• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.189-199
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• 2009

Objectives : Despite the substantial amount of newspaper coverage related to complementary and alternative medicine on the internet in recent years, little is know about the quality of the health information. To evaluate health information of the newspaper articles on moxibustion available in Korea through Korean language search engines and Web sites. Methods : We searched 454 news stories about moxibustion between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2008. Among them, 34 internet news coverage related to health information on moxibustion were selected and rated against eight categories by two individuals. Results : The inter-rater reliability of the two reviewers was assessed as 0.69, indicating a moderately high level of agreement. The overall rating score for 34 articles was 35.7${\pm}$17.2 for the statement criteria and 12.9${\pm}$17.0 for the satisfaction criteria. Overall, although they might be improving recently, the scores remain generally low. There was a statistically significant difference in the score of the newspaper coverage according to the type of evidence sources, including anecdotes. Conclusions : There is substantial variability in news reporting practices about moxibustion. It is urgently needed to enhance the information related to CAM including moxibustion through the news media in Korea.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.34-46
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• 2012

Objectives: Most patients who have cancer suffer from anxiety and depression. Because most liver cancer patients have cirrhosis, medication can aggravate their liver function. We need the most effective treatment such that the anxiety and depression can be improved without causing deterioration of liver function. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of acupuncture on the anxiety and depression of liver cancer patients. Methods: 8 liver cancer patients who complained of distress were treated by acupuncture three times a week for four weeks (12 times in total). Evaluation of the anxiety, depression and insomnia was measured by NCC (National Cancer Center) score. On visits 1, 4, 7, 10, and 13 we had patients check NCC score after acupuncture treatment. To check deterioration of liver cancer, we checked their abdominal CT, Child-Pugh score and blood test. Results: After 12 treatments, NCC of the anxiety, depression and insomnia were significantly decreased in all of the patients without causing deterioration of liver function. In particular, symptoms were almost completely improved in 6 patients. Conclusions: This study suggests that acupuncture treatment will be beneficial for liver cancer patients to reduce anxiety, depression and insomnia. For liver cancer patients with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis, a large-scale study to confirm efficacy and safety of acupuncture is needed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.123-135
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• 2007

Objectives : A number of instruments have been developed to measure the quality of life in patients with various shoulder disorders. Much progress has been made in this area, and currently an appropriate instrument exists for each shoulder state. The purpose of this study is to review the instruments that are currently in use for assessing the shoulder joint. Methods : A literature research was performed to choose appropriate scales for assessment of function and the disability of the shoulder. Theoretically based scales were selected for review. Therefore, 11 scales were reviewed. The status of scales involved in shoulder treatment of acupuncture throughout several countries was evaluated. Results : 11 scales: The American shoulder and elbow surgeons evaluation form(ASES), Constant Shoulder Score, The disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand(DASH), Shoulder Disability Questionnaire (SDQ), The Shoulder Pain And Disability index(SPADI), The simple shoulder test(SST), Oxford Shoulder Questionnaire(OSQ), The Rotator Cuff quality-of-life Measure(RC-QoL), Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index(WOSI), Western Ontario Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder Index(WOOS), Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index(WORC), wereevaluated. Each measurement has its own composition and characteristics. Their validity, reliability, responsiveness and practical characteristics were already evaluated. We found 3 domestic and 10 overseas papers about shoulder treatments using acupuncture assessed with shoulder scales. Conclusions : In clinical research, the selection of the measurement scale should take account of the condition of disease, the patient's traits and the characteristics of the research. Moreover, appropriate scales, which havevalidity, reliability, responsiveness and practical characteristics, are needed to enhance the quality of research.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.9-18
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• 2006

Objectives : This study was designed to evaluate the influence of postauricular pain on Bell's palsy patients. Methods : We investigated 71 cases of patients with Bell's palsy and classified them as existence of Postauricural pain, 71 patients were sequentially interviewed and examined. We evaluated the treatment effect of each group by using Gross Grading System of House-Brackmann(H-B grade) before treatment and after final treatment and we researched differences of sequelae of Bell's palsy, period of treatment, changing point -period from onset of Bell's palsy to the day which the change begins to be seen at the face- and improvement -period which Bell's palsy is improved from onset to H-B gradeII. Results : 1. In age, sex, lesion, duration of disease, we found that two groups have no significant differences. 2. In improvement and period of treatment, we found that two groups have significant differences. In changing-point, we found that two groups had the difference of the average, but they were not statistically significant. 3. As a result of evaluation by using H-B grade, treatment score after final treatment was marked higher than that before treatment within each group. 4. After final treatment, Non-postauricular pain group had significant difference(result) on H-B grade compared with Postauricular pain group. 5. In frequency of sequelae symptoms of Bell's palsy, Postauricular pain group had more higher compared with Non-postauricular pain group. Conclusion : These results suggested that Non postauricular pain group should be get better than Postauricular pain group.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.135-146
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• 2015

Objectives : This study was designed to evaluate clinical evidence of moxibustion treatment for knee pain. Methods : All processes were independently carried out by three investigators. A literature search was performed in 3 databases from their inception to May 2015. Ten reports were found based on their title, abstract and text. Following this, data extraction and analysis were done using a risk of bias(ROB) and through an assessment of multiple systematic reviews(AMSTAR). Results : 10 studies(6RCT, 2SR, 2CR) were included. Generally, indirect moxibustion was used for knee pain, but only one study indicated the use of direct moxibustion. Moxibustion was shown to be effective in treating knee pain, and the number of required treatments was fourteen on average. In assessing risk of bias, indefinite and uncertain information made all included trials subject to a high risk of bias. On the other hand, SR showed all evaluation items in the assessment of multiple systematic reviews, with the exception of an included or excluded studies list. Conclusions : Because of deficient study design or limited research planning, there is not sufficient evidence to allow for any conclusion about the efficacy of moxibustion for knee pain. Therefore, well-designed high quality trials are needed from now on.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.199-203
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• 2008

This study was designed to report the effects of acupuncture on dysphagia of stroke patients. Six patients with post-stroke dysphagia were enrolled. Acupuncture therapy was performed on eight acupoints for four weeks. Oral transit time, pharyngeal transit time, and functional dysphagia scale on the basis of videofluoroscopic swallowing study were used for evaluation. Oral transit time, pharyngeal transit time, and functional dysphagia scale showed acupuncture had positive effects on post-stroke dysphagia. Especially, the effects were significant at the time of 2 hours after acupuncture. This results showed that acupuncture was useful method to improve dysphagia of stroke patients.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.105-112
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• 2015

Objectives To investigate clinical effects of needle embedding acupuncture treatments for chronic low back pain patients. Methods 30 patients with chronic low back pain were recruited and randomized into two groups-the embedding acupuncture group or the placebo. At baseline, the age, height, weight, visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores were measured. And surface electromyography (SEMG) data of both erector spinae at L2, L4 level were also measured on both groups and asymmetry index (AI) were calculated. The embedding or placebo acupuncture treatment was performed on the erector spinae according to SEMG values; immediately after the first evaluation and 48 hours after the first visit. After 96 hours of intervention, the VAS, ODI score and SEMG of both erector spinae were measured again. Statistical significance was determined using the Wilcoxon signed ranks test or the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Results The mean VAS, ODI score after treatment was decreased significantly compared with baseline on both groups. And the VAS, ODI score and AI of the embedding acupuncture group was more decreased significantly than the placebo (p<0.05). Conclusions The results suggest that embedding acupuncture for chronic low back pain patients was effective on the VAS pain score, ODI score and AI of the erector spinae.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.175-187
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was performed to evaluate the effect of facial rejuvenation acupuncture on cases of sequela of facial nerve palsy. Methods : This study was carried out in respect of 5 cases of sequela of facial nerve palsy patients which had been treated in Dong-Shin university oriental hospital from 2009 year with House-Brackmann grading system(HBGS) above Grade IV. In this study the patients were treated by facial rejuvenation acupuncture. The effect of the treatment were evaluated via scales and picture. Results : After treatment with facial rejuvenation acupuncture, 5 patients improved H-B scale and symptoms of the sequela of facial nerve palsy. The average of H-B scale was increased from 3.2 to 6.4. There also formed forehead folds, better blinking of the eyes and improved asymmetry of the left and right face. Conclusions : In the study, facial rejuvenation acupuncture showed marked improvement in sequela of facial nerve palsy. Randomized-controlled trial for further evaluation will be needed in the future.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.323-339
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• 2021

Objectives: This study investigates the effect of electro-acupuncture on aphasia after stroke. Methods: A search of OASIS, NDSL, PubMed, Cochrane, and CNKI was executed between 4 January 2021 and 4 February 2021, with no limitation on publication year. Extraction and selection from the studies were made by 3 authors. The quality of the studies was evaluated using Cochrane's risk of bias (RoB) tool. Results: 10 studies met the selection criteria. As the treatment site for electro-acupuncture, GV20 (Baihui) was used the most. In all studies, the region located on the head was used for treatment without distinguishing between acupoints and areas of scalp acupuncture, and the stimulation was organized into 3 conditions: speed, intensity, and time. The outcome indicators used before and after treatment focused on the evaluation of language function and the degree of aphasia. The results showed that using electro-acupuncture with speech rehabilitation therapy for aphasia after stroke was more effective than using speech rehabilitation therapy alone. Conclusions: In this review, electro-acupuncture for aphasia after stroke was found to have a significant effect compared to the previous treatment alone. However, because of limitations, information was not reliable enough. Additional research is needed to produce more objective evidence.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.269-278
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to report the effect of the Korean acupuncture treatment and Open Wet Dressing Therapy(OPWT) for pressure ulcer. From November 2015 to January 2020, 9 patients with 3rd or 4th graded pressure ulcer over 70 years of age who were admitted to a care hospital with underlying diseases such as cerebral infarction, brain hemorrhage, and Parkinson's disease were treated by acupuncture and OPWT. Photographs of lesions were used to evaluate the changes in condition of pressure ulcer. Acupuncture was performed 4 times a week along the border between the normal epidermal region and the pressure ulcer granulation tissue in contact with the pressure ulcer interface. OPWT to create a wet environment for wounds by washing the wounds 1-2 times a day with normal saline solution and covering them with food wrap was combined. In addition, for objective treatment progress evaluation, size, stage and condition of pressure ulcer were regularly monitored using the classification method of The National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) according to the condition and depth of the damaged tissue and The Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing(PUSH tool 3.0). After acupuncture treatment and OPWT, the pressure ulcer of patients was cured in as short as 66 days and as long as 274 days (average 170 days). This study shows that acupuncture treatment and OPWT were effective to treat pressure ulcer.