• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.83-90
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• 2005

Objective : This study was performed to compare needle acupuncture combined herbal acupuncture therapy with only needle acupuncture therapy in VAS and pain threshold. Methods : We used pressure algometer to evaluate the change of pain threshold before and after treatment. The numberical value of pressure algometer is obtained twice and averaged by identical acupuncturist. Visual analogue scale(VAS) was used to estimate the efficacy of needle acupuncture combined herbal acupuncture therapy. Result : The following results were obtained; 1. The significant difference in VAS was showed before and after treatment in only needle acupuncture therapy. 2. The significant difference in pain threshold and VAS was showed before and after treatment in needle acupuncture combined herbal acupuncture therapy. 3. In the pain threshold, the significant difference between only needle acupuncture and needle acupuncture combined herbal acupuncture therapy was not showed. 4. Needle acupuncture combined herbal acupuncture therapy showed the more effective change of VAS than only needle acupuncture therapy. Conclusions : In the pain control, needle acupuncture combined herbal acupuncture therapy is more effective than only needle acupuncture therapy.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.940-948
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• 2016

Objectives: This exploratory trial evaluated the possibility of quantitatively measuring several aspects during the "abdominal examination" of traditional Korean medicine. The main results of this study will be used to develop a new diagnostic device for abdominal examinations. Methods: Fifteen healthy volunteers were recruited for this study. Three certified Korean medical doctors assessed the existence of pressure pain, the elasticity of the abdominal muscle, and the tonus at CV12 as gold standards. Then, 2 well-trained investigators measured the pressure pain threshold (PPT), the indentation depth of a bar, and repelling force by pressing CV12. Each investigator measured the above 3 variables 2 times at 1 min intervals using a modified digital algometer. Reliability and validity tests of the 3 variables were performed. Results: There were statistically significant coefficients of intraclass correlation on the 3 variables both between and within the investigators (P<0.001). Also, PPT and repelling force showed statistically significant high sensitivity and specificity in a ROC curve. However, the indentation depth of the bar presented relatively low sensitivity. Conclusions: This new diagnostic method using a modified digital algometer could be a useful tool for quantitative measurement in "abdominal examinations". However, future rigorous clinical studies with a large population will be needed for the verification of its usefulness.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.498-510
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• 2012

Objectives : This study was designed to find out whether there is a correlation between qi-stagnation score and pressure pain threshold (PPT) on acupuncture point $CV_{17}$ in burning mouth syndrome (BMS) patients. Methods : Thirty BMS patients who newly visited Oral Disease Clinic at the Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital were surveyed. The subjects were evaluated on age, illness duration, sex, self-assessed severity of BMS, qi-stagnation score, and PPT on 3 acupuncture points ($CV_{17}$, Rt. $SP_9$, Lt. $SP_9$). Results : There was significant correlation between age and PPT on $CV_{17}$ (p=0.005). Therefore, partial correlation analysis with age as control variable was done, and the result showed significant correlation between qi-stagnation score and PPT on $CV_{17}$ (p=0.001). Qi-stagnation diagnostic point by PPT on $CV_{17}$ was suggested as 3.8056 $kg/cm^2$ based on the fact that diagnostic score is 28.50 in the qi-stagnation questionnaire. Furthermore, considering that PPT is effected by age, we could attain qi-stagnation diagnostic equation of PPT on $CV_{17}$, that is suggested as $0.047{\times}(age)+0.848kg/cm^2$. PPT of 3 acupuncture points ($CV_{17}$, Rt. $SP_9$, Lt. $SP_9$) was compared, and the result showed that PPT was significantly lower on $CV_{17}$ (w/Rt $SP_9$: p=0.022, w/Lt. $SP_9$: p=0.012). Also, significance and correlation coefficient with qi-stagnation were higher on $CV_{17}$ (p<0.001, r=-0.620) than Rt. $SP_9$ (p=0.023, r=-0.413) or Lt. $SP_9$ (p=0.014, r=-0.444). Conclusions : The result of this study suggested that PPT on $CV_{17}$, measured quantitatively by algometer, had a strong correlation with qi-stagnation score in BMS patients. Therefore, the study showed that $CV_{17}$ can be a useful acupuncture point in diagnosing qi-stagnation by measuring PPT in BMS patients.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.79-89
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• 2014

Objectives : This research was to evaluate the MST effectiveness on iliopsoas muscle of herniated inter-vertebral disc in lumbar spine. Methods : This research was carried out with the 58 inpatients who received treatment for their HIVD in lumbar spine from January 1 to April 12, 2014 in Daejeon Jaseng hospital of oriental medicine. We randomly divided into two groups: Group A=common treatment on HIVD of L-spine without MST(acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, herb medication, chuna treating and physiotherapy) and Group B=common treatment on HIVD of L-spine with MST. To verify the MST effect, tenderness(checked by algometer pressure), NRS(numeric rating scale), and ODI(Oswestry disability index) were measured before and after treatment. The statistically significance was evaluated by SPSS 18.0 for Windows. Results : In the Group B, the tenderness was significantly decreased compared with Group A. However, on the NRS and ODI, it did not produce the meaningful results as these two values decreased in all groups. Conclusions : From this research, when patients who were diagnosed HIVD of L-spine with iliopsoas muscles tenderness receive MST additionally, the satisfaction of patients as well as physician confidence will increase.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.25-33
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• 2015

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to find out objective and scientific grounds on the effect of Spiral Balanced Taping(SBT) by examining physiological change according to pain reduction and understanding the relationship physiological change and pain. Method : 32 female students who was from 20 to 25 years old($22.06{\pm}1.13$). Regarding the range of pain, each 16 female students ranged in the right and the left. The subjects selected the most comfortable method of six taping methods related with trapezius. They were examined with four measurement methods(Visual Analogue Scale : VAS, Algometer, Digital Infrared Thermograph Imaging(DITI), and Cervical Range of motion : CROM) and measured before treatment, right after treatment, 30 minutes later after treatment and 60 minutes later after treatment. Result : According to the result of Repeated measure ANOVA, there was a significant difference with all four methods before and after treatment. In addition there was a significant difference in proportion to time. As a result of stepwise regression, VAS was the highest with Digital Infrared Thermograph Imaging(r2=0.136) and pressure pain threshold was the highest in the range of cervical motion. Conclusion : There was the effect of SBT to all four measurement method and it was effective with measuring VAS and DITI, or Algometer and CROM together.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.199-205
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was conducted for evaluating whether the postpartum women has lower threshold than healthy non delivered women and men. Methods: We divided the groups by three. Group I is consist of postpartum women who have delivered within 7days. Group II is nonparous women, and the Group III is consist of men. Pain threshold in 6 specific points was measured using the digital algometer from each groups. Results: Pain threshold was obviously higher in Group III than Group I, II, And group II’s threshold was significantly higher than group I’s Conclusion: This study shows the postpartum women had lower pressure pain threshold than non delivered women and men. So clinicians should consider the physiologic and psychologic aspects for the pain control if they meet postpartum women.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.97-104
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• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to compare the effect of superficial acupuncture to deep acupuncture on normal muscle function. Methods : In Group A, 12 healthy subjects had been treated by deep acupuncture(10mm). In Group B, 12-healthful subjects had been treated by superficial acupuncture(5mm). Each session took 10 minutes. Before and after the treatment, outcomes were assessed by Algometer for muscle tenderness, dynamometer for grasping power and Meridian-Electromyograph(MEMG) for extensor muscles. Results : The Contraction power of finger extensor muscles assessed by MEMG had decreased significantly in both groups. The muscle fatigue of finger extensor muscles assessed by MEMG had increased significantly in Deep acupuncture group. Grasping power assessed by dynamometer had no significant change in both groups. Conclusions : According to above results, superficial acupuncture is more effective on reducing muscle fatigue.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.19-24
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of the electroacupuncture with different frequency on functional dyspepsia. Methods : We observed 30 functional dyspepsia patients from May, 2013 to June, 2014. This study was randomized and double blinded. The patients were divided into two groups. One group(group A) was treated with 3 Hz electroacupuncture and the other group(group B) was treated with 300 Hz electroacupuncture. We evaluated the treatment effect of each group by using visual analogue scale(VAS) and pressure algometer. Results : 1. Functional dyspepsia was significantly improved in group treated with 3 Hz electroacupuncture. 2. Functional dyspepsia was significantly improved in group treated with 300 Hz electroacupuncture. 3. As a result of evaluation there were no statistical significance between two groups. Conclusion : Both 3 Hz and 300 Hz electroacupuncture has significant effect on functional dyspepsia. But there is no significant difference between 3 Hz and 300 Hz electroacupuncture.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.69-79
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• 2009

Purpose : to investigate the effectiveness of joint mobilization and myofascial release on the neck pain and to provide the effective treatment. Methods : Twenty-two subjects with neck pain participated in the experiment. All subjects were randomly assigned to a joint mobilization group(n=11) or a myofascial release group(n=11). Both groups received treatment for 15 minutes four times during 2 weeks. Cervical range of motion(CROM) instrument was used to measure range of neck motion, and Algometer was used to measure tenderness. All measurements of the subjects were measured at pre-treatment and post-treatment. Results : 1. The range of neck right side-bending motion of the myofascial release group was significantly increased(P<0.05), and the range of neck extension, right side-bending, left side-bending, right rotation motion of the joint mobilization group was significantly increased(P<0.05). 2. There was no significant improvement of tenderness in both groups(p>0.05). Conclusion : These data suggest that joint mobilization is more effective against increasing the range of motion than myofascial release, but myofascial release is more beneficial to tenderness than joint mobilization although it does not have a significant difference in the tenderness because there was a little improvement.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.147-159
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• 2004

Objective : This study was designed to estimate the effects of Rainbow Power therapy on neck pain patients by using Visual Analogue Scale(VAS) and pressure algometer. Methods : Rainbow Power therapy group consisted of 18 patients and acupuncture therapy group consisted of 7 patients. The degree of improvement of neck pain was evaluated by VAS and pain pressure threshold(at the points of Jianjing GB21 and Jianwaishu SI14) before treatment, before 3rd treatment and before 5th treatment. Rainbow Power therapy was performed at the points of Jianjing GB21, Zhongfu LU1, Yangxi LI5, Ganshu BL18, Weishu BL21 and Shenshu, BL23. Each points were stimulated with RP-UM103(Rainbow Power therapy instrument) for 20 seconds. The points of acupuncture therapy were Jeonggeun, Jeongjong, Sangbaekn and Hegu LI4 and acupuncture was maintained for 15 minutes. After above therapy dry cupping was performed at the points of Jianjing GB21, Jianwaishu SI14, Gaohuang BL43, Tianzong, SI11 and Bingfeng SI12 for 5 minutes. Results : There was no significant difference between the two groups in VAS, pain threshold of Jianjing GB21 and Jianwaishu SI14 following treatment. In the two groups VAS was significantly decreased. In Rainbow Power therapy group the pain threshold of the two points was significantly increased. But there was no significant increase in acupuncture therapy groups about the pain threshold of Jianwaishu SI14. Conclusions : The effectiveness of Rainbow Power therapy on neck pain was shown through VAS and pressure algometer. These imply that Rainbow Power therapy may be useful for neck pain. Further study is needed about Rainbow Power therapy.