• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.171-178
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• 2009

Objectives : To investigate the correlation between DITI and assessment instruments of knee OA. Methods : Data were obtained from 127 subjects with OA of the knee. They were asked to answer VAS pain scale, LFI, WOMAC and KHAQ. Correlation was assessed by examing the pearson's correlation and spearman's rank correlation coefficients. Results : The thermal difference between the patella of knee was correlated with VAS, LFI and WOMAC. Age, duration, BMI and sex were not correlated with the thermal differences of each region. Conclusions : DITI value was useful for evaluating the severity of OA. And we should find out the standardization of analysis of DITI value for diagnosis of OA.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.50-54
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• 2014

Objectives: Digital infrared thermographic imaging (DITI) has been used widely for various inflammatory diseases, circulatory diseases, skin diseases, musculoskeletal diseases and cancers. In cases of ligament injury, obviously the temperature of the damaged area increases due to local inflammation; however, whether the temperature also increases due to DITI has not been determined. The purpose of the present study was to identify whether or not the changes of temperature in patient's with medial collateral ligament injury were really due to infrared thermography and to determine the applicability of DITI for assessing ligament injuries. Methods: Twenty patient's who underwent DITI for a medial collateral ligament injury from September 2012 to June 2014 were included in the current study. The thermographic images from the patient's knees were divided to cover seven sub-areas: the middle of the patella, and the inferomedial, the inferolateral, the superomedial, the superolateral, the medial, and the lateral regions of patella. The temperatures of the seven regions were measured, and the temperature differences between affected and unaffected regions were analyzed by using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results: The 20 patient's were composed of 14 women (70%) and 6 men (30%), with a mean age of $62.15{\pm}15.71$ (mean${\pm}$standard deviation (SD)) years. The temperature of the affected side, which included the middle of the patella, and the inferomedial, the superomedial, the superolateral, and the medial regions, showed a significant increase compared to that of the unaffected side (P < 0.05). The inferolateral and the lateral regions showed no significant changes. Conclusion: Our study results suggest that DITI can show temperature changes if a patient has a ligament injury and that it can be applied in the evaluation of a medial collateral ligament injury.

• Journal of Oriental Medical Thermology
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was performed to find differerces between postmenopausal and premenopausal women on HRV and DITI. Methods: 26 postmenopausal women(mean age${\pm}$SD, $50.96{\pm}2.75$) and 26 premenopausal women (mean age${\pm}$SD, $49.46{\pm}3.33$) were compared with HRV which was conducted in the sitting position for 5 minutes. Temperature of specific acupoints-Indang, Chonjung(CV17), Kwanwon(CV4) was checked using DITI image and obtained ${\Delta}T1$(Chonjung-Kwanwon), ${\Delta}T2$(Indang-Kwanwon), T0(Kwanwon) value in each group. Results: HRV measurements generally decreased in postmenopausal group than premenopausal group but there was no significance. ${\Delta}T1$ increased significantly in postmenopausal group compared with premenopausal group. ${\Delta}T2$ also increased in postmenopausal group but there was no significance. Conclusion: It can be suggested that Chonjung(CV17) can be the useful point to evaluate postmenopausal women by using DITI.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.488-496
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• 2004

Oral & Maxillofacial surgery can lead to complications that result in abnormal sensation or movement. Inferior alveolar nerve(IAN) injury can result in dysesthesia, paresthsia of the lower lip and chin, so patients presenting with IAN damage suffer from sensory loss. But diagnosis of the nerve injury is largely limited to the subjective statements made by the patient. Distribution of sympathetic nerves parallels the distribution of the somatosensory nerves. Loss of sensory tone causes a concomitant loss of sympathetic activity, resulting in vasodilation of the cutaneous blood vessels that demonstrates greater heat loss. Digital infrared thermographic imaging(DITI) detects infra-red radiation given off by body. DITI can detect minute difference in temperature from different parts of the body and translates the amount of heat into quantitative data. The area of different temperature correlated with pain or disease can be visualized by corresponding color. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of DITI in objectively assessing IAN injury. The 19 normal subjects and the 14 patients underwent DITI scan. The normal subjects received unilateral IAN block anesthesia with 2 ml of 2% lidocaine (IAN bolck group) to evaluate temporary alteration in nerve function. Patient group were patients with unilateral IAN damage (dysesthesia or paresthesia) after surgical treatment(Mn. 3rd molar Extraction, etc.). The surgical procedure performed within 6 months of test. The results were as follows. 1. No significant differences in temperature were found between left and right sides of the lower lip and chin in the control group. 2. Significant temperature differences were found between the anesthetized and non-anesthetized sides of the lower lip and chin in the IAN block group. 3. Significant temperature differences were found between the involved and uninvolved sides of the lower lip and chin areas of the experimental group. The results of the study show that DITI can be an useful and effective means of objectively assessing and visualizing IAN damage.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.189-211
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• 2003

The clinical data and thermographic imaging were analyzed on the 38 cases of Bell's palsy who were treated admission in the Oriental Medicine Hospital of Wonkwang University from January 2002 to May 2003. 38 patients with Bell's palsy were within one week after the onset of the paralysis, and thermal type in the DITI were hypo or hyper generally. Nerve conduction test(ENOG and EMG) examined in two weeks after onset. We studied interaction effect between thermal type and paralysis grade on admission day. We studied each main effect ; paralysis grade on admission day - nerve conduction test, nerve conduction test - thermal type, thermal type - paralysis grade after 4 weeks, paralysis grade on admission day - paralysis grade after 4 weeks, sasang constitution - nerve conduction test. The following results were obtained that interaction effect between thermal type and paralysis grade on admission day showed no significance, each main effect ; paralysis grade on admission day - nerve conduction test, paralysis grade on admission day - paralysis grade after 4 weeks, showed significance, each main effect ; nerve conduction test - thermal type, thermal type - paralysis grade after 4 weeks, sasang constitution - nerve conduction test, showed no significance.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.136-143
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• 2005

Purpose : This study was performed to find differerces between postmenopausal and premenopausal women on HRV and DITI. Methods : 26 postmenopausal women(mean age${\pm}$SD, 50.96${\pm}$2.75) and 26 premenopausal women (mean age${\pm}$SD, 49.46${\pm}$3.33) were compared with HRV which was conducted in the sitting position for 5 minutes. Temperature of specific acupoints-Indang, Chonjung(CV17), Kwanwon(CV4) was checked using DITI image and obtained ${\Delta}T1$(Chonjung-Kwanwon), ${\Delta}T2$(Indang-Kwanwon), T0(Kwanwon) value in each group. Results : HRV measurements generally decreased in postmenopausal group than premenopausal group but there was no significance. ${\Delta}T1$ increased significantly in postmenopausal group compared with premenopausal group. ${\Delta}T2$ also increased in postmenopausal group but there was no significance. Conclusion : It can be suggested that Chonjung(CV17) can be the useful point to evaluate postmenopausal women by using DITI.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.64-71
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• 2004

Background: Video-assisted sympathicotomy is a safe and effective method for the treatment of essential hyperhidrosis with immediate symptomatic improvement. However, this is offset by the occurrence of a high rate of side-effects, such as embarrassing compensatory hyperhidrosis. Therefore, by comparing and assessing the relationship between temperature change measured by DITI (digital infrared thermographic imaging) and clinical results according to the level and extent of sympathicotomy in essential hyperhidrosis. we tried to obtain a more precisely and objectively, the distribution and degree of compensatory sweating by DITI and also for ascertaining the clinical usefulness. Material and Method: From January 2000 to June 2002, the thoracoscopic sympathicotomy was performed in 28 patients suffering from essential hyperhidrosis in Dept. of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Wonkwang University Hospital. The patients were divided into four groups, Group I: patients having undergone T2 sympathicotomy, Group II: patients having undergone T3 sympathicotomy, Group III: patients having undergone T3,4 sympathicotomy, and Group IV: patients having undergone T2,3,4 sympathicotomy. The parameters were composed of the satisfaction rate of treatment, the degree of compensatory and plantar sweating, and temperature changes of entire body measured by DITI Result: There was no difference in age and follow-up period among the groups. All of the treated patients obtained satisfactory alleviation of essential hyperhidrosis in immediate postoperative period. However, the rate of long-term satisfaction were 85.8%, 85.8%, 42.9%, and 28.6% in group I, II, III, and IV (p<0.05). More than embarrassing compensatory sweating was present in 14.2%, 14.2%, 57.1%, 71.4% in group I, II, III, and IV (p<0.05) In regard to plantar sweating, decrease in sweating was expressed in each of four groups, but was not significant between groups. An apparent increase of temperature measured by DITI indicated sufficient denervation and predicted long-lasting relief of essential hyperhidrosis and also decrease in temperature of trunk and lower extremity by DITI had correlated well with postoperative satisfaction, and also postoperative compensatory sweating. Conclusion: We suggested that the incidence and degree of compensatory sweating was closely related to the site and the extent of thoracic sympathicotomy. Resection of the lower interganglionic neural fiber of the second thoracic sympathetic ganglion on the third rib is the most practical and minimally invasive treatment than other surgical methods. We were also to anticipated the distribution and degree of compensatory sweating by DITI precisely and objectively and for ascertaining the clinical usefulness.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.22-31
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• 2001

Objective : This study is designed to evaluate the correlation between the data of DITI (Digital Infrared Thermographic Imaging) and the clinical symptoms in the patients with low back pain. Methods : Among the outpatients with back pain who visited to Department of Acupunture & Moxibustion, Tae gu Oriental Hopital of Kyung San University from January 2000 to August, we selected 115 cases that examined DITI. We evaluated the correlation between the data of DITI examination and the clinical symptoms (Distribution of Sex and Age, Duration of Disease, Main Sign, Grade of Clinical Symptoms, Diagnosis according to Symptoms(辨證),) in the patients with low back pain. Results & Conclusion : 1. The thermal changes in terms of the duration of disease : The acutest period has the highest thermal change. Also, the longer the duration of disease was, the higher the termal change was. It increased in the order of the acutest period, the less acute period, and the the chronical period. 2. Thermal changes due to the main symptom : The degree of thermal change was as follows (from the highest to the lowest): first, back and knee pain, second, back and leg pain, third, back and buttock pain, fourth, numbness of leg, and fifth, back and dorsum pain. 3. Thermal changes in terms of the grade of clinical symptoms : The more servious the symptoms were, the higher the thermal change was. It was increased in the order of Gr 1, Gr 2, Gr 3, and Gr 4. 4. Thermal changes depdning on symptoms diagnosis : Chwaseom(挫閃) has the highest temperature, $0.87{\pm}0.49^{\circ}C$. 5. Thermal changes before and after treatment : Before treatment, the average thermal change was $0.83^{\circ}C$ but after treatment, it was decreased to $0.38^{\circ}C$. For the above symptoms, if DITI is used, the diagnosis is easier based on the medical history of the patient who has back pain, and the degree of pain. However, if thermal change is soly used for diagnosis, it will be hard to determine the nature of sickness. Therefore, it should be folllowed by other supplementary examination.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.140-146
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• 2004

Objectives : this study is to see if there is a significance in thermal differences of acupoints in diagnosis and treatment period of facial paralysis and to substantiate the validity of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for it. Methods : 1. By using DITI, thermal differences of acupoints on the face and the upper limbs of 13 Bell's palsy patients were measured around 3 days after an attack of the disease. These 13 patients, whose treatment progress was monitored up to 6 months after attack, were among the inpatients and outpatients of oriental internal medicine of National Medical Center from July 1 to August 31. 2. The patients were divided into 1month, 2-3months, 4months, 6months groups according to the occasion of improvement and thermal averages of each treatment period measured. Results : When it takes within 1 month for the condition of facial paralysis to change for the better, DITI image shows the temperature of the affected face parts and arms is higher than that of the non-affected parts. However, when it takes more than 4 months, the temperature of the affected face parts and arms on DITI image is lower than that of the non-affected parts. Conclusions : Hereby, prognosis of the disease and necessary time for the treatment can be presumed through DITI screening after an occurrence of facial paralysis. Also, condition of the disease is reflected by thermal differences of acupoints for Bell's palsy treatment that are in accordance with the theory of meridian on the face. This supports the efficacy of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for this disease.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.80-94
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• 2009

Objective : The purpose of this clinical research is the investigation of the effects between acupuncture group(control group) and NURIEYE-1 group (experimental group) in myopia Methods : Comparison clinical study was conducted with the randomly arranged 32 patients for acupuncture group(control group) and NURIEYE-1 group(experimental group). For effectiveness evaluation, eye sight test, MQOL and DITI were tested three times with visits for every 4 weeks. With SAS, Statistical analysis was performed by using paired t-test and two sample t-test. Statistical significance was achieved with less than 5% probability (p<0.05). Result : 1. There was no significant effect from the eye sight comparison between the two group. We had improved results in average with MQOL, however, there was no statistical significance. Though there was also no significant result with DITI average comparison between two group, we witnessed significant effect in some part of MQOL. 2. Nevertheless Periodical comparison test showed weak significance with eye sight and DITI, significant effect was found in some part of MQOL. 3. With periodical comparison tests, there were significant effects in eye sight, MQOL and DITI with the experimental groups and control groups, respectively. Conclusion : There was no significant eye sight improvement. However, with acupuncture point stimulation, we think there are some positive effects for the relaxation of excessive stress in eyes.