• 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.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.1-14
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• 2021

PURPOSE: This study aims to reveal the prevalence, therapeutic efficacy and undesirable side effects of cupping therapy all over the world from past to present. METHODS: This meta-analysis is based on the data obtained by scanning the keyword "cupping therapy" from the Pub-Med system, which is an international database. The date range has been set as 1950-2019. Local databases were not included. Cupping therapy studies combined with other complementary therapies such as acupuncture, moxa and hirudotherapy are also included in the meta-analysis. RESULTS: A total of 381 scientific studies were found on cupping therapy. Of these studies 127 wererandomized controlled trials (RCSs). Cupping treatment has been found effective in studies of painful conditions such as herpes zoster pain, fibromyalgia, back pain, neck pain, headache and acute injury pain. In addition, the effectiveness of cupping therapy was found to be high in studies related to bone / muscular system diseases such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, gout, carpal tunnel syndrome, cervical spondylosis. In addition, cupping treatment is also promising in studies on skin diseases, neurological diseases, respiratory system diseases and cardiovascular system diseases. CONCLUSION: Recently, there has been an increase in the number of RCSs related to cupping therapy. The vast majority of this increase has been made in European and American countries rather than in Far Eastern countries. Studies on cupping therapy, which have been and will be carried out in the future, will provide evidence-based indication of whether cupping therapy is effective. and it will allow more patients to benefit from this treatment, which has a very low rate of side effects and complications.

• Journal of Korea Multimedia Society
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• v.18 no.11
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• pp.1400-1407
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• 2015

In the paper, we suggest bettered EHMECS(Enhanced Hybrid Multi Electrical Cupping System) to regulate automatically vacuum pressure using many cupping cup at once. We controlled accurately the pressure using S-PI control technique in pump motor to input the air inside cupping cup. S-PI control compared constant velocity, load and velocity variance between existing PI and FLC(Fuzzy Logic Control). The stabilization time of suggested S-PI control improve 20% of existing PI and 8% of FLC. The error constant of normal condition improved 71% of existing PI and 62% of FLC in steady speed and 80% of existing PI and 67% of FLC in load change. Also the error constant about velocity variance improve 45% of PI control. It is prove the suggested S-PI control technique. When use long time vacuum pressure of cupping cup regulated the suggested S-PI control technique, can loosen knotted muscles.

• Journal of Korea Multimedia Society
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.207-217
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• 2015

A multi-cup electric cupping system (MECS) was proposed, based on the ancient cupping method. MECS consisted of several cups that could be used simultaneously to treat 85 lumbago patients. Each cup was equipped with its own pump and pressure-monitoring system. The vacuum pressure of the cups was controlled using fuzzy logic. Through automated control of the vacuum pressure, long-term relief of muscle tightness was achieved. To develop a scientific foundation for this alternative treatment, we compared the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores from conventional basic cupping to the ODI scores for our proposed MECS. The ODI scores using MECS decreased from $11.71{\pm}1.61$ before treatment to $4.81{\pm}1.48$ and $1.87{\pm}1.61$ after three and five treatments, respectively. The improvement rate in the ODI scores using MECS after three treatments was higher than that achieved by basic cupping. These results, combined with the convenience offered by enhanced information technology and fuzzy logic capabilities, should increase the efficiency of this device, and facilitate the opportunity to further explore the potential of Oriental medical practices.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.63-71
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• 2011

Objectives : The aim of this study is to develop the system and evaluate the optical analytical technique that reflects acupoint pigmentation and extravasated blood by cupping. Methods : We designed the system able to express XYZ coordinate on local skin color. To evaluate measurement-accuracy, we compared with 24 Color Checker Chart by standardized Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage. After confirming the performance of system, we experimented with cupping which was 80 kPa negative pressure for 1 minute on left/right BL13. The X, Y and Z values were converted to R, G and B, $L^*$, $a^*$ and $b^*$, Erythema Index (E.I.), and Melanin Index (M.I). We compared and analyzed two cases on before/after cupping. Results : The R, G and B values which were converted by X, Y and Z values had high linearity as a high level of R-square (R: 0.969, G: 0.996, and B: 0.992). Moreover, we confirmed that it was possible to quantitatively analyzed the change in skin color by cupping using R, G, B, $L^*$, $a^*$, $b^*$, E.I., and M.I. Conclusions : Therefore, we proposed the new analytical technique for objectifying the oriental medical diagnostic method using cupping and optical sensing technique.

• 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.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.729-750
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• 1998

The purpose of this Review is to help activities of daily living by normalizing bodily functions through the use of negative pressure. Cupping therapy has been holding the important role as a form of treatment in ancient medicine of Oriental and Occidental country, and still being used widely due to it's effectiveness. Principle of Cupping therapy is to neutralize somatic dysfunctions by elimination of nonphysiological somatic fluid of hematoma through application of negative pressure on region of dermatomal meridian. The effectiveness of Cupping therapy as follows; 1) Effects on acid base balance of bodily fluid. 2) Through the reabsorption of subcutaneous hematoma, it affects on formation of immune system and produce the blood serum cleaning reaction. 3) By application of negative pressure on subcutaneous, induce renal system to produce steroid hormone. 4) By stimulating hemopoietic system, it maxmize the blood production level. Recently, Alternative medicine has been a focus due to it's nature of effectiveness and safety without adverse complication. Therefore, every family possess and use the cupping modality for preventive measure and/or treatment purpose in order to eliminate accumulated byproducts of body and clean the blood system.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.15-24
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was accomplished to investigate the effects of venesection with cupping therapy at Jeonjung($CV_{17}$) on the heart rate variability(HRV) in healthy adults. And based on that, we tried to find out how venesection with cupping therapy at Jeonjung($CV_{17}$) affects the activity and the balance of the autonomic nervous system. Methods : We investigated on 60 healthy volunteers consisted of 30 subjects in venesection with cupping therapy group and 30 subjects in control group. The study was established by randomized trial. venesection with cupping therapy was applied at Jeonjung($CV_{17}$) for 10 minutes in venesection with cupping therapy group. No treatment was executed in control group. We measured HRV 3 times : First, baseline measurement and two more times after treatment in venesection with cupping therapy group(after rest in control group). The SPSS 12.0 for Windows was used to analyze the data by paired t-test(in both group), independent-test(between the groups) and Chi-square test(between the sexs). Results : 1. In venesection with cupping therapy group, SDNN, Ln(TP), Ln(LF), Normalized LF, and LF/HF ratio increased significantly. Normalized HF decreased significantly. Mean HRT, RMSSD, PSI, Ln(HF), and Ln(VLF) were not affected. 2. In control group, Ln(HF) decreased significantly. Mean HRT, SDNN, RMSSD, PSI, Ln(TP), Ln(LF), Ln(VLF), Normalized LF, Normalized HF, and LF/HF ratio were not affected. Conclusions : This study suggests that venesection with cupping therapy at Jeonjung($CV_{17}$) increases the activity of the autonomic nervous system and has effects on the balance of the autonomic nervous system.

• 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 Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.51-64
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was performed to evaluate the effect of dry cupping treatment applied to back-shu points on the autonomic nervous system. Methods : Two groups of sympathicotonia and normal with each 30 volunteers were set up for this experiment. The sympathicotonia group was selected by the criterion for sympathicotonia by the questionnaire composed of 11 items. After 10 minutes for environmental adaptation, the first HRV(heart rate variability) test was conducted, and then, dry cupping therapy was applied to back-shu points for 5 minutes to stimulate sympathetic ganglia lying along the spine. The second HRV test was carried out just after the cupping therapy under the same condition and then, the third test was repeated after two hours based on the first test time. Results : 1. In sympathicotonia group, SDNN(standard deviation of all normal R-R intervals), RMSSD(the square root of the mean of the sum of the squares of differences between adjacent normal R-R intervals), Ln(HF)(high frequency power), nmHF(normalized high frequency power) increased and mHR(mean heart rate), nmLF(normalized low frequency power) decreased significantly right after dry cupping therapy which means dry cupping affects on autonomic nervous system. The effect lasts in these items of nmLF, Ln(HF), nmHF, rLHF(rate ratio of LF/HF). 2. In normal group, SDNN, RMSSD increased and mHR decreased significantly right after dry cupping therapy, too. But, Ln(LF)(low frequency power), nmLF, rLHF unexpectedly increased and nmLF, rLHF stay increased up to 2 hours. Conclusions : The results suggest that the dry cupping therapy has effect on the autonomic nervous system. It is effective to stabilize hyper-sympathetic tone of people diagnosed as Sympathicotonia and activate parasympathetic tone.