• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.7-18
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to find parameters to compare the effects of Sa-Am acupuncture with large intestine tonifying and sedating on radial pulse in healthy subjects. Methods : Sixty healthy subjects participated in this study, divided into large intestine tonifying acupuncture group, large intestine sedating acupuncture group and control group. Radial pulse was measured by 3 dimensional pulse imaging system(DMP-3000) before, right after, 30 minutes after and 60 minutes after acupuncture at Cun, Guan, and Chi in the acupuncture group and in the control group at the same time points. Results : 1. Angle of main peak and magnitude of fourier component significantly changed by integrated analysis of Cun, Guan and Chi. 2. Amplitude of H1, Pulse Power volume / min, elasticity, AIx / HR, Frequency and magnitude of fourier component significantly changed by analysis of Cun, Guan, and Chi. Conclusions : The effect of Sa-Am acupuncture with large intestine tonifying and sedating in healthy human may be observed on time, amplitude, pulse area, augmentation index and fourier components parameters. The parameters analysed in this study may be used to differentiate the effects between Sa-Am acupuncture with large intestine tonifying and sedating on radial pulse. Further studies on the effects of Sa-Am acupuncture using radial pulse are needed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.51-58
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• 2010

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of laser acupuncture at $HT_7$ for reducing mental stress using power spectrum analysis of the heart rate variability. Methods : 36 healthy volunteers(control group: 18, treatment group: 18) participated in this study. After instrumentation and 5-minute rest period, 5-minute metal stress by operation was provided. HRV was recorded before and after the mental stress(1st, 2nd HRV). After 2nd HRV recording, the control group rested for 15 minutes without any treatments. Participants in the treatment group received laser acupuncture to $HT_7$ unilaterally and rested for 15minutes. Points were irradiated for 60seconds, and the intensity was 1.8J(output 20%). And then 3rd HRV was recorded. Results : In simple rest group, LF norm showed a significant change after mental stress. In laser acupuncture group, LF norm, HF norm, LF, HF and LF/HF ratio showed a significant change after mental stress. But there were no significant difference between two groups(ANCOVA test, p>0.05). In laser acupuncture group, LF norm, HF norm, HF and LF/HF ratio showed a significant change after laser acupuncture treatment. And there were significant differences between two groups(p<0.05). Conclusions : This study suggests that laser acupuncture at $HT_7$ can regulate and prevent the alternation of autonomic nervous system due to mental stress.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.165-171
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of acupuncture treatment on a patient suffering from CRPS Type 1. Methods : A 30-year-old female patient suffering from CRPS Type 1 with symptoms of intense burning pain, joint stiffness, restricted mobility, rapid hair and nail growth, allodynia, hyperalgesia and coldness of the right leg was treated with acupuncture on six acupuncture points on the leg from 13 July to 18 July of 2011. Improvement of the patient's symptoms was evaluated by Numerical Rating Scale(NRS), Digital Infrared Thermographic Image(DITI). Results : After 6 days of treatment, NRS score decreased significantly and the DITI results showed moderate improvement in temperature. Conclusions : The results suggest that acupuncture may be an effective in reducing the symptoms of CRPS. Further study is needed to evaluate the significancy of this report.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.39-61
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• 2008

Objectives : The present study was performed to investigate whether acupuncture stimulation in the rats affected regeneration properties of the injured sciatic nerve. A differential effect of acupuncture stimulation on the one point near the spinal nerve root controlling sciatic nerve activity and the other point in the peripheral area subordinated by injured nerve was compared. Materials and Methods: Rat sciatic nerves were injured by crush, and the effects on axonal regeneration on injured sciatic nerves were evaluated by acupuncture stimulation at two different regions. In proximal acupuncture stimulation group, acupuncture stimulation was performed on Huatuo Jiaji(EX B2) points located from L5 to S1 vertebral levels to stimulate the nearest spinal nerve root that innervates sciatic nerves. In distal acupuncture stimulation group, acupuncture stimulation was performed on Zusanli(ST 36) and Weizhong(BL 40) points to stimulate at peripheral area dominated by injured sciatic nerves. Acupuncture stimulation was given every other days for 1 or 2 weeks. Sciatic nerve tissues collected from acupuncture stimulation experimental groups, injury control group, and intact animal group were used for protein analysis by Western blotting or Hoechst nuclear staining. To determine axonal regeneration, Dil fluorescence dye was injected into the sciatic nerve 0.5 cm distal to the injury site in individual animal groups and Dil-labeled cells by retrograde tracing were measured in the DRG at lumbar 5 or in the spinal cord. DRG sensory neurons prepared from individual animal groups were used to measure the extent of neurite outgrowth and for immunofluorescence staining with anti-GAP-43 antibody. Results : Animal groups given proximal or distal acupuncture stimulation showed upregulation of GAP-43 and Cdc2 protein levels in the sciatic nerve at 7 days after injury. Cdk2 protein levels were strongly induced by nerve injury, but did not show changes by acupuncture stimulation. Phospho-Erk1/2 protein levels were elevated by acupuncture stimulation above those present in the injury control animals. These increase in regeneration-associated protein levels appeared to be related with increase cell proliferation in the injured sciatic nerves. Hoechst 33258 staining of sciatic nerve tissue to visualize nuclei of individual cells showed increased Schwann cell number in the distal portion of the injured nerve 7 and 14 days after injury and further increases by acupuncture stimulation particularly at the proximal position. Measurement of axonal regeneration by retrograde tracing showed significantly increased Dil-labeled cells in proximal acupuncture stimulation group compared to distal acupuncture stimulation group and injury control group. Finally, an evaluation of axonal regeneration by retrograde tracing showed increased number of Dil labeled cells in the DRG at lumbar 5 or in the ventral horn of the spinal cord at lower thoracic level at 7 days after nerve injury. Conclusions : The present data show that the proximal acupuncture stimulation at Huatuo Jiaji(EX B2) points governing injured sciatic nerves was more effective for axonal regeneration than the distal acupuncture stimulation. Further studies on functional recovery or associated molecular mechanisms should be critical for developing animal models and clinical applications.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.15-20
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• 2001

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of CF herbal acupuncture for low back pain by Oswestry Disability Index Methods: Ten patients with back pain were selected and CF herbal acupuncture was administered one time per 5 days after admission. The degree of improvement was evaluated by Oswestry Disability Index and visual analogue scale(VAS). Oswestry Disability Index consisted of eleven items and they were scored as 5 or 6 points per one item. Results: All of the 10 patients, after CF herbal acupuncture, showed decreased score by Oswestry Disability Index and VAS. It means that the patient's satisfaction increased after treatment. Conclusion: These results suggest that the CF herbal acupuncture was effective for low back pain

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.103-115
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• 2006

Objectives : Rheumatoid arthritis(RA) is a systemic & a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease . A chronic , locally destructive inflammmatory reaction in human is examplified by the synovitis present in some connective tissue disorder. The presence of a number of cytokines, $TNF-{\alpha}$, iNOS & expression of nitric oxide, NF-kB p65 activation implies an important role of cellular immune response in RA inflammatory reaction. This study was designed to evaluate on the effects of the Homnis Placenta herbal acupuncture on EX-LE201 & ST 35 reducing expression of LPS-induced arthritis model in mice. Materials and Methods : Homnis Placenta herbal acupuncture was inserted into 10 rats induced rheumatoid arthritis. The acupunctures were injected into the EX-LE201 and ST35 points. Such indexes were measured the inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) expression, nitric oxide(NO) production in vitro experiment and Tumor Necrosis $Factor-{\alpha}(TNF-{\alpha})$ & Nuclear Factor kappa $B(NF-{\kappa}B)$ p65 activation, synovial hyperplasia, angiogenesis and fibrosis in synovial membrane of knee joint of mice in vivo experiment. Results : 1.Homnis Placenta Herbal acupuncture inhibited iNOS mRNA and NO in RAW 264.7 cell of LPS-induced rheumatoid arthritis in a dose dependent manner. 2.Homnis Placenta Herbal acupuncture also showed significant inhibition of $TNF-{\alpha}$ & $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65, activation, synovial hyperplasia, angiogenesis and fibrosis in synovial membrane of knee joint of mice. Conclusion : These results suggest that Homnis Placenta Herbal acupuncture has an therapeutic effects on LPS induced-rheumatoid arthritis by inhibiting $TNF-{\alpha}$ activation.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.2 s.32
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• pp.168-177
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• 1996

In order to study the effect of aqua-acupuncture with Cervi Cornu (C.C.) extract solution manufactured by water-alcohol method on the lipid metabolism and osteoporosis, C.C. aqua-acupuncture was carried out every two days for 60 days on the corresponding bilateral loci of Shinsu (BL23), Taejo (BL11), and Hyonjong (GB39) from the 10th day after the ovariectomy for induced osteoporosis and thereafter the level of serum triglyceride, LDL, Ca, phosphorus and osteocalcin, as well as urine hydroxyproline were measured in the ovariectomized rats. The rats being studied were divided into a normal group (sham operation group), a control group (ovariectomized group), and a C.C. aqua-acupuncture group (group with C.C. aqua-acupunctured to the points of Shinsu, Taejo, and Hyonjong every two days for 60 days from the 10th day after the ovariectomy). The following results were obtained: 1. The serum triglyceride indicated an inhibited increase with statistical significance in the C.C. aqua-acupuncture group compared with the control group. 2. The serum LDL indicated an inhibited increase without any statistical significance in the C.C. aqua-acupuncture group compared with the control group. 3. The serum Ca showed an inhibited decrease without any statistical significance in the C.C. aqua-acupuncture group compared with the control group. 4. The serum phosphorus showed an inhibited decrease with statistical significance in the C.C. aqua-acupuncture group compared with the control group. 5. The serum osteocalcin indicated an inhibited decrease without any statistical significance in the C.C. aqua-acupuncture group compared with the control group. 6. The urine hydroxyproline showed an inhibited increase with statistical significance in the C.C. aqua-acupuncture group compared with the control group.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.5-12
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• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of hand acupuncture on relieving of abdominal pain. Method: Fifty-five middle school students who complained abdominal pain were selected as subjects. There were 35 students in the experimental group while 20 students were in the control group. Convenience assignment was used. The experimental group received hand acupuncture treatment which was to puncture corresponding points (epigastric pain A8, A12, A16, K9, F4, E42; lower abdominal pain A1, A4, A6, A8, J1, H2) on both the palm and the back of a hand with disposable acupuncture needles, and then to remove them after a 20-30min. recess during the subjects was in supine position on a bed. Result: Degree of subjective pain decreased statistically in the experimental as compared to the control group. No statistical significant differences were found in objective pain and comfort between experimental and control group. Conclusion: These findings indicate that hand acupuncture is an effective method for reducing abdominal pain. Therefore, hand acupuncture could be considered as an independent nursing intervention for abdominal pain reduction.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.201-210
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• 2016

Objectives : The serum creatine kinase(CK) level of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(ALS) patients suggests that it may be an independent prognostic factor for the survival of ALS. We report the changes of serum CK level of ALS patients treated by administering processed Glycyrrhiza uralensis extracts and Korean medical treatments. Methods : We provided an ALS patient with processed Glycyrrhiza uralensis extracts and Korean medical treatments including acupuncture, pharmacopuncture and herbal medicine. The serum CK level was checked every month. The changes of ALSFRS-R and MRC grade were checked every month for additional result. Results : The serum CK level as the prognostic factor for the survival of ALS gradually decreased for three months. However, ALSFRS-R decreased by two points at the second trial. MRC rate had no change for three months. Conclusion : Combined administration of processed Glycyrrhiza uralensis extracts and Korean medical treatment could be meaningful possibilities in the treatment of ALS. We should conduct further studies to solve the limitations of this case study.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.136-145
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• 2017

Objectives : Previous research on texts specializing in acupuncture and moxibustion in Korea have mostly been focused on those written in the Joseon period, leaving an academic void in the modern and contemporary eras. This research on the "Yeongsochimgugyeong" was undertaken to help readers' understanding of the text and to provide basic material for further research on modern-contemporary education of acupuncture and moxibustion. Methods : The original text of "Yeongsochimgugyeong" was examined along with books and news articles on related people. Information that was difficult to obtain through written documents was supplemented by interviews with people who knew about the situation at the time. The findings were organized as 1) the author and related people and 2) introduction of "Yeongsochimgugyeong". Results and Conclusions : The original text of "Yeongsochimgugyeong" was written by teacher Jeon, Gwangok, interpreted and annotated by his disciple Gwon, Yeongjun. It is presumed that they wrote this book as educators of Korean medicine for educational purposes on acupuncture and moxibustion before and after the Japanese colonial era. The book is consisted of an overview of meridianology, details on points and meridians, supplementing and draining methods, similar to the current text book. The contents and expressions of "Yeongsochimgugyeong" reflect the state of acupuncture and moxibustion education of the early and mid $20^{th}$ century, making it a valuable resource.