• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2022

Background: Electronic moxibustion has the advantage of temperature control and maintenance, and overcomes the limitations of the existing moxibustion process without the use of the combustion process. However, as the application of electronic moxibustion in clinical practice has increased, safety issues are emerging. Methods: Clinical cases of electronic moxibustion treatment for knee osteoarthritis where burns occurred were collected. In addition, adverse events reported in clinical studies using electronic moxibustion for patients with knee osteoarthritis were collected from studies retrieved from Korean and international databases. Results: There were 3 cases of superficial 2^nd degree burns retrospectively collected through chart reviews. Among the selected 5 studies for literature review, 2 studies reported adverse events which were burns milder than those reported in these 3 cases in this retrospective case review. Conclusion: Since the risk of superficial 2^nd degree burn was discovered in the cases reviewed, further research on safe electronic moxibustion treatment is required without compromising the effectiveness of moxibustion.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.133-141
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study is reporting to compare the preference of combustible moxibustion and electronic moxibustion. Methods : 31 patients were treated by combustible moxibustion in the morning and electronic moxibustion in the afternoon for 1 day. After they were treated by each moxibustions treatment, filled out questionnaire. We repeated the above process for 3 days. And we analyzed questionnaire statistically. Results : Heat sensitivity of electronic moxibustion has statistical significance. Sex and age have no statistical significances. Heat sensitivity and persistency of combustible moxibustion, heat persistency of electronic moxibustion also have no statistical significances. Satisfaction and smoke of moxibustion have correlation to moxibustion preference. Conclusions : Heat sensitivity of electronic moxibustion, satisfaction and smoke of moxibustion have correlation to moxibustion preference.

• Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Materials
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.28-31
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• 2014

This study aims to develop an electronic moxibustion device for the quantification of moxibustion, which progresses a critical role in traditional oriental medicine as well as to assess the characteristics of heating. The assessment revealed that the proposed electronic moxibustion treatment device can reduce the time required for reaching the desired heat level and continue to provide heat consistently. Moreover, heat transmitted to the treated area was found to correspond to a heating pattern of the proposed electronic moxibustion device. It proved both quantitative control and safe treatment for the proposed electronic moxibustion device.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.36-40
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• 2018

Objectives : Electronic moxibustion was developed to overcome the weakness of conventional moxibution. However, in spite of many benefits, it also can not be entirely free from the concern of burning. This study was performed to investigate the proper treatment time of electronic moxibustion. Methods : Male sprague-Dawley rats weighing about 350 g were used. Animals were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital and shaved on the abdomen or back. The full charged-electronic moxibustion device was placed on the shaved site and it was observed if there happened any adverse event after treatment. Results : At the temperatures of 41, 43, and $45^{\circ}C$ there was no abnormal sign after moxibustion even in full time. However, at $47^{\circ}C$, the safe treatment time was 3 min. On the other hand, $49^{\circ}C$ produced diverse adverse events even in 1 min. Conclusions : Results of the present study suggest that the safe treatment time of electronic moxibustion is different according to the temperature. The most common adverse effect in this electronic moxibustion was the white spot and it is needed to observe whether there is any adverse event until 48 h after treatment.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.282-289
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• 2021

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to construct a model of the possible thermal runaway of electronic moxibustion and to implement an appropriate risk management method. Methods : To reproduce the system error situation of the electronic moxibustion circuit equipped with microcontroller unit, temperature sensor and heater, a code was set to disable the signal input to temperature sensor and maintain "high" heating signal to heater. The temperature change of electronic moxibustion was compared between 3 types of heater module; module 1 consisting of a combination of heater+0 ohm+0 ohm resistance, module 2 consisting of a combination of heater+Polymeric Positive Temperature Coefficient (PPTC)+0 ohm resistance, and module 3 consisting of a combination of heater+PPTC+10 ohm resistance. The temperature change was measured using a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) silicone phantom. After maintaining surface temperature of the phantom at 31~32℃ for 20 seconds, electronic moxibustion was applied. After operating electronic moxibustion, the temperature change was measured for 660 seconds on the surface and 900 seconds at 2 mm depth. Results : Regardless of the module type, the time-dependent change in temperature showed a rapid rise followed by a gentle curve, and a sharp drop in temperature after reaching the maximum temperature about 10 minutes after the switching the moxibustion on. Temperature measured at the depth of 2 mm below the surface increased slower and to a lesser extent. Module 1 reached highest peak temperature with largest change of temperature at both depths followed by module 2, and 3. Conclusions : Through the combination of PPTC+resistance with the heater of electronic moxibustion, it is possible to limit the rise in temperature even with the software error. Thus, this setting can be used as an independent safety measure for the electronic moxibustion control unit.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.64-77
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• 2023

Objectives : Recently, the number of patients with dry eye syndrome has been steadily increasing. However, established treatment for it does not yet exist. This study compared electronic moxibustion with acupuncture for patients with dry eye in terms of efficacy and safety. Methods : This trial was designed as an investigator-initiated, single-blinded, comparative, randomized controlled trial. Thirty patients with dry eye were randomized to the electronic moxibustion treatment group(EMG) or the acupuncture treatment group(AG) in equal proportion. The participants who assigned to the EMG were treated with electronic moxibustion to ten acupoints including both sides of BL2, GB14, TE23, and LI4 for 12 minutes. The participants who were assigned to the AG were treated with acupuncture to the same acupoints for 15 minutes. Over 4 weeks, each intervention was carried out twelve times in total. The primary outcome was the ocular surface disease index(OSDI). The secondary outcomes were the subjective symptoms visual analog scale(VAS), quality of life(QoL), Schirmer I test(SIT), and general assessment. Adverse events and vital signs were also investigated for safety assessment. Results : In intragroup comparisons, both the EMG and the AG significantly improved the OSDI scores, the subjective symptoms VAS scores, the QoL scores, and the SIT results after 4 weeks of the trial. However, there were no statistical differences in intergroup comparisons between the two groups after 4 weeks. The safety of electronic moxibustion and acupuncture was confirmed by no occurrence of serious adverse events. Conclusions : Both electronic moxibustion and acupuncture were effective for dry eye syndrome, and they were safe. Electronic moxibustion and acupuncture can be used for dry eye syndrome as equivalent treatments.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.87-96
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• 2011

Objectives : The aim of this study is to review clinical trials using moxibustion on hypertension and to assess their methodology and results. Methods : Electronic literature searches for clinical trials (randomized trial, non-randomized trial, before-after study) of moxibustion were performed in nine electronic databases (four international databases and five Korean databases) and handsearch. English, Korean or Chinese articles were included. Laboratory or animal studies were excluded. Results : A total of twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. Seven randomized controlled trial, three non-randomized trials and two before-after studies were included. Seven studies used direct moxibustion(two are scarring one) and five used indirect one. Five of twelve studies used moxibustion treatment just one time, except for that most frequency was once daily or 2-3 times per week for 1-2 months. Of ten randomized or non-randomized studies, three used antihypertension drug control and another three used waiting list control. Compare to baseline, change of blood pressure after moxibustion treatment was significant in all studies. However, the results of effect in blood pressure between moxibustion and controlled were not consistent. Methodological quality of clinical trials included in this review was low and has risk of bias, especially in blinding of parcitipant. Conclusions : There are little high-quality clinical trials of moxibustion for hypertension. To evaluate the effect of moxibustion, more rigorous trials are warranted. Also, methodology of clinical trials have to be descripted in detail.

• 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.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.150-163
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• 2022

Objectives: This research aimed to develop a guideline for evaluating safety and performance of electronic warm-acupuncture apparatus. With the development of medical devices like electronic warm-acupuncture apparatus with improved performance, convenience and safety measures compared to traditional warm-acupuncture needling, safety and performance guideline is a necessity. Methods: By referring to existing standards and guidelines of other electronic devices for Korean medicine with heating function, guideline for safety and performance assessment of electronic warm-acupuncture apparatus was drafted Results: The guideline, presents explanation for adequate temperature and settings of the apparatus, and safety measurements providing against thermal runaway situations along with guidelines for the manual. Guideline for detailed test method for the performance of the apparatus such as accuracy of temperature increase and the timer, and safety unit was also provided. The test items and suggested test methods for the requirements of biological, electrical and electromagnetic safety were referred to Korean approval documents of ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Conclusion: We proposed the relevant items to verify performance and safety of warm-acupuncture apparatus to assure patient safety and improve the quality of currently developing devices for application in clinical field.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.1-10
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• 2012

Objectives : The aim of this review was to summarize and assess researches reporting thermal properties of moxibustion. Methods and Materials : We searched one electronic database(PubMed) and two journals(The Journal of Korean Medicine and The Journal of Korean Acupuncture & Moxibustion Society) and for the articles published until Nov. 2012. The articles reporting thermal characteristic of moxibustion were selected and reviewed. 31 articles were included and assessed in this review. The type of moxibustion, the material beneath moxbustion, main outcome and the amount of information were reviewed. The amount of information was defined as 1 for one main outcome reported in each article. Results : Direct moxibustion were used in 15 articles and indirect moxibustion were used in 19 articles. 11 researches used anti-heating plate for the material beneath moxibustion, one article used steel ring, agar with anti-heating plate, six articles used skin and another six articles used heater. Two articles used animals and another two articles used metals. The mean value of the amount of information was $4.41{\pm}2.94$(SD). Conclusions : Research articles assessing properties of moxibustion have been consistently published since 1993, and employed various methodologies. The amount of information has been associated with four section analysis and is currently decreasing. Research assessing properties of moxibustion with clinical effectiveness is needed.