• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.348-356
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• 2007

Radix Paeoniae rubra (PR) has been widely used for recovering acute inflammation with swelling and pain in Far East Asian countries. In order to investigate the anti-arthritic effect of PR herbacupuncture, several behavioral parameters such as body weight, knee circumference, squeaking threshold, and weight distribution ratio were investigated in an adjuvant-induced mono-arthritis rat model. We performed PR herb-acupuncture on Zusanli (ST36) of the right hind-leg once every second day for a total of 6 times from the second day of initiating arthritis with adjuvant injection, while the control group was treated with saline in the same way. In the experimental group, body weight significantly increased, knee circumference and squeaking threshold significantly decreased indicating the reduction of edema, and both the pain and inflammatory swelling of the hind paws measured by incapacitance meter decreased. Conclusively, PR herb-acupuncture has more promising effect in alleviating arthritic pain and inflammation than saline-acupuncture in rat model, hence further clinical study is required.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.8-36
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• 2017

Objectives : The aim of this study is to review the methodology of clinical trials conducted with the acupuncture and moxibustion treatment on functional dyspepsia. Methods : We searched four international databases and three Korean databases including English, Korean and Chinese, through March 2016 for randomized controlled trials(RCT) and non-randomized case-control trials(CCT) that evaluated the effects of the acupuncture and moxibustion on functional dyspepsia. We abstracted the designs of the trials and the method of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment according to the Standards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture. Results : A total 117 papers were reviewed. The 106 studies were conducted in China. There were 111 RCTs(95%), and 6 CCTs(5%). Sixty eight studies(59%) were conducted with the manual acupuncture, 29 studies of electro-acupuncture(25%), 11 studies of moxibustion(9%), 5 studies of acupoints embedding therapy(4%), 4 studies of acupoint injection therapy(3%) were conducted. ST36, CV12, ST25 were most frequently used for acupoints to treat functional dyspepsia. In 59 studies(50%), western medication was used in the control group, and the effects of acupuncture and moxibustion were evaluated with the symptoms in most studies. Conclusions : These results suggest that it is necessary to develop more detailed reporting standards about acupuncture and moxibustion treatment method as the method of acupuncture and moxibustion is getting more diverse, and more objective tools are needed in evaluating functional dyspepsia.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.149-158
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• 2018

Objectives : In this study, we quantitatively evaluated the needle forces using needle insertion-measurement system and compared the needle sensation of each acupuncture practical model. Methods : After inserting acupuncture with a sensor to six models, a lifting-thrusting motion was implemented using the needle insertion-measurement system. The needle force was measured repeatedly, and the measurement was analyzed based on the modified Karnopp friction model for a comparison of friction coefficients. After the insertion, practitioners did lifting-thrusting manipulations. They quantified the similarity of needle sensation with VAS (Visual Analogue Scale). Results : When friction force and coefficients of friction in five different models were compared with a porcine shank model, all five models were significantly different from a porcine shank model, cotton and apple showing the closest frictional values to that of a porcine shank model. In the Cp and Cn values of cotton and in the Cp values of IM injection pad, there was no statistically significant difference. The similarity of the needle sensation between the porcine shank and five models was the highest in the apple, and overlapping papers was the lowest. Conclusions : This study quantitatively compared the physical forces in the practical model when implementing lifting-thrusting manipulations, using a needle insertion-measurement system. We suggest that a reproducible exercise model that reflects the characteristics of various human tissues, such as viscoelasticity or strength, needs to be further developed. This will contribute to establishing standardized acupuncture practice training.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.41-54
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• 2008

Objective : In this study, we investigated the effects of Sweet Bee Venom(SBV) and Bee Venom(BV) at a acupoint, HT7(Shinmun) on the Heart Rate Variability(HRV) in the healthy man. And we tried to observe how Sweet Bee Venom and Bee Venom affects on the balance of the autonomic nervous system. Methods : We investigated on 22 heathy volunteers consisted of 10 subjects in SBV group and 12 subjects in BV group. Study form was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial. 22 subjects of each group were injected SBV and BV at HT7(Shinmun). And we measured HRV by QECG-3:LXC3203 (LAXTHA Inc. Korea) on 7 times : before and after injection per 5minutes during 30minutes. Results : 1. After SBV injection, Mean-RR was significantly high from 0 to 10 minutes, Mean-HRV was significantly low from to 10 minutes, SDNN was significantly high after 25minutes, Complexity was significantly high from 5 to 10 minutes and RMSSD was significantly high from 5 to 10minutes. 2. Complexity of SBV Group significantly decreased from 20 to 25minutes, RMSSD of SBV Group significantly increased from 10 to 15minute and from $20{\sim}25$minutes, SDSD of SBV Group significantly increased from 10 to 15 minute and from $20{\sim}25$minutes compared with that of BV group. 3. After SBV injection, Ln(VLF) was significantly from 25 to 30minutes. Conclusions : The results suggest that SBV in heathy adult man tend to activate the autonomic nervous system compared to BV within normal range.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.159-164
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• 2008

This study was carried out to determine the therapeutic effect of injection-acupuncture (AP) with bee-venom (apitoxin) in cases of canine otitis externa (COE). Fifteen dogs with naturally-acquired otitis externa were used in this study. The dogs were divided into the following antibiotics group (control group), apitoxin group (experimental group A) and apitoxin combined with antibiotics group (experimental group B). All groups were treated by ear cleaning with normal saline once on day 1. The control group was treated with susceptible antibiotics, and experimental group A was given injection-AP with apitoxin $(100{\mu}g/head)$ at TH17 (Yi Feng), SI19 (Ting Gong), GB03 (Shang Guan) and TH03 (Zhong Zhu) bilaterally. Experimental group B was treated with susceptible antibiotics and injection-AP with apitoxin at the same acupoints as experimental group A. All the groups were treated 3 times/week for 2 weeks. The identity of the causative agents, the changes in the clinical signs, otoscopic findings, bacterial count in the auricular discharges, and total WBC counts and neutrophil/lymphocyte (N/L) ratio in the peripheral blood were investigated in all groups. In bacterial isolation, Staphylococcus spp. combined with Streptococcus spp. was detected higher than other agents. The bacterial cell count in experimental group A was significantly decreased at 2 weeks (p<0.01), and those in experimental group B was significantly decreased at 1 week (p<0.01) and 2 weeks (p<0.01) compared by those of control group, respectively. The changes of clinical score in experimental group B were significantly decreased at 2 weeks (p<0.01) compared by those of control group, but, those of experimental group A was similar to those of control group. The changes of total WBC counts and neutrophil/lymphocyte (N/L) ratio were no significant difference found. In conclusion, injection-AP with apitoxin is an effective treatment for COE and might be an alternative method for treating COE.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.345-349
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• 2007

The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of needle-acupuncture (needle-AP) at PC06 and BL15 on xylazine induced bradycardia in dogs. Total 12 dogs were divided into control (4 dogs), PC06 (4 dogs) and BL15 (4 dogs) groups, respectively. As for the treatments in each group, control group was injected with xylazine only. PC06 and BL15 groups were treated by needle-AP during 20 minutes at the same time of xylazine injection. The changes of heart rates, R-R intervals and respiratory rates were investigated on pre, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 minutes after xylazine injection. The change of heart rates in experimental PC06 and BL15 groups revealed significant increase on 10 (p<0.05) and 20 minutes (p<0.05) after xylazine injection, compared with those of control group. In addition, heart rates in PC06 group showed increased value on 30 minutes (p<0.05) after xylazine injection, comparing with those of BL15 group. The changes of respiratory rates in experimental PC06 and BL15 groups revealed significant increase on 20 minutes (p<0.05) after xylazine injection, compared with those of control group, however, significance was not found between experimental groups. In conclusion, needle-AP at PC06 and BL15 were effective for improvement of xylazine induced canine bradycardia and needle-AP at PC06 was more effective than that at BL15.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.107-117
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• 2000

This study was undertaken to determine if Juglandis Semen Aquacupuncture(Ja) has a protective effect against glycerol-induced acute renal failure in rats. Rats were dehydrated for 24hr and then injected with $5m{\ell}/kg$ of 50% glycerol, one-half of dose in each hindlimb muscle. In experiments for Ja effect, rats received $0.1m{\ell}$ of Ja extraction in both sides of corresponding $Sh{\grave{e}}ns{\bar{u}}$($BL_{23}$) of human body and non-acupuncture points(the root of tail) for 3 days after injection of glycerol. The experimental group were divided into the Normal group, the Control group, the Ja to $Sh{\grave{e}}ns{\bar{u}}$($BL_{23}$) group(Ja-AS), the Ja to non-acupuncture points group(Ja-AN). There were significant decrease of Urine vollume, total protein and phosphate level in Ja-AS as compared with the control group. There were not any significant change of Urine creatinine in Ja-AS as compared with the control group. There were significant decrease of Unine glucose in Ja-AS, Ja-AN as compared with the control group. This suggests that Ja-AS could be used in prevention and treatment of acute renal failure. However, the precise mechanisms of Ja protection remain to be determined.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.87-95
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of spinal cord stimulation acupuncture therapy for lower limb numbness resulting from lumbar herniated intervertebral disc(HlVD). Methods : From 8th August, 2015 to 30th October, 2015, 1 male patient diagnosed as herniated intervertebral disc at L5/S1(Diffuse bulging disc with smooth ventral thecal sac indentation at L5-S1) was treated with spinal cord stimulation acupuncture and general Korean medicine therapy(acupuncture, herbal injection). Numerical Rating Scale(NRS) and Oswestry Disability Index(ODI) were recorded during the treatment. Results : 1. The patient's chief complaints were remarkably improved - Rt. lower limb numbness remained 15% compared before treatment, Rt. lower limb paresthesia and gait disturbance almost disappeared after 25 times of treatment during 3 months. 2. NRS score decreased from 7 to 3, ODI decreased from 16 to 7. Conclusions : This study demonstrates that spinal cord stimulation acupuncture therapy with Korean medicine treatment has notable effect in improving lower limb numbness induced by lumbar HlVD.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.75-87
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• 2005

Objective : The purpose of this study is to observe the effect of Herbal-cupuncture with Acanthopanacis cortex Herbal-Acupuncture Solution (AC-HAS) on rheumatoid arthritis. Methods : The author performed several experimental items : it is paw thickness, weight of spleen, expression of $CD4^+,\;CD8^+,\;B220^+$ in the spleen, production of IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, and examination of histology. Results : The obstain results are summarized s follows. 1. Treatment group were significantly inhibited the incidence of arthritis, hind paw edema and index of arthritis of CIA mice. 2. Treatment group were significantly decreased splenetic weight 3. The number of $CD4^+,\;CD8^+,\;B220^+$ activated cells were significantly inhibited in treatment group. 4. Treatment group were significantly decreased the amout of IL-4, $TNF-{\alpha}$ of CIA mice.. 5. Treatment group were expressed form of new bone, synoviumin and new margine in histology imperison to control group. Conclusions : Taking all these observations into account, AC-HAS injection is considered to be effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis and put to practical use in future rheumatoid arthritis clinic.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.93-105
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• 2011

Objectives : This study aims to evaluate currently available clinical evidence for the use of acupuncture in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis in the context of Republic of Korea. Methods : Five Korean databases were searched for all clinical studies employing acupuncture for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. The exceptions were case reports and series involving less than 10 patients from their inception to September 2011. Only studies reported in Korean databases were searched. Results : Five retrospective audits among 22 initially identified studies were eligible for analysis in this review. There was no randomized controlled trial for this topic. The number of patients varied between 15 and 119 in each audit, and all the patients analyzed were inpatients. In all the included studies, acupuncture was conducted in combination with other concomitant treatments, including moxibustion, cupping, herbal remedies, acupoint injection, Chuna, and various physical therapies. All the included audits reported symptomatic and/or functional improvements compared to baseline. None of the included audits indicated whether any adverse events were reported. Conclusions : Current evidence for the use of acupuncture in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis in the context of South Korea is based solely on five retrospective audits that are very likely prone to a high risk of bias. Thus, further prospective and methodologically sound clinical trials to overcome this huge gap between clinical practice and the available evidence for the use of acupuncture in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis are needed.