• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.272-276
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• 2019

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy and safety of procedures using ultrasound equipment for acupuncture treatment. Methods: A pilot, prospective randomized, single blinded, crossover clinical study on the accuracy and safety of ultrasound-guided Gyeontonghyeol (BP-LE6) acupuncture treatment was conducted. Patients (n = 13) with shoulder pain were randomly divided into 2 groups. During Visit 1, ultrasound-guided BP-LE6 acupuncture was administered to the experimental group. In the control group, patients received BP-LE6 acupuncture (without checking ultrasound images) by manipulating the ultrasound probe as if administering ultrasound-guided acupuncture. Visit 2 was arranged within 7-14 days and the remaining procedures, other than those administered in Visit 1, were performed. In both the experimental group and control group, the number of needle insertions, and time required for the treatment to result in the patients feeling de-qi was recorded. The numeric rating scale (NRS) score for shoulder pain was recorded before and after the acupuncture treatment. Results: The number of needle insertions was $5.31{\pm}3.50$ times in the experimental group, and $6.62{\pm}3.38$ times in the control group, however, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups (p > 0.05). The mean time required to perform the procedure was $151.54{\pm}48.59$ seconds in the experimental group and $86.69{\pm}37.17$ seconds in the control group, which was statistically significantly different (p < 0.05). The changes observed in numerical rating scale scores between groups were not statistically significantly different. Conclusion: Although there was no statistically significant difference, administering acupuncture using ultrasound guidance may lead to accurate needling with a reduced number of needle insertion attempts. A large-scale clinical study of better design should be conducted in the future.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.1-17
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• 2001

Background and Objetive : Lack of uniformity in reporting facial nerve recovery in patients with facial nerve paralysis has been a major disadvantage in comparing treatment modalities. The objective evaluation of facial nerve function is a complex procedure. The House and Brackmann grading system, the Yanagihara grading system has been recommend as a universal standard for assessing the degree of facial nerve palsy. However, clinical studies for treatment of facial palsy have rarely used this universal standard in oriental medicine. That is the reason for analysing this facial nerve grading system. Material and Method : We choose 10 scales reported from 1955 till 1995. These facial nerve grading systems may be classified as Gross system, Regional system and Specific system. Result and Conculsion : The scales of Botmann and Jonkees, May, Peitersen, and House and Brackmann are the gross facial nerve grading systems with which we grossly assess the facial motor dysfunction and the secondary defect. Among these scales, H-B scale is the most widespred The scales of Yanagihara(若杉文吉), Smith, Adour and Swanson, Jassen, FEMA are the regional facial nerve grading system in which we weight, or unweight the facial motor dysfunction and the secondary defect. For example, the scales of Yanagihara(若杉文吉) and Smith are the unweighted regional scale, the scale of Adour and Swanson, Jassen, FEMA are the weighted regional grading system. The scale of Stennert is the Specific facial nerve grading system in which we respectively assess the grade of facial dysfunction at rest, in motion and the secondary defect. For the objective evaluation of the oriental medicine treatment for facial palsy, we must use the universal standard scale, i.e. the H-B scale, the Yanagihara scale.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.112-123
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• 2002

Background and Objective : The evaluation of facial nerve function is a complex procedure. The House-Brackmann facial nerve grading system(H-B grade)and the Yanagihara grading system(Y-system) have been recommended as universal standards for assessing the degree of facial nerve palsy. The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of Y-system and H-B system and to know the advantages of each system for each stage of incomplete recovery or sequelae of facial paralysis. Materials and Methods : A comparison between H-B grade and Y-system was studied with 137 evaluations of 61 cases of incomplete recovery or sequelae of peripheral facial paralysis. Each case was graded by using H-B system as a gross system and Y-system as a regional system before treatment, after 12 weeks and 6 months Results and Conclusions : The range of score in the Y-system 0-6, 8-16, 14-22, 24-34, 32-38, 38-40 were matched with grade VI, V, IV, III, II and I in the H-B system. The percentage of H-B grade III was the greatest among 137 evaluations and y-system showed the greatest score range. H-B system is easy to use but Y-system is more objective, quantitative and convenient to use in the incomplete recovery or sequelae state.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.39-47
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• 2016

Objectives : This study was conducted to examine the clinical effects of thread embedding acupuncture on lumbar herniated intervertebral disc patients. Methods : This is a retrospective study based on clinical charts. Despite the treatments of acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, herbal medicine, and physical therapy during admission period, 10 lumbar herniated intervertebral disc patients who had shown few improvements in their symptoms were selected as subjects. Thread embedding acupuncture was conducted to reduce patient pain. Patient progress was categorized into three periods based on when the embedding procedure performed. Verbal numeric rating scale (VNRS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), and a 5 step evaluation scale for satisfaction were used to analyze the outcome. Results : Regarding comparison of VNRS improvement rate, both 3 and 6 days after embedding progress showed significant difference compared to before embedding progress. ODI improvement rate showed significant difference only 6 days after embedding progress. Patients' satisfaction with treatment had increased by several degrees. Conclusion : Thread embedding acupuncture for lumbar herniated intervertebral disc patients may be effective in reducing pain and improving their quality of life.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.49-56
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• 2022

Objectives The purpose of this study is to compare the changes before and after constitutional acupuncture treatment in soyangin who received embedding therapy for wrinkle improvement. Methods A retrospective study reviewing medical records was conducted. The patient was classified as a Soyangin by a specialist based on K-PRISM, personality, appearance, voice and usual symptoms. Records on the degree of wrinkles, postoperative symptoms, and patient satisfaction were reviewed. Results The patient's wrinkles were improved after the embedding therapy. After therapy symptoms were fever, flushing, and burning sensation. After acupuncture, these symptoms were reduced. Patient satisfaction increased after constitutional acupuncture treatment. Conclusion As a result of embedding treatment in Soyangin patients, there was an effect of wrinkle improvement. As a result of constitutional acupuncture treatment, anxiety and stress were reduced before the procedure, and symptoms of heat, burning, and flushing were reduced after the procedure.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.139-148
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• 2018

Objectives : This study was performed to examine the toxicity on the long term procedure of Aconitum ciliare Decaisne pharmacopuncture(ADP) solution. Methods : To evaluate the long term toxicity of 3 different repeated doses, 60, 150, and 300 mg/kg/day for 13 weeks were injected into BALB/c mice, respectively. The ADP solution was injected into near ST36 of the right leg and normal saline of the same volume was used for the vehicle control group. To evaluate the toxicity of 60, 150, and 300 mg/kg of repeated doses for 13 weeks, toxic symptoms, weight measurement, hematological test, blood biochemical test, visual examination and weight measurement of major organs, and histopathological test were conducted. Results : No significant changes in toxic symptoms, weight measurement, hematological test, blood biochemical test, visual examination and weight measurement of major organs, and histopathological test were observed in different doses of ADP solution treated groups compared to vehicle control group. Conclusions : As a result, repeated dose at a concentration of 300 mg/kg or less is considered to be not harmful for clinical treatment.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.211-217
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• 2005

Objectives : Terminal stage cancer patient from primary hepatocellular carcinoma metastasized into lungs was administered with cultivated wild ginseng herbal acupuncture for 5 months and observed progression. Methods : Cultivated wild ginseng herbal acupuncture was administered 5 times a week at about 150cc dosage per week. Dynamic CT was taken and interpreted at a university hospital. Results : Above patient was diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma and received one procedure of lobectomy and three procedures of TACE, but because of metastasis, chance of improvement was very obscure. Intensive treatment of cultivated wild ginseng herbal acupuncture five times a week for five months in association with moxibustion was done on the patient. Near elimination of the cancer cells metastasized into lungs were confirmed in terms of radiological impression through dynamic CT. Conclusion: From the results obtained in this study, cultivated wild ginseng herbal acupuncture can be an effective measure against terminal stage cancer. But this is a single case study and lack of extensive follow-up must be compensated by further researches.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.18 no.2 s.29
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• pp.45-69
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• 2005

The condition contrary to the physiological conditions obtained by the normal functioning of seven constituents of the body is defined as disease. The primary causes of the disease are emotional defilements of desire, hatred and delusion. The secondary causes of diseases are seasonal climatic changes, the agency of harmful demons, and improper diet or conduct. Once a disease occurs, it brings the disfunctioning of the three humors of wind, bile, and phlegm. Therefore all the disease should be examined and determined which of theses three humors effect its nature the most. There are five main techniques of external therapy, namely bloodletting, which extract the impure blood produced by disease of heat; moxibustion, which debilitates cold diseases, medicinal compresses, fomentation, massage with ointment, and minor surgery. Among these, the former three are the mild treatment and the latter three the severe ones because of the pain the patient has to suffer during the whole procedure.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.89-95
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• 2022

This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effects of wet cupping on the treatment of mental illness. A total of 2,670 studies were retrieved using PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Science Direct databases, and of these, 2,661 were excluded due to not meeting the inclusion criteria. There were 9 articles included in this review including 1,124 individuals who received wet cupping. Mental health was explored in, those who had migraines, metabolic syndrome, smoking addiction, post-traumatic stress, chronic medical disease, and depression. As an intervention procedure, the triple S technique was used in all studies. Only 3 studies reported that none of the participants complained of adverse events during or after the cupping therapy. In all studies, wet cupping was reported to be effective in reducing psychological symptoms. However, there are few randomized controlled trials testing the e?ectiveness of wet cupping in the treatment of mental health, and most are of poor quality. Therefore, more rigorous studies are required before the effectiveness of wet cupping for the treatment of mental illness can be determined.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.81-91
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• 2012

Objectives : There are numerous methods in treating acne scar. On the contrary there are hardly any cases on treating acne scars through Korean medicine. By observing we compared how much acne scar was treated by scar regeneration acupuncture therapy and micro-needle therapy treatment through observing pre and post case photos, KAGS, KCADI and patient satisfaction. Results : By comparing pre and post procedure through acne scar grade criteria, total of 5 patients showed improvement and could see distinct change in skin comparing case photos. After comparing pre and post procedures, total of 5 patients showed improvements in figures of Korean acne index. 4 patients replied very satisfied and 1 replies satisfied on patient satisfaction survey. Conclusions : After observing patients satisfaction, and comparing case photos, acne scar grade criteria, korean acne index, it can be considered that scar regeneration acupuncture therapy and micro-needle therapy done in our clinic to be valid treatment.