• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.221-228
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to report the research trends of Korean medicine treatment for alopecia areata. We investigated the studies on Korean medicine treatments for alopecia areata via searching 4 web databases of Korea. 13 papers were selected, and we classified them according to publication year, published journals, the types of study, research subject, the methods of treatment, confirmation of recurrence, methods of evaluation, and institutional review board(IRB). We analyzed a total of 13 clinical studies of Korean medicine on alopecia areata based on various criteria and reviewed the research trends. Based on this, we suggested points to be improved and supplemented when conducting clinical research on alopecia areata in the future. Clinical studies on alopecia areata started to be published in 2001, and acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, herbal medicines, etc. were used as treatment methods for alopecia areata. Most of the clinical studies on alopecia areata were case studies, so it is thought that various types of clinical studies are needed. In addition, it is necessary to confirm the recurrence of alopecia areata and to improve the awareness of research ethics.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.1-4
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• 2010

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to summarize the historical aspects of parabolic reflector moxa and to suggest the applications of light moxibustion in Korean medicine. Results : Getting a fire by parabolic reflector(concave mirror) is well known because of the Olympic torch lighted with a solar reflector in Greece. From anecdotes or myths for Diocles and Archimedes(third century B.C.) a long history has been chronicled in books and films in western culture. However, it has another history in Asian countries since 2,000 years ago. Some reflectors had a tiny size with 6.5 to 10 cm in diameter, 4 mm to 1 cm thickness, and these mobile handheld devices could make us guess that they have been used for multiple purposes. Bronze reflectors were described in Dongeui-bogam, and excavated from the ancient remains of the Shilla and Koryo dynasties. This common firing device was used as a moxibustion device, one of the acupuncture and moxibustion modalities in traditional Korean medicine. Conclusions : Reflector moxa has been used as a light moxibustion to deliver heat energy to acupuncture points, muscles, and skin along meridians. We present a plausible proposal to improve other phototherapy modalities including reflector moxa in Korean medicine practice.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.85-97
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• 2010

목적 : 이 연구는 서로 다른 두 경혈이 심박변이도에 미치는 영향을 비교하고, 자율신경계에 미치는 영향을 평가하기 위해 수행하였다. 재료 및 방법 : 13명의 지원자가 3개의 세션에 균등하게 무작위 배정되었다. 각 세션에서 지원자들은 신맥(BL62), 조해(KI6), 또는 비경혈에 각각 침처치를 받았다. 10분간 휴식을 한 후에 자침 전, 유침기간, 발침 후 기간에 5분 동안 심박변이도 측정을 하였다. 유침기간에는 2분 간격을 두고 2회 심박변이도를 측정하였다. 결과 : 신맥에 자침한 군에서는 자침후 기간에 total power(TP)와 standard deviation N-N interval(SDNN)이 유의하게 증가하였다. 유침기간 중 첫 5분 동안의 TP와 SDNN은 자침전 값과 유의한 차이가 없었으며 유침기간 중 마지막 5분 동안에는 다소 증가하는 경향은 있었지만 통계적인 유의성은 없었다. 반면에 조해와 비경혈에 자침한 군에서는 TP와 SDNN에 유의한 변화가 관찰되지 않았다. 발침 후에 신맥자침군에서는 조해와 비경혈 자극군과 비교해서 TP가 유의하게 변화하였다. 그러나 SDNN은 발침 후에 세 군 사이에 유의한 차이가 없었다. 결론 : 이 실험 결과는 조해와 비교했을 때 신맥에 자침한 경우 심장 기능 및 자율신경계와 관련이 있는 대체적인 활성이 증가한다는 것을 보여주었다. 이 결과는 신맥 자침이 자율신경계와 관계되어 있는 심장의 기능에 미치는 영향을 통해서 경혈의 특이성을 관찰할 수 있음을 의미한다.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.10 no.12
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• pp.2243-2250
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• 2006

When a patient is positioned at insulated bed and practitioner is positioned at insulated floor, that condition could be a cause of lessening effect in acupuncture practice. We investigated how Ground connection and Insulation could influence on the electrical meridian potential between practitioner and patient during acupuncture practice. We treated 30 normal healthy subjects with acupuncture and measured changes in the electrical potential between the stomach meridian points ST-39 and ST-37 in response to light touch after insertion of a needle at ST-36. At first, we stimulated non-insulated needle and measured electrical potentials for non ground, patient ground only, practitioner ground only, all ground respectively. Then we used insulated needles and measured same as above. Non-insulated all ground subject elicited positive mean potential $44.6{\pm}19.2{\mu}V$ and showed $181.4{\pm}59.7{\mu}V$ peak to peak potential. Practitioner ground only showed negative mean potential of $51.5{\pm}9.3{\mu}V$ and $367.4{\pm}27.8{\mu}V$ of peak to peak potential. Patient ground only revealed no mean potential of $2.9{\pm}1.3{\mu}V$, $16.4{\pm}11.9{\mu}V$ of peak to peak potential. All ground showed no mean potential of $1.6{\pm}0.7{\mu}V$, $3.3{\pm}1.9{\mu}V$ of peak to peak potential. In case of Insulated condition, there elicited no mean potential. Non ground and Practitioner only showed weak value of peak to peak potential as $7.8{\pm}2.6{\mu}V$ and $8.4{\pm}2.5{\mu}V$ each. But patient only and all ground showed no potential as $4.7{\pm}2.2{\mu}V$, $3.4{\pm}2.2{\mu}V$, respectively. Therefore, Ground connection modulate the energy transfer course between practitioner and patient. Insulation block energy transfer but static electrical impulse between practitioner and patient.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.123-130
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to identify the origin of meridian-based psychotherapy, and thereby utilize this technique more flexibly and widely, as well as use our findings as the base data for the development of unique and oriental medicine-based psychotherapies. Methods : This study investigated various activities and references of meridian-based psychotherapy developers in historical order. For the books that have been translated into Korean, the translated books were examined as priority. Otherwise, examination was based on original books. Results : The study results were as follows. EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) is a technique completed by combining the psychological reversal, acupuncture point tapping, and gamut series in TFT (Thought Field Therapy), and the affirmations that were formed by reflecting the deep understanding on languages derived from NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming). ESM (Emotional Self Management) can be viewed as having applied the implications of cognitive therapy and hypnosis while accepting the treatment of TFT as it is. Roger J. Callahan developed TFT by adopting theories such as AK(Applied Kinesiology), acupuncture, NLP, quantum mechanics, and split brains. On the EFT, ESM, TFT, the method for stimulating acupuncture points appears to be tapping, which is one technique of the oriental traditional exercise and manual techniques(導引按蹻). Tapping may be the English translation of Bak-beop(拍法). Conclusions : When the oriental medicine techniques that enable meridian tuning are applied along with accommodating Western psychological theories actively, this can not only help use meridian-based psychotherapy more flexibly, but also enable the development of new oriental medicine-based psychotherapies.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.207-219
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• 2004

Objectives : We investigated to find the relationship between single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of IL4R, IL-10 and bee venom therapy efficacy in patients with RA treated with bee venom for 8 weeks. Methods : Korean RA patients (n=114) and healthy subjects (n=109) were included in this prospective study. Korean bee venom was dissolved in saline (diluted 1:3000) and administrated into acupuncture points. Bee venom therapy was applied twice a week and continued for 8 weeks. The clinical response was evaluated using various assessments before and after treatment. Disease severity was measured by determining the number of tender joints and swollen joints. Laboratory studies included ESR, CRP, and rheumatoid factor. Genotyping for IL-4R and IL-10 polymorphism was done by pyrosequencing analysis. Results : 1. In IL4R genotypes, there was significant difference between RA ptitients tind controls group. 2. In IL4R genotypes, there was significant difference among Good, Mild and Bad responders to in RA patients, but in the frequency of alleles and carriers, there were no significant difference. 3. There was no significant difference between RA patients and controls group in IL-10 gene genotypes. 4. In IL-10 genotypes, there was no significant difference among Good, Mild and Bad responders to in RA patients. 5. There was no significant difference in the improvement of ESR, CRP and KHAQ scores after bee venom therapy in RA patients among the IL4R or IL-10 genotypes. Conclusions : In IL-4R genotypes, there was significant difference between RA patients and control group, and among Good, Mild and Bad responders in RA patients. However, in IL-10 genotypes, there was no significant difference between RA patients and controls group and among Good, Mild and Bad responders in RA patients.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.251-259
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• 2011

The aim of this is to examine the effects of SSP therapy on the internal carotid arteries blood flow of 24 tension type headache patients(study group) and non tension type headache patients(control group), and on the reduction of their headaches, when applied to the acupuncture points. It stimulated the acupuncture point of headache 6 place with the SSP. It measured VAS and the blood flow of the internal carotid arteries with TCD. When the internal carotid arteries blood flow of study group and control group were compared by period, a significant difference was found in the 4th period(p<.05). When the Visual Analog Scale of study group and control group were compared by period, a significant difference was found in the 4th period(p<.05). The comparison of each measurement result of the internal carotid arteries blood flow of the study group found significantly increased. The comparison of each measurement result of the VAS of study group found significantly decreased. With regard to the control group, the VAS significantly decreased. The silver spike point low frequency electrical stimulation treatment, when applied to the acupuncture point, can significantly influence the internal carotid arteries blood flow of headache patients and can significantly reduce their headaches.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.107-116
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• 2013

Objectives The purpose of this study was to evaluate the most effective stimulating electrode in Microcurrent electrical neuromuscular stimulation (MENS) for pain relief, and to apply to the treatment of Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Methods We included 45 participants who met the inclusion criteria. DOMS of both Triceps Surae Muscles were experimentally induced through eccentric contractions. 24-hours after induction of DOMS, who scored more than 40 mm in visual analogue scale (VAS) were randomly assigned into three groups (n=44). In 15 of them, needle electrodes were inserted into BL57, BL56. In 15 of them, surface electrodes were applied on the same points and the others were treated with manual acupuncture. The effects of pain relief were assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS), mechanical pain threshold (MPT), surface electromyography (SEMG). Results In VAS, group comparison had no significant difference after all treatments had done. The difference in VAS between the time before the treatment was started (Day 2) and after all treatments were completed was greater in Acupuncture group than that of needle-electrode group. In MPT, there was no significant difference among groups. Electrical contraction decreased significantly at 2nd before-after treatment comparison in needle-electrode MENS group. But fatigue scores were not significantly different between groups. Conclusions The results suggest that the types of electrodes has no significant effect on microcurrent therapy in DOMS.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.35-52
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• 1997

In order to investigate experimentally that Bovis Calculus, Ursi Feli Aqua-acupuncture(BUA) have an effect on Adjuvant Arthritis in rats, the author inserted BUA at points corresponding with Chok-samni(ST36) and T'aegye(KI3), and observed an inhibitory rate of edema and pain, variations of White blood cell(WBC), Red blood cell(RBC), Hemoglobin(Hb) in blood. The author also observed the histological changes of joint tissue. The results were as follows : 1. The BUA group during the 6th and 9th were decreased with statistical significance in inhibitory rate of paw edema as compared with the control group. 2. The BUA group during the 3rd and 9th day were decreased with statistical significance in inhibitory rate of pain as compared with the control group. 3. The BUA group during the 3rd, 6th and 9th day were decreased with statistical significance in blood WBC as compared with the control group. The blood RBC and Hb didn't have statistical significance. 4. According to the histological studies, the synovial cells were necrotized at the 3rd, 6th and 9th day control group, but some synovial cells were necrotized at the 3rd day BUA group. The synovial cells of the the 6th and 9th day BUA group were recovered more than that of the 3th day group.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.904-913
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• 2018

Rhabdomyolysis is a syndrome that evokes either myopathy or cola-colored urine with elevated creatine kinase and myoglobin levels. The most common complication of rhabdomyolysis is acute renal failure (ARF). A large quantity of fluid must be injected promptly the first time symptoms appear, whereas sequela of symptoms has remained in the long run. In this report, a 58-year-woman was diagnosed with ARF due to rhabdomyolysis induced by exercise, alcohol, and medication. A treatment of acupuncture and herbal medicines was carried out for over 2 months. To evaluate the condition of the patient's lower limb, a short form of the McGill Pain Questionnaire, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D), and Manual Muscle Test (MMT) points were used. As a result, clinical symptoms and quality of life improved noticeably after treatment with Korean medicine. This suggests that Korean medicine has an effect on rhabdomyolysis.