• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.97-103
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• 2013

Objectives : To observe the changes in the expression of nNOS, iNOS, eNOS and NO by the needle insertion on river points, one of the five transport points of three yang meridians of the foot. Methods : Based on rats, needle was inserted on both left and right sides of ST41, BL60 and GB38 and retained for five minutes. After the retention, blood was drawn via cardiac puncture and tissues from each point around meridian vessels were extracted to observe the changes in the expression of nNOS, iNOS, eNOS and NO. Results : In terms of the effect on expression of nNOS within tissues, ST41 showed significant decrease based on the results of immunohistochemistry. In terms of the effect on expression of iNOS within tissues, none of the experimental groups showed any significant change compared to the Normal group. Regarding expression of eNOS within tissues, GB38 showed significant increase based on the results of immunohistochemistry. In terms of the effect on NO creation in tissues, none of the experimental groups showed any significant change compared to the Normal group. Conclusions : The effect of needle insertion on the river points of three yang meridians of the foot on the function of nNOS, iNOS, eNOS and NO could be observed, and based on this study, it is considered that the effect of needle stimulation on the changes of nervous system could be found out through additional research.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.136-145
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• 2010

Objectives: Electroacupuncture according to Voll (EAV) has been used to quantify the skin's electrical resistance and conductance over acupuncture points that, based on traditional Chinese medicine, represent the state of health or disease of the organ or tissue. However, it doesn't have enough objective data yet, so the purpose of this study was to aid in the use of EAV in analysis of cerebrovascular disease risk factors. Methods: This study researched the clinical statistics of 216 cases: cerebrovascular attack (CVA) group 43, control group 173. We measured control meridian points (CMP) on hands and feet and the cardio ankle vascular index (CAVI) which represents atherosclerosis severity, and sex, age, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and obesity. The data were then analyzed by t-test, chi-square test and logistic regression. Results: Between the CVA and control groups, there were not statistically significant differences in CMP. However, logistic regression analysis of the presence of CVA, mean of CMP heart and lung, sex, age, DBP (diastolic blood pressure), and HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol showed that the risk of CVA was 1.1 times increased with CMP heart (p=0.002), in men was 4.12 times higher than in women (p=0.001), 1.09 times higher with age (p=0.000), 1.04 times higher with DBP (p=0.045), while was lower by 0.924 times with CMP lung (p=0.005) and 0.957 times with HDL cholesterol (p=0.006). Conclusion: Although there were not clear evidence or mechanisms about EAV, this study showed that if we study EAV further, we may be able to apply EAV as an objective instrument of oriental medicine in cerebrovascular disease.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.5-13
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• 2014

Objectives : This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture and explore the appropriate number of treatment for postmenopausal women diagnosed with prehypertension and stage 1 hypertension. Methods : A 4-arm randomized open label pilot trial will be performed at 2 centers. Sixty participants will be divided into 2 treatment groups and 2 control groups. Treatment groups will receive acupuncture at 8 points(bilateral GB20, LI11, ST36, SP6) for 4 weeks(treatment group A, 10 total sessions) or 8 weeks(treatment group B, 20 total sessions), while maintaining usual care. Control groups will not receive acupuncture but will be under usual care for 16 weeks(control group C) or 20 weeks(control group D). Each patient's living habits will be corrected and drugs that may affect blood pressure(BP) will be prohibited. Treatment group A and control group C will be evaluated at 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks after randomization, while treatment group B and control group D will be evaluated at 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 weeks after randomization. The major outcome variable is the magnitude of change in diastolic BP levels at 4 weeks after randomization; auxiliary outcome variables are (1) diastolic BP change at 8, 16, and 20 weeks, (2) systolic BP change, (3) BP control rate, (4) lipid profiles, and (5) high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Patient safety will be assessed at every visit. Results and Conclusions : The study findings may help develop evidence for the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for BP control.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.165-177
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• 2006

Objectives : 1. Clinical trial for the efficacy evaluation of Korean acupuncture techniques in treating frozen shoulder. 2. Development of the standard clinical guidelines of the acupuncture treatment for the frozen shoulder. 3. Development of the new clinical protocol for the acupuncture treatments. 4. Verification of the hypothesis that treating at both the remote and the nearby acupoints according to the meridian theory is more effective than treating at only the nearby acupoints. Methods : 1. Research designed as Single blind, Randomized, Sham acupuncture controlled clinical Trial. 2. Assignment of 86 patients to one of three groups treated at nearby acupoints(group A), remote & nearby acupoints(group B), and sham points(group C) respectively. 3. Trial conducted at KIOM CRC of Dunsan oriental medical hospital, Daejeon Univ. 4. Estimation of the recovery rate of the frozen shoulder in subjects aged over 40. 5. Efficacy evaluation using VAS, SPADI, ROM and Improvement rate. Results : 1. There was no significant difference in VAS among the three groups. 2. Pain related scores in SPADI of the group B were significantly lower than those of the group A. 3. There was no significant difference in disability related scores of SPADI among the three groups. 4. External rotation of upper arm in the group B was significantly improved in comparison with that in the group C. 5. Abduction of upper arm in group A was improved with weak statistical significance in comparison with that in the group C. Conclusion : Acupuncture at both the remote and the nearby acupoints according to the meridian theory is effective to improve external rotation of frozen shoulder, and acupuncture at the nearby acupoints is effective to improve adduction of frozen shoulder. However it is not clear that acupuncture treatment at both the remote and the nearby acupoints according to the meridian theory is more effective than treating at only the nearby acupoints in the treatment of frozen shoulder. Since our study was a short term trial, a long term trial for a more precise evaluation of acupuncture treatment for frozen shoulder will be needed in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Oriental Medical Informatics
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.130-287
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• 2011

"zhenjiusunanyaozhi(鍼灸素難要旨)" is composed of three volumes and published in 1529 by Gao Wu(高武). Gao Wu(高武) is skillful in astronomy, the art of war and the law as well as a medical practitioner in Ming Dynasty. The books he wrote "zhenjiujuying(鍼灸聚英)", "zhizhi(直指)", "douzhenzhengzong(痘疹正宗)", "shexuezhinan(射學指南)", "zhenjiujieyao(鍼灸節要)". "zhenjiusunanyaozhi鍼灸素難要旨" is written by classifying the origin of acupuncture and moxibustion. In other words, it is edited by classifying the contents related to acupuncture and moxibustion out of the ancient Chinese medical book "yellow emperor's canon of medicine and yellow emperor eighty-one difficult" in which are composed of 3 volumes as follows, Volume 1 says the main diseases on "the nine acupuncture needles figure" (九針圖), "the reinforcing and reducing the meridian" (補瀉), "the needle depth" (針刺深淺), "the five shu points - metal, wood, water, fire, earth" (正,滎,輸,經,合) based on 18 chapters in terms of acupuncture in "yellow emperor eighty-one Difficult "難經"", in which it quotes the annotation of "the difficulty by the original meaning "難經本義"" written by Hua Shou(滑壽) in Yuan Dynasty. Volume 2 is composed of 2 parts. Part 1 says the method of treatment on 36 Chapters, the method of acupuncture use in the Linshu "靈樞" and the Suwen "素問" such as "the rule of acupuncture use" (用針方宜), "the nine-pin method" (九針式) and "the nine-pin to only use the time appropriate to consider nature of Heaven, Earth and person" (九針應天地人時以起用) etc., Part 2 says "the five difficult acupuncture(五亂刺)", "the rise and fall of energy and blood(氣血盛衰)". "the pain tolerance(耐痛)" and ect., in which are in terms of method of treatment collected the original texts of 59 chapters on acupuncture to each disease and of 8 chapters on moxibustion in the Linshu "靈樞" and the Suwen "素問". Volume 3 includes 10 chapters in which consist of "the stabbing to disease in 12 meridians (十二經病刺)", "the eight extra meridian disease (寄經八脈病)", "the twelve meridians(十二經脈)", "the fifteen collaterals (十五絡脈), the twelve meridian muscles (十二經筋)", "the acupoint (孔穴)" and etc. This is the book edited comprehensively by classifying the contents on the theory of acupuncture and moxibustion and the circulations of meridians in "yellow emperor's canon of medicine and yellow emperor eighty-one difficult" and there is no case story in particular except his comments in person. This study is for the purpose of helping researching and developing acupuncture and moxibustion and applying their clinical training.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.81-87
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• 2013

Objectives : Accumulation point is a useful acupoint for acute pain diseases. Among the eight extra meridians, only four (Yin Heel, Yang Heel, Yin Link, Yang Link vessel) have accumulation point and the others (Governor, Conception, Thoroughfare, Belt Vessel) do not. However, there is no explanation why these four meridians do not have it. So, the authors researched the literature to look for the reasons. Methods : We investigated 10 books and 1 paper about the 'accumulation point of extra meridians' using several search engines and researched reason why the other 4 meridian do not have it. Results : All of the 16 accumulation points are located on the 4 limbs. The four limbs have more Yang energy than the trunk. The governor, conception, thoroughfare, and belt vessels do not flow in the limbs. It seems that there is no acupoint located on deep gap enough to be the accumulation point among the four vessels. When it comes to the functions of these vessels, they are little related with the acute pain that is the main target of the accumulation point. Conclusions : From the results of this study, it seems to be reasonable that the four vessels do not have accumulation point.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.22-31
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• 2018

Objectives : In this study, we investigated whether Astragali Radix Pharmacocupuncture (ARP) has an effective on the full thickness defect wound healing process of mouse. Methods : A total of 50 mice (ICR mouse, 7 week-old male) were divided into control group and ARP group. A single full thickness skin defect was made on the dorsal side of the each mouse using an 8mm diameter biopsy punch. Control group were treated with 0.2㎖ saline and ARP group were treat with 0.2ml ARP at 8 points around the wound every three days total 4 times during the experimental period. The change in wound size, contraction rate, healing rate, and epithelization rate was measured by digital images taken on days 3, 6, 9, and 13, and evaluated using a digital image analysis program. Tissues were collected for histological analysis, RT-PCR, and Western blot on days 3, 6, 9, and 15. Results : The results are as follows. ARP group accelerated the rate of wound contraction, wound healing and epithelization compared to the control group. ARP group showed the decrease of inflammatory cells in early inflammatory phase compared to the control group. ARP group upregulated PECAM-1 mRNA and protein expression compared to the control group. ARP group inhibited the scar width and area compared to the control group. Conclusions: ARP showed positive effects on wound healing through the inhibition of inflammatory reaction and increase of PECAM-1 expression related to the wound healing process.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.175-193
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• 2007

A theory of the school which attach great importance to moxibustion therapy was more developed from 'Ge Hong(葛洪)', 'Wang Tao(王燾)' up to "BianQueXinShu(扁鵲心書)" of 'Dou Cai(竇材)' in Song Dynasty. The first volume of "BianQueXinShu" was described about the principles of health preserving method, diagnosis, treatment related with meridian system, support Yang theory, moxibustion therapy over the 10 chapters and in the continued 3 chapters, explained the symptoms and related moxibustion therapies. The summary is as follows. The Yang energy is the essence of the human body and it is minutely explained in "Hwangdineijing(黃帝內經)". However, the younger scholars after 'Zhang Zhongjing(張仲景)' held different views with "Hwangdineijing" so they didn't control serious diseases. Supporting the Yang energy, it will be possible to human body in good health and long life and perennial youth and longevity. To do like this, the first important thing is a moxibustion, the second is a Taoist hermit medication(丹藥) and the third is well usage of Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata. According to the sequence of Yang energy deficiency, the stages of diseases are classified as Ordinary Gi(平氣), Latter deficient state(微虛), The more deficient state(甚虛), Exhausting state(將脫), Exhausted state(已脫) and in the consideration of each stage, it is used gradually with warm-natured berbs, warm-acrid herbs, warm-heated herbs and moxibustion therapy. If it comes to the stage of Exhausted state, the Yang energy is too weak to treat a disease. Therefore it is easy to harm human body with usage the treatment of the Purgationist school theory or the Cold and cool medical school theory, so it is needed a great attention to use these therapies. To summarized the keynote of 'Du Jae''s moxibustion therapy, the one is a minority of selection of points(1$^{\sim}$2 acupuncture points), the second is a majority of moxibustion units(50$^{\sim}$500 units), and the other is a focused selection of points on spleen and kidney(especially Gwanwon, CC4). And in this book, it was explained concretely about the size of moxibustion, according to the experiment with mentioned size, the burning time of moxibustion was almost 4 min 40 sec, so the big size moxibustion was one of the characteristic of moxibustion therapy revealed in this book. Also it was used 'Suseongsan(睡聖散)' - a kind of analgesic herb complexes - to reduce a pain during the usage of moxibustion therapy in this book. To develop the moxibustion theory, it is more investigated in the future that there wasn't significant relation between Gwanwon(CC4) and spleen and kidney meridian in theory, compared to many used Gwanwon(CC4) in the prescription, where as mentioned the importance of spleen and kidney in treatment, that considering the burning time(1 unit - 4 min 40 sec, 12 units an hour, maximum 288 units a day) there were no guidances about meals, sleeping, stool and urine, and that there was no concrete study about the toxicity of 'Suseongsan' as analgesic moxibustion therapy.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Oriental Medical Informatics
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.82-129
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• 2011

"Beijijiufa" is a medical book republished by Sun Ju Qing in 1245. He compiled this book having added "Qizhumajiufa" and "Zhugejingyanbeijiyaofang" to the contents of "Beijijiufa" authored by Wen Ren Qi Nian. In "Beijijiufa" the author described treatment methods making use of moxibustion methods in connection with 22 cases of acute diseases. The author had collected the moxibustion methods used to treat acute diseases, which had been practiced by the medical practitioners of many generations, and quoted total 13 medical men's practices. In the book, the greatest parts of details were quoted especially from the writings of Sun Si Miao and Ge Hong, and this shows that the medical philosophies of both Sun Si Miao and Ge Hong were reflected onto "Beijijiufa". He had differed on his moxibustion practice: the size of moxa wool, the number of moxibustion treatment, and method of moxibustion for male and female were differed from one another according to the disease. As to the area of moxibustion, he chose the body parts around under four limbs and joints, and mostly used extraordinary acupoints rather than twelve main meridians. In his descriptions of finding meridian points, he did not describe it by its specific name of the reaction point, but explained the location of moxibustion points in detail through pictures. "Qizhumajiufa" is related to moxibustion method and prescriptions to treat surgical diseases, like skin boils or furuncle on the back, etc. He easily explained the method to find the meridian points for moxibustion treatment by using particular way through diagrams and pictures. Eight prescriptions he used were the collections among the historical practices of medical practitioners of many generations for skin boils which showed excellent therapeutic actions. In "Zhugejingyanbeijiyaofang", there are prescribed for 36 disease, also is the records of treatment methods for medical emergency which would be encountered easily in everyday life. As to therapeutic remedies, varied treatment methods, including the treatment by means of pasting and attaching medicinal substance to the spot, the treatment by means of mixing medicinal substance with alcoholic beverage, cleansing method, smoke inhalation remedy etc. were introduced. In "Beijijiufa" moxibustion was regarded as a top priority for treatment of acute disease, and the author strived to present remedies to the readers as easily as possible through 19 pictures. Regarding prescriptions, the author introduced diverse treatment methods with respect to various disease symptoms, and described the method to treat disease symptoms making use of medicinal ingredients which can easily be found in daily life. Likewise, "Beijijiufa" compiled by Sun Ju Qing was intended for clinical practice, and was indeed a medical book having been utilized for treatment of acute diseases in those days.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.49-58
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• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of this study is examining the effects of appling acupressure to acupuncture points (study group) and Interferential current therapy (ICT) to cervical region (control group) on the cerebral blood flow of 20 tension-type headache patients and the reduction of their headaches. For approaching this examination, clinical research was conducted for three weeks those two groups, each contains 10 patients. Methods : We stimulated 7 acupuncture points for headache with the acupressure (for three weeks) and applied ICT to cervical region. Also we measured VAS (visual analogue scale) and the blood flow of the vertebral arteries with TCD (transcranial doppler ultrasonography). Results : (1) When the left and right vertebral artery of study group was compared each time, significant differences were found after the 1st treatment (p<.001). Also the significant differences were found after 2, 3weeks treatment (p<.05). (2) When the Visual Analog Scale of study group were compared periodically, the significant reductions were found after the 1 week treatments (p<.05). Also the significant differences were found after 2, 3 weeks treatments (p<.001). In the case of the control group, the significant reduction were found after the 2 and 3 weeks treatments (p<.001). Conclusions : The acupressure applied to acupuncture points reduced the headache and increased the ratio of cerebral blood flow.