• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.209-230
• /
• 2017

Objectives : The aim of this study was to describe the details and to assess the clinical evidence of acupuncture and moxibustion for non-specific chronic neck pain. Methods : We searched seven databases including Korean, English, and Chinese databases through July 2016. Studies using acupuncture, moxibustion, pharmacopuncture, electroacupuncture, auricular-acupuncture, acupressure for non-specific chronic neck pain were included. Only controlled clinical trials or randomized clinical trials were assessed. Study design, number of subject, inclusion criteria, intervention, and results were extracted. In addition, details of intervention including needle type, retention time, acupoints were analyzed. Results : Total 64 studies(39 acupuncture, 9 laser, 6 pharmaco-acupuncture, 3 electro-acupuncture, 3 auricular-acupuncture, 3 moxibustion, 1 acupressure) were included. Among 39 acupuncture studies, 35 used acupuncture as sole intervention. Sham treatment was the most common intervention for control group, followed by no intervention. Various outcome including pain, disability, quality of life, range of motion was used as outcome measurement. The effect of acupuncture and moxibustion was different depending on the type of control and outcome measurement. The most commonly used method in acupuncture for neck pain was GB21, SI3, GB20, LI4, BL11 acupoints, 10~30 mm insertion depth, 20~30 retention time, and 1~2 times per week. Conclusions : Analyzing the details of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment could be helpful for researches and clinics. Further studies should consider the characteristics of study design, intervention, and outcome to assess the effect of TKM.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.141-157
• /
• 2010

Objectives : The aim of this study is to examine the effects of acupuncture at PC7(Daereung) on normal human EEG using power spectral analysis. Methods : EEG power spectrum exhibits site-specific and state-related differences in specific frequency bands. In this study, power spectrum was used as a measure of complexity. 30 subjects (16 males and 14 females; averaged age = 23.4 years) were engaged with thirty channel EEG study. Results : In $\alpha$(alpha) band, the power values at Fp1, Fp2, F7, F8 channels(p<0.05) during PC7 treatment were significantly decreased. But, the power values at Fz channel(p<0.05) during non-acupoint treatment was significantly decreased. In $\beta$(beta) band, the power values at Fp1, Fp2 channels(p<0.05) during PC7 treatment were significantly decreased. But, the power values at Fz channel(p<0.05) during non-acupoint treatment was significantly decreased and at F8, TCP2 channels(p<0.05) during non-acupoint treatment were increased. In $\theta$(theta) band, the power values at Fp1, Fp2, F7, F8 channels(p<0.05) during PC7 treatment were significantly decreased. But, the power values at Fz channel(p<0.05) during non-acupoint treatment was significantly decreased. In $\delta$(delta) band, the power values at Fp1, Fp2, F7, Fz, F8 channels (p<0.05) during PC7 treatment were significantly decreased. But, the power values at Fz channel (p<0.05) during non-acupoint treatment was significantly decreased. $\alpha/\beta$ values during PC7 treatment were decreased. $\beta/\theta$ values during PC7 treatment were decreased. Conclusion : These results suggest that acupuncture at PC7 induce the change on $\alpha$(alpha), $\beta$(beta), $\theta$ (theta), $\delta$(delta) wave values being decreased and and bothe $\alpha/\beta$ and $\beta/\theta$ values being decreased respectively. This is considered that acupuncture at PC7 affects the activity of cerebral cortex and endocrine system.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.132-141
• /
• 2022

Objectives : Some acupoints are commonly utilized to treat a variety of diseases. The acupoints appear to have a wide range of effects caused by several mechanisms. The purpose of this study is to investigate into the potential role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the multipotent effects of individual acupoint stimulation. Methods : We examined the miRNA expressions in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of neuropathic or inflammatory pain rats following ST36 and GB34 electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation. Neuropathic pain was induced by L5 spinal nerve ligation. Inflammatory pain was induced by knee joint injection of Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). EA was given under gaseous anesthesia with the same parameters (1mA, 2Hz, 30 min) in 5 consecutive days. Pain behaviors and miRNA expressions were analyzed. Results : In rats with neuropathic and inflammatory pain, EA treatments significantly enhanced the paw withdrawal threshold and weight-bearing force. After nerve injury, 36 miRNAs were upregulated in the DRG of neuropathic rats, while EA downregulated 10 of them. Furthermore, 14 miRNAs were downregulated following nerve damage, while one was increased by EA. 15 miRNAs were increased in the DRG of inflammatory rats following CFA injection, while 5 were downregulated by EA. Furthermore, 17 miRNAs were downregulated following CFA injection, while 7 were increased by EA. The miRNAs rno-miR-335, rno-miR-381-5p, rno-miR-1306-3p, and rno-miR-1839-3p were regulated by EA in both models. Conclusions : In two pain models, EA applied to ST36 and GB34 regulated miRNA expression differently. There appeared to be both acupoint-specific and non-specific miRNAs, and miRNA regulation of differential protein expression may modulate a variety of EA mechanisms.

• Proceedings of the IEEK Conference
• /
• 2000.06e
• /
• pp.99-102
• /
• 2000

This study analyze of reflection wave to Acoustic stimulation on acupoints and contrast parts for objectification of the meridian substance. In order to verify meridian pathway and channel theory of bio-energy in body. It was analyzed response characteristic of reflection waves after acoustic stimulation by sound wave of 5 specific tones. The response characteristics of reflection are measured by the average current magnitude of meridian. The current variation ratio are Live Meridian(gung) 33.2%, Heart Meridian(sang) 30.7%, Kidney Meridian (gak) 33.1%, Spleen Meridian(chi) 33.9%, Lung Meridian (wo) 30.7% compare with contrast parts (non-acupoint and meridian). Therefore meridian is distinguished to non-meridian and 5 vital meridians have relationship with sound wave of 5 specific tones.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.5-12
• /
• 2008

Objective In this article, we report on the intradermal Alcian blue staining method for tracing the meridians of acupuncture. Methods 1% Alcian blue solution was injected into acupoints by using a 0.5mL insulin syringe with a 31-gauge needle, then the skin was incised and was observed under a stereoscopic microscope. The specimens were examined by using immunohistochemical methods and were observed under a confocal laser scanning microscope. Results A threadlike structure, which was visualized with Alcian blue, existed in dermis layer and proceeded to hypodermis. In this structure, characteristic alignments of rod- shaped nuclei and $1-2{\mu}m$ sized DNA granules were observed. Furthermore, abundant blood capillary plexuses, peripheral nerve endings, and a corpuscle-like structure(about $300{\mu}m$ in diameter) were visualized in the skin tissues of acupoints. Conclusion It was concluded that the specific threadlike and corpuscle-like structures corresponded to superficial Bonghan duct and corpuscle, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.81-96
• /
• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of the present study is to determine the effective analgesic parameters of manual acupuncture (MA) and/or electroacupuncture (EA), thus how MA & EA of specific acupoint works after acute ankle sprain in rats. Thus, one series of experiments was designed to analyze the analgesic effects of acupuncture in either the normal or sprained rat, by comparing the behavioral features before and after MA or EA at several acupoints. Methods : Ankle sprain was induced manually by hyper-extension of ligaments of the right ankle in rat. Either MA or EA was applied to the LI4, TE17, 足三里 and SI-6 acupoints at an intensity of 2 mA (1 ms pulse duration) with a frequency of 10 Hz for 30 minutes. Results : Behaviorally, manual acupuncture or electroacupuncture produced potent analgesic effects on acute ankle sprained animals as measured by weight bearing capacity of the affected limb. Furthermore, antinociceptive effect of EA was suppressed by alpha adrenoceptor antagonist phentolamine (5 mg/kg, i.p.) but not by opioid antagonist naltrexone (10 mg/kg, i.p.). Conclusions : It is suggested that acupuncture-induced antinociception may involve the descending inhibition of ${\alpha}2$-adrenoceptor.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.21 no.6
• /
• pp.167-176
• /
• 2004

Objective : This study was designed to investigate the effects of electro-acupuncture(EA) and moxibustion at CV13, CV12, CV10 and ST36 serum gastin level in rats. Methods : The present study was conducted to see the effects produced by combined electro-acupuncture(EA) and moxibustion using four different acupoints on serum gastrin level in rats. Electro-acupuncture (2 Hz, intensity ; 10 times muscle twitch threshold) was applied for 30 minutes to ST36 under halothane anesthesia. Moxibustion ($1.6{\pm}0.3mg$, 5 times of a day) was applied during 3 days to CV13, CV12, CV10 under halothane anesthesia. Results : Both of EA applied to the ST 36 and Moxibustion applied to the CV10, CV12 decreased serum gastrin level significantly. And the effect of combined EA at ST36 and moxibustion at CV10 was shown stronger effect than each singular stimulus of EA at ST36 and moxibustion at CV10. These data suggest that both of EA and moxibustion at specific acupoints produce change of serum gastrin level in rats and combined EA and moxibustion was shown quite effect than each singular stimulus.

• The Journal of Korea CHUNA Manual Medicine
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.97-109
• /
• 2002

Objectives : Electroacupuncture(EA) has been suggested as a treatment for stroke rehabilitation. But whether, how much, by what mechanism and when it is effective has not been answered satisfactorily. Therefore it is important to critically review clinical trials and laboratory researches about EA for stroke rehabilitation. Subjectives : We researched various recent sources of EA for stroke rehabilitation such as medical journals and especially tried to review methodologically best randomized controlled trials(RCTs). Results and Conclusions : 1) EA increases brain plasticity, activity, blood flow and secretion of neuropeptides in CNS. 2) EA is significantly effective at the case that more than half of the neural motor pathway is reserved. 3) The acupoints, frequncy and intensity of EA should be determined by patient-specific symptoms of stroke. 4) More studies is needed for merdian functions for stroke rehabilitation.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.69-78
• /
• 2020

Although there have been studies investigating the clinical effects of warm needling (WN) for specific diseases, a comprehensive review of WN is needed. Four Korean internet databases were used in the review of WN treatment performed in Korea. The search terms used to retrieve articles were "warm needling (in Korean; 온침)," "warm acupuncture," and "warm needle." A total of 29 articles were reviewed. The following aspects of WN were investigated: language and terminology, study design, use of Standards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture, research ethics, moxibustion types, number of moxa used, moxa combustion time, needle retention time, treatment time and frequency, acupoints, meridians, acupuncture size and depth, disease classification, pattern identification, outcome measures, and adverse effect. More sophisticated and precise studies on WN are required.

• Journal of Oriental Medical Thermology
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.7-12
• /
• 2010

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to know the temperature difference between hysterectomy patients and non-hysterectomy patients. Methods : We studied 45 who had and 45 non-hysterectomy visiting ${\bigcirc}{\bigcirc}$ medical center from January 1st 2010 to December 31st 2010. We measured 3 points temperature of specific acupoints-Chonjung(CV17), Chungwan(CV12), Kwanwon(CV4) by DITI in each group. And then we checked the difference of temperature between CV17 and CV4, CV12 and CV4. For statistics, we used Independent T-test and SPSS version 17.0 for windows. Results : There is no statistically differences between hysterectomy group and non-hysterectomy group on CV17, CV12, CV4 and CV12-CV4 temperature. There is statistically significant difference between group and group on CV17-CV4 temperature. Conclusion : The result showed that the difference between Chonjung(CV17) and Kwanwon(CV4) is higher in group than non-hysterectomy group. Further study will be needed.