• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.159-167
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• 2004

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of auricular acupuncture therapy by using different techniques combined with common acupuncture treatment on lumbago patients. Methods: 30 patients with lumbago who were hospitalized in Semyung Univ. Oriental Medical Hospital were devided into three groups. Group A of 10 patients were treated by common acupuncture treatment and auricular acupuncture therapy by methods of burying needles. Group B of 10 patients were treatedd by common acupuncture treatment and auricular acupuncture therapy by methods of pricking needles. Group C of 10 patients were treated only by common acupuncture treatment. The pain scale and improvement index of these three groups were evaluated after 10 days of admission. Results: 1. On the score of pain scale, group A and B were both superior to group C, but had no specific difference(p=0.15). 2. On the score of improvement index, group B was superior to group A, and group A was superior to group C(p=0.04). Conclusions: The combination of auricular acupuncture therapy and common acupuncture treatment was more effective than only to use common acupuncture treatment to lumbago patients. Especially, using the auricular acupuncture therapy by pricking methods, was the most effective methods in increasing improvement index.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.155-165
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• 2006

Objectives : This study was conducted to carry out quantitative evaluation and safety of Bee Venom Acupuncture. Methods : Content analysis was done using HPLC, measurement of $LD_{50}$, and histological observations were made on the skin and muscles. Results : 1. According to HPLC analysis, each BVA-1 contained approximately $0.36{\mu}g$, and BVA-2 contained approximately $0.54{\mu}g$. But the volume of coating was so minute, slight difference exists between each needle. 2. LD50 of mouse with BVA-1 was 16 counts and this is equivalent to 640 needles/kg, making Bee Venom Acupuncture safe treatment apparatus. 3. Regardless of the number of needles, there was no sign of blood stasis or inflammation detected on the skin and muscle tissues. Conclusion : Above results indicate that the Bee Venom Acupuncture can complement shortcomings of syringe usage as a part of Oriental medicine treatment, but extensive researches should be done for further verification.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.113-119
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• 2000

Objectives : Wrist ganglion is one of the most common diseases on the wrist joint. So far acupuncture, medication, drainage and local anesthetic excision therapy have been used for this disease, but the development of more effective treatment method is being expected because of frequent recurrence and side effect. Considered that most ganglion is polycystic, on the basis of classic centro-square acupuncture, newly transformed centro-square acupuncture was applied to this report. Methods : All the patients with wrist ganglion was divided into two groups. Newly transformed centro-square acupuncture was app(ied to one group composed of 11 patients and classic centro-square acupuncture to the other group with 19 patients. Classic centro-square acupuncture is made up of slanting and straight insertion. the former is a method that tips of 4 needles are inserted from the outersurface of wrist ganglion oriented to the center of the ganglion, the latter is that tip of one needle is inserted on the center of the ganglion straightly. In the newly transformed centro-square acupuncture, straight insertion of dry needle was taken place of by syringe needle in order to drain phlegm. In this report, classic and newly transformed centro-square acupuncture were used somewhat differently from original ones. Moxibustion was applied after removing all the needles. In newly transformed centro-square acupuncture, moxibustion was also applied after drainage of phlegm and slanting insertion. Results : 1. Wrist ganglion was frequently developed around the acupoint of Tae-Yeon(Tai Yuan, LU9) and Yang-Ji(Yang Chi, TE4) and the difference between occurrence of development on the left and right hand had no significancy. 2. The mean number of treatment for recovery : The newly transformed centro-square acupuncture had fewer treatment than classic one. 3. The newly transformed centro-square acupuncture was more effective than classic one. 4. As a result of following up 6 to 72 months after wrist ganglion had been eliminated, there was no recurrence. Conclusion : In the treatment of wrist ganglion, newly transformed centro-square acupuncture can be regarded as more useful method in the clinical practice, because it has comparatiely shorter duration of treatment and is more effective.

• 한국한의학연구원논문집
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.115-121
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• 2010

Objectives : Quality control of the needle tips and prevention of pollutions are important factor for safe and effective acupuncture treatment. Ear acupuncture needle is made by 3 companies in Korea, and used to treat for obesity or smoking in clinic frequently, but the Korean industrial Standard is proposed most recently. In spite of the importance, there has been little study about that. Moreover, there was no study about ear acupuncture needle. Methods : We investigated the current condition of needle shape and pollution about the tips and body of the ear acupuncture needle under the stereoscopic microscope. Samples are selected 100 pieces from 300 pieces randomly in each company. Results : The substandard needles are classified into four groups and counted 1. Normal condition (55.3%), 2. Scratch on the surface (14.0%), 3. Malformation of tips (19.3%), 4. Pollution of body (4.3%), 5. Multiple Substandard (7.0%). In the case of including type 2 as a standard needle, normal rate of A company was 81% when B was 76%, and C was 51%. Conclusion : The substandard ear acupuncture needles can induce local side effects such as needling pain or itching. Furthermore, it can disturb the proper effect of acupuncture treatment. We hope that this study can help to improvequality of ear acupuncture and reduce substandard rate for safe and effective ear acupuncture treatment.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제28권5호
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• pp.97-102
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• 2011

Meridian Research Center, Division of Standard Research, Keora Institute of Oriental Medicine Objectives : Ear acupuncture needle is used to treat smoking, drug abusing, alcoholism frequently over time stability of ear acupuncture needle is important factor for safe acupuncture treatment. In spite of the importance, there has been few study about the quality of disposable acupuncture needle tip - using scanning electron microscope (SEM) in 2002, 2003. Moreover, there was no study about ear acupuncture needle. Methods : The three ear acupuncture needle, made in China, Japan, Korea was chosen. We used Hank's solution at the 38$^{\circ}C$ as a phantom tissue liquid. Except for the control group, five groups of needles are soused one to five days. Surface corrosion was observed using the SEM compared with control group. Results : There was no particular corrosion in all groups of ear acupuncture needles compared with the control group. Conclusions : All of the ear acupunctures used in this study are stable in body fluids at least 5 days.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.1-18
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• 2006

Objectives: The subject of this research is the catechism on medicine between the doctors of Joseon and Japan in the 18th century through Choson Delegation(朝鮮通信使 ). Methods: The author intended to review and analyze the contents of catechism related to Acupuncture and Moxibustion and determined the characteristics of Joseon and Japan ?s Acupuncture and Moxibustion. Results: At the time, Japanese doctors had a grasp on most theories of Acupuncture and Moxibustion and were very specialized clinically. They usually used filiform needles with various techniques, and already they had many different schools in practice. However, they wanted to know if their Acupuncture and Moxibustion skills were up to the international standard, especially to Joseon, whom they regarded as a country advanced in Acupuncture and Moxibustion. They wanted to com- pare and contrast their Acupuncture and Moxibustion with Joseon's. 18th century Joseon was high time for Acupuncture and Moxibustion. Various tools were used in surgery, and varieties of needles were used to stimulate acupuncture points. The development of tools evinces the precision of Joseon's Acupuncture and Moxibustion at the time. Also, comprehensive works such as DongUiBoGam(東醫寶鑑) and UiHaklpMun( 醫學入門) greatly influenced Acupuncture and Moxibustion. Because of this impact, it can be deduced that Acupuncture and Moxibustion emphasizing Jang(臟) and Bu(腑) organs and Internal Injury developed greatly. In addition, acupuncturist Holm(許任)'s fame continued from the 17th century into the 18th century, and his medical practice left a huge mark on not only Joseon but other eastern Asian countries as well. Conclusions: We found out the evidences that there were a lot of exchanges of acupuncture and moxibustion between Korea and Japan based of the Joseon TongShinSa (Emissary)'s record of catechism on medicine in the 18th century.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.59-63
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• 2007

Objectives : To discuss the biocompatibility of stainless steel for using acupuncture needles. Results and Conclusions : It is widely assumed that stainless steel is one of the good corrosion-resistant materials and is safe for human body, Most of metal acupuncture needles are made of STS304 and STS316 in light of human body safety: STS304 in more differences between STS304 and STS316 in light of human body safety: STS304 is more vulnerable to oxidation than STS316. A variety of literature survey showed that although STS316 is more corrosion-resistant than STS304 there is no evidence supporting the hypothesis that STS304 has the potential danger to human body, Further study would be necessary to draw more decisive conclusion.

• 동서간호학연구지
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• 제6권1호
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• pp.37-45
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of hand acupuncture for reduction of dysmenorrhea. 71 female middle school and high school students were selected as subjects from April to May 2001, among which 38 students consisted of the experimental group while 22 students were the control group by convenient assignment. The experimental group participated in hand acupuncture treatment. The experimental treatment was to puncture corresponding points(A4, A5, J1, J3, J23, H2, F7) on both the palm and back of a hand with disposable acupuncture needles and to remove needles after 20-30 minutes' recess during which the subjects reposed themselves on bed. The collected data were processed using the SPSS PC Program and analyzed using $X^2test$ and The results of this study were as follows 1. The symptoms of premenstrual syndrome have decreased, but no significant differences were statistically observed between hand-acupunctured group and non-hand acupunctured group. 2. Subjective pain degree has decreased after hand acupuncture. 3. As for objective pain degree, a significant reduction in voice change was observed between two groups. Facial expressional changes and perspiration degree reduced but showed no significant statistically changes between two groups. 4. Comfort has increased after hand acupuncture. These results suggest that the hand acupuncture therapy works effectively on easing menstrual pain and symptoms as well as partially on reducing discomfort. It is particularly efficacious for a reduction in subjective pain and facial expressional changes in positive respect. Therefore the hand acupuncture therapy can be considered as an independent nursing intervention for dysmenorrhea reduction.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.145-160
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• 2003

Objective : This study was designed to find out whether placebo auricular acupuncture is able to be constituted as an appropriate control group for needle insertion to Korean. Methods : We performed a randomized controlled, single-blind study(n=48) comparing subjective evaluations of needles insertion and avoidance of needles insertion. Both ears were needled concurrently, one real acupuncture(needle insertion) and the other placebo acupuncture(avoidance of needle insertion with blunt tip). Subjects then completed a questionnaire rating the intensity of five sensations in each ear, and also attempted to identity which ear received placebo and which ear received real acupuncture. Results : As for the effects of real and placebo acupuncture on each item(Warmth, Fullness, Pain, Activity, Radiating), real acupuncture was significantly warmer, fuller, more painful than placebo acupuncture. In particular, the real acupuncture only in experienced acupuncture recipients was significantly warmer, fuller, more painful than placebo acupuncture. About the ability to differentiate real and placebo acupuncture, 54.2 percent correctly identified which ear received real acupuncture and which ear received placebo acupuncture. However, the ability to differentiate real and placebo acupuncture for naive and experienced acupuncture recipients was not significantly different. Conclusions : Most of the subjects(Korean) identified which ear received placebo and which ear received real acupuncture. We found that this placebo auricular acupuncture is not able to be applied to Korean, in particular for experienced acupuncture recipients. Further study is needed for new placebo auricular acupuncture or racial difference between American.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제25권6호
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• pp.77-93
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• 2008

Objectives : Though there were many clinical studies of acupuncture effects they didn't have appropriate control group or use another therapy for control group. So, we didn't say it was true acupuncture effect, though subjects in clinical study improved. Recently several sham needles for control group were developed and validated. This study aimed at summarizing the validation studies of these needles and evaluating the control group of the acupuncture clinical study. Methods : Computerized literature searches were performed using 'acupuncture' and 'placebo or sham' with a limitation of the results to RCTs in Pubmed, Sciencedirect, NDSL, KISS, RISS. Data were extracted regarding study design, sample size, acupuncture point, stimulation form, credibility testing. And We have examined 106 acupuncture clinical studies published by Pubmed from January 1, 2005 to April 30, 2008. Data were extracted author's country, subject of study, type of study groups, type of control groups, type of blinding, difference between the results in the control groups. Results : Streitberger's placebo needle, Fink's sham needle, Park sham needle, Kim sham needle were developed. They were validated at domestic and abroad. But the results were deviation depending on the each of the researcher. They has shown that sample, acupuncture points, experiences or knowledge of acupuncture dependent on the results. Recent three years, acupuncture clinical trial had different results. Significant differences between Study group and control group emerged from using other therapy or non-treatment for control group. Many study has no significant differences using sham acupuncture for control groups. Conclusions : Acupuncture clinical studies need to meet several requirements. First of all, they require the basics of randomized controlled clinical studies such as blinding and the accurate implementation and description of randomization. And also need to research the unique circumstances of these studies such as the development of sham acupuncture and blinding method which differs from other clinical trials.