• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.35-45
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• 2010

Backgrounds : Recently, commercial indirect moxibustion has been widely used as a substitute for traditional indirect moxibustion by clinicians due to its convenience in using. But, there has been lack of studies about the similarity of thermal stimulation between commercial indirect moxibustion and traditional indirect moxibustion. Objectives : To demonstrate commercial indirect moxibustion can substitute for traditional indirect moxibustion by comparing thermal stimulation between the two. Methods : We measured bottom temperature of commercial indirect moxibustion and traditional indirect moxibustion with various thicknesses of ginger and garlic. A clinical trial was performed on 18 healthy subjects to evaluate thermal stimualtion. The subjects were randomly assigned into two groups, traditional indirect moxibustion with ginger and garlic. The skin temperature and heating time were measured. They received moxibustion therapy with commercial indirect moxibustion and traditional indirect moxibustion according to their groups. Acupoint Chogcoe($LU_6$), Zusanli($ST_{36}$) and Tianshu($ST_{25}$) were used in each group for 3 times. Results : There was no difference in bottom temperature among commercial indirect moxibustion, traditional indirect moxibustion with 2mm ginger and 3mm garlic. No major difference was detected in the subjects' baseline data. There was no difference in skin temperature and heating time among these 3 type of moxibustions. Also, No major difference was detected in VAS score of thermal stimulation and frequency of burns among these 3 type of moxibustions. But, most subjects regarded their sensation weren't identical because of its own distinct characteristics. Conclusions : Commercial indirect moxibustion, traditional indirect moxibustion with 2mm ginger and 3mm garlic have same thermal stimulation. Thus, commercial indirect moxibustion can substitute for traditional indirect moxibustion.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.139-147
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• 2011

Objectives : In this research, relatively the characteristic in the combustion according to the brands of the commercial indirect moxibustion is compared and the commercial indirect moxibustion is standardized and this result tries to be provided as necessary basic data. Methods : After adhering to the agarose gel surface in which the thermocouple is inserted, 6 kinds of commercial indirect moxibustion were burnt off and the burning behaviour of the commercial indirect device and heat quantity of stimulus was compared. Results : 1. The form of combustion did not have a difference in 6 kinds of commercial indirect moxibustion combustion. 2. As to the miximum temperature, 'Seoam' and 'Dongbang' was higher than 'Baekryoung' and 'Taeyang'. 3. It was long so that the highest temperature reaching time of 'Seoam' could note in comparison with the other brands. And the highest temperature reaching time of 'Baekryoung' was short to note in comparison with the other brands. 4. As to the quantity of heat stimulus, 'Seoam' was the biggest and 'Baekryoung' was the smallest. 5. The quantity of heat stimulus of 'Dongbang' was the most stable. Conclusions : In this research, relatively the form of combustion of 6 kinds of commercial indirect moxibustion and heat quantity of stimulus were compared. It desires to anticipate the result that it makes the skin.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.53-62
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• 2011

Objectives : Burn is most common adverse events of moxibustion. Various kinds of components influence on the heat stimulation of commercial indirect moxa, but there are not enough investigation about the status. The purpose of this study is to investigate the 6 components to build a base data that is currently available to build a standard of an indirect moxibustion. Methods : The length and weight, density, thickness of the paper disk, diameter of the paper disk, and diameter in the paper disk hole were measured against 6 kinds of commercial indirect cautery. Results : 1. 'Seoam', 'Kihwang' and 'Taegeuk' shows uniform length than the other brands. 2. 'Dongbang', 'Kihwang' and 'Taegeuk' shows uniform weight than the other brands. 3. 'Dongbang', 'Kihwang' and 'Taegeuk' shows uniform density than the other brands. 4. 'Dongbang' and 'Kihwang' shows uniform thickness than the other brands. 5. 'Seoam', 'Dongbang' and 'Taegeuk' shows uniform diameter of disc hole than the other brands. Conclusions : As a result of investigation, 'Dongbang' and 'Kiwhang' indirect moxibustion was identified as a uniform product. This results are considered as an important base materials of the KS through commercial indirect moxibustion.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.17-28
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• 2011

Objectives : Burn is the important adverse effect of the moxibustion treatment. This research does with the purpose to utilize as basic data which the results of histological observation of the burn tissue which generates when operating various commercial indirect moxa (CIM) on the skin, evaluate the burn because of the surgical operation. Methods : It operated 6 kinds of CIM on the depilated abdomen of the rat. By using the H-E staining and TUNEL assay, the image was observed and analyzed. Results : It could be the moxibustion medical treatment using the CIM generated in the first degree burn until the third degree. And in some case, burn has not generated. By using the H-E stain, the second-degree burn and third degree was observed, and it was observed the first degree burn by using TUNEL assay. In the first degree burn, TUNEL reaction in the epidermal layer was confirmed. The damage to the dermal layer was observed in more than 2 degree burn. In the third degree, the tissue degeneration to the subcutaneous fat was observed but the thickness of the skin tissue was not observed. Conclusions : Basic data classifying the burn generated by the CIM treatment through the histological observation of the burn tissue caused by the CIM treatment were built according to this research result.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.117-127
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• 2010

Background : To demonstrate the efficacy of moxibustion therapy, randomized controled trials are required. But, clinical trials of moxibustion had limitations due to the absence of a sham moxibustion model for an appropriate placebo. Objectives : To develop a new sham moxibustion model based on the thermal characteristics of commercial indirect moxibustion, especially temperature, and to evaluate whether it could be applied in clinical trials. Methods : By applying heat insulation, we created a sham moxibustion device that was indistinguishable from a real one with the naked eye. It also stimulated heat but had inert remedial value. A clinical trial was performed on subjects to test double blinding. The subjects were randomly assigned into two groups, a treatment group and a sham group. Acupoint Zusanli($ST_{36}$) was used in each group for 3 times. A sham acupuncture credibility questionnaire was modified into a moxibustion credibility questionnaire and was filled out after treatment. Results : No major difference was detected in the subjects' baseline data. Most subjects and practitioners could not distinguish the sham moxibustion device from the real one. But, subjects who had experience of moxibustion therapy more likely to distinguish the sham moxibustion device from the real one than subjects who didn't have experience of moxibustion therapy. The treatment group showed a significant difference in the VAS(Visual Analog Scale) for intensity of sensation during treatment than that of the sham group. Conclusions : The sham moxibustion device in this study is proved sufficient and credible to be applied in investigations of the effect of moxibustion. But it is more appropriate for the people who don't have experience of moxibustion therapy.