• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.975-981
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• 2008

Restless leg syndrome(RLS) is a sensorimotor disorder characterized by a distressing urge to move the legs and triggered by rest or inactivity. It is usually accompanied with insomnia. We experienced two cases of RLS among ischemic stroke patients. They complained uncomfortable sensation in their affected leg and urge to move the leg at night. We treated them with electro-acupuncture, moxibustion and herbal medicine until retiring. As a result, the symptoms including unpleasant sensation or pain, urge to move the leg and insomnia had withdrawn. These cases suggest the possibility that we can treat RLS with oriental medicine, especially in the case which is refractory to conventional medication or shows periodic leg movements during sleep.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.70-78
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was aimed at examining the effects of the application of EA (electroacupuncture) at GV20 and LI4 in the early cerebral ischemia on the size of cerebral infarction, COX-2 and IL-6. Methods : For this experiment, 21, six-week-old male S-D (Sprague - Dawley) rats weighting 160g to 200g were selected and randomly classified into 3 groups, seven rats in each group. Brain ischemia was simulated using a modified Koizumi method which was performed on each rat. In the GV20 group, the GV20 of the SD rats was stimulated for thirty minutes with acupunctural electrode low frequency stimulator five hours after inducement of ischemia. For the LI4 group, the LI4 was stimulated as above, while for the Ischemia group, no stimulation was applied. Twenty-four hours after the experiment, stained cerebral tissues were examined and an immuno-histological test was done to examine inflammatory reaction Results : Out of the three groups, the LI4 group showed the smallest size of cerebral infarction and the Ischemia group showed the highest COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2) expression value in the cortex of the cerebrum. In addition, the LI4 group showed the lowest COX-2 expression value in unknown putamen out of the three groups. Conclusions : We infer that EA, applied at LI4 and GV20 in early ischemia, is effective in delaying the expression of IL-6 (interleukin-6) and COX-2, the inflammatory agents manifested from stroke. In addition, application at LI4, rather than GV20, can lower the expression value of the inflammatory agents. Further, EA can be an effective way to block early inflammatory reaction in stroke.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.123-131
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• 2002

The purpose of this study is to compare Ultra Sound(U-S), Silver Spike Point(SSP) and Electro-Acupuncture(E-A) with each other and to objectively analyze their concrete validities and their effects on the deactivation of trigger points in patients with myofascial pain syndrome, and to provide basic necessary principles for clinical therapists. Sixty patients were randomly distributed into three groups of twenty persons each and the U-S, the SSP and the E-A were applied to each group respectively. Tree pain evaluation methods of VAS(Visual Analogue Scale), Electrical Stimulation Scale and Pressure Algometer were adopted to measure the effectiveness of each therapy. The results were as follows: The U-S and E-A groups demonstrated statistically significant decrease on the VAS. The pain thresholds by Electrical Stimulation Scale method was increased for all the groups of U-S, SSP and E-A with no statistical significance. however, Pressure Algometer method was found to increase the pain thresholds for both SSP and E-A groups with statistically significance. Statistically significant improvement was found for all the groups together after the administration of the U-S, the SSP and the E-A. From the above results, three methods of U-S, SSP and E-A are found to be effective tools for the deactivation of trigger points in patients with upper trapezius muscle of Myofascial Pain Syndrome. The E-A method was found to be the most effective among three methods.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.109-118
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• 2021

Objectives The objective of this study was to appraise the effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) for the treatment of cervical vertigo. Methods We performed a literature search using nine electronic databases up to the end of November 2020. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which appraised the effect of EA in the treatment of cervical vertigo. The risk of bias was evaluated from the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Results Thirteen appropriate RCTs were included and analyzed. The efficacy rate of the EA group was statistically higher compared with the control group treated with western medicine (p<0.00001). EA treatment significantly improved efficacy rate when combined with western medicine than western medicine alone (p<0.0001). Also EA used with combined therapy (traction, traditional chinese medicine, injection) significantly improved efficacy rate compared with combined therapy alone (p=0.02). Meta-analysis of thirteen studies demonstrated positive results for using EA for the treatment of cervical vertigo. Conclusions Based on results, EA treatment could be effective in cervical vertigo. However, it should be noted that the studies included in this research are regionally biased and small in number. Further well-designed research should be required.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.172-179
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• 2012

Objectives : This study was designed to quantify the characteristics, main diagnosis and complications in the intensive care unit (ICU) at an Oriental Medical Hospital. Methods : The medical records of 44 patients admitted to the ICU at Kyunghee Oriental Medical Hospital between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011 were reviewed. Basic characteristics of patients, admission channel, main diagnosis, east-western medical therapy, mortality, and complications were investigated retrospectively based on medical notes. Results : 1. The total number of patients was 44. Males were 63.6%, females 36.3%. Average admission days was 15.9. 2. The most frequent age group is eighties, 38.6%. 3. The most frequent disease is cerebrovascular disease, 61.3%. 4. The medical therapy done after admission to ICU was intubation. Central vein insertion was performed next, followed by Foley's catheter insertion, ventilator, tracheostomy, nasogastric intubation, and thoracentesis in order. The proportion of Oriental medical treatment provided to the patients of ICU was as follows: herbal medication only 6.8%; herbal medication plus acupuncture 31.8%; herbal medication, acupuncture electro-acupuncture, plus subcutaneous acupuncture 2.3%; and none 27.3%. 5. The number of cases of complications occurred since ICU admission was 18. The most frequently observed complication was infection, including 6 cases of pneumonia and 4 cases of urinary tract infection. Conclusions : We suggest that ICUs of Oriental medical hospitals need to be managed effectively to treat diseases including cerebrovascular disease and prevent complications.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 2017

Objectives : In this study, the roles of Interleukin (IL)-4 and Signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6), which have been reported to play a role in the pathogenesis of inflammation and cancer, were evaluated in snake venom toxin (SVT)-induced apoptosis. Methods : Inflammation was induced in human HaCaT kerationocytes, by lipopolysaccharide (LPS; $1{\mu}g/mL$) or tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), followed by treatment with SVT (0, 1, or $2{\mu}g/mL$). Cell viability was assessed by MTT assays after 24 h, and the expression of levels of IL-4, STAT6, and the apoptosis-related proteins p53, Bax, and Bcl-2 were evaluated by western blotting. Electro mobility shift assays (EMSAs) were performed to evaluate the DNA binding capacity of STAT6. Results : MTT assays showed that inflammation-induced growth of HaCaT cells following LPS or TNF-${\alpha}$ stimulation was inhibited by SVT. Western blot analysis showed that p53 and Bax, which promote apoptosis, were increased, whereas that of Bcl-2, an anti-apoptotic protein, was decreased in a concentration-dependent manner in LPS- or TNF-${\alpha}$-induced HaCaT cells following treatment with SVT. Moreover, following treatment of HaCaT cells with LPS, IL-4 concentrations were increased, and treatment with SVT further increased IL-4 expression in a concentration-dependent manner. Western blotting and EMSAs showed that the phosphorylated form of STAT6 was increased in HaCaT cells in the context of LPS- or TNF-${\alpha}$-induced inflammation in a concentration-dependent manner, concomitant with an increase in the DNA binding activity of STAT6. Conclusion : SVT can effectively promote apoptosis in HaCaT cells in the presence of inflammation through a pathway involving IL-4 and STAT6.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.61-74
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• 2009

Objectives: The warm needling technique is a method which combines the effects of acupuncture with those of moxibustion. The purpose of this study was to find the stimulus effects of a high frequency warm needling device when stimulating acupoint $LI_4$ on the carrageenan-induced arthritis. Methods: This study was to observe the effects to edema reaction, WBF(weight bearing force), NO concentration, nNOS expression after the electro high frequency stimulus of high frequency warm needling device on LI4 with insulated acupuncture needle. Results: The effect of the high frequency warm needling device is to rise up the temperature in proportion to the current intensity. After stimulating on the acupoint $LI_4$ of the carrageenan-induced arthritis in rats with the high frequency warm needling device, it significantly reduced edema in the rat's foot. In addition, WBF, NO concentration of spinal cord (nmol/mg), and nNOS relative expression were reduced. Conclusions: The above results support the idea that stimulus by the high frequency warm needling device on $LI_4$ produces a potent analgesic effect in the arthritis pain model of the rat. Moreover, stimulus by the high frequency warm needling device modulates endogenous NO through the suppression of nNOS protein expression.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.73-84
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• 2021

Objectives The objective of the study is to review the Korean traditional medicine treatment used in cruciate ligament injury. Methods According to patients, treatment methods, research design, evaluation tools, outcome, we searched for studies which performed Korean traditional medical treatment on patient with cruciate ligament injury. Results In 11 studies, total number of patents were 78. Patients were conducted with 11 kinds of treatment, which is acupuncture, herbal medicine, pharmacopuncture, electro-acupuncture, burning acupuncture, moxibustion, physiotherapy, exercise, Chuna and cupping. The most commonly used measurement was visual analog scale. Conclusions Throughout the study, we could organize Korean traditional medicine treatment for patient with cruciate ligament injury. However it is difficult to figure out among the 11 intervention which interventions were effective in improving symptom. Therefore, further researches like randomized clinical trial and systematic review is needed in order to enhance the evidence of the Korean traditional medicine.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.69-84
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• 2023

Objectives: This study was conducted to reflect the public's perspective when developing Korean Medicine (KM) Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP). Methods: 317 respondents who had experienced nausea and vomiting during current or past pregnancy completed the questionnaire online, and we analyzed their answers. Results: 1. 24% of all respondents had received KM treatment. The most common reason for choosing KM treatment was "it would be relatively safe for pregnant women and fetuses", and the reason for not choosing KM treatment was "they did not know much about it". 2. Respondents who had experienced KM treatment for NVP had felt the effects of KM treatment (79%), and chose herbal medicine as the most effective and preferred treatment. 3. 64.1% of respondents who had not experienced KM treatment for NVP preferred cooperative treatment with Western medicine. They answered that herbal medicine would be the most effective treatment, but preferred acupuncture. 4. The most important factor when treating NVP was "the safety of treatments". 59% of all respondents perceived KM treatment is safe for NVP. The treatments perceived as safest were herbal medicine and acupuncture, while the treatments with the least safety information were pharmacopuncture and electro-acupuncture. 5. Treatments that medical consumers were comprehensively interested in were acupuncture, KM treatment & Fluid, herbal medicine, moxibustion, and acupressure, in order. Conclusions: This study revealed the public's experience of using medical care, preference and perception of KM treatment for NVP. Therefore we would reflect the patients' clinical needs in the CPG.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.544-554
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• 2023

Background: Postural hypotension refers to a drop in systolic blood pressure of 20 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure of 10 mmHg or more within three minutes after standing up from lying down. Symptoms of postural hypotension not only include dizziness and blurred vision but also fatigue, cognitive decline, leg weakness, headache, and, in severe cases, fainting. Postural hypotension is a phenomenon that occurs in about 6% of the total population, and in Korea, the number of patients with postural hypotension is continuously increasing. Both pharmacological and non-drug therapies, which are treatment methods for this disease, do not show a satisfactory symptom improvement effect. Case summary: A 65-year-old male patient who visited the hospital complaining of dizziness and paresthesia due to postural hypotension was treated with acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal medicine. For symptom evaluation, the numeric rating scale (NRS) of each symptom was used, and blood pressure change according to posture was measured. After treatment, the NRSs of dizziness and dysesthesia were decreased, and blood pressure changes according to posture was improved. Conclusion: This case report suggests that Korean medicine treatment, including acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal medicine, can be an effective treatment for dizziness with postural hypotension.