Vol.41 Article TypeCase ReportOriginal ArticleShort Communication

• Case Report 2024-07-24

  0 284 42

  

  

  Improvement of the Sequelae of Peripheral Facial Nerve Palsy in a Patient with Hemophilia Mainly Treated with Facial Chuna Manual Therapy: A Case Report

  Geumm Mi Lee , Jae Hyung Kim , Ga Young Choi , Jung Hee Lee , Jae Soo Kim , Hyun Jong Lee

  Journal of Acupuncture Research 2024; 41:143-148

  Abstract

  Full Text Cite Share

  Abstract : A patient with sequelae of peripheral facial nerve palsy (FNP) was mainly treated with facial chuna manual therapy (FCMT) for over 6 months. The patient was diagnosed with hemophilia B and C, so invasive treatments, such as acupuncture and pharmacopuncture, were precluded. The facial nerve grading system 2.0 (FNGS) and the House–Brackmann Grading Scale (HBGS), Peitersen, Murata, Mehta, and numeric rating scale (NRS) systems were used to measure treatment effectiveness. Each scale showed improvement: FNGS, 3 to 2; HBGS, 3 to 2; Peitersen scale, 2 to 1; Murata scale, 9 to 4; Mehta scale, 14 to 1; and NRS, 8.5 to 2.5. An overall improvement was evident in facial muscle strength, particularly in synkinesis. If acupuncture and pharmacopuncture are unavailable, FCMT alone may be effective in treating FNP sequelae.

• Original Article 2024-07-26

  0 189 25

  

  

  Health Perceptions of Police Officers in Korea: An Investigative Study

  Dongmin Lee , Seohyun Park , Byeong Kwan Woo , Yeon-Cheol Park , Jion Kim

  Journal of Acupuncture Research 2024; 41:149-159

  Abstract

  Full Text Cite Share

  Abstract : Background: Police officers are an occupational group with a high risk of developing musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and mental diseases because of the nature of their work. This study aimed to gain an understanding of job-related health risks by comparing overall health awareness, presence of physical and mental disabilities and their causes, medical use patterns, and quality of life of the general public through a survey.
  Methods: In this comparative study, police officer data were collected through a survey conducted from October 1, 2022, to November 15, 2022, and general public data from the 8th National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of Korea were used for comparison.
  Results: Police officers’ health perception of physical or mental disabilities was significantly more negative than that of the general public because of their work characteristics, patterns, and functions. In addition, police officers with disabilities had severe work and daily living limitations, and their awareness of their overall quality of life was low enough to warrant alarm. Despite their high rates of seeking treatment in medical institutions, continuous medical use was limited.
  Conclusion: More research on major diseases to which police officers are at risk of exposure is necessary to analyze risk factors and accumulate related data to systematize health management. In addition, Korean medicine treatment techniques with excellent disease prevention are recommended for the health management of police officers.

• Short Communication 2024-07-26

  0 404 48

  Developing an Integrated Acupuncture Protocol for Treating Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome: A Delphi Consensus Study

  Pradeep M.K. Nair , Gita Sharma , Deepika Singh , Mamta Jagwani , Anu Alias , Hassan Kodandarama Gurudatta , Radhakrishnan Shubha , Sreedhar Pulipatti , Nagaraja Nagajyothi , Anjali Sharma , Janak Bahadur Basnet , Kalpana Devi , Karuppaiah Muthukrishnan , Kajal Gupta

  Journal of Acupuncture Research 2024; 41:160-167

  Abstract

  Full Text Cite Share

  Abstract : The present study employs the Delphi method to devise a consensus-based protocol for utilizing integrated acupuncture in treating medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS). Twenty acupuncture experts contributed opinions across six key themes, including diagnosis, acupuncture points, additional Traditional Oriental Medicine modalities, treatment rationale, treatment duration/frequency, and integration of yoga/naturopathic therapies. Consensus, defined as a 70% agreement or higher, was reached on all themes, reflecting a collective acknowledgment of the necessity for a holistic approach to MTSS management. The final protocol includes six diagnostic criteria, six acupuncture points, one additional modality, two Traditional Oriental Medicine therapies, four treatment rationales, and six yoga/naturopathic therapies. The present comprehensive protocol offers valuable guidance for healthcare professionals seeking an integrated approach to MTSS management.

• Case Report 2024-08-01

  0 227 26

  

  

  Integrative Korean Medicine Treatment for Low Back Pain with Butterfly Vertebra: Two Clinical Cases

  Dong-Hwan Lee , Oh-Bin Kwon , Jae-Young Lee , Hyo-Rim Kim , Tae-Jun Lee , Sung-Hwan Cho , Kang-Moo Goo , Ja-Yean Son , Seok-Gyu Yang , Yu-Ra Im

  Journal of Acupuncture Research 2024; 41:168-175

  Abstract

  Full Text Cite Share

  Abstract : The butterfly vertebra is a rare congenital anomaly of the spine, which arises from an asymmetric fusion defect in the embryonic vertebral column. This report delineates an integrative Korean medicine treatment administered to two patients who presented with low back pain associated with asymptomatic butterfly vertebrae. The patients received comprehensive treatment comprising acupuncture, Chuna therapy, pharmacopuncture, herbal medicine, and cupping therapy. The efficacy of the treatments was assessed utilizing diverse parameters, including a numerical rating scale, range of motion of the lumbar spine, Oswestry Disability Index, EuroQoL 5-Dimension 5-Level, and patient global impression of change. After the treatment, a notable improvement was noted in the evaluated indicators. These positive outcomes suggest that integrative Korean medicine treatment is suitable for patients experiencing low back pain associated with asymptomatic butterfly vertebrae.

• Case Report 2024-08-26

  0 95 12

  

  

  Efficacy of Integrated Korean Medicine Treatment Including Motion-Style Acupuncture Treatment for L1 Burst Fracture and Bilateral Femoral Condyle, Proximal Tibial, and Proximal Fibular Comminuted Fractures: A Case Report

  Da Dam Kim , Seong Hyeon Jeon , Woo Young Kim

  Journal of Acupuncture Research 2024; 41:176-183

  Abstract

  Full Text Cite Share

  Abstract : This case report discusses a patient diagnosed with L1 burst fracture, right lateral femoral condyle and proximal tibial and fibular head and neck comminuted fractures, and left medial femoral condyle and suspected tibial fractures after a traffic accident. She received integrated Korean medicine treatment, including motion-style acupuncture treatment (MSAT), electroacupuncture, acupuncture, herbal medicine, moxibustion, and cupping therapy for 112 days. The scores improved for the low back pain Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) (from 7 to 3), Oswestry Disability Index (from 94 to 38), bilateral leg pain NRS (from 6 to 2), Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale (from 0 to 66), left ankle manual muscle test (from Poor− to Normal), Korean version of the modified Barthel index (from 32 to 92), and EuroQol 5-dimension 5-level (from 25 to 9), as did mobility. Radiological scans also showed fracture healing. This study suggests the potential of MSAT in high-energy polytrauma care, particularly for fractures.

• Short Communication 2024-08-26

  0 87 17

  

  

  Impact of Muscle Contraction and Acupuncture on the Electrical Impedance of the Heart Meridian Points in Healthy Young Adults

  Kelly Zhang , Gustavo Henrique de Mello Rosa , Isabela Mayumi Pupo Nogueira d’Àvila , Manoela Gallon Pitta , João Eduardo de Araujo

  Journal of Acupuncture Research 2024; 41:184-190

  Abstract

  Full Text Cite Share

  Abstract : Acupuncture involves stimulating points with lower electrical impedance (EI). Understanding EI changes with needle and exercise stimuli can elucidate acupuncture mechanisms. This study included 60 subjects, divided into control (C) and acupuncture (A) groups. EI was assessed at four points: 0 (before procedures), I (after handgrip protocol [HGP]), II (after 20 minutes of rest), and III (after 20 minutes of rest in C or stimulation in A, followed by HGP in both groups). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. In the A group, EI was significantly reduced at HT3, shown by increased % microampere when comparing assessments I, II, and III with assessment 0 (p < 0.005). Intergroup comparisons revealed a reduced % microampere when comparing assessments II (p < 0.02) and III (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, the stimulation of an acupoint over a motor nerve branch changes the EI.