• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.65-81
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• 2024

Objectives This study aimed to understand the general research trends, applicated disease, and methodology of transcutaneous/percutaneous vagus nerve stimulation, contemplating its clinical use in traditional Korean medicine and future research directions. Methods A scoping review was conducted following Arksey and O'Malley Framework Stage and adhering to the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews: checklist and explanation. Papers published until October 30, 2023, were investigated across 10 databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System, Korean Studies Information Service System, KMbase, Science ON, Research Information Sharing Service. The search terms used were 'Transcutaneous/Percutaneous vagus nerve stimulation'. Results Since 2021, the application of transcutaneous/percutaneous vagus nerve stimulation for musculoskeletal symptoms has been actively researched, predominantly in Asia (37%), Europe (37%), and North America (21%). All 19 papers were part of clinical studies. Chronic pain was noted that most applied disease, it also was found to potentially aid in acute post-surgical pain relief. Major assessment tools include not only simple pain metrics but also pain perception, vagal nerve tension, quality of life, and inflammatory markers. Most procedures were carried out through the ear, which offers a favorable site for therapeutic stimulation without notable side effects. And parameter analysis, frequencies typically ranged around 25 Hz to 30 Hz, while pulse widths were commonly set at 250 ㎲ or 300 ㎲. Conclusions Transcutaneous/percutaneous vagus nerve stimulation is easily accessible through acupuncture in Korean medicine. Therefore, if future studies establish parameters and clinical significance, it could be utilized as a therapeutic modality.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.19-26
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• 2006

Purpose: This study aimed the effects of percutaneous electric nerve stimulation (PENS) applied to different parts of the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats on the change of glucose and nerve. Methods: rats (ten weeks old) were selected as the subjects; the normal group was five rats, and the diabetes induction group II, III and IV were five rats, respectively, which were randomly sampled from the twenty-five streptozotocin-administered rats with more than $240\;d{\ell}/m{\ell}$ of blood sugar. For PENS, electric current with 2 Hz of stimulation frequency and $200\;{\mu}s$ of pulse duration was applied to the subjects for fifteen minutes a day, six days a week, for three weeks. Calculation of glucose and weight, and nerve conduction test were conducted forty-eight hours and three weeks after streptozotocin administration, respectively. Results: As for change of glucose and weight, the group III with stimulation to the acupoints and the group IV with stimulation to non-acupoints showed significant differences from the control group II (p<0.05). As for MNCV (motor nerve conduction velocity), the group III with stimulation to the acupoints showed significant differences from the group IV with stimulation to non-acupoints and the control group II (p<0.05). Conclusion: PENS had the effects of inhibiting increase of glucose, change of weight and decrease of nerve conductive function between the distal and proximal ends of the peripheral nerve in the STZ-induced diabetic rats.