• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.117-127
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• 2010

Background : To demonstrate the efficacy of moxibustion therapy, randomized controled trials are required. But, clinical trials of moxibustion had limitations due to the absence of a sham moxibustion model for an appropriate placebo. Objectives : To develop a new sham moxibustion model based on the thermal characteristics of commercial indirect moxibustion, especially temperature, and to evaluate whether it could be applied in clinical trials. Methods : By applying heat insulation, we created a sham moxibustion device that was indistinguishable from a real one with the naked eye. It also stimulated heat but had inert remedial value. A clinical trial was performed on subjects to test double blinding. The subjects were randomly assigned into two groups, a treatment group and a sham group. Acupoint Zusanli($ST_{36}$) was used in each group for 3 times. A sham acupuncture credibility questionnaire was modified into a moxibustion credibility questionnaire and was filled out after treatment. Results : No major difference was detected in the subjects' baseline data. Most subjects and practitioners could not distinguish the sham moxibustion device from the real one. But, subjects who had experience of moxibustion therapy more likely to distinguish the sham moxibustion device from the real one than subjects who didn't have experience of moxibustion therapy. The treatment group showed a significant difference in the VAS(Visual Analog Scale) for intensity of sensation during treatment than that of the sham group. Conclusions : The sham moxibustion device in this study is proved sufficient and credible to be applied in investigations of the effect of moxibustion. But it is more appropriate for the people who don't have experience of moxibustion therapy.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2022

Background: Electronic moxibustion has the advantage of temperature control and maintenance, and overcomes the limitations of the existing moxibustion process without the use of the combustion process. However, as the application of electronic moxibustion in clinical practice has increased, safety issues are emerging. Methods: Clinical cases of electronic moxibustion treatment for knee osteoarthritis where burns occurred were collected. In addition, adverse events reported in clinical studies using electronic moxibustion for patients with knee osteoarthritis were collected from studies retrieved from Korean and international databases. Results: There were 3 cases of superficial 2^nd degree burns retrospectively collected through chart reviews. Among the selected 5 studies for literature review, 2 studies reported adverse events which were burns milder than those reported in these 3 cases in this retrospective case review. Conclusion: Since the risk of superficial 2^nd degree burn was discovered in the cases reviewed, further research on safe electronic moxibustion treatment is required without compromising the effectiveness of moxibustion.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.89-96
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• 2010

Objectives : This study is designed to evaluate the diagnostic significances of DITI on the patients of low back pain according to impression, symptoms and medical history. Methods : According to impression, symptoms and medical history, thermal changes of $BL_{23}$, $BL_{26}$, $BL_{40}$, $BL_{57}$, $GB_{31}$ and $BL_{60}$ were compared forty-eight low back pain patients and twenty-three normal group. Results : Surface temperature of $BL_{26}$ in case of L-spine HNP is significantly higher than normal group. Surface temperature of $BL_{26}$ in case of low back pain is significantly higher, $GB_{31}$ of radiating pain is significantly lower than normal group. Surface temperature of $BL_{26}$ in case of acute stage is significantly higher, $GB_{31}$ of chronic stage is significantly lower than normal group. Conclusions : Thermal changes of $BL_{26}$ and $GB_{31}$ on the patients of low back pain compared with normal group, according to impression, symptoms and medical history has significances.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.115-121
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• 2005

Objectives : This study was designed to find out the effect of seven acupoints of stroke in cerebrovascular hemiplegia patients. Methods : This study was performed on 6 patients with cerebrovascular hemiplegia (test group) and 6 health persons(control group). We measured temperature of skin surface of test and control group using digital infrared thermographic imaging(D.I.T.I) after acupunture on seven acupoints of stroke. And we calculated difference of skin temperature between healthful and affected side for each groups. Results : There was significant difference in area 3 in both two groups between before and after acupuncture. But in general there Was no significant difference between two groups on thermographic change. Conclusions : This is pilot study, so further studies are required to find out the effect of seven acupoints of stroke in cerebrovascular hemiplegia patients.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.184-193
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• 2023

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to understand the temperature characteristics depending on the thickness and material of the needle used with the Electronic Warm Acupuncture Device (EWAD). Methods : We controlled experimental environment and measured temperature changes of a silicon phantom in which K-type thermocouples were inserted at depths of 2, 7 mm. EWAD perfomed with acupuncture needles of various thicknesses (0.25×60 mm, 0.40×60 mm, and 0.50×60 mm) and materials (Gold 0.40×50 mm). We set non-needle (only heated with EWAD skin heater) group as a control group. Results : The maximum temperature and temperature changes of 0.40 mm, 0.50 mm needle group were significantly higher than the non-needle group. The highest temperature range in all needle groups was 0.50 mm needle group (41.44±0.31℃). However, the 0.25 mm needle group was not significantly different from the non-needle group. Maximum temperature of gold needle group was significantly higher than stainless steel needle group. Temperature changes of gold needle group were higher than stainless steel group at the depth of 7 mm. Conclusions : It was found that needle thickness and material of acupuncture had an effect on the temperature of the EWAD. When performing EWAD treatment, consideration of thickness and material of acupuncture is needed. Future research is needed using phantoms that can reflect actual clinical situations and better mimic the human body.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.105-111
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• 2003

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the stability of bee venom according to the keeping method and period. Method : The author observed microbial contamination of bee venom in nutrient agar, broth, YPD agar and YPD media and antibacterial activity for S. aureus, E. coli manufactured 12, 6 and 3 months ago as the two type of room temperature and $4^{\circ}C$ cold storage. Results : 1. 1:3,000 and 1:4,000 diluted bee venom solution did not show microbial contamination both room temperature and cold storage within twelve months. 2. There was antibacterial activity of diluted bee venom for S. aureus in cold storage within twelve months and there was no antibacterial activity of diluted bee venom for S. aureus in twelve months, room temperature storage. 3. We could not observe the zone of inhibition around paper disc of all for E.coli. in 1:3,000, 1:30,000 and 1:3,000,000 diluted bee venom solution, respectively. According to results, we expect that diluted bee venom solution is stable both cold and room temperature storage within twelve months.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.226-239
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• 2004

Objective: Purpose of this study was to examine the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) at Xingjian(LR2) as 'Fire(火)' point of The Leg Absolute Um Liver Meridan(足厥陰肝經 : Chok-Kworum-Kan-Kyong) on the facial thermal change. Methods: Subjects of this study were 15 patients with upperpart(includes head and facial part) fever of human body and two examinations were carried out in each other day. We divided cases of two examinations into two groups. One is experimental group(N=15) that was carried out electroacupuncture stimulation at Xingjian(LR2), the other is control group(N=15) which was carried out electroacupuncture stimulation at optional point(in space between 1st and 2nd fingers) except acupuncture points of 12 meridians. We took the temperature of fixed areas on face by digital infrared thermal image(D.I.T.I.) before and after electroacupuncture stimulation. Those fixed areas on face that was taken temperature are Jingming(BL1), Sibai(ST2), Dicang(ST4), Indang, Shuigou(GV26), Chengjiang(CV24) areas. In cases of temperature of Jingming(BL1), Sibai(ST2), Dicang(ST4) areas, we applied each mean of left and right temperature to statical analysis. Results: In the group of electroacupuncture stimulation at Xingjian(LR2), temperature of every fixed areas on face fell: Jingming(BL1) area's ${\Delta}T=-0.7007{\pm}0.78642$, Sibai(ST2) area's ${\Delta}T=-0.6280{\pm}0.56439$, Dicang(ST4) area's ${\Delta}T=-0.5940{\pm}0.60179$, Indang area's ${\Delta}T=-0.7200{\pm}0.64515$, Shuigou(GV26) area's ${\Delta}T=-0.6160{\pm}0.80487$, Chengjiang(CV24) area's ${\Delta}T=-0.5627{\pm}0.72615$. In Xingjian(LR2) electroacupuncture group, each temperature of Jingming(BL1), Sibai(ST2), Indang areas showed a drop significantly in comparison with control group (p<0.05). But each temperature of Dicang(ST4), Shuigou(GV26), Chengjiang(CV24) areas did not showed a drop significantly in comparison with control group(p>0.05). Conclusions: The results mentioned above showed that electroacupuncture stimulation at Xingjian(LR2) significantly decreased the temperature on face of patients with upperpart fever of human body. In Xingjian(LR2) electroacupuncture group, especially temperature of upper part of face includes eye, cheekbone, forehead regions showed a drop significantly in comparison with control group.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers D
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• v.55 no.8
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• pp.386-396
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• 2006

We implemented the Drug-Pad Moxibustion Method in order to improve the conventional moxibustion therapy. This method is aimed to eliminate burning wounds and smoke, which are the defects of conventional moxibustion therapy. And we performed to verify the efficiency by comparing the Drug-Pad Moxibustion Method with the conventional Indirect Moxibustion Therapy. We measured the body heat and the lasting time of blood circulation improvement using thermography. The moxibustion therapy has two kinds of effects: The formers are pharmacological effects of the Moxa's vasodilators and antioxidants. The latters are thermal effects which cause improvement of the blood circulation. To remove the demerits without omission of above therapeutic effects, we extracted the vasodilators and antioxidant compounds from the Moxa-$CH_2Cl_2$ fraction Moxa-EtOAc and composed the moxibustion kit with $(Ba_{0.8}\;Sr_{0.2})_{0.996}\;Y_{0.004}\;TiO_2+0.5_{WT}\;SiO_2%$ Positive Temperature Coefficients Thermistor. The experimental demonstrations have been made by the stimulating the spot which is CV4(Kwan-Won), CV8(Shin-Guel), CV12(Jung-Wan) acupuncture points of the conception vessel meridian(CV). And stimulating time was one hour. We divided the subjects into 5 groups such as no stimulation group, conventional Indirect Moxibustion group, only Drug-Pad stimulation group, only heat stimulation group, and Drug-Pad Moxibustion group. In the different cases, we have measured the body heat in pre-stimulation, just after stimulation, 2 hours after, and 4 hours after. The body heats of the group who were stimulated by the Drug-Pad Moxibustion Method were increased by over the $2^{\circ}C$. And the body heats of the group who were stimulated by the Indirect Moxibustion Method were increased by average the $1^{\circ}C$. We have evaluated that the Drug-Pad Moxibustion Method is improvement on the conventional Indirect Moxibustion Method by the heat-increasing rate is 200% and the lasting time is 150% with the body heat of the abdominal region. In the conclusions, We have implemented the Drug-Pad Moxibustion Method and evaluated the efficiency of the Drug-Pad Moxibustion Method comparing with the conventional Indirect Moxibustion Method.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.51-58
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• 2008

Objectives : Sypsun-points are located at the tips of all fingers, 0.1 chon(寸) from the finger nails, totaling 10 points on both hands. These points have been used for emergency care, fainting, epilepsy, cerebrovascular accidents, hypertension, unconsciousness, high fever etc. in oriental medicine. The most common technique is bleeding with a needle at these points. We investigated whether Venesection at the Sybsun-points has effects on blood pressure and body temperature and pulse rate in humans aged from 20 to 30 who had no specific past history and whose vital signs are in normal range. Methods : 67 persons were studied from March to June 2008. They were composed of Sample group(n=36) and Normal group(n=31). Both two groups kept a steady state an hour before venesection. In both group, we checked blood pressure and body temperature and pulse rates 6 times( 30min. before and just before treatment, and just after, 30, 60, 90min after treatment). All study environments were same between sample and normal group. But only, normal group didn't carry out venesection at the Sybsun-points. Results : In a comparison of before and after venesection at the Sybsun-points, any Statistical significance was not evaluated. Though pulse rate in sample group was significantly decreased after venesection(p<0.05), it has no statistical significance because normal group's pulse rate was also significantly decreased and between two groups had no statistical difference. Conclusions : Though further study is needed, our findings suggest that venesection at the Sybsun-points has no significant effect on blood pressure and body temperature, and pulse rate in humans who had no specific past history and whose vital signs are in normal range. Also in that case, we may know that pain and tension result from venesection at the Sybsun-points have no significant effect on blood pressure and body temperature and pulse rate.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.207-218
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• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report the clinical effect of Korean Medical Treatment and acupuncture based on M-test theory & herbal medicine for treating systemic sclerosis. Methods : We treated a patient diagnosed with systemic sclerosis. We used general acupuncture & acupuncture based on M-test theory, herbal medicine, moxibustion, and physical therapy. The outcomes were evaluated by using peripheral body temperature measurement, numeric rating scale(NRS), visual analog scale(VAS), and an activities of daily living(ADL) questionnaire for systemic sclerosis. Results : The average peripheral body temperature increased from $36.16^{\circ}C$ to $36.38^{\circ}C$. The NRS showed no difference, but VAS decreased from 7.43 to 5.43. The ADL questionnaire score decreased from 17 to 12. Conclusion : This case study suggests that Korean Medical Treatment and acupuncture based on M-test theory & herbal medicine could be effective for treating systemic sclerosis. However, further studies are needed to confirm this result.