• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.172-183
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• 2003

Objective : This study was designed to determine whether manual acupuncture therapy is effective for symptoms of patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Methods : Nineteen patients consecutively enrolled in this study. The subjects were divided into two groups : the first group (n=12) discontinued antiparkinsonian drug treatment, the second group (n=7) continued antiparkinsonian drug treatment Acupuncture therapy was performed twice a week for 8 weeks. In the first group, the acupuncture was performed after 2 weeks of drug wash-out period. The patient's symptoms were assessed at pre-treatment, 4 weeks and 8 weeks after the acupuncture by unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS), modified Hoehn-Yahr (H-Y) stage, Schwab & England activity of daily living and Freezing of Gait Questionnaire(FOGQ). Results : In the first group that discontinued. antiparkinsonian drug treatment, the total UPDRS scores were significantly improved after 4 weeks (p=0.0l4) and after 8 weeks (p=0.049) compared to the pre-treatment. Particularly, the scores of UPDRS III were significantly improved after 8 weeks (p=0.032). In the second group that continued antiparkinsonian drug treatment, the total UPDRS scores were significantly improved after 4 weeks (p=0.027) and after 8 weeks (p=0.018). Particularly, the scores of UPDRS II were significantly improved after 4 weeks (p=0.042) and after 8 weeks (p=0.043), and UPDRS IV were significantly improved after 8 weeks (p=0.043). The scores of ADL were significantly improved after 8 weeks (p=0.046). Conclusion : This study suggests that manual acupuncture therapy is effective for the improvement of certain symptoms in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.59-68
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• 2004

Objective : This study was designed to evaluate the effect of electroacupuncture with various scales on symptoms of idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Methods : Subjects were voluntarily recruited by newspapers and internet. All the subjects are confirmed as idiopathic parkinson's disease by a neurologist. The acupuncture therapy was performed twice a week for 8 weeks. Acupuncture points for EA group were GB34, and LR3, electrical stimulation frequency was 120Hz, duration 15 minutes, and intensity is up to pain threshold according to patients. The patient's symptoms were assessed before, after 4 weeks and after 8 weeks treatments by unified Parkinson's disease rating scale(UPDRS), modified Hoehn-Yahr(H-Y) stage, Schwab & England activity of daily living and freezing of gait questionnaire(FOGQ). Results : UPDRS I, II, III, IV and total UPDRS scores were significantly improved after 4 weeks(p<0.05) and after 8 weeks(p<0.05) compared to the pre-treatment. The scores of ADL were significantly improved after 4 weeks(p<0.05) and after 8 weeks(p<0.05). There were significant changes in H-Y stage after 4 weeks(p<0.05), but There were no significant changes in H-Y stage after 8 weeks. There were significant changes in FOGQ scale after 4 weeks(p<0.05) and after 8 weeks(p<0.05). Conclusion : This study suggests that electroacupuncutre treatments can be applicable to improve symptoms in the patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.91-97
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• 2005

Objective : This study was designed to evaluate the effect of moxibustion with various scales on symptoms of idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Methods : Subjects were voluntarily recruited by newspapers and internet. All the subjects are confirmed as idiopathic parkinson's disease by a neurologist. The moxibustion therapy was performed 5 times a week by patient's family at home and once a week by oriental medical doctor at hospital. Moxibustion points were GV2O, CV12, ST36, BL18, BL2O. Intensity was up to pain threshold according to patients not to get burned. The patient's symptoms were assessed before, after 4 weeks and after 8 weeks treatment by unified Parkinson's disease rating scale(UPDRS), modified Hoehn-Yahr(H-Y) stage, Schwab & England activity of daily living and freezing of gait questionnaire(FOGQ). Results : Total UPDRS scores were significantly improved after 4 weeks(p<0.01) and after 8 weeks(p<0.01) compared to the pre-treatment. There were significant changes in H-Y stage after 4 weeks(p<0.05), but there were no significant changes in H-Y stage after 8 weeks. The scores of ADL were not significantly improved after 4 weeks(p>0.05) and after 8 weeks(p>0.05). There were significant changes in FOGQ scale after 4 weeks(p=0.05) and but there were no significant changes in FOGQ scale after 8 weeks(p=0.13). Conclusion : This study suggests that moxibustion treatments can be applicable to improve symptoms in the patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease.