100%. Regarding foreign materials, higher proportions of Si and O were observed on the needles, indicating incomplete or detached silicone coating. Conclusion: The quality of acupuncture needles varied among brands, suggesting that further improvements can be made through various inspection methods.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.1-11
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• 2011

Objectives : The aim of this study was to examine the effect acupuncture by needle manipulation at acupoints, SP3 HT7, on the blood pressure and renin and atrial natriuretic peptide(ANP) in plasma, cardiac hypertrophy in hypertensive rats induced by two kidney one clip (2K1C). Materials and Methods : The experiments were performed on twenty-five Sprague Dawley rats, 2K1C hypertension model was prepared by constricting the left renal artery with a sliver clip. Animals were divided into five groups, control, AC-1a and AC-2a(acupuncture at SP3 HT7 bilaterally and the needle was twirled and rotated forward with the thumb and forefinger of the right hand 6 times), AC-3a(acupuncture at SP3 HT7 bilaterally and the needle was inserted in the opposite direction(body direction) as the channel runs), AC-4a(acupuncture at SP3 HT7 bilaterally and the needle was inserted in the opposite direction(body direction) as the channel runs and the needle was twirled and rotated forward with the forefinger of the right hand 6 times). The treatments were started on the 4 week after inducing 2K1C, and they were performed two times a week for 3 weeks in rats. Results : The results are that The blood pressure was significantly decreased at 4 times in Acu-1a, The cardiac hypertrophy was significantly decrease in Acu-2a and Acu-3a. The activity of plasma renin was decreased in all groups without control and Acu-1a, and that of plasma ANP was decrease in Acu-2a and Acu-3a than control group. Conclusions : These results suggest that acupuncture on SP3 HT7 mostly cause significant changes on controlling renal hypertension induced by 2K1C in the rats.