• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제39권3호
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• pp.234-238
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• 2022

A 53-year-old male who had received surgery on his right ankle joint 10 years previously was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome the following year. Despite various treatments (sympathetic nerve-block medication, pain relievers, corticosteroids, nerve blocks, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) over the years there was no improvement in his symptoms. Recently the patient was admitted to a Korean medicine hospital where he received treatment (acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and herbal treatment) and his symptoms gradually showed improvement. The patient was concurrently on psychiatric medicine, antihistamine medication, and opioids for pain (when necessary). A decrease in numeric rating scale, Oswestry disability index scores, and an increase in the Korean version of the 5-level EuroQol-5 dimension score showed symptom improvement within 36 days. This study suggests complex Korean medicine treatment for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome may result in a reduction in pain and improved quality of life.

• 대한한방부인과학회지
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• 제32권3호
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• pp.86-101
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• 2019

Objectives: This review is aimed at assessing the efficacy and effectiveness of acupuncture treatment for interstitial cystitis patients through literature research and overview. Methods: Database searching was conducted to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and clinical studies on the acupuncture treatment for interstitial cystitis patients. Studies were searched from Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology, KISS, KMBASE, CNKI, Cochrane library, PubMed and EmBase up to April 2019. Results: Five studies including three RCTs and two clinical studies were finally selected. Three studies showed that acupuncture was effective for interstitial cystitis. One study showed ineffectiveness of acupuncture treatment. Conclusions: From three studies, acupuncture treatment for interstitial cystitis patients showed symptoms relief and improvement of QoL (Quality of Life). Further strictly designed studies are needed to confirm the efficacy and setup the acupuncture treatment protocol.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.59-63
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• 2020

The effects of complex Korean medicine treatment including acupotomy, on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are reported in this case study. A 54-year-old woman with diarrheal symptoms that alternatively improved and worsened for many years and worsening abdominal pain visited the emergency room and was diagnosed with IBS; she was admitted for approximately 2 weeks at the Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department of National Medical Center (NMC). Numerical rating scale (NRS), irritable bowel syndrome-quality of life (IBS-QOL), and gastrointestinal symptom rating scale (GSRS) scores were evaluated on the day of hospitalization, midway through the hospitalization period, and on the day of discharge. Abdominal pain was measured daily using NRS, and the score decreased from 8 at admission to 0 at discharge. The IBS-QOL percentile score improved from 42 points to 100 points. The total GSRS score also improved, from 30 points to 2 points. These results suggest that complex Korean medicine treatment with acupotomy, is useful for treating internal diseases, such as IBS, as well as musculoskeletal disorders.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.244-253
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• 2003

Objective : Interferon-alpha and Rivabirin are much used at the same time to treat Chronical C viral hepatitis. But interferon caused lots of unexpected side effects, Acupuncture Treatment for them will be an alternative plan. Methods : We first posed questions to a 4 year-old man who ha skin flare, fatigue, itching, insomnia, pronounced a diagnosis based on overall of symptoms and signs and then treated Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Electroacupuncture. We acupunctured a BL17, BL18, BL20 and removed it at once. We electroacupunctured at GV20, Yin tang(Ex-HN3) form 20 minutes, acupunctured at Bi yi(鼻翼, Extra-point), S36, P6. Pizhengge(脾定格) was acupunctured for 10 minutes. Results : The symptoms of fatigue, insomnia, itching are reduced after acupuncture treatments and they made a person keep interferon treatment on. Conclusions : We confirmed that acupuncture treatments make a patient of chronic C viral hepatitis reduce and improve side effects of interferon treatment. We should keep on studying the various and efficient method of acupuncture treatment to improve living quality and treatment efficiency of patients.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.67-71
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• 2005

Objectives : This study was conducted to observe the tip of needles which induce poor needle sensation upon injection of herbal acupuncture. Methods : Among the syringes used for herbal acupuncture, needles which cause poor sensation were collected and evaluated by SEM (scanning electron microscope) for changes in structure, existence of impure matters, physical damage, and etc. Results : 1. Various forms contributed to poor needle sensation. Bent needle body, damaged or crooked needle tip, and blunted tip 2. Poor needles could be made during the manufacturing process, during insertion of the needle into the vial(except for the lubricants), and repeated procedures with one needle at different regions. Conclusion : Poor needles induce unnecessary pain and discomfort not only to the patients but also to administrators during injection. Herbal acupuncture is a treatment technique injecting herbal extract on the meridian points, and strict quality check must be enforced to prevent occurrence of poor needles.

• 한방안이비인후피부과학회지
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.103-112
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• 2016

Objective : Thread embedding acupuncture has become popular as a minimally invasive treatment for facial wrinkles and laxity. However, there is little published clinical practice guidelines about disinfection, sterilization and aseptic technique for thread embedding acupuncture. This study is to introducing a specific guidelines about disinfection, sterilization and aseptic technique for thread embedding acupuncture.Method : We reviewed internal regulations and guidelines about hospital infection, and Traditional Korean medicine doctors, nurses, and director of central supply room discussed in depth and established a regulation of disinfection, sterilization and aseptic technique for thread embedding acupuncture.Result : The regulation of disinfection, sterilization and aseptic technique for thread embedding acupuncture consisted of ① management of supplies, ② guidelines of disinfection, sterilization, and reuse, ③ aseptic technique for thread embedding acupuncture.Conclusion : Microbial management is an essential element of medical care and quality. Traditional Korean medicine doctors will care for disinfection, sterilization, and this should not neglect to comply with the procedures and guidelines in the medical field as well as to understand the aseptic techniques.

• 대한한방부인과학회지
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.23-35
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to confirm the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for Endometriosis. So providing a clinical basis for abdominal acupuncture treatment helping to develop clinical practice guideline. Methods: Clinical studies applying acupuncture on Endometriosis were searched through Pubmed, China Academic journal (CAJ), Koreanstudies Information Service System (KISS), Research Information Sharing Service (RISS), Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS). Interventions and results of the selected clinical studies were analyzed. Results: 8 Clinical studies were finally included according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Those were randomized controlled studies. All of those studies were searched in China Academic journal (CAJ) in Chinese. Interventions of control group were made with simple acupuncture and oral administration of Danazol or herbal medicine. Outcome measurements included Treat effect, Relief in related symptoms, and CA-125. All studies reported statistically significant results on abdominal acupuncture and there were no serious adverse effects. Conclusions: This study suggested abdominal acupuncture has statistically significant treat effect. Thus this treat helps improve quality of life for patients. However the results should be taken cautiously as more clinical studies are needed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.51-59
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was designed to evaluate clinical evidence of acupuncture treatment for peripheral facial palsy in South Korea. Methods : All process was independently proceeded by two investigators. Literature search was performed in 9 databases from their inception to February 2013. Searched reports was twice excluded for title, abstract and body. And then, data extract and analysis was done before assessing risk of bias by Cochrane Handbook. Results : 10 randomized controlled trials(RCT) were finally included. 4 RCT handled postauricular pain with facial palsy. All articles at least used in combination with two treatments. Interventions like pharmacopuncture, electroacupuncture, scalp acupuncture etcetera were conducted as treatment to evaluate efficacy, and some study reported advantageous effects of treatment group compared to baseline or control group. Adverse events didn't referd to in any studies. In assessing risk of bias, indefinite and uncertain information made all included trials to have a high risk of bias. Conclusions : Because of methodological deficit, there is no sufficient evidence to allow any conclusion about the efficacy of acupuncture for peripheral facial palsy. Therefore, well designed trials with high quality is needed from now on.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.99-108
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• 2014

Objectives : This study was performed to review articles referring to facial palsy sequelae evaluating scale and propose how to assess facial palsy sequelae. Methods : We searched for the medical literature to find out method of evaluating facial palsy sequelae. Then, we researched strengths and weaknesses of the scale and considered the way to appraise the facial palsy sequelae. Results : There were subjective and objective scale for evaluating facial palsy sequelae. Subjective scale could offer detailed assessment but had low objectivity and reproducibility. Objective scale had consistency and detachment but needed for specific equipments with time for measuring and calculating. Conclusions : We should evaluate the facial palsy sequelae with the strengths of subjective and objective scale and assess facial nerve function, symptoms of facial palsy sequelae and quality of life entirely. Moreover, the scale has to contain the reliability with static and dynamic assessment.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제40권2호
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• pp.111-128
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• 2023

Trigger finger is a common cause of hand disability that results in finger catching, clicking, or locking. Conventional treatment options such as medication, injection, and surgery have limitations. Studies have indicated that acupuncture and acupotomy can be effective in treating trigger finger. However, no review regarding these treatment modalities has been published yet. This review included randomized controlled trials published until January 2023, investigating acupuncture-related interventions. The primary outcomes of interest included the effectiveness rate (ER) and pain intensity, measured using a visual analog scale (VAS) and Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), and secondary outcomes were the Quinnell grade (QG) and recurrence rate (RR). Adverse events (AEs) have also been reported wherever available. Overall, 19 studies were included, and results demonstrated that arcedge acupuncture improved the ER and QG and reduced NRS, and acupuncture was effective in reducing VAS. Compared with conventional surgery, acupotomy alone improved the ER and QG and lowered VAS and RR, with relatively fewer AEs. Acupotomy add-on treatment was more effective than conventional treatment; however, careful interpretation is needed for VAS. Acupotomy add-on treatment was more effective than acupotomy alone. However, the overall results must be interpreted with caution because of study quality, small sample size, and heterogeneity of the results.