• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.100-112
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• 2001

Objective : The purpose of this study is to investigate the immunological effect of Ramulus Cinnamomum aqua-acupuncture on the cellular immune response in mice with LPS induced arthritis. Methods : All the BALB/C mice used in this study were bred and maintaned in our pathogen-free mouse colony and were 6wk of age at the start of the experiment. The experimental model of arthritis was induced by injeciton of 300${\mu}g$/kg LPS in mice knee joint. Ramulus Cinnamomum aqua-acupuncture was injected into Yangnungchon(Gb34) of mice 2daily for 14days. Immunohistochemical analysis was carried out to assess CD4+, CD8+, CD11b, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-2R and CD106 expression in common iliac lymph nodes and synovial menbrane after stimulation with Ramulus Cinnamomum. Electron microscopy was carried out to assess change of synovial membrane. Ramulus Cinnamomum aqua-acupuncture stimulation group was compared to control group and non stimutated with aqua-acupuncture. Resutts : At day 14 post arthritis onset, Immunohistological studies using monoclonal antibodies showed that Ramulus Cinnamomum aqua-acupuncture goup had decreased expression of CD4+, CD8+, CD11b, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-2R and CD106 at common illiac lymph nodes and synovial membrane compared with control group. Conclusions : Ramulus Cinnamomum aqua-acupuncture stimulation inhibited the development of cellular immunity to LPS-induced arthritis in mice. Thus, aqua-acupuncture stimulation may have preventive effects on autoimmune inflammatory joint diseases. The effects of AA on immune function and disease activity in patients with RA warrant further investigation.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.135-143
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• 2006

Objectives : This study was performed to observe effect of acupuncture stimulation on heart rate variability in stroke patients. Methods : Data were obtained from heart rate variability of 29 stroke patients. Heart rate variability was measured total five times(before and after needle insertion, before and after needle removal, and 10 minutes after needle removal) for five minutes each time. Results : Heart rates were continuously decreased until 10 minutes after needle removal. SDNN, Total power, LF, and HF were increased until 5 minutes after needle removal, but deceased between 5 and 10 minutes after needle removal. There was no significant changes between male and female and among age groups. Conclusion : This study showed that acupuncture stimulation could effect on heart rate variability in stroke patients. Heart rate variability could be a objective tool to verify the mechanism of acupuncture effect in various condition.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.87-101
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• 2010

Objectives : The aim of this experiment was to investigate the influences of Autonomic Nervous System and EEG by conducting Reinforcement-Reduction(補瀉) acupuncture stimulation to compare the changes in acupoints on the body before and after treatment of acupuncture at Xingjian(LR2) being referred as Fire-point(火穴) and Ququan(LR8) being referred as Water-point(水穴) of Yin Liver Meridian(足厥陰肝經). Methods : This study was carried out on 30 healthy female volunteers in their 20's. There were four tests conducted throughout and the period for each test was between 2 to 5days. HRV and EEG were measured for 5 minutes before acupuncture stimulation was conducted on LR2-Reinforcement, LR2-Reduction, LR8-Reinforcement and LR8-Reduction at random. During the 20 minutes of acupuncture treatment, same subjects were measured simultaneously to observe any significant changes in acupoints. Again, the same subjects were measured for 5 minutes after removing the acupuncture in order to perform a comparative analysis. Results : The measurement of HRV showed that LF, LFnorm and LF/HF ratio increased significantly(p<0.05) while HF, HF norm decreased significantly in case of LR2-Reinforcement & LR8-Reduction. Both LR2-Reduction and LR8-Reinforcement induced a significant increase in HFnorm. EEG measurement indicated low $\alpha$ wave decreased and high $\beta$ wave increased significantly at LR2-Reinforcement during post-acupuncture period compared with acupuncture stimulation period. Both LR2-Reduction and LR8-Reinforcement developed significantly low $\alpha$ wave and high $\alpha$ wave. High $\beta$ wave increased significantly at LR8-Reduction during the acupuncture stimulation in comparison with pre-acupuncture period. Conclusions : The manipulation of acupuncture stimulation at LR2-Reinforcement and LR8-Reduction enhanced the activity of sympathetic nerves and the state of arousal while that of para sympathetic nerves declined. On the other hand, LR2-Reduction and LR8-Reinforcement developed the levels of para sympathetic nerves and relaxation.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.157-171
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• 2008

Objectives : To report one case of semi-coma patient was treated by scalp acupuncture with electric stimulation. Methods : Patient (state of semi-coma) was treated by scalp acupuncture with electric stimulation, herbal medication and physical therapy. The improvement of patient was measured every other week by Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS), Modified Bathel Index(MBI), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS). Results : We observed the patient decrease in NIHSS score and increase in GCS and MBI. Symptoms of patient such as semi-coma were improved following the treatment. Conclusions : It is suggested that oriental medical treatment; scalp acupuncture with electric stimulation, herbal medication and physical therapy were effective in semi-coma caused by traumatic brain injury.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.74-82
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• 2014

Objectives: Quantification, objectification, and standardization of lifting-thrusting manipulation are important issues in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The purpose of this study was to quantitatively investigate the difference in the amount of stimulation according to range and frequency among parameters of lifting-thrusting manipulation with the use of a needle insertion-measurement system. Methods: For quantification of lifting-thrusting manipulation, an acupuncture needle insertion-measurement system was used in phantom tissue. The motor and force sensors of the needle insertion device were connected to the control software. This enabled operation of the lifting-thrusting manipulation and measurement of the acupuncture needle force. The measurement of the acupuncture needle force according to various frequencies (0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1 Hz) and ranges of movement (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 mm) was repeated 10 times. Results: At a constant frequency of movement, acupuncture needle force according to range of movement (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 mm) increased with increasing range of movement (p < 0.05). At a constant range of movement, acupuncture needle force according to frequency of movement (0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.0 Hz) increased with increasing frequency of movement (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In this study, we conducted a quantitative comparison of the amount of stimulation according to range and frequency, the main parameters of lifting-thrusting manipulation, by using an acupuncture needle insertion-measurement system. Future studies on various manipulations and parameters are warranted to quantify and objectify the amounts of stimulation by acupuncture manipulation.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.97-103
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• 2003

Objective : Auricular acupuncture is a method of treatment that involves needling the ear in order to produce relief of symptoms. This concept was first developed by P.Nogier, french doctor and referred to as somatotopic representation. Many authors have commented the fact that the vagus nerve supplies the external auditory and the concha. The aim of this randomised, single blind study was to investigate whether auricular acupuncture of the ear produced changes in the pulse rate, an indicator of vagal tone. Methods: 10 healthy man volunteers were divided into normal and epinephrine stimulation group. Then each group was divided into vagus area acupuncture and control area acupuncture group again. Epinephrine stimulation group was injected by epinephrine 0.3cc twice, first. All of them were needled in either the vagus area or control area of the ear, and pulse rate changes were measured by patient monitor over 1 hour. Results : In the epinephrine stimulation group, there was significant differences in the pulse rate change between vagus area acupuncture and control area acupuncture group. After injection of epinephrine, the basal pulse rate was increased 1.3~1.4 times in the control group. However, in the vagus area acupuncture group the basal pulse rate was increased only 1.1~1.2 times.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.145-153
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• 2005

Objective : It was well knownth at electro-acupuncture(EA) of ST36 in the hindimb affected a gastrointestinal disease. This study was designed to compare the factors affected EA`s effect such as stimulation duration, operating time and inserted needle`s length. Meyhods and Results : The lightly anaesthetized rat was used and serum gastrin level was observed in this study. Standard stimulation of ST36 consisted of a 5 mA at 2 Hz for a duration of 30 min, applied at 5 times the threshold to evoke muscle twitch. In the study of comparing stimulation duration, 60 min of EA produced no effect, whereas both of 10 and 30 min of EA increased gastrin level. When operating time was altered, both of 5 and 10 days only produced effects of increasing gastrin level. When comparing the depth of inserting needle, stimulation of the outer layer increased gastrin serum level as well as stimulation of full length. Conclusion : These data suggest that the difference of factors affected EA`s effect such as stimulation duration, operating time and inserted needle`s length produced difference effects.

• Proceedings of the KSMRM Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.85-85
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• 2003

Purpose： To investigate whether or not acupuncture of GB34 produces a significant response of the modulation of somatomotor areas by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study. Materials and methods： The acupoint, GB34, located in the back of the knee, is known to be effective in recovering motor function after stroke. Using 3T MRI scanner, functional MR imaging of the whole brain was peformed in 12 normal healthy subjects during two stimulation paradigms; acupuncture manipulation on GB34 and sham points. This study investigates the activation of the motor cortex elicited by a soft and an intensified stimulation of GB 34.Three different paradigms were carried out to detect any possible modulation of the Blood Oxygenation Level Dependent (BOLD) response in the somatomortor area to motor stimulation through acupuncture.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.89-93
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• 2002

We report a preliminary fMRI evidence of modulation of somatomotor areas by acupuncture in GB34 acupoint. GB34, located in the back of the knee, is known to be effective in recovering motor function after stroke. Using 3T MR scanner, functional MR imaging was performed in five normal volunteers in two stimulation paradigms; acupuncture manipulation on GB34 and sham points. Group analysis form five individuals showed that bilateral sensorimotor areas (BA 3,4,6 and 7) showed stimulation related BOLD signal contrast of approximately 6% whereas very few areas were activated when sham stimulation is given. Our results suggest that acupuncture fMRI study can be safely conducted in 3T environment and stimulation in GB34 modulate the cortical activities of the somatomotor area in human.

• Proceedings of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society Conference
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• 2002.08a
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• pp.21-25
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• 2002

We report a preliminary fMRI evidence of modulation of somatomotor areas by acupuncture in GB34 acupoint. GB34, located in the back of the knee, is known to be effective in recovering motor function after stroke. Using 3T MR scanner, functional MR imaging was performed in five normal volunteers in two stimulation paradigms; acupuncture manipulation on GB34 and sham points. Group analysis from five individuals showed that bilateral sensorimotor areas (BA 3,4,6 and 7) showed stimulation related BOLD signal contrast of approximately 6％ whereas very few areas were activated when sham stimulation is given. Our results suggest that acupuncture fMRI study can be safely conducted in 3T environment, and stimulation in GB34 modulate the cortical activities of the somatomotor area in human.