• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.301-314
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• 2004

Objectives : We studied to discover the patterns of DITI of the patients having a both neck and upper extremity pain on one side without any nerve root compression sign and the history of cervical disc herniation. Method : We selected 26 patients as an experimental group, who had visited for a both neck and upper extremity pain on one side without any nerve root compression sign, at the department of acupunture and moxibustion in Conmaul oriental medical hospital, during 2001. 01. - 2003. 09. And 31 normal adults were selected as a control group, not having any neck or arm pain and any history of cervical disease. We analyzed the segmental temperature statistically with t-test. Results & Conclusion : There was a significant change of temperatures in the scapula, posterior brachium, lateral forearm and dorsal hand area. And the experimental group showed cold spot and disruption of normal thermographic shape that were usually shown on the cervical sprain.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.193-201
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• 2013

Objectives : This is a case report about undifferentiated somatoform disorder, Wei symptom patient Methods : The patient was treated using acupuncture, electroacupuncture, pharmacopuncture, herbal medication and Korean medical physical therapy. The recovery of this patient had measured in physical examination, gait condition test, body surface temperature, body perimeter and sensory test by dermatome. Results : Through this treatment, the patient's leg elevation angle, body surface tempreature, body perimeter was raised, Rt. lower limb numbness and gait condition had improved. Conclusions : Korean medical therapy including acupuncture, electroacupuncture, pharmacopuncture, herbal medication and Korean medical physical therapy was effective to improve undifferentiated somatoform disorder, Wei symptom patient.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.155-164
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• 2006

Objectives : The aim of this study is to validate the correlation between Assessment Instruments of Knee OA and digital infrared thermographic imaging(DITI) and to find out the methods to assess knee OA by DITI. Methods : 60 subjects were evaluated. They were asked to answer VAS pain scale, WOMAC, KHAQ and LFI. Correlation was assessed by examining the spearman's rank correlation coefficients. Results : VAS, WOMAC and LFI was correlated with not only the thermal difference between Ant. knee and Post. knee, but also the lowest temperature of Ant. knee. Conclusion: DITI value was useful for evaluating the degree of OA. And we should find out that decrease of pain is correlated with change of DITI value.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.1 s.65
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• pp.165-183
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• 2006

Objectives : We implemented the Artemisia Extract Moxibustion Method and had the clinical tests for the diabetes with it. Methods : We implemented Artemisia extract made by extracting the vasodilator and antioxidant compounds from Artemisia-CH2C12 fraction and the moxibustion method constructed with DC Power supply, controller, Artemisia pad. single and multiple heating terminal with PTC(Positive Temperature Coefficient) thermistor. And we performed to estimate the efficiency on the questionnaire and the clinical tests with 23 cases of the diabetics. Results : We have estimated the improvement over 60% the symptoms that were the upper and lower limbs pain, frequent urination, spontaneous perspiration, thirst, decrease of body weight, and malaise after the moxibustion treatment on 5 cases among 23 cases. And the 19 cases took the biochemical check-up after the moxibustion treatment. From the results of biochemical check-up, the average HbAlc of before treatment was 8.400%, and after treatment 7.632%. The average HbAlc was decreased significantly after treatment (P<0.001). And the average urinary blood of before treatment was 0.73 and after treatment 0.27. The average urinary blood was decreased significantly after treatment (P<0.001). In addition the average FBS before treatment was 182.64 mg/dl, after treatment 161.77 mg/dl. Conclusions : We could estimate that our proposed moxibustion method was a significant treatment method for the diabetes.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.165-171
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of acupuncture treatment on a patient suffering from CRPS Type 1. Methods : A 30-year-old female patient suffering from CRPS Type 1 with symptoms of intense burning pain, joint stiffness, restricted mobility, rapid hair and nail growth, allodynia, hyperalgesia and coldness of the right leg was treated with acupuncture on six acupuncture points on the leg from 13 July to 18 July of 2011. Improvement of the patient's symptoms was evaluated by Numerical Rating Scale(NRS), Digital Infrared Thermographic Image(DITI). Results : After 6 days of treatment, NRS score decreased significantly and the DITI results showed moderate improvement in temperature. Conclusions : The results suggest that acupuncture may be an effective in reducing the symptoms of CRPS. Further study is needed to evaluate the significancy of this report.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.178-184
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• 2013

Objectives : The warm needling technique is the method combining the effects of acupuncture needle with those of moxibustion. We need to standardize the characteristics of the warm needling technique, in order to get more systematic and objective results in operation and effects and then get more clinical abilities in these fields. Methods : In this study, using labview system on the warm needling technique, we measured and compared partial temperature changes according to the kind of needle. We studied relations of moxa cones of various sizes with the peak combustion temperature. Results and Conclusions: When we measured the warm needling's partial temperature, temperature measured at 1 and 2 cm below the head, according to the kind of needle, gold needle got the higher result on the peak than SS304 stainless steel needle. In the case of combustion of the moxa cones, cones weighing 0.4 g and 0.8 g, respectively, and the apex ignition method with gold needle showed the higher result than the apex ignition method with stainless steel needle, when we measured the effective stimulus time at 2 cm below the head and the mean temperature during the effective stimulus time. Although more research to standardize the characteristics of the warm needling technique will be needed, we suggest, according to these results, that warm needling of gold needle combined with moxa cone of 0.4 or 0.8 g is effective.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.227-235
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• 2003

Objective : In the pain control, BU herbal acupuncture is highly effective but causes many phys ical reactions. This study was done to compare BU with BU mixed Hwangryunhaedoktang(HHT, 黃連解毒湯) herbal acupucture in decreasing physical reactions of BU. Methods : We injected BU Group(N=12) and BU mixed HHT Group(N=12) at four points of Fenmen(B12), Feishu(B13), Fufen(B41) and Pohu(B42). Then we observe the local thermal changes and the physical reactions at beginning, 1hour and 24 hours after administering herbal acupuncture through the D.I.T.I. and survey. Results : The following results were obtained; 1. The significant dermatothermal difference had been checked 1hour and 24hours in BU group, but 1hour in Bu mixed HHT. 2. In BU group, the difference of temperature had been continued highly until 24hours. But in BU mixed group, the difference of temperature had been continued highly until 1 hour but decreased nearly equal to beginning stage until 24hours. 3. The symptoms which appear following the herbal acupuncture administration were less appeared in BU mixed HHT than BU group.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.213-226
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• 2015

Objectives : This study was aimed to show the effect of electroacupuncture combined with magnetic acupuncture on abdominal obesity without patient dieting, exercise or use of herbal medication. Methods : Women over 85 cm in waist circumference were treated with electroacupuncture combined with magnetic acupuncture. Acupuncture points were located at the abdomen ($CV_{12}$, $CV_6$, $ST_{25}$, $ST_{21}$, $SP_{15}$, $SP_{14}$), extremities ($LI_4$, $LI_{11}$, $ST_{36}$, $ST_{44}$) and were stimulated 30 minutes with 2.1~3 Gaus, 500 Hz, tolerable strength. The Interference wave forms were by Whata 153 (Medi Lab, Korea). Two or three treatment sessions per week (five or ten sessions in total) were done. Before treatment, and after the last treatment, we measured waist circumference, hip circumference, waist hip ratio, thickness of abdominal subcutaneous fat, body weight, body mass index, body fat ratio, visceral fat area, free fat mass, body fat mass and skeletal muscle mass. We also measured the subcutaneous temperature of the abdomen($CV_{12}$, $ST_{25}(Rt)$, $ST_{25}(Lt)$, $CV_6$) by using digital infrared thermal imaging(DITI). Results : In this study, significant reductions were shown in waist circumference, hip circumference, thickness of abdominal subcutaneous fat, body weight, body mass index, body fat ratio and body fat mass. There were no significant differences in waist hip ratio, free fat mass or skeletal muscle mass. There were also significant increases of the subcutaneous temperature on $CV_{12}$, $ST_{25}(Rt)$, $ST_{25}(Lt)$. Conclusions : From the above results, electroacupuncture combined with magnetic acupuncture might be an effective treatment for abdominal obesity.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.150-163
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• 2022

Objectives: This research aimed to develop a guideline for evaluating safety and performance of electronic warm-acupuncture apparatus. With the development of medical devices like electronic warm-acupuncture apparatus with improved performance, convenience and safety measures compared to traditional warm-acupuncture needling, safety and performance guideline is a necessity. Methods: By referring to existing standards and guidelines of other electronic devices for Korean medicine with heating function, guideline for safety and performance assessment of electronic warm-acupuncture apparatus was drafted Results: The guideline, presents explanation for adequate temperature and settings of the apparatus, and safety measurements providing against thermal runaway situations along with guidelines for the manual. Guideline for detailed test method for the performance of the apparatus such as accuracy of temperature increase and the timer, and safety unit was also provided. The test items and suggested test methods for the requirements of biological, electrical and electromagnetic safety were referred to Korean approval documents of ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Conclusion: We proposed the relevant items to verify performance and safety of warm-acupuncture apparatus to assure patient safety and improve the quality of currently developing devices for application in clinical field.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.171-187
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• 2001

Objective : Moxibustion has been proved efficacious for many diseases, but isn't widespread in the clinics due to a danger of skin burning, the smoke produced while burning a moxa combustion and so on. Therefore, another type of moxa that can be resolved these troubles is required. To improve the effect of moxibustion and develop the new thermal stimulating treatment, the performance of commercial moxibustion widely used are studied systematically and found out quantitatively. Methods : We have selected two types (small-size moxa A(sMA), small-size moxa B (sMB)) among small-size moxaes used widely in the clinic. We examined combustion time, various temperatures, temperature gradient in each period during a combustion of moxa. Results : 1. The combustion time in the preheating period appeared somewhat longer in sMA than in sMB. 2, The combustion time in the heating period appeared longer in sMA by 26% than in sMB. 3. The average temperature in the heating period was $37.6{\sim}37.8^{\circ}C\;in\;sMA\;and\;36.2{\sim}36.8^{\circ}C$ in sMB and the maximum temperature measured at a center of contact surface in sMA was $48.6^{\circ}C$, higher by over $2.8^{\circ}C$ than that of sMB moxibustion. 4. The average ascending temperature gradient in the heating period was $0.08{\sim}0.1^{\circ}C/sec$ in both moxaes, and the average ascending temperature gradient of heating period in sMB appeared larger. The maximum ascending temperature gradient appeared higher in sMB, and the time reaching maximum ascending temperature gradient appeared much earlier in sMA than in sMB. 5. The combustion time in the retaining period was around 100 sec in sMA and around 275 sec in sMB. 6. The average temperature in the retaining period was $42.2{\sim}46.0^{\circ}C\;in\;sMA\;and\;39.3{\sim}41.4^{\circ}C/sec$ in sMB. The minimum temperature in the retaining period was over $38.80^{\circ}C$ in sMA but just $34.7^{\circ}C$ in sMB. 7. The average descending temperature gradient in sMA was $-0.050{\sim}0.067^{\circ}C/sec$ and in sMB was $-0.030{\sim}0.037^{\circ}C/sec$ 8. The combustion time in the cooling period appeared longer over two times in sMA than in sMB, and the time which the cooling period (minimum temperature) finished at appeared later in sMB by 55 sec. 9. We classified the combustion process that the measured temperature rose over body heat($37^{\circ}C$) into the effective combustion period. The effective combustion time was 233.3 sec in sMA and 300.4 sec in sMB respectively, and was longer by about 29% in sMB. The average temperature and maximum temperature in the effective combustion time appeared higher in sMA. The time taken until the maximum temperature was reached was 225.1 sec in sMA and 244.5 sec in sMB, faster by about 20 sec in sMA. The maximum ascending temperature gradient during the effective combustion period appeared larger about 1.4 times in sMB, but the time when the maximum ascending temperature gradient happened was faster in sMA. Conclusion : It appears that sMB, compared with sMA, is proper if necessary to apply the long time and weak stimulus, because of the gentle stimulus during the relatively longer time. In contrast, sMA that the symmetrical combustion happened is proper if necessary to apply the short time and strong stimulus.