• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.119-125
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• 2011

Objectives : This study was to investigate the effectiveness of cupping therapy on peripheral facial paralysis. Methods : We investigated 39 cases of patients with peripheral facial paralysis, and devided patients into two groups : We treated one group by complex oriental medical treatment with cupping therapy, and did the other group by complex oriental medical treatment without cupping therapy. To evaluate the effectiveness of treatment applied for two groups, we used gross grading system of House-Brackmann(HB score), Yanagihara's unweighed grading system(Y score) at baseline and final. Results : 1. In cupping group and non-cupping group, compared with baseline, at final, HB score was significantly decreased and Y score was significantly increased. 2. At final, cupping group showed significant decrease on HB score and significant increase on Y score compared with non-cupping group. Conclusions : Cupping therapy can be available for relieving symptoms related with peripheral facial paralysis.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.250-259
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• 2012

Objectives : In this study, it has aimed to search cupping therapy standardization research course by reviewing former studies. Methods : It has reviewed articles about cupping therapy, published in South Korea. Review focused on cupping therapy treating methods. Results : Articles about cupping therapy is slightly increasing. Clinical study was the most popular study method. It has most used non-bleeding cupping therapy, and bleeding cupping therapy is next. Treating time was very various and there were no tendency or trends about treating time. Pressure inside cup has used from 30 mmHg to 600 mmHg, and pressure of 600 mmHg used mostly. Conclusions : As a result of this study, it is considered that data and standard about pressure and treating time is required. And it should be focus on pressure and treating time to standardizing cupping therapy.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.317-322
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• 2022

Gold thread therapy (GTT) continuously stimulates acupoints and is used to treat chronic conditions/diseases such as chronic lumbar pain. During the procedure gold thread is embedded into the skin and although gold thread is medically pure, GTT is an irreversible treatment where there is limited evidence on its safety. Here, we report a case of a 79-year-old woman being treated for low back pain who developed side effects following moving cupping therapy at a site of GTT (performed in the 1970s). Adverse reactions causing radiating pain persisted more than at least 9 days following moving cupping therapy. The symptoms of pain were evaluated using the numerical rating scale, and changes in tenderness and the state of bruising was recorded. Low back pain improved but the radiating low leg pain did not improve. This case highlights the need for caution when performing moving cupping therapy where GTT has been previously performed.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.137-143
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• 2015

The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical studies of cupping therapy for obesity in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and to evaluate the effects of it for use in practice. CNKI were searched for controlled studies on cupping therapy for obesity that were published up to September 2015. The review included 9 randomized controlled trials, and we analyzed the objectives, process of interventions, outcome measurements, and main results of the studies. We found that cupping therapy combined with acupuncture, electric acupuncture or thread embedding have more effectively decreased body mass index, waist circumference and lipid profile than acupuncture, electric acupuncture or thread embedding only have done. In the reviewed studies, cupping therapy treated in the region of abdomen, upper and lower limbs, and dorsal part operating on 5 to 25 minutes for one time with total 6 to 45 times of schedule. In this study, we demonstrated that cupping therapy combined with acupuncture, electric acupuncture or thread embedding could have effectively used for treating obesity. Further evaluation and clinical researches are required to establish evidence in practice.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.28-32
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• 2019

Background: The purpose of this study was to collate inventors' improvements of air extraction cupping technology by reviewing patent applications in Korea. The cost of procurement and use of air extraction cupping devices are covered by health insurance. Methods: Patents registered in Korea for air extraction cupping devices from August 1992 to January 2018 (registration, expiration, rejection, abandonment, and disclosure) were analyzed to determine technology trends. The Korean patent search engine used was Kipris (www.kipris.or.kr). Results: Sixty-seven Korean patents for air extraction cupping devices were retrieved. Most patents focused on design of the top valve of the device, the device at the bottom, an internal device, and the disposable cupping glass. In total 17.9% of patents were registered and 64.2% were abolished [either from non-payment of registration fees (93%) or expiration of the patent after 10 years (7%)]. The average registration period was 3.7 years. Conclusion: The patents retrieved for this study focused on the development of the air exhaust valve, disposable cups, and skin adhesion maintenance technology in cupping devices that use air extraction. The average registration period was 3.7 years, meaning the patents that were not commercialized, expired without additional registration renewals. It is important to acquire a New Excellent Technology certificate for a cupping device to promote commercialization.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.28-34
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• 2020

This is a systematic review of the clinical use of cupping therapy. Four domestic databases and 2 foreign databases were searched. Studies that reported the cupping pressure used during cupping therapy were included in this study. The types of cupping, cupping site, pressure, and duration of cupping were the main parameters analyzed. A total of 27 studies, including 24 experimental studies were analyzed. There were 12 constant negative pressure (domestic) studies with a range between 60 mmHg and 600 mmHg. There were 5 maximum negative pressure (domestic) studies and the maximum negative pressure was 620 mmHg. Three studies used a maximum negative pressure of 600 mmHg. There were 4 constant negative pressure (foreign) studies with a range between 75 mmHg to 750 mmHg. There were 3 maximum negative pressure (foreign) studies with a maximum pressure of 420 mmHg. The studies differed with regards to the materials used and the amount of pressure applied. Many studies had limited information and therefore generalizability of the results in this review is limited. Further experimental studies are required to establish the correlation between cupping pressure and treatment effects so that cupping therapy can be standardised.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.24 no.spc1
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• pp.37-46
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• 2013

Objectives : The Hwabyung Research Center of The Korean Society Of Oriental Neuropsychiatry has attempted to develop the 'Clinical Guidelines for Hwabyung'. Methods : The Hwabyung Research Center constructed a committee of experts and advisory group. Relevant literature was collected and evaluated in order to find out effective Pharmacotherapy (Herbal medicine), acupuncture and moxibustion, and cupping of Hwabyung. Results : We found some evidences that proved the effectiveness of Pharmacotherapy (Herbal medicine), acupuncture and moxibustion, and cupping in the treatment of Hwabyung. 1) We recommend Pharmacotherapy (Herbal medicine), acupuncture and moxibustion, cupping, psychotherapy and management, other therapeutic approaches and education for Hwabyung. 2) Pharmacotherapy (Herbal medicine) should be determined according to the pattern identification of Korean medicine. Further, the prescription should be cost-effective, safe and have no side effects. Also, the interaction between Herbal and Western drugs should be considered carefully. 3) There are general acupuncture, scalp acupuncture, Pharmacopuncture, Sa-am acupuncture as well as acupuncture treatments for Hwabyung. 4) Moxibustion and cupping are useful, relieving various somatic symptoms of Hwabyung. Conclusions : Pharmacotherapy (Herbal medicine), Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Cupping for Hwabyung were studied. We hope that the 'Clinical Guidelines for the Treatment of Hwabyung' are helpful for oriental medical doctors and patients.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.101-110
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• 2009

Objectives : We developed and proposed a guideline for safety and performance assessment of electric cupping apparatus(Class 2 medical device). Methods : We drafted the guideline for safety and performance assessment of electric cupping apparatus by referring the existing standards and guideline, based on online questionnaire for Korean medical doctors and measurement data from commercially available products. Physical dimension of cups and inner vacuum pressure were acquired for the measurement in order to achieve the purposes. Results : This guideline only can be applied to electric cupping apparatus for enhancing blood circulation by employing negative pressure generated by electricity. Seven items of appearance and label, operation test of pump, variation test of input electricity, vacuum level test, vacuum sustain test, cup-size dependent test, noise level test are suggested for evaluation subjects and methods required for electric cupping devices. Requirements for the design and development of electric cupping devices are suggested: vacuum level indicator, vacuum generation rate, pressure control, valve detachment stability, cup comparability, safety measure, surge protection, user friendliness, instruction for use (IFU). Conclusions : We proposed a guideline for safety and performance assessment of electric cupping apparatus to improve the quality of relating products and aid the commercialization of them, by aiming higher industrial competitiveness of the medical device sectors in Korea. Discussion with related institutes such as industry, academy and government is further required. Public hearings also need to be held prior to the establishment of a final guideline and standard.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.187-192
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• 2018

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of different cupping therapy methods combined with Korean medicine treatments for peripheral facial paralysis. Methods: 105 patients treated for peripheral facial paralysis with cupping therapy and other Korean medicine treatment at Gil Korean medicine hospital, Gachon University between May 19, 2014 and June 30, 2018 were selected and their medical charts retrospectively analyzed. 48 patients who met the inclusion criteria were divided into 2 groups: wet cupping (WC) therapy, or dry cupping (DC) therapy combined with Korean medicine treatment. The duration of treatment ranged from 2 weeks for inpatient treatment to 2 months for outpatient treatment. Both WC and DC therapy were performed on TE13, 3 times per week during the treatment period. The effect of cupping therapy was evaluated by using the Gross Grading System of the House-Brackmann (HB score) and the Yanagihara's Unweighted Grading System (Y score). Results: For both WC and DC treatment of symptoms related to peripheral facial paralysis, HB scores showed a significant decrease and Y scores showed a significant increase from baseline to end of treatment, indicating a beneficial improvement in patient symptoms for both WC and DC. Conclusion: In this study, both DC and WC treatment had significant improvements on peripheral facial paralysis symptoms, with WC having significantly greater beneficial effects than DC.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2010

Objectives : The mechanical properties of Korean electric cupping systems are studied via experimental measurements. The study aimed at establishing the fundamentals of industrialization and systemization of oriental medicine device industry, as well as improving the quality of life for many Koreans. Methods : We reviewed the studies on traditional cupping as well as modern one to fine necessary factors for electric cupping systems. To characterize the mechanical properties of Korean electric cupping systems, we measured the pressure characteristics of commercially available electric cupping system by using an automatic pressure acquisition system and a standard cup. The pumping capability was checked at 40 seconds, and the stability of the suction cup was checked at 600 seconds. We also acquired the noise level of each system in clinical setting. To check the portability of each system, we also measured its physical dimensions. We scrutinized system manuals provided by the system manufacturers. Results : It took less than 5 second to reach the pressure if the connection between the air hose and the vacuum valve of the cupping system was secure. Pressure diminished to no more than 10% for 600s for all systems. Noise levels were 55~70 dB. Increase in pressure was too fast to control for a designated vacuum level except for one product. Conclusions : The Pumping ability of the systems is impressive and reliable. Pressure retention ability of each cup is quite reliable and reproducible. Therefore, their mechanical performances were worthy of recommendation. Some of them had noise level higher than 60 dB and they were bothersome. It was also suggested that the control for low to middle pressure needed to be accomplished by the cupping system.