• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.307-311
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• 2020

Purpose: This study examined the effects of changes in the intensity of Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) on CorticoMuscular Coherence (CMC) during action observation. This paper presents a neurophysiological basis for the effective intensity of FES. Methods: Twenty-seven healthy volunteers were asked to observed a video with FES. The FES was provided with a sensory stimulation level, nerve stimulation level, and motor stimulation level. Simultaneously, an electroencephalogram (EEG) of the sensorimotor cortex and electromyogram (EMG) from the wrist extensor muscle were recorded. The peak CMC and average CMC were analyzed to compare the differences caused by the FES intensity. Results: The peak CMC showed a significant increase in the alpha band during motor stimulation (p<0.05). The average CMC showed a significant increase in the beta band during motor stimulation (p<0.05). Conclusion: The intensity of FES, which causes actual movement, increased the CMC during action observation. These results show that the intensity of the FES can affect the functional connection between the sensorimotor cortex and muscle.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.181-187
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the activity of respiratory muscle and lung capacity during deep breathing with electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve. Methods: This study was conducted on 30 healthy adults in their 20s. Subjects were randomly performed to deep breathing or deep breathing with vagus nerve electrical stimulation. All subjects' diaphragm and internal oblique muscle activity were measured during deep breathing by electromyography, and lung capacity was measured by spirometry immediately after beep breathing. In the vagus nerve stimulation method, the surface electrode was cut into the left ear and then electrically stimulated using a needle electric stimulator. Results: The activity of diaphragm was significantly increased in deep breathing with vagus nerve electrical stimulation than in deep breathing. However, lung capacity did not show any significant difference according to the condition. Conclusion: Vagus nerve electrical stimulation could induce diaphragm activity more than deep breathing alone. Deep breathing with vagus nerve electrical stimulation may enhance the activity of the respiratory muscles and is expected to be an effective treatment for the elderly or COPD patients with poor breathing ability.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.187-207
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• 2003

Objective: Recently, many studies have showed the evidences of the effect of the acupuncture treatment through scientific methods. One of these methods is functional MRI. We performed electro-acupuncture on Liv3 and observed the change of brain activation using fMRI. Methods: To see the effect of electro-acupuncture stimulation on Liv3. 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 Liv3. 2 Hz 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 electro-acupuncture stimulation on Liv3 activates Brodman Area 6, 13, 18, 19, 22, 31, 39, 44, 2. Group averaged brain deactivation induced by bilateral Electro-acupuncture stimulation on Liv3 activates Brodman Area 4, 6, 9, 19, 36, 37, 39. 3. Group averaged brain activation induced by unilateral(right side) electro-acupuncture stimulation on Liv3 activates Brodman Area 2, 3, 6, 9, 10, 22, 40, 42, 43. 4. Group averaged brain deactivation induced by unilateral(right side) electro-acupuncture stimulation on Liv3 activates Brodman Area 6, 18, 19, 28, 30, 31, 35, 37. 5. Brain region activated by motor stimulation activates Brodman Area 4, 6, 13, 19, 42.

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

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.36 no.8
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• pp.1374-1380
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• 2006

Purpose. This study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle exercise using biofeedback and electrical stimulation after normal delivery. Methods. The subjects of this study were 49 (experimental group: 25, control group: 24) postpartum women who passed 6 weeks after normal delivery without complication of pregnancy, delivery and postpartum. The experimental group was applied to the pelvic muscle enforcement program by biofeedback and electrical stimulation for 30 minutes per session, twice a week for 6 weeks, after then self-exercise of pelvic floor muscle was done 50-60 repetition per session, 3 times a day for 6 weeks. Maximum pressure of pelvic floor muscle contraction (MPPFMC), average pressure of pelvic floor muscle contraction (APPFMC), duration time of pelvic floor muscle contraction (DTPFMC) and the subjective lower urinary symptoms were measured by digital perineometer and Bristol Female Urinary Symptom Questionnaire and compared between two groups prior to trial, at the end of treatment and 6 weeks after treatment. Results. The results of this study indicated that MPPFMC, APPFMC, DTPFMC were significantly increased and subjective lower urinary symptoms were significantly decreased after treatment in the experimental group than in the control group. Conclusions. This study suggested that the pelvic floor muscle exercise using biofeedback and electrical stimulation might be a safer and more effective program for reinforcing pelvic floor muscle after normal delivery.

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

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.105-111
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• 2007

Objectives : The electroacupuncture(EA) was often used in Oriental medicine clinic and basic researches. However, there have been neither any national standard of acupuncture needles in Korea nor many studies about the property of acupuncture needles for applying electrical stimulations. Therefore we investigated the electrical corrosion property of acupuncture needles used for EA stimulation in clinic. Methods : We observed the occurrence of electrical corrosion like changes in the surface of acupuncture needles after EA stimulation with various parameters(electrical stimulation intensity, treatment duration, diameter of needle) under a light microscope. We performed EA stimulation on Baekhoe($GV_{20}$) or Joksamli($ST_{36}$) of rats with intensity of 0.025, 0.05, 0.075, 0.1, 0.25 or 0.5mA at a 10Hz frequency. Results : The electrical corrosion-like changes were found on the surface of needles when the EA stimulation was given over 0.05mA of intensity. When electrical stimulation was treated for 10min, the electrical corrosion-like changes were low, but the electrical corrosion-like changes gradually increased by the treatment duration(20, 30min). We also found that acupuncture needles of 0.2mm diameter were produced more extensive electrical corrosion-like changes than acupuncture needles of 0.3 or 0.4mm diameter by electrical stimulation. Conclusions: These results suggested that EA stimulation could produce electrical corrosion-like changes of acupuncture needles through intensity of current, duration of electric stimulation and/or diameter of needle.

• 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.

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

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.66-84
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• 2003

Objectve : Recent stuides suggested that there is a strong correlation between acupuncture stimulation and its cortical activation. Another study showed that either positive or negative BOLD effects could be observed depending on anatomical structure in acupuncture. Methods : 1) Subjects and paradigms: Two separate stimulation paradigms were performed in this study. To see the effects of electro-acupuncture stimulation on K7(Fuliu), 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 K7(Fuliu), 2 Hz of electric stimulation was given for 30 seconds, repeated five times, with 30 seconds' intervals. During the intervals while there was no electro-stimulation, the subjects performed motor task as a reference. The image analysis including motion correction, talairach transformation, and smoothing was done using SPM99. Results: The electro-acupuncture stimulation on K7(Fuliu) activated Brodmann's Areas of 9, 19, 23, 24, 31, 32, 39 which may be the central pathways of the electro-acupuncture stimulation on K7(Fuliu) and those brain areas may be related with the function of the electro-acupuncture stimulation on K7(Fuliu).