• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.210-220
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• 2019

Objectives : Warm needling is a combined treatment technique of acupuncture and moxibustion. In this study, we aimed to find out the components related with the thermal stimulation of the warm needling and to provide basic data for the guideline of the warm needling technique in the clinic. Methods : In this study, we measured thermal change of 3% agarose phantom embedding K-type thermocouples in depths of 0, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 mm. The warm needling was performed with acupuncture needles of various specifications (0.50×30, 0.50×40, 0.30×30, 0.30×40, 0.20×30 and 0.20×40 mm). A linear regression analysis was performed to find out the major component and quantify the effectiveness of the thermal stimulation during warm needling. Results : As a result of the measurement of temperature change, we could observe the thermal change pattern from the surface of the phantom to the 16mm deep part of the phantom. The thermal pattern was similar among the needles of different specifications. The regression analysis pointed the distance between the moxa cautery and the skin surface as the main component for the thermal stimulation of the warm needling. Conclusions : The authors suggest considering the distance between moxa cautery and the skin rather than the diameter of the acupuncture needle in accordance to the result of the study.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.155-164
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• 2020

Objectives This study is aimed to evaluate the feasibility of further clinical research of warm needle acupuncture as an effective and safe treatment for chronic low back pain. Methods Thirty participants will be randomly assigned to the Warm needle acupuncture group (n=15) and Dry needle acupuncture group (n=15). All patients will receive acupuncture therapy twice a week for 6 weeks, but only the experimental group will receive thermal stimulation. The primary outcome will be measured using the visual analogue scale for bothersomeness of low back pain, and the secondary outcome will be measured using the VAS for pain intensity, Oswestry disability index, 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, Beck's depression inventory, and amount of analgesics used. Conclusions The results of this study will be used to determine the feasibility of a future large-scale randomized controlled trial that provides clinical evidence for the efficacy and safety of warm needle acupuncture in the treatment of patients with chronic low back pain.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.247-257
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• 2008

Objectives : The warm needling technique is the method in combining the effects of acupuncture needle with the effects of moxibustion. We need to standardize the characteristics of the warm needling technique in order to get more systematic and objective result in operation mechanism and effects and then get more clinical abilities in these fields. Methods : In this study, using of labview system on the warm needling technique we studied about measurement and comparison with partial temperature changes according to the position of ignition. Results & conclusion : When we measured the warm needling's partial temperature according to the position of ignition, the bottom ignition method got the higher result on the peak temperature measured at 2cm below the head than the apex ignition method.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.213-220
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• 2016

Objectives : The aim of this paper is to develop acupuncture needle heating system by utilizing the new method which uses high frequency(HF) time-varying magnetic field. Also, it is possible to make an assessment for reliability and clinical significance of the system. Methods : We designed the system with solenoid coils for generation of HF time-varying magnetic field that oscillates at 150 kHz. Acupuncture needles are quickly magnetized and heated by 150 kHz. We assessed clinical significance of system, such as body temperature, pressure pulse waveform. Results : Temperature of acupuncture needle increased up to 60 degree. In the result for clinical significance of system, in case of manual acupuncture stimulation(MAS), body temperature change was $0.373^{\circ}C{\pm}0.224$(p<0.05), rate of pulse energy change increased about 7.6%. In case of warm acupuncture stimulation(WAS), body temperature change was $0.645^{\circ}C{\pm}0.281$(p<0.05), rate of pulse energy change remarkably increased about 35.9%. Conclusions : We confirm that the system is able to be applied clinically to various warm acupuncture needle therapy in the area of oriental medicine.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.150-163
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• 2022

Objectives: This research aimed to develop a guideline for evaluating safety and performance of electronic warm-acupuncture apparatus. With the development of medical devices like electronic warm-acupuncture apparatus with improved performance, convenience and safety measures compared to traditional warm-acupuncture needling, safety and performance guideline is a necessity. Methods: By referring to existing standards and guidelines of other electronic devices for Korean medicine with heating function, guideline for safety and performance assessment of electronic warm-acupuncture apparatus was drafted Results: The guideline, presents explanation for adequate temperature and settings of the apparatus, and safety measurements providing against thermal runaway situations along with guidelines for the manual. Guideline for detailed test method for the performance of the apparatus such as accuracy of temperature increase and the timer, and safety unit was also provided. The test items and suggested test methods for the requirements of biological, electrical and electromagnetic safety were referred to Korean approval documents of ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Conclusion: We proposed the relevant items to verify performance and safety of warm-acupuncture apparatus to assure patient safety and improve the quality of currently developing devices for application in clinical field.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.209-221
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• 2021

Objectives : The aim of this study was to compare and analyze studies related to fire acupuncture (FA) published in South and North Korea. Methods : FA studies published in South Korea were searched through domestic and overseas databases (KISS, RISS, OASIS, and EMBASE). For North Korean studies, databases from the Information Center on North Korea and Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information were used. Among the searched literatures, clinical studies using FA as a treatment intervention were selected (i.e., randomized controlled trials, and case reports). Finally, information such as the disease for which FA was used, the characteristics of FA, and details of treatment methods for FA were extracted from the screened literatures and the results of South and North Korean studies were compared and analyzed. Results : This review included 28 South Korean studies and 9 North Korean studies. All studies in South Korea, except for the three articles that used traditional FA treatment, applied "warm needling"-like acupuncture (WA) in the form of heating the handle of the needle after inserting the needle into the skin, and most studies were conducted on diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Whereas in the North Korean studies, FA was applied to various diseases such as trigeminal neuralgia, skin diseases, and gastrointestinal diseases, and standardized FA tools were used. Conclusions : Studies on traditional FA treatment have rarely been reported in South Korea. The amount of information described in the FA studies in North Korea was limited. In this review, the characteristics of FA treatment tools in South and North Korean studies were mainly analyzed. In the future, FA studies from more diverse perspectives are needed.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.125-135
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• 2014

Objectives : Warm needling is the method combining the effects of acupuncture and moxibustion. In modern clinics, warm needling is only affected by treatment time or frequency. We need to study the physical characteristics of warm needles currently used in clinics in order to develop more efficient and economical treatments. Methods : We collected various warm needle specimens and analyzed chemical constitutions, measured heat transfer velocity, micro Vicker's hardness and specific resistance. We studied the relationship between heat transfer velocity and micro Vicker's hardness as well as that between heat transfer velocity and specific resistance. Results : The heat transfer velocity of the Silver_HL was 3.3 mm/sec, of the Au alloy group was 1.3~2.6 mm/sec, and Silver_IN, Silver_ZK and SS groups was less than 0.3 mm/sec. We therefore concluded that the needle composed of Ag has the best heat transfer velocity. In the Micro Vicker's hardness test, Vicker's hardness of the Au alloy group was 159~170 Hv, of Silver_HL was 181 Hv, and of the Silver_IN, Silver_ZK, SS group was 450.8~519 Hv. In the Silver_IN, Silver_ZK and SS groups, hardness was inversely proportial to thermal conductivity. In the specific resistance test, the specific resistance of Silver_HL was the lowest, that of the Au alloy group was the second lowest, and that of the Silver_IN, Silver_ZK, SS groups were the highest. Conclusions : We concluded that the needle composed of Ag has the best heat transfer velocity, highest electric conductivity and thermal conductivity, therefore the needle composed of Ag is suitable for warm needling.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.11-20
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• 2008

Objectives: Warm-needling is a method combining the effects of acupuncture with the effects of moxibustion. We need to standardize the characteristics of warm-needling in order to achieve consistency in its operational mechanisms and effects, which will improve clinical ability in the field of Eastern medicine. Methods: In this study, using the LabVIEW system on the warm-needling technique, we measured and compared partial temperature changes which varied according to the density of the moxa cone and the moxa cone's core peak temperature. Results& Conclusions: Examination of the warm-needle's partial temperature in relation to the cone density of the 0.8g moxa specimen suggests that a lower density of the moxa cone corresponds to a higher peak temperature and but with a shorter duration. During the effective stimulus time, the lower the density of the moxa cone, the shorter the duration of the effective stimulus time and the higher the mean temperature. Conversely, the higher the density of the moxa cone, the longer the effective stimulus time and lower the mean temperature.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.21-30
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• 2014

Objectives : Manufacturing and manipulation techniques of acupuncture can be interpreted as an induced electromagnetic viewpoint, as proposed in previous study. Considering from this point of view, the magnetization of needles should be essential to enhance the electromagnetic effects during the behavior of the acupuncture needling. Methods : The current disposable needles are made of non-magnetic stainless steels, so ferromagnetic materials were searched as suitable substitutes. Meanwhile, at the practical view, stainless steels are very available for the several superior properties like as corrosion resistance, strength, etc., magnetic stainless steels were first investigated. Some types of them still preserved the ferromagnetic properties of iron, so trial needles were made with them. And then magnetization of them were followed. Results : Among the hundreds types of stainless steels, martensitic or ferritic ones are ferromagnetic. The needles made with these ferromagnetic wires were magnetized, and polarized by magnetizer, and their magnetic properties were improved. Moreover, in addition to the superiority of the magnetism, the electrical and thermal conductivities of them were even better than those of the current austenitic stainless steels. Conclusions : Through the developmental study based on the electromagnetic viewpoint, the magnetized and polarized acupuncture needles were completed. This means that these needles having improved magnetism can be used to improve the electromagnetic needling effects, and moreover, their superiorities in the electrical and thermal conductivities can also give another benefits in treatments of electrical or warm needling.

• 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.