• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.127-140
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• 2008

Objectives : This report intended to estimate effects of Jung-an acupuncture on the acquired torticollis caused by muscle contraction. Methods : The patients were treated by Jung-an acupuncture, herb medication and Physical treatment daily. The improvement of the patients was judged by Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale(TWSTRS), Tsui's score and Visual Analogue Scale(VAS). Results : After 7 days of treatment, the 2 patients' neck pain and cervical movement were improved. Also, TWSTRS score, Tsui's score and VAS were all reduced. Conclusions : As the Jung-an acupuncture's theological base is organized with meridian theory and myofacial release therapy, We considered the Jung-an acupuncture is effective not only for the skin disease but also for the muscle problem such as torticollis.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.265-275
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• 2021

This review investigated the effectiveness and safety of acupotomy treatment for scoliosis. There were 7 online databases used in the search from inception to March 17, 2021, for randomized controlled trials of the use of acupotomy in patients with scoliosis. The Cochrane risk-of-bias tool was used to assess the methodological quality of the studies included (n = 12). A quantitative synthesis of the randomized controlled trials was performed using RevMan Version 5.3. The effect sizes of studies were presented as mean differences for continuous outcomes and risk ratios for dichotomous outcomes, with a 95% confidence interval. As part of combined therapy, acupotomy was reported to significantly improve Cobb's angle compared with other treatments. Likewise, the Visual Analog Scale score, the Oswestry Disability Index score, and pulmonary function were also reported to be improved following acupotomy combination therapy. Although 5 studies mentioned the criteria for reporting adverse events, only 1 study reported adverse events. In conclusion, acupotomy may be an effective treatment for scoliosis. However, the small number, and heterogeneity of the included studies, as well as the poor methodological quality, indicate that higher-quality studies should be conducted to verify the effectiveness and safety of acupotomy treatment for scoliosis.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.231-244
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• 2020

Objectives : This study was conducted to introduce the types and contents of books related to acupuncture published in North Korea that can be identified in South Korea, and to understand the general characteristics of North Korean acupuncture. Methods : Firstly, we identified books related to acupuncture in the Information Center on North Korea of the National Library of Korea. Specialized books on treatment interventions such as acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, electrotherapy, and manual therapy including acupressure which stimulate acupoints were included in the study. Two authors reviewed the title, table of contents, and contents of each book in the order of publication year for the searched books. Based on this, the characteristics and trends of North Korean acupuncture were comprehensively examined. Results : The included 18 books were published between 1964 and 2018. One of them was considered a Chinese book translated into Korean and published in China, and another was a North Korean book republished by a South Korean publisher. Except for these, all were published in North Korea, two of which were translations of Chinese books. Most of them were books on the theory and clinical applications of acupuncture, but some of them focused on specific treatment interventions such as auricular acupuncture, fire needling, manual therapy, cupping, or electrotherapy. Also, there was a book about the mechanism of acupuncture analgesia in a neurophysiological way. Conclusions : Since the mid-1960s, North Korea has been steadily attempting to combine acupuncture and Western medicine by applying the disease name and classification system of Western medicine, using modern diagnostic technique, and explaining the mechanism of acupuncture based on the latest research. After the 2000s, the standard international acupuncture nomenclature by World Health Organization was used. In recent years, there has been a tendency to publish and widely disseminate specialized books on non-pharmacological treatment such as cupping, electrotherapy, and fire needling.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.62-74
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• 2021

Objectives : The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of acupuncture and the details of acupuncture treatment methods on skin wrinkles. Methods : Search was conducted in Pubmed, KISS, and NDSL databases for acupuncture studies on skin wrinkles. The detailed therapeutic techniques of acupuncture used for skin wrinkles and the effect of acupuncture on skin wrinkle improvement were analyzed. Then, the study results using the same indicator were compared through meta-analysis in order to compare the effects of acupuncture with the control group. The quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was assessed using the risk of bias (ROB) assessment tool (Ver. 1.0, Cochrane Collaboration). Results : A total of 10 RCTs and 19 case series were included in this study. The most frequently used therapeutic technique for skin wrinkle improvement was Microneedle therapy system (MTS, n=19), and they were mostly used with aesthetic solutions (13 out of 19 studies). Skin wrinkle related indexes were most commonly used to evaluate skin wrinkle improvement (n=14). Panax Ginseng pharmacopuncture showed the most remarkable effect in improving the range of skin wrinkles and the depth of skin wrinkles. MTS+epidermal growth factor improved the levels of skin hydration, skin elasticity, and variation of skin pigment the most. MTS+Endothelial precursor cell improved the number of skin melanin the most. Three RCTs included in the meta-analysis showed moderate ROB on average. Conclusions : Acupuncture treatment was effective in improving skin wrinkles. However, a precise study design using unified indicators and appropriate controls needs to be performed in further studies in order to establish more convincing evidence of the effectiveness of acupuncture for improving skin wrinkles.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.20-28
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• 2015

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of Korean hand acupressure on pain and abdominal bloating of patients receiving laparoscopic surgery. Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental design using a nonequivalent control group pre-post test. The experimental group and the control group were 39 patients each who were hospitalized at gynecology ward of a hospital located in Gyeonggi-do. The experimental group received Korean hand acupressure therapy on the meridian point: A5, A6, H3, H7, I38 for 48 hours immediately after the surgery. Pain and abdominal bloating were measured at 5 times. Data were analyzed using SPSS/Win 18.0. Results: The experimental group showed lower pain score than the control group (p<.001). While there was no significant difference in abdominal bloating (p=.528), the time effect was significantly different (p<.001). Conclusion: The findings indicate that Korean hand acupressure reduces pain and abdominal bloating of laparoscopic surgery patients.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.125-132
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• 2004

Objective : The purpose of this study is to report the patient diagnosed as calcific tendinitis located at supraspinatus, who improved by Oriental medical treatment, through analysis of radiograph. Methods : The patient was managed by acupuncture, moxibustion and cupping without medication and physical therapy. We measured the shoulder state by radiograph and evaluated with UCLA shoulder rating scale. Results : After 5 week treatment, the pain of patient and The UCLA functional average score was improved. Also we found that the deposits of calcific tendinitis was almost disappeared in radiograph. Conclusions : The results suggest that acupuncture, moxibustion and cupping can be effective in reducing the pain and the deposits of calcific tendinitis. We think that it need the further study and clinical trial for calcific tendinitis.

• The Journal of Korean Medical History
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.63-71
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• 2011

All this while, 'Chimgugyeongheombang' has been rated as the level of Im Heo's personal writing. However, Huh, m, in his introduction of 'Chimgugyeongheombang' made it clear that his purpose of publishing this book was to criticize the doctors of the day who were tied down by one or two curative methods, and at the same time, ultimately to improve the quality of national medical service by enlightening them. It seems that such incompetent doctors' engagement in medical service at that time was attributable to insufficient medical education system unlike today as against much social demand for acupuncture & moxibustion therapy. Im Heo, in an effort to enlighten the medical practitioners of the day, put emphasis on an eclectic method, and contained the theories on internal organs and meridian on a systematic basis. In addition, he made his updated medical skills known to medical circles by integrating and wrapping up the Acupuncture & Moxibustion techniques at that time. Lastly, he tried to provide the optimized information for clinical trials in his own language by using a preposterous writing style and form. In such a context, 'Chimgugyeongheombang' is not a special medical book gripped with a sentence, or a simple medical formula with an emphasis on empiricism, but rather it might be proper to say that his 'Chimgugyeongheombang' was a serious attempt to embrace all the merits of both parties.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.1552-1559
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• 2003

Objective : The purpose of this study was to identify the functional independence of cerebral vascular disease patients. Method : This clinical data is analyzed on 60 cases of the stroke patients diagnosed through Brain CT scan or MRI scan. at the Hospital affiliated to Oriental Medical College, Dongeui University, from March to July 2003. Result and Conclusion : This clinical data shows significant improvement with their functional independence in 4 weeks, comparing with the initial stage. Functional independence of cerebral vascular disease patients are related with Meridian System and Internal Organs, dysporia. dysuria, lacunar infartion. heart problem, past history therapy, pulse rate.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.59-64
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• 2010

목적 : 이 연구의 목적은 중풍 환자의 변비에 대한 증상완화요법으로서의 경락 마사지에 대해 그 임상적인 근거를 평가하기 위함이다. 방법 : 본 연구에서는 언어적인 제한 없이 12가지의 데이터베이스에서 개시부터 2010년 4월까지의 문헌을 검색했다. 변비가 있는 중풍 환자를 경락 마사지로 치료한 모든 형태의 임상 연구를 대상으로 하여, 플라시보 대조군 연구나 약물요법 또는 무처치 대조군 연구의 경우를 본 연구에 포함하였으며, 증례 보고나 사례군 연구는 제외하였다. 모든 임상 연구의 방법론적인 질은 Cochrane의 risk of bias analysis를 이용하여 평가하였다. 결과 : 전체적으로 세 편의 비무작위 배정 대조군 연구와 한 편의 비대조군 관찰 연구가 포함되었다. 모든 연구들은 높은 수준의 risk of bias를 보였다. 세 편의 비무작위 배정 대조군 연구들은 경락 마사지의 효과를 무처치군과 비교하였는데, 중풍 환자의 변비에 대해 경락 마사지의 긍정적인 효과를 나타내었으며, 한편의 비대조군 관찰 연구 역시 긍정적인 결과를 보였다. 하지만 모든 연구들은 bias에 노출되어 있었다. 결론 : 경락 마사지가 중풍 환자의 변비에 대해 효과적인 치료법이라는 것을 보여주기에는 현재의 근거가 부족하며, 모든 연구들은 높은 수준의 risk of bias를 가지고 있기 때문에 더욱더 엄격한 연구가 요구된다.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.127-135
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• 2011

Objectives : Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is a cause of the progressive compression myelopahty or radiculopathy. More and more cases being reported in the field of western medicine, but very few cases have been reported in the field of oriental medicine. This study can make prove the effectiveness of oriental medicine about OPLL by acupotomy therpapy. Methods : A patient who is diagnosed to OPLL was participated in this study. The patient was treated by acupotomy therapy. After the treatment, patient was measured by VAS (visual analogue scale), questionnaires (NDI, J-OA score) and 5 Likert scale. Results : The results in the questionnaires (NDI, J-OA score) and VAS, ROM shows that the improving of OPLL pain and function. Conclusions : Acuptomy on OPLL was showed the effectiveness in pain and function of the patient.