• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.31-51
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• 2004

Objective: The propose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of combustion in indirect moxibustion with garlic. Methods: We observed the characteristics of combustion by the variations of the thickness(3mm, 4mm, 5mm) of a slice for indirect moxibustion with garlic and mass(80mg, 100mg, 120mg) of moxa cone and existence of holes. The temperature of indirect moxibustion for garlic insulation with holes was higher than temperature of indirect moxibustion for garlic insulation without holes. Combustions time in the preheating period is about 1 minute, it varies by the existence of holes, the thickness of a slice for indirect moxibustion with garlic, and the density of moxa cone. Results: Maximum temperature of heating period was $38.7{\sim}46.2^{\circ}C$, combustion time in the heating period was 118~164sec and maximum ascending temperature gradient was $0.102{\sim}0.264^{\circ}C/sec$. Retaining period was shorter than heating period and stimulus of heating retains more, because it is higher than body temperature. By this report, indirect moxibustion with garlic is more effective with holes and the appropriate thickness of a slice for indirect moxibustion with garlic is 3.5~4mm. It is appropriate that the diameter of moxa cone is 8mm and height of that is 10mm. With this condition, effective combustion period is 120sec, maximum temperature is $42{\sim}44^{\circ}C$, maximum ascending temperature gradient is $0.14{\sim}0.16^{\circ}C/sec$. It is necessary to study clinical correlations for more accurate quantitative standard.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.1-4
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• 2010

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to summarize the historical aspects of parabolic reflector moxa and to suggest the applications of light moxibustion in Korean medicine. Results : Getting a fire by parabolic reflector(concave mirror) is well known because of the Olympic torch lighted with a solar reflector in Greece. From anecdotes or myths for Diocles and Archimedes(third century B.C.) a long history has been chronicled in books and films in western culture. However, it has another history in Asian countries since 2,000 years ago. Some reflectors had a tiny size with 6.5 to 10 cm in diameter, 4 mm to 1 cm thickness, and these mobile handheld devices could make us guess that they have been used for multiple purposes. Bronze reflectors were described in Dongeui-bogam, and excavated from the ancient remains of the Shilla and Koryo dynasties. This common firing device was used as a moxibustion device, one of the acupuncture and moxibustion modalities in traditional Korean medicine. Conclusions : Reflector moxa has been used as a light moxibustion to deliver heat energy to acupuncture points, muscles, and skin along meridians. We present a plausible proposal to improve other phototherapy modalities including reflector moxa in Korean medicine practice.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.35-47
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• 2010

Objectives : To characterize the thermal properties of traditional warm needle and new warm needle with various air flows as an important environmental factor and to suggest the necessity of maintaining suitable environment of clinics to maximize their efficacy. Methods : We measured the temperature characteristics of traditional moxa warm needle and new moxa charcoal warm needle by applying an automatic temperature acquisition system with thermocouples while external various air flows were supplied. Temperatures of two positions at the needle body were measured while a moxa cone burned. Typical temperature characteristics like peak temperature, duration, curve shape and the efficiency of the heat stimuli by heat amount analysis were executed. Results : Both warm needles showed similar temperature curve with an increase in the air flow. Peak temperature and duration of effective heat decreased with the air flow, as shown in indirect moxibustion on garlic. The temperature change pattern by the air flow became more apparent when the total combustion heat was compared with the effective heat. The values from two positions on the needle body were significantly different, showing a distance dependency from the heat source of warm needle acupuncture. Conclusions : Thermal properties of warm needle acupuncture was observed variously with surrounding air flow of 0.0 - 0.7 m/s. It emphasized the importance of environmental control as well as the warm needle itself such as heat source and needle. The latter has already been known to deliver designated heat to subjects. It also indicated the importance of education and skill of the practitioners of warm needle acupuncture.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.105-127
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• 2013

Objectives : We examined the use of the moxibustion through survey on Korean Medicine Doctors (KMDs) on preparation of universal moxa product standard by fully reflecting opinions of practitioners and the industry. Methods : The questionnaire is composed of 25 questions including use of indirect moxa, side effects, complaints and improvements, general characteristics and so on, and were responded by 1,588 KMDs. For statistics, frequency analysis, chi-square analysis, T-test and ANOVA were conducted using SPSS 12.0 for windows, and the significance level was 0.05. Results : In this research, 91% of the responded KMDs was using moxibustion, and the proportion of using mediate moxibustion was shown as 63.2%. They used mediate moxibustion for side effects of direct moxa method such as risk of burn, ease of use, control of stimulation and so on. And it was mostly being conducted to women and 40 ages. Most respondents gave moxibustion treatments for the purpose of thermal stimulation on acupoint to musculoskeletal diseases. Most respondents were treating 1~2 pieces of moxibustion to patients by moxibustion points to those of 1~2 regions every time within 10 minutes. Regarding the frequency of side effects of mediate moxibustion, within 3% of respondents had experienced side effects, and the types were burn, flare and itchiness, odor and smoke. The dissatisfaction of mediate moxibustion products was moderate(2.00 out of 5 point scale), and went up public health doctors, the younger ages and the shorter clinical experience. Complaints on mediate moxibustion products were serious odor, poor attachment, risk of burn etc. Regarding ways to improve mediate moxibustion, the expansion of moxibustion's insurance cost carne out highest, followed by preparation of manual on efficacy, strengthening of training, acquiring evidence on efficacy, diversification of specifications, safety improvement, quality improvement of mediate moxibustion products. Conclusions: Many KMDs use for ease of use and give moxibustion treatments for thermal stimulation but they complain about safety, efficacy and quality of mediate moxibustion. After this it is considered that we have to elevate therapeutic effect through the improvement of mediate moxibustion products.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.233-248
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• 2004

Objective : The purpose of this study is to investigate the mechanism and effect of moxibustion with monkshood cake, slice & black pepper cake. objectively, to be used as the quantitative data through the measurement of temperatqre, and to grasp the thermodynamic characteristics of moxibustion with monkshood cake, slice & black pepper cake. Methods : We have selected of the moxibustion with monkshood cake, slice & black pepper cake. indirect moxibustion. We make a comparative study of the thermodynamic characteristics of moxibustion with monkshood cake, slice & black pepper cake. We examined combustion times, temperatures, temperature gradients in each period during a combustion of moxa. Results & Conclusions : 1. We can design the moxibustion with monkshood cake that it has thermodynamic characteristics of 173sec effective combustion time, $44^{\circ}C$ maximum temperature, $0.22^{\circ}C/sec$ ascending maximum temperature, if we use 3mm thickness or 3mm and below of monkshood cake and the moxa cone is formed the conical shape that the base diameter was 8mm, the height was 10mm, the density was $600mg/cm^3$. 2. We can design the moxibustion with monkshood cake that it has thermodynamic characteristics of 205~271sec effective combustion period time, $44.6{\sim}46.1^{\circ}C$ maximum temperature, $0.18{\sim}0.24^{\circ}C/sec$ ascending maximum temperature, if we use 3mm thickness of monkshood cake and the moxa cone is formed the conical shape that the base diameter was 8mm, the height was 10mm, the density was $480{\sim}720mg/cm^3$.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2017

Objectives: This paper is focused on the development of supporting device for the direct moxibustion. This device makes one help to do moxibustion on one's head and back for oneself. Without this device, one can't avoidthe other's help to do moxibustion on one's head and back. Methods: The design protocols of the supporting device for the direct moxibustion are determined. And 3 dimensional simulation using Ultimaker's 3D printer was carried out. The parts of the supporting device for direct moxibustion are followings: 1. preparing of the main parts which are divided into an acupuncture touching sting and moxa holder. 2. preparing a grip part. Results: 3 different lengths of the acupuncture touching sting such as 3mm, 4mm, and 5mm were experimented for the perfect burning of moxa. Among them, the acupuncture touching sting with 4mm length was best for the perfect burning and for the organic functional tests. Conclusion: The supporting device for direct moxibustion will be helpful to minimize of the burning of skin, the pain, and the smoke.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.101-108
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• 2015

Objectives This paper focused on developing the acupuncture-moxibustion device for head. Disadvantages of the existing devices for head moxibustion are its hume and inconvenience in operating because of the hair. Methods The proposed acupuncture-moxibustion device for GV20(Baihui) is 10mm long as needle body and 6mm long as needle root whose feature are 1~2 turns spiral coil. The spiral coil contains the moxa in order not to drop the moxa while operating Results The direct temperature on the burning moxa were measured by TK-305 infrared thermometer. But the direct temperature on the needle of acupuncture-moxibustion device were not able to measure by TK-305 infrared thermometer. By definition equation, the indirect temperatures on the needle of acupuncture-moxibustion device were able to be calculated. Conclusion A very safe, small and cheap acupuncture-moxibustion device for GV20(Baihui) of head is proposed. It will be useful to generate the heat shock protein and to operate in preventing and curing the Alzheimer's disease.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.212-219
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• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of hand stimulation intervention by moxa on fatigue and the blood cortisol level in pregnant women. Method: This study was conducted using a nonequivalent control-group pretest-posttest design from Oct 13 to Dec 15, 2005. The participants were pregnant women in the Gyeong-gi area. The numbers of experimental and control subjects were 16 and 13, respectively. The hand stimulation intervention by moxa was applied to the experimental group three times a week, for a total of fifteen times for five weeks. Result: The blood cortisol level was statistically significantly different between the two groups. However, the degree of fatigue was statistically insignificant. Conclusion: These results suggest that hand stimulation intervention by moxa can be used as an effective nursing intervention in pregnant women. The implications for nursing practice and directions for future research are discussed.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.77-84
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• 2016

Objectives This paper is focused on the development of supporting device for the direct moxibustion. This device makes one help to do moxibustion on one's head and back for oneself. Without this device, one can't avoid the other's help to do moxibustion on one's head and back. Methods The design protocols of the supporting device for the direct moxibustion are determined. And 3 dimensional simulation using Ultimaker's 3D printer was carried out. The parts of the supporting device for direct moxibustion are followings: 1. preparing of the main parts which are divided into an acupuncture touching sting and moxa holder. 2. preparing a grip part. Results 3 different lengths of the acupuncture touching sting such as 3mm, 4mm, and 5mm were experimented for the perfect burning of moxa. Among them, the acupuncture touching sting with 4mm length was best for the perfect burning and for the organic functional tests. Conclusion The supporting device for direct moxibustion will be helpful to minimize of the burning of skin, the pain, and the smoke.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.178-184
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• 2013

Objectives : The warm needling technique is the method combining the effects of acupuncture needle with those of moxibustion. We need to standardize the characteristics of the warm needling technique, in order to get more systematic and objective results in operation and effects and then get more clinical abilities in these fields. Methods : In this study, using labview system on the warm needling technique, we measured and compared partial temperature changes according to the kind of needle. We studied relations of moxa cones of various sizes with the peak combustion temperature. Results and Conclusions: When we measured the warm needling's partial temperature, temperature measured at 1 and 2 cm below the head, according to the kind of needle, gold needle got the higher result on the peak than SS304 stainless steel needle. In the case of combustion of the moxa cones, cones weighing 0.4 g and 0.8 g, respectively, and the apex ignition method with gold needle showed the higher result than the apex ignition method with stainless steel needle, when we measured the effective stimulus time at 2 cm below the head and the mean temperature during the effective stimulus time. Although more research to standardize the characteristics of the warm needling technique will be needed, we suggest, according to these results, that warm needling of gold needle combined with moxa cone of 0.4 or 0.8 g is effective.