• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.238-243
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• 2018

Background: Various factors can alter the efficacy of acupuncture treatment, such as the location of points, manipulations, depth of insertion, needle retention time, and needle type. In this study, the effect of needle diameter on the efficacy of acupuncture treatment was quantitatively evaluated. Methods: Five acupuncture needles of different diameters used in clinical practice were compared. Force on the porcine tissue phantom was measured using a sensor. Lifting-thrusting and twisting-rotating movements were performed using a needle insertion-measurement system. After repeated measurements, force magnitude was calculated and compared. Following this, we correlated needle diameter and force magnitude during lifting-thrusting and twisting-rotating movements. Results: The force magnitude was significantly altered between needle diameters during lifting-thrusting movements, as shown by a significant positive correlation between needle diameter and force magnitude. In contrast, there was no difference in force magnitude with different needle diameters during twisting-rotating movements. Conclusion: Needle diameter can significantly affect stimuli and force magnitude dependent upon the type of manipulation. Research into the effect of other needle type characteristics and stimulation method is necessary to fully elucidate the role of acupuncture needle choice in treatment efficacy.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.634-642
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• 2012

Objectives : The aim of the study is to find out whether effect of acupuncture is depending on the diameter of needle, which is a possible component of dose of acupuncture needling. Methods : To compare acupuncture effects in different diameters of needle, we measured the changes in muscle fatigue recovery using surface electromyogram(sEMG) in healthy 8 volunteers. Muscle fatigue was induced by 20 times sit-up for 1 min. Immediately after induction of muscle fatigue, acupuncture needle was inserted into ST36 or ST25 for 10 min by diameters of 0.20 mm, 0.30 mm, or 0.40 mm needles. The sEMG recording was followed by acupuncture for 30 min. As a control group, sEMG was recorded for the same period at rest after muscle fatigue induction. Results : In both of ST 36 and ST 25, stimulation with 0.4 mm diameter needle showed significant rapid recovery followed by short period of muscle fatigue increase. Stimulation with 0.2 mm diameter significantly suppressed the increase of muscle fatigue. Conclusions : These data suggest that acupuncture effect is, at least in part, dependent on diameter of needle. Therefore, diameter of needle is also considered to achieve effective outcome of acupuncture.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Technology of Plasticity Conference
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• 2004.05a
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• pp.250-253
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• 2004

Sharpness of the tip of micro needle is very Important quality that should be controlled in the manufacturing processes. Acupuncture needle is one of the most widely used micro-needle. And the tip sharpness of acupuncture needle Is usually checked by the magnitude of resisting force obtained through sharpness test. In this study, some sharpness tests of acupuncture needle were done and the relationship between the misalignment of specimen and the magnitude of resisting force. The diameter of the needle used in the test was $250\;{\mu}m$ and the length of it was 40 mm.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.210-220
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• 2019

Objectives : Warm needling is a combined treatment technique of acupuncture and moxibustion. In this study, we aimed to find out the components related with the thermal stimulation of the warm needling and to provide basic data for the guideline of the warm needling technique in the clinic. Methods : In this study, we measured thermal change of 3% agarose phantom embedding K-type thermocouples in depths of 0, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 mm. The warm needling was performed with acupuncture needles of various specifications (0.50×30, 0.50×40, 0.30×30, 0.30×40, 0.20×30 and 0.20×40 mm). A linear regression analysis was performed to find out the major component and quantify the effectiveness of the thermal stimulation during warm needling. Results : As a result of the measurement of temperature change, we could observe the thermal change pattern from the surface of the phantom to the 16mm deep part of the phantom. The thermal pattern was similar among the needles of different specifications. The regression analysis pointed the distance between the moxa cautery and the skin surface as the main component for the thermal stimulation of the warm needling. Conclusions : The authors suggest considering the distance between moxa cautery and the skin rather than the diameter of the acupuncture needle in accordance to the result of the study.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.109-115
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• 2017

Objectives : Many researches have studied warm needling technique to standardize its treatment by temperature measurement and material differences in the effectiveness. The purpose of this study is to compare the temperature changes of the acupuncture needle shaft during the combustion process of the moxa stick to determine the heat transfer pattern of the warn needling. Methods : A moxa stick($7{\times}8mm$) was connected to one side of the needle shaft using a stainless steel needle(ø 0.3 mm, ø 0.5 mm, ø 0.8 mm, shaft length 40 mm) with the needle handle removed. During the warm needling, temperature changes of the needle shaft were observed with an infrared camera(Flir E30) and an infrared thermometer(TESTO 845). Results : In the normal condition, heat transmit of needle shaft increased at spots 10 mm and 25 mm below the moxa stick. The amount of heat transmit increased with the diameter of needle shaft. However, when the heat shield was installed to exclude radiant heat from the moxa stick, heat transfer was less at 10 mm below the moxa stick and no temperature change was observed at 25 mm below the moxa stick. Heat transfer by warm needling does not reach the end of needle shaft even in ø 0.8 mm needle. Conclusions : It is suggested that the radiant heat of moxa stick results in the heat transmit of acupuncture needle shaft. Thus, radiant heat transmit must be considered as one of the heat transfer characteristics of the warm needling.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.575-579
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• 2005

A 6-month-old male Poodle was referred with chief complaint of dysponea and cough. Cyanosis was not detected. This dog was diagnosed as a case of canine patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) by X-ray and ultrasonography. Diuretics and bronchodialators were administered for 4 weeks. Clinical symptoms were not improved. Thoracotomy was done at right recumbent position. The length of ductus arteriosus was 8 mm and the diameter was 6 mm, respectively. Double ligation was performed in surgery. Continuous cardiac murmur, cough and strong femoral pulsation were disappeared after surgery. The diameters of the pulmonary artery and vein found to normal by X-ray on 10 days after operation. The diameter of the aorta measured to be larger than that of the main pulmonary artery by ultrasonography. The fractional shortening (FS) on 10 days after surgery was 17.32% by ultrasonography. The needle-acupuncture therapy was used in acupoints BL-15 as local point plus PC-6, HT-7 and HT-5 as distant points for 3 days (15 min/once/a day). The FSs were increased to 21.31% and 29.44% at 1 and on 3 days after acupuncture, respectively. The present patient was a case of typical canine PDA that showed favorable therapeutic responses by surgery combined with needle-acupuncture treatment.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.105-111
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• 2007

Objectives : The electroacupuncture(EA) was often used in Oriental medicine clinic and basic researches. However, there have been neither any national standard of acupuncture needles in Korea nor many studies about the property of acupuncture needles for applying electrical stimulations. Therefore we investigated the electrical corrosion property of acupuncture needles used for EA stimulation in clinic. Methods : We observed the occurrence of electrical corrosion like changes in the surface of acupuncture needles after EA stimulation with various parameters(electrical stimulation intensity, treatment duration, diameter of needle) under a light microscope. We performed EA stimulation on Baekhoe($GV_{20}$) or Joksamli($ST_{36}$) of rats with intensity of 0.025, 0.05, 0.075, 0.1, 0.25 or 0.5mA at a 10Hz frequency. Results : The electrical corrosion-like changes were found on the surface of needles when the EA stimulation was given over 0.05mA of intensity. When electrical stimulation was treated for 10min, the electrical corrosion-like changes were low, but the electrical corrosion-like changes gradually increased by the treatment duration(20, 30min). We also found that acupuncture needles of 0.2mm diameter were produced more extensive electrical corrosion-like changes than acupuncture needles of 0.3 or 0.4mm diameter by electrical stimulation. Conclusions: These results suggested that EA stimulation could produce electrical corrosion-like changes of acupuncture needles through intensity of current, duration of electric stimulation and/or diameter of needle.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.67-84
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• 2010

Objectives : To review RCTs on acupuncture treatment for shoulder pain in order to establish a standard acupuncture treatment model in treating shoulder pain. Methods : RCT articles on traditional acupuncture treatment for shoulder pain were searched through online database. Quality of studies were assessed using the FEAS and the modified Jadad score. Results : Eighteen trials of acupuncture for shoulder pain were analyzed. Based on the results of these reviews the following factors might contribute to optimal results from acupuncture treatment. 1) Usage of LI, SI, TE meridians, usage of $LI_{15}$, $TE_{14}$, $GB_{21}$, $LI_{11}$, $LI_4$, $SI_{14}$, $LI_{14}$, $TE_{15}$ acupuncture points. 2) More than four acupuncture points should be used. 3) More than 15 minutes of needle retention time. 4) Needle length-40mm and diameter-0.30mm. 5) More than 9 times treatment 6) More than 5 weeks treatment duration. Conclusions : There was no relation between quality of article and effectiveness of acupuncture. To improve the remedial value, it is necessary to mention De-qi, stimulation of acupuncture and correct variation in diagnosis with the above-mentioned. It is better that clinical trials of acupuncture treatment is designed that type of RCT and double blind. Also when it is set that sham nonpenetrating acupuncture, no treatment group as a control group, and participants don't distinguish wheather acupuncture treatment or not, it will be more meaningful.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.33-50
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• 2004

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate anti-ischemic effect of LR1 HT8 Reduction in Acupuncture Methods: I designed to investigate whether LR1 HT8 Reduction in Acupuncture affects cerebral hemodynamics [regional cerebral blood flow(rCBF), pial arterial diameter(PAD), mean arterial blood pressure(MABP)] in normal rats and to make manifest whether LR1 HT8 Reduction in Acupuncture is mediated by cyclooxygenase or guanylate cyclase. The changes of rCBF and MABP were determinated by laser-doppler flowmetry(LDF), and the change of PAD was de terminated by video microscope and width analyzer. Results: The results were as follows; 1. LR1 Reduction in Acupuncture was increased rCBF and PAD, but decreased MABP. 2. HT8 Reduction in Acupuncture was significantly increased rCBF, but decreased MABP, and increased PAD. 3. LR1 HT8 Reduction in Acupuncture was significantly increased rCBF, PAD, but decreased MABP after withdrawing of the needle. This results suggest that LR1 HT8 Reduction in Acupuncture increased significantly rCBF by dilating PAD. 4. Pretreatment with indomethacin(1mg/kg, i,v.) was significantly inhibited LR1 HT8 Reduction in Acupuncture induced increase of rCBF and PAD, but increased LR1 HT8 Reduction in Acupuncture induced decrease of MABP after withdrawing of the needle. 5. Pretreatment with methylene blue($10{\mu}g/kg$, i,v.) was decreased LR1 HT8 Reduction in Acupuncture induced increase of rCBF and PAD, but accelerated LR1 HT8 Reduction in Acupuncture induced decrease of MABP. Conclusions: I suggest that LR1 HT8 Reduction in Acupuncture has an anti-ischemic effect through the improvement of cerebral hemodynamics, and the mechanism is mediated by cyclooxygenase.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.216-223
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• 2012

Objectives : Electroacupuncture is widely used because of its diverse curative influence. However, its electrical safety is not guaranteed when applied on the human body. Therefore, in this study, we did research on the corrosiveness of electroacupuncture when applied on the body fluid. Methods : We did research using acupuncture needles which were made of STS304 or STS316 and which were coated or not coated in silicone. They were 0.25 mm in diameter and 40 mm in length. We immersed them to the depth of about 1cm in Hank's Solution and gave a stimulus in 120 Hz for 60 minutes. Then, we measured the pH of Hank's solution and mass of needles and observed their shape. Results : Acupuncture needles which were made of STS304 corroded more easily than those which were made of STS316 when they were applied on the human body. Acupuncture needles which were coated in silicone corroded much more easily than those which were not coated in silicone when they were applied on the body fluid. Conclusions : In this study, we did research on the corrosiveness of electroacupuncture when it is applied on the body fluid using several acupuncture needles. We made a conclusion that when acupuncture needles were applied on the body fluid, the coated one made of STS304 corrodes more easily than the uncoated one made of STS316. We hope that additional further researches on the effect of the corrosiveness of an acupuncture needle will be carried out.