• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.374-397
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• 2004

This experiment was designed to investigate the analgesic effect of non-invasive electroacupuncture treatment on femoral head osteotomy in dogs. Twelve dogs were divided into 3 groups in this experiment. Electroacupuncture group was non-invasively electrostimulated in Huan Tiao (GB-30) acupoint for 10 minutes by 4.5V, 5Hz for 10 days. Medication group was treated with carprofen (4mg/kg, P.O.) for 10 days. Control group was not treated. Each group was pre-operatively and post-operatively scored by using VAS (Visual Analogue Scale), SDS (Simple Descriptive Scale), NRS (Numerical Rating Scale), and measured serum cortisol levels. The results of VAS, SDS and NRS in electroacupuncture and medication groups were better than those of control group. And, the results of electroacupuncture group were better than those of medication group since 6th day after osteotomy in pain management(p<0.05). But, there were no significances in serum cortisol level among 3 groups. In conclusion, non-invasive electroacupuncture treatment showed sufficient analgesic effect on postoperative pain management after femoral head osteotomy, and VAS, SDS, and NRS scoring system would be adapted in evaluation of pain management.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.200-215
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the differences of pulse wave parameter between the non delivery group (single women with no childbirth experience) and the delivery group (married women who gave birth(s) in delivery). Methods : Sixty one healthy (non delivery) nulliparous women and fifty three delivery women participated in this study. We used 3 dimensional pulse analyser(3D MAC, DAEYOMEDI co., Korea), which measures radial pulse waveform non-invasively by way of tonometry method at 5 different applied pressure levels. From 114 subjects enrolled, pulse wave parameters were measured on the six locations of Chon, Kwan and Cheok of each hands. Results : Delivery group's pulse showed larger values in the following pulse wave parameters (Energy, Ap, RAI, As, Aw, h1, h2, h4, h4/h1, t, t1, t2, t4, Wm, Wm/t). Non delivery group's pulse indicated larger values in the pulse wave parameters such as Energy of left Chon, difference pulse energy between left and right hand, Ad, h5, h5/h1, t5. Conclusions : According to the analysis result, delivery group's pulse has bigger values in most part of pulse wave parameters, especially in Kwan and Cheok which correspond to Liver, Kidney, and Myeong-mun. We interpret these results that delivery women are more mature and stable in reproductive organs than non delivery group, as they have experienced delivery(deliveries) and child-caring through married life.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.119-122
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• 2006

This study was performed to clarify the effect of oculo-acupuncture (OA) on change of serum gastrin concentration. Twenty-three clinically healthy mongrel dogs were used in this study. This study was comprised of two experiments. In experiment 1, the effect of OA (stomach/spleen region) with comparison of non-a cup oint was examined. On the other hand, the effect of OA (stomach/spleen region) with comparison by body acupuncture (BL-21) was also examined in experiment 2. Serum gastrin levels were measured on before, 0, 30, 60 and 120 minutes after treatment in both non-acupoint and stomach/spleen region groups, and BL-21 The results showed that significant decreases in serum gastrin level was detected on 30 mins(p<0.05) after OA when compared with that of non-acupoint group. Serum gastrin concentrations with OA at stomach/spleen region group were significantly decreased on 60 mins (p<0.05) and 120 mins (p<0.01) compared with those of the AP at BL21 group. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that OA at stomach/spleen region had significantly decreased serum gastrin levels in dogs and OA at stomach/spleen region decreased serum gastrin concentration more than that body acupuncture at BL-21.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.11-19
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• 2014

Objectives : This study was aimed to determine which pharmacopuncture was effective in relieving pain in standard pain model, acute grade 3 ankle sprain rat model. Methods : Percentage changes of weight bearing ratio(WBR), as pain indicator, were measured after anti-inflammation, neutro Eohyul, Hwangryunhaedock-decoction pharmacopuncture were injected to Guheo ($GB_{40}$). Results : In three kinds of pharmacopuncture, neutro Eohyul and Hwangryunhaedock-decoction pharmacopuncture represented more effect in percentage changes of WBR than surgical(non treatment), needling group. Conclusions : Comparing of pharmacopuncture in grade 3 ankle sprain rat model, these results provide basis to select pharmacopuncture in sprain disease. Furthermore, mechanism of pharmacopuncture's analgesia, anti-inflammation should be progressed.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.102-113
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• 2016

Objectives : This study is aimed at developing and discussing the prediction model of blood stasis pattern of traditional Korean medicine(TKM) using machine learning algorithms: multiple logistic regression and decision tree model. Methods : First, we reviewed the blood stasis(BS) questionnaires of Korean, Chinese, and Japanese version to make a integrated BS questionnaire of patient-reported outcomes. Through a human subject research, patients-reported BS symptoms data were acquired. Next, experts decisions of 5 Korean medicine doctor were also acquired, and supervised learning models were developed using multiple logistic regression and decision tree. Results : Integrated BS questionnaire with 24 items was developed. Multiple logistic regression models with accuracy of 0.92(male) and 0.95(female) validated by 10-folds cross-validation were constructed. By decision tree modeling methods, male model with 8 decision node and female model with 6 decision node were made. In the both models, symptoms of 'recent physical trauma', 'chest pain', 'numbness', and 'menstrual disorder(female only)' were considered as important factors. Conclusions : Because machine learning, especially supervised learning, can reveal and suggest important or essential factors among the very various symptoms making up a pattern identification, it can be a very useful tool in researching diagnostics of TKM. With a proper patient-reported outcomes or well-structured database, it can also be applied to a pre-screening solutions of healthcare system in Mibyoung stage.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.85-99
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• 2006

Objectives : Proper acupuncture stimulation is associated with a characteristic set of sensation usually referred to as 'De-Qi'. In order to develop the appropriate sham acupuncture, various sensations to each stimulation should be considered through analysis of the profiles of acupuncture sensation. It was therefore investigated to compare the acupuncture sensation scale (ASS) of two types of sham acupuncture to that of the real acupuncture. Methods : Ninety-four participants (mean age 26.4, range 26-49) were asked to complete five point-Likert scale ASS developed by Vincent et al. after real or two-kinds of sham acupuncture stimulation: blunted tip sham acupuncture (BT) and round tip sham acupuncture (RT). Needling was done at LI4 acupoint on non-dominant hand and stimulated for 30 seconds with real or two-kinds of sham needle. Finger withdrawal latency (FWL) of each group was also measured to evaluate the pain sensitivity to noxious heat stimuli. Results : BT acupuncture significantly less produced penetrating, numb, intense, hurting, pulling, shock, tingling, throbbing sensation than real acupuncture stimulation. RT acupuncture significantly less produced penetrating, burning, electric, numb, intense, hurting, pulling, aching, shasharp, shock, stinging, tingling, throbbing sensation than real acupuncture. Each group did not demonstrate the differences of pain sensitivity to noxious stimuli. Conclusions : These results indicated that types of tip of acupuncture produced different kinds of acupuncture sensation. Our finding provides a general information of sensations to two kinds of sham acupuncture for development of ideal placebo sham needle.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.264-273
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• 2019

Objectives : Microglia play a crucial role in electroacupuncture (EA) analgesia on neuropathic pain. The role of chemokines in producing analgesic effects of EA, however, is largely unknown. In the present study, we investigated the role of chemokines in producing analgesic effects of EA in the neuropathic pain model. Methods : Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into three groups (anesthetized group (ANE), non-acupoint EA group (NAP), and ST36 - GB34 EA group (ACU)). Neuropathic pain was induced by tight ligation of L5 spinal nerve. Mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity of hind paw was tested. Western blot tests and immunofluorescence assay for C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) levels and microglia activation were performed on spinal cord L5/6. EA was treated once daily from the 3rd day after surgery for 5 days. Results : EA treatments applied to ST36 and GB34 significantly reduced both mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity after two and three times of treatment, respectively. While CCL2 expression significantly increased in neuropathic rats, it was significantly reduced in the ACU. In addition, co-localization of CCL2 and activated microglia significantly decreased in the ACU compared to those of ANE and NAP in the spinal cord L5/L6 dorsal horn. Conclusions : The present results suggest that EA applied to ST36 and GB34 modulates the reduction of CCL2 release from the injured neurons and consequently decreases microglia activation in the spinal cord. Regulation of chemokine induced spinal activation of microglia plays a key role in analgesic effects of EA in the rat model of neuropathic pain.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.43-58
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• 2007

Objectives : The elicit of DeQi, a composite of sensation including numbness and fullness that develops at the site of acupuncture stimulation, is considered to be clinically essential to establish treatment efficacy. However, there was little studies investigating the relationship between the subjective feeling of acupuncture sensation and acupuncture analgesia, The current study was therefore performed to determine the correlation between the acupuncture sensation scale (ASS) and the degree of acupuncture analgesia. Methods : Ninety-two female subjects were stimulated at LI4 acupoint on non-dominant hand with real (RA) or sham acupuncture (SA). Finger withdrawal latency (FWL) of each group was also measured to evaluate analgesic effect of acupuncture on the noxious heat stimuli on the dominant hand. All subjects were asked to complete seven point-Likert scale ASS developed by Vincent et al. Results : The increase rate of FWL of the RA group was significantly higher than that of the SA group(36.03 ${\pm}$ 4.45% vs 24.50 ${\pm}$ 3.73%). RA stimulation produced significantly higher rating of all the ASS except for dull sensation, compared to SA stimulation. Significant correlations between analgesic effect of RA, but not of SA, and the degree of the ASS, including burning sensation(r=0.349), Intense sensation(r=0.299), pulsating sensation (r=0.335), and stinging sensation (r=0.306) were found. Conclusions : The results of our study indicate that the DeQi sensation are associated with acupuncture analgesia. Our findings suggest that the evocation of DeQi might be useful clinical indicator of acupuncture treatment.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.8-36
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• 2017

Objectives : The aim of this study is to review the methodology of clinical trials conducted with the acupuncture and moxibustion treatment on functional dyspepsia. Methods : We searched four international databases and three Korean databases including English, Korean and Chinese, through March 2016 for randomized controlled trials(RCT) and non-randomized case-control trials(CCT) that evaluated the effects of the acupuncture and moxibustion on functional dyspepsia. We abstracted the designs of the trials and the method of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment according to the Standards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture. Results : A total 117 papers were reviewed. The 106 studies were conducted in China. There were 111 RCTs(95%), and 6 CCTs(5%). Sixty eight studies(59%) were conducted with the manual acupuncture, 29 studies of electro-acupuncture(25%), 11 studies of moxibustion(9%), 5 studies of acupoints embedding therapy(4%), 4 studies of acupoint injection therapy(3%) were conducted. ST36, CV12, ST25 were most frequently used for acupoints to treat functional dyspepsia. In 59 studies(50%), western medication was used in the control group, and the effects of acupuncture and moxibustion were evaluated with the symptoms in most studies. Conclusions : These results suggest that it is necessary to develop more detailed reporting standards about acupuncture and moxibustion treatment method as the method of acupuncture and moxibustion is getting more diverse, and more objective tools are needed in evaluating functional dyspepsia.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.231-244
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• 2020

Objectives : This study was conducted to introduce the types and contents of books related to acupuncture published in North Korea that can be identified in South Korea, and to understand the general characteristics of North Korean acupuncture. Methods : Firstly, we identified books related to acupuncture in the Information Center on North Korea of the National Library of Korea. Specialized books on treatment interventions such as acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, electrotherapy, and manual therapy including acupressure which stimulate acupoints were included in the study. Two authors reviewed the title, table of contents, and contents of each book in the order of publication year for the searched books. Based on this, the characteristics and trends of North Korean acupuncture were comprehensively examined. Results : The included 18 books were published between 1964 and 2018. One of them was considered a Chinese book translated into Korean and published in China, and another was a North Korean book republished by a South Korean publisher. Except for these, all were published in North Korea, two of which were translations of Chinese books. Most of them were books on the theory and clinical applications of acupuncture, but some of them focused on specific treatment interventions such as auricular acupuncture, fire needling, manual therapy, cupping, or electrotherapy. Also, there was a book about the mechanism of acupuncture analgesia in a neurophysiological way. Conclusions : Since the mid-1960s, North Korea has been steadily attempting to combine acupuncture and Western medicine by applying the disease name and classification system of Western medicine, using modern diagnostic technique, and explaining the mechanism of acupuncture based on the latest research. After the 2000s, the standard international acupuncture nomenclature by World Health Organization was used. In recent years, there has been a tendency to publish and widely disseminate specialized books on non-pharmacological treatment such as cupping, electrotherapy, and fire needling.