• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.39 no.3
• /
• pp.389-404
• /
• 2018

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate acupuncture therapy for post-stroke cognitive disorder to suggest the methods of a study about acupuncture therapy. Methods: Several academic databases were used in this study, including National Digital Science Library (NDSL), National Assembly Library of Korea, Korean Traditional Knowledge Portal, Research Information Sharing Service (RISS), Korean studies Information Service System (KISS), Korean Medical Database (KMBASE), Korea Med, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS), PubMed, MEDLINE with Full Text, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Keywords used were "중풍", "뇌졸중", "인지장애", "침", "acupuncture", and "cognitive disorder". Results: Ultimately, 28 papers were investigated. that were mainly published in 2012 and 2016. Of these, More than two-thirds received a score of one or less on the Jadad scale. Acupuncture points such as GV20, GV24, PC6, EX-HN1, SP6, and GV26 were most frequently used. The treatment duration was mostly 30 minutes or less, and the treatment cycle was mostly for four weeks. Dilatational wave was generally used in pulse wave form, and amplitude of electricity was increased until patients were able to endure. G6805 was generally used in electric acupuncture apparatus. According to results of acupuncture treatment, assessments such as the MMSE (Mini Mental State Examination) and the Montreal Cognitive Function Assessment Scale (MoCA) showed statistically significant improvements in 28 studies. Conclusions: Future research is needed to standardize the treatment of acupuncture, and more diversified high quality papers should be published to help clarify the therapeutic effects of acupuncture and the mechanisms of cognitive disorder post-stroke.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.114-133
• /
• 2003

Objective : The meridian theory in oriental medicine explains that Sp9(Yinlingquan) has been considered very important for gynecological disorders, spleen and stomach disorders, and water metabolic disorders. Functional MRI is the best method of showing the evidences of the effect of the Electro-acupuncture treatment through scientific methods. On this supposition, Electro-acupuncture stimulation on Sp9(Yinlingquan) was carried out on six healthy volunteers, using the gradient echo sequence with the 3.0T whole-body MRI system(ISOL). Methods : Electro-acupuncture stimulation on Sp9(Yinlingquan), the experiment was carried out on six healthy volunteers, using the gradient echo sequence with the 3.0T whole-body MRI system(ISOL). After the needle insertion on right Sp9(Yinlingquan), 2Hz of electric stimulation was given for 30 seconds, repeated five times, with 30 seconds' intervals. The Image analysis including motion correction, talairach transformation, and smoothing was done using SPM99. Results : The electro-acupuncture stimulation on Sp9(Yinlingquan) activates Brodmann Area 13, 19, 22, 39, 40, 47 which may be the central pathways of the electro-acupuncture stimulation on Sp9(Yinlingquan). We also hypothesize that those brain areas may be directly or indirectly related with the mechanism of the effect of electro-acupuncture stimulation on Sp9(Yinlingquan).

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.50-59
• /
• 2012

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effects of high frequency electroacupuncture, low frequency electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture on the autonomic nervous system in stroke patients by using a heart rate variability measuring device. Methods: Thirty-nine participants were recruited and each participated in the high frequency electroacupuncture group, low frequency electroacupuncture group, manual acupuncture group and non-acupuncture group. Some participants received needle insertion with 100 Hz stimulation, with 2Hz stimulation and manual stimulation under mental arithmetic stress during 2 sections. Other participants maintained in the supine position without acupuncture under mental arithmetic stress during the 2 sections. Acupuncture needles were directly inserted perpendicularly to the right Liv 3 acupoint followed by delivery of electric pulses to these points for 8 minutes. Heart rate variability was measured 8 minutes before and 16 minutes after acupuncture stimulation by a heart rate variability measuring system. Results: We found a significant elevated HF total power between 1 section and 2 section and between 1 section and 4 section in the non-acupuncture group, between 3 section and 4 section in the 100Hz electroacupuncture group, and between 1 section and 2 section in the manual acupuncture group and with no change in the 2Hz electroacupuncture group. We also found a significant VLF total power between 2 section and 3 section in the 2Hz electroacupuncture group and between 1 section and 4 section and between 2 section and 4 section in the 100Hz electroacupuncture group. All four groups showed no significant differences in other parameters including heart rate mean, low-frequency power, and the ratio of low-frequency power to high-frequency power. Conclusions: This study may be a basis for research about effects of acupuncture and electroacupuncture because the parameters measured, heart rate variability, showed differences according to acupuncture.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.185-192
• /
• 2013

Objectives : Many studies have investigated the electric specificity of meridian and acupoint. However, the definition about the real substance of 'Ki(Qi)' that flows in the meridian has not been established yet. The authors hypothesized that the 'Ki(Qi)' may be the very 'bioelectricity' of western medicine, from two common features that they are not visible with naked eyes and that they function in the living body only. Methods : 20 healthy adults participated in this study. Heart rate was measured before and after exercise. Acupuncture was performed at PC6 immediately after exercise with counter balance in the first experiment. In the second experiment, acupuncture group was further divided to the three groups, i.e. glove acupuncture group, manual acupuncture group, and NaCl acupuncture group. In the glove group, acupuncturist put on the two folds of latex gloves to block bioelectric currents between the acupuncturist and subject. In the NaCl group, acupuncturist had his fingertips wet with NaCl solution. Results : Exercise increased Heart Rate and acupuncture at PC6 inhibited this increase. In the second experiment, the significant difference compared to the comtrol group was the most in NaCl acupuncture and the least in Glove acupuncture. However, there was no significant difference between three groups. Conclusions : The results of this study seem to be deficient as a conclusive evidence for the hypothesis that the 'Ki(Qi)' of Korean Medicine is the 'bioelectricity' of western medicine.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.245-272
• /
• 1995

The meridians are energy pathways found in the interior organs of the body leading the bio-electrical energy the periphery of the body for its energetic supply and the meridians connect the individual acupuncture points. The acupucture points in turn serve for the interference with the bio-electric energy, thus made it measurable. It has been developed to a stage where one could stimulate the acupuncture-points in order to achieve organ effects in the body. To the contrast, Dr.Niboyet proved that the human skin contains points varing in their electrical roperties as to their surroundings. He also tried to send direct current through the skin taken from the body and derive it at other places of the skin characterized by the above mentioned meridians and acupuncture points. The body produces a potential in the organs to reach the acupuncture point via the meridians. The charge on the individual acupuncture point caused by the exactly difinable current of our mesurement device, creates a state of blance between the irritational potential, both of whcih are which are opposite to each other. The body processes the irritational current in the acupuncture point. Voll and Werner, as early as 1953, developed an instruments for applying electro-acupuncture on the skin without needle picks and the teaching from part of modern medicine after developing over recent years. Electro-acupucture is a comprechensive fterm for all procedures based on mesurements or thrapy derived from Oriental acupuncture, using modern electronics. As a result, I found the phenomena of the meridian during the disease. And It seems to be closely related between the meriduan and the disease. I think it must be researched profoundly and for the long time.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.463-472
• /
• 1987

Although there are many reports on the bovine electroacupuncture anesthesia, its application to clinical cases needs much to be verified. In order to apply the electroacupuncture anesthesia to bovine species, a new anesthesia technique, which is safe and effective, must be developed. In the present study, 11 meridian points were selected and 11 kinds of meridian points were prescribed to develop an effective and safe electroacupucture methods in the bovine species. The results obtained are summarized as fellows : 1. When the maximun electric current (30Hz at 5.3-5.6V ) was applied, anesthesia was attained with the signs of tetany and tremor : When the electric current was continued for 15-20 minutes, the signs of tetany and tremor diminished markedly. 2. If the electric current was adjusted to 30Hz at 3.5-4.0V and continued, the tetany and tremor disappeared. The skin was slackened, thus suitable for surgical operation. The continuation of anesthesia could be regulated at operator's own will. 3. The same anesthesia effect could be attained by using any one meridian point when the points were symmetrical. 4. Transient changes of clinical signs and blood pictures were noted during the stages of acupuncture anesthesia. However, the red blood cell counts, white blood cell counts and hematocrit values were always within the normal range.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.113-126
• /
• 2011

Objectives : We have examined and analyzed patents regarding acupuncture point stimulating methods in order to understand the stimulation technology and research trends of acupuncture points. Methods : We searched and analyzed the total of 135 on-line DB based patents under time limit of Dec, 2010. Results : According to the analyzed results, non-invasive method is used more than invasive method. Electric stimulation is used more than any other method, such as magnetic, ionic, laser, light, ultrasonic, water, Far IR and thermal stimulation. There are numbers of cases such as rejected during screening procedure, waived before the screening, of failed to renew its registrational status which outnumber those patents registered and maintained. Conclusions : These data suggest that we need to move away from using one side method such as non-invasive and electrical method. Thus follow-up service is recommended.

• The Korean Journal of Food & Health Convergence
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.13-16
• /
• 2018

Acupuncture has been clinically used to treat patients suffering from eye disease. It has been used in efforts to help preserve vision for those with a wide range of eye conditions including glaucoma and intraocular hypertension. High intraocular pressure (IOP) is usually associated with glaucoma and conventional treatment is focused on lowering IOP. Controlling this risk factor should help hasten the onset of glaucoma for those patents that are suspect or borderline candidates for glaucoma. In review of the limited scientific research there are not many studies that support conclusive evidence for the use of acupuncture on eye diseases and particularly glaucoma and ocular hypertension. For the information that does exist, diverse results from various interventions make it difficult to draw clear conclusions. The existing studies use different acupoints, techniques, frequencies, and durations. Individual treatment strategies according to the practitioner's subjective experience, patient condition, and the use of other complimentary and natural strategies is ideal for taking a more dynamic and wholistic approach to getting results. Until more pragmatic research models are funded and implemented, case reports can offer good examples of experiential and objective outcomes. This case report presents a 61 year old healthy female patient diagnosed with open-angle borderline glaucoma with elevated IOP. The patients IOP was successfully reduced with 12 treatments over three months using scalp electro-acupuncture and distal Master Tung points.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.209-220
• /
• 2000

Spasticity, an abnormal increase in resting muscle tone, is one of the most common symptoms of stroke, and its management is becoming a major issue in rehabilitation. The aims of this study are to determine the effects of electroacupuncture(EA), TENS and neuromuscular electric stimulation(NMES) on spasticity, as well as the possibility of tissue comliance method as a spasticity scale. 45 stroke patients participated in a study of the effects on hemiplegic spasticity of EA, TENS and NMES. Spasticity was measured by modified Ashworth scale on the upper extremity and tissue compliance measurement, penetration mm/kg, on Susamni(LI10) area at just before and after stimulation, and 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours and 24 hours after stimulation. The acupuncture points were applied to Kokchi(LI11), Susamni(LI10), Hapkok(LI4) and Oegwan(TE5) of the affected limb. The electrodes were placed unilaterally on LI11 to LI10 and TE5 to LI4. EA with biphasic wave, 60Hz, 0.4 msec pulse duration and low intensity was applied continuously for 20 minutes. TENS with high frequency, low intensity was applied. NMES was applied with spasticity program for 20 minutes. Each electric stimulation was done on extensor muscles group of forearm for 20 minutes. EA and NMES groups were found to produce a statistically significant decrease(p〈0.05) of spasticity and these effects lasted up to 30 minutes after stimulation. There was no definite correlation between the modified Ashworth scale and tissue compliance measurement. But tissure compliance method was found to be possible as a quantitative measurement on spasticity. There was no significant correlation between the effects of EA and NMES and the characteristics of patient, but significant correlation between the effects of EA and NMES and the modified Ashworth scale.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.86-103
• /
• 2003

Objective : Recently, many studies have showed the evidences of the effect of the acupunture treatment through scientific methods. One of these methods is functional MRI. We performed electro-acupunture on Sp6 and observed the changes of brain activation using fMRI. Methods : To see the effect of electro-acupunture stimulation on Sp6, the experiment was carried out on 12 healthy volunteers, using the gradient echo sequence with the 3.0T whole-body MRI system(ISOL). After the needle insertion on right Sp6, 2Hz of electric stimulation was given for 30 seconds, repeated five times, with 30 seconds' intervals. The Image analysis including motion correction, talairach transformation, and smoothing was done with SPM99. Results : 1. Group averaged brain activation induced by bilateral eletro-acupunture stimulation on Sp6 activates Brodman Area 3, 7, 13. 2. Group averaged brain deactivation induced by bilateral eletro-acupunture stimulation on Sp6 activates Brodman Area 6, 38, 47. 3. Group averaged brain activation induced by unilateral(right side) eletro-acupunture stimulation on Sp6 activates Brodman Area 5, 6, 13, 17, 18, 19, 31, 38, 40 ptoms, back pain(32.5%) was the 4. Group averaged brain deactivation induced by unilateral(right side) eletro-acupunture stimulation on Sp6 activates Brodman Area 3, 4, 18, 21, 36, 38, 39. 5. Brain region activated by motor stimulation activates Brodman Area 3, 4, 6, 18, 19.