• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.119-133
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• 2017

Objectives : This study is designed for analysis of trend and curative effect of Korean medicine for idiopathic external ophthalmoplegia. Methods : Research studies related to objectives were gathered through OASIS and KTKP and analyzed. Results : 21 case reports were selected. 5 korean medicine therapies, Herb, acupuncture, moxibustion, electroacupuncture, and pharmacopuncture, were executed. Restorative herb including Bojungikki-tang was frequently used in herb therapy. Facial and cephalic acupoints and non-facial, non-cephalic acupoints which individually differ were mostly simultaneously executed as acupuncture therapy. Also, moxibustion was partly performed. Electroacupuncture was carried out to affected area with electric stimulation at the strength of 1Hz and 4Hz. Hominis placental pharmacopuncture, 0.1cc or 0.5cc for each acupoint, was injected on disease area. After analyzing number of Korean medicine treatment and period of Korean medicine treatment from 21 case reports, the recovery period of idiopathic external ophthalmoplegia, 36.6 treatment session/36.69 days, was assessed to be more than one month shorter than previously known recovery period. Number of treatment sessions and treatment period for 11 cases when pharmacopuncture or electroacupunture was applied were 10/29, 35/29.96, which was 15 days shorter in terms of treatment period and 10 times less in terms of number of treatment sessions compared to cases when pharmacopuncture or electroacupunture was not applied. Conclusions : Korean medicine treatment can be effective for recovery of idiopathic external ophthalmoplegia.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.57-65
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• 2005

Objectives : Circium japonicum is a pharmacologically active used in traditional Korean medicine. An aqua-acupuncture solution of the Circium japonicum was assessed to determine the mechanism of its antioxidant activity. Materials : Circium japonicum was obtained from a Dongguk Korean Medicine Hospital (Kyung-ju, Kyungbuk). The freeze-dry powder was collected (yield 5.1%) for the aqua-acupuncture solution. Scavenging activity on DPPH free radicals by the Circium japonicum aqua-acupuncture solution (CJAS) was assessed according to the method followed by Gyamfi et al.. and then scavenging activity orl superoxide radicals $(O_2^-{\cdot})$ was assessed by the method described by Gotoh et al. with slight modification. Deoxyribose assay to determine the rate constant for the reactions between either antioxidants and hydroxyl radicals or antioxidants and iron ions. We tested by; (1) Non-site-specific scavenging assay (hydroxyl radicals, OH), (2) Site-specific scavenging assay (chelate iron ions), and (3) Pro-oxidant effect of the CJAS on iron dependent hydroxyl radical generation. Finally, we determined hydroxyl radical-mediated DNA nicking formation. Conclusion : Our study demonstrated that CJAS has antioxidant activities and we investigated the potential effectiveness of CJAS in preventing oxidative stress-mediated disease further.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.119-135
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• 2005

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the Asthma-suppressive and Immune-regulatory effect of AF-HA(Aristolochiae Fructus Herbal-acupuncture) at Joksamni(St36) in OVA(ovalbumin) induced asthma mouse model. Methods : C57BL/6 mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA(ovalbumin) for 12 weeks(once a week). The mice in the OVA-AF-HA group were treated with AF-HA at St36 for the later 8weeks(3times/week). The mice in the OVA-Needle-prick group were treated with single prick with an injection needle at St36 for the later 8 weeks(3times/week). Results : 1. The lung weight and the total cells in lung of the mice treated with AF-HA at St36 decreased significantly compared with those of the OVA-control group. 2. Total leukocytes and eosinophils in BALF of the mice group treated with AF-HA at St36 decreased remarkably compared with those of the OVA-control group. 3. The collagen accumulation in lung of OVA-AF-HA group decreased significantly compared with that of the OVA-control group, 4. The concentrations of IL-4, IL-5, IgE in BALF, and IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 in serum of the mice group treated with AF-HA at St36 decreased significantly compared with those of the OVA-control group. 5. The numbers of $Gr-1^+/CD11b^+\;and\;CD11b^+$ cells in lung of the mice group treated with AF-HA at St36 decreased significantly compared with those of the OVA-control group. 6. The numbers of $CCR3^+,\;CD4^+,\;CD8^+\;and \;CD3e^+/CD69^+$ cells in lung of the mice group treated with AF-HA at 5136 decreased significantly compared with those of the OVA-control group. 7. The mRNA expressions of $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-4, IL-5, IL13 in lung of the mice group treated with AF-HA at St36 decreased significantly compared with those of the OVA-control group. Conclusion : These results suggest that Aristolochiae Fructus Herbal-acupuncture at Joksamni(St36) may be an effictive therapeutic method to treat asthma.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.77-84
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• 2003

Objective : This study was designed to investigate the effect of the Hwangryunhaedock-tang Herbal Acupuncture Therapy on Chronic Conjunctivitis or Xerophthalmia Methods : We injected distillation of the Hwangryunhaedock-tang(0.2cc) on both B-15(Shinsu-心兪), B-18(Kansu-肝兪) of patient and dropped it(0.6cc) in both eyes. We examined therapeutic value of Chronic Conjunctivitis or Xerophthalmia Results & Conclusions : The Hwangryunhaedock-tang Herbal Acupuncture Therapy was effective on reducing the symptoms. But further studies are required to concretely prove the effectiveness of the Hwangryunhaedock-tang Herbal Acupuncture Therapy for treating Chronic Conjunctivitis or Xerophthalmia.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 2014

Objectives : This study was designed to evaluate the feasibility of further acupuncture research as an effective and safe treatment for reducing cancer-related upper abdominal pain in patients treated with Neurolytic celiac plexus block(NCPB). Methods : This study is a randomized controlled pilot clinical trial of 3-week duration. Fourteen patients will be recruited and randomly allocated to 2 groups: an acupuncture plus NCPB group(experimental group) and a NCPB group(control group). All patients will undergo one session of NCPB, but only the experimental group will receive three acupuncture sessions a week for 2 weeks(6 in total). The primary outcome will be measured using the visual analogue scale, and the secondary outcome will be measured using the Painvision system and the consumption of additional analgesics. Assessments will be made at baseline and at 1, 2, and 3 weeks thereafter(that is, the 3-week assessment will be made 1 week after treatment cessation). Conclusions : This clinical trial will inform the design of a full-scale trial. The outcomes will provide information to facilitate the incorporation of acupuncture into existing pain management methods such as NCPB in the treatment of cancer-related upper abdominal pain patients.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.40-47
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• 2014

Objectives : Postural instability and gait difficulty(PIGD) can develop in all Parkinson's disease patients, especially late in the disease course, but does not respond well to conventional dopamine treatment. This study aimed to report three cases of PIGD in Parkinson's disease patients treated with Korean and Western medicine treatment. Methods : We used acupuncture, bee venom acupuncture, herbal medicine and moxibustion to treat patients during hospitalization. They continued Western medication and received rehabilitation treatment. We observed the changes of PIGD using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale(UPDRS). Results : After treatment, PIGD symptoms improved and UPDRS scores were decreased. Especially, scores of falling, walking, gait and postural stability subsections related with PIGD were decreased. In addition, general conditions of patients were improved. Conclusions : This study suggests that Korean medicine treatment could be effective in the treatment of PIGD in Parkinson's disease patients.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.99-107
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• 2015

Objectives : This study was designed to obtain basic data for a further large-scale trial as evaluating the efficacy and safety of Geochangmanryeung-dan(GMD) and acupuncture on patient with spinal stenosis treated by epidural steroid injection. Methods: The study is a randomized controlled pilot clinical trial, conducted over 8 weeks. Twenty participants will be recruited and randomly allocated to 2 groups: an experimental(GMD and acupuncture with epidural steroid injection) group and a control(only epidural steroid injection) group. The epidural steroid injection will be administered once per 2 weeks for 6 weeks(3 times in total). GMD will be administered as a dose of 5 pills, 3 times per day, for 6 weeks. Acupuncture will be performed 2 times per week for 6 weeks(12 times in total). The primary outcome will be measured by visual analogue scale and self-rated walking distance. The secondary outcome will be measured by PainVision, short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire, and Oswestry Disability Index. Both primary and secondary outcomes will be measured at baseline, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks. The last assessment(at 8 weeks) will be performed 2 weeks after treatment cessation. Conclusions : This clinical trial, as the pilot study for a future large-scale trial, will provide clinical information for evaluating the efficacy and safety of GMD and acupuncture treatment in combination with epidural steroid injection for the treatment of spinal stenosis.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.56-63
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• 2013

Objectives : Effects of repetitive electroacupuncture(EA) on the pain behavior and activation of spinal glial cells were examined in the rat model of neuropathic pain. Methods : Twenty one adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into 3 groups(control group, SP6 group, ST36+GB34 group). Neuropathic pain was induced by tight ligation of L5 spinal nerve. Mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity of hind paw were tested. Immunohistochemistry was performed in spinal cord L5/6 of all groups. EA was treated once in a day from the $5^{th}$ day after surgery. Results : EA treatments applied to ST36 and GB34 reduced significantly both of mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity after 3 times of treatment throughout the experiments. In the SP6 group, the analgesic effect was also shown after 7 times of treatment. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated inhibition of microglia and astrocyte activation in the spinal cord L5/6 dorsal horn in the ST36+GB34 group. Conclusions : The present results suggest that repetitive EA exert strong analgesic effect on neuropathic pain. These analgesic effects in neuropathic pain are associated with suppressing the activation of microglia and astrocyte.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.37-46
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• 2013

Objectives : The Meridians and acupuncture points are the fundamental theories for acupuncture therapy. They have been associated with nervous system, but It is not well defined. We investigated that the effects of acupuncture at the river points(LU8, HT4, PC5, SP5, KI7, LR4) on the changes in the expression of nNOS, iNOS, eNOS, and NE in rats. Methods : The Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 6 groups each non-acupuncture and acupuncture group. We inserted needle and retained for 5 minutes on both left and right sides of LU8, HT4, PC5, SP5, KI7, LR4 which were the river points of five transport points for 6 yin meridian vessels. After that, blood was drawn via cardiac puncture, and tissues for each point near meridian vessels were extracted to examine the changes in the changes of nNOS, eNOS, iNOS and NE. Results : The LU8 and HT4 group showed a significant decrease on nNOS. In terms of eNOS and iNOS, the LU8 group decreased significantly while the KI7 group increased significantly. However, the experimental groups didn't show any significant changes on the plasma and tissue norepinephrine without plama NE in SP5 group. Conclusions : The effect on the nNOS, iNOS, eNOS of acupuncture at LU8 and KI7 could be observed, and it is considered that the effect of acupuncture related with on nervous system could be studied by additional researches based on this one.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.47-55
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• 2017

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of further acupuncture research as an effective alternative and safe treatment for abdominal pain control in patients with pancreatitis. Methods and Results : This study is an open-label, assessment-blind, parallel designed pilot clinical trial. Thirty participants will be assigned to the acupuncture group(n=15) and usual care group(n=15). All patients will receive the conventional standard-of-care(SOC) therapy, but only the experimental group will receive acupuncture therapy six times a week, and the duration of acupuncture therapy will be held up to 12 weeks or until the pains are to be resolved. For the conventional SOC therapy, painkiller will be given. In treatment group, the subjects will receive the identical SOC therapy in combination with electroacupuncture therapy on twelve acupuncture points(LI4, PC6, SP6, GB39, ST36, ST37), and auricular acupuncture therapy on five auricular acupuncture points(Sympathetic, Shen Men, Abdomen, Pancreas gall, and Spleen). The primary outcome will be measured using the visual analogue scale(VAS), and the secondary outcome will be measured using the painkiller demand, quality of life index and severity of pancreatitis by abdominal computed tomography(CT). Assessments will be made at baseline and at week 1, 4, 8 and 12. Results of abdominal CT will be evaluated at baseline and at week 12. Conclusions : The result of this trial will provide a basis for the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture treatment for abdominal pain in patients with pancreatitis.