• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• 제35권3호
• /
• pp.104-107
• /
• 2018

Background: Reduced impedance at acupuncture points (acupoints) is a well-known phenomenon; and the impedance has been found to reduce further in relation to organ stress. The author hypothesises that any changes to an organ's state or function are communicated to its related acupoints in real time. As part of a research project to demonstrate this communication, the impedance of several acupoints was studied in real time. Methods: The acupoints were located electrically, and a 40 kHz signal was used to sample the impedances. Samples were taken at each acupoint and also at a 6 mm radius. The sample rate was 1 kHz and the session lasted for 5 minutes. The results presented here were taken from a single patient. Results: The impedance at an acupoint's centre frequently changed in an inverse relationship to the impedance at a 6 mm radius (i.e. when one goes up, the other goes down) and the left and right instance of the same acupoint usually displayed different impedance features. Conclusion: When studying the fine detail of real-time impedance samples taken from the centre of an acupoint and also from a 6 mm radius, this previously unreported contrary-motion phenomenon provides a useful tool to differentiate between artefact and genuine organ-related features in an impedance trace.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• 제26권3호
• /
• pp.59-65
• /
• 2009

Objectives : This survey was done in order to find out how Korean medical doctors derive pattern identification for acupuncture prescriptions in treating knee pain in real clinical practice. Methods : The survey questionnaire was developed by the committee of experts who major in acupuncture & moxibustion or statistics for acupuncture clinical trial protocol development. The questionnaires were distributed via e-mail to 75 members of Korean Acupuncture & moxibustion society from March 26th to April 14th in 2009. 57 members completed answers, and the computerized data were analyzed by SPSS 17.0 statistical program. Results : 1.54 Korean medical doctors selected meridian pattern identification based on the course of the meridians(52.5%), visceral pattern identification(27.1%), pattern identification based on cause of disease(8.5%) as the most commonly used pattern identification methods for acupuncture prescription when treating knee pain patients in real clinical practice. 2. In meridian pattern identification based on the course of the meridians, liver meridian of the medial knee region(13.2%), bladder meridian of the posterior knee region(12.0%), spleen meridian of the lateral knee region(11.7%), stomach meridian of the anterior knee region(9.8%) and kidney meridian of the medial knee region(8.6%) were selected. 3. In visceral pattern identification, blood stasis of sinews due to liver and kidney deficiency(5.3%), damp joint with yang deficiency of liver and kidney(4.9%), kidney qi deficiency with congealing cold(4.5%), yin deficiency of liver and kidney(4.1%) were selected. Conclusions : In our e-mail survey, Korean medical doctors answered that Meridian Pattern Identification based on the course of the meridians is the most often used diagnosis method. Visceral pattern identification, pattern identification based on cause of disease, pattern identification based on symptom and pattern identification based on qi-blood-yin-yang theory in order of frequency used, were selected for knee pain diagnosis in real clinical practice.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• 제24권5호
• /
• pp.67-88
• /
• 2007

Objectives : To present proper protocol as global standard- clinical study about acupuncture treatment, and to demonstrate effectiveness of Sa-am Acupuncture treatment for obesity. Methods : We randomly allocated participants to treatment group 1 and 2. The group 1 is treated by real acupuncture and the group 2 is treated by Kim Sham Acupuncture. We treated Bi-jang seung-gyeok (脾臟勝格) ; Daedon(LR1), EunBaek(SP1) Gyoung-geo(LU8) Sang-gu(SP5), to both group. Primary outcomes were measured by the Body Composition Analysis(Inbody. Korea). Secondary outcomes were measured by Blood Cholesterol, Triglyceride, HDL, LDL Cholesterol. Results : After treatment, the group 1 shown significant weight loss that analysed by Kruskal-Wallis certification, but didn't show notable change in body fat, total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol. Group 2 didn't show significant change in body weight, body fat, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, but total cholesterol was notably decreased. Controled group was not changed in body weight, body fat. Aftter treatment, 3 groups didn't show significant change in body weight, body fat, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• 제26권3호
• /
• pp.115-131
• /
• 2009

Objectives: This survey was done in order to find out how Korean medical doctors derive pattern identification for acupuncture prescriptions in treating low back pain in real clinical practice. Methods : The survey questionnaire was developed by the committee of experts who major in acupuncture & moxibustion or statistics for acupuncture clinical trial protocol development. The questionnaires were distributed via e-mail to 75 members of Korean Acupuncture & moxibustion society from March 26th to April 14th in 2009. 57 members completed answers, and the computerized data were analyzed by SPSS 17.0 statistical program. Results : 1.57 Korean medical doctors selected meridian pattern identification based on the course of the meridians(44.6%), visceral pattern identification(32.1%), pattern identification based on cause of disease(14.3%) as the most commonly used pattern identification methods for acupuncture prescription when treating low back pain patients in real clinical practice. 2. In meridian pattern identification based on the course of the meridians, gallbladder meridian of hypochondriac region(13.0%), bladder meridian of lateral low back region(11.2%), governer vessel of central low back region(11.7%) were selected 3. In visceral pattern identification, yang deficiency of kidney(20.2%), deficiency of kidney(19.3%), liver(16.7%), yin deficiency of kidney(14.0%), violence qi of kidney(8.8%), small intestine(7.9%) were selected. Conclusions : In our e-mail survey, Korean medical doctors answered that Meridian Pattern Identification based on the course of the meridians is the most often used diagnosis method. Visceral pattern identification, pattern identification based on cause of disease, meridian pattern identification based on symptom and pattern identification based on qi-blood-yin-yang theory in order of frequency used, were selected for low back pain diagnosis in real clinical practice.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• 제29권4호
• /
• pp.581-597
• /
• 2012

Objectives : To explore the experiences of patients with chronic low back pain(CLBP) in a randomized controlled trial(RCT) of acupuncture. Methods : Five qualitative focus group interviews were conducted at three Korean Medicine Hospitals. Two to 4 participants from the same group(real or sham acupuncture) in the RCT of acupuncture for CLBP discussed their experiences and perceptions of the clinical trial and the acupuncture treatment. Transcribed data were read independently by researchers and analyzed to categorize information and identify themes. Results : A total of 14 participants were included. Most of them discovered positive aspects of being a study subject and a patient. They recognized the differences between experimental and real-world clinical settings such as formal procedures of treatment, and different acupuncture device. Participants also expressed the weaker sensation of acupuncture compared to the previous experience. Especially, they were well aware of the 'subjects' role themselves, thus they observed their changes of symptom closely. As subjects were generally satisfied with their treatment and they had a good feeling to acupuncture after the trial, they expressed their willingness to participate in the future clinical trial of acupuncture. Conclusions : Our finding suggests that the Korean patients' experience of participating in an RCT was generally positive. Their tendency to perform the 'subject' role might affect the trial's process or overall results.

• 동의신경정신과학회지
• /
• 제18권3호
• /
• pp.113-122
• /
• 2007

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of mental stress measured with heart rate variability(HRV) in healthy adults and to evaluate the effects of laserneedle acupuncture therapy in healthy adults. Methods : 25 healthy volunteers participated in this study. The volunteers were divided randomly, the real laserneedle acupuncture therapy group or the sham laserneedle acupuncture therapy group. First, After 5 minute rest, mental stress was given with stroop color word task and calculation task. And then laserneedle acupuncture therapy or sham laserneedle therapy was done on HT8(少府) for 15 minute. HRV was recorded in 3 period-before stress, after stress, and after laserneedle or sham acupuncture therapy. Results : LF was significantly increased after mental stress. And there was no significant difference between the real laserneedle acupuncture therapy group and the sham laserneedle acupuncture therapy group. Conclusions : This results show that mental stress-stroop color word test and calculation test for 10 minute- contribute to activation of the sympathetic nervous system.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• 제24권1호
• /
• pp.217-225
• /
• 2007

Objectives: This sutdy aims to research the trend of the studies related with acupuncture treatment of asthma. Methods: We searched the electronic database and reviewed ReT studies comparing the effect of sham and real acupuncture published after 2000 Results: We selected eight articles. Effectiveness of asthma acupuncture treatment was generally insufficient. Three articles reported acupuncture to be effective in subjective symptoms and quality of life. Other three articles reported that acupucture treatment was moderately effective but, insignificant compared to sham acupuncture treatment. Some articles reported that acupucture treatment was significant in the decrease of drug dosage and immunologic regulation. Conclusion : For the study on acupuncture treatments in asthma, it is necessary that we conduct research on the various natures of acupuncture. More clinical data would be needed to prove the effects of acupuncture treatment in asthma.

• 대한한의학회지
• /
• 제35권4호
• /
• pp.24-35
• /
• 2014

Objectives: Although the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is thought to play an important role in treatment of obesity, no study has been conducted to investigate acupuncture's effects on this aspect of the ANS. This study aimed to describe the effects of acupuncture in the ANS by means of heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. Methods: A total of 46 obese women aged from 21 to 54 with body mass index ranging from 25.1 to $39.3kg/m^2$ were recruited and randomized into both the real acupuncture group (n=23) and sham acupuncture group (n=23). A total of 3 instances of HRV analysis were conducted before, during, and after treatment. Statistically significant differences between time and groups were analyzed using repeated measure analysis of variance. Results: All parameters of time domain analysis and frequency domain analysis except for the square root of the mean squared differences of successive normal sinus intervals (RMSSD) and very low frequency (VLF) showed significant differences between times. The mean of all R-R intervals (mean RR) showed significant level of interaction between time and group. Between groups, time domain analysis of standard deviation of the normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN), RMSSD and frequency domain analysis of total power (TP) and high frequency (HF) showed significant differences. Conclusions: The real acupuncture group showed deactivation of parasympathetic function and relative increase of sympathetic activity in obese subjects. Further studies are necessary to uncover the mechanisms of acupuncture in obesity treatment.

• 대한한방내과학회지
• /
• 제27권3호
• /
• pp.698-705
• /
• 2006

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate the effect of PC6 and SP4 on autonomic nerve system in healthy adults. Methods : 22 healthy adults were recruited and randomized into the study group or control group. The study group (real acupuncture group) was acupuncturcd on PC6 and SP4. The control group (sham acupuncture group) was acupunctured superficially near PC6 and SP4 but not the exact points. The subjects rested for 10 minutes, and were then acupunctured. After 15 minutes, acupuncture needles were removed and the subjects rested for another 15 minutes. Heart rate variability(HRV) was continuously measured during the study period by FM-150 (digital Holter ECG recorder). Results : In the real acupuncture group. LF(low frequency) significantly decreased during the acupuncture period(p<0.05). LF/HF ratio also had a significant decrease during acupuncture period and the decrease was maintained during the post-treatment period as compared with the pre-treatment period. In the sham acupuncture group. LF significantly increased during the acupuncture period but LF/HF ratio had no significant changes. Conclusions : The results suggest that acupuncture on PC6 and SP4 can increase parasympathetic activity and balance autonomic nervous system.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• 제37권4호
• /
• pp.241-246
• /
• 2020

The intelligent tissue theory states that organ information is conveyed on electromagnetic waves and these are interpreted by bodily tissue, so that real-time organ states are reflected in the tissue at each organ's related meridian. This article describes the practical implications of this, how this relates to acupuncture, and how it accounts for the common acupuncture-related phenomena. The Chinese medicine notion of "chi" is also explored. Its history is described, including the 1970's reinterpretation. This article suggests that both the Nei Jing and also the 1970's model of how acupuncture works are merely metaphorical; do not describe reality; and that "chi" (which is central to these models) does not really exist. Alternative explanations are provided for all the common phenomena that are usually attributed to "chi", and a simple account of how acupuncture works is given.