• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.151-163
• /
• 2011

Objectives : Our aim is to evaluate feasibility for massive clinical research and to make basic analysis of efficacy and safety of acupuncture treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome and idiopathic chronic fatigue. Methods : This study is a protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial. It was developed through literature searches and discussions among researchers. Results : Forty participants allocated to acupuncture group and wait-list group. Participants allocated to acupuncture group will be treated three times per week for a total of 12 sessions over four weeks. Eight points (GV20; bilatral GB20, BL11, BL13, BL15, BL18, BL20, BL23) have been selected for the acupuncture group. Participants in the wait-list group will not receive acupuncture treatment during study period and follow-up will be made in the 5th and 9th weeks after random allocation. Then the same acupuncture treatment as that performed to the acupuncture group will be made to the wait-list group. Fatigue Severity Scale, a short form of Stress Response Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, and Insomnia Severity Index will be used as outcome variables to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture. Safety will be assessed at every visit. Conclusions : The trial based on this study will be performed. The results of the trial will provide basis for the efficacy and safety of acupuncture treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome and idiopathic chronic fatigue.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.47-55
• /
• 2012

Objectives : The aim of this study was to understand the meaning of meridian in "Woegwasimbeopyogyeol (WGS)" of "The Golden Mirror of Medicine (GMM)". Methods : We compared the meaning of meridian in WGS with in Jagusimbeopyogyeol (JGS) of GMM. Results : Objectivity and clearness is obtained by inserting the meridian and collateral diagram and the partially expanded diagram in WGS and JGS. The meridian song (a quatrain with seven) in WGS is placed at the beginning of the chapter, indicating its importance. Kihyeoldaso of 12 meridians is detailed in WGS, so as to reduce the harmful effect when doctors diagnose, treat and prognose. It is important to understand the meaning of meridian When doctors treat carbunculosis. The symptoms of a disease is classified by parts and shown in diagram, which can play an important role in diagnosis. Conclusions : The WGS follows the meanings of meridian and the complementary structure in JGS.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.53-62
• /
• 2011

Objectives : Burn is most common adverse events of moxibustion. Various kinds of components influence on the heat stimulation of commercial indirect moxa, but there are not enough investigation about the status. The purpose of this study is to investigate the 6 components to build a base data that is currently available to build a standard of an indirect moxibustion. Methods : The length and weight, density, thickness of the paper disk, diameter of the paper disk, and diameter in the paper disk hole were measured against 6 kinds of commercial indirect cautery. Results : 1. 'Seoam', 'Kihwang' and 'Taegeuk' shows uniform length than the other brands. 2. 'Dongbang', 'Kihwang' and 'Taegeuk' shows uniform weight than the other brands. 3. 'Dongbang', 'Kihwang' and 'Taegeuk' shows uniform density than the other brands. 4. 'Dongbang' and 'Kihwang' shows uniform thickness than the other brands. 5. 'Seoam', 'Dongbang' and 'Taegeuk' shows uniform diameter of disc hole than the other brands. Conclusions : As a result of investigation, 'Dongbang' and 'Kiwhang' indirect moxibustion was identified as a uniform product. This results are considered as an important base materials of the KS through commercial indirect moxibustion.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.17-28
• /
• 2011

Objectives : Burn is the important adverse effect of the moxibustion treatment. This research does with the purpose to utilize as basic data which the results of histological observation of the burn tissue which generates when operating various commercial indirect moxa (CIM) on the skin, evaluate the burn because of the surgical operation. Methods : It operated 6 kinds of CIM on the depilated abdomen of the rat. By using the H-E staining and TUNEL assay, the image was observed and analyzed. Results : It could be the moxibustion medical treatment using the CIM generated in the first degree burn until the third degree. And in some case, burn has not generated. By using the H-E stain, the second-degree burn and third degree was observed, and it was observed the first degree burn by using TUNEL assay. In the first degree burn, TUNEL reaction in the epidermal layer was confirmed. The damage to the dermal layer was observed in more than 2 degree burn. In the third degree, the tissue degeneration to the subcutaneous fat was observed but the thickness of the skin tissue was not observed. Conclusions : Basic data classifying the burn generated by the CIM treatment through the histological observation of the burn tissue caused by the CIM treatment were built according to this research result.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.53-57
• /
• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to check diagnostic performance of infrared thermography for patients with vascular claudication. Methods : 3 patients with vascular claudication were diagnosed with Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging(DITI) and compared the relative temperature difference between the right and left. Results : Symptomatic legs showed significant low body temperature and at the very site patients complained of pain on, the body temperature differed distinctly between the right and left. Conclusions : Infrared thermographic diagnosis with clinical symptoms may be helpful in diagnosing suspected vascular claudication.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.67-77
• /
• 2011

Objectives : The survey was conducted to find out ear acupuncture usage of clinical traditional Korean medicine doctor and lay a foundation for the standards for its clinical application. Methods : An e-mail was sent to Korean medicine doctors whose email addresses are registered at the Association of Korea Oriental Medicine twice over two weeks. 280 completed questionnaires were used for the analysis. Results : 66.07% of respondents answered in use, whereas the answer that "less than 10 per 100 patient applied" was more than majority of 54.29%. The major field of treatment is addictive disorders such as smoking and the 80.11% patients got less than 3 days of treatment. Ear region was the most commonly treated area with 66.67%. Since the self removal frequency was high as 65.05% in compared to the case of visiting clinic. The rate of side effects was less than 10% (96.70%), and these side effects showed light symptoms such as "pain" (46.95%), itchiness (29.27%), flare (19.51%). The Acquired complements for improving ear acupuncture treatment was "the development of effective treatment manual" (28.57%) and "increasing insurance costs" (27.86%). Conclusions : Based on the survey, the vast majority of the TKM doctor used ear acupuncture but the frequency of use was low. We hope this study can be the basis for development of treatment manuals for various indications and safe treatment guidelines.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.179-187
• /
• 2014

Objectives : Saam acupuncture initiated by Saamdoin is traditional and originative method, which is characterized by applying the five phases theory and mother-child reinforcement-reduction principle to the selection of acupoints and needling manipulation. Our study was aimed to summarize and assess the use of acupoint SP3(Taebaek) in Saam acupuncture treatment and to further understand Saam acupuncture in an aspect of the combination of acupoints. Methods : We searched the data based on "(Do Hae Kyo Kam) Sa-Ahm's acupuncture method" for SP3 used and acupoint combination including SP3. We performed frequency analysis, network analysis, and cluster analysis for quantitative aspect. To understand clinical implication of SP3 with another acupoint, qualitative and descriptive methods were also carried out. Results and Conclusions : In our study, SP3 was frequently used for tonification of lung, spleen, heart, and kidney meridian and sedation of kidney, heart, and lung meridian. For this, many acupoints such as LU8, LU9, KI3, HT8, KI7, LU10 and LR1 were used with SP3. The combination of SP3 and other acupoints were used to treat stroke, common cold, and pain conditions including headache, low back pain, respiratory disease as well as gastroenteric troubles including stomachache, indigestion, vomiting, and constipation. To further understand Saam acupuncture, an understanding of the five transport points based on five elements characters, pathological changes (deficiency and excess) of viscera and bowels, and concept of source point should be preceded.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.519-536
• /
• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to figure out which acupoints are selected to treat low back pain and attempt to analyze the effectiveness of those acupoints in current clinical trials. Methods : We searched the three electronic databases(PUBMED, RISS, KISS) and manually checked related Korean journals and reference lists up to April 2012. We included randomized controlled trials, clinical controlled trials, and case reports/series using needle type acupuncture( manual acupuncture, electronic acupuncture) to treat low back pain in English and Korean. We investigated the frequency of selected acupoints, change of visual analogue scale of low back pain and statistical significance in each study among trials. Results : We included 37 articles(Domestic 17, International 20) 53 studies(Domestic 28, International 25) in this study. The most frequently adopted acupoints were BL23, BL24, BL25, GB30, BL26, BL60, BL32, BL40, KI3, GV3, ST36 in domestic studies and BL23, BL25, BL40, BL60, GB30, GB34, BL32, BL26 in international studies. There were differential effectiveness of acupoints between domestic and the international studies using statistical significance of visual analog scale for low back pain. Conclusions : These results suggest that both proximal and distal acupoints based on meridian theory were used in clinical trials to treat low back pain. It would be helpful to provide clinical guideline, evaluate the results of clinical trials appropriately, and reveal the effectiveness of acupoints.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.181-187
• /
• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report the clinical effects of 8 constitution acupuncture on a patient with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) type I. Methods : In this study, a patient with CRPS was treated by 8 constitution acupuncture therapy. He was diagnosed in the Cholecystonia of 8 constitution diagnosis. The progress of symptoms were evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS) and sleeping time. VAS and sleeping time were evaluated at 7:00 am daily. Results : VAS decreased from 10 to 4, while sleeping time increased from 30 minutes to 3 hours. Conclusion : The results suggest that 8 constitution acupuncture is effective for treating symptoms of CRPS type I.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.219-232
• /
• 2000

Objective : The meridian and the acupuncture point of oriental medicine are very important in the department of acupuncture and moxibustion. Recently, we needed to study on the phenomenon of the meridian and acupuncture point with objective data. And then, I made a study of effects on the thermal changes of Five-shu-points(五輸穴) of the Lung meridian with acupuncture on Taeyon($L_9$, 太淵), using Digital infrared thermal imaging(D.I.T.I). Method : This study researched into clinical statistics for 60 men who are in good health. The objective was divided into two groups, one was the control group(CON, N=30) and the other was acupuncture group(ACU, N=30). The first, I took a picture for 60 men with the Digital infrared thermal imaging(D.I.T.I.). After 10 minutes, I took a second picture for each group following experimental methods. Results : I. The Mean temperature of Sasang($L_{11}$), Oje($L_{10}$), Taeyon($L_9$), Kyonggo($L_8$), Choldaek($L_5$) and Taenung($P_7$) area in adult men with good health, made a no significant difference with left and right side points. 2. Acupuncture group with acupuncture stimularion on Taeyon($L_9$) had a effect on much thermal changes of Sasang($L_{11}$), Oje($L_{10}$), Taeyon($L_9$), Kyonggo($L_8$) and Choldaek($L_5$) than control group. The thermal changes of the area which is a meridian point in the Lung Meridian of acupuncture group differed from control group with significant decrease and increase following the decreasing or increasing temperature class. Each class of ascent and descent thermal change was statistically significant value compared with control group. 3. Acupuncture group with acupuncture stimulation on Taeyon($L_9$) had not a effect on thermal changes of Taenung($P_7$) area than control group. And the increasing and decreasing temperature class of the acupuncture group did not significantly differ from control group. Conclusion : I could think that the acupuncture on Taeyon($L_9$) affected the thermal change of the area which is the Five-shu-points in the Lung Meridian. And then I could relate these results with the existence of the meridian and acupuncture point.