• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.273-278
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• 2017

Among 45 patients of herniation of intervertebral disc with $L_4$ to $L_5$ herniation, who underwent infrared thermography, the number of female was larger than male and the age of 50s was highest. From the results measured from the distribution table, we have confirmed that there was no significant difference depending on sex and age (p> 0.05). The region of the highest ROI temperature for patients with $L_4-L_5$ intervertebral disc prolapse was the back of the posterior right tibia, and followed by the back of the left shin bone-below the front right knee-below the front left knee. There was a significant difference depending on the measured site. The average ROI temperature for patients was $30.30{\pm}0.50$ whereas that for normal persons was $31.20{\pm}0.58$, yielding the temperature difference of $0.66{\pm}0.59$ between the two groups. The ROI of patients was lower than $31.20{\pm}0.58$ (p <0.05) because the significance of the sample, which has been obtained from the results of a sample t-test, was less than 0.05 (p <0.05). From further researches, it may necessary to develope the methodology for correcting data regarding thermal environment and, in addition, to develope a new thermal index based on it. Therefore, we can confirm that pre-treatment for infrared thermography is very important in order to minimize the procedure for correcting data. It is required that radiologists who inspect disc herniations should carefully observe and consider the patients during their measurements.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.219-232
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• 2000

Objective : The meridian and the acupuncture point of oriental medicine are very important in the department of acupuncture and moxibustion. Recently, we needed to study on the phenomenon of the meridian and acupuncture point with objective data. And then, I made a study of effects on the thermal changes of Five-shu-points(五輸穴) of the Lung meridian with acupuncture on Taeyon($L_9$, 太淵), using Digital infrared thermal imaging(D.I.T.I). Method : This study researched into clinical statistics for 60 men who are in good health. The objective was divided into two groups, one was the control group(CON, N=30) and the other was acupuncture group(ACU, N=30). The first, I took a picture for 60 men with the Digital infrared thermal imaging(D.I.T.I.). After 10 minutes, I took a second picture for each group following experimental methods. Results : I. The Mean temperature of Sasang($L_{11}$), Oje($L_{10}$), Taeyon($L_9$), Kyonggo($L_8$), Choldaek($L_5$) and Taenung($P_7$) area in adult men with good health, made a no significant difference with left and right side points. 2. Acupuncture group with acupuncture stimularion on Taeyon($L_9$) had a effect on much thermal changes of Sasang($L_{11}$), Oje($L_{10}$), Taeyon($L_9$), Kyonggo($L_8$) and Choldaek($L_5$) than control group. The thermal changes of the area which is a meridian point in the Lung Meridian of acupuncture group differed from control group with significant decrease and increase following the decreasing or increasing temperature class. Each class of ascent and descent thermal change was statistically significant value compared with control group. 3. Acupuncture group with acupuncture stimulation on Taeyon($L_9$) had not a effect on thermal changes of Taenung($P_7$) area than control group. And the increasing and decreasing temperature class of the acupuncture group did not significantly differ from control group. Conclusion : I could think that the acupuncture on Taeyon($L_9$) affected the thermal change of the area which is the Five-shu-points in the Lung Meridian. And then I could relate these results with the existence of the meridian and acupuncture point.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.77-91
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• 2001

Backgrounds and purpose : The acupuncture of oriental medicine is very important in treatments. Until now it was been researched according to the meridian and qi xue(氣血) phenomenon of oriental medicine's theory. Acupuncture will show more objective index to observe the meridian. And then, I studied the effects on the thermal change of the Taeyon($L_9$) and Chungbu($L_1$) following acupuncture stimulation. Objective and Methods : This study was performed from December 1999 to February 2000 on 60 healthy students. The objective was divided into two groups, those are the control group A(N=30) that no acupuncture stimulation, the group B(N=30) of acupuncture stimulation on Taeyon($L_9$). First, in the control group A, I took a picture Taeyon($L_9$) Chungbu($L_1$) Taenung($P_7$) Chondol($CV_{22}$) area for 30 men without any stimulation with the Digital Infrared Thermograph Imaging(D.I.T.l.) and did same area, 10min after. Second, in the acupuncture stimulation group B, we took a picture Taeyon($L_9$) Chungbu($L_1$) Taenung($P_7$) Chondol($CV_{22}$) area for 30 men without any stimulation with the Digital Infrared Th - ermograph Imaging(D.I.T.I.), and then stimulate acupuncture on Taeyon($L_9$) and took a picture same area, 10min after. Results : 1. In healthy men, average skin temperture on Taeyon($L_9$) area was lower than Chungbu($L_1$) area about $3.0^{\circ}C$, in the Lt. Taeyon($L_9$) and Chungbu($L_1$) area was lower than Rt. Taeyon($L_9$) and Chungbu($L_1$) area. 2. In the acupuncture stimulation group B, the skin temperature of both side Taeyon($L_9$) area showed the increase or decrease significantly. But both Taenung($P_7$) area did not showed significantly. 3. In the acupuncture stimulation group B, the skin temperature of both side Chungbu($L_1$) area showed the increase or decrease significantly. But both Chondol($CV_{22}$) area did not showed significantly. 4. The thermal changes of the area which is a meridian point in the Lung Meridian of the acupuncture stimulation group on Taeyon($L_9$) different from other Meridian with significantly change. Conclusion : The acupuncture stimulation on Taeyon($L_9$) affected the thermal change of the area which is a meridian point, in the Lung Meridian. And then I could relate these results with the existence of the meridian and meridian point. Thus, continuous thermographic study will be needed for the existence of the meridian and meridian point.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.35-45
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• 2005

Objectives : To investigate the applicability of thermography as severity measurement in the patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. Methods : Data were obtained from 80 patiens with OA of the knee. They were asked to answer two disease-specific questionnaire (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) OA index. Lequesne's Functional Index (LFI)), one generic instrument (Korean Health Assessment Questionnaire (KHAQ)), VAS in order to assess the severity of disease, quality of life, and degree of pain and taken thermography in standardized environment. Results : The thermal difference between ipsilateral side and contralaterla side of lateral aspect of knee was correlated with that of medial aspect of knee, and the thermal difference of anterior thigh was correlated with that of lateral, medial aspect of knee and patella region. Age, duration of disease, duration of morning stiffness, sex, crepitus, and painful side of knee were not correlated with the thermal differences of each region. LFI, WOMAC, WOMAC pain subscale, WOMAC stiffness subscale, WOMAC physical function, KHAQ, VAS were not correlated with the thermal differences of each region. Conclusion : Futher study on the thermography on OA of the knee in population with appropriate severity grade and the standardization of analysis of thermographic data were recommended.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.1-8
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to compare the skin temperature changes by the rechargeable and programmable electronic moxibustion device(EMD) with the traditional combustible moxibustion device(CMD). Methods : Skin temperature changes in six healthy volunteers induced by CMD and EMD were measured with digital infrared thermal imaging(DITI). Heat stimulation was applied on $LI_4$ and $TE_5$, and skin temperature changes on each point were measured at baseline and per minute for total 7 minutes, 2 minutes of heat stimulation and 5 minutes of observation. Results : There was no significant difference in the skin temperature changes between CMD and EMD. The temperature on $LI_4$ with EMD was $32.3{\pm}1.3^{\circ}C$ at baseline, $34.0{\pm}1.3^{\circ}C$ at 1 minute after heat stimulation start, $34.6{\pm}1.2^{\circ}C$ at 2 minutes after, and from 3 minutes after heat stimulation, it maintained $32.6{\sim}32.8^{\circ}C$. Conclusions : Methods for measuring skin temperature changes induced by heat stimulation of moxibustion were established, and the possibility of effectiveness of the newly developed electronic moxibustion device was raised with this preliminary study. This study can contribute to the development of clinical research methodology for traditional Korean medicine.

• Journal of Korean Medical Ki-Gong Academy
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.1-26
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• 2018

The objective of this study is to verify the effects of Moosim-Gi-Gong Doinbeop on low back pain targeting low back pain patients hospitalized in Korean medicine hospitals. For the study, 44 adult female and male patients hospitalized with low back pain at M Korean Medicine Hospital and H Korean Medicine Hospital located in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province were recruited. The subjects had a temperature difference between left and right 湧泉(KI1) of over 0.5℃ through infrared thermographic imaging, and 23 of them were classified in the control group for retrospective analysis based on the test records. Infrared thermographic imaging, X-ray pelvic AP view - standing position, a sit-and-reach test and a VAS survey were employed for detection, and IBM SPSS Statistics 24 for the statistical process. The results were rounded down to three decimal places as in an average±standard deviation, and the significance level was 0.05 to be evaluated significant if p<0.05. The result of the study is as follows: 1. In the comparison between before and after conducting Moosim-Gi-Gong Doinbeop, the meaningful difference was shown in the experimental group in all indicators. But Indicators except for the temperature difference between right and left 湧泉(KI1)(difference between before and after) and In displaced pelvic correction indicators on the X-ray showed a significant difference in the control group. 2. As for the variation widths of the experimental group and the control group, the former showed significant temperature differences between 印堂(EX-HN3) and 關元(CV4) and right and left 湧泉(KI1); difference variations of anteflexion; and changes in PI and In displacement on the X-ray. 3. As for changes in the experimental group according to demographic characteristics, gender, age and degree of obesity did not show significant differences in all indicators. However, those who experienced back pain for more than six months in the experimental group showed the biggest body temperature differences between 印堂(EX-HN3) and 關元(CV4), while other indicators had no significant difference. As a result, patients who received Korean medicine treatment showed relieved back pain and improvement in pelvic correction and sports activity; however, those who got Moosim-Gi-Gong Doinbeop together showed more clearer improvement effects in pelvic correction and sports activity.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.66-78
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• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between vasomotor symptoms with upper-lower body temperature differences, and to identify Kidney Deficiency pattern (腎虛證) in menopausal women. Methods: 51 women who visited Kangnam Kyung-Hee Oriental Hospital from July to December, 2013 were analyzed. The experimental group consisted of 30 patients reported with vasomotor symptoms (Vasomotor symptom group, VG), while the control group consisted of 21 patients without vasomotor symptoms (Control group, CG). According to their chief complaints, VG was further divided into VHG (vasomotor-hot flash group) and VCG (vasomotor-cold hypersensitivity group). The temperature differences between upper and lower body part (CV17-CV4), proximal and distal extremity part (LU4-HT8, ST32-LR3) were checked. All patients reported other complaints such as headache, sweating, anxiety, dyspepsia, leukorrhea, which belong to Kidney Yang Deficiency pattern (腎陽虛證) or Kidney Yin Deficiency pattern (腎陰虛證). The relationship between vasomotor symptom and repetition rate of additional complaints were analyzed. Results: Statistical analysis showed that lower abdomen temperature of experimental group was lower than the control group. Temperature differences of upper and lower body (CV17-CV4) was significantly larger in vasomotor symptom group. VHG had more symptoms of sweating, chest discomfort, constipation, which belong to Kidney Yang Deficiency pattern group. VCG had more symptoms of leukorrhea, diarrhea, and dyspepsia, which belong to Kidney Yin Deficiency pattern group. Conclusions: Climacteric women who suffered from vasomotor symptoms showed lower temperature tendency in [CV4], larger temperature differences in [CV17-CV4] compared to the control group. Among them, VHG showed more symptoms of Kidney Yin Deficiency pattern, whereas VCG showed more symptoms of Kidney Yang Deficiency pattern.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.469-475
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• 2008

Background: Video-assisted thoracic sympathicotomy is a definitive minimally invasive treatment for axillary hyperhidrosis. Different techniques exist for controlling axillary hyperhidrosis, but they are temporary and expensive. We compared the results after using two different levels of sympathicotomy for treating axillary hyperhidrosis: T3-T4 and T4. Material and Method: Between June 2002 and May 2007, 30 patients with isolated axillary hyperhidrosis underwent either T3-T4 or T4 thoracoscopic sympathicotomy in the Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery at Wonkwang University Hospital. The patients were divided into two groups. Group I (n=15) was composed of patients who underwent T3-T4 sympathicotomy (thermal ablation), and Group II (n=15) was composed of patients who underwent T4 sympathicotomy (thermal ablation). The procedures were bilateral and simultaneous, involving the use of two 2-mm trocars and a 0-degree 2-mm thoracoscope under general anesthesia with single endotracheal intubation. Outcome parameters included satisfaction rate of treatment, degree of compensatory sweating, and postoperative complications. Patients were interviewed by telephone regarding satisfaction and compensatory hyperhidrosis. Result: There were no differences in age between group I and group II. The mean follow-up for the T3-T4 group was $38.7{\pm}2.3$ months, and the mean follow-up for the T4 group was $18.7{\pm}3.6$ months. The immediate therapeutic success rate (within 2 weeks postoperative) was 100% in both groups, and there were no recurrences in either group during the long-term follow-up period. The satisfaction rate was higher (93.3%) in the T4 group than in the T3-T4 group (53.3%), and the incidence of compensatory hyperhidrosis was lower in the T4 group (6.7%) than in the T3-T4 group (46.7%). Postoperative complications included one mild pneumothorax and two instances of intercostal neuralgia. Digital infrared thermographic imaging (DITI) correlated well with postoperative satisfaction. Conclusion: Both techniques proved effective for controlling isolated axillary hyperhidrosis. The T4 group had a higher satisfaction rate and lower severity of compensatory hyperhidrosis. Hence, thermal ablation of the lower interganglionic fibers of the third thoracic sympathetic ganglion on the fourth rib is a more practical and minimally invasive treatment than is the T3-T4 surgical method, according to the degree of compensatory sweating in isolated axillary hyperhidrosis.