• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.49-55
• /
• 2011

Objectives : This study was to develop programmable and rechargeable electronic moxibustion device as an interdisciplinary research focusing on traditional Korean medicine. Methods : This device deployed several advances on safety and conveniences with the advantage of programmable heat stimulation, heating material and recharging method. The gradient of heat stimulation was programmed with the reference of previous studies and own measurements. The heat curve reached its efficacious stimulus temperature after three minutes, and maintained until 13 minutes with $42^{\circ}C$. We also incorporated feedback from field hospital experiences with the help of hospital staffs. Results : This device can prevent damages from skin burn and fire accidents, and control the smoke, smell and residue of moxa itself. Conclusions : This study will contribute for the development and improvement of efficacious and safe treatment methods for the traditional Korean medicine.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to compare the skin temperature changes by the rechargeable and programmable electronic moxibustion device(EMD) with the traditional combustible moxibustion device(CMD). Methods : Skin temperature changes in six healthy volunteers induced by CMD and EMD were measured with digital infrared thermal imaging(DITI). Heat stimulation was applied on $LI_4$ and $TE_5$, and skin temperature changes on each point were measured at baseline and per minute for total 7 minutes, 2 minutes of heat stimulation and 5 minutes of observation. Results : There was no significant difference in the skin temperature changes between CMD and EMD. The temperature on $LI_4$ with EMD was $32.3{\pm}1.3^{\circ}C$ at baseline, $34.0{\pm}1.3^{\circ}C$ at 1 minute after heat stimulation start, $34.6{\pm}1.2^{\circ}C$ at 2 minutes after, and from 3 minutes after heat stimulation, it maintained $32.6{\sim}32.8^{\circ}C$. Conclusions : Methods for measuring skin temperature changes induced by heat stimulation of moxibustion were established, and the possibility of effectiveness of the newly developed electronic moxibustion device was raised with this preliminary study. This study can contribute to the development of clinical research methodology for traditional Korean medicine.