• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.788-796
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• 1998

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of various electroacupuncture duration induced by acupuncture point-Zusanli ($S_{36}$) electrical stimulation on inhibition of amplitude of digastric electromyogram (dEMG) evoked by noxious electrical stimuli around the mental foramen. intraperitoneal sodium pentobarbital in an initial dose of 50mg/kg and maintenance doses of 4.5mg/kg/h were given through a cannula in the femoral vein using a constant infusion pump. A pair of stimulating electrodes were inserted for noxious stimuli around the mental foramen. An irritant electronic stimuli pulse (0.2 Hz, 0.1 ms duration) was produced with an intensity of about $1.5{\times}2$ times threshold for evoking the dEMG. The anterior belly of the digastric muscle was exposed and a pair of 0.1mm wire electrodes were inserted for dEMG recording. Acupuncture point stimulation on Zusanli (2 Hz, 250 ${\mu}s$, biphasic pulse, 2 V) was delivered by Dental Electronic Anesthesia (3M, U.S.A). For periods of electronic stimulation of 10, 20, and 30min, the amplitudes of dEMG were measured on the oscilloscope and on the monitor connected to the amplifier. The following results were obtained: The dEMG was decreased to 73.4% of that in the control set after 10 min electroacupunture stimulation (Group I); The dEMG was decreased to 77.1% (10min), 54.0.% (20min) of that in the control set after 20minutes of electroacupunture stimulation (Group II). The dEMG was decreased to 73.3% (10min), 61.9% (20min), 76.2% (30min) of that in the control set after 30 min of electroacupunture stimulation (Group III). From these results, it may be that in the electroacupuncture stimulation on the Zusnali resulted in a reduction of amplitude of dEMG and that the most effective electroacupuncture stimulation period was 20min.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2007.10a
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• pp.170-174
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• 2007

Although research efforts for brain waves have prospered in medicine and engineering, acupuncture still has a long way to go regarding researches on brain waves analysis. Thus this study set out to analyze brain waves stimulated by indirect mugwort moxibustion, which was part of acupuncture techniques, and to investigate their correlations with the automatic nervous system. For the experiments, stimulation was given to Jungwan, Shingwol and Gwanwon, which were some of the spots on the body suitable for acupuncture, through indirect mugwort moxibustion. The subjects' brain waves were measured before the stimulation, during the stimulation, and one hour and two hours after the stimulation. The measurements were analyzed with Matlab 7.0 for FFT and frequency power spectrum. Then the ${\alpha}$, ${\beta}$, ${\delta}$, and ${\theta}$ waves were analyzed and examined for changes to the percentage of each frequency and to the amplitude of vibration according to the stages of stimulation. The EEG data of the entire brain were translated into FFT to analyze the percentage of the ${\alpha}$, ${\beta}$, ${\delta}$, and ${\theta}$ waves. As a result, the ${\alpha}$ waves recorded a double increase after the stimulation. The power spectrum analysis results of the entire brain decreased the ${\alpha}$ and ${\beta}$ waves dropping in the energy level, which suggested that the parasympathetic nerves were activated. When the results of the study were compared with those of the previous study, it's confirmed that indirect moxibustion stimulation could cause changes to the automatic nervous system and bring stability to those who were nervous or under stress due to the proportionate increase of the ${\alpha}$ waves.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.215-229
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• 2007

Objectives : Placebo phenomena have been considered as a confounding factor of clinical trial. Expectancy and belief of acupuncture have not been evaluated quantitatively. The present study was performed to analyze the emotional and cognitive factor .of acupuncture and investigate whether the expectancy of acupuncture treatment is associated with the cognition of acupuncture. Methods : The expectancy and the perception of bodily sensation (PBS) of 22 participants were assessed using self-reported questionnaire. The subjects used the self assessment manikin (SAM) to rate each of the standard affective image of the international affective picture system (lAPS) and other acupuncture-related image. Based on the degree of expectancy, the high expectant (HE) and the low expectant (LE) group were classified. The thermal and pressure pain threshold was objectively evaluated using radiant-heat device and algometer. The degree of expected pain of acupuncture and the actual pain of painful stimulation was subjectively evaluated using facial pain scales (FPS). Results : Using SAlVI analysis, we identified the negative correlation between hedonic valence and arousal dimension on acupuncture-related visual cue. The degree of the PBS and general pain threshold did not show any significant difference between the HE and the LE group. The HE group rated the acupuncture images as more pleasant, more arousing, than the LE group. In addition, we also found that the higher expectancy marked the lower FPS of the expected pain of acupuncture, but not of the actual pain of painful stimulation. Conclusions : Our preliminary study identified the psychological dimensions of acupuncture-related visual cue. These findings indicate that the expectancy of acupuncture could affect the cognition of acupuncture.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.40-49
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• 2001

Background and Purpose : There have been many studys about the relationship between the meridians and the acupoints of the twelve meridians, but no study about the extra points. To verify Dong-Shi acupoints, a kind of extra points, we studied the effects on the thermal changes of the ankle region following acupuncture on the Wu-Hu. Object and Methods : This study was researched into clinical statistics for 45 healthy normal students. The object was divided into two groups. One was the control group and the other was the acupuncture group. The acupuncture group was divided into two groups ; ACU-up : The class of ascent thermal change among acupuncture group. ACU-dn : The class of descent thermal change among acupuncture group. First, in the control group, we took a picture at the ankle region(BL60, BL62, GB40, ST41) without any stimulation with the Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging System and did after 10 minutes respectively. Second, in the acupuncture group, we took a picture without any stimulation and then acupuncture on Wu-Hu and took a picture after 10 minutes in the same way respectively. Results : 1. In the control group, average thermal change of BL60, BL62, GB40 and ST41 was decreased(about $0.2^{\circ}C$) after 10 minutes. 2. The skin temperature of all measured parts was significantly lower in the ACU-dn group after 10 minutes. 3. There were no significant differences of thermal change between the control and the acupuncture group, between the control and ACU-up group after 10 minutes. Conclusion : This result indicated that the acupuncture on the Wu-Hu was effective at the ankle region. And so the more study is needed continuously.

• 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.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.200-212
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• 2007

Purpose: To find objective validity of minimal acupuncture using a modified guide tube as a method to verify the effect of acupuncture. Methods: Subjects of this study were participants of a randomized clinical trial which was practiced to verify the effect of acupuncture on postmenopausal hot flash. There were 2 arms of treatment, one's for active acupuncture group(AG) with manipulation and De qi, the other's for minimal acupuncture group(MG) using a modified guide tube which was designed to give minimal stimulation to the patient. After 8 weeks' treatment followed by 4 weeks' observation, participants were asked to fill in self-report forms on their education, previous experiences of acupuncture, original idea on the efficacy of acupuncture and recognition of blinding. Results: 19 participants of 26 in AG and 19 of 26 in MG completed the self-report form. There was no difference between AG and MG in their education(p=0.5976, Fisher exact test) and previous experiences of acupuncture(p=0.9999, Fisher exact test). In their original ideas on the efficacy of acupuncture, most of AG and MG respondents have been thought that acupuncture is very effective or quite effective, and there was no difference between 2 groups(p=0.5065). 16 of 19 in AG and 14 of 19 in MG believed that they underwent more effective way, there was no statistical difference between 2 groups(p=0.6928, Fisher exact test). Participants believed in undergoing more effective way not because they recognized treatment method, but they were satisfied with the effectiveness of treatment retrospectively. Conclusion: As the result of this study, these authors suggest that minimal acupuncture using a modified guide tube is acceptable as a method to verify the effect of acupuncture in acupuncture-familiar Korean culture. Also further studies on the stimulation-specific effect of minimal acupuncture are demanded.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.523-531
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to investigate the Effect of stimulus in the Acupuncture point with Ultrasound and Electro-acupuncture on human's Cholinesterase activity. Pain is physiological symptoms in human body. Pain stimulation transference is according to Acetylcholine that is a matter of nerve stimulation. Cholinesterase analyze the Acetylcholine and Cholin acetylase compose the Acetylcholine. To identify of Cholinesterase activity, this study attempted to Electroacupuncture and Ultrasound for 20 person. Twenty subjects participating in this consisted of A group(difference of Cholinesterase's figure make use of Electroacupuncture with Zi-Shil), B group(difference of Cholinesterase's figure make use of Ultrasound with Zi-shil), C group(difference of Cholinesterase's figure make use of Eltroacupuncture and Ultrasound with Zi-shil). As a result the following conclusion was draun: 1. A group showed significantly decreased of Cholinesterase's figure make used of Electroacupuncture with Zi-Shil(the period is between pre-application and 20minute after application, between pre-application and mean of 20minute-30minute after application). 2. B group showed significantly decreased of Cholinesterase's figure make used of Ultrasound with Zi-Shil(the period is between pre-application and 3minute after application, between 3minute after application and 7minute after application, between preapplication and 7minute after application, between pre application and mean of 3minute-7minute after application). 3. C group not showed significantly decreased of Cholinesterase's figure make used of Elcetroacupuncture and Ultrasound with Zi-Shil(the period is between pre-application, between 20minute-Eletroacupuncture and 3minute-Ultrasound after application, between 30minute-Eletroacupuncture and 7minute-Ultrasound after application). The results of this study showed that decrease of Cholinestese' s figure make used of Elctroacupuncture and Ultrasound Zi-Shil. The result mean stimulation of Elctroacupuncture and Ultrasound decreased Acetylcholin' quantity. And decrease of Acetylcholin' quantity decreased Cholinesterase' figure.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.67-77
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• 2004

Objectives : Many studies have reported that acupuncture analgesia was mediated through the activation of peripheral and central opioid receptors. However, there has been little electrophysiological study on the adrenergic mechanism of acupuncture analgesia in chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain. The present study was undertaken to elucidate the role of adrenoceptors in the production of acupuncture analgesia in the chronic pain model. Methods : In the rat with chronic inflammation and nerve injury, dorsal horn cell (DHC) responses to afferent C fiber stimulation were used as a pain index and changes in electroacupuncture (EA) analgesia were recorded before and after intravenous administration of selective adrenoceptor antagonists. EA stimulations (2Hz, 0.5msec, 3mA) were applied to the contralateral Zusanli point for 30 min. Results : EA stimulation induced long-lasting inhibition of DHC responses in the rat with chronic inflammation and nerve injury. In both models of inflammation and neuropathic pain, α-adrenoceptor antagonist (phentolamine) significantly attenuated an inhibitory effect of EA on DHC responses. Selective α2-adrenoceptor antagonist (yohimbine) also had a similar suppressive action on DHC responses to that of phentolamine. However, β-adrenoceptor antagonist (propranolol) did not have any inhibitory effect on DHC responses in either model of chronic pain. Conclusions : These experimental findings suggest that in rats with chronic pain, EA stimulation with low frequency and high intensity produced an analgesic effect which was mediated through an activation of α2-adrenoceptors.

• 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.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.522-527
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• 2004

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of Naegwan-Acupuncture stimulation on the relationship of change in electrocardiopgraphy(EGG). For this purpose, 11 normal volunteers were acupunctured at Naegwan acupoint using the method of Young-Su-Bo-Sa. Then, we measured and observed the change of augmented unipolar limb leads aVR, aVL and aVF in EGG. In aVR, Naegwan acupuncture treated groups were increased the activity of PR interval and PR segment compared to the control group. In aVL, Naegwan acupuncture treated groups were increased the activity of R wave amplitude, PR interval and PR segment. In aVF, Naegwan acupuncture treated groups were increased the activity of S wave amplitude and PR interval. These results suggested that Naegwan acupuncture stimulation play an important role to the activities of EGG.