• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.49-59
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• 2017

Objectives : This study evaluated the efficacy of electroacupuncture therapy using an insulated needle in adults with abdominal obesity. Methods : This study was a randomized, double-blind, parallel-designed pilot trial. Sixteen participants eligible according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria were randomly divided into an insulated needle group and a control group. Insulated or common needles were inserted at acupoints located on the abdomen (CV12, CV6, ST25, ST27, SP15) and were electrically stimulated for 30 minutes (16 Hz, within tolerable strength). A total of 10 sessions of treatment were performed twice per week for 5 weeks. All participants were requested to maintain their usual diet and lifestyle. The outcome measures were waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and abdominal computed tomography (CT) of the total fat area (TFA), subcutaneous fat area (SFA), and visceral fat area (VFA). Results : A total of 12 participants divided into the insulated needle group (n = 5) and the control group (n = 7; common needle) were treated for 10 sessions and analyzed per-protocol (PP). WC decreased significantly after 10 sessions in both groups. The WC, TFA, SFA, and VFA of abdominal CT in the insulated needle group decreased more than in the control group; however, there were no significant differences in any parameter between the insulated needle group and the control group. Patients in the insulated needle group were more strongly stimulated with electrical stimulation than patients in the control group. Conclusion : Electroacupuncture using insulated needles in adults with abdominal obesity might be a more effective treatment than common needles. Additional studies are required to compensate for the limitations of this pilot study and to verify the results and efficacy.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.101-109
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• 2010

Objectives : This study was to compare effects of scalp acupuncture with usual acupuncture on peripheral facial palsy in comparison with usual acupuncture only. Methods : We investigated 40 cases of patients with peripheral facial palsy, and devided patients into two groups: We treated one group by scalp acupuncture with usual acupuncture and did the other group by usual acupuncture only. To evaluate the effectiveness of treatment applied for two groups, we used Gross Grading System of House-Brackmann(H-B grade), Yanagihara's Unweighed Grading System(Y system). Results : 1. In H-B grade group B(common acupuncture therapy and scalp acupuncture)'s score was reduced than group A(common acupuncture therapy), but there was no statistical significance. 2. In Y-system group B was higher than group A, but there was no statistical significance. Conclusions : There was no stastical significance between two groups : treated by scalp acupuncture with usual acupuncture and usual acupuncture therapy only, on peripheral facial palsy.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.69-74
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• 2018

Background: We conducted a cross-sectional study to analyze the pain characteristics and satisfaction scores in traffic accident (TA) patients seeking Korean medicine treatment. Methods: A survey was conducted in 845 outpatients who visited 10 Korean medicine institutions due to TA-associated symptoms from February 25th, 2016 to March 9th, 2016. The questionnaire included information about patient sociodemographic characteristics, accident circumstance details, pain levels, treatment methods, satisfaction and pre-existing musculoskeletal disorders. All statistical analyses were performed using STATA 14.0. Results: A total 754 of the 845 respondents had experienced acute pain of onset within 1-2 days. Pain in the neck or low back was most common, and low back pain (LBP) was more prevalent in pedestrian-vehicle accident cases. Patients showed highest satisfaction with pharmacopuncture treatment, followed by acupuncture and Chuna manual therapy. Although treatments were not completed at the time of the survey, the majority of patients were satisfied with the Korean medicine treatments they received and indicated their intent to reuse this treatment in the future. The degree of pain reduction after treatment was a factor that influenced patient satisfaction with and intention to reuse Korean medicine. Conclusion: This study determined the characteristics and status of TA patients using Korean medicine and suggests the need for further more inclusive studies.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.145-152
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• 2018

Post-stroke spasticity is a common complication that can be deleterious to the daily living function and quality of life of stroke survivor. This case report was conducted to introduce the use of miniscalpel-acupuncture as a novel method for the treatment of post-stroke spasticiy in three patients with chronic stroke. Patients received miniscalpel-acpuncuture treatment for 4~7 session. The flexor digitorum brevis, pronator teres, pronator quadratus, brachioradialis, tibialis posterior, gastrocnemius on the affected side were needled. The main outcome were the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) muscle spasticity score and the range of motion. The evaluation indices were measured after the initiation of treatment and after treatment. After miniscalpel-acupuncture session, three patients improved as indicated in the MAS grade and range of motion. This retrospective case report presents miniscalpel-acupuncture as a potentially effective approach in Korean medicine rehabilitation treatment of post-stroke spasticity. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.137-150
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the evidence supporting the effectiveness of moxibustion treatment for osteoarthritis. There were 9 databases used to retrieve randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that used moxibustion as treatment for osteoarthritis. The quality of methodology for the RCTs was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool [Review Manager (RevMan) Version 5.3 Windows, The Nordic Cochrane Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark]. The inclusion criteria for this review was met by 27 RCTs. All studies were conducted in China. A 4-week moxibustion treatment period was the most common. EX-LE4 and SP10 and GB34 acupoints were most frequently selected in the treatment of osteoarthritis. The most commonly used evaluation index was the visual analog scale (VAS). All studies, including a meta-analysis showed that moxibustion treatments were statistically significantly effective at treating knee osteoarthritis. However, well-designed randomized RCTs without a high risk of bias should be designed in the future.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.200-207
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• 1999

Herniation of intervertevral disc(HIVD) is the most common disease causing low back pain. Acupuncture, electroacupuncture and moxibustion has been used for treatment of HIVD. Bee venom (BV) also has been traditionally applied to relieve pain. Recently, it has been reported that BV is effective in treating HIVD. But more objective methods were required to assess the efficacy of BV on HlVD. So we assessed of BV-acupuncture effect on herniated disc patients by use of rating scale for low back pain. We researched 22 patients who were treated at Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Kyung Hee Medical Center from January 1999 to June 1999. The patients were diagnosed by MRI as having a herniated disc. The results of treatment using rating scale for low back pain in HIVD showed that $43.77{\pm}14.39$ point of pre-treatment score and $84.5{\pm}3.97$ point post-treatment score. The improvement index showed $0.43{\pm}0.15$. Especially, clinical score of neurologic deficits showed most highest improvement index of $0.7{\pm}0.45$. Assessment of BV-acupuncture Effect by MRI finding were showed that protruded disc and extruded disc got more higher improvement index than bulging disc. Among 22 patients, satisfactory assessment of BV-acupuncture effect showed that 15(68.2%) were excellent, and 7(31.8%) were good. The result suggest that BV-acupuncture is good method for treatment of HIVD.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.59-63
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• 2022

Spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee (SONK) is a common form of osteonecrosis of the knee and mainly affects the medial condyle due to localized vascular insufficiency. We report a case of SONK in a 65-year-old woman who had severe knee pain in her left knee whichimpeded her capacityto walk beyond 10 minutes. Bilateral knee X-rays revealed degenerative osteoarthritis of both knees and magnetic resonance imaging revealed R/O SONK in the lateral aspect of the medial femoral condyle, as well as a medial meniscal posterior horn root tear, and a Grade 1 medial collateral ligament injury. She was hospitalized at Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine for 21 days and receivedcombination therapy includingacupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and herbal medicine. Patient-reported scales indicated that her pain and physical functional limitations were alleviated. Combination therapy consisting of Korean traditional medicine may bean alternative nonoperative treatment approach for patients with SONK.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.97-110
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• 2023

This review aimed to examine and analyze trends of clinical research using case studies on facial spasms in Korean medicine. Seven web databases were searched for case studies on facial spasms using Korean and English search terms. Case studies were selected using the exclusion and inclusion criteria. Overall, 13 case studies were selected, analyzed, and classified according to the publication year and journal, study participants, cause, treatment methods, pattern identification, evaluation methods, improvement, and side effects. Case studies reporting on various treatment methods in Korean medicine, including acupuncture and pharmacopuncture for facial spasms, have been published since 2000. In addition, studies on new treatment methods in Korean medicine for facial spasm have been published. Combination therapy is the most common method used in Korean medicine-based case studies; therefore, future studies on single treatment are necessary. Most of the case studies on Korean medicine reported improved symptoms and patient satisfaction with the Korean medicine treatment method. No side effects were reported, except for facial swelling and bruising, indicating that Korean medicine treatment methods for facial spasm were safe and effective. Therefore, the Korean medicine treatment methods for facial spasm can be actively used in clinical practice and future research.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.174-186
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• 2018

Objectives : The aim of this survey was to investigate the general characteristics of sports injury patients in Korean medical institutions by Korean Medicine Doctors (KMDs) and the treatment patterns of Korean medicine for ankle sprain which is one of the common sports injuries. Methods : An online survey was conducted on KMDs interested in sports injuries to assess their experience and perception of sports injuries including diagnosis, intervention, and treatment plan for ankle sprain. Results : A total of 276 KMDs participated in the survey. They answered that 12% (median, range 0~80%) of patients visiting a Korean medical institution had sports injuries. Sports injuries frequently occur in the ankle, back, shoulder, knee, and elbow and the most common sports injury was sprain/strain. Many participants were aware that sports injuries should be treated differently from other musculoskeletal diseases in general. They reported that confirmation of fracture, swelling, and tenderness was essential to diagnose ankle sprains. Acupuncture was the most commonly used treatment and reported to need 2 to 6 weeks of treatment period, depending on the severity. Conclusions : Based on the findings regarding treatment of sports injury patients by KMDs, this study would be utilized as basic information for pragmatic clinical research design related to sports medicine in the future.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.119-124
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• 2010

Cervical disc herniations can press on the spinal cord and cause a problem called cervical myelopathy. The most common symptom of cervical disc herniation is neck pain that spreads down to the upper limb in various locations. There can also be associated with weakness and movement disorders of upper limb. In Oriental medicine, cervical disc herniation is treated with herb-med, physical therapy, acupuncture, Chuna, etc, but the Bee Venom therapy is the most common and effective. In this case, we used the Bee Venom therapy at cervical hyeopcheokhyeol for about 2 months to a patient who was diagnosed with disc herniation at Cervical 5-6, 6-7 and appealed weakness, limited elevation and abduction of the left upper limb. As a result, left upper limb disability was improved. Using the Bee Venom therapy at cervical hyeopcheokhyeol that are effective on movement disorders and neurological diseases of upper limb is an effective treatment to upper limb disability diagnosed with cervical disc herniation, and suggests the direction of the treatment to upper limb weakness and movement disorders diagnosed with cervical disc herniation.