• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.32-36
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of pulsed magnetic field (PMF) and low frequency low level laser (LFLLL) stimuli on acupoint LI4 (Hegu) using photoplethysmography (PPG). Our PMF system was designed to generate maximum intensity of 0.20 T at a transition time of 0.16 ms, with pulse intervals of 1 Hz. The diode laser with wavelength of 650 nm and power of 5 mW was also employed. It was observed the change of the pulsating blood volume through measuring PPG signals from both hands. These results imply that stimulating acupoint LI4 with PMF and LFLLL improves the circulation of peripheral vascular system. In particular, PMF stimulation brings a big improvement of the blood flow even with short term stimulation of 3-4 minutes compared to LFLLL stimulus.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.377-381
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• 2023

This study included a 42-year-old female farmer with a 2-year history of Graves' disease who visited the hospital for a total thyroidectomy for her grade III goiter based on World Health Organization classification. Besides Hegu (LI4) and Neiguan (PC6), extensively used for acupuncture analgesia in thyroid surgery in previous studies, three additional acupuncture points for acupuncture analgesia in thyroidectomy were evaluated in this study: Shuitu (ST10), Quepen (ST12), and Yifeng (SJ17). In this case, we used an electroacupuncture stimulator to stimulate the acupuncture points and combined acupuncture analgesia with diazepam and atropine sulfate administration as adjunct medications to calm the patient. The operation was completed without any complications. The findings revealed that stimulating the five acupuncture points, i.e., Hegu (LI4), Neiguan (PC6), Shuitu (ST10), Quepen (ST12), and Yifeng (SJ17), for acupuncture analgesia combined with adjunct medications is safe for maintaining an adequate level of analgesia and hemodynamic stability during thyroidectomy.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.133-145
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• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to exam the effectiveness of acupuncture using the tonification & sedation manipulation for LI4(Hegu) and KI7(Fuliu) which was known to promote sweating for lack sweating and inhibit for excessive sweating. Methods : The subject of this study was 60 people who agreed with participating. The participants were divided into 6 groups as control group without acupuncture, acupuncture group with needle inserted perpendicularly at LI4, KI7 without manipulation(AT-A), acupuncture group with needle inserted and twisted at LI4 using sedation technique and KI7 using tonificaton technique(AT-B), acupuncture group with needle inserted and twisted at LI4 using tonificaton technique and KI7 using sedation technique(AT-C), acupuncture group with needle inserted and twisted at LI4 and KI7 using tonificaton technique(AT-D) and acupuncture group with needle inserted and twisted at LI4 and KI7 using sedation technique(AT-E). We obtained baseline data at a stable condition with the temperature of $25^{\circ}C$. After having the participant stay at $40^{\circ}C$ for 10 minute and treated with acupuncture for 10 minute, we measured the parameters such as sweating rate, water content in subcutaneous, water content in skin surface, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate, oxygen saturation and body temperature. Results : After the tonification & sedation manipulation at LI4 and KI7, the sweating rate was significantly decreased in AT-B, AT-D and AT-E groups. The water contents in skin surface was significantly decreased in AT-B and AT-E groups. The water contents in subcutaneous was significantly decreased in AT-B, AT-C, AT-D and AT-E groups. However, there were no significant changes in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate, oxygen saturation and body temperature. Conclusions : Acupuncture at LI4 and KI7 is effective in controling sweating, and the effect varies according to the tonification & sedation manipulation technique.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.15-28
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• 2013

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in kind, intensity and depth of de Qi sensation by patients' gender, age, BMI and sensitivity. Methods: Sixty-four healthy volunteers (mean age $26.51{\pm}4.72$, range 22-39) who had been studying anatomy, meridianology, acupuncture & moxibustion for more than five years at Dongguk University, Go-yang, Korea, were invited to take part in an investigation of the sensations associated with acupuncture needling. Needling was self-administered on Hegu (LI4) in the hand and Zusanli (ST36) in the leg randomly. After obtaining de Qi, the participants were asked the kind, intensity and depth of de Qi sensation. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the kind of de Qi sensation found by acupoints and needling methods (p>0.05). Hegu (LI4) was found to be significantly higher in the intensity (p<0.001), and the depth of de Qi sensation was significantly higher in Zusanli (ST36) than Hegu (LI4) (p<0.001). There was statistically significant difference found in the intensity of de Qi sensation by depth and sensitivity (p<0.05). In the depth of de Qi sensation, there was statistically significant difference found by sensitivity (p<0.05). In de Qi sensation of practitioners, there was statistically significant difference found by gender, BMI, the intensity of de Qi sensation (VAS) and sensitivity. Conclusions: Further study involving acupuncture de Qi sensation and the influencing factors is needed.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.166-181
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• 2018

The aim of this review was to determine the status of acupuncture therapies in reducing obesity in obese patients and to determine the scheme and effectiveness of acupuncture therapies. Existing reports published between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2017 in Kiss, Riss, National Assembly Library, Pubmed and CINAHL databases were searched electronically with the keywords obesity, acupuncture, auricular acupuncture, and electroacupuncture. After checking the original sources of the articles, 19 articles were included in the review. In a qualitative evaluation of the papers using a checklist from the Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network, one study scored 9 out of 10 points, 15 studies scored 7-8 out of 10 points, two studies scored 6 out of 10 points, and one study scored 3 out of 10 points. In the acupuncture therapy schemes, acupoints to reduce obesity included shemen, hunger, LI-11 (Quchi), LI-4 (Hegu), St-25 (Tianshu) and St-44 (Neiting). Acupuncture therapies were conducted for an average of 16.9 total sessions. In the studies that involved 20-day or 72-day duration for acupuncture therapies, the frequency of acupuncture therapies was 1 time/1-2 days. In the studies that involved 4- to 18-week duration for acupuncture therapies, the frequency of acupuncture therapies was 1-3 times/week. This study found acupuncture therapies were effective in reducing obesity, and acupuncture therapies reduced anthropometry, blood glucose and lipids and changed blood hormones. In the future, there is an urgent need for well-planned studies of the effectiveness of acupuncture therapies for reducing obesity in obese patients.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.180-187
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• 2000

By process of treatment for a case which diagnosed as glossopharyngeal neuralgia and admitted from the 4th, August, 2000 to the 1st, September, 2000, the results are as follows. Method & Resuits : This patient was diagnosed as Flaring up of Heart-fire(心火上炎), medicated Gamichengsimyeonja-eum(JiaWeiQingXinLianZi-Yin) and acupunture therapy was taken on proximal acupoints of right throat and parotid and distal acupoints inciuding Yuji(L10, 魚際), Taixi(K6,太谿), Zhaohai(K3, 照海), Hegu(LI4, 合谷) and Taichong(Liv3, 太衝). And negative therapy was taken on some pressure points of Jianzhongshu(SI15, 肩中兪) Jianjing(G21, 肩井) and Futu(LI18, 扶突). As a result, the patient's paroxysmal megalgia was improved. Conclusion : I consider that idiopathic pain diseases including glossopharyngeal neuralgia can improved by Oriental-Western collaborative medical treatment and continuous research must be accumulated subsequently.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.47-55
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• 2016

Objectives The purpose of this study is to investigate recent clinical studies on the effect of acupuncture on sore throat. Methods Based on the PubMed search with the key search terms of 'sore throat, acupuncture', dated from 1992 to 2015, 7 controlled trials and 8 case series was found, and were analyzed for this study. Results 1. The most commonly used acupoints were Quchi (LI11), and Hegu (LI4). 2. The most commonly used meridians were The Lung Meridian of Hand-Taiyin and The Large Intestine Meridian of Hand-Yangming. 3. Acupuncture treatment was effective for both acute and chronic sore throat. 4. More clinical studies are needed to prove the effectiveness of the acupuncture on sore throat. To be more objective on the study results, we can measure temperature drops on or amount of analgesic consumption for sore throat after acupuncture treatment.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.75-82
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• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report a case of nine-year-old female pediatric patient who had diagnosed as mesenteric lymphadenitis with abdominal pain. Methods : The patient was treated by acupunture (acupoint: Hegu(LI4), Zusanli(S36), Zhongwan(CV12), Tianshu (S25)), indirect moxibustion and herb medicine (Koakhyangjeonggisan-kamibang, Jakyakgamchotang Ex) for one week. We observed clinical progress. Result and conclusions : After oriental medical treatment, symptoms of mesenteric lymphadenitis (day and night abdominal pain, diarrhea) were improved. This study showed that oriental medicine can be a meaningful treatment for mesenteric lymphadenitis. For more accurate studies, further treatment cases would be needed.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.180-189
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• 2002

Background and Purpose : The hemiplegic upper extremity is affected in many stroke patients, and recovery is often poor. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) in enhancing the upper extremity motor and functional recovery of ischemic stroke patients. Subjects and Methods : Forty ischemic stroke patients (the upper extremity Fugl-Meyer motor scale (FM) score lower than 46, lesion location within middle cerebral artery territory) within 2 weeks of stroke onset were randomly allocated to either an EA group that received EA treatment or a control group that received only routine ward care. The EA was applied at Quchi-Shousanli (LI11-LI10), Waiguan-Hegu (TE5-LI4) points on the hemiparetic side six times per week for 4 weeks. The frequency of stimulation was 25-50Hz and the intensity was set at a level sufficient to induce muscle contraction. EA treatment was given for 30 minutes and all patients of both groups received standard rehabilitation program. Outcomes were assessed, in a blind manner, before treatment began and at 4 weeks after treatment, with the FM, the Motor Power score (MP) for shoulder/elbow, and the subsection of the Modified Barthel Index (MBI) for drinking/feeding/dressing upper body/grooming. Results : These 2 groups had comparable clinical characteristics, lesion location, lesion size, and pretreatment impairment scores. By the end of treatment, the EA group showed significantly more improvement than the control group in the subsection of the FM for shoulder/elbow/coordination (6.4 vs. 3.7; P=0.047) and the MP for shoulder/elbow (5.3 vs. 3.3; P=0.008). The subsection scores of the MBI for drinking/feeding/dressing upper body/grooming were not significantly different between two groups. No adverse effects due to treatment were found Conclusion : These results suggest that EA enhances the upper extremity motor recovery of acute stroke patients. However, this study failed to demonstrate any significant functional benefit related with upper extremity. Future study should be carried out in a larger sample size and use the functional outcome measure that is more specific and sensitive to the upper extremity.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.13 no.1 s.19
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• pp.93-100
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• 2007

TObjectives: Develop a sham moxibustion and determine whether subjects can distinguish a sham moxibustion from a real moxibustion. Design: Single-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial Methods: Sham and real moxibustion resemble each other in appearance, burning procedure, but the base of the sham moxibustion isolates the moxa-producing heat and smoke. This device was tested in a clinical trial in which subjects received moxibustion at Zhongwan(CV12), Mingmen(GV4), Quchi(LI11), Zusanli(ST36), Taichong(LR3)), Hegu(LI4). Volunteers(n=32) were given pre-treatment questionnaire to assess their experience in getting moxibustion therapy and performing it. They randomized into treatment(n=16) or sham controlled group(n=16), received moxibustion according their groups. After treatments, the effectiveness of blinding was assessed. Results: There were no significant differences between two groups in sex, age, moxibustion experience. In the treatment group and the sham group, the number of subjects who believed they received real moxibustion or sham is not different significantly.(P=.668) The consistency of a moxibustion type which subjects received actually and the their guess about that, isn't different significantly in two groups.(P=.465) Conclusion: The sham moxibustion was successfully validated in this study, The results demonstrate that this sham moxibustion blinds subjects and can be used as effective placebo-control in moxibustion clinical trials.