• 대한한의학회지
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.193-203
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• 2003

Objectives : In this study, we investigated the effect and pathway of contralateral heterotropic electroacupuncture (EA) on pain induced by fonualin in rats. Methods : Acu-points in the right forepaws, HT 7 and PC 7 were stimulated with 3~4mA, 2ms, and 10Hz after 5% formalin (50ul) s.c. injection to the left hind paw. In addition, it was investigated whether the dorsolateral funiculus (DLF), known to be related the descending inhibition, mediates analgesic effects of the contralateral heterotropic EA or whether administration of naltrexone, an opioid antagonist, blocks the effect of EA. Results : The results showed that contralateral heterotropic electroacupuncture (EA) inhibited late phase (63.311.7%) of pain induced by fonualin in the behavioral test, but sham-EA had little effect on pain behavior (85.616.8%) and no analgesic effects after transection of the dorsolateral funiculus (95.718.7%). The pretreatment of naltrexone (10mg/kg, i.p.) could not inhibit the analgesic effects of EA on formalin-induced pain behavior (70.713.1%). Also,EA suppressed formalin injection induced expression of cFos like protein (cFL) in the dorsal homo but not sham-EA. Suppressed expressions of cFL in the spinal cord were eliminated after transection of the ipsilateral dorsolateral funiculus at T10-11 leve1s. However, pretreatment of naltrexone could not prevent the suppressive expressions of cFL at the spinal cord. Conclusions : These results suggest that the analgesic effect of contralateral heterotropic electroacupuncture may be modulated through the dorsolateral funiculus constituting the descending inhibition.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.67-78
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• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this study were to examine the anti-hyperalgesic effects of combination of electroacupuncture and microcurrent on anti-hyperalgesia in local hyperalgesia zone. Methods: It used 24 rats for experiment, divided them into control group, electroacupuncture group (EA group), microcurrent group (MC group), combination of electroacupuncture with microcurrent (EA+MC group), caused hyperalgesia by injecting ${\lambda}-carrageenan$ into hindpaw. Thickness of hindpaw, mechanical pain threshold (MPT), thermal pain threshold (TPT), noxious flexion withdrawal reflex (NFR) and somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) were measured immediately after induction, at 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours after induction. The electrical stimulation was given once a day for three days, 20min per session. Results: Change of thickness, MPT, and TPT showed significant difference in all groups compared to control group. In particular, there were remarkable difference in EA+ME group. In particular there were remarkable differences in EA group and EA+MC group. Change of NFR(% threshold, % reaction time, % RMS) and SEP showed mainly significant differences in EA group and EA+ME group compared to control group. In particular, there were remarkable difference in EA+ME group. Conclusion: The above results suggest that appropriate combination of microcurrent with electroacupuncture for pain control will be very desirable.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.107-116
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• 2011

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate the effects of fixed-intensity and varied-intensity electroacupuncture on heart rate variability in healthy people with stress task. Methods : Forty healthy subjects were randomly assigned to either group A or group B or C. Group A received fixed-intensity electroacupuncture(F-EA) at $ST_{36}$ and $ST_{37}$. After 1 week wash out period to prevent overlapping residual effects, they received varied-intensity electroacupuncture(V-EA) in which the intensity was changed every two minutes based on individual heart rate variability at the same points. Group B received the treatments in reverse order. Group C received no intervention as a control group. Results : Control group showed a significant increase of LF and LF/HF during the 2nd working memory task, while both F-EA and V-EA did not. In addition, V-EA showed a significant increase of HF during 2nd rest while F-EA did not. Conclusions : These results suggest that F-EA and V-EA can inhibit sympathetic activation more than control group and that V-EA can enhance parasympathetic activation more than F-EA.

• 대한임상전기생리학회지
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• 제5권1호
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• pp.45-58
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• 2007

This study aims to examine the effects on nociceptive neuron excitability by application of electroacupuncture and Meloxicam gel in rat with inflammation. It used 24 rats for experiment, divided them into control group, electroacupuncture group(EA group), Meloxicam group(ME group), combination of electroacupuncture with Meloxicam group(EA+ME group), caused hyperalgesia by injecting ${\lambda}$-carrageenan into hindpaw and conducted treatment three times for experimental period. Noxious flexion withdrawal reflex(NFR) and somatosensory evoked potential(SEP) were measured immediately after induction, at 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours after induction. Change of NFR(reaction time, RMS) showed no significant differences among EA group, Meloxicam group, and EA+Meloxicam group, but all treatment groups showed significant differences compared to control group from 48 hours. In NFR threshold, there were significant differences between EA+Meloxicam and other groups. In SEP amplitude, there were significant differences between EA+Meloxicam and control group from 48 hours. This study showed that EA+Meloxicam gel had an effect on nociceptive neurone excitability. Therefore, it is considered that appropriate combination of anti-inflammatory drug with electroacupuncture for pain control will be very desirable.

• 대한추나의학회지
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• 제3권1호
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• pp.97-109
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• 2002

Objectives : Electroacupuncture(EA) has been suggested as a treatment for stroke rehabilitation. But whether, how much, by what mechanism and when it is effective has not been answered satisfactorily. Therefore it is important to critically review clinical trials and laboratory researches about EA for stroke rehabilitation. Subjectives : We researched various recent sources of EA for stroke rehabilitation such as medical journals and especially tried to review methodologically best randomized controlled trials(RCTs). Results and Conclusions : 1) EA increases brain plasticity, activity, blood flow and secretion of neuropeptides in CNS. 2) EA is significantly effective at the case that more than half of the neural motor pathway is reserved. 3) The acupoints, frequncy and intensity of EA should be determined by patient-specific symptoms of stroke. 4) More studies is needed for merdian functions for stroke rehabilitation.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.73-87
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• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to observe the anti-oxidative effects of electroacupuncture at Pungyung($ST_{40}$) in rats. Methods : The author performed several experiments, including measurements of body weightrelative liver weightslevels of albumin, total bilirubin, LDL-cholesterol, LDH, GOT and GPT in serum levels of SOD, glutathione, catalase, NO and MDA in the liver and histological analysis of the liver. Results : 1. Liver index was decreased in the $ST_{40}-EA$ group compared with the holder group and the control group. 2. LDL-cholesterol was significantly decreased in the $ST_{40}-EA$ group compared with the group. 3. SOD activity was significantly increased in the $ST_{40}-EA$ group and $ST_{40}-NR$ group compared with the control group. Glutathione activity was significantly increased in the $ST_{40}-EA$ group compared with the control group, the holder group, and the Sham-EA group. Catalase activity was significantly increased in the $ST_{40}-EA$ group compared with the control group and the holder group. Conclusions : These results suggest that electroacupuncture at $ST_{40}$ has an antioxidant effect in rats.

• 한국임상수의학회지
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.230-234
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• 1999

Canine medial patellar luxation can cause hindlimb lameness in toy breeds and surgical operation needs when the lameness does not improve or worsen. In this study, the 2 dogs that showed postoperative non-weight bearing lameness were treated with electroacupuncture (EA) and the effects of postoperative EA were examined. Xue Hai (Sea of Blood), Du Bi (calf's nose, 2 acupoint), Zu San Li (leg 3 miles) acupoints were used in acupuncture. Xue Hai acupoint was connected to positive pole and Zu San Li was negative for 20 min with 2~5 volt, 5~30 Hz in EA. In case 1, EA were performed eight times for 26 days after 29th postoperative day and walking was improved from 6th EA. In case 2, EA were conducted five times for 17 day after 26th postoperative day and walking was improved from 4th EA. It may be possible to improve walking by EA treatment in the dogs that show post-operative non-weight bearing lameness, but the relationship between the effects of EA and the injury of stifle joint should be inspected.

• 대한임상전기생리학회지
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• 제5권1호
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• pp.73-83
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• 2007

This study aims to examine the effects on nociceptive neuron excitability by application of electroacupuncture in rat with inflammation. It used 20 rats for experiment, divided them into control group, electroacupuncture group (EA group), caused hyperalgesia by injecting ${\lambda}$-carrageenan into hindpaw and conducted treatment three times for experimental period. Change of NFR(reaction time, RMS) showed no significant differences among EA group showed significant differences compared to control group from 48 hours. This study showed that EA group had an effect on nociceptive neurone excitability. Therefore, it is considered that electroacupuncture for pain control will be very desirable.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.1-12
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• 2007

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the anti-oxidative effect of electroacupuncture at Shinmaek($BL_{62}$) in rats. Methods : In order to cause oxidative stress, AAPH was administered to the abdominal cavity of rats, after we stimulated $BL_{62}$ of the rat by electroacupuncture. Blood test and anti-oxidative test(LDL-cholesterol, GOT, GPT SOD, GSH, catalase, NO, MDA) were performed at the end of treatment. Results: 1. SOD, glutathione, catalase activity were significantly increased in the $BL_{62}-EA$ group compared with the holder group. 2. NO density was significantly decreased in the $BL_{62}-EA$ group compared with the holder group. 3. Glutathione was significantly increased in the $BL_{62}-EA$ group compared with the sham-EA group. Conclusion : These results suggest that electroacupuncture at $BL_{62}$ has an anti-oxidant effect in human.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.177-190
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• 2003

Objective : This study was intended to investigate the analgesic effects of electroacupuncture(EA) on mechanical allodynia according to the frequency and intensity of EA. Also to know if mechanical allodynia and the analgesic effects of EA is related to the sympathetci nervous system and/or the purinergic system. Methods : mechanical allodynia-induced rats were produced by resecting S1-S2 nerve. The zusanli(ST36) was used for acupoint and the rats were divided into 4 groups. Each group was given different stimuli[low frequency low intensity-EA(LFLI-EA), low frequency high intensity-EA(LFHI-EA), high frequency low intensity-EA(LFHI-EA), high frequency high intensity-EA(HFHI-EA)]. Futhermore, to make sympathectomy6-OHDA and phentolamine were administered intraperitonially and the concentration of norepinephrine(NE) were measured. As a ATP blocker, suramin was applied for this study. Results : Comparing to control group, each of the 4 groups(LFLI-EA, LFHI-EA, HFLI-EA, HFHI-EA) showed a significant reduction of response frequency of mechanical allodynia. LFHI-EA was more effective than that of LFLI-EA. The LFHI-EA group also had longer lasting effects from the stimulation than the other groups. Sympathectomy didn't show any reduction of response frequency of mechanical allodynia.(Each n=6, n=4). Nor did both sympathectomy and ATP block. The response frequency wasn't reduced by sympathectomy or by sympathectomy and ATP block, but was significantly reduced with LFHI-EA Conclusions : These results suggest that EA has a significant analgesic effect on mechanical allodynia which has no connection with NE and/or ATP.