• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.50-59
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• 2012

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effects of high frequency electroacupuncture, low frequency electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture on the autonomic nervous system in stroke patients by using a heart rate variability measuring device. Methods: Thirty-nine participants were recruited and each participated in the high frequency electroacupuncture group, low frequency electroacupuncture group, manual acupuncture group and non-acupuncture group. Some participants received needle insertion with 100 Hz stimulation, with 2Hz stimulation and manual stimulation under mental arithmetic stress during 2 sections. Other participants maintained in the supine position without acupuncture under mental arithmetic stress during the 2 sections. Acupuncture needles were directly inserted perpendicularly to the right Liv 3 acupoint followed by delivery of electric pulses to these points for 8 minutes. Heart rate variability was measured 8 minutes before and 16 minutes after acupuncture stimulation by a heart rate variability measuring system. Results: We found a significant elevated HF total power between 1 section and 2 section and between 1 section and 4 section in the non-acupuncture group, between 3 section and 4 section in the 100Hz electroacupuncture group, and between 1 section and 2 section in the manual acupuncture group and with no change in the 2Hz electroacupuncture group. We also found a significant VLF total power between 2 section and 3 section in the 2Hz electroacupuncture group and between 1 section and 4 section and between 2 section and 4 section in the 100Hz electroacupuncture group. All four groups showed no significant differences in other parameters including heart rate mean, low-frequency power, and the ratio of low-frequency power to high-frequency power. Conclusions: This study may be a basis for research about effects of acupuncture and electroacupuncture because the parameters measured, heart rate variability, showed differences according to acupuncture.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.79-89
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• 2009

Objectives : The aim of this study was to observe the effect of acupuncture and high frequency electroacupuncture at $ST_{39}$ on intestinal motility in rats. Methods: We made over-activated state of intestinal motility with carbachol and suppressed state of intestinal motility with loperamide in rat and carried out needle retention acupuncture and high frequency electroacupuncture at $ST_{39}$ or sham point in rat divided into pre-treatment group and post-treatment group. We fed charcoal to them after the treatment and measured the travel rate of charcoal in the gastrointestinal tract to observe intestinal motility. Results : Examining intestinal motility of normal rat treated with needle retention acupuncture at $ST_{39}$ significantly suppressed intestinal motility. Pre-treatment of needle retention acupuncture significantly suppressed intestinal motility in rat which over-activated with carbachol. Pre-treatment and post-treatment of high frequency electroacupuncture significantly suppressed intestinal motility in rat which over-activated with carbachol. All of the pre-treatment and post-treatment of needle retention acupuncture, high frequency electroacupuncture showed no significant effect than control group on intestinal motility of rat which was suppressed with loperamide. Conclusions : These results suggest that acupuncture and high frequency electroacupuncture at $ST_{39}$ have preventive and therapeutic effects on over-activated intestinal motility, and high frequency electroacupuncture is more effective.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.1543-1548
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• 2007

Recent experiments investigating the analgesic or anti-stress effects of electro-acupuncture provide extensive evidence that opioid or stress hormone system is involved in those effects, respectively. It has been also suggested that opioid or stress hormones modulate long-term memory consolidation or retrieval in animals and human subjects. This article reviews the possibilitythat electroacupuncture can modulate memory consolidation or retrieval. The release of serum cortisol is enhanced or reduced by high-frequency or low-frequency electroacupuncture, respectively. Also the release of beta endorphin and enkephalin is enhanced by low-frequency electroacupuncture and the release of dynorphin is enhanced by high-frequency electroacupunture. The memory consolidation is enhanced by post-training injection of Glucocorticoids, Naloxone or Dynorphin. So this review suggests strongly that memory consolidation can be modulated by electroacupuncture.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.19-24
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of the electroacupuncture with different frequency on functional dyspepsia. Methods : We observed 30 functional dyspepsia patients from May, 2013 to June, 2014. This study was randomized and double blinded. The patients were divided into two groups. One group(group A) was treated with 3 Hz electroacupuncture and the other group(group B) was treated with 300 Hz electroacupuncture. We evaluated the treatment effect of each group by using visual analogue scale(VAS) and pressure algometer. Results : 1. Functional dyspepsia was significantly improved in group treated with 3 Hz electroacupuncture. 2. Functional dyspepsia was significantly improved in group treated with 300 Hz electroacupuncture. 3. As a result of evaluation there were no statistical significance between two groups. Conclusion : Both 3 Hz and 300 Hz electroacupuncture has significant effect on functional dyspepsia. But there is no significant difference between 3 Hz and 300 Hz electroacupuncture.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.111-122
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• 2002

In oriental medicine, manual-acupuncture and electroacupuncture (EA) have been widely utilized to cure several inflammatory diseases such as arthritis. We designed this experiment to find neurochemical mechanism related to electroacupuncture induced anti-inflammatory effect on mouse air pouch model. EA with both low frequency (1 Hz) and high frequency (120 Hz) was treated after induction of inflammation in air pouch using injection of zymosan. To verify the role of opioid system in electroacupuncture-induced anti-inflammatory effect, naloxone (10 mg/kg) was pretreated. In addition, idazoxan (5 mg/kg) was pre-treated to evaluate the possible effect of endogenous adrenergic system in autonomic system on EA induced anti-inflammatory effect. As results of this study, naloxone pretreatment did not change the anti-inflammatory effect evoked by high frequency EA, while low frequency EA(1 Hz) induced anti-inflammatory effect was dramatically suppressed by naloxone pretreatment. These data indicated that endogenous opioid system might be extensively involve in anti-inflammatory effect evoked by not high frequency, but low frequency EA. However, idazoxan pretreatment did not produce any modulatory effect on both low and high frequency EA induced anti-inflammatory effect, suggesting that EA induced anti-inflammatory effect was not mediated by endogenous adrenergic system. In conclusion, these data strongly suggested that EA induced anti-inflammatory effect is mediated by endogenous opioid system, not endogenous adrenergic system.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.76-87
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• 2001

Objective : Zusanli(ST36) and Hoku(Li4) are analgesic acupuncture points frequently used for acupuncture in Oriental medicine. The present study was conducted to see the antinociceptive effects produced by electroacupuncture combined two frequencies(Low, High) and two different acupuncture points(LI4, ST36) in the rat tail flick test. Method : In this study the Rats (Sprague-Dawley, 250-300g) were partially anesthetized with thiopental sodium(40mg/kg, i.p.). The basal reaction time for the tail-flick was 3${\pm}$0.5 sec. Low frequency(3Hz, 5V, biphasic) and high frequency(100Hz, 5V, biphasic) were applied to the inserted needle for the period of insertion(twenty minutes). Experimental groups are divied as follow; a) electroacupuncture stimulation groups at Hoku with or high frequency(L-EA, H-EA), b) electroacupuncture stimulation groups at Zusanli with low or high frequency(1-EA, h-EA), c) low frequency at Hoku and Zusanli(LIEA), d) low frequency at Hoku and high frequency at Zusanli(LhEA), e) high frequency at Hoku and low frequency at Zusanli(HIEA), f) high frequency at Hoku and Zusanli(HhEA) Results : The individual stimulation at either Hoku or Zusanli with low frequency has stronger and longer analgesic effect than high frequency stimulation. In addition, the combined stimulation at Hoku and Zusanli with low frequency has superior effect to individual stimulation with low frequency. LhEA and LIEA have superior effect to other stimulation groups among the combined groups. In order to determine the involvement of opioid system on the different antinociceptive effects, Naloxone, an opioid antagonist, was used in the combined groups. LIEA is the most sensitive when naloxone was administrated among study groups. HhEA is the least sensitive in the administration of naloxone. Conclusion : From results, this study confirmed that the opioid system is involved in analgesic effect of low frequency stimulation of acupuncture point, and we also can suggest the stronger analgesic effect of combining stimulation points is due to the theory of spatial summation in the nervous system.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.105-111
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• 2006

Objectives: We investigated the effect of electroacupuncture on epileptic rat model and its underlying mechanisms on suppression of the epilepsy. Methods: It was used pentylenetetrazol $(35{\sim}40\;mg/kg.\;i.p)$ induced epileptic rat model and square wave electrical stimulations (5 mA, 5, 40 or 80 Hz frequency) was applied to acupoints on 'Dazhui' and 'Taichong' for 30min. Results: Electroacupuncture suppressed spikes and slow waves of EEG due to the epileptic condition. Out of electroacupuncture, a high frequency of 80Hz had a better effect for suppress epileptic EEG wave. Conclusions: Electroacupuncture can markedly reduce the excitability of cerebral cortex and strengthen the inhibitory process, checking epilepsy wave. Some intrathalamic nuclei have a promoting or inhibiting effect on epileptic EEG wave. This experimental study we are proposed to Electro-acupuncture can suppression epileptic rat model and it's scientific mechanisms.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.1
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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.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.100-112
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• 2011

Objectives : This study investigated the effects of electroacupuncture on memory, depression, and plasma stress hormone levels in rats that were under immobilization stress. Materials and Methods : The immobilization-only group was given two hours of immobilization stress for 10 consecutive days. The immobilization and high frequency EA group was given two hours of immobilization stress simultaneously with high frequency (100Hz) electroacupuncture stimulation on the right ST-36 (Zusanli) for 10 consecutive days. We conducted the inhibitory avoidance and forced swimming tests to recognize whether immobilization stress and electroacupuncture have effects on memory and depression. We collected blood samples from the tail of each rat at 30, 60, 90, and 120-minute intervals during the immobilization stress and EA stimulation to measure plasma concentrations of ACTH, corticosterone, melatonin, and norepinephrine induced by immobilization stress and electroacupuncture. Results : There was a significant effect of high frequency on the increase in anamnesis based on the result of the inhibitory avoidance test, but there was no significant effect of decreasing depression based on the result of the forced swim test. Also, there was no significant effect on the response indicated by stress hormones. Conclusions : 1. High frequency electroacupuncture (100Hz) improved anamnesis in immobilization stress states under the inhibitory avoidance task. 2. High frequency electroacupuncture (100Hz) did not reduce depression induced by immobilization stress under the forced swimming test. 3. High frequency electroacupuncture (100Hz) did not decrease stress hormones through blood sampling.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.1-19
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture for women with overactive bladder (OAB) comparing with sham- acupuncture, and electroacupuncture plus drugs. Methods: We searched 8 databases upto May 26, 2020. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were eligible. The risk of bias was assessed by two independent authors using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Study outcomes were calculated by standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (Cls) and mean differences (MD) with 95% Cls. Results: Of 146 screened, 5 RCTs were included. Number of participants per study ranged from 5 to 57. The combined results showed that electroacupuncture (EA) may be more effective than sham acupuncture or enhance solifenacin succinates in improving Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) and urination frequency of 24 h. However, more trials with high quality and larger sample sizes will be needed to provide sufficient evidence. Only 5 of 187 OAB patients from the included studies reported mild adverse reactions related to EA, therefore, electroacupuncture is safe for treating OAB. Conclusions: Electroacupuncture might have effect in decreasing urination frequency of 24 h and OABSS. However, the evidences ins in sufficient to show the effect using electroacupuncture alone or additional effect to drugs in treating OAB.