• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.11-21
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• 2010

Objective : This study was aimed at investigating the therapeutic effects of acupuncture on gastrointestinal side effect of Levodopa on idiopathic Pakinson's disease patients. Methods : The subjects of this study were 42 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease. We divided them into two groups; acupuncture treatment group, no treatment group. We treated the former group with acupuncture therapy focusing on gastrointestinal side effect of Levodopa while administering Levodopa as well. And the latter group was also dosed up with Levodopa without acupuncture therapy. To see the effect of acupuncture treatment clearly, we used gastrointestinal syndrome rating scale (GSRS) and visual analog scale (VAS) and compared the GSRS grade and VAS score of two groups statistically, after 1, 2, 3, 4 weeks since they have been under the treatment. Results : This study suggests that the group who has been treated with acupuncture on gastrointestinal side effect of Levodopa on idiopathic pakinson's disease patients showed higher GSRS grade and VAS score than the one that has not. But, We could't find statistical significance between the two groups on improvement of GSRS grade and VAS score. Conclusions : These results proved that acupucture theraphy might be available for re lieving symptoms related with gastrointestinal side effect of Levodopa than the one that has not. But further studies are necessary.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.143-153
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• 2006

Introduction : This study was designed to evaluate the effect of acupuncture on Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and Heart Rate Variability (HRV) of patients with Parkinson's disease Methods: Subjects were voluntarily recruited through newspaper and internet advertisement. All the subjects were confirmed as idiopathic parkinson's disease by a neurologist. Acupuncture was applied 2 times a week for four weeks by oriental medical doctor at Kyung-hee University hospital. Acupuncture points used were GB34 and LR3. The patient's symptoms were assessed before and after 4 weeks of treatment by UPDRS and HRV. HRV was measured for 5 minutes before and after 4 weeks of treatment. Results : The results were as follows; 1. In both groups, UPDRS scores were significantly improved after 4 weeks compared to the pre-treatment 2. After 4 weeks of treatment UPDRS score differences between the two groups were insignificant 3. After 4 weeks of treatment HRV parameter scores showed statistically insignificant differences between the two groups. SDNN parameters of the Experimental group were significantly increased. Conclusion : This study suggests that acupuncture treatments can be applicable to improve symptoms in the patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Further study on the acupuncture and HRV in the patients with Parkinson's disease is recommended.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.25-33
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• 2007

Objective : The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of near acupuncture point needling and remote acupuncture point needling on treating ankle sprain of acute stage. Methods : From March 1st, 2007 to May 30th, 2007, the 50 patients who had visited Iksan oriental medical hospital, Wonkwang university with acute ankle sprain were divided into 2 groups ; one group took near acupunture point needling, and the other group took remote acupunture point needling. Both group had been treated with the same additional rest, ice, compression and elevation(RICE) therapy. To evaluating the efficiency of each treatment, Visual Analog Scale(VAS) and Ankle-Hindfoot Scale(AHS) were applied before 1st treatment and after 3rd treatment. Results : As a result of evaluation by using AHS, the score change comparison between the two groups had no significance after the treatment. As a result of evaluation by using VAS, treatment score of remote acupucture point needling was marked lower than score of near acupucture point needling. Conclusion : Remote acupucture point needling is more effective than near acupucture point needling in controlling the pain of acute ankle sprain.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.214-237
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• 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of acupuncture and electroacupuncture for temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). We searched 11 databases to find randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) published between January 2018 and January 2023 that used acupuncture and electroacupuncture to treat patients with TMD. We performed a meta-analysis of 18 RCTs involving 1,109 patients. Nine studies reported that the treatment and control groups showed improvement in the evaluation index post-treatment. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the treatment groups receiving acupuncture combined with manual therapy had significantly improved visual analog scale score and dysfunction index than the control groups receiving manual therapy. Moreover, the treatment groups receiving acupuncture combined with Western medicine had statistically improved maximum mouth opening than the control groups using Western medicine. In conclusion, acupuncture and electroacupuncture have clinical effects on TMD patients. Given that 11 studies were obtained from the Chinese database, a regional bias would be considered. Furthermore, the included studies had high a risk of bias in terms of randomization, concealment, and blinding. Further studies are required to correct these limitations.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.163-177
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• 2004

Objectives : The purpose of this report is to use more Traction treatment clinically by comparing th Improvement of Low Back Pain and Sciatica between Common treatment Group and Common treatment with Traction treatment. Methods : This study was carried out on 40 patients with Low Back Pain and Sciatica who were hospitalized in Dongshin Univ. Oriental Hospital from January, 2003 to May, 2004. Group A of 20 patients were taken both common treatment and Traction treatment. And Group B of 20 patients were only taken common treatment. And at discharge day, we checked and compared VAS(Visual Analogue Scale) and ODI(Oswestry disability index) out of these two groups. SPSS(Statistical Program for Social Science) for Window was used for a statistical analysis and the independent T-test was performed to gauge the improvement of VAS(Visual Analogue Scale) and ODI(Oswestry disability index) out of these two groups, in which case, value of P below 0.05 is considered as useful. Results : The result of the VAS(Visual Analogue Scale) and ODI(Oswestry disability index) of comparison analysis between two groups at discharge day, shows that the improvement of Low Back Pain and Sciatica in cmmon treatment with Traction treatment Group is more effective than that in Common treatment.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.197-204
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• 2005

Objectives : This survey was accomplished to find out how Korean medical doctors take acupuncture prescriptions for knee osteoarthritis in real clinical practice. Methods : The survey questions were developed by the consensus from 4 professors and 10 residents who major in acupuncture & moxibustion for developing clinical trial protocol on individualized acupuncture treatment for knee osteoarthritis. The questionnaires were distributed via e-mail to 3,306 members of Korea Oriental Medical Association from March 15th to March 23rd in 2005.84 members completed answers, and the computerized data were analyzed by ISP statistical program. Results : 1. 68 out of 84 Korean medical doctors used pattern diagnosis. 2. 61 out of 84 Korean medical doctors used both local and remote points, 20 doctors remote points only, and 3 doctors local acupuncture points only. 3. In case of doctors who use remote acupuncture points only, the acupuncture prescription principle was Saam or five element acupuncture (66%), along the meridian pathway (14%), Eight constitutional acupuncture (11%), Taegeuk acupuncture (2%), and miscellaneous (18%). Conclusion : In our e-mail survey, Korean medical doctors who experienced more than 10 year practice answered that they use five element acupuncture or Saam acupuncture according to meridian pathway theory as the most common principle of their acupuncture treatment prescription.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.111-118
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• 2014

Objectives : Through an analysis of the previous studies, It is estimated that Chuna(shoulder traction) is effective in reducing the pain and increasing motion range of shoulder joint of the patient. So this study is to investigate the effects of Chuna(shoulder traction) on frozen shoulder. Methods : After treated with acupuncture and electro stimulating therapy, the subjects were measured list of measurement. And then treated with Chuna(shoulder traction) therapy, the subjects were measured list of measurement again. All treatment was performed by the same doctor who is a highly qualified about Chuna(shoulder traction). Chuna(shoulder traction) treatment takes 15 minutes. Three kind of Chuna(shoulder traction) therapy were performed for 5 minutes each. Depending on the degree of the subject's pain, treatment strength was adjusted. Results : - Chuna simultaneous treatment group, shoulder joint range of flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, external rotation and internal rotation movement improved statistically significant. - Chuna simultaneous and acupuncture treatment group, visual analogue scale(VAS) scores of two groups decreased statistically significant. Conclusions : The result suggests that Chuna(shoulder traction) can be effective to recover range of motion and reduce pain on patients with frozen shoulder.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.177-180
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• 2020

Background: The aim of this study was to examine whether the effects of acupotomy therapy were beneficial for the treatment of protrusion of lumbar intervertebral disc. Methods: The number of patients (n = 80) were equally assigned into treatment group and control group. Treatment group was given acupotomy therapy twice a week, and control group was given acupuncture 3 times a week, for 4 weeks. The beneficial effect and changes in score of the Japan Orthopedic Association (JOA) for low back pain were observed. Results: Among 40 cases in the treatment group, there were 25 (62.5%) with an excellent effect, 13 (32.5%) with good effect, 1 (2.5%) with a medium effect and 1 (2.5%) with poor effect, with the total experiencing an excellent/good effect of 95.0%. Among 40 cases in the control group, there were 11 (27.5%) with an excellent effect, 17 (42.5%) with good effect, 10 (25.0%) with a medium effect, and 2 (5.0%) with poor effect, with an excellent/good rate of 70.0%. The result of the rank sum test showed Z = -4.923, p < 0.05 in the comparison, indicating a significantly better outcome following acupotomy compared with acupuncture. JOA scores increased in both groups after treatment (p < 0.05), which was more significant in the acupotomy treatment group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Acupotomy therapy has a beneficial effect on protrusion of lumbar intervertebral disc.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.140-147
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• 2003

Objective: This study was designed to investigate the difference of treatment effect between Oriental Medicine theraphy and Oriental and Western Medicine combination theraphy on low back pain patients. Methods: We divided 40 low back pain patients into 2 groups. The Group I was treated with Oriental Medicine theraphy and the Group II was treated with Oriental and Western Medicine combination theraphy. We evaluated visual analogue scale(VAS) score before and after 3, 5, 7 days of each treatment. Results: The VAS score of Group I and Group II after 3, 5, 7 days of each treatment was significantly lower than before treatment. But there was no significant difference between two groups after 3, 5, 7 days of each treatment. Conclusions: In this study, there was no significant difference between the two groups after 3, 5, 7 days of each treatment on low back pain patients. Further studies are needed for the comparison of Oriental Medicine theraphy and Oriental and Western Medicine combination theraphy.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.169-179
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• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this report is to introduce a case of diplopia caused by the fracture of the left orbital wall and to suggest Korean Medicine treatment including electroacupuncture as a possible method of conservative treatment. Methods : A 44-year-old male with diplopia, restricted ocular motility and facial paresthesia after the fracture of the left orbital wall was treated with Korean Medicine treatment from June 15, 2016 to July 15, 2016. Improvements of symptoms were measured by the diplopia questionnaire, cervical range of motion (CROM) diplopia examination, goniometer diplopia examination, subjective diplopia field and visual analogue scale (VAS). Results : During 4 weeks of treatment, the patient showed consistent improvement in the diplopia questionnaire score, range of diplopia and VAS of facial paresthesia. Conclusion : According to the results, Korean Medicine treatment would be a possible conservative treatment for diplopia due to a traumatic accident. Further studies are needed regarding possible long-term effects.