• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.239-254
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• 2006

The 3rd Japan-Korea Workshop on Acupuncture and EBM was held at Kanazawa on June $16^{th}$. From Korea team, 4 papers were presented. Dr. Hahn introduced a new approach of data analysis on series of n-of-1 trials using the Bayesian statistics. It offered important information for the future n-of-1 trials. Dr. Park clearly demonstrated the significance of various sham devices proposed and stressed the importance of research questions when we choose the control intervention in RCT. Dr. Lee reported the results of survey in Korean Medical Doctors (KMD) for their point selection and techniques to the distal and local points. Dr. Kim presented the results of face to face survey on the KMD with 28 items for acupuncture treatment on the knee OA. Finally, a draft of protocol was introduced by Dr. Kim. The title was "multi-center, a randomized, single blinded, two arms, parallel-group study to compare the effectiveness and safety of 'individualized acupuncture' and 'standardized minimal acupuncture' in Korean and Japanese patients with knee osteoarthritis (Phase IV)". From Japan team, 7 speakers presented their comments and proposals on the protocol. Dr. Takahashi introduced several issues regarding n-of-1 trials and pointed out the importance of obtaining generalizability from n-of-1 trials. Dr. Shichidou pointed the importance of research design, selection of outcome measures and reduction of biases. Dr. Itoh presented the results of point selection for the knee OA based on the literature survey. Dr. Sumiya introduced several differences between KMD and Japanese acupuncturists based on the questionnaire used in KMD survey. Dr. Furuya demonstrated a result of press tack needle and its sham device on shoulder stiffness. Dr. Yamashita introduced the results of literature survey regarding adverse events occurred by acupuncture on knee OA. Dr.Tsukayama stressed the importance of responsibility of Institutional Review Board (IRB) for the conduction of clinical trials. After several issues were discussed, the need of continued meeting for final protocol development was agreed, then the workshop was closed.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.15-28
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• 2013

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in kind, intensity and depth of de Qi sensation by patients' gender, age, BMI and sensitivity. Methods: Sixty-four healthy volunteers (mean age $26.51{\pm}4.72$, range 22-39) who had been studying anatomy, meridianology, acupuncture & moxibustion for more than five years at Dongguk University, Go-yang, Korea, were invited to take part in an investigation of the sensations associated with acupuncture needling. Needling was self-administered on Hegu (LI4) in the hand and Zusanli (ST36) in the leg randomly. After obtaining de Qi, the participants were asked the kind, intensity and depth of de Qi sensation. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the kind of de Qi sensation found by acupoints and needling methods (p>0.05). Hegu (LI4) was found to be significantly higher in the intensity (p<0.001), and the depth of de Qi sensation was significantly higher in Zusanli (ST36) than Hegu (LI4) (p<0.001). There was statistically significant difference found in the intensity of de Qi sensation by depth and sensitivity (p<0.05). In the depth of de Qi sensation, there was statistically significant difference found by sensitivity (p<0.05). In de Qi sensation of practitioners, there was statistically significant difference found by gender, BMI, the intensity of de Qi sensation (VAS) and sensitivity. Conclusions: Further study involving acupuncture de Qi sensation and the influencing factors is needed.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.22-28
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• 2004

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of hand acupuncture on reduction of headache. Method: This study used a quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test design. 45 middle school girls who complained of headache were selected as subjects. The study lasted from November 2002 to June 2003. There were 22 girls in the experimental group while 23 girls were control group; convenience assignment was used. The two groups were homogeneous on characteristics. The experimental group received hand acupuncture. The treatment was to puncture corresponding points (A33, B27, M1, I2) on both the palm and the back of a hand with disposable acupuncture needles, and then remove them after a 20-30 minutes recess during which the subjects reclined on a bed. The data were analyzed using the SPSS PC with Fisher's Exact -test, and Mann Whitney U-test. Result: The results of this study were as follows: 1) In the experimental group, objective pain decreased after hand acupuncture (U= -2.51, p= .01). As for the objective pain degree, a significant reduction in voice change was observed in the experimental groups (U= -2.35, p= .02). Facial expressional changes were observed (U= -1.87, p= .06) and perspiration degree (U= -.99, p= .32) has reduced. However, these differences were not statistically significant between the experimental and control group. 2) Subjective pain degree decreased after hand acupuncture in the experimental as compared to the control group. 3) No statistical significant difference in comfort (U= -.29, p= .78) or distress (U= -1.51, p= .13) between experimental and control group were found. Conclusion: These findings indicate that hand acupuncture is an effective method for reducing headache. Therefore, hand acupuncture can be considered as an independent nursing intervention for headache reduction.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.238-252
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• 2003

Objective : This study is performed for the purpose of examining the efficacy of the scolopendrid(Scolopendra morsitans L.) which has been to low back pain as a folk remedy. Methods & Results : Seventy patients with H.I.V.D. treated with the scolopendrid aquacupuncture and examined 4 tests; D.I.T.I., physical test, Oswestry disability index, and self-conscious pain rate were studied. And we follow up after discharge, we evaluated the present state and recovery period. Or we evaluated by herniated type and duration of onset. There was 58~97% of efficacy rate in each tests. Moreover, statistically valuable change in all 7 D.I.T.I. points and in disability index and in self-conscious pain rate was showed. Conclusion : The scolopendrid aquacupuncture is possible to be effective terating the H.I.V.D patients. So we suggest the possibility using this new remedy to the H.I.V.D. patients.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.49-58
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• 2017

Objectives : To introduce a rare case of a patient with Progressive Bulbar Palsy (PBP) and suggest the possibility of treatment using electroacupuncture and Korean Medicine. Methods : A 61-year-old man with PBP, complaining of dysarthria, was treated with electroacupuncture and Korean Medicine, from June 16 to July 10, 2015. Improvements in symptoms were measured using the speech mechanism screening test (SMST), measurement of tongue and orbicularis oris motility, and speech handicap index (SHI). Results : The scores of SMST, motility of tongue and orbicularis oris showed a tendency for gradual improvement with 25 days of Korean Medicine Treatment after admission, but conversation was still impossible. In SHI scores, one point increased in the speech domain and one point decreased in the psycho-social domain, and three points increased in the other domain. Conclusion : Electroacupuncture and Korean Medicine Treatment improved dysarthria caused by PBP, but not completely. Korean Medicine Treatment seems effective in the management of accompanying symptoms such as black hairy tongue, dry mouth, and general condition. The symptoms of PBP are similar to those of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and there is controversy regarding the classification of PBP. The most important aspect of treating a patient with PBP is an early diagnosis and devising appropriate rehabilitation strategies.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.131-144
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• 2007

Objectives : Although the cause of neuronal death of Parkinson's disease remains unclear, increasing evidence points to the role of inflammatory processes. And the hallmark of brain inflammation is the activation of microglia. This study was performed to prove the effect of acupuncture on inhibiting microglial activation. Methods : The rat models which were injected with 6-hydroxydopamine were treated with acupuncture once a day on LR3 (太衝) and GB34 (陽陵泉). To prove the effect of inhibiting microglial activation, we examined the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunopositive neurons and CD11b immunohistochemistry in the substantia nigra. Results : There were 18% (third day), 32% (seventh day) loss of TH-positive cell bodies in the control group and 23% (third day), 26% (seventh day) in the acupuncture group, whereas 3% (third day), 10% (seventh day) in vehicle group. The difference of optical density in substantia nigra was evaluated by subtracting log inverse gray value of contralateral side from that of ipsilateral side. With regards to the result of CD11b immunohistochemistry, acupuncture group showed significantly inhibited microglial activation compared with control group (p<0.01) on the seventh day. Conclusions : Acupuncture showed the effect of inhibition of microglial activation in seventh day. However, the effect of protection of TH positive cell bodies was not shown. So we need longer investigation of the effect of acupuncture on Parkinson's disease.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.79-90
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• 2001

Objective : The aim of the present study is to investigate whether stimulating a specific auricular point(胃點) is effect on suppression of appetite. Methods : This study evaluated the changes of Reduced-Nicotinamide-Adenine-inucieotide-Phosphate-diaphorase(NADPH-d)-positive neurons using a histoehemical method. Staining intensities of NADPH-d-positive neurons were assessed in a quantitative fashion using a microdensitometrical method based on optical density by means of an image analyzer. Results : The results show as follows ; 1. In the RSG/RSA, FRI/FR2, HL, PAR1 area, The optical density of NADPH-d-positive neurons of fasted group was significantly decreased in comparison to fed group. 2. In most cortical area, It was not significant statistically, But the optical density of NADPH-d-positive neurons of fed with auricular acupuncture group was decreased in comparison to fed group. 3. In most cortical area, It was not significant statistically, But fasted with auricular acupuncture group increased the optical density of NADPH-d-positive neurons comparison to fasted group. Conclusions : We conclude that stimulating the specific auricular points is able to effect on NO(Nitric Oxide)-expression in the brain cortex of sprague dawley rats, The results suggest that auricular acupuncture may be useful for controlling obesity.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.37-45
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of hand acupuncture for reduction of dysmenorrhea. 71 female middle school and high school students were selected as subjects from April to May 2001, among which 38 students consisted of the experimental group while 22 students were the control group by convenient assignment. The experimental group participated in hand acupuncture treatment. The experimental treatment was to puncture corresponding points(A4, A5, J1, J3, J23, H2, F7) on both the palm and back of a hand with disposable acupuncture needles and to remove needles after 20-30 minutes' recess during which the subjects reposed themselves on bed. The collected data were processed using the SPSS PC Program and analyzed using $X^2test$ and The results of this study were as follows 1. The symptoms of premenstrual syndrome have decreased, but no significant differences were statistically observed between hand-acupunctured group and non-hand acupunctured group. 2. Subjective pain degree has decreased after hand acupuncture. 3. As for objective pain degree, a significant reduction in voice change was observed between two groups. Facial expressional changes and perspiration degree reduced but showed no significant statistically changes between two groups. 4. Comfort has increased after hand acupuncture. These results suggest that the hand acupuncture therapy works effectively on easing menstrual pain and symptoms as well as partially on reducing discomfort. It is particularly efficacious for a reduction in subjective pain and facial expressional changes in positive respect. Therefore the hand acupuncture therapy can be considered as an independent nursing intervention for dysmenorrhea reduction.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.37-51
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• 2015

Objectives : This study aimed to evaluate influential factors affecting patients' surveyed medical service perception of Traditional Korean Medicine(TKM). Methods : This study was a randomized single blind parallel design and 335 patients were participated. After treatment, we carried out a survey about medical service perception index from April 1st 2013 to January 31th 2014. We evaluated and analyzed the difference between Korean internal medicine and acupuncture & moxibustion, and also between the age groups of younger than 30s and older than 40s. Results : As the results of the analysis, acupuncture & moxibustion group had higher points on medical service perception sub factors than Korean internal medicine group. There was no meaningful difference between the age groups. Conclusions : The study showed higher satisfaction with acupuncture & moxibustion than Korean internal medicine, and as variable, department was more influential than age for medical service perception.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.57-65
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• 2010

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate for rhinitis of middle school students and to confirm the effect of oriental medical treatments on rhinitis. We proceeded with this oriental medical treatment programs in collaboration with community health center. Methods : We have given oriental medical treatment, such as herbal medicines(pillet type Gamisinicheongpye-um and ointment) and intradermal acupuncture therapy at Hapgok (LI4), Yeonghyang (LI20), Indang, Bi-ik points, to patients for 9 weeks. Results of this treatment program were evaluated on a 4-point-scale depends on symptoms ; 'severe ()', 'moderate (++)', 'mild (+)' and 'no symptom (-)'. Results : After oriental medical treatments, rhinitis symptoms (sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction, nasal itching and dysosmia) were improved significantly compared to before treatments (p<0.05). Conclusions : We confirmed rhinitis treated with oriental medicine should significant improvement and suggest that it is necessary to expand oriental medical treatment programs in collaboration with community health center.