• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.121-142
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to review the acupuncture treatment Urinary incontinence (UI) and Overactive bladder (OAB) in postmenopausal women. Methods: We searched articles in 8 search engines with keywords related to 'Overactive bladder', 'Urinary incontinence' and 'Menopause' in July 2022. Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) that used acupuncture on Urinary incontinence (UI) and Overactive bladder (OAB) after menopause were included. Animal studies and non RCT data were excluded. Data on acupuncture treatment such as methods, site, duration, frequency, and period were analyzed. Also, network analysis between acupoints was conducted. Results: 15 articles were selected and analyzed. Studies were conducted using manual acupuncture, electroacupuncture, pharmacopuncture and fire acupuncture. Most studies used more than one acupoint, and there were 32 acupoints selected for acupuncture treatment for UI and OAB after menopause. The most commonly used acupoint was 中極 (CV3) (n=8). In terms of the correlation of acupoints, 太谿 (KI3) had the highest value of degree centrality at 0.75. The mean treatment time, number of treatments, and duration were 26.42±6.10 minutes, 18.71±9.09 times, and 6.87±4.77 weeks. Conclusions: The results of this study could be useful in establishing the evidence for performing standardized acupuncture treatment for Urinary incontinence and Overactive bladder in postmenopausal women.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.75-108
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• 2024

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to review the acupuncture treatment for Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women. Methods: We searched articles in 3 search engines with keywords related to 'Polycystic ovary syndrome', 'PCOS', and 'Stein-leventhal' in February 2024. Clinical researches and case reports that used acupuncture on PCOS were included. Animal studies and non clinical data were excluded. Data on acupuncture treatment such as methods, site, duration, frequency, and period were analyzed. Results: Of 60 selected articles, there were 51 randomized controlled trials, 5 clinical trials and 4 case reports. Studies were conducted using manual acupuncture, electro acupuncture, auricular acupuncture, thread embedding acupuncture, warm needling and laser acupuncture. Most studies used more than one acupoint, and there were 78 acupoints selected for acupuncture treatment for PCOS. The most commonly used acupoint was 三陰交 (SP6)(n=50). By analyzing the network of acupoints, 關元 (CV4), 氣海 (CV6), 中脘 (CV12), 三陰交 (SP6), 血海 (SP10), 天樞 (ST25), 足三里 (ST36) were located in center of the network. The mean treatment time, number of treatments, and duration were 28.63±4.48 minutes, 34.52±29.26 times, and 98.18±38.25 days. Conclusions: The results of this study could be useful in establishing the evidence for performing standardized acupuncture treatment for Polycystic ovary syndrome.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.383-387
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• 2006

This study was performed to clarify the effect of oculo-acupuncture(OA) on change of gastric contraction. Twenty-four clinically healthy mongrel dogs were used and divided into two groups regarding feeding condition; non-acupoint group (n=6) and Stomach/spleen region group (n=6) were stimulated by OA. In addition, 12 dogs were fasted for 24 hrs and divided into two groups; non-acupoint group (n=6) and Stomach/speen region group (n=6) was stimulated by OA. The change in frequency of gastric contraction was measured via abdominal ultrasound before, 0, 30, 60 and 120 minutes after OA. Significant differences were detected at 30 mins (p<0.05), 60 mins (p<0.05) and 120 mins (p<0.01) in the Stomach/speen region group, compared with those of non-acupoint group in feeding condition.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.65-80
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• 2008

Objective : In recent years, many investigators have questioned whether the analgesic effect of acupuncture is simply related to the stress-induced analgesia (SIA). However, there has been lack of studies on this issue. In this study, the stress levels induced by manual acupunctures are compared with the stress in animal experiment models. The experiments have been carried out with Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. Method : For stress level evaluation, Hot plate test has been used. Maximum Possible Effect (MPE) has been measured by checking the pre-test time and post-test time. Cortisol and corticosterone concentrations in serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results : In the hot plate test, MPE values of post-test time were significantly decreased after 10 minutes than after 5 minutes. Therefore, optimal time interval was chosen as 10 minutes. There was significant difference of MPE values between Suspension group and all other treatment groups. However, there were no significant differences of MPE values between Sham group and all other treatment groups. However, MPE values showed tendency to decrease when acupuncture needle diameter increased. MPE values of ST040, ST040(lido), NAP040(lido) groups were markedly decreased than that of Suspension group, while that of NAP040 group was substantially increased than that of Sham group increased in acupoint and nonacupoint models. Serum cortisol concentrations of treatment groups were not significantly different from that of Suspension and Sham groups. Serum corticosterone concentration of 0.25 mm group was substantially increased than that of compared with Sham group. Serum cortisol and corticosterone concentrations of treatment groups were not significantly different from those of Suspension and Sham groups in acupoint and nonacupoint models. Conclusion : From hot plate test and serum stress hormones concentrations, it is found that manual acupuncture treatment induces negligible stress or SIA on ST36. And the stress induced by manual acupuncture is more closely related to acupuncture point needlings than diameters of acupuncture needles.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.56-69
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• 2018

Objectives : The aim of this study is to review the current research trend on the acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for pancreatitis. Methods : Through nine search engines, articles were collected, which had involved the use of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for pancreatitis. Data were extracted from the selected articles regarding the year, country, type of pancreatitis, study design, evaluation variable, intervention, point for acupuncture and moxibustion, and effectiveness of treatment. Results : Total 56 articles were reviewed. The number of studies increased gradually every ten years. Fifty-one studies(91%) were conducted in China. Most of clinical studies and animal experimentations reported on acute pancreatitis. Thirty-nine studies were randomized controlled trials(RCTs), but most of them were assessed as uncertain in the risk of bias evaluation. The degree of overall improvement(79%) was used mainly as evaluation variable of clinical studies. In animal experimentations, the examination of pancreatitis tissue(77%) and blood test(77%) were used the most. Most of studies were conducted with the acupuncture, one with moxibustion. Among them, electroacupuncture was the most common intervention of treatment group. ST36 was the most frequently used acupuncture point in the included studies. Effective rate increased and serum amylase, clinical symptoms, recovery time of gastrointestinal function decreased statistically significantly in the treatment group of clinical studies. Conclusions : The result of this study could be used for the future practice and research about the acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for pancreatitis.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.93-103
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• 2019

Objectives : The aim of this study is to review the current trends in experimental studies on the acupuncture moxibustion treatment for visceral hypersensitivity. Methods : PubMed was searched for experimental studies about visceral hypersensitivity and acupuncture/moxibustion. Data were extracted and tabulated from the selected articles about experimental method, intervention, result and mechanism. Results : Total 23 articles were reviewed. Chronic visceral hypersensitivity animal model was applied in 17 studies (74%). Visceral hypersensitivity was measured by abdominal withdrawal reflex scoring or/and abdominal electromyogram. Acupoints like ST25, ST36, ST37, BL25, LI11, BL32 and PC6 were treated by electroacupuncture or moxibustion. All articles reported that electroacupuncture or moxibustion treatment is significantly effective in reducing visceral hypersensitivity. Treatment mechanisms were studied, related to mast cell, serotonin (5-HT) and receptor (5-HT3R and 5-HT4R), substance P (SP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), c-fos positive cell, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), purinergic 2X (P2X)2, P2X3, P2X4, P2X7, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor (NR1 and NR2B), prokinectin (PK) 1 and PK2. Conclusions : Evidences on acupuncture/moxibustion treatment for visceral hypersensitivity in animal studies warrant more research on effective acupoins, electro-acupuncture methods and treatment durations.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.54-62
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• 2022

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential of the test substance, SU-Eohyeol Pharmacopuncture (SUEP), to induce micronuclei in bone marrow cells of Sprague-Dawley (SD) Rats. Methods : The dose range preliminary study was performed first. 1 ml/animal was selected as the high dose of this study. Two additional lower dose levels (0.5 and 0.25 ml/animal) were produced by applying a geometric ratio of 2. In addition, the positive and negative control groups were set. Then, after intramuscular administration (1 ml/animal) of SUEP to 8-week-old male SD rats, an in vivo micronucleus test was performed to evaluate the induction of micronuclei in SD rat bone marrow cells. Results : As a result of the main study, the incidence of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCE) in polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE) in the test substance SUEP groups was not statistically significantly different from the negative control group. In addition, the ratio of PCE to total erythrocytes in the test substance SUEP groups was not statistically significantly different from the negative control group. In the positive control group, the incidence of MNPCE in PCE was statistically significantly increased when compared to the negative control group. The ratio of PCE to total erythrocytes in the positive control group was not statistically significantly different from the negative control group. Conclusions : Based on these results, the test substance, SUEP, did not have any potential to induce micronuclei formation in bone marrow cells of rats under the conditions of this study.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.35-47
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• 2003

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the significance of the Oriental medical treatment using He-Ne laser with low energy intravascular Laser Irradiation of Blood(ILIB) through the superficial venules. Methods : The investigation of details connected with the superficial venules in the literature is performed. The investigation of details connected with the pricking blood techniques through the superficial venules in the literature is performed. The classification of the pricking blood techniques through the superficial venules by the blood-letting puncture methods in the literature is performed. The arrangement of domestic clinical treatises on the effectiveness of medical treatment using He-Ne laser with low energy ILIB through the superficial venules is performed. The consideration on the methodology for the improvement of the clinical effectiveness of He-Ne laser with low energy ILIB through superficial venules is performed. Results and Conclusions : The superficial venules are small arteries, veins and capillaries in the superficial region of the human body. In the pricking blood techniques, there are the blood-letting puncture using the implement of acupuncture to the Jing points, Extra points and superficial blood vessels and the acupuncture using the Hirudo. The methods of the blood-letting puncture are classified into the venous blood-letting puncture, the pricking , the picking out white fiber-like substances from the subcutaneous tissue, the cluster needling, the scattered needling, the blood-letting puncture of the tready collateral branch of the large channel and the blood-letting puncture of skin. The He-Ne laser with low energy ILIB through the superficial venules belongs to the Oriental medical treatment as the method of the blood-letting puncture in the vein of cubital fossa. The He-Ne laser with low energy ILIB has an effect on hyperfibrinogenemia, hyperlipidemia, speech and motor dysfunction in the case of cerebral infarction, headache, dizziness, pain and numbness. It is considered that fundamental research on the biological change of the human body, the experimental animal and the unicellular animal, and research on the effectiveness and the safety, and the development of He-Ne laser with low energy ILIB of an effective wavelength range are necessary.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 2014

Objectives: This study was performed to analyze the single dose toxicity of Chukyu (spine-healing) pharmacopuncture. Methods: All experiments were conducted at the Biotoxtech, an institution authorized to perform non-clinical studies under the regulations of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) regulations. Sprague-Dawley rats were chosen for the pilot study. Doses of Chukyu (spine-healing) pharmacopuncture, 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mL, were administered to the experimental groups, and a dose of normal saline solution, 1.0 mL, was administered to the control group. This study was conducted under the approval of the Institutional Animal Ethic Committee. Results: No deaths or abnormalities occurred in any of the four groups. No significant changes in weight, hematological parameters or clinical chemistry between the control group and the experimental groups were observed. To check for abnormalities in organs and tissues, we used microscopy to examine representative histological sections of each specified organ; the results showed no significant differences in any of the organs or tissues except in one case, where interstitial infiltrating macrophages were found in one female rat in the 0.5-mL/animal experimental group. Conclusion: The above findings suggest that treatment with Chukyu (spine-healing) pharmacopuncture is relatively safe. Further studies on this subject are needed to yield more concrete evidence.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.177-186
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• 2011

Objectives : The aim of this study is to review clinical trials using Qigong exercise on patients with hypertension and to assess their methodology and results. Methods : Electronic literature searches for clinical trials (randomized trial, non-randomized trial, before-after study) of Qigong exercise were performed in 21 electronic databases (5 international databases and 16 Korean databases). English, Korean or Chinese articles were included. Laboratory or animal studies were excluded. Results : A total of 11 studies met the inclusion criteria. Five randomized controlled trials, Four non-randomized trials and two before-after studies were included. Seven studies used self-developed Qigong exercise. Two studies used Guolin Qigong exercise and two studies used Qigong exercise with an anti-hypertension drug. Of the nine randomized trials or non-randomized trials, four studies used an anti-hypertension drug control and three studies used waiting list controls. Compared to baseline, a change in blood pressure after the Qigong exercise treatment was significant in all studies. However, the results effect of blood pressure between Qigong exercise and controlled trials were not consistent. Conclusions : There are low-quality clinical trials of Qigong exercise for hypertension. To evaluate the effects of Qigong exercise, more rigorous trials are warranted.