• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.15-28
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• 2011

Objectives : To understand the strength and weakness of traditional warm needle acupuncture based on existing research outcomes in Korea mostly and to suggest how to build the desirable warm needle acupuncture apparatus by overcoming demerits of traditional and currently existing ones. Methods : We searched warm needle relating papers in Korean with the key words of '온침, 화침, 열자극' by using DBpia, Journal of Korean Oriental Medical Society, Journal of Korean Acupuncture & Moxibustion Society and Journal of Society for Meridian and Acupoint. Degree dissertations in Korean were also searched with the same words through the search engine of Library of Kyung Hee University. We also searched with words of 'warm, thermal, heat, needle, acupuncture, temperature' via Pubmed and found a small number of English written papers and large number of Chinese written ones. To find english translated version of those papers, we googled with the same words with no success. Results : About 20 papers on warm needle acupuncture written in Korean were found and analyzed with respect to experimental factors that affected the thermal properties or the amount of heat stimulus of the acupuncture. More rigorous descriptions seemed to be required on the insertion depth, duration and manipulation of warm needle treatment. A basic heat transfer model was presented for the clarification of heat loss through the needle of warm needle acupuncture. Environmental factors such as air flow on the properties seems to be considered for the warm needle acupuncture. Conclusions : Papers on warm needle acupuncture were reviewed and analyzed based on their thermal properties and tools such as needles and moxa cones. Several suggestions were made on the descriptions relating the properties. Necessary specifications were introduced to aim modernized warm needle systems.

• 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.

• 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.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.57-67
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• 2016

Objectives: This paper was aim to report the effects of Sobokchukeo-tang-gagambang and warm needle therapy on the dysmenorrhea patients.Methods: The patients having treated with Sobokchukeo-tang-gagambang and warm needle therapy, from January 1st in 2014 until May 31st in 2016, was enrolled in this study. We collected and analyzed their age, accessory complaint except dysmenorrhea, treatment period, dosage of herbal medicine, diagnosed gynecological disease, remedies’ effectiveness, etc.Results: All of the patients treated with Sobokchukeo-tang-gagambang and warm needle therapy in this study were recovered. Also, correlation between the characteristic and recovery status of patients was not confirmed.Conclusions: Sobokchukeo-tang-gagambang and warm needle therapy is effective on patients having variable gynecological diseases. But the cases are very deficient, so we need to study about availability of Sobokchukeo-tang and warm needle therapy on dysmenorrhea more systematically.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.109-115
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• 2017

Objectives : Many researches have studied warm needling technique to standardize its treatment by temperature measurement and material differences in the effectiveness. The purpose of this study is to compare the temperature changes of the acupuncture needle shaft during the combustion process of the moxa stick to determine the heat transfer pattern of the warn needling. Methods : A moxa stick($7{\times}8mm$) was connected to one side of the needle shaft using a stainless steel needle(ø 0.3 mm, ø 0.5 mm, ø 0.8 mm, shaft length 40 mm) with the needle handle removed. During the warm needling, temperature changes of the needle shaft were observed with an infrared camera(Flir E30) and an infrared thermometer(TESTO 845). Results : In the normal condition, heat transmit of needle shaft increased at spots 10 mm and 25 mm below the moxa stick. The amount of heat transmit increased with the diameter of needle shaft. However, when the heat shield was installed to exclude radiant heat from the moxa stick, heat transfer was less at 10 mm below the moxa stick and no temperature change was observed at 25 mm below the moxa stick. Heat transfer by warm needling does not reach the end of needle shaft even in ø 0.8 mm needle. Conclusions : It is suggested that the radiant heat of moxa stick results in the heat transmit of acupuncture needle shaft. Thus, radiant heat transmit must be considered as one of the heat transfer characteristics of the warm needling.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.112-138
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to organize the research methods and results of studies related to the temperature of the warm needle for systematic utilization of warm needling technique. Methods: This study used the databases of nine (Pubmed, Science Direct, Cochrane Central, 4 Korean databases, CNKI, CiNii) to analyze temperature-related studies of the warm needle from 2000 to June 2019. Results: A total of 19 papers were included. Of these, 15 were used for mugwort, 2 for high frequency, and 1 for both mugwort and high frequency, and the other one for a ceramic heater. The maximum temperature rises as the amount of moxibustion increases. It is also affected by the density of moxa and the ignition part. There were 16 papers using stainless steel needles and 4 papers using a needle made of gold or silver to compare. In the area of the needle, the closer it is to moxibustion, the hotter it is. Compared to stainless steel needles, gold and silver needles showed almost twice the temperature. The effects of environment and radiant heat should be considered during warm needle procedures. Conclusions: There are various experimental methods such as warm needle technique materials, methods, measuring parts, measuring instruments, etc. The results were also very diverse. When setting the heating source, ignition part, size of moxibustion, etc. of warm needles, it should be implemented in a way that takes safety and validity into account. Considerations for temperature characteristics, radiant heat, etc. of warm needles will be needed when making warm needle apparatus.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.71-78
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• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report the combination effect of Chuna manipulation and warm needle acupuncture for a case of obstinate chronic tinnitus. Methods : We applied Danmuji Anchu Tracton technique, lateral pterygoid Chuna and warm needle acupuncture at SI19 once a day for 2 weeks. Visual analogue scale(VAS) was used for the intensity of tinnitus and tinnitus handicap inventory(THI) was evaluated. Results : VAS was improved from 6 to 2 in right ear, 4 to 1 in left ear after the treatment. THI was also improved from 54 to 34 after the treatmemt. Conclusions : The combined therapy of Chuna manipulation and warm needle acupuncture can be used for chronic tinnitus.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.69-78
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• 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 Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.111-119
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• 2014

Objectives This study aims to analyze a thermal distribution in biological living tissue during warm needling therapy by using a finite element method. The analysis provides an understanding of warm needling's efficacy and safety. Methods A model which consisted of four-layered tissue and stainless steel needle was adopted to analyze the thermal distribution in living tissue with a bioheat transfer analysis. The governing equation for the analysis was a Pennes' bioheat equation. A heat source characteristic of warm needling therapy was obtained by previous experimental measurements. The first analysis of the time-dependent temperature distribution was conducted through points on a boundary between the needle and the tissue. The second analysis was conducted to visualize the horizontal temperature distribution. Results When heat source's peak temperatures was above $500^{\circ}C$ and temperature rising rates were relatively slow, the peak temperature at skin surface exceeded a threshold of pain and tissue damage ($45^{\circ}C$), whereas when the peak temperature was around $400^{\circ}C$, the peak temperature at the skin surface was within a safe limit. In addition, the conduction of combustion energy from the moxa was limited to the skin layer around the needle. Conclusions The results suggest that the skin layer around the needle can be heated effectively by warm needling therapy, but it appears to have little effect at the deeper tissue. These findings enhance our understanding of the efficacy and the safety of the warm needling therapy.

• 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.