• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.147-157
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to explore the current research trend on acupuncture treatment for nerve regeneration and recovery effect. Methods : We investigated the researches so far, on acupuncture treatment for the nerve regeneration and recovery via searching Pubmed from 2005 up to October 2014. Data were extracted from the included studies regarding the authors, countries, type of nerve injury, type of acupuncture, treatment period, acupuncture points, assessment tool and results. Results and Conclusions : Twenty-four research papers were included in the review. Outcomes were measured by immunohistochemical results, motor behavior scores, and electrocphysiological results. All but one study favored acupuncture and electroacupuncture treatment for nerve regeneration and recovery regardless of type of nerve injury and acupuncture modality. Acupuncture treatment may have a potential for nerve regeneration and recovery and further research is required.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.308-316
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• 2021

Objectives : This study aimed to develop a cupping pressure control valve for limiting maximum negative pressure while achieving clinical therapeutic outcomes to minimize side effects induced by excessive negative pressure of air extraction cupping devices. Methods : To determine the clinical necessity and suitability of the cupping pressure control valve, this study was designed to measure the change in pressure with or without the valve using both a manual and an electric suction pump. Results : While the maximum pressure was limited by the pressure control valve, the pressure did not increase above a certain level regardless of the type of manual or electric pump. Conclusions : This study will contribute to the development of a safer and more effective base technology for cupping treatment in oriental medicine.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.209-230
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• 2020

Objectives : Practice-Based Research Networks (PBRNs), collaborations of practitioners and academic researchers, have provided platforms for conducting research to address clinical questions generated from daily routine care. This review aimed to critically analyse articles from PBRNs that are related to complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) and to suggest future directions for a PBRN which is appropriate for Korean Medicine (KM). Methods : PubMed, PBRN registries in Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and relevant PBRN websites were searched up to November 2019 for research articles from PBRNs that focused on CIM regardless of study design. Methodological quality of the included studies was assessed. The included studies were read in full, classified and summarised according to their topics. Results : A total of 51 articles published from 1998 through 2020 were included in this review. They were categorised into three principal themes based on research questions and findings: health services research (embracing researches examining characteristics of patients and CIM practitioners/practices, and communication between patients and practitioners); effectiveness and safety of CIM practices/interventions; and feasibility studies of instruments and interventions in PBRN settings. The study designs varied including surveys (n=30), prospective observational studies (n=6), 2ndary analyses of existing studies (n=7), protocols (n=7), retrospective chart review (n=1) and qualitative study (n=1). Quality of the included studies greatly varied. Conclusions : PBRNs can serve as a feasible platform for conducting practice-relevant research on KM and CIM. Considering growing demands on evidence-base for routine practice of KM amid various stakeholders, a PBRN in KM community and further researches nested within PBRN designs are warranted.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.5-13
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• 2010

Objectives : Herniated lumbar intervertebral disc is common reason causing back pain. Lumbar stabilization exercise prevent back pain recurrence by strengthening lumbar muscles. Sling Exercise Therapy(SET) is a system for spinal muscle stabilization and strengthening using fixed string and mobile band. The purpose of this study is to investigate and measure the effectiveness of SET and oriental medicine for Herniated lumbar intervertebral disc. Methods : The subjects for this study are 40 patients suffering from Herniated lumbar intervertebral disc in our clinic. They were measured and compared by Visual Analogue Scale(VAS), 4 grades of recovery degree and sex, age, period of disease, disc herniation type, times of exercise. Results : In the above index, the score(VAS, 4 grades of recovery degree) improved after treatments. But they make no difference between sex, age, period of disease, disc herniation type and times of exercise. Conclusions : These results suggest that SET may be used for Herniated lumbar intervertebral disc for pain management and muscle strengthening as an essential treatment regardless of sex, age, period of disease and disc herniation type.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.16-31
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• 2021

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the current status of clinical practice for gout in Korean Medicine (KM). Methods : On-line survey was adopted for this study, targeted at KM Doctors who were registered in the Association of Korean Medicine. The questionnaire included the general status of treatment, pattern identification and treatment method according to three stages given: acute, chronic and asymptomatic hyperuricemia stage. Results : Data from a total of 384 respondents was analyzed. Participants who responded most were in their 40s, working in KM clinics located in Seoul. Acupuncture and herbal medicines were the top priority treatments in preparing recommendations in clinical practice guidelines for gout, and where clinical trials were considered essential. As of the past year, the average number of first visits per month was 86.7%, and the average treatment duration was less than 1 month, accounting for 72.9%. As for the diagnostic method used for gout patients, the "diagnosed by clinical pattern" response was the highest, and the "blood and urine test" response was the highest as the diagnostic equipment used. As for the evaluation scale being used, the "VAS/NRS" response was the highest. Regardless of the gout stage, acupuncture was the most commonly used treatment method for gout patients, and bee venom pharmacopuncture was the highest for the pharmacopuncture used. In the case of herbal medicine, it was found that a wider variety of herbal medication uninsured in health insurance and herbal prescription were used for the staged treatment of gout than herbal medication in national health insurance coverage. In clinical practice, "acupuncture treatment three times a week" was the most common, and the "acupoints in the limb" were the most frequently used; LR3 and SP3 were the most frequently used acupoints. Conclusions : It is suggested that this survey should be helpful to develop clinical practice guideline for gout that reflects actual clinical practice.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.282-289
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• 2021

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to construct a model of the possible thermal runaway of electronic moxibustion and to implement an appropriate risk management method. Methods : To reproduce the system error situation of the electronic moxibustion circuit equipped with microcontroller unit, temperature sensor and heater, a code was set to disable the signal input to temperature sensor and maintain "high" heating signal to heater. The temperature change of electronic moxibustion was compared between 3 types of heater module; module 1 consisting of a combination of heater+0 ohm+0 ohm resistance, module 2 consisting of a combination of heater+Polymeric Positive Temperature Coefficient (PPTC)+0 ohm resistance, and module 3 consisting of a combination of heater+PPTC+10 ohm resistance. The temperature change was measured using a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) silicone phantom. After maintaining surface temperature of the phantom at 31~32℃ for 20 seconds, electronic moxibustion was applied. After operating electronic moxibustion, the temperature change was measured for 660 seconds on the surface and 900 seconds at 2 mm depth. Results : Regardless of the module type, the time-dependent change in temperature showed a rapid rise followed by a gentle curve, and a sharp drop in temperature after reaching the maximum temperature about 10 minutes after the switching the moxibustion on. Temperature measured at the depth of 2 mm below the surface increased slower and to a lesser extent. Module 1 reached highest peak temperature with largest change of temperature at both depths followed by module 2, and 3. Conclusions : Through the combination of PPTC+resistance with the heater of electronic moxibustion, it is possible to limit the rise in temperature even with the software error. Thus, this setting can be used as an independent safety measure for the electronic moxibustion control unit.