• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.137-148
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• 2010

Objectives : To research the changes of electroencephalogram(EEG) signals for acupuncture stimulation and to establish the hereafter direction for the study on EEG. Methods : We reviewed the domestic papers searched by search engine of Korean Acupuncture & Moxibustion Society and Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine. Results : We have searched 31 articles in 10 journals. The 13 articles were concerned with acupuncture. 1. All articles were published after 2001. In 2007 there were 10 articles. 2. The studies dealing with the changes of EEG signals were 24, the studies dealing with correlation of EEG signals were 5, and the studies analyzing EEG with Korean medicine were 2. 3. In the studies dealing with the changes of EEG signals, the case-control studies were 9, the non case-control studies were 14, and the case study was 1. 10 studies used electro-acupuncture, 1 study used herbal acupuncture, and 2 studies used manual acupuncture. Conclusions : We need more various kinds of studies. 1. Excited condition by acupuncture stimulation may reduce $\alpha$ wave. 2. There may be the acupuncture point-specific variation of EEG signal patterns. 3. The number of responding channels for acupuncture stimulation may correlate with the quantity or variety of acupuncture effect.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.13-23
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• 2011

Objectives : The aim of this study was to develop the combined medical stimulus system consisted of the PEMFs (Pulsed electromagnetic fields) and LED which are able to stimulate local point such as acupoints and trigger points. Methods : To evaluate the therapeutic effect on the musculoskeletal disorders and the possibility of alternative method on manual acupuncture, we compared the fatigue recovery of two groups by analyzing the EMG and peak torque (non-stimulation and, stimulation group) after strenuous knee exercise. We chose the LR9 as a stimulation point. Results : The median frequency (MF) and fatigue index (F.I) of the stimulation group were recovered faster than those of the non-stimulation group. Also the peak torques of both groups were not restored until after 20 minutes. However, the peak torque of the stimulation group was regained higher than that of the non-stimulation group. Conclusions : We confirmed that the proposed combined stimulus system had useful effects as treatment instrument of musculoskeletal disorder using non-invasive method of PEMFs and LED.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.43-58
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• 2007

Objectives : The elicit of DeQi, a composite of sensation including numbness and fullness that develops at the site of acupuncture stimulation, is considered to be clinically essential to establish treatment efficacy. However, there was little studies investigating the relationship between the subjective feeling of acupuncture sensation and acupuncture analgesia, The current study was therefore performed to determine the correlation between the acupuncture sensation scale (ASS) and the degree of acupuncture analgesia. Methods : Ninety-two female subjects were stimulated at LI4 acupoint on non-dominant hand with real (RA) or sham acupuncture (SA). Finger withdrawal latency (FWL) of each group was also measured to evaluate analgesic effect of acupuncture on the noxious heat stimuli on the dominant hand. All subjects were asked to complete seven point-Likert scale ASS developed by Vincent et al. Results : The increase rate of FWL of the RA group was significantly higher than that of the SA group(36.03 ${\pm}$ 4.45% vs 24.50 ${\pm}$ 3.73%). RA stimulation produced significantly higher rating of all the ASS except for dull sensation, compared to SA stimulation. Significant correlations between analgesic effect of RA, but not of SA, and the degree of the ASS, including burning sensation(r=0.349), Intense sensation(r=0.299), pulsating sensation (r=0.335), and stinging sensation (r=0.306) were found. Conclusions : The results of our study indicate that the DeQi sensation are associated with acupuncture analgesia. Our findings suggest that the evocation of DeQi might be useful clinical indicator of acupuncture treatment.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.727-738
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• 1995

Myofascial pain syndrome is one of the major cause of chronic pain and trigger point injection, stretching, spray and electrical therapy are often used in clinical situation for treatment of myofascial pain syndrome. Myofascial pain syndrome is characterzied by the existence of a hypersensitive region, called the trigger point in a muscle or in the connective tissue, together with palpable noble, stiffness, limitation of motion and referred pain when trigger point is stimulated. Physiologically, they represent a self-sustaining vicious cycle of pain-spasm-pain. The purpose of this study is to illustrate mechanisms of pain by stimulation of acupuncture and trigger point, to introduce clinic application of orient and western stimulative point (acupuncture, trigger point)for treatment of MPS(myofascial pain syndrome), to make physiotherapist use both stimulative points for treatment of MPS.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.130-135
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• 2015

Objectives : This study is to investigate stimulation effects of acupoints at differential meridian along arm and leg on the physiological phenomenon of heartbeats. Methods : 8 subjects were participated in this study. The experiments were performed in Resting session(Rs), Insertion session(Is), Stimulation session1(Ss1), Stimulation session2(Ss2), Stimulation session3(Ss3) sequence. Time of each session and the interval between each session was 30 seconds all. Acupuncture was performed manually on PC3 or LR8 at random with a two-day interval. stand deviation of N-N interval(SDNN) was measured for each session. Results : At PC3, SDNN increased in Ss1, Ss2, and Ss3 compared to Rs but at LR8, there was little change between Ss1, Ss2, Ss3 and Rs. Post-hoc analysis revealed that mean value of SDNN significantly increased in Ss1 compared with Baseline at PC3, while there was little change at LR8. When LR8 and PC3 were compared at each time point, there was a significant difference only in Ss1. Conclusions : Our results indicate that there is a correlation between specific physiological functions and acupoints.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.1399-1410
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• 2009

It is a method to treat pain using medication, neurotomy, and surgery. And acupuncture, ultrasound, electric treatment, and magnetic treatment are applied as a alternative physiotherapy. Electronic therapy is useful but it can be affected by impedance of skin or subcutaneous tissue. So, percutaneous stimulation is leading therapy, that is very randomly. We developed the system which can stimulate parts of acupuncture point noninvasively using the focused magnetic field. And we designed the magnetic stimulation electrode which is considered efficiency of the magnetic stimulation. It can make similar stimulation with manual acupuncture. To confirm the availability and reliability we compared Meridian Electronic Potential(MEP) change between manual acupuncture and magnetic stimulation. From this result, we found out the MEP changes of manual acupuncture and magnetic stimulation were similar. And there were various response properties as changes of stimulation method, intensity, and frequency. Also, the MEP change can be induced by electromagnetic stimulation. We confirmed that it is possible to use electromagnetic stimulation as a acupoint stimulation or pain treatment instrument.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.533-543
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• 2000

This study was designed to evaluate the analgesic effect of low power GaAsAl laser on the pain threshold of mechanical stimulation using different treatment points, acupuncture point (zusanli) and non-acupuncture points(back). Furthermore, we investigated the analgesic effect of low power GaAsAl laser using the different duration and intensity of laser in mechanical stimulation induced pain behavior. The results were summarized as follows: 1. The threshold of mechanical stimulation was significantly increased by GaAsAl laser stimulation into zusanli point after 15 and 30 min after laser stimulation(P<05). However, the laser stimulation into non-acupoint did not affect the pain threshold of mechanical stimulation. with dose dependent manner. 2. In order to investigate the analgesic effects of BV depending upon different intensities of laser stimulation, the experimental animals were divided into three groups: 3 mW treated group, 6 mW treated group and 10 mW treated group. The low power GaAsAl laser stimulation was applied into zusanli acupoint for 30 min with different intensity of laser stimulation. Six and ten mW of laser stimulation significantly increased the pain threshold of mechanical stimulation at 15 min after laser stimulation as compared to that of control group(P<.05). Moreover, the analgesic effect of 10 mW laser stimulation was maintained for 30 min after laser stimulation (P<.05). 3. Finally, we tested the analgesic effect of 10 mW laser stimulation using different duration such as 10 min, 30 min or 1 hr after application of mechanical stimulation. In 30 min treatment group, the pain threshold of mechanical stimulation was increased at 15min and 30min after laser stimulation(P<.05). However, laser stimulation for 60 min dramatically increased the pain threshold of mechanical stimulation at 0 min after laser stimulation and the analgesic effect of laser stimulation was observed until 1 hr after laser stimulation. In conclusion, these data apparently demonstrate that low power GaAsAl laser has analgesic effect on mechanical induced pain model in rats. In addition, the treated point, intensity and duration of laser stimulation should be concerned before clinical application for pain management purpose.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.1-14
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• 1998

This study was conducted to examine the increasing effects of Ga-As-Al laser Koryo-hand acupuncture on experimental pressure threshold. Forty healthy subjects (female=20. male=20) aged 21 to 30 years were randomly assigned to two treatment groups with same ratio in sex. The subjects in the experimental group (n=20) received Ga-As-Al laser stimulation, and those in the control group (n=20) received sham stimulation on appropriate Koryo-hand acupuncture points M10 on the left hand which is reflex point of upper trapezius portion. Experimental pressure threshold at the contralateral upper trapezius was determined with a pressure algometer and Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) before and after treatment. The change of pressure threshold between pretreatment and posttreatment in the experimental group was greater than that in the control group (p<0.05). The result indicates that Ga-As-Al laser Koryo-hand acupuncture increases experimental pressure threshold and suggests that it is an effective noninvasive pain management technique.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.219-232
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• 2000

Objective : The meridian and the acupuncture point of oriental medicine are very important in the department of acupuncture and moxibustion. Recently, we needed to study on the phenomenon of the meridian and acupuncture point with objective data. And then, I made a study of effects on the thermal changes of Five-shu-points(五輸穴) of the Lung meridian with acupuncture on Taeyon($L_9$, 太淵), using Digital infrared thermal imaging(D.I.T.I). Method : This study researched into clinical statistics for 60 men who are in good health. The objective was divided into two groups, one was the control group(CON, N=30) and the other was acupuncture group(ACU, N=30). The first, I took a picture for 60 men with the Digital infrared thermal imaging(D.I.T.I.). After 10 minutes, I took a second picture for each group following experimental methods. Results : I. The Mean temperature of Sasang($L_{11}$), Oje($L_{10}$), Taeyon($L_9$), Kyonggo($L_8$), Choldaek($L_5$) and Taenung($P_7$) area in adult men with good health, made a no significant difference with left and right side points. 2. Acupuncture group with acupuncture stimularion on Taeyon($L_9$) had a effect on much thermal changes of Sasang($L_{11}$), Oje($L_{10}$), Taeyon($L_9$), Kyonggo($L_8$) and Choldaek($L_5$) than control group. The thermal changes of the area which is a meridian point in the Lung Meridian of acupuncture group differed from control group with significant decrease and increase following the decreasing or increasing temperature class. Each class of ascent and descent thermal change was statistically significant value compared with control group. 3. Acupuncture group with acupuncture stimulation on Taeyon($L_9$) had not a effect on thermal changes of Taenung($P_7$) area than control group. And the increasing and decreasing temperature class of the acupuncture group did not significantly differ from control group. Conclusion : I could think that the acupuncture on Taeyon($L_9$) affected the thermal change of the area which is the Five-shu-points in the Lung Meridian. And then I could relate these results with the existence of the meridian and acupuncture point.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.3319-3325
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• 2013

In this paper, hand acupuncture used as a way of life medicine in everyday life, the influence of human organ will be investigated by applying IT techniques. For this, hand acupuncture is based on priority of the most important organ in the human body to target the cardiac associated with cardiac reflex point A16 acupuncture point before and after for 5 min to stimulation of facial images were collected and applied to the Lab color system associated with the cardiac, color value of cheonjung and lips region were measured for comparison and analysis. Finally, by measuring the change in bio-image signals A16 acupuncture point stimulation effects on cardiac function were performed to investigate the effectiveness of acupuncture. Also, statistical significance tests from the experimental results were performed whether the experimental results is valid or not.