• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.33-45
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• 2007

Background : Hot flushes are general postmenopausal symptoms which about 75% of climacteric women undergo. They affect hotness, perspirations, systemic weakness, panic disorders, insomnia. Acupuncture is effective in alleviating hot flushes in practice. Assessment effectiveness and safety of acupuncture in hot flushes would be needed through multi-center trial. Objectives : Purpose of this study is to develope the protocol of effects of acupuncture on hot flushes, a postmenopausal symptom in climacteric women. Methods & Results : It will be a multi-centered, randomized, sham controlled, comparative trial. It will be performed by Good Clinical Practice after approval of Institutional Review Board. Selection criteria will be set according those of FDA above moderate degree. There will be a notice on concomitant medication, other herbs, dietary supplements. Superficial needling on sham points will be used for control group. Treatment period will be 8 weeks with 12 weeks' follow up. Some questionnaire scale will be used as the primary and secondary outcome. Conclusions : The clinical trials based on this protocol will be performed.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.47-55
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• 2018

Objectives: Clinical improvements can be observed following placebo administrations in clinical trials. Randomized controlled trials have been conducted to disentangle the specific effects of therapeutic interventions over the past decade. In acupuncture trials, non-penetrating placebo needles offer the opportunity to determine the specific effects of needling. Methods: The present review provides an overview of the concept of the placebo effect and the characteristics of the placebo needles. Results: Placebo control can contribute to minimize for bias and the contextual and psychological components of therapeutic interventions. Placebo control should meet two criteria: blinding efficacy (indistinguishable from active treatment) and physiological inertness. In the case of acupuncture, however, it is difficult to meet both criteria simultaneously. The dilemma of placebo needles suggests that placebo needles do not constitute proper control in acupuncture research. Considering the characteristics of placebo needles, patients are more likely to perceive placebo needles as active treatment in acupuncture trials compared to placebo pills in pharmaceutical trials. Placebo response might be observed more frequently to placebo needles than to placebo pills. When acupuncture treatments are utilized in clinical use, placebo effects can be enhanced by exploiting patients' expectations in the contextual or environmental cues that surround medical intervention. Conclusions: We have to consider these unique characteristics of placebo needles in order to avoid drawing premature conclusions that acupuncture itself is just a placebo.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.105-115
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• 2018

Objectives : This research aimed to verify the validities of contraindicated acupoints in acupuncture treatment in Zhenjiudacheng. Methods : We investigated contraindicated acupoints when performing needling in Zhenjiudacheng, then verified them in today's medical knowledge and clinical studies. Results : In Zhenjiudacheng, 39 acupoints - LU2, LI4, LI13, LI14, LI16, ST1, ST9, ST12, ST17, ST25, ST30, ST42, SP6, SP11, SI18, BL8, BL9, BL56, KI11, TE7, TE8, TE19, TE20, GB3, GB18, GB21, GV10, GV11, GV17, GV22, GV24, CV1, CV4, CV5, CV8, CV9, CV15, CV17 and EX-HN11 - were described to need a careful approach in acupuncture treatment and 21 acupoints among them had contraindications. Most of the contraindications can be explained based on anatomical knowledge and results of clinical studies, and acupuncture treatment at the 39 contraindicated acupoints can induce injury of tissues or organs near the acupoints. Conclusions : The contraindicated acupoints in acupuncture treatment in Zhenjiudacheng seem to have been classified based on the adverse events experienced by doctors at that time. Therefore careful acupuncture treatment at these acupoints is needed to avoid injury to tissue or organs.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.59-71
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• 2019

Acupuncture treatment for oculomotor nerve palsy has been increasing recently. This study analyzed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and case reports, using the Cochrane risk of bias tool to investigate the efficacy of acupuncture therapy for oculomotor nerve palsy. This analysis was performed on March 7, 2019, using online databases (PubMed, Cochrane, NDSL, OASIS, CNKI) where 208 articles were retrieved. Of these, there were 18 case reports and 18 RCTs that matched the inclusion criteria, of which 32 studies used acupuncture as the primary intervention, 1 used pharmacopuncture, 1 used fire-needling, and 1 used electroacupuncture. The most commonly used acupoints were BL1, BL2, ST2, TE23, Ex-HN5, LI4, GB14, ST36, GB20 and GB1. Significant findings were reported in all RCTs. Six adverse events were reported in 3 RCTs, with no effect on the outcome. No side effects were reported in the case reports. The risk-of-bias analysis showed that the articles did not report the experimental protocol used and it was not clear whether the study was blinded. Hence, it was difficult to assess the risk of bias. Analysis of 36 studies showed that acupuncture therapy for oculomotor nerve palsy was effective in many cases. It was difficult to evaluate the potential bias.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.120-134
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• 2024

Objectives: This research aimed at investigating the trends of acupuncture treatment for Recurrent Implantation Failure (RIF) patients in IVF. Methods: Studies were searched from PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CNKI up to April 2024. Terms as 'Implantation failure', 'Recurrent implantation failure', 'Repeated implantation failure', 'RIF' and 'Acupuncture', 'Electroacupuncture', 'Needling' were used. Results: Of 136 screened, 10 studies are selected and analyzed. Studies were conducted using manual acupuncture and electroacupuncture. The results showed that acupuncture (electroacupuncture) treatment for RIF patients is effective in improving clinical pregnancy rate, endometrial blood flow, uterus morphology, endometrium thickness. The most frequently used acupoints were 三陰交 (SP6) and 子宮 (EX-CA1). Conclusions: Included studies showed that acupuncture (electroacupuncture) might have effect on RIF. Further research and meta-analysis should be conducted to verify its therapeutic mechanisms and safety.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.185-192
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to analyze trends in domestic and international clinical research studies on pharmacopuncture treatment for fractures. We searched five online databases (PubMed, CNKI, RISS, KISS, and OASIS), and selected a total of 13 clinical research studies from Korea and China. Selected studies were analyzed according to publication year, subject, intervention, treatment method, evaluation scale, adverse event, risk of bias, etc. A total of 10 case studies and 3 randomized controlled trials were included. The study subjects were more often female, and the most common type of fracture was vertebral compression fracture. In Korea, herbal medicine preparations and bee venom were used for pharmacopuncture solution, whereas in China, both herbal medicine preparations and Western medicine preparations were used. All studies commonly used local acupoint needling, and in most cases, the treatment period for case study was less than 1 month, and the observation period of randomized controlled trials was diverse. The most frequently used evaluation scale was numeric rating scale, adverse events were mentioned in only three studies, and no adverse events were reported. Overall risk of bias of all included randomized controlled trials was judged "some concerns". According to this study, pharmacopuncture treatment for fractures was found to be relatively effective and safe, but research that complements the limitations of this study is needed.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.179-187
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• 2024

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a common musculoskeletal disorder characterized by muscle pain, tenderness, and trigger points. Ultrasonography has emerged as a key tool for diagnosing and treating MPS owing to its ability to provide precise, minimally invasive guidance. This review discusses the use of ultrasonography in various approaches to evaluate and manage MPS. Studies have shown that shear-wave sonoelastography can effectively assess muscle elasticity and offer insights into trapezius stiffness in patients with MPS. Ultrasound-guided interfascial hydrodissection, especially with visual feedback, has demonstrated effectiveness in treating trapezius MPS. Similarly, ultrasound-guided rhomboid interfascial plane blocks and perimysium dissection for posterior shoulder MPS have significantly reduced pain and improved quality of life. The combination of extracorporeal shockwave therapy with ultrasound-guided lidocaine injections has been particularly successful in reducing pain and stiffness in trapezius MPS. Research regarding various guided injections, including dry needling, interfascial plane blocks, and fascial hydrodissection, emphasizes the importance of ultrasonography for accuracy and safety. Additionally, ultrasound-guided delivery of local anesthetics and steroids to the quadratus lumborum muscle has shown lasting pain relief over a 6-month period. Overall, these findings highlight the pivotal role of ultrasonography in the assessment and treatment of MPS.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.11-19
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• 2014

Objectives : This study was aimed to determine which pharmacopuncture was effective in relieving pain in standard pain model, acute grade 3 ankle sprain rat model. Methods : Percentage changes of weight bearing ratio(WBR), as pain indicator, were measured after anti-inflammation, neutro Eohyul, Hwangryunhaedock-decoction pharmacopuncture were injected to Guheo ($GB_{40}$). Results : In three kinds of pharmacopuncture, neutro Eohyul and Hwangryunhaedock-decoction pharmacopuncture represented more effect in percentage changes of WBR than surgical(non treatment), needling group. Conclusions : Comparing of pharmacopuncture in grade 3 ankle sprain rat model, these results provide basis to select pharmacopuncture in sprain disease. Furthermore, mechanism of pharmacopuncture's analgesia, anti-inflammation should be progressed.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.79-92
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• 2014

Objectives : This study aimed to investigate the medical contents of Korean medical textbooks and intervention usage in clinical practice. Method : We conducted an email survey of Doctors of Korean Medicine(DKMs) registered with the Association of Korean Medicine and analyzed the 259 responses that we received. Results : 1, The study showed that most DKMs used western medical knowledge concerning "history taking and diagnosis"(96.5%), "management and prevention"(95.8%), "causes and overview"(91.9%), and "prognosis"(90.3%). DKMs did not usually use western medical knowledge with regard to "diagnosis and treatment evaluation tools"(40.9%) or "western medical treatments"(25.1%) in their clinical practice. 2. Of the DKMs surveyed, 39.0% usually used traditional and western medical terms at similar levels of frequency in explaining their patients' conditions, while 35.9% used western medical terms more often and 20.8% used Korean traditional medical terms more often. 3. Most DKMs usually used acupuncture, herbal medicine, cupping therapy, Moxibustion in their practice and used herbal prescriptions presented in Dongeuibogam(57.1%), Bangyakhappyeon(52.9%), and Sa-Sang Constitutional Medicine(36.7%), although 27.8% used their own herbal prescriptions in creating for patients. In practice, DKMs usually used meridian acupuncture(64.1%), needling myofascial trigger points(54.8%), sa-am acupuncture(42.1%), dong-shi acupuncture therapy(24.7%), and constitutional acupuncture therapy(8.5%). Conclusions : We found that most DKMs use western medical contents as well as Korean medical contents in clinical practice. New Korean medical contents should be establish based on these results.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.115-121
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• 2010

Objectives : Quality control of the needle tips and prevention of pollutions are important factor for safe and effective acupuncture treatment. Ear acupuncture needle is made by 3 companies in Korea, and used to treat for obesity or smoking in clinic frequently, but the Korean industrial Standard is proposed most recently. In spite of the importance, there has been little study about that. Moreover, there was no study about ear acupuncture needle. Methods : We investigated the current condition of needle shape and pollution about the tips and body of the ear acupuncture needle under the stereoscopic microscope. Samples are selected 100 pieces from 300 pieces randomly in each company. Results : The substandard needles are classified into four groups and counted 1. Normal condition (55.3%), 2. Scratch on the surface (14.0%), 3. Malformation of tips (19.3%), 4. Pollution of body (4.3%), 5. Multiple Substandard (7.0%). In the case of including type 2 as a standard needle, normal rate of A company was 81% when B was 76%, and C was 51%. Conclusion : The substandard ear acupuncture needles can induce local side effects such as needling pain or itching. Furthermore, it can disturb the proper effect of acupuncture treatment. We hope that this study can help to improvequality of ear acupuncture and reduce substandard rate for safe and effective ear acupuncture treatment.