Korean Journal of Acupuncture

Society for Meridian and Acupoint (경락경혈학회)
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Utilizing the Application of High-Intensity Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (YAG) Lasers Focused on Acupoint Irradiation

경혈 조사를 중심으로 본 고출력 Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (YAG) 레이저의 활용

  • Maeum Lee (Korean Medical Association for Laser Therapy) ;
  • Yoomin Choi (Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Woosuk University) ;
  • Subin Ahn (Department of Internal Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Woosuk University) ;
  • Gihyang Lee (Department of Internal Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Woosuk University) ;
  • Eunhee Lee (Department of Korean Obstetrics & Gynecology, College of Korean Medicine, Woosuk University) ;
  • Myungjin Yim (Springway Medical Clinic, China) ;
  • Hyung-Sik Seo (Department of Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology, Dermatology and Surgery, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University) ;
  • Eui-hyoung Hwang (Third Division of Clinical Medicine, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University) ;
  • Insoo Jang (Department of Internal Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Woosuk University)
  • 이마음 (한방레이저의학회) ;
  • 최유민 (우석대학교 한의과대학 침구의학교실) ;
  • 안수빈 (우석대학교 한의과대학 한방내과학교실) ;
  • 이기향 (우석대학교 한의과대학 한방내과학교실) ;
  • 이은희 (우석대학교 한의과대학 한방부인과학교실) ;
  • 임명진 ;
  • 서형식 (부산대학교 한의학전문대학원 한방안이비인후피부외과학교실) ;
  • 황의형 (부산대학교 한의학전문대학원 임상의학3교실) ;
  • 장인수 (우석대학교 한의과대학 한방내과학교실)
  • Received : 2023.12.04
  • Accepted : 2023.12.20
  • Published : 2023.12.27
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Abstract

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate on the application of the yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) lasers for acupoints irradiation. Methods : We conducted a systematic search for peer-reviewed studies published from inception to November 2023, in the following electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science in English, Science ON, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS) and Research Information Sharing Service (RISS) in Korean, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wanfang in Chinese, and Japan Science Technology Information Aggregator, Electronic (J-STAGE) and Citation Information by NII (CiNii) in Japanese. Inclusion criteria were original articles including clinical and experimental studies related with YAG lasers for acupoints including Ashi or meridian sinews. Results : Among the 8 selected studies, there were 7 studies on human subjects and 1 study on animals, 7 studies on Nd:YAG (1,064 nm) laser, and 1 study on Er:YAG (2,940 nm) laser. A total of 16 acupoints were used, 15 of which were in the face and 1 of which was located in the foot. In addition, there were two studies using Ashi. 4 studies looked at the effect of pain relief, 2 studies looked at safety, 1 study looked at changes in blood flow, and 1 study looked at the effect of skin care. There were no reported adverse events, and the YAG laser was confirmed to be safe and effective in pain relief, beautifying the skin, and increasing blood flow. Conclusions : We suggest that high intensity YAG lasers can be applied to laser acupuncture or laser moxibustion. YAG lasers are considered to be worth using for various clinical indications of Korean medicine because of photobiomodulation effects, analgesic action, and deep penetration depth. Further scientific research and clinical evidences should be warranted.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

이 성과는 정부(과학기술정보통신부)의 재원으로 한국연구재단의 지원을 받아 수행된 연구임(No. 2022R1C1C101109612).

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