• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.426-442
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• 2018

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effects of Zusanli and nonacupoint electroacupuncture stimulation on ultrasonographic gastric emptying and vital signs in eight healthy participants. Gastric emptying and its rate of change were analyzed to search for correlation with physical characteristics such as body mass index (BMI), sternocostal angle, and abdominal wall thickness. Methods: Eight healthy participants with no gastrointestinal disorders were enrolled in this study. Each participant went through three abdominal sonographies for gastric emptying assessment. At the second and third visits, participants received Zusanli and nonacupoint electroacupuncture stimulation in a random order. During the study period, we examined the BMI, sternocostal angle, and abdominal wall thickness of all participants. Vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature) were also examined before and after the electroacupuncture stimulation. Results: Electroacupuncture stimulation at Zusanli significantly improved gastric emptying when compared to nonacupoint stimulation. Gastric emptying showed a positive correlation with BMI, sternocostal angle, and abdominal wall thickness, but this correlation was statistically insignificant. The improvement rate of gastric emptying by Zusanli electroacupuncture stimulation showed a positive correlation with BMI and sternocostal angle and a negative correlation with abdominal wall thickness. However, such results were also statistically insignificant. Among vital signs, only heart rate showed a significant decrease according to Zusanli electroacupuncture stimulation. Conclusions: A significant effect of Zusanli electroacupuncture was confirmed through ultrasonographic gastric emptying in healthy participants.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.27-34
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• 2005

Objectives : To evaluate the pain improvement of the frozen shoulder patients taken the electro-acupuncture therapy using Visual Analogue Scale. Methods : The 38 frozen shoulder patients visited department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion in National Medical Center from 1st September 2004 to 28th February 2005 had taken the electroacupuncture therapy or body-acupuncture therapy more than 3 times.(Electroacupuncture group was 24 persons and body-acupuncture group was 14 persons.) We evaluated their improvement of shoulder pain using Visual Analog Scale(VAS) at each visit. Then we analyzed the pain improvement comparing with two groups. Results : Both VAS scores of electroacupuncture group and body-acupuncture group have significantly improved. VAS score at third visit of electroacupuncture group and body-acupuncture group have significantly improved. VAS score at third visit of electroacupuncture group was significantly lower than that of body-acupuncture group (p=0.0057). The decreased VAS score after first visit of electroacupuncture group was also significantly higher than that of body-acupuncture group(p=0.0225). Conclusion : The pain of electroacupuncture group decreased more than body-acupuncture group at early visit. But the total decreased VAS scores of two groups was not significantly different.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.374-397
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• 2004

This experiment was designed to investigate the analgesic effect of non-invasive electroacupuncture treatment on femoral head osteotomy in dogs. Twelve dogs were divided into 3 groups in this experiment. Electroacupuncture group was non-invasively electrostimulated in Huan Tiao (GB-30) acupoint for 10 minutes by 4.5V, 5Hz for 10 days. Medication group was treated with carprofen (4mg/kg, P.O.) for 10 days. Control group was not treated. Each group was pre-operatively and post-operatively scored by using VAS (Visual Analogue Scale), SDS (Simple Descriptive Scale), NRS (Numerical Rating Scale), and measured serum cortisol levels. The results of VAS, SDS and NRS in electroacupuncture and medication groups were better than those of control group. And, the results of electroacupuncture group were better than those of medication group since 6th day after osteotomy in pain management(p<0.05). But, there were no significances in serum cortisol level among 3 groups. In conclusion, non-invasive electroacupuncture treatment showed sufficient analgesic effect on postoperative pain management after femoral head osteotomy, and VAS, SDS, and NRS scoring system would be adapted in evaluation of pain management.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.59-66
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of electroacupuncture on pain threshold and 5-HT synthesis in raphe magnus nucleus of dog brain stem following nociception induced by 1% carageenan. Method: Twenty male dogs were randomly divided into two groups, a control group and an electroacupuncture group with the following parameters: ST36, LI11 and SP9 with 120Hz and 0.5mA. The dogs were sacrificed at 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 min after nociception using 1% carageenan injection into the plantar side of the dog's left leg. The pain threshold was recorded by an Analgesia-meter. After making brain slice sections, the tissues were immunostained with 5-HT antisera (1:2,500). Results: The pain threshold for the electroacupuncture group was higher than for the control group. The number of 5-HT immunoreactive neurons in the electroacupuncture group was greater than that of the control group. Differences between the two groups regarding the number of 5-HT immunoreactive neurons at 30 min and 60 min (p<0.05), at 120 min and 150 min (p<0.01), and at 8 days (p<0.05) were significant. Conclusion: The increases in pain threshold and number of 5-HT immunoreactive neurons in the raphe magnus nucleus of dog brain stem showed that electroacupuncture can attenuate pain transduction through the descending tract.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.257-263
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• 2011

This study was designed to investigate the effects of Hominis placenta pharmacopuncture treatment and electroacupuncture therapy on the functional recovery and histological change, protein expression in spinal cord injury(SCI) rats. Experimental groups were divided into the Group I(normal control rat), Group II(Non-treatment after spinal cord injury induction), Group III(Hominis placenta pharmacopuncture treatment after SCI induction), Group IV (Electroacupuncture therapy after SCI induction), Group V(Hominis placenta pharmacopuncture treatment and electroacupuncture therapy after SCI induction). After operation, rats were tested at modified Tarlov test at 1 to 3 days with divided into 4 groups, and motor behavior test(BBB locomotor rating scale, Grid walk test) was examined at 3, 7, 14, and 21 days. For the observation of damage change and size of the organized surface in muscle and spinal cord, histopathological studies were performed at 21 days by H & E stain, and BDNF & NT-3 protein expression studies were performed at 21 days. Acco rding to the results, Hominis placenta pharmacopuncture treatment and electroacupuncture therapy can play a role in facilitating recovery of locomotion following spinal cord injury. Specially, Hominis placenta pharmacopuncture treatment and electroacupuncture combimed therapy after SCI induction was most improvement in functional recovery, BDNF, and NT-3 protein synthesis.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.1-9
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• 2008

Objectives : This study was to investigate the effect of low frequency electroacupuncture according to acupoints combination on NOS positive neurons in the PAG and Hippocampus of Rat with adjuvant induced Rheumatoid arthritis. Methods : Arthritis was induced by intradermal injection of FCA into base of tail. Experimental group were divided into 6 group ; Normal, Control, $ST_{36}$, $SP_9$, $ST_{36}+SP_9$, and NA. Normal group was injected with normal saline and not treated electroacupuncture. Control group was injected with FCA and not treated electroacupuncture. ST36 group was injected with FCA and treated by 2 Hz electroacupuncture at $ST_{36}$. $SP_9$ group was injected with FCA and treated by 2 Hz electroacupuncture at $SP_9$. $ST_{36}+SP_9$ group was injected with FCA and treated by 2 Hz electroacupuncture at $ST_{36}+SP_9$. NA group was injected with FCA and treated by 2 Hz electroacupuncture at non acupoint. Each groups were evaluated by the number of NOS-positive neurons in PAG and hippocampus by using an image analyzer and a microscope. Results : 1. The number of NOS-positive neurons of the NA group were significantly decreased in the CA2-3. 2. The number of NOS-positive neurons of the ST36 group were significantly decreased in the PAG and CA2-3. 3. The number of NOS-positive neurons of the SP9 group were significantly decreased in the PAG and DG 4. The number of NOS-positive neurons of the ST36+SP9 group were significantly decreased in the PAG, CA1 and DG. Conclusions : It is expected that low frequency electroacupuncture can be used a treatment of rheumatoid arthritic pain and that treatment of electroacupuncture at combined acupoints is more efficient than treatment of low frequency electroacupuncture at one acupoint.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.179-187
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• 2008

Objectives & Methods : This study was to investigate effect of low frequency electroacupuncture on NADPH-d positive neurons in the brain cortex of rat with adjuvant induced rheumatoid arthritis. Experimental groups were divided into 6 groups ; Normal, Control, $ST_{36}$, $SP_9$, $ST_{36}+SP_9$ and Non-Acupoint. Normal group, non-arthritic group, was injected normal saline, and the other groups were injected FCA. Each acupoint groups were treated by 2Hz electroacupuncture at each acupoints and NA group was treated by 2Hz electroacupuncture at non-acupoint. Each groups were evaluated by the number of NADPH-d positive neurons in primary somatosensory area(S1), secondary somatosensory area(S2), motor area and caudate putamen by using an image analyzer and a microscope. Results : 1. In S1, the number of NADPH-d positive neuron cells in the $ST_{36}$ group were significantly(p<0.05) increased compared with the control group. 2. In S2, the number of NADPH-d positive neuron cells in all electroacupuncture groups were not significantly changed compared with the control group. 3. In motor area, the number of NADPH-d positive neuron cells in $ST_{36}$ group, $SP_9$ group, NA group were significantly(p<0.05) increased compared with the control group. 4. In Caudate putamen, the number NADPH-d positive neuron cells in all electroacupuncture groups were significantly(p<0.05) decreased compared with the control group. Conclusions : Our result demonstrated that low frequency electroacupuncture on $ST_{36}$ & $SP_9$ normalized expression of NADPH-d positive neurons in the brain cortex of the rheumatoid arthritis model in rats.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.1-19
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture for women with overactive bladder (OAB) comparing with sham- acupuncture, and electroacupuncture plus drugs. Methods: We searched 8 databases upto May 26, 2020. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were eligible. The risk of bias was assessed by two independent authors using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Study outcomes were calculated by standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (Cls) and mean differences (MD) with 95% Cls. Results: Of 146 screened, 5 RCTs were included. Number of participants per study ranged from 5 to 57. The combined results showed that electroacupuncture (EA) may be more effective than sham acupuncture or enhance solifenacin succinates in improving Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) and urination frequency of 24 h. However, more trials with high quality and larger sample sizes will be needed to provide sufficient evidence. Only 5 of 187 OAB patients from the included studies reported mild adverse reactions related to EA, therefore, electroacupuncture is safe for treating OAB. Conclusions: Electroacupuncture might have effect in decreasing urination frequency of 24 h and OABSS. However, the evidences ins in sufficient to show the effect using electroacupuncture alone or additional effect to drugs in treating OAB.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.1544-1548
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• 2008

The aim of this study is to learn the effects of ST36 ST44 and ST25 ST36 electroacupuncture stimulation on high fat diet-induced obese mouse. The control group was provided with high fat diet without electroacupuncture stimulation, while the experimental group received a electroacupuncture stimulation on ST36 ST44 and ST25 ST36 with three frequencies (10Hz, 100Hz, 200Hz) for 5 times a week during five week periods with the high fat diet. We investigated the body weight, weight gain, and food intake. After the electroacupuncture stimulation, a significant inhibition of increase in weight was found in the experimental group compared with the high fat diet group. But there were no significant differences made by the change of acupoint combinations and frequencies. After the electroacupuncture stimulation, no significant change was found in the food intakes, but the weight gain a week was decreased compared with the high fat diet group. Electroacupuncture stimulation may be effective in treatments of obesity to high fat diet, But no significant difference was found between three frequencies.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.79-89
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• 2009

Objectives : The aim of this study was to observe the effect of acupuncture and high frequency electroacupuncture at $ST_{39}$ on intestinal motility in rats. Methods: We made over-activated state of intestinal motility with carbachol and suppressed state of intestinal motility with loperamide in rat and carried out needle retention acupuncture and high frequency electroacupuncture at $ST_{39}$ or sham point in rat divided into pre-treatment group and post-treatment group. We fed charcoal to them after the treatment and measured the travel rate of charcoal in the gastrointestinal tract to observe intestinal motility. Results : Examining intestinal motility of normal rat treated with needle retention acupuncture at $ST_{39}$ significantly suppressed intestinal motility. Pre-treatment of needle retention acupuncture significantly suppressed intestinal motility in rat which over-activated with carbachol. Pre-treatment and post-treatment of high frequency electroacupuncture significantly suppressed intestinal motility in rat which over-activated with carbachol. All of the pre-treatment and post-treatment of needle retention acupuncture, high frequency electroacupuncture showed no significant effect than control group on intestinal motility of rat which was suppressed with loperamide. Conclusions : These results suggest that acupuncture and high frequency electroacupuncture at $ST_{39}$ have preventive and therapeutic effects on over-activated intestinal motility, and high frequency electroacupuncture is more effective.