• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.151-158
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• 2018

Objectives: We investigated the efficacy and safety of miniscalpel acupuncture (MA) for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) in an assessor-blinded randomized controlled pilot trial; this would provide information for a large-scale randomized controlled trial. Methods: Participants (n = 24) were recruited and randomly allocated to the MA group (experimental) or acupuncture group (control). The MA group received treatment once a week for 3 weeks (total of 3 treatments), while the acupuncture group received treatment two times per week for 3 weeks (total of 6 treatments). The primary outcome was pain as assessed by a visual analogue scale (VAS). The secondary outcomes (intensity of current pain, stiffness, and physical function) were assessed using the short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Assessments were performed at baseline, 1, 2, and 3 during treatment and at week 5 (2 weeks after the end of treatment). Results: Of the 24 participants, 23 completed the study. Both groups showed significant improvements in VAS, SF-MPQ, and WOMAC. However, there were no significant differences between the MA and acupuncture groups. No serious adverse event occurred and blood test results were within normal limits. Conclusion: Our results suggest that although both MA and acupuncture provide similar effects with regard to pain control in patients with KOA, MA may be more effective in providing pain relief because the same relief was obtained with fewer treatments. A large-scale clinical study is warranted to further clarify these findings.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.141-148
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• 2023

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate on the application of the yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) lasers for acupoints irradiation. Methods : We conducted a systematic search for peer-reviewed studies published from inception to November 2023, in the following electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science in English, Science ON, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS) and Research Information Sharing Service (RISS) in Korean, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wanfang in Chinese, and Japan Science Technology Information Aggregator, Electronic (J-STAGE) and Citation Information by NII (CiNii) in Japanese. Inclusion criteria were original articles including clinical and experimental studies related with YAG lasers for acupoints including Ashi or meridian sinews. Results : Among the 8 selected studies, there were 7 studies on human subjects and 1 study on animals, 7 studies on Nd:YAG (1,064 nm) laser, and 1 study on Er:YAG (2,940 nm) laser. A total of 16 acupoints were used, 15 of which were in the face and 1 of which was located in the foot. In addition, there were two studies using Ashi. 4 studies looked at the effect of pain relief, 2 studies looked at safety, 1 study looked at changes in blood flow, and 1 study looked at the effect of skin care. There were no reported adverse events, and the YAG laser was confirmed to be safe and effective in pain relief, beautifying the skin, and increasing blood flow. Conclusions : We suggest that high intensity YAG lasers can be applied to laser acupuncture or laser moxibustion. YAG lasers are considered to be worth using for various clinical indications of Korean medicine because of photobiomodulation effects, analgesic action, and deep penetration depth. Further scientific research and clinical evidences should be warranted.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.251-268
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• 1998

125 Cases of Acne were treated by Acupuncture and Herb-med treatment during a three months duration from April 1996 to February 1998 in Kyung Hee Univ. Department of Ophthal, Otolaryngology. College of Oriental Medicine. We have observed the cases and the results as follows: 1. The age of average was 24.55 age : 21.91 in males, 24.55 in females. and in these, the gulf between males and females were showed statically significant diference. In the age of onset, averag was 16.96 age and mode was 18 age and male's average was 16.96 age, minimun was 11 age, maximum 40 age and female's average was 20.14 age, minimun was 10 age, maximum 40 age. and these were showed statically significant diference between males and females. 2. In the distribution of season, winter was the most with $37.8\%$ of out patients, the rest was similar to difference of each other. but there was clear difference between males and females. 3. In the duration of history, the average was 5.10 years and male's average was 5.13 years. on the other hand female's was 5.09 years but there is no any significant difference have a resemblance with each other. 4. In blood type, O type was the most with $35.20\%$ and there was in the order of A type was $26.40\%\;B\;type\;was\;23.20\%,\;AB\;type\;was\;15.20\%$ but these were not significant difference by the chi-tend and analysis of variance with total cases, males and females. 5. In select of the preference food, patients of the prefer worm food was $42.40\%\;and\;cool\;food\;was\;38.40\%,\;tepid\;food\;was\;24\%$ but these were no significant difference by the chi-test and ANOVA of each other. 6. the state of pulse classified into 11 type and average was 7.2 times, maximum was 29 times with Hyun Sae, at the same time, the female's average was 6.73 times, maximum was 27 times and male's average was 1.5 times. The result of test with each other, these were showed statically significant difference as compared total cases with males but there were not females ones. 7. In the frequency of the major cause, oversensitiveness was the most with $34.93\%$. secondly there was in order of indigestion $30.82\%$ and menstrual irregularity and menstruation pain $23.28\%$. constipation $10.96\%$ and these showed statically significant difference as compared the females with males on the result of test for difference with each other. 8. In frequency of the symptoms, itching was the most with $31.97\%$ and there was in order of nodule $20.49\%$, pustule $18.85\%,\;papule\;15.58\%,\;flare\;13.12\%$ and also these showed statically significant difference as compared the females with males 9. for the Distribution of acne region, face was the most with $64.06\%$ and there was in order of back $14.29\%,\;upper-chest\;11.69\%,\;neck\;7.79\%$ and there was no significant difference as compared total cases with males and females. 10. Acne applied 30 prescription to 4 weeks and over and 20 weeks and over was $23.3\%$, 30 weeks and over was $16.67\%$ and average of administration duration were 4.2 weeks(male's average 5.78, maximum 96 weeks and female's average 3.85, maximum 23 weeks) maximum was 96 weeks, minimum was 1 week. 11. In the acupuncture treatment, $96.6\%$ applied to acupuncture and average was 5.44 times, maximum 46 times, minimum 1 time(male's average 4.64, female's 5.62) but these were not any significant differeence. 12. for the medication, author made a investigation and comparison between control group with treated group in order to observe for the therapeutic effect during the 1 month and 2, 3. From these results, we can see that acne was improved by the oriental treatment. in the 1 month, average of control group was 13.24 and treated group was 11.78. these showed statically significant decrease in P<0.02 as compared the treated group with control group. In the 2 months, average of control group was 13.43 and treated group was 9.03. these showed statically significant decrease in P<0.003 as compared the treated group with control group. In the 3 months, average of control group was 13.78 and treated group was 8.06. these showed statically significant decrease in P<0.008 as compared the treated group with control group.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.15-24
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was accomplished to investigate the effects of venesection with cupping therapy at Jeonjung($CV_{17}$) on the heart rate variability(HRV) in healthy adults. And based on that, we tried to find out how venesection with cupping therapy at Jeonjung($CV_{17}$) affects the activity and the balance of the autonomic nervous system. Methods : We investigated on 60 healthy volunteers consisted of 30 subjects in venesection with cupping therapy group and 30 subjects in control group. The study was established by randomized trial. venesection with cupping therapy was applied at Jeonjung($CV_{17}$) for 10 minutes in venesection with cupping therapy group. No treatment was executed in control group. We measured HRV 3 times : First, baseline measurement and two more times after treatment in venesection with cupping therapy group(after rest in control group). The SPSS 12.0 for Windows was used to analyze the data by paired t-test(in both group), independent-test(between the groups) and Chi-square test(between the sexs). Results : 1. In venesection with cupping therapy group, SDNN, Ln(TP), Ln(LF), Normalized LF, and LF/HF ratio increased significantly. Normalized HF decreased significantly. Mean HRT, RMSSD, PSI, Ln(HF), and Ln(VLF) were not affected. 2. In control group, Ln(HF) decreased significantly. Mean HRT, SDNN, RMSSD, PSI, Ln(TP), Ln(LF), Ln(VLF), Normalized LF, Normalized HF, and LF/HF ratio were not affected. Conclusions : This study suggests that venesection with cupping therapy at Jeonjung($CV_{17}$) increases the activity of the autonomic nervous system and has effects on the balance of the autonomic nervous system.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.111-119
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• 2018

Objectives: To investigate the characteristics of patients diagnosed with dementia or mild cognitive impairment who are treated by means of a blend between Western and Korean medicine. Methods: We searched for outpatients with dementia or mild cognitive impairment by means of a collaboration between Western and Korean medicine from August 1, 2015, to July 31, 2017, through electronic medical records in Wonkwang Hospital. The records were retrospectively analyzed according to the patients' demographic and clinical characteristics, pathway of medical care, diagnostic tests, treatment, and medical expenses. Results: Thirteen patients were included in the analysis. Among them, six patients were diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, five with dementia, Alzheimer's type, one patient with frontotemporal dementia, and one patient with unspecified dementia. Twelve of the thirteen patients were over 60 years of age. The number of pathways from the Dept. of Neurology to the Dept. of Neuropsychiatry of Korean Medicine was almost the same as the opposite pathway. The most used diagnostic test in Korean medicine was a neuropsychological test such as SNSB, MMSE and GDS. In Western medicine, hematology and neuroimaging were frequently used for patients. Acupuncture in Korean medicine and medication in Western medicine were the most frequently used. In Korean medicine, uncovered service costs were much higher than covered service costs,. whereas, in Western medicine, covered service costs were higher than uncovered service costs. Conclusions: This study describes the basic characteristics of dementia and mild cognitive impairment patients treated by a collaboration between Western and Korean medicine. Based on these results, a clinical pathway of the collaborative practice system between Western and Korean medicine for dementia patients needs to be developed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.1-18
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• 2017

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of water extracts of Eucommiae cortex (EC), Psoraleae semen (PS), and their combination on receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa-B ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation. Methods : We assayed the protein expression levels of nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1), c-Fos, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and ${\beta}-actin$ in cell lysates using western blotting. Similarly, mRNA expression levels of NFATc1, c-Fos, tartrateresistant acid phosphate (TRAP), and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, spermatogeni (GAPDHS) from bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) were analyzed using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Furthermore, we determined the anti-osteoporotic effects of the water extracts of EC, PS, and their combination in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced bone-loss mouse model. Results : The in vitro data revealed showed that the combination of EC and PS extract showed a more remarkable inhibition of osteoclast differentiation than each herb did alone. The combination downregulated the induction of c-Fos, NFATc1, and TRAP by suppressing the phosphorylation of p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) and inhibiting nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells ($NF-{\kappa}B$). Lastly, the in vivo data showed that PS reduced the LPS-induced bone erosion. Conclusion : The result of this study suggests that EC and PS could be potential therapeutic agents for bone loss diseases such as osteoporosis.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.56-62
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of the study is to assess both the approximate lethal dose and the single dose intramuscular injection toxicity of Danggui (Angelica gigantis radix) pharmacopuncture (DGP) in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Methods: The experiments were conducted at the good laboratory practice (GLP) laboratory, Biotoxtech Co., which is a laboratory approved by the ministry of food and drug safety (MFDS). The study was performed according to the GLP regulation and the toxicity test guidelines of the MFDS (2009) after approval of the institutional animal care and use committee of Biotoxtech. Single doses of DGP were injected intramuscularly into the rats in three test groups of 6 week old SD rats (5 male and 5 female rats per groups) in the amounts of 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mL/animal for groups 2, 3, and 4, respectively, and normal saline solution in the amount of 1.0 mL/animal was injected intramuscularly into the rats (5 male and 5 female rats) in the control group. Observations of the general symptoms and weight measurements were performed during the 14 day observation period after the injection. Hematologic and serum biochemical examination, necropsy, and a local tolerance test at the injection site were done after the observation period. Results: No death was observed in three test groups (0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mL/animal group). In addition, the injection of DGP had no effect on general symptoms, weights, hematologic and serum biochemical examination, and necropsy. The results from the local tolerance tests at injection site showed no treatment related effects in the SD rats. Conclusion: The results of single dose intramuscular injection of DGP suggest that the approximate lethal dose is above 1.0 mL/animal for both male and female SD rats and that intramuscular injection of DGP may be safe.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.79-89
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• 2023

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate various application methods of focused ultrasound and apply them to clinical use in Korean medicine. Methods : Search was performed using the search engines of electronic databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), ScienceON, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, Japan Science Technology Information Aggregator, Electronic (J-STAGE) and Citation Information by NII (CiNii), from inception to July 2023 without language limitation. Inclusion criteria were clinical studies including randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and animal experimental studies related with focused ultrasound treatments for acupoints or meridian sinews. Results : Total 17 papers, 7 for RCT, 6 for in vivo animal studies, and other experimental studies, were finally selected. Indications used in studies were shoulder pain, back pain, chronic back pain, and degenerative knee arthritis. In experimental studies, studies on animal models of hypoxic ischemic brain damage and hyperlipidemia were also conducted. As for the acupoints, LR3, LI4, and ST36 were used in clinical studies and, in animal experimental studies, GV20, KI1, and ST36 were used. As for the dose, 4 studies below 3 W/cm² and 3 studies in the range of 0.625 to 5 W/cm² in clinical studies, and all studies did not exceed 5 W/cm². In animal experimental studies, 0.5 W/cm², 2 W/cm², 7.5 WW/cm², 15 W/cm², 10~20 W/cm² were used. In all three studies describing the penetration depth during irradiation, it was less than 1 cm. Conclusions : We suggest that focused ultrasound is an appropriate treatment tool for stimulating the acupoints to transfer heat energy. Future studies with rigorous and well-designed RCTs for various diseases will be required to ascertain the focused ultrasound stimulate acupoints or meridian sinews.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.136-145
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• 2010

Objectives: Electroacupuncture according to Voll (EAV) has been used to quantify the skin's electrical resistance and conductance over acupuncture points that, based on traditional Chinese medicine, represent the state of health or disease of the organ or tissue. However, it doesn't have enough objective data yet, so the purpose of this study was to aid in the use of EAV in analysis of cerebrovascular disease risk factors. Methods: This study researched the clinical statistics of 216 cases: cerebrovascular attack (CVA) group 43, control group 173. We measured control meridian points (CMP) on hands and feet and the cardio ankle vascular index (CAVI) which represents atherosclerosis severity, and sex, age, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and obesity. The data were then analyzed by t-test, chi-square test and logistic regression. Results: Between the CVA and control groups, there were not statistically significant differences in CMP. However, logistic regression analysis of the presence of CVA, mean of CMP heart and lung, sex, age, DBP (diastolic blood pressure), and HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol showed that the risk of CVA was 1.1 times increased with CMP heart (p=0.002), in men was 4.12 times higher than in women (p=0.001), 1.09 times higher with age (p=0.000), 1.04 times higher with DBP (p=0.045), while was lower by 0.924 times with CMP lung (p=0.005) and 0.957 times with HDL cholesterol (p=0.006). Conclusion: Although there were not clear evidence or mechanisms about EAV, this study showed that if we study EAV further, we may be able to apply EAV as an objective instrument of oriental medicine in cerebrovascular disease.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.205-216
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• 2024

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of Mindfulness & Loving Beingness (M&L) psychotherapy combined with traditional Korean medicine in treating acute sleep disorders in patients hospitalized following traffic accidents. Methods: We applied traditional Korean medicine treatments in conjunction with various mindfulness meditation techniques from M&L therapy, including Resource Mindfulness and Nourishment Brief Therapy. This study was conducted on three patients who reported acute sleep disorder symptoms on the first day of hospitalization following a traffic accident. The effectiveness of these interventions was assessed using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5-K), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), EuroQol 5-Dimension (EQ-5D), Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), and Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC). Results: ISI and PCL-5-K scores showed significant improvements after treatment, indicating reduced sleep disturbances and stress symptoms. Additionally, EQ-5D and PGIC scores were enhanced, reflecting an overall improvement in quality of life. Conclusions: This study suggests that integrating M&L therapy with traditional Korean medicine could significantly improve symptoms in patients with acute sleep disorders following traffic accidents.