• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.117-127
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• 2010

Background : To demonstrate the efficacy of moxibustion therapy, randomized controled trials are required. But, clinical trials of moxibustion had limitations due to the absence of a sham moxibustion model for an appropriate placebo. Objectives : To develop a new sham moxibustion model based on the thermal characteristics of commercial indirect moxibustion, especially temperature, and to evaluate whether it could be applied in clinical trials. Methods : By applying heat insulation, we created a sham moxibustion device that was indistinguishable from a real one with the naked eye. It also stimulated heat but had inert remedial value. A clinical trial was performed on subjects to test double blinding. The subjects were randomly assigned into two groups, a treatment group and a sham group. Acupoint Zusanli($ST_{36}$) was used in each group for 3 times. A sham acupuncture credibility questionnaire was modified into a moxibustion credibility questionnaire and was filled out after treatment. Results : No major difference was detected in the subjects' baseline data. Most subjects and practitioners could not distinguish the sham moxibustion device from the real one. But, subjects who had experience of moxibustion therapy more likely to distinguish the sham moxibustion device from the real one than subjects who didn't have experience of moxibustion therapy. The treatment group showed a significant difference in the VAS(Visual Analog Scale) for intensity of sensation during treatment than that of the sham group. Conclusions : The sham moxibustion device in this study is proved sufficient and credible to be applied in investigations of the effect of moxibustion. But it is more appropriate for the people who don't have experience of moxibustion therapy.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.29-38
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• 2011

Objectives : Recent well-designed randomized controlled trials(RCTs) and their meta-analysis have been published on the efficacy of acupuncture in different condition. In most of them, real acupuncture is compared with sham acupuncture including invasive and non-invasive sham methods. But it is not clear how active sham methods are. These results tend to lead the conclusion that acupuncture has no more effective than sham acupuncture. In order to investigate that sham acupuncture is appropriate as a control, we reviewed several acupuncture trials using different sham acupuncture as a control. Methods : We searched Cochrane researches of acupuncture, reviewed and analyzed 25 RCTs in 42 Cochrane reviews. And especially we compared the effect of acupuncture according to the type of sham acupuncture. Results : Invasive sham acupunctures are used in 12 RCTs and non-invasive types are used in the rest. The majority of studies(19 RCTs) fail to show effects beyond a sham acupuncture. Streitberger's sham needle is a validated sham acupuncture of non-invasive type that was used in 8 trials and also no significant group differences are shown except one trial. Conclusions : Acupuncture is a complex intervention. Clinical trials of acupuncture need to be reexamined and redesigned to remove several bias. Especially, sham acupuncture as a control might be investigated for physiological effects as well as validation test including patient-blinding and de qi sensation. Other research need to be investigated and developed for acupuncture trials.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.55-66
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• 2023

■Objective The aim of this study is to report the effects of Korean medicine treatment on patients complaining of sensory disorder of Lateral medullary syndrome caused by lateral medullary infarction. ■Method The patient received Sogyeonghwalhyeoltang, acupuncture, electroacupuncture, TENS and Jungsongouhyul pharmacopuncture treatment for 18 days. Abnormal sensation was evaluated using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), and sensory ataxia was evaluated using quantitative sensory evaluation for light touch, pain, and temperature, and then the sensation was evaluated using % compared with sensation felt when normal was 100%. Symptoms were evaluated over a total of 3 weeks on 2/7, 2/14, and 2/21. ■Results After treatment, NRS scores decreased both when the abnormal sensation was stable and when stimulated. The recovery score for sensory ataxia increased, with more pronounced recovery in the trunk area and slower recovery in the peripheral area. ■Conclusion This case shows that combined Oriental medicine treatment helps recover from sensory disorder in Lateral medullary syndrome.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.581-597
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• 2012

Objectives : To explore the experiences of patients with chronic low back pain(CLBP) in a randomized controlled trial(RCT) of acupuncture. Methods : Five qualitative focus group interviews were conducted at three Korean Medicine Hospitals. Two to 4 participants from the same group(real or sham acupuncture) in the RCT of acupuncture for CLBP discussed their experiences and perceptions of the clinical trial and the acupuncture treatment. Transcribed data were read independently by researchers and analyzed to categorize information and identify themes. Results : A total of 14 participants were included. Most of them discovered positive aspects of being a study subject and a patient. They recognized the differences between experimental and real-world clinical settings such as formal procedures of treatment, and different acupuncture device. Participants also expressed the weaker sensation of acupuncture compared to the previous experience. Especially, they were well aware of the 'subjects' role themselves, thus they observed their changes of symptom closely. As subjects were generally satisfied with their treatment and they had a good feeling to acupuncture after the trial, they expressed their willingness to participate in the future clinical trial of acupuncture. Conclusions : Our finding suggests that the Korean patients' experience of participating in an RCT was generally positive. Their tendency to perform the 'subject' role might affect the trial's process or overall results.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.115-122
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• 2004

Objective : The purpose of this study is to report the patient with radial nerve palsy, who improved by oriental medical treatment. Methods : The patient was managed by Cathami Flos aqua-acupuncture, Dong-Qi acupuncture treatment, Comman acupuncture treatment and Herbal medicine. We took pictures of patient's wrist and checked the power of muscles. And we checked the numbness of thumb that was patient's subjective sensation. Results : After 2 weeks-treatment, the movement and power of wrist was restored to nearly normal range, also the numbness of thumb was removed. Combined oriental medical treatment can treat radial nerve palsy earlier than the other methods. Conclusions : The results suggest that combination of Cathami Flos aqua-acupuncture, Dong-Qi acupuncture treatment, Comman acupuncture treatment and Herbal medicine is good method for treatments of radial nerve palsy. But further studies are required to concretely prove the effectiveness of this method for treating radial nerve palsy.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.189-199
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• 2005

Objectives : This interview survey was carried out to identify how Korean medical doctors make acupuncture prescriptions for knee osteoarthritis in clinics. Methods : Survey questions were developed based on a consensus of acupuncture professors at Kyung Hee University, Dongguk University, Daegu Haany University. The interviews were conducted to 72 members of the Korea Oriental Medical Association who answered to prefer remote acupuncture prescription at previous telephone survey. Results : Korean medical doctors prefer to use five shu acupuncture points, especially 'hyung' or , 'shu' points, on the contralateral side of lesion and that the first target organ is liver. Five element points theory was mainly based on 'Nanjing' and 'Hwangdi Neijing'. The De-qi sensation of both doctor and patients was emphasized. Diagnosis and evaluation generally depend on subjective evaluation rather than objective scale. Conclusion : This study showed that Koran medical doctors prefer to follow the Korean traditional acupuncture methods respecting the old classic principles. And these results can guide us to develop advanced clinical trial protocols more close to our acupuncture practice.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.91-96
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• 2022

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to characterize the stimulation intensity in acupuncture manipulation techniques for tonification and sedation therapy. Methods : To describe the level of stimulation used in acupuncture manipulation techniques for tonification and sedation therapy, we reviewed the acupuncture manipulation techniques described in classical medical textbooks. Results : Based on the patients' conditions and pattern identification, acupuncture manipulation strategies for tonification and sedation therapy were chosen. For example, the excess condition was treated with sedative therapy, and the deficiency condition was treated with tonification therapy. For tonification therapy, weak to modest stimulation was applied in acupuncture manipulation techniques, whereas intense stimulation was applied for sedative therapy. Even though the intensity of acupuncture stimulation was chosen based on the clinical examination, deqi sensation is a crucial component of acupuncture treatment, and during acupuncture practice, the practitioner should choose the right intensity of acupuncture stimulation based on deqi response in each patient. Conclusions : We concluded that the tonifying and sedative effects of acupuncture treatment are related to the stimulation intensity of acupuncture manipulation techniques. For individualized medicine, the right amount of acupuncture stimulation should be administered based on the patients' conditions and responses, such as deqi responses.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.145-155
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• 2020

Objectives : The aim of this study is to report the effect of Gagamtongchung-san and Korean medicine on the treatment of nummular eczema. Methods : A 52-year-old male had suffered from nummular eczema in forearm, dorsum manus and fossa cubitalis. We treated him with herbal medicine, acupuncture and herbal external medicine. In order to evaluate the results of these treatments, we observed pruritus and heat sensation of the patients and took photographs of the lesions. Results : After treatment, the nummular eczema lesions of patient was remarkably disappeared, NRS of pruritus and heat sensation decreased from 10 to under 2 and DLQI score changed from 28 to 9. Conclusions : According to the result, Gagamtongchung-san and Korean medicine can be effective for the treatment of nummular eczema and the improvement of quality-of-life.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.125-137
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• 2020

Objectives : Charcot neuroarthropathy(CN) is condition characterized by a progressive joint deformation with sensorial and autonomic neuropathy. This study is to report a case of CN improved by Korean medical treatment. Methods : The patient's left foot with CN was treated by Shudihuangkushen-tang, Haifu-san wet dressing, acupuncture and herbal acupuncture. We evaluated the progress by laboratory investigation, radiograph and photograph comparison, visual analogue scale(VAS) of edema and pain sensation. Results : After treatment, VAS score of edema dropped from 6 to 1, of pain sensation slightly improved from 0 to 1. Average blood sugar level decreased and rebounded, but Hemoglobin A1c level improved from 9.5% to 7.7%. Improvement of the left foot was recognized from the radiograph and photograph comparison. Conclusions : This study suggests Korean medicine is effective in treating CN, especially using Shudihuangkushen-tang, Haifu-san wet dressing.

• Journal of Sasang Constitution and Immune Medicine
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.49-56
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• 2022

Objectives The purpose of this study is to compare the changes before and after constitutional acupuncture treatment in soyangin who received embedding therapy for wrinkle improvement. Methods A retrospective study reviewing medical records was conducted. The patient was classified as a Soyangin by a specialist based on K-PRISM, personality, appearance, voice and usual symptoms. Records on the degree of wrinkles, postoperative symptoms, and patient satisfaction were reviewed. Results The patient's wrinkles were improved after the embedding therapy. After therapy symptoms were fever, flushing, and burning sensation. After acupuncture, these symptoms were reduced. Patient satisfaction increased after constitutional acupuncture treatment. Conclusion As a result of embedding treatment in Soyangin patients, there was an effect of wrinkle improvement. As a result of constitutional acupuncture treatment, anxiety and stress were reduced before the procedure, and symptoms of heat, burning, and flushing were reduced after the procedure.