• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.77-91
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• 2001

Backgrounds and purpose : The acupuncture of oriental medicine is very important in treatments. Until now it was been researched according to the meridian and qi xue(氣血) phenomenon of oriental medicine's theory. Acupuncture will show more objective index to observe the meridian. And then, I studied the effects on the thermal change of the Taeyon($L_9$) and Chungbu($L_1$) following acupuncture stimulation. Objective and Methods : This study was performed from December 1999 to February 2000 on 60 healthy students. The objective was divided into two groups, those are the control group A(N=30) that no acupuncture stimulation, the group B(N=30) of acupuncture stimulation on Taeyon($L_9$). First, in the control group A, I took a picture Taeyon($L_9$) Chungbu($L_1$) Taenung($P_7$) Chondol($CV_{22}$) area for 30 men without any stimulation with the Digital Infrared Thermograph Imaging(D.I.T.l.) and did same area, 10min after. Second, in the acupuncture stimulation group B, we took a picture Taeyon($L_9$) Chungbu($L_1$) Taenung($P_7$) Chondol($CV_{22}$) area for 30 men without any stimulation with the Digital Infrared Th - ermograph Imaging(D.I.T.I.), and then stimulate acupuncture on Taeyon($L_9$) and took a picture same area, 10min after. Results : 1. In healthy men, average skin temperture on Taeyon($L_9$) area was lower than Chungbu($L_1$) area about $3.0^{\circ}C$, in the Lt. Taeyon($L_9$) and Chungbu($L_1$) area was lower than Rt. Taeyon($L_9$) and Chungbu($L_1$) area. 2. In the acupuncture stimulation group B, the skin temperature of both side Taeyon($L_9$) area showed the increase or decrease significantly. But both Taenung($P_7$) area did not showed significantly. 3. In the acupuncture stimulation group B, the skin temperature of both side Chungbu($L_1$) area showed the increase or decrease significantly. But both Chondol($CV_{22}$) area did not showed significantly. 4. The thermal changes of the area which is a meridian point in the Lung Meridian of the acupuncture stimulation group on Taeyon($L_9$) different from other Meridian with significantly change. Conclusion : The acupuncture stimulation on Taeyon($L_9$) affected the thermal change of the area which is a meridian point, in the Lung Meridian. And then I could relate these results with the existence of the meridian and meridian point. Thus, continuous thermographic study will be needed for the existence of the meridian and meridian point.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.22-31
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• 2001

Objective : This study is designed to evaluate the correlation between the data of DITI (Digital Infrared Thermographic Imaging) and the clinical symptoms in the patients with low back pain. Methods : Among the outpatients with back pain who visited to Department of Acupunture & Moxibustion, Tae gu Oriental Hopital of Kyung San University from January 2000 to August, we selected 115 cases that examined DITI. We evaluated the correlation between the data of DITI examination and the clinical symptoms (Distribution of Sex and Age, Duration of Disease, Main Sign, Grade of Clinical Symptoms, Diagnosis according to Symptoms(辨證),) in the patients with low back pain. Results & Conclusion : 1. The thermal changes in terms of the duration of disease : The acutest period has the highest thermal change. Also, the longer the duration of disease was, the higher the termal change was. It increased in the order of the acutest period, the less acute period, and the the chronical period. 2. Thermal changes due to the main symptom : The degree of thermal change was as follows (from the highest to the lowest): first, back and knee pain, second, back and leg pain, third, back and buttock pain, fourth, numbness of leg, and fifth, back and dorsum pain. 3. Thermal changes in terms of the grade of clinical symptoms : The more servious the symptoms were, the higher the thermal change was. It was increased in the order of Gr 1, Gr 2, Gr 3, and Gr 4. 4. Thermal changes depdning on symptoms diagnosis : Chwaseom(挫閃) has the highest temperature, $0.87{\pm}0.49^{\circ}C$. 5. Thermal changes before and after treatment : Before treatment, the average thermal change was $0.83^{\circ}C$ but after treatment, it was decreased to $0.38^{\circ}C$. For the above symptoms, if DITI is used, the diagnosis is easier based on the medical history of the patient who has back pain, and the degree of pain. However, if thermal change is soly used for diagnosis, it will be hard to determine the nature of sickness. Therefore, it should be folllowed by other supplementary examination.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.143-155
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• 2007

Objectives: To observe the effect of acupuncture and nerve block combination treatment on adhesive capsulitis patients. Methods : 59 voluntary patients were randomly assigned to acupuncture treatment group(E group, n=22), nerve block treatment group(W group, n=17) and acupuncture and nerve block combination treatment group(EW group, n=20). The E group received acupuncture treatment on LI15, $TE_{14}$, $GB_{21}$ and Master Dong's acupuncture points, Shin-gwan and Gyun-joong, twice a week for 4 weeks. The W group received suprascapular nerve block, subacromial injection and trigger point injection, twice a week for 4 weeks. The EW group received the same treatment as the W group and after 5minutes of rest, successively received the treatment identical to that of E group. All three groups were instructed to practice groups were instructed to practice self exercise during their daily lives. Evaluations were made before treatment and after 1, 2, 3 and 4week treatment. Constant Shoulder Assessment(CSA), Shoulder Pain and Disability Index(SPADI), Range of Motion(ROM), the patient's treatment satisfaction measured by Visual Analogue Scale(VAS) and Digital Infrared Thermographic Imaging(DITI) were used as assessment tools. The obtained data were analyzed and compared. Results : The E group showed significant improvement(p<0.05) on CSA, SPADI, VAS and DITI. As for ROM, Adduction and Extension improved significantly(p<0.05). The W group showed significant improvement(p<0.05) on CSA, SPADI, VAS and DITI. As for ROM, Abduction and Extension improved significantly. The EW group showed significant improvement(p<0.05) on CSA, SPADI and VAS. As for ROM, Adduction, Abduction, Extension and Flexion improved significantly. The improvement of CSA, VAS and Abduction ROM in the EW group was significantly(p<0.05) superior compared to the groups treated with single type of treatment. Conclusion : It is suggested that acupuncture and nerve block combination treatment for adhesive capsulitis patients is more effective than the two single treatments. Through further studies, the acupuncture and nerve block combination treatment model may be developed into East-West Collaboration Model in treating adhesive capsulitis.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 2005

Objectives : This study was to investigate the effect of the Carthami Semen Herbal acupuncture therapy on a Cauda equina syndrome patient who has a complex of low back pain, bilateral sciatica, saddle anesthesia and motor weakness in the lower extremity and paraplegia with bladder and bowel incontinence. Methods : Oriental Medical Therapy was performed on the Cauda equina syndrome patient from July 15th 2004 to July 29th 2004. The patient was treated with Carthami Semen Herbal acupuncture at BL22, BL23, BL25, BL28 and GV3 in combination with herbal medicine and conventional body acupuncture. We evaluated The Visual Analog Scale(VAS), Improvement index, The Oswestry Diability Index(ODI), gaiting, dyschezia, bladder incontinence, duration of urination and area of anesthesia, Digital Infrared Thermographic Imaging(DITI) before and after treatment. Results : 1. After treatment, VAS, Improvement index, ODI were improved each from 10 to 2, from 21 to 73, from 333 to 166. 2. After treatment, gaiting, bladder incontinence, duration of urination and area of anesthesia and DITI were improved well, but dyschezia was remained. Conclusions : From this case it is thought Carthami Semen herbal acupuncture therapy is very effective to Cauda Equina Syndrome and further study is needed for the confirmation of the effect of Carthami Semen Herbal acupuncture.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.64-71
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• 2004

Background: Video-assisted sympathicotomy is a safe and effective method for the treatment of essential hyperhidrosis with immediate symptomatic improvement. However, this is offset by the occurrence of a high rate of side-effects, such as embarrassing compensatory hyperhidrosis. Therefore, by comparing and assessing the relationship between temperature change measured by DITI (digital infrared thermographic imaging) and clinical results according to the level and extent of sympathicotomy in essential hyperhidrosis. we tried to obtain a more precisely and objectively, the distribution and degree of compensatory sweating by DITI and also for ascertaining the clinical usefulness. Material and Method: From January 2000 to June 2002, the thoracoscopic sympathicotomy was performed in 28 patients suffering from essential hyperhidrosis in Dept. of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Wonkwang University Hospital. The patients were divided into four groups, Group I: patients having undergone T2 sympathicotomy, Group II: patients having undergone T3 sympathicotomy, Group III: patients having undergone T3,4 sympathicotomy, and Group IV: patients having undergone T2,3,4 sympathicotomy. The parameters were composed of the satisfaction rate of treatment, the degree of compensatory and plantar sweating, and temperature changes of entire body measured by DITI Result: There was no difference in age and follow-up period among the groups. All of the treated patients obtained satisfactory alleviation of essential hyperhidrosis in immediate postoperative period. However, the rate of long-term satisfaction were 85.8%, 85.8%, 42.9%, and 28.6% in group I, II, III, and IV (p<0.05). More than embarrassing compensatory sweating was present in 14.2%, 14.2%, 57.1%, 71.4% in group I, II, III, and IV (p<0.05) In regard to plantar sweating, decrease in sweating was expressed in each of four groups, but was not significant between groups. An apparent increase of temperature measured by DITI indicated sufficient denervation and predicted long-lasting relief of essential hyperhidrosis and also decrease in temperature of trunk and lower extremity by DITI had correlated well with postoperative satisfaction, and also postoperative compensatory sweating. Conclusion: We suggested that the incidence and degree of compensatory sweating was closely related to the site and the extent of thoracic sympathicotomy. Resection of the lower interganglionic neural fiber of the second thoracic sympathetic ganglion on the third rib is the most practical and minimally invasive treatment than other surgical methods. We were also to anticipated the distribution and degree of compensatory sweating by DITI precisely and objectively and for ascertaining the clinical usefulness.

• The Korean Journal of Vision Science
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.497-504
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• 2018

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the temperature changes of the ocular surface before and after cataract surgery using thermography of a thermal imaging camera. Methods : The study included 75 patients (75 eyes) aged from 50 to 79 years who underwent cataract surgery. In the past, those who underwent corneal-related surgery, wearing contact lens, disorder of tear secretion and taking medication for systemic disease were excluded from this study. The temperature changes of the eyeball surface were measured using a thermal imager (Cox CX series, Answer, Korea) following Tear Break Up Time (TBUT) test, Mcmonnies questionnaire and Schirmer's Test in real time, Results : While the temperature of preoperative ocular surface was $35.20{\pm}0.54^{\circ}C$ and that of postoperative temperature was $35.30{\pm}0.53^{\circ}C$, the difference was not significant. The temperature changes in the ocular surface were statistically significant at $-0.12{\pm}0.08{\Delta}$ ($^{\circ}C/sec$) before the surgery and $-0.18{\pm}0.07{\Delta}$ ($^{\circ}C/sec$) after the surgery. In comparison of the age groups, it was shown that the changes in the surface temperature before the surgery were from $-0.19{\pm}0.05{\Delta}$ ($^{\circ}C/sec$) to $-0.14{\pm}0.09{\Delta}$ ($^{\circ}C/sec$) in the 50s group, and from $-0.12{\pm}0.08{\Delta}$ ($^{\circ}C/sec$) to $-0.15{\pm}0.07{\Delta}$ ($^{\circ}C/sec$) in 60s group, and $-0.18{\pm}0.07{\Delta}$ ($^{\circ}C$) to $-0.12{\pm}0.08{\Delta}/sec$) in the 70s group, showing significant changes in the ocular surface temperature at all ages. Conclusion : Following the cataract surgery, all the indicators of dry eye syndrome were decreased, and eye surface temperature changes were significant. The thermography technique of the ocular surface would be expected to be useful for the evaluation of various dry eye syndromes because it is easy to evaluate dry eye syndrome noninvasively and can be quantified.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.469-475
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• 2008

Background: Video-assisted thoracic sympathicotomy is a definitive minimally invasive treatment for axillary hyperhidrosis. Different techniques exist for controlling axillary hyperhidrosis, but they are temporary and expensive. We compared the results after using two different levels of sympathicotomy for treating axillary hyperhidrosis: T3-T4 and T4. Material and Method: Between June 2002 and May 2007, 30 patients with isolated axillary hyperhidrosis underwent either T3-T4 or T4 thoracoscopic sympathicotomy in the Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery at Wonkwang University Hospital. The patients were divided into two groups. Group I (n=15) was composed of patients who underwent T3-T4 sympathicotomy (thermal ablation), and Group II (n=15) was composed of patients who underwent T4 sympathicotomy (thermal ablation). The procedures were bilateral and simultaneous, involving the use of two 2-mm trocars and a 0-degree 2-mm thoracoscope under general anesthesia with single endotracheal intubation. Outcome parameters included satisfaction rate of treatment, degree of compensatory sweating, and postoperative complications. Patients were interviewed by telephone regarding satisfaction and compensatory hyperhidrosis. Result: There were no differences in age between group I and group II. The mean follow-up for the T3-T4 group was $38.7{\pm}2.3$ months, and the mean follow-up for the T4 group was $18.7{\pm}3.6$ months. The immediate therapeutic success rate (within 2 weeks postoperative) was 100% in both groups, and there were no recurrences in either group during the long-term follow-up period. The satisfaction rate was higher (93.3%) in the T4 group than in the T3-T4 group (53.3%), and the incidence of compensatory hyperhidrosis was lower in the T4 group (6.7%) than in the T3-T4 group (46.7%). Postoperative complications included one mild pneumothorax and two instances of intercostal neuralgia. Digital infrared thermographic imaging (DITI) correlated well with postoperative satisfaction. Conclusion: Both techniques proved effective for controlling isolated axillary hyperhidrosis. The T4 group had a higher satisfaction rate and lower severity of compensatory hyperhidrosis. Hence, thermal ablation of the lower interganglionic fibers of the third thoracic sympathetic ganglion on the fourth rib is a more practical and minimally invasive treatment than is the T3-T4 surgical method, according to the degree of compensatory sweating in isolated axillary hyperhidrosis.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.1-17
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• 2005

Objective : This empirical research is performed to recognize diagnostic concept, pattern identification, and clinical features of Hwa-byung. In other words, the aims of this research are to examine the differences of the diagnosis between Hwa-Byung and the other psychiatric disorders, and to find out pattern identification, and clinical characteristics of Hwa-Byung for prescriptions of this syndrome. Method : In the experiment, there were participated 30 patients who were met for our criterions according to HBDIS (Hwa-Byung Diagnostic interview Schedule). These patients were diagnosed as Axis1 according to criterions of DSM-IV with administering SCID-I. OMS-prime was utilized for finding out pattern identification of oriental medicine. Symptom Check List-90-Revision(SCL-90-R), Hemilton rating Scale for Depression(HRSD), Heart Rate Variability(HRV), and Digital Infrared Thermographic imaging(D.I.T.I.) were also utilized to discover clinical characteristics of Hwa-Byung Patients. Results : 1. Regarding Sex-ratio, male subjects were 3(10%), and female subjects are 27(90%). The age of subjects ranged from 22 year old to 75 $(51.87{\pm}11.04;\:Mean{\pm}SD)$ 2. In the results of diagnosis on the basis of DSM-IV, the 17(56.67%) patients were MOD (Major Depressive Disorder), the 5(16.67%) patients were USD (Undifferentiated Somatoform Disorder), the 4(13.33%) patients were Dysthymic Disorder, the 3(10%) patients were GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder), and the 1(3.33%) was Panic Disorder. Two of the patients who diagnosed as MOD were diagnosed as Panic Disorder too, and one of them was diagnosed as Pain Disorder too. 3. Regarding pattern identification, Hwa-Byung is positively correlated to deficiency of Heart(心). and then to stagnancy of Liver-Gall bladder. Hwa-Byung is correlated deficiency symptom-complex rather than excessiveness symptom-complex. That is also correlated positively to Pathological heat and fire. 4. In SCL90-R, the mean of PSDI was $(75.3{\pm}10.7;\:Mean{\pm}SD)$. The each mean of the other 11 factors was distributed between50-70. 5. The mean of HRSD was $(17.9{\pm}5.6;\:Mean{\pm}SD)$ in the entire subject's group. Then the group of MDD was $20.9{\pm}4.4$ and the group of USD was $12.0{\pm}4.8$ 6. In the results of HRV. the mean of TP is $972.4{\pm}1174(Mean{\pm}SD)$, this is lower than normal range 1000-200. The other factors were within normal range. Then, there were no significant differences between them (p<0.05). 7. The temperatures of each acupoint have significant differences between HNl(印堂) and PC6(內關), between CV17(顫中) and PC6(內關), between HN1(印堂) and CV8(神闕), between CV17(顫中) and CV8(神闕) in comparison with the average of body temperature in the use of D.I.T.I. (p<0.01) 8. In the analysis of correlation between SCL-90-R, HRSD, HRV. and D.I.T.I. there were no significant results. According to results that the correlation was analyzed with only the MDD group as subjects, there was negative correlation between RMSSD of HRV and HRSD, between LF of HRV and PDSIof SCL-90-R, and between LF/HF of HRV and ANX, PSY, and PDSI of SCL-90-R. Conclusion : In the observation of clinical features of 30 cases of Hwa-Byung patients by using diverse structured tests, there could make diverse diagnosis as depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and Somatoform Disorder. Particularly. MDD was highly distributed. Considering oriental medicine's pattern identification of Hwa-Byung, this syndrome is related strongly to Heart, and there were demonstrated deficiency symptom-complex, and Pathological heat and fire. One of the limits of this study is lack of control subject's group, therefore, in the future study, it requires reexamination through a comparative research with these data to complete this study.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.222-247
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• 1999

The back ground and purpose : The acupuncture of oriental medicine is very important in treatments. Until now it has been researched according to the meridian and qi xue(氣血) phenomenon of oriental medicine's theory. As electroacupuncture is one of acupuncture treatments, it will show more objective index to observe the meridian and qi xue(氣血) phenomenon. And then, I studied the effects on the thermal change of the face following electroacupuncture treatment. Objective and Methods : This study was performed from January 1999 to March 1999 on 10 healthy students. The objective was divided into three groups, those were the control group A(n=10), the group B(n=10) of electroacupuncture on Hapkok($LI_4$), Samgan($LI_3$) and the group C(n=10) of electroacupuncture on Shinmun($H_7$), T' ongni($H_5$). First, in the control group A, we took a picture for 10 men without any stimulation with the Digital Infrared Thermograph Imaging(D.I.T.I.) and did 3min after, 10min after, 15min after, 25min after, 45min after respectively. Second, in the electroacupuncture treatment group B, we took a picture for 10 men without any stimulation, and then treat electroacupuncture on Hapkok($LI_4$), Samgan($LI_3$) and took a picture immediately(3min after), 10min after, 15min after and remove needle and took a picture in the same way respectively. Third, in the electroacupuncture treatment group C, we took a picture for 10 men without any stimulation, and then treat electroacupuncture on Shinmun($H_7$), T'ongni($H_5$) and took a picture in the second way respectively. Results: 1. In healthy men, average skin temperture about Yonghyang($LI_{20}$) area was higher than Soryo($G_{25}$) or Chich'ang($S_4$) area. They were Soryo($G_{25}$) area $31.495{\pm}0.766^{\circ}C$, Rt. Yonghyang($LI_{20}$) area $31.664{\pm}0.936^{\circ}C$, Lt. Yonghyang ($LI_{20}$)area $31.686{\pm}0.767^{\circ}C$, Rt. Chich'ang($S_4$) area $31.226{\pm}0.875^{\circ}$, Lt. Chich'ang ($S_4$) area $31.453{\pm}0.855^{\circ}C$. 2. In the control group A, the skin temperature of Soryo($G_{25}$) showed the increase or decrease in below ${\Delta}0.1^{\circ}C\;except\;0.265{\pm}0.594^{\circ}C$ in 25min, but not significantly. 3. About Soryo($G_{25}$) area, the skin temperature decreased significantly after electroacupuncture immediately. ${\Delta}T $of the group B was $-0.970{\pm}0.87\;1^{\circ}C$, which was larger than one of the group C which was $-0.707{\pm}0.624^{\circ}C$ at 3min. And then ${\Delta}T$ of the group C was increase valuable at 25min, 45min. 4. About Yonghyang($L1_{25}$) area, the left ${\Delta}T$ of the group B showed below $0.2^{\circ}C$ or so in contrast to the right it. In the group C, on the both side showed continous increase of temperature as following times. 5. About Chich'ang($S_4$) area, the skin temperature increased valuable $0.3^{\circ}C$ or so on the both side and later inclined to decrease in the group B but not significantly. In the group C, it increased valuable on the both side. 6. The skin temperature of electroacupuncture treatment group B, C were more increase than the control group A except Lt. Yonghyang($LI_{20}$) area in the group B. The temperature of group C were more increase than the group B wholly. Conclusion : The above results indicate that D.I.T.I. is a useful method to observe and fallow-up the effects and the changes by electroacupuncture stimulation on objective evaluation of phenomenon for the meridian system and character. Thus, continuous thermographic study will be needed for more clinical application such as acupuncture and medicine or laser therapy according to oriental medicine.