• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
• /
• v.9 no.3
• /
• pp.388-398
• /
• 2002

Purpose: This research was designed as a pre-post experimental study with a nonequivalent control group to verify the effects of meridian exercise on health status, depression and self-esteem in institutionalized elderly people. Method: The research population included 38 participants, 65 years and over, who were assigned to an experimental group (18) or a control group (20). All of the participants were institutionalized in Seoul Data collection was done from October. 2000 to May, 2001 and the experimental treatment for this study, meridian exercise, was done for a total 30 minutes per session for 12 sessions over two weeks. The exercise was developed by a professor of Oriental Medicine and the researchers involved in this study. The data were analyzed using the SPSS PC+ program. Result: There were no significant differences for general characteristics between the two groups. Physical health status, mental-mood health status, depression and self-esteem were low. Differences in the physical health status of the elderly people was higher in the experimental group (t=16.299, p=.000). The effects of the meridian exercise on mental-mood health status, depression, and self-esteem were statistically significant (t= 10.301, p= .000 ; t=15.579, p=.000, t=14.571, p=.000). Conclusion: According to the results, meridian exercise should be used to improve health status, reduce depression and increase self-esteem, and so promote the quality of life for elderly People who must be institutionalized. A study to measure the physiological index in meridian exercise for elderly people is suggested as a method to set up a Korean nursing intervention to enable elderly people to manage their own health.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.89-105
• /
• 2009

Objectives : Hyun-Ga therapy, a creative method that involves meridian pathways for isometric exercise, has displayed the possibility of treating and alleviating idiopathic scoliosis in terms of theory. The researcher explored current research trends and introduced Hyun-Ga therapy in which meridian pathways theory is applied. Methods : We examined theses and books of oriental or western medicine that cover idiopathic scoliosis. By doing these, we looked into the role of Hyun-Ga therapy towards the prevention and treatment of idiopathic scoliosis, and gained the following results. Results and Conclusions : Hyun-Ga therapy, the manual technique that has introduced the concept of silence and movement into rectifying the body through isometric exercise on meridian pathways in the limbs, can be practiced more easily than other conventional manual techniques. Hyun-Ga therapy based on meridian pathways theory is highly evaluated for its clinical insight on the structural and functional roles of meridian pathways. The theory of Hyun-Ga therapy, however, needs to be supported by more objective and sufficient complementary data. For this, continuing research and analysis are required in the future.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.67-72
• /
• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of a 4 weeks Meridian Tai Ji exercise treatment on blood pressure reducing in hypertensive patients. Methods : We measured the blood pressure of 3 patients who were visited in the Gwacheon Health center from 21th November 2007 to 17th December 2007. Eligible participants had systolic blood pressure ${\geq}$ 120 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ${\geq}$ 80 mmHg with antihypertensive drug. Blood pressure measurements were after the patient had been in rest for at least 10 minute. Twelve sessions of Meridian Tai Ji exercise treatment over 4 weeks were performed in the patients. Blood pressure were measured twice before and after each session. Results : After 4 weeks, blood pressure reduction was observed in the treatment patients, with an average decline of systolic blood pressure up to 5.67 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure up to 0.17 mmHg. But, it was not statistically significant. Blood pressure increased between measurements taken before and after an Meridian Tai Ji exercise treatment session, although individual responses were quite variable. No significant difference was found in the immediate effect. Conclusion : Twelve sessions of Meridian Tai Ji exercise treatment do not seem to control hypertension. Further research is required to determine whether Meridian Tai Ji exercise treatment can enhance clinical management of hypertension if it is used in combination with more enrolled participants, over longer periods, or randomized controlled trial.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.73-84
• /
• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of 12 weeks-walking exercise with functional shoes on chronic low back pain. Methods : The subjects of this study were 18 females from thirty to sixty years old who had suffered from low back pain over 12 weeks. They wore S shoes with curved out-sole and soft material in arch of foot We asked them to walk wearing shoes for 1 hour a day over 4 days a week for 12 weeks. Improvement of the symptoms was evaluated by pain rating scale, Oswestry low-back pain disability index. We measured lumbar lordotic angle, Ferguson's angle, bone mineral density, body composition. The measurements were checked before and after exercise. Results : This study showed significant improvement in pain rating scale, oswestry low-back pain disability index, and body composition. And lumbar lordotic angle, Ferguson's angle and bone mineral density decreased. Conclusions : These results showed that walking exercise with functional shoes could decrease the symptoms of chronic low back pain. But, it's too difficult to conclude whether the efficacy was due to functional shoes or walking exercise because we didn't set the control group wearing general shoes.

• The Journal of Korea CHUNA Manual Medicine
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.65-83
• /
• 2002

We are made a comparison between 12 meridian tendino-musculature and myofascial/locomotor anatomy in which the bodywide connections among the muscles within the fascial net. We consider that these unique 'whole systems' view is of vital importance to understanding the role of fascial in normal movement and postural distortion and to application of manual and movement therapy.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.77-84
• /
• 2007

Obejectives : Slow-motion strengthening trainings build up muscles better than any other type of training, these exercises focus on balancing and strengthening the muscles in the anatomical center of the body - the core - which includes the back, hip and abdominal muscles. Methods : We had a concept of 'core', and compared core muscles with 12 meridian tendino-musculature based on Thomas Myers' myofascial meridian. Results : It has been suggested that the core muscles correspond to meridians of foot- three Yin and foot- three Yang. The study of core muscles strengthening exercise and movement therapy is requred.

• Journal of TMJ Balancing Medicine
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.23-27
• /
• 2011

This study reviews and suggests the followings: 1) The balance and harmony between water and fire (ki and blood, yin and yang) is regarded as the basic condition of maintaining health in Oriental medicine. 2) Oriental medicine defines disease as the imbalance or disharmony of body. So the discordance between water and fire is in ill state, the coordination between water and fire is in healthy state. 3) Etiological factors and pathology are summarized by the conflict between vital ki and pathogenic factors, six exogenous factors, internal injury by seven emotions and the imbalance between yin and yang. 4) The regulation of meridian ki recovers the balance between water and fire, ki and blood using acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping therapy, herbal medicine and physical and breathing exercise and massage which is based on the principle of controlling ki and spirit.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.28 no.6
• /
• pp.27-34
• /
• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of thread-embedding therapy against partial obesity. Methods : 9 women from 20 to 30 with partial obesity were treated with thread-embedding therapy and then surveyed satisfaction, reaction after treatment and whether they were re-treated or not. The results of before and after treatment were compared with physical measurement, body composition tests and fat thickness measured by ultrasound. Results : The satisfaction of patients was high and side effects were pain, bruises and unnaturalness of action, but 8 of 9 patients wanted to re-treatment. The effect of thread-embedding therapy against partial obesity was continuous and was most pronounced during the first week. Conclusions : Thread-embedding therapy may be useful to reduce partial obesity without different treatments of obesity, diet, exercise etc.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.44 no.1
• /
• pp.1-11
• /
• 2023

Objective: There are currently no disease-modifying medications or definite long-term sustainable interventions for patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), indicating an unmet treatment need. Our goal was to create a long-term sustainable intervention for PD patients that can be used in Korean medicine clinics. Methods: The Meridian Activation Remedy System (MARS) was created to stimulate a patient's 12 meridians and sinew channels using a combination of acupoint stimulation and exercise. The acupoints and motions used in MARS were selected through literature studies and expert advice. The methodologies were refined using observational and case studies. With slow and fast movements, the MARS intervention was intended to activate both slow- and fast-twitch muscle fibers. Intradermal acupuncture and motion that shift the center of gravity were employed to enhance the patient's balance and proprioception. In addition, the intervention included alternating movement exercises to address the complex cognitive decline commonly occurring in PD patients. Results: The following acupoints were chosen for the MARS intervention: bilateral Hegu (LI4), Houxi (SI3), Waiguan (TE5), Neiguan (PC6), Zhongchong (PC9), Yuji (LU10), Zusanli (ST36), Yanglingquan (GB34), Taichong (LR3), Kunlun (BL60), and Taixi (KI3). We also developed actions that can stimulate the body's 12 meridians. Conclusion: We developed the MARS intervention, which combines acupuncture and exercise, to address the unmet therapeutic needs of PD patients. We hope that with additional research, the MARS intervention can be set as an effective therapeutic program for PD patients.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.77-88
• /
• 2009

Background : Qigong is an exercise therapy based on the principles of Traditional East Asian Medicine. The exercises combine the practice of motion and breathing, both guided by mental imagery. Beneficial effects of qigong have been reported on a variety of complaints in chronically ill patients and on gait imbalance in the elderly. Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects neurophysiological function, movement abilities, and quality of life. Objectives : We developed a qigong program based on the Traditional East Asian medical theory regarding the improvement of clinical symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Methods and Results : Our qigong program consists of three parts. The first one includes movements which stimulate the meridians that run from the toes to the top of the head. The second one is composed of breathing and qigong movements that create harmony and balance with the circulation of Qi and blood on the Meridians. The third is a stage of finger pressure therapy and massage from Daoyin medical qigong to maintain meridian stability. Conclusions : These qigong program would help relieve the clinical symptoms of Parkinson's disease patients.