• The Journal of Dong Guk Oriental Medicine
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.69-79
• /
• 1999

Hemifacial spasm including blepharospasm is characterized by spontaneous clonic an d tonic muscle spasm on one side of the face with synkinesis. Though the etiology of hemifacial spasm is not entirely understood, generally there are two. One is nuclear hypothesis and the other is peripheral hypothesis. There are two ways of treatment of hemifacial spasm. One is internal medicine and the other is operative method. In oriental medicine, hemifacial spasm is very similar to diseases such as Anpojindo (眼胞振跳), Poryunjindo(胞輪振跳), or Aunido(眼眉跳) in symptoms. The diseases such as Anpojindo(眼胞振跳), Poryunjindo(胞輪振跳), Anmido(眼眉跳) is related to the function of liver(肝) and risk factors are regarded as Pung(風). The acupuncture therapy of hemifacial spasm is based on Liver meridian(LV), Gallbladder meridian(GB). And ear-acupuncture is recommended as a good method for hemifacial spasm.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.87-93
• /
• 2012

Objectives : The present study is to verify whether the deformation of ear acupuncture needle tips that are currently on the market is caused during the process of initial packaging. Methods : Ear acupuncture needles distributed from three different companies were collected to measure the size of the groove on the transparent plate which is used in for the intial packaging. Then the tolerance range for off-centered tips, which represent the range of the groove size that is safe from damaging the needle tip, was determined based on the vertical length measured from tip to handle. 200 ear acupuncture needles were dipped in alcohol and scanned to confirm the position of the needles. Stereo-microscope was used to observe the needle tips that were located outside the tolerance range. Results : The increased number of ear acupuncture needle tips placed outside the tolerance range were seen from in the order of C company, A company and B company. The increased deformation of the needle tips caused by initial packaging was observed in the order of A company, C company and B company. Conclusion : Only the ear acupuncture needles from B company showed the strong correlation between needle tip deformation and initial packaging. It has been observed that the deformation of the ear acupuncture needles is mainly due to manufacturing process, not the packaging process.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.45-64
• /
• 2010

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of auricular acupuncture at the Shinmun on patients with dementia by using power spectrum analysis. Electroencephalogram(EEG) power spectrum show site-specific and state-related differences in various frequency bands. Methods : Study was carried out in 38 subjects.(31 patients with dementia and 7 normal people, 27 females and 11 males ; mean age=75.9 years old). To know the effect of auricular acupuncture at the Shinmun in patients with dementia, we measured electroencephalogram(EEG) of normal people and patients with dementia about 'before', 'after' and 'after 15 minutes' giving auricular acupuncture at the Shinmun, and compared the brain wave($\alpha$, $\beta$, $\delta$, $\theta$) of EEG 30 channels. Results : In the case of patients with dementia, in the power values of $\alpha$(alpha) band at F4, FP2, FCZ, F8, FC4 channels (p<0.05) during the Shinmun-auricular acupuncture treatment increased significantly. In $\beta$(beta) band, the power values at T8 channel(p<0.05) during the Shinmun-auricular acupuncture treatment increased significantly. In $\delta$(delta) band, the power values at F7, FP1, FZ, FP2, FCZ, C4, FC4, CP4, T8, P7, P3, O1, OZ, O2, P4, P8 channels(p<0.05) during the Shinmun-auricular acupuncture treatment decreased significantly. In $\Theta$(theta) band, the power values at O1, OZ, O2channel(p<0.05) during the Shinmun-auricular acupuncture treatment decreased significantly. Conclusions : Through these results, we concluded that auricular acupuncture at the Shinmun on patients with dementia could have effect the functional mechanism of the cerebral cortex.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.145-150
• /
• 2013

Objectives : The aim of this study is to review the acupoints used in cocaine studies and interpret the effectiveness in an aspect of meridian theory of Korean medicine. Methods : Authors searched 50 articles in PubMed, 16 in KISS, 9 in OASIS, 40 in NDSL, and 19 in DBPIA, with the keyword of 'cocaine' or 'acupuncture'. The articles written in English only were included. The articles related with cocaine(abuse, dependence, sensitization, intake, withdrawal sign, withdrawal syndrome, reinstatement, seeking) only were subjected. The articles which used manual- or electro-acupuncture were included, and auricular was excluded. Results : The most frequently used acupoint was HT7, while LI4, LU9, ST36, and SP6 were used once respectively. HT7 could be understood to be used from the meaning of the name as well as the theory that Heart Meridian is deeply related with the brain function. LU9 seems to be used to enhance the effect of HT7. LI4 is thought to control reverting yin that flows toward the top of head following the theory of Jang Bu Sang Tong. ST36 appears to be used because it could regulate stress reaction that reverting yin is associated with. SP6 seems to have effect on brain function due to its ability to control spiritual disorder. Conclusions : The acupoints used in the cocaine studies are thought to influence the brain function through diverse mechanism, and Jang Bu Sang Tong theory seems to be involved in the mechanism, at least in part.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.47-55
• /
• 2017

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of further acupuncture research as an effective alternative and safe treatment for abdominal pain control in patients with pancreatitis. Methods and Results : This study is an open-label, assessment-blind, parallel designed pilot clinical trial. Thirty participants will be assigned to the acupuncture group(n=15) and usual care group(n=15). All patients will receive the conventional standard-of-care(SOC) therapy, but only the experimental group will receive acupuncture therapy six times a week, and the duration of acupuncture therapy will be held up to 12 weeks or until the pains are to be resolved. For the conventional SOC therapy, painkiller will be given. In treatment group, the subjects will receive the identical SOC therapy in combination with electroacupuncture therapy on twelve acupuncture points(LI4, PC6, SP6, GB39, ST36, ST37), and auricular acupuncture therapy on five auricular acupuncture points(Sympathetic, Shen Men, Abdomen, Pancreas gall, and Spleen). The primary outcome will be measured using the visual analogue scale(VAS), and the secondary outcome will be measured using the painkiller demand, quality of life index and severity of pancreatitis by abdominal computed tomography(CT). Assessments will be made at baseline and at week 1, 4, 8 and 12. Results of abdominal CT will be evaluated at baseline and at week 12. Conclusions : The result of this trial will provide a basis for the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture treatment for abdominal pain in patients with pancreatitis.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.52-68
• /
• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the weight loss effects of auricular acupuncture in obese patients. Methods: Six databases (Research Information Sharing Service [RISS], Korean studies Information Service System [KISS], Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System [OASIS], PubMed, The Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure [CNKI]) were searched up to May 20, 2020. Eight eligible randomized controlled trials were included the present study. The quality of included studies was assessed by the Cochrane risk of bias tool and a meta-analysis was performed by Review Manager software. A meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model and a subgroup analysis was performed to detect the sources of heterogeneity, identify the selection of acupuncture methods and explore its contributions to the weight loss effects. Results: Among 8 trials, 5 trials used auricular acupuncture and 2 trials used auricular acupressure, 1 trial used both types of intervention. Most commonly selected acupoints were Shenmen (TF4) and stomach (CO4). Treatment duration was six to twelve weeks, and total treatment session was six to twelve. Compared to the control groups, auricular acupuncture significantly decreased body weight, body mass index (BMI), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL) and ghrelin. For the selection of acupuncture methods, both methods performed similarly in most outcome except waist circumference (WC), body fat percentage (BFP), and triglycerides (TG). Conclusions: We found that auricular acupuncture can be effective for weight loss and controlling appetite. However, the findings should be interpreted with caution due to heterogeneity. So further vigorous and well-designed studies should be conducted to strengthen the evidence of the use of auricular acupuncture for obesity.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.19 no.11
• /
• pp.166-181
• /
• 2018

The aim of this review was to determine the status of acupuncture therapies in reducing obesity in obese patients and to determine the scheme and effectiveness of acupuncture therapies. Existing reports published between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2017 in Kiss, Riss, National Assembly Library, Pubmed and CINAHL databases were searched electronically with the keywords obesity, acupuncture, auricular acupuncture, and electroacupuncture. After checking the original sources of the articles, 19 articles were included in the review. In a qualitative evaluation of the papers using a checklist from the Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network, one study scored 9 out of 10 points, 15 studies scored 7-8 out of 10 points, two studies scored 6 out of 10 points, and one study scored 3 out of 10 points. In the acupuncture therapy schemes, acupoints to reduce obesity included shemen, hunger, LI-11 (Quchi), LI-4 (Hegu), St-25 (Tianshu) and St-44 (Neiting). Acupuncture therapies were conducted for an average of 16.9 total sessions. In the studies that involved 20-day or 72-day duration for acupuncture therapies, the frequency of acupuncture therapies was 1 time/1-2 days. In the studies that involved 4- to 18-week duration for acupuncture therapies, the frequency of acupuncture therapies was 1-3 times/week. This study found acupuncture therapies were effective in reducing obesity, and acupuncture therapies reduced anthropometry, blood glucose and lipids and changed blood hormones. In the future, there is an urgent need for well-planned studies of the effectiveness of acupuncture therapies for reducing obesity in obese patients.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.179-187
• /
• 2012

Objectives : Since acupuncture was accepted as an useful therapy for the drug addiction, a lot of studies about acupuncture have been carried out. This study was performed to review the articles about morphine addiction which used acupuncture as a treatment and to interpret the use of acupoints from the viewpoint of Six-meridian (Yuk Gyeong, three yin and three yang) theory. Methods : The authors searched 255 articles in PubMed with the key word of "morphine, acupuncture" and 629 articles in KISS (Koreanstudies Information Service System) with the key word of "morphine". The articles written in English only were included. The articles related with morphine (abuse, dependence, sensitization, addiction, intake, withdrawal sign, withdrawal syndrome, reinstatement, craving) only were included. The articles which used manual- or electro-acupuncture only were included and auricular acupuncture was excluded. Both of clinical and experimental study were reivewed. Results : The most frequently used acupoint was ST36-SP6 (electroacupuncture), and the second was HT7. LI4 was the third, and BL23 and PC6 were also used. Conclusions : The acupoints used in the morphine study seem to influence the brain through diverse mechanisms and it is thought that control of the reaction against stress appears to be related with these mechanisms.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.295-317
• /
• 1996

It is researched to elucidate the effects of Taeumjowuitang(TE,太陰調胃湯), Sibimikwanjungtang(SE, 十二味寬中湯) and Yangkeogsanwhatang(SY,凉膈散火湯) on the obesity induced by gold thioglucose and the differentiation and growth of preadipocyte 3T3-L1 in the mouse. The result were as follows: 1. TE,SE and SY extracts improved the blood level of transaminase in the obese mouse induced by gold thioglucose. 2. TE,SE and SY extracts inhibited the increase of liver fat and body fat in the obese mouse induced by gold thioglucose. 3. TE,SE and SY extracts inhibited the increase of body weight in the obese mouse induced by gold thioglucose. 4. TE,SE and SY extracts inhibited the growth of undifferentiate preadipocyte 3T3-L1. 5. TE,SE and SY extracts showed inhibitory effect on the differentiation of preadipocyte 3T3-L1. The above results suggest that the TE,SE and SY extracts may be used on the obesity induced by the overgrowth and differentiation of adipocyte, and the accumulation of fat in liver and body.