• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제34권2호
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• pp.93-112
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• 2017

Objectives : To evaluate and summarize the efficacy and safety of acupuncture treatment (AT) in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Methods : Fifteen databases (Pubmed, Cochrane, EMBASE, AMED, CINAHL, CNKI, Wanfang, and eight Korean databases) were searched up to September 2016. Only trials in which acupuncture was the sole treatment were included. Fatigue was used as the primary outcome measure, while the quality of life, pain, mood disorders, and adverse events were used as secondary outcome measures. We adopted three classifications: AT vs Sham AT, AT vs Wait-list, AT vs Western medication. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to assess the methodological quality. Results : A total of 11 randomized controlled trials involving 869 participants were identified. In comparison with Sham AT, AT significantly alleviated fatigue and pain, but no conclusions about the quality of life and mood disorders could be drawn. In the Wait-list group and Western medication groups, patients with CFS might feel less fatigued following acupuncture treatment, but the evidence was insufficient due to lack of study. Nine of 11 RCTs (81.8%) reported adverse events and there were two cases of mild subcutaneous hemorrhage, but no serious adverse cases. Conclusion : This review found evidence that patients with CFS may generally benefit from alleviation of symptoms by acupuncture treatment, and there is no evidence of worsening symptoms or causing of serious adverse events. A positive effect on fatigue and pain was observed, but no conclusion for improving quality of life and mood disorders.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.99-109
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• 2009

목적 : 두통의 침술효과에 대한 연구가 꾸준히 이루어지고 있다. 하지만 많은 연구들에서 서로 상충되는 결과를 내놓고 있다. 이에 저자는 대조군 집단 시술의 역할과 시험의 특성에 대해 연구하는 데 있어 몇 가지 유형의 두통, 특히 긴장성 두통(Tension-type headache, TTH)과 편두통에 대한 침술의 대조군 시험에서 나타나는 일관성 없는 발견 사항들의 원인이 무엇인지에 대해 밝히려고 하였다. 방법 : 두통의 침술효과에 대해 보고하고 있는 11개의 임의대조군 시험(Randomized controlled trials, RCTs)을 대상으로 하여 위약 침술과 방법론적 특성 범주 III과 IV를 중심으로 위약 시술 분석, 비교를 실시하였다. 결과 : 임상적 유효성과의 상관관계에 있어 범주 III과 IV 사이에는 유의한 차이가 없었다. 표본 크기 계산, 표본 전체 크기, 진짜 집단과 위약 집단에 속한 피험자의 수에는 긍정적 결과와 중립적 결과 사이에 유의한 차이가 없었다. 결론 : 두통의 임의대조군 시험에 대한 다양한 유형의 위약 대조군과 침술의 방법론적 특성이 임상적 효과를 예측해 주는지의 여부에 대해 추가 연구가 이루어져야 하겠다.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제39권1호
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• pp.1-9
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• 2022

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with storage, voiding, and post-micturition reduce quality of life and cause mental health problems. In traditional medicine, Baliao points have been empirically used to treat urinary system diseases. In this review, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using sacral acupuncture on Baliao points with sham treatment, other remedies, or other acupoints were retrieved from 8 electronic databases up to June 2021. Sixteen RCTs met the inclusion criteria. The quality of the included studies was assessed using a risk-of-bias (ROB) tool. Most of the evaluation indicators used in the included RCTs showed that sacral acupuncture had a significant therapeutic effect compared with the sham control intervention groups, and other remedies. However, all studies using acupoints (other than the Baliao points) as a control intervention had a "high" ROB and only reported secondary processed information, making it difficult to evaluate the efficacy of sacral acupuncture treatment for LUTS. No serious adverse effects were reported for sacral acupuncture, and only a low number of minor side effects were observed. These results suggest that sacral acupuncture could be considered as an alternative to existing treatments, with the added benefit of low cost. Large-scale, long-term RCTs are required in the future.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제40권2호
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• pp.135-142
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• 2023

Background: This study aimed to investigate hyperuricemia, renal inflammation, and xanthine oxidase (XO) activity improvement in a rat model treated with Scutellaria baicalensis extract (SBE). Methods: The rats were divided into 4 groups (n = 5 each), including sham, potassium oxonate (PO) injected hyperuricemia (control group), PO + 10 mg/kg allopurinol administrated (allopurinol group), and a PO + 50 mg/kg SBE administrated (SBE group), to investigate the effectiveness and molecular mechanisms of SBE. The effects of SBE on PO-induced hyperuricemia rats, renal inflammation, and XO activity were measured. Body weight and organ index of the kidney and liver were measured in PO-induced hyperuricemia rats, and serum uric acid level was extracted from whole blood and was measured. Renal inflammation was observed under a microscope after sections. XO activity was measured by liver tissue and serum XO levels. Results: Organ indexes of the kidney and liver in rats were significantly decreased in the allopurinol group than in the control group and with no significant difference in the SBE group. A PO injection for 5 days significantly increased serum uric acid levels in the control group compared to the sham group. Meanwhile, the SBE and allopurinol groups have significantly decreased serum uric acid levels compared to the control group. The SBE group revealed effectively improved renal histopathological changes compared to the control group. The XO inhibitor, allopurinol, significantly decreased XO activity. Additionally, SBE significantly lowered XO activity in rats. Conclusion: SBE can be used as an effective treatment for gout in the future.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제23권5호
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• pp.127-144
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• 2006

Background and Purpose : Though there were many clinical studies of acupuncture effects they didn't have appropriate control group. So we didn't say it was true acupuncture effect, though subjects in clinical study improved. To investigate the possibility of sham acupuncture application, we examined how well subjects distinguished real acupuncture from sham acupuncture. Methods : We investigate the possibility of sham acupuncture application as the following 3 kinds of methods. 1. The public (n=60) and Oriental Medicine Doctors (n=20) looked at the appearance of acupuncture and then were treated with randomly allocated acupuncture and judged it as real or sham. 2. The public (n=60) and Oriental Medicine doctors (n=20) were treated with randomly allocated acupuncture, then they looked at the appearance of acupuncture and judged it as real or sham. 3. The public (n=60) were treated with randomly allocated acupuncture (right-real-left-sham), (right-sham-left-real), (left-real-right-sham), (left-sham-right-real), then they judged it as real or sham. Results : 1. When the public (n=60) looked at the acupuncture appearance, the correct judgement ratio was 63.3%. After they were treated with acupuncture, the correct judgement ratio was 50.0%. 2. When Oriental Medicine doctors (n=20) looked at the acupuncture appearance, the correct judgement ratio was 25.0%. After they were treated with acupuncture, the correct judgement ratio was 45.0%. 3. When the public (n=60) were treated with acupuncture, the correct judgement ratio was 50.0%. After they looked at the acupuncture appearance, the correct judgement ratio was 63.3%. 4. When Oriental Medicine doctors (n=20) were treated with acupuncture, the correct judgement ratio was 65.5%. After they looked at the acupuncture appearance, the correct judgement ratio was 65.0%. 5. After the public (n=60) were treated with randomly allocated sham or real acupuncture as (right-real-left-sham), (right-sham-left-real), (left-real-right-sham), or (left-sham-right-real). the correct judgement ratio was 66.7% in looking at the acupuncture appearance group, and in not looking at 60.0%. Conclusion : These results indicated that Kim Sham Acupuncture could apply to the double blind clinical study of acupuncture effect. And more continuous studies are needed on Sham Acupuncture apparatus.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.145-161
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• 2007

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of electroacupuncture at Joksanmi($ST_{36}$) on Rat's aging by experimental methods. Methods : The author performed several experimental procedures to observe the effects of the EC-HAS at the arthritis. First, I measured the cell survival rate of the mice lung fibroblasts. Second, the incidence rate of arthritis and arthritis index of CIA were analyzed. Third, the levels of IL-6, $INF-{\gamma}$ , $INF-{\alpha}$ , $IL-1{\beta}$, IgG, IgM and anti-collagen II were measured in serum and the level of $INF-{\gamma}$, $INF-{\gamma}$/IL-4 ratio in the CIA mouse spleen cell culture. Fourth, histological analysis of the mice joint was performed. Fifth, the expression ratio of $CD3e^+$ cells to $CD19^+$ cells, $CD4^+$ cells to $CD8^+$ cells, $CD11a^+CD19^+$ cells, $CD4^+CD25^+$ cells, $CD3^+CD69^+$ cells, and $CD11b^+Gr-1^+$ cells were checked. Results: 1. The hematocrit was meaningfully (p<0.01, p<0.05) decreased in $ST_{36}$ group in comparison with the control and sham group. 2. The glucose, ALP were meaningfully (p<0.05, p<0.05) decreased in $ST_{36}$ group in comparison with the control group. 3. In the activation of hepatic antioxidase, the catalase was meaningfully (p<0.01) increased in $ST_{36}$ group in comparison with the control group. 4. In the liver, the NO formation was meaningfully (p<0.001) decreased in $ST_{36}$ group in comparison with the nomal, control and sham group. 5. In the activation of splenetic antioxidase, the GSH was meaningfully (p<0.01) increased in $ST_{36}$ group in comparison with the sham group, and the catalase was meaningfully (p<0.001) increased in $ST_{36}$ group in comparison with the control group. 6. In the spleen, the MDA formation was meaningfully (p<0.01, p<0.05) decreased in $ST_{36}$ group in comparison with the control and sham group. 7. In the spleen cell culture, the levels of IL-6 was meaningfully (p<0.05) decreased in comparison with the sham group, $INF-{\gamma}$( was meaningfully (p<0.05) increased in comparison with the control group. Conclusions: According to the results, it is considered that electroacupuncture at Joksamni($ST_{36}$) is effective in increasing the activities of antioxidative enzyme and inhibiting lipid peroxides, and has an immunomodulatory reaction. In conclusion, it han an significant anti-aging effect and need more experimental study.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제23권6호
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• pp.239-254
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• 2006

The 3rd Japan-Korea Workshop on Acupuncture and EBM was held at Kanazawa on June $16^{th}$. From Korea team, 4 papers were presented. Dr. Hahn introduced a new approach of data analysis on series of n-of-1 trials using the Bayesian statistics. It offered important information for the future n-of-1 trials. Dr. Park clearly demonstrated the significance of various sham devices proposed and stressed the importance of research questions when we choose the control intervention in RCT. Dr. Lee reported the results of survey in Korean Medical Doctors (KMD) for their point selection and techniques to the distal and local points. Dr. Kim presented the results of face to face survey on the KMD with 28 items for acupuncture treatment on the knee OA. Finally, a draft of protocol was introduced by Dr. Kim. The title was "multi-center, a randomized, single blinded, two arms, parallel-group study to compare the effectiveness and safety of 'individualized acupuncture' and 'standardized minimal acupuncture' in Korean and Japanese patients with knee osteoarthritis (Phase IV)". From Japan team, 7 speakers presented their comments and proposals on the protocol. Dr. Takahashi introduced several issues regarding n-of-1 trials and pointed out the importance of obtaining generalizability from n-of-1 trials. Dr. Shichidou pointed the importance of research design, selection of outcome measures and reduction of biases. Dr. Itoh presented the results of point selection for the knee OA based on the literature survey. Dr. Sumiya introduced several differences between KMD and Japanese acupuncturists based on the questionnaire used in KMD survey. Dr. Furuya demonstrated a result of press tack needle and its sham device on shoulder stiffness. Dr. Yamashita introduced the results of literature survey regarding adverse events occurred by acupuncture on knee OA. Dr.Tsukayama stressed the importance of responsibility of Institutional Review Board (IRB) for the conduction of clinical trials. After several issues were discussed, the need of continued meeting for final protocol development was agreed, then the workshop was closed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.18-28
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• 2003

Objective : To research the trends of study related to osteoarthritis with acupuncture in PubMed, and to establish he hereafter direction of acupuncture for osteoarthritis. Methods : We searthed in PubMed, with osteoarthritis and acupuncture limited by abstract, human, English. Results : 1. The pattern of study was as follow: Review article(2), Clinical Trials(13), randomized controlled trials(13). bee venom acupuncture(1), electroacupuncture(1). We further estimated 15 articles. 2. The lesion of osteoarthritis & kinds of acupuncture were as follows: knee(12), hip(2), cervical vertebral(1), bee venom acupuncture(1), electroacupuncture(1). 3. Most clinical trials are related to decrease of pain, functional improvement. 4. 10 of clinical studies provide affirmative result. And they recommend acupuncture for osteoarthritis. 5. 4 of clinical studies provide negative result. And these studies are designed by sham acupuncture method.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제23권3호
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• pp.1-19
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• 2006

Objectives : This study was carried out to determine the effects of Gamidokwalgisaeng-tang(GDS) oral administration and electro-acupuncture at $BL_{52}$ & $GB_{39}$ on the postmenopausal osteoporosis. Methods: In order to study the effects of the Gamidokwalgisaeng-tang(GDS) oral administration and electro-acupuncture at $BL_{52}$, $GB_{39}$ on osteoporotic rats induced by ovariectomy, body weight, femur weight, uterine weight, serum level of osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase(ALP), cholesterol, triglyceride, estradiol, androstenedione, testosterone and urinary excretions of calcium & phosphorus were measured. Results : 1. Body weight in all experimental group decreased significantly in comparison with ovariectomized group(OVX). 2. The weight of femur compared with body increased significantly in GDS oral administration and combination treatment group in comparison with ovariectomized group(OVX). 3. Uterine endometrial morphology is caused by ovariectomy and the weight of uterus decreased significantly in control and all experimental group in comparison with sham. 4. The serum level of osteocalcin decreased in all experimental group in comparison with OVX, but significantly in electro-acupuncture and combination treatment group. 5. The serum alkaline phosphatase(ALP) activity decreased in electro-acupuncture and combination treatment group in comparison with OVX, but only significantly in electro-acupuncture group. 6. The serum level of cholesterol increased significantly in OVX in comparison with sham and decreased in all experimental group in comparison with OVX, not insignificantly. The serum level of triglyceride increased in all experimental group in comparison with OVX, not insignificantly. 7. Urinary excretions of calcium and phosphorus decreased significantly in all experimental group in comparison with OVX. Conclusion : We suggest that GDS oral administration and electro-acupuncture at $BL_{52}$ & $GB_{39}$ are available for prevention and curing about the postmenopausal osteoporosis.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.13-23
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• 2007

Objectives : The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of Sa-am acupuncture (Damjeonggyeok) on autonomic nervous system in night nurses by heart rate variability. Methods : Five night nurses were divided into two groups. We checked their HRV once after sleeping for night and 5 times after working for night, 4 times after operation. We operate Sa-am acupuncture (Damjeonggyeok) and sham acupuncture twice by turns for group A and in reverse order for group B. We checked responses of HRV change after operations. Statistical analysis was performed by using the SPSS Win. Ver. 13.0 for analysis about correlation between data, and Baysian analysis using WinBUGS(Ver. 1.4) for comparison between Sa-am acupuncture (Damjeonggyeok) and sham acupuncture. Results : The median overall decrease for difference in responses of low-frequency power in normalized units (LF (NU)) was -16.56 (-28.88, -6.446), the median overall increase for difference in responses to high-frequency power in normalized units (HF (NU)) was 16.25 (8.104, 28.6) and for the median overall decrease for difference in responses to the ratio of low- to high-frequency power (LF/HF) was -1.846 (-3.922, -0.069), 95% credibility intervals being shown in brackets. VAS of stress was correlated with LF (NU) and HF (NU), LF/HF (p<0.0l). Conclusion : Sa-am acupuncture (Damjeonggyeok) might have sympatholytic and parasympathomimetic effects.