• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.393-404
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• 1995

The purpose of this review was to examine the clinical characteristics of patients who had a diagnosis of Myofascial Pain Syndrome(MPS). Myofascial pain is a painful condition of skeletal muscle characterized by the presence of one or more trigger points. A trigger point(TrP) is a focus of hyperirritability in a tissues. Of the patients with MPS, 21(44.7 %) were male and 26(55.3 %) were female. The mean duration of MPS was 9.6 months for males and 11.3 months for females. Trigger points with associated referred patterns of pain were found in muscles of the post neck(trapezius, infrasupinatus) and in quadratus lumborum muscle. Patients reported increased fatigue(87.2 %), tingling sensation(66.0 %), numbness(66.0 %), tension(55.3 %), anxiety(44.7 %), headache (59.6 %), pilomotor activation(59.6 %).

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.23-36
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• 2012

Objectives : This study was conducted to investigate effective treatment point selection method using oppressive pain in acupoints as elementary attempt for standard methodology of clinical acupuncture studies. Methods : Twenty seven subjects with hypertension or within prehypertension category - systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) over 120/80mmHg - were divided into two groups, oppressive pain point treatment group and oppressive painless point treatment group. In oppressive pain point treatment group, single point acupuncture (SPA) was conducted for 16 sessions during 8 weeks on most oppressive painful point among 6 selected acupuncture points used in previous trials and clinic. As a SPA intervention, 15 minutes with deqi sensation- elevating manipulation was conducted on the treatment acupoint. Same process was conducted in oppressive painless point treatment group on most oppressive painless point with subject blinding. Results : Significant reduction was observed in both systolic and diastolic BP after short time intervention (15.5/8.8 mmHg, 10.7/7.1 mmHg, P<0.05, respectively at 1 week) and maintained for 8 weeks intervention period in all groups (12.8/8.0 mmHg, 19.4/12.6 mmHg, P<0.05, respectively). No significant difference of BP change between oppressive pain point treatment group (N=10) and oppressive painless point treatment group (N=9) was observed during 8 weeks study period. Conclusions : SPA treatment as used in this pilot study was effective for lowering BP in mild hypertensive population, but oppressive pain in acupoint had no effect on treatment. This present result suggests the possibility of SPA for hypertension treatment regardless of oppressive pain.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.115-120
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• 2024

Background: Migraine is a common disabling headache that affects every aspect of a person's life. Auricular acupuncture is a cost-effective treatment modality for the management of painful neurological conditions. Previous studies have shown the beneficial effects of a combination of ear points in the management of migraines. However, no studies have evaluated the efficacy of a single auricular point (i.e., sympathetic point) in migraine. Thus, this study evaluated the efficacy of sympathetic points on pain intensity and depression levels in patients with migraine. Methods: In this randomized controlled study, 100 patients with migraine aged 18-45 years were randomly divided into either an auricular acupuncture group (AAG) (n = 50) or a placebo control group (PCG) (n = 50). The AAG underwent needling at the sympathetic point (an auricular acupuncture point), whereas the PCG underwent needling at a non-acupuncture point for 20 minutes daily for 7 days. Assessments were performed before and after the intervention using a 6-item headache impact test (HIT-6) and Beck depression inventory (BDI) scale. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 16. Results: In within-group analysis, the AAG showed a significant reduction in HIT-6 and BDI, whereas the PCG showed a significant increase in HIT-6 and a significant reduction in BDI. In between-groups analyses, HIT-6 reduced significantly in the AAG compared with that in the PCG, whereas BDI reduced significantly in the PCG compared with that in the AAG. Conclusion: In patients with migraine, needling at the sympathetic point produces a greater reduction in the pain intensity level and lesser reduction in the depression level compared to needling at a non-acupuncture point.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.87-94
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• 1997

The purposes of this study were 1) to determine the changes between pre-treatment and post-treatment of four groups of 15 persons each and 2) to compare the effect of conventional transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation(TENS) and laser at auricular acupuncture points on experimental pain threshold measured at the wrist. Sixty healthy adult men and women(M:32, F:28), aged 20 to 28 years, were assigned randomly to one of four groups. Group 1 received TENS to the appropriate auricular point for wrist pain, Group 2 received laser to the appropriate auricular point for wrist pain, Group 3 received placebo TENS to the appropriate auricular point for wrist pain, Group 4 received no treatment and served as controls. Experimental pain threshold at the wrist was determined with a painful electrical stimulus before and 20 minutes after ear stimulation. Group 1 was the only group that showed a stastically significant increase (p<0.05) in pain threshold after treatment whereas the Group 2,3 and 4 did not. These results suggest that TENS has the capability to higher pain threshold but laser does not.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.245-254
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was done to examine predictive validity of Critical Care Non-verbal Pain Scale (CNPS) and develop criteria for pain assessment using CNPS with critically ill patients who have communication problems. Methods: Data were collected from intensive care units at three major general hospitals in Seoul and Kyunggi province. During each observation, a nurse assessed pain severity using CNPS ratings (range 0-9) at four treatment stages: at rest, during central catheter dressing change (nonpainful procedure), position change and suctioning (routine painful procedures). Patients also assessed their pain using a self-report 4-point VRS-4. Results: There were significant differences between the four treatment stages except between "at rest" and "nonpainful procedure". Strong correlations were found between CNPS and VRS-4 for "at rest" (r=.552, p<.001), central catheter dressing change (r=.505, p<.001), position change (r=.709, p<.001), and suctioning (r=.662, p<.001). ROC curve analysis of CNPS based on 3 point on VRS-4 showed the cutoff point was 3 for CNPS, the starting point for pain management with 73% sensitivity, 92.2% specificity, 73% positive predictive value, and 92.8% negative predictive value. Conclusion: Results indicate that CNPS is a valid tool for measuring pain in critically ill patients with communication problems and 3 point should be the standardized pain treatment point.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.796-798
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• 2007

Purpose: Giant cell tumor is the second most common benign neoplasm in upper extremity. Unlike usual chief complaint of painless mass, an atypical case with giant cell tumor presented a distinguishing characteristics of which accompany pain and tenderness and is histologically giant-cell free. Methods: A 31-year-old male patient complained of a rapid growing painful mass on the proximal phalanx of the left ring finger. Under microscopic operation, a $1.6{\times}1.3cm$ sized mass was found to be surrounded by areolar tissue and attached to a tendon sheath, encircling the digital nerve and artery. Diagnostic confirmation was assisted by positive finding in histologic immunohistochemical stain-CD68. Characteristic pathologic finding is an atypical distribution of spindle cells & histiocytes without giant cells in fascicular pattern. Results: Giant cell tumor was carefully removed under microscopic approach, while preserving digital nerve & artery. In postoperative 13th month, the patient presented with a 6mm of static two-point discrimination test, similar to that of the adjacent fingers. Conclusion: We report an atypical case with painful mass on tendon sheath, surrounding the digital nerve and artery that was diagnosed of giant cell tumor, but without giant cells on pathology. This case provides broader understanding of the giant cell tumor that should not only rely its typical findings of the painless mass and positive sign on H&E stain.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.2 no.1 s.2
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• pp.1-11
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• 1999

We have studied Bee Venom Therapy to treat Sequalae of Sprain, and obtained following results. 1. The treatment of sprain is using the effect of the affected part on Bee Venom Therapy. 2. For the treatment of sprain, it is often used the near acupuncture point of injury(近位取穴) or painful point to press(阿是穴). 3. Bee Venom Therapy is one of the powerful treatment, so we are using the sequalae of sprain in the case of not cured by Acupuncture, Cupping or another therapy. 4. Bee Venom injection is started a small quantity, and is increased slowly by degrees. 5. The immune response by Bee Venom Therapy is a sort of Allergy, and it is classified large delayed reaction. It is considered positive reaction. 6. We have selected Acupuncture Points from one to four by the degree of injury. 7. The period of treatment is some different from the degree of injury, but generally we have obtained good results to treat from 5 to 20 by Bee Venom Therapy.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.905-916
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the types of suicide attitudes among the Korean elderly. Method: The Q-methodology which provides a method of analyzing the subjectivity of each item was used. Thirty-four selected Q-statements from 38 subjects were classified into a shape of normal distributionusing a 9 point scale. The collected data was analyzed using a QUANL PC program. Result: Three types of suicide attitudes for research subjects in Korean elderly were identified. Type I is understanding suicide-self conquest and labor type, Type II is opposing suicide-family band foundation type, and Type III is sympathizing with suicide-painful situation escaping type. Conclusion: The results of the study indicate that different approaches of suicide prevention programs are recommended based on the three types of suicide attitudes among Korean elderly.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.169-174
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was accomplished to find out clinical features of knee pain of female after menopausal and their recognition of moxibustion treatment. Methods : Before and after 8 times moxibustion treatment(mostly 2 times a weak), survey was done. Moxibustion treatment was done on painful location, 3 times per each point. Results & Conclusions : Other symptom with Knee pain was Click 30.8 %, stiffness 25.6 %, press pain 16.7 %, swelling 14.1 %, fever 5.1 %, none 7.7 %. VAS of moxibustion treatment is significantly increased after treatment. Expectation of moxibustion treatmen is not. "Bad smell" is the first cause of evasion of moxibustion therapy. It should have been considered to reduce bad smell in development of moxibustion.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.7-21
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• 2005

Objectives : In the present study, the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) applied to SI6 and won-rak point on the ankle sprain model was examined. A common source of persistent pain in humans is the lateral ankle sprain. Methods : To model this condition, the rat's right ankle was bent repeatedly, overextending lateral ligaments, for 4 min under enflurane anesthesia. The rat subsequently showed swelling of the ankle and a reduced stepping force of the affected limb for the next several days. The reduced stepping force of the limb was presumably due to a painful ankle. EA was applied to the several acupuncture point on the contralateral forelimb for 30 min under gaseous anesthesia. After the termination of EA, behavioral tests measuring stepping force and Paw volume were Periodically conducted during the next 4 h and 18 h respectively. Results : EA applied to $SI_6$ with won-rak point produced more powerful improvement of stepping force of the sprained foot than to $SI_6$ alone lasting for at least 4 h. However, neigher $KI_4$ point nor $BL_{64}$ point produced any significant increase of weight bearing force. The improvement of stepping pressure was interpreted as an analgesic effect. The analgesic effect was specific to the acupuncture point since the analgesic effort on the ankle sprain pain model could not be mimicked by EA applied to $KI_4$ or $BL_{64}$. In addition, EA applied to $SI_6$ with won-rak combination point showed inhibitory effect on the paw edema induced by ankle sprain. Also, COX-2 protein expression increased by ankle sprain were suppressed by the EA stimulation. Conclusion : These data suggest that EA with won-rak combination point produces a more potent analgesic effect on the ankle sprain pain model in the rat and that EA with won-rak combination point induced anti-inflammatory effect through the suppression of COX-2 protein expression.