• 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.23 no.1
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• pp.187-215
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• 2006

Objectives : To determine whether the pragmatic acupuncture treatment provides more effective pain relief than treatment using the same acupuncture point to the all patients. Methods : We randomly allocated participants to treatment group 1 and 2. The group 1 is the pragmatic treatment group and the group 2 is using the same acupuncture point to the all patients. Primary outcomes were measured by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis index(WOMAC) pain and function scores at 4, 8, and 14 weeks. Secondary outcomes were measured by 100mm VAS(Visual Analog Scale), ROM(Range of Motion) using Goniometer, and pain threshold using pressure algometer. Results : When patients were extension of the knee, they were statistically significant in improvement of the ROM in 14 weeks. Whole body condition and pain rate through VAS measurement were improved significantly in 14 weeks. Also pain score and function score of WOMAC were improved significantly in 14 weeks. We could get difference in pain score of two acupuncture groups significantly in 14 weeks. But we could not get difference in whole score of two acupuncture groups significantly. Local temperature using T.C thermometer was changed significantly in 14 weeks. But we could not get difference in whole score of two acupuncture groups significantly. Excluding above item, DITI, pain threshold, and ROM of the knee flexion were no difference in before and after treatment.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.25-39
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• 1997

Shoulder hand syndrome is characterized by pain, vasomotor instability, and tenderness, mainly in the distal upper extremity. The pathophysiologic mechanism of this syndrome is not yet proved. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of thermographic imaging on shoulder hand syndrome after stroke for early diagnosis and its clinical pattern analysis including acupuncture and electroacupuncture therapy. This study was performed from June to September in 1996 on 46 stroke patients who were admitted at Oriental hospital of Kyung Hee Medical Center. The study group were 23 patients with shoulder hand syndrome. The control group were 23 patients without shoulder hand syndrome. Skin temperatures on the both upper extremities were measured by Digital Infrared Thermographic Imaging(D.I.T.I.) before the study and 3 weeks later again. The results were as follows; 1. The shoulder hand syndrome group were significantly more restricted in shoulder passive range of motion than the control group. 2. The shoulder hand syndrome group showed significant temperature difference of both dorsal hands. 3. The electroacupunture therapy group were significantly more improved on the temperature difference of both dorsal hands than acupuncture therapy group in 3 weeks later. 4. Both posterior arms showed the biggest temperature difference from 11 to 30 days in shoulder hand syndrome group. 5. The lesser passive ROM(range of motion) of shoulder group showed significantly increased temperature difference of both hands. The above results show that measurement of shoulder passive range of motion and D.I.T.I. is a useful method for early diagnosis on shoulder hand syndrome and its clinical pattern analysis including evaluation of acupuncture and electroacupuncture therapy. Continuous study will be needed for more clinical application and evaluation on shoulder hand syndrome.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.64-76
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• 2002

Objective : The purpose of this study is to investigate the mechanism and effect of moxibustion objectively and to be used as the quantitative data for developing the new thermal stimulating treatment by observing the combustion characteristics of commercial moxaes. Methods : We have selected two types(large-size moxa A(LMA), large-size moxa B(LMB)) among large moxaes used widely in the clinic. We examined combustion times, temperatures, temperature gradients in each period during a combustion of moxa. Results : 1. The ascending temperature gradient measured in the central point of non-contacted surface was fastest, the average ascending temperature gradient of both moxaes was $0.0384^{\circ}C/sec$, $0.0123^{\circ}C/sec$ respectively, 3.1 times faster in LMA. The maximum ascending temperature gradient was also about 2.9 times faster in LMA. The time required for the maximum ascending temperature gradient from ignition was 254sec, 411sec respectively. 2. The minimum descending temperature gradient in the retaining period was $-0.0250^{\circ}C/sec$, $-0.0090^{\circ}C/sec$ respectively and the average descending temperature gradient was $-0.0160^{\circ}C/sec$, $-0.0037^{\circ}C/sec$ respectively on the non-contact surface. 3. On the basis of the non-contact surface($A_I$), the time at which the effective stimulus period began to occur was about 264sec, 796sec respectively after an ignition, the time at which the maximum temperature began to occur was about 373sec, 1323sec respectively after an ignition, and the maximum temperature was $0.9^{\circ}C$ higher in LMA. The maximum ascending temperature gradient was also about 4.2 times faster in LMA. Conclusion : It was thought that not only the figure of moxicombustion device, but also the form and size of moxa had influence on the combustion characteristics deciding the performance of stimulus seriously.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.113-118
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• 2003

Results : 1. Vermilionum is made from the mixture of mercury and sulfur, resulting in reddish mercuric sulfide(Hg2S). 2. The characteristics for Vermilionum are pungent and sweet, has warm temperature, and enters heart, lung, and stomach meridians. 3. The efficacies of Vermilionum are to eliminate parasites, expels phlegm and dampness, and sedate heart and calm spirit. 4. Long-term intake make results in mercuric toxication. 5. Further researches on the administration methods and dosages are required to reduce side effects.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.49-55
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• 2011

Objectives : This study was to develop programmable and rechargeable electronic moxibustion device as an interdisciplinary research focusing on traditional Korean medicine. Methods : This device deployed several advances on safety and conveniences with the advantage of programmable heat stimulation, heating material and recharging method. The gradient of heat stimulation was programmed with the reference of previous studies and own measurements. The heat curve reached its efficacious stimulus temperature after three minutes, and maintained until 13 minutes with $42^{\circ}C$. We also incorporated feedback from field hospital experiences with the help of hospital staffs. Results : This device can prevent damages from skin burn and fire accidents, and control the smoke, smell and residue of moxa itself. Conclusions : This study will contribute for the development and improvement of efficacious and safe treatment methods for the traditional Korean medicine.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.124-135
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• 2002

Objective : This study was done to observe the effects on the thermal changes of herbal acupuncture. There were remarkable local thermal changes between pre and post herbal acupuncture therapy on D.I.T.I. or not. If there are those, we examine how long changes of those were maintained, what is the adequate interval on herbal acupuncture therapy. Methods : D.I.T.I, was used to study the local thermal changes in herbal acupuncture therapy. Determination of this analysis periods are pre and post-therapy(1hour, 1day, 7days later). The study group was divided into six groups that are NS group(No.=20), CF group(No.=22), BU group(No.=23), BUM group(No.=19), HP group(No.=20) and BV group(No.=l9). The herbal acupuncture was injected by 0.2ml divided into 0.05ml at the Fengmen(風門: B12), Feishu(肺兪: B13), Fufen(附分: B41), Pohu(魄戶: B42) 4 points. Then, we checked the thermal changes of their point after performing. Results : The following results were obtained ; 1. In CF groups, significant dermatothermal difference between pre and post therapy was not checked, In BU group that continued until post-therapy 1day, in HP group until 1hour, in BV group until 2days. In BUM, HP and BV group, Most dermatothermal difference was checked at post-therapy 1hour, in BU group at post-therapy 1day. 2. At post-therapy 1 hour, significant dermatothermal different between pre and post therapy was checked among BU group, BUM group, HP group and BV group. At post-therapy 1day and 2days, checked among BU group, BUM group and BV group. At post-therapy 7days, not checked among all groups. The group that highest dermatothermal difference were checked is BV group.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.63-71
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• 2015

Objectives: This study was carried out to analyze the single-dose toxicity of Eun-Bi San pharmacopuncture injected into the muscle of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Methods: All experiments were performed at Biotoxtech, an institution certified to conduct non-clinical studies under the Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) regulations. Six week old SD rats reared by ORIENTBIO were chosen for this pilot study. The reason SD rats were chosen is that they have been widely used in safety tests in the field of medicine, so the results can be easily compared with many other databases. The Eun-Bi San pharmacopuncture was made in a clean room at the Korean Pharmacopuncture Institute (KPI, K-GMP). The constituents of the Eun-Bi San pharmacopuncture are Angelicae gigantis radix, Strychni semen and Glycyrrhizae radix. These were extracted at low temperature and low pressure in an aseptic room at the KPI. Doses of Eun-Bi San pharmacopuncture, 0.25, 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 performed under the approval of the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee of Biotoxtech Co., Ltd. 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 determine if abnormalities existed in any 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. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that treatment with Eun-Bi San pharmacopuncture is relatively safe and that its clinical use may be beneficial. Further evaluations and studies on this subject will be needed to provide more concrete evidence in support of these conclusions.

• Journal of Oriental Medical Thermology
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.32-38
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• 2008

Objective: To investigate the changes of facial temperature by Miso Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture treatment. Methods: One middle-aged women who has no other disease was recruited. The Miso Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture was performed on only right face. We measured the facial temperature using the Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging (DOREX Inc. Spectrum 9000 MB, USA, D.I.T.I.) before, immediate after and 10 minutes after treatment. And we used the Wilcoxon signed rank test (P<0.05) to compare the difference of facial temperature at each time. Results: Right facial temperature (the area treated by acpuncuture) increased immediately from $30.02{\pm}1.87^{\circ}C$ to $32.24{\pm}1.03^{\circ}C$, the change of temperature is statistically significant. At 10 minutes after treatment, right facial temperature decreased little, but there was no statistical significance. Left facial temperature increased little, but there was no statistical significance. The difference between right and left face increased after Miso facial rejuvenation acupuncture treatment. Conclusion: Miso facial rejuvenation acupuncture could make the facial temperature increase.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.114-127
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• 2002

Objective : The purpose of this study is to investigate the mechanism and effect of moxibustion objectively and to be used as the quantitative data for developing the new thermal stimulating treatment by observing the combustion time and temperature of commercial moxaes. Methods : We have selected two types(large-size moxa A(LMA), large-size moxa B (LMB)) among large moxaes used widely in the clinic. We examined combustion times, temperatures in each period during a combustion of moxa. Results : 1. The combustion time in the preheating period was about 30sec in both moxaes on the non-contact heated surface. 2. The combustion time in the heating period was about 345sec in LMA and about 1391 sec in LMB, about 4 times longer in LMB on the non-contact surface. 3. The maximum temperature in the heating period was $44.5^{\circ}C$ in LMA and $45.4^{\circ}C$ in LMB respectively, higher by $0.9^{\circ}C$ in LMB. The average temperature in the heating period was $35.5{\sim}37.6^{\circ}C$ in LMA and $36.0{\sim}39.8^{\circ}C$ in LMB, a little higher in LMB. 4. The combustion time in the retaining period in LMA was 45.4sec and 13% of that in the heating period, and in LMB 594.7sec and 43% of that in the heating period on the non-contact surface. 5. On the point(PH) measured maximum temperature, the average temperature during the retaining period was $44.0^{\circ}C$, $42.9^{\circ}C$ respectively and the temperature at an end of the retaining period was $43.0^{\circ}C$, $40.2^{\circ}C$ respectively. 6. The time at a beginning of the cooling period was about 418 sec from ignition in LMA and 2021sec in LMB, and the temperature at that time was $36.9{\sim}39.1^{\circ}C$ on the non-contact surface. Conclusion : It was thought that not only the figure of moxicombustion device, but also the form and size of moxa had influence on the combustion characteristics deciding the performance of stimulus seriously.