• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.89-96
• /
• 2017

Objectives : The aim of the study was to ascertain the effectiveness of magnetic acupuncture in patients with plantar fasciitis. Methods : The patients were treated with magnetic acupuncture using a magnetic therapy stimulator (Whata 153), as well as with moxibustion therapy. Acupuncture treatment was conducted on the acupoints of Ashi-as well as on 太谿 (KI3), 崑崙 (BL60), and 委中 (BL40)-for 15 minutes. The intensity of pain was evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS), and the tenderness threshold (TT) was measured at each visit using an algometer. Results : After treatment, evaluation using the VAS had improved, as had the TT; furthermore, plantar fasciitis pain was reduced. Conclusion : Magnetic acupuncture relieved pain in plantar fasciitis. In further clinical study, more research on magnetic acupuncture is required.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.40 no.3
• /
• pp.265-271
• /
• 2023

Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is a disease that narrows the spinal canal, causing neurological symptoms. To date, there have been several reports on traditional Korean medicine treatments for OPLL; however, there is no study on complex acupuncture treatment. Herein, we report 2 cases of cervical OPLL involving cervical pain, upper limb radiating pain, and hypoesthesia. The patients were diagnosed using C-spine computed tomography and did not receive any treatment at any other hospital. The patients were treated with acupuncture treatments, including electroacupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and acupotomy, at Daegu Korean Medicine Hospital at Daegu Haany University. The results were assessed using the visual analog scale, neck disability index, and Japanese Orthopedic Association scores, and the results indicated an improvement in the symptoms. Thus, this study demonstrated that complex acupuncture treatment may be helpful for treating cervical OPLL and improving the quality of life.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.145-160
• /
• 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.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.165-174
• /
• 2005

Objective : The objective of this study is to investigate the inhibitor effects of an traditional oriental herb, Sophora flavescens on the hepatic and renal side effects of chemotherapy by using B16-BL6 melanoma-injected C57BL6 mouse tumor model. Methods : In this study, the effects of an traditional oriental herb, Sophora flavescens, on the side effects of chemotherapy were studied using B16 melanoma-injected C57BL6 mouse tumor model. Results : Sophora flavescen has significant effect on the reduction of the side effects of chemotherapy. Sophora flavescen recovered the reduction of WBC and RBC during cisplatin chemotherapy. Water extract of Sophora flavescens significantly inhibited cisplatin-induced increase of serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) which is a good indicator of renal toxicity. Sophora flavescens extract does not decrease the anti-tumor activity of cisplatin showing that it can selectively inhibit side effects of anticancer drugs preserving beneficial effort. Conclusion : Theses results suggest a possibility that Sophora flavescens extract can be used for cancer patients for the reduction of the side effects and improving the quality of life during chemotherapy of cancer patients.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.71-78
• /
• 2006

Objective : The purpose of this study is to report to treat two patients who had symptoms on head and face because of stress. Methods : The changes in symptoms of heat on right bucca, spasm of upp. er lip, left parietal pain, in individual expression were described as they were treated with acupuncture therapy named An-sim-bang(安心方), moxibustion and herb medicine. Results : Symptoms of heat on right bucca, spasm of upp. er lip, left parietal pain at admission improved and disapp eared gradually with acupuncture therapy named An-sim-bang(安心方), moxibustion and herb medicine. The patients could discharge with favorable recovery. Conclusion : In oriental medicine, stress is mainly treated by taking down flaring-up of heart fire, removing depression of Ki and fulling up deficiency of Yin of the kidneys. We experienced that these treatments by acupuncture therapy named An-sim-bang(安心方), moxibustion and herb medicine have the effect treating symptoms on head and face because of stress.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.102-109
• /
• 2020

Background: Due to the aging population in Korea, knee osteoarthritis (KOA) has become an increasingly common condition. Many patients with KOA prefer analgesics, herbal medicines, acupuncture, or exercise, rather than arthroscopic surgery or a knee replacement. Gyebutang (GB) granules are a herbal extract widely used to treat KOA in traditional Korean medicine, but there is insufficient evidence of its efficacy and safety. Methods: A multicenter, randomized, assessor-blinded, 2-armed parallel, controlled clinical trial has been designed to investigate the efficacy and safety of GB combined with acupuncture for the treatment of KOA. There will be 100 patients with KOA enrolled in the study from 3 traditional Korean medicine hospitals. The participants will be randomly allocated to an experimental group (GB and acupuncture) or a control group (celecoxib and acupuncture) in a 1:1 ratio. Both groups will receive acupuncture treatment once a week for 6 weeks; one group will receive GB and the other will receive celecoxib for the same duration. Results: The primary outcome will be the change of knee osteoarthritic pain, based on scores on a 100 mm visual analog scale. The secondary outcomes will be scores on a numeric rating scale, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index, patient global assessment, European quality of life 5-dimension 5-level scale, and adverse events. Conclusion: The results of this study will provide evidence of efficacy and safety of GB as a treatment for patients with KOA.

• 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 Traditional Oncology
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.25-39
• /
• 2020

Objectives : Lung cancer is one of the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate the role of acupuncture as an adjunctive therapy for lung cancer. Methods : We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on the role of acupuncture therapy in lung cancer treatment by electronic and manual searching in ninedatabases, including PubMed, Cochrane library, Embase, Korean databases, and Chinese medical databases. Results : A total of 21 trials were included in the meta-analysis. The study results showed that acupuncture therapy had significant efficacy in immuneregulation, including CD3 andCD4. Further analysis revealed that acupuncture therapy significant improvements in quality of life, including Karnofsky performance status(KPS)score, functional assessment of cancer therapy-lung cancer subscale (FACT-L) and European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). In addition, the pooled studies also showed that acupuncture therapy reduced cancer pain and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Conclusions : Our study provides moderate evidence of the efficacy of the acupuncture therapy in the treatment of lung cancer.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.169-179
• /
• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this report is to introduce a case of diplopia caused by the fracture of the left orbital wall and to suggest Korean Medicine treatment including electroacupuncture as a possible method of conservative treatment. Methods : A 44-year-old male with diplopia, restricted ocular motility and facial paresthesia after the fracture of the left orbital wall was treated with Korean Medicine treatment from June 15, 2016 to July 15, 2016. Improvements of symptoms were measured by the diplopia questionnaire, cervical range of motion (CROM) diplopia examination, goniometer diplopia examination, subjective diplopia field and visual analogue scale (VAS). Results : During 4 weeks of treatment, the patient showed consistent improvement in the diplopia questionnaire score, range of diplopia and VAS of facial paresthesia. Conclusion : According to the results, Korean Medicine treatment would be a possible conservative treatment for diplopia due to a traumatic accident. Further studies are needed regarding possible long-term effects.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.40 no.1
• /
• pp.1-15
• /
• 2023

Between May 2014 and April 2022, a total of 926 articles were retrieved from the international database, and a total of 233 articles were retrieved from the Korean database. From there, 14 studies were selected, and evaluated by the published year, terminology of the acupotomy, sample size, disease type, retention time, treatment sites, insertion depth and size of the acupotomy, treatment frequency, and duration, type of acupotomy manipulation method, evaluation index, therapeutic effects, adverse effects, and assessment of the risk of bias in randomized controlled trials. This study examined the need for additional acupotomy studies to secure an objective basis for the application of clinical treatment. Furthermore, the detailed description of the study methods and results and unified terminology can provide evidence for the efficacy of acupotomy.