• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.147-159
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• 2004

Objective : This study was designed to estimate the effects of Rainbow Power therapy on neck pain patients by using Visual Analogue Scale(VAS) and pressure algometer. Methods : Rainbow Power therapy group consisted of 18 patients and acupuncture therapy group consisted of 7 patients. The degree of improvement of neck pain was evaluated by VAS and pain pressure threshold(at the points of Jianjing GB21 and Jianwaishu SI14) before treatment, before 3rd treatment and before 5th treatment. Rainbow Power therapy was performed at the points of Jianjing GB21, Zhongfu LU1, Yangxi LI5, Ganshu BL18, Weishu BL21 and Shenshu, BL23. Each points were stimulated with RP-UM103(Rainbow Power therapy instrument) for 20 seconds. The points of acupuncture therapy were Jeonggeun, Jeongjong, Sangbaekn and Hegu LI4 and acupuncture was maintained for 15 minutes. After above therapy dry cupping was performed at the points of Jianjing GB21, Jianwaishu SI14, Gaohuang BL43, Tianzong, SI11 and Bingfeng SI12 for 5 minutes. Results : There was no significant difference between the two groups in VAS, pain threshold of Jianjing GB21 and Jianwaishu SI14 following treatment. In the two groups VAS was significantly decreased. In Rainbow Power therapy group the pain threshold of the two points was significantly increased. But there was no significant increase in acupuncture therapy groups about the pain threshold of Jianwaishu SI14. Conclusions : The effectiveness of Rainbow Power therapy on neck pain was shown through VAS and pressure algometer. These imply that Rainbow Power therapy may be useful for neck pain. Further study is needed about Rainbow Power therapy.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.85-97
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• 2008

Objectives : Moxibustion therapy is one of the most popular oriental treatments in Korea. In this study, we operate the in-depth interview for use of moxibustion therapy in Korea. Methods : Survey questions were developed based on consensus of acupuncture professors. The list of the Korean medical doctors with experiences more than 10 years is provided by the Association of the Korean Oriental Medicine. The in-depth interview was conducted in 30 Korean medical doctors who answered in the previous telephone survey that they use moxibustion therapy for more than 30 % of patients everyday. Interview survey with them were conducted by the well-trained interviewers of Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine in medical researcher from 22th May to 28th June 2007. Results : Korean medical doctors prefer to use the moxibustion with moxa stick (83.9%). The most common treatment disease was musculo-skeletal disorder (28.9%), gynecology (14.1%), digestive disorder (28.6%). The most common treatment area was the abdomen (35.3%), back (22.5%), lower extremity (15.8%) and upper extremity (16.9%). Indirect moxibustion’s was as frequent as 73.5% of moxibustion method. The most common instrument for treating was mini-moxa of manufactured goods (39.3%). Most Korean medical doctors (48.8%) took up the position that bring symptom relief following good treatment area. 'High preferences of patients' (32.7%) was one of moxibustion strong points but 'Lots of smell and smoke' (54.7%)' was a weak points. The most common side effects was the 'slight burn' (34.9%), 'skin rash' (22.5%), 'skin pruritus' (23.8%) Conclusions : This survey provides unique insight into the perception of the Korea medical doctor at moxibustion therapy. Future research needs to provide more in-depth insight into doctor views of the experience.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제19권4호
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• pp.982-992
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• 2005

Acupuncture as a therapeutic intervention is widely used for the treatment of many functional disorders such as substance abuse and mental dysfunction. Clinical trials are currently underway to determine the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of drug addiction. Yet, there are still many unanswered questions about the basic mechanism of acupuncture. Studies have shown that both the psychomotor stimulant effects and rewarding properties of addictive drugs, including morphine, are sensitized by repeated drug administration and raised the possibility that both of these effects may De linked to the same or closely overlapping the mesolimbic dopamine systems. Neiguan (PC6) point on the pericardium channel which is associated with the brain and its mental function, has been used to treat mental, psychosomatic disorders and gastroenterological disorders. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of acupuncture on repeated morphine-induced changes in extracellular dopamine levels using in vivo microdialysis and to measure the effect of acupuncture on repeated morphine-induced behavioral changes. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated twice a day for three days with increasing doses of morphine (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg, s.c.) or with saline. After 15 days of withdrawal, rats were challenged with morphine hydrochloride (5 mg/kg, s.c.). Acupuncture was applied at bilateral Neiguan (PC6) points for 1min after the morphine challenge. Results showed that acupuncture at the specific acupoint PC6, but not at control points (tail and HE8) significantly decreased both dopamine release, behavior induced by a systemic morphine challenge or a single s.c. morphine injection in the morphine-repeated animals. These results suggest that reduction in sensitization may be one mechanism whereby acupuncture alleviates morphine craving in addicts. Moreover, in a more general sense these results suggest that acupuncture can be used as a therapeutic intervention for correcting reversible malfunction of the body by direction of brain pathway and thus acupuncture can contribute to the biochemical balance in the central nervous system by regulating neurotransmitters.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제19권6호
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• pp.1701-1705
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• 2005

Dysphagia is Swallowing disorder characterized by difficulty in oral preparation for the swallow or in moving material from the mouth to the stomach. Dysphagia is the one of the most symptom of CVA and predisposes to medical complications such as aspiration pneumonia in poststroke patients. This study was designed to report the clinical effects of acupuncture for dysphagia on a patient with Wallenberg's syndrome. 8 acupoint were used and videofluoroscopic evaluation were performed. According to the above evaluation, 'Oral transit time' decreased within 1.5 sec and 'Coating of pharyngeal wall after swallow' were disappeared. The above results suggest that acupuncture is beneficial for dysphagia.

• 대한예방한의학회지
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.1-13
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• 2017

Objectives : This paper serves to explore current trends of systems biology in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and examine how it may influence the Traditional Korean medicine. Methods : Literature review method was collectively used to classify Introduction to systems biology, diagnosis and syndrome classification of systems biology in TCM perspective, physiotherapy including acupuncture, herbs and formula functions, TCM systems biology, and directions of academic development. Results : The term 'Systems biology' is coined as a combination of systems science and biology. It is a field of study that tries to understand living organism by establishing a theory based on an ideal model that analyzes and predicts the desired output with understanding of interrelationships and dynamics between variables. Systems biology has an integrated and multi-dimensional nature that observes the interaction among the elements constructing the network. The current state of systems biology in TCM is categorized into 4 parts: diagnosis and syndrome, physical therapy, herbs and formulas and academic development of TCM systems biology and its technology. Diagnosis and syndrome field is focusing on developing TCM into personalized medicine by clarifying Kidney yin deficiency patterns and metabolic differences among five patterns of diabetes and analyzing plasma metabolism and biomarkers of coronary heart disease patients. In the field of physical therapy such as acupuncture and moxibustion, researchers discovered the effect of stimulating acupoint ST40 on gene expression and the effects of acupuncture on treating functional dyspepsia and acute ischemic stroke. Herbs and formulas were analyzed with TCM network pharmacology. The therapeutic mechanisms of Si Wu Tang and its series formulas are explained by identifying potential active substances, targets and mechanism of action, including metabolic pathways of amino acid and fatty acid. For the academic development of TCM systems biology and its technology, it is necessary to integrate massive database, integrate pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, as well as systems biology. It is also essential to establish a platform to maximize herbal treatment through accumulation of research data and diseases-specific, or drug-specific network combined with clinical experiences, and identify functions and roles of molecules in herbs and conduct animal-based studies within TCM frame. So far, few literature reviews exist for systems biology in traditional Korean medicine and they merely re-examine known efficacies of simple substances, herbs and formulas. For the future, it is necessary to identify specific mechanisms of working agents and targets to maximize the effects of traditional medicine modalities. Conclusions : Systems biology is widely accepted and studied in TCM and already advanced into a field known as 'TCM systems biology', which calls for the study of incorporating TCM and systems biology. It is time for traditional Korean medicine to acknowledge the importance of systems biology and present scientific basis of traditional medicine and establish the principles of diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases. By doing so, traditional Korean medicine would be innovated and further developed into a personalized medicine.

• Applied Microscopy
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• 제36권4호
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• pp.279-289
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• 2006

STZ 유발 당뇨병 흰쥐에 척중혈(GV6)과 태백혈(SP3)에 대해 침 시술을 하여 체중, 혈당량변화, 당내성변화, 혈액내 지질함량, transaminase활성도 측정, 간조직의 조직학적 관찰, 간조직에서 IGF-I mRNA유전자 발현변화 및 간세포의 미세구조변화를 관찰한 결과 다음과 같은 결론을 얻었다. 실험군에서는 대조군에 비하여 체중감소 억제 및 혈당 강하의 효과가 있었고, 간의 조직학적 관찰 결과 STZ로 인하여 손상된 간장 조직이 상당부분 회복되었는데 이로써 척중혈(GV6)과 태백혈(SP3)에 대한 자침이 당뇨로 인한 간장조직의 회복에 임상적으로 유의한 효과를 나타낼 것으로 사료된다. 그러나 실험 결과 중 체간부 경혈인 척중혈 (GV6)과 사지부 경혈인 태백혈 (SP3)의 효과는 각각 차이가 있었는데, 체중감소 억제, 혈당량의 감소, 당내성 검사에서 혈당량의 감소, 혈청 HDL-cholesterol의 감소, 간효소치의 감소등에서는 척중혈(GV6)을 단독 시술하는 것이 가장 유효하였다. 척중혈 (GV6)과 태백혈 (SP3)의 병용 시술의 효과는 전체적으로 단독시술에 비해 떨어지거나 비슷하였으며, 간조직에서 IGF-I mRNA발현양상은 병용시술이 당뇨에 의해 감소된 IGF-I 유전자 발현의 증가를 유도하였다. 이상의 결과에서 STZ유발 당뇨병 흰쥐에서 척중혈(GV6)과 태백혈(SP3)의 침 시술이 당뇨병의 제증상을 유의하게 개선시키는 것으로 나타났으며 척중혈(GV6)에 대한 시술이 태백혈(SP3)또는 척중혈 (GV6)과 태백혈(SP3)을 동시에 시술하는 것보다 유의한 효과가 있는 것으로 나타나 앞으로 임상에서 당뇨병 치료에 사용될 수 있을 것으로 생각된다.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.63-78
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• 2002

Kupunggibodan(KU), Gamisamul-tang(GA) and Whangryunhaedok-tang(WH) are clinically the most popular prescriptions as an herbal medicine in the treatment of ischemia. In order to compare and evaluate their protective effects on the ischema-induced cognitive deficits by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), we examined its ability to improve ischemia-induced cell loss and impairements of learning and memory in the Morris water maze and eight-arm radial arm maze. Focal cerebral ischemia produced a marked cell loss, decrease in acetylcholinesterase(AchE) reactivity in the hippocampus, and learning and memory deficits in two behavioral tasks. Pretreatment with WH (100 mg/kg, p.o.) produced a substantial increase in acquisition in the Morris water maze. Pretreatment with KU increased the perfomance of the resention test in the Morris water maze. WH, KU and GA caused a significant improvement in choice accuracy in radial arm maze test. WH was superior to KU and GA in perfomance of the radial arm maze test. Consistent with behavioral data, staining with cresyl violet showed that pretreatments with WH, but not KU and GA significantly recovered the ischemia-induced cell loss in the hippcampal CA1 area. In addition, pretreatments with WH and KU recovered the ischemia-induced reduction of AchE reactivity in the hippocampal CA1 area. These results demonstrated that KU, GA and WH have protective effects against ischimea-induced learning and memory impairments and that the efficacy was the order of WH>KU>GA in tratment of ischemia induced memory deficits. The present studies provide an evidence of KU, GA and WH as putative treatment of vascular dementia. Supported by a fund from the Ministry of Health and Welfare(HMP-00-OO-04-0004), and the Brain Korea 21 Project from Korean Ministry of Education, Korea.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.59-76
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• 2004

Objectives : The usage of acupuncture has gained popularity for certain chronic pain conditions. However, the efficacy of acupuncture in various diseases has not been fully established and the underlying mechanism is not clearly understood. In the present study, the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) applied to yangno$(SI_6)$ on the neuropathic pain was examined. Methods : A common source of persistent pain in human is a neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain was induced by tight ligation of L5 spinal nerve. When rats developed pain behaviors, EA was applied for 30 min. under enflurane anesthesia with repeated train stimuli at the intensity of 10X of muscle twitch threshold. The foot withdraw latency of the hind limb was measured for an indicator of pain level after each manipulation. Results : EA increased the mechanical threshold of the foot in the rat model of neuropathic pain significantly for the duration of 1 hr. suggesting a partial alleviation of pain. EA applied to SI6 point produced a significant improvement of mechanical sensitivity of the foot lasting for at least 1 h. However, $ST_{36}$ point did not produce any significant increase of mechanical sensitivity. The improvement of mechanical threshold was interpreted as an analgesic effect. The analgesic effort was specific to the acupuncture point since the analgesic effect on the neuropathic pain model could not be mimicked by EA applied to a point, $ST_{36}$. In addition, this analgesic effect of EA is mediated by a adrenergic mechanism of descending control of spinal cord from the brain. Conclusions : The data suggest that EA produces a potent analgesic effect on the neuropathic pain model in the rat; and 2) that EA-induced analgesia is mediated by a adrenergic mechanism of descending control in a point specific manner.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.59-75
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• 2011

Objectives : The Aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics of male and female patients who have been suffered from headaches. The investigation was undertaken based on Qi-section(Methods of prescribing oriental herbal medicine) from DongEuiBoGam(東醫寶鑑). Methods: A statistical survey was conducted to compare the difference in clinical characteristics between male and female patients experiencing headaches. Oriental medical Diagnosis was used to classify all parients under the following categories Qi-deficiency (氣虛), Jing-dificiency (精虛), Food-stagnation (食積), Damp-accumulation (痰飮), Qi-stagnation (氣滯). Patients were treated using acupuncture therapy and herbal medicines. Results : 1. The ratio between male and female patients was about 1:3. 2. It showed that periods of illness were longer in female patients than in male patients. 3. The total number of treatments received was higher in female patients than in male patients. 4. Statistically, most female patients had Metopodynia and Migraines(Rt.), while male patients suffered mostly from Laryngalgia. 5. Male patients had feelings of strain in the head and female patients had splitting headaches. 6. Musculo-skeletal System and General Symptoms were frequently observed in male patients. Digestive System and Nervous System were frequently observed in female patients. 7. Results from oriental medical Diagnosis showed that male patients mostly had Qi-deficiency, ling-deficiency while the majority of female patients had Food-stagnation, Damp-accumulation, Qi-stagnation. 8. The recovery time for male patients was shorter than it was for female patients. The recurrence rate of the headaches were higher for female patients. Prognosis was better than in female patients in comparison to male patients. Conclusions : The statistical survey conducted was based on Qi-section of DongEuiBoGam. It had significant differences in clinical characteristics between male & femal patients.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.1-15
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• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of massive clinical research and to make a basic analysis on the effectiveness and safety of moxibustion treatment on knee osteoarthritis compared to usual care. Methods and Results : This study is a protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial. Forty participants are assigned to the moxibustion group (n=20) and usual care group (n=20). Participants assigned to the moxibustion group receive moxibustion treatment on the affected knee(s) at six standard acupuncture points (ST36, ST35, ST34, SP9, Ex-LE04 and SP10) three times per week for four weeks (total of 12 sessions). Participants in the usual care group don't receive moxibustion treatment during the study period and follow-up are made on the 5th, 9th and 13th weeks after random allocation. Both groups are allowed to use any kind of treatment, including surgery, conventional medication, physical treatment, acupuncture, herbal medicine, over-the-counter drugs and other active treatments. Education material that explains knee osteoarthritis and current management options and self-exercise is provided for each group. The pain scale of the Korean Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Questionnaire (K-WOMAC) is the primary outcome measurement used in this study. Other subscales of the K-WOMAC, the Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Physical Function test, Patient Global Assessment, and Pain Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) are used as outcome variables to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture. Safety is assessed at every visit. Conclusions : The result of this trial will provide a basis for the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture treatment for knee osteoarthritis.