• International journal of advanced smart convergence
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.10-13
• /
• 2014

In oriental medicine, the pulse beats are important signals that may let us know the conditions of one's health and disease. In other words, doctors of oriental medicine can simply analyze pulse waves anywhere and anytime to treat patients without using high-priced medical appliances. However, they are largely subjective in interpreting the pulse rates and hence their reliability is far from being perfect. The current paper aims to solve this problem by using fuzzy inference rules in judging patients' health status and to develop a software kit of intelligent electronic needles.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.29 no.5
• /
• pp.187-195
• /
• 2012

Objectives : Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS) is a progressive and incurable disease that causes degeneration of the motor neurons of the brain stem and spinal cord. The purpose of this study was to report the effectiveness of Sa-am acupuncture treatment on ALS patient. Methods : Following the stabilization period, a ALS patient respiratory figures(Et $C_{O2}$, Sp $_{O2}$, RR, pulse) were measured by using capnography & pulse oximetry for 30 minutes before acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture treatment such as lung tonification($SP_3(+){\cdot}LU_9(+){\cdot}HT_8(-){\cdot}LU_{10}(-)$), heart tonification($HT_9(+){\cdot}LR_1(+){\cdot}SI_8(-){\cdot}KI_{10}(-)$), liver tonification ($KI_{10}(+){\cdot}LR_8(+){\cdot}LU_8(-){\cdot}LR_4(-)$) were conducted for 5 days. Each Sa-am acupuncture treatment conducted at AM 7 : 00, AM 11 : 00, PM 4 : 30 of the day. During acupuncture treatment, the patient respiratory figures were measured equally for 30 minutes. The patient was treated by using Dong-bang acupuncture needles($0.30{\times}4.0$) and also stimulated using infra red. Results : The value of Et $C_{O2}$ has decreased more after Sa-am acupuncture lung tonification treatment than others. The value of pulse has decreased more after Sa-am acupuncture heart tonification treatment than others. The value of raspiration rate has decreased more after Sa-am acupuncture liver tonification treatment than others. And the value of Sp $O_2$ has increased more after Sa-am acupuncture liver tonification treatment than others. Conclusions : Although this study was subject to a few limitations, but it shows that Sa-am acupuncture treatment for ALS patients has a meaningful effect. This study needs to be developed further using a larger sample size to obtain more valuable and meaningful data.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.35-47
• /
• 2010

Objectives : To characterize the thermal properties of traditional warm needle and new warm needle with various air flows as an important environmental factor and to suggest the necessity of maintaining suitable environment of clinics to maximize their efficacy. Methods : We measured the temperature characteristics of traditional moxa warm needle and new moxa charcoal warm needle by applying an automatic temperature acquisition system with thermocouples while external various air flows were supplied. Temperatures of two positions at the needle body were measured while a moxa cone burned. Typical temperature characteristics like peak temperature, duration, curve shape and the efficiency of the heat stimuli by heat amount analysis were executed. Results : Both warm needles showed similar temperature curve with an increase in the air flow. Peak temperature and duration of effective heat decreased with the air flow, as shown in indirect moxibustion on garlic. The temperature change pattern by the air flow became more apparent when the total combustion heat was compared with the effective heat. The values from two positions on the needle body were significantly different, showing a distance dependency from the heat source of warm needle acupuncture. Conclusions : Thermal properties of warm needle acupuncture was observed variously with surrounding air flow of 0.0 - 0.7 m/s. It emphasized the importance of environmental control as well as the warm needle itself such as heat source and needle. The latter has already been known to deliver designated heat to subjects. It also indicated the importance of education and skill of the practitioners of warm needle acupuncture.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.79-88
• /
• 2020

Objectives This study was performed to research the trends of Chinese acupuncture treatment for ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods We searched clinical studies about Chinese acupuncture treatment for AS through China National Knowledge Infrastructure. We analyzed the characteristics of selected studies according to research design, sample size, publication year, treatment methods, evaluation criteria and adverse events. Results 16 studies published from 2015 to 2020 were selected. They consisted of 11 randomized controlled trials and 5 case reports. In these studies, several types of acupuncture treatments were performed and especially there were many treatments that applied thermal stimulation of needles. The most commonly used evaluation criteria was effective rate. Conclusions This study showed that acupuncture treatment could be effective for AS. It suggested that various studies should be conducted to provide reliable evidence about acupuncture treatment for AS in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.126-131
• /
• 2022

Objectives : Electroacupuncture (EA) is a procedure in which pulses of weak electrical current are sent through acupuncture needles into acupuncture points in the skin, and Joksamli (ST36) is one of the most used acupoints. This study was designed to analyze the trend of research articles on ST36 EA published in Korea. Methods : Articles on EA at ST36 in Korean journals were searched in Korean databases and analyzed focusing on the number of publications by year, research subject, research topics, institutes, and journals. Results : Total 66 articles were included in this study, which were 51 basic researches, 12 clinical researches, and 3 reviews. Since 2000, the number of articles has gradually increased, reaching the highest level in 2007, and rapidly decreased since 2012. Kyung Hee University is the organization that published the most articles, and the journal that published the most articles is Journal of Acupuncture Research, followed by Korean Journal of Acupuncture. Conclusions : A lot of ST36 EA studies in Korean journals are basic experimental researches using rats, and the research topics are closely related to the diseases of patients visiting Korean medicine clinics. The number of papers by institution is related to the number of professors, and researchers tend to prefer publishing in acupuncture journals.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.203-208
• /
• 2020

This literature review was designed to investigate the effects of the microneedle therapy system (MTS) on alopecia in experimental, and clinical studies. The MTS is acupuncture needling therapy delivered by a roller. A literature review of studies published before May 2020 was conducted using 9 online databases, and a total of 13 studies (4 in vivo studies and 9 clinical trials) were included. Most studies showed that the MTS was effective when used in combination with other treatments. In vivo studies reported an increased level of hair growth factors following treatment. Typically, 1.5 mm needles were used in the MTS treatment and photographic evaluation (by either camera or microscope) was reported in most studies. Oriental medicine research included 2 in vivo studies, which reported positive effects when combined with the MTS. There were no reported severe side effects. the MTS might be safe and has a drug delivery effect. Further studies need to be conducted regarding the frequency and needle length depending on the type of alopecia using Oriental and Western medicine.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.15-25
• /
• 2009

Objective: This paper aimed to understand influences on EEG conducting acupuncture stimulation, by comparing the changes in the acupoints on the body before and after normal people are treated with acupuncture at PC9 and TE3, which are referred to as Wood points(木穴), and PC5 and TE1, which are referred to as the Metal points(金穴) among the five shu points of Yin pericardium Meridian and Yang Triple Energizer Meridian. Methods: The study was performed on 30 healthy female volunteers in their 20's. EEG was measured for 5 minutes before acupuncture stimulation was conducted on PC9, TE3, PC5 and TE1. During 20 minutes of acupuncture treatment, the same items were continuously measured to find out whether there were any changes in them, and they were measured for 5 minutes after removing the acupuncture needles in order to implement a comparative analysis. Results: Comparision of EEG data before and after the treatment at PC9 shows no significant differences in all wave. Compared with the pre-acupuncture period at TE3, $\delta-\theta$ wave decreased significantly (P<0.05) during the acupuncture stimulation periods. Compared with the pre-acupuncture period at PC5, $\delta-\theta$ wave and high $\alpha$ wave increased significantly (P<0.05) during the acupuncture stimulation periods. And Mid $\beta$ wave and high $\beta$ wave decreased significantly (P<0.05) during the acupuncture periods and the post acupuncture periods. Compared with the Pre-acupuncture period at TE1, $\delta-\theta$ wave, $\theta$ wave and high $\alpha$ wave increased significantly (P<0.05) during the acupuncture stimulation periods. And Low $\beta$ wave decreased significantly (P<0.05) during the acupuncture periods. Conclusion: When acupuncture stimulation was performed on PC9 and TE3, referred to as the "Wood points", brain waves were stabled, while when acupuncture was performed on PC5 and TE1, called the "Metal points", a brain was waked. From the findings of this study, we hypothesize that the wood properties, from which growing starts in all things, are related with fast waves of EEG, and the metal properties, which stabilize and converge in all things, are related with slow waves of EEG.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.73-88
• /
• 2008

Objective : The aim of this research was to investigate the effect on five element constitutional acupuncture(Sa-am acupuncture) at 4 acupoints by needle manipulation to sedate Six Fu-Organ on hyperlipidemia induced by high fat diet in rats. Method : We recorded data of weight gain, food intake, food efficiency, weight of liver, heart, spleen, lung, kidney, levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, AST, ALT in serum of rats fed high fat diet for 5 weeks. Spraque Dawley rats were divided into eight groups(normal; normal diet and non-acupuncture group, control; non-acupuncture group, Acu-LI; acupuncture at $SI_5{\cdot}LI_5{\cdot}BL_{66}{\cdot}LI_2$ group, Acu-ST; acupuncture at $GB_{41}{\cdot}ST_{43}{\cdot}LI_1{\cdot}ST_{45}$, Acu-SI; acupuncture at $BL_{66}{\cdot}SI_2{\cdot}ST_{36}{\cdot}SI_8$, Acu-BL; acupuncture therapy at $ST_{36}{\cdot}BL_{40}{\cdot}GB_{41}{\cdot}BL_{65}$, Acu-TE; acupuncture at $BL_{66}{\cdot}TE_2{\cdot}ST_{36}{\cdot}TE_{10}$, Acu-GB; acupuncture at $LI_1{\cdot}GB_{44}{\cdot}SI_5{\cdot}GB_{38}$. After needles inserted, it was rotated clockwise and anticlockwise 12 times on rats fed high fat diet. Results : The body weight was decreased in Acu-SI, Acu-TE, Acu-GB group, /the food intake was decreased in Acu-TE, / the food efficiency was decreased in Acu-SI, /serum triglyceride was decreased in Acu-LI, Acu-ST, Acu-BL, Acu-GB, /serum total cholesterol was decreased in Acu-LI, Acu-BL, serum ALP was decreased in Acu-LI, Acu-ST, Acu-BL, Acu-TE, Acu-GB. While the relative weight of heart was increased in Acu-LI, Acu-SI, the relative weight of kidney was increased in Acu-SI, Acu-GB. Conclusion : These results suggest that five element constitutional acupuncture(Sa-am acupuncture) may be having an therapeutic influence on hyperlipidemia induced by high fat diet. Further researches of acupuncture manipulation are needed in the future based on our study.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.166-176
• /
• 2003

Objective : The aim of this study is to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of 15Hz electroacupuncture(EA) on carrageenan-injected rats. Inflammation was induced by an intraplantar injection of 1% carrageenan into the right hind paw. Methods : Bilateral EA stimulation with 15 Hz were delivered at those acupoints corresponding to Zusanli and Sanyinjiao in man via the needles for a total of 30 min duration in carrageenan-injected rats. Results: The developing edema was measured 30 minutes interval afer carrageenan injection and 15 Hz EA stimulation presented significant edema inhibition. Three hours after carrageenan injection, prostaglandin $E_2(PGE_2)$ and nitric oxide(NO) levels were measured. The 15Hz EA stimulation significantly inhibited $PGE_2$ and NO production in the right paw. The pro-inflammatory mRNA expression such as cyclooxygenases(COX)-2 and interleukin(IL)-$1{\beta}$ were slightly down-regulated by EA stimulation. The number of COX-2, IL-$1{\beta}$, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ immunoreactive cells were abundantly observed in paw edema. But these cells were decreased in nmber according to anti-edema effect of 15Hz EA. Conclusions: These results indicate that 15Hz EA stimulation have an alleviation action against carrageenan-induced edema and local inflammation.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.11-16
• /
• 2005

Objective : The aim of the study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of BVA in the treatment of patients with acute ankle sprain. Design : A prospective randomized double-blind study of BVA was conducted. Setting : The study was done in the Kyungwon University Seoul Hospital from August 1st, 2004 to June 15th, 2005. Patients : 30 patients diagnosed with acute ankle sprain, especially 2nd degree on the Ankle grade pain chart(AGPC) participated in the study, who were divided into two groups (A and B) randomly by a coordinator flipping a coin. Group A and B were relevant to control and BVA group respectively, of which a coordinator never informed any other participant involved. Eventually 13 of 17 in group A and 11 of 13 in Group B finished all the process of the clinical trial. Intervention : In both group A and B, The Procedure of acupuncture treatment was made similar by appearance that four acupoints such as 坵墟(GB40), 中封(LR4), 商丘(SP5), 解谿(ST41) of the injured side were selected and Normal saline aqua-acupuncture(control, as a placebo) or BVA was done and then acupuncture at 坵墟(GB40), 中封(LR4), 商丘(SP5), 解谿(ST41), 足三里(ST36), 陽陵泉(G34) of the affected side was given again. the needles were retained for 20 minutes under the infrared rays. The treatment was given daily for a week. Outcome Measures : Ankle-Hindfoot Scale (AHS) and Visual Analogue Scale(VAS) were followed by three treatments. Statistical Analysis : Analysis regarding variations in AHS and VAS is carried out by applying Mann-Whitney test and Wilcoxon signed rank test sign test with level of significance at 5%. Results : At the end of the treatment, there was significant statistical differences between the two groups in VAS and AHS as well, while at the 3rd day only a VAS showed statistical significance. In each group, both VAS and AHS showed statistical significance along with duration of treatment. Conclusions : BVA was thought to be effective alternatives for relieving symptoms of acute ankle sprain, although further study was needed on the large scale.