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Park DY, Ahn J, Park HJ, Lee DS, Jo DH, Kim J, Kim C, Chung H, Hwang JH. Morphological and Chemical Analysis of Various Disposable Acupuncture Needles Used in South Korea. J Pharmacopuncture 2022; 25:382-389. [PMID: 36628346 PMCID: PMC9806154 DOI: 10.3831/kpi.2022.25.4.382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives The Korean Industrial Standard (KS) for sterile acupuncture needles was established in 2009 based on research on the quality control of acupuncture needles. We aimed to determine the quality of acupuncture needles available in South Korea in 2021 by examining their surface condition and chemical composition using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Methods In South Korea, there are 23 brands of acupuncture needles, and we examined 10-15 needles from each brand, resulting in a total of 285 needles. The microstructures of the needles were assessed by SEM. Using SEM images, we evaluated the acupuncture needle tips for the following defects/aspects scratches, lumps, detached coating, bent tip, and tip sharpness. EDS was used to determine the chemical composition of the selected acupuncture needles. Results Overall, 88.4% of 285 needles were found to have at least one type of abnormality. The most frequently observed abnormalities were scratches and dents on the surface (68.1%), followed by detached coating (63.2%), and lumps (61.8%); blunt tips were observed in about 24% of them. Of 252 needles with at least one defect, 86.9% had two or more types of defects. The ratio of the number of needles with any defect to that of needles without any defect varied among brands, ranging from 50% to 100%. Regarding foreign materials, higher proportions of Si and O were observed on the needles, indicating incomplete or detached silicone coating. Conclusion The quality of acupuncture needles varied among brands, suggesting that further improvements can be made through various inspection methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Yong Park
- Smart Manufacturing Technology R&D Group, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
| | - JiYoon Ahn
- Medistream Co., Ltd, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeon Jeong Park
- Smart Manufacturing Technology R&D Group, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
| | - Doo Suk Lee
- Medistream Co., Ltd, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae-Hyun Jo
- Medistream Co., Ltd, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | | | | | | | - Ji Hye Hwang
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Gachon University, Seongnam, Republic of Korea,Corresponding Author Ji Hye Hwang, Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Gachon University, 1332 Seongnam-daero, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam 13120, Republic of Korea, Tel: +82-32-770-1342, E-mail:
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Yu S, Ortiz A, Gollub RL, Wilson G, Gerber J, Park J, Huang Y, Shen W, Chan ST, Wasan AD, Edwards RR, Napadow V, Kaptchuk TJ, Rosen B, Kong J. Acupuncture Treatment Modulates the Connectivity of Key Regions of the Descending Pain Modulation and Reward Systems in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain. J Clin Med 2020; 9:E1719. [PMID: 32503194 PMCID: PMC7356178 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9061719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic low back pain (cLBP) is a common disorder with unsatisfactory treatment options. Acupuncture has emerged as a promising method for treating cLBP. However, the mechanism underlying acupuncture remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the modulation effects of acupuncture on resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) of the periaqueductal gray (PAG) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) in patients with cLBP. Seventy-nine cLBP patients were recruited and assigned to four weeks of real or sham acupuncture. Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were collected before the first and after the last treatment. Fifty patients completed the study. We found remission of pain bothersomeness in all treatment groups after four weeks, with greater pain relief after real acupuncture compared to sham acupuncture. We also found that real acupuncture can increase VTA/PAG rsFC with the amygdala, and the increased rsFC was associated with decreased pain bothersomeness scores. Baseline PAG-amygdala rsFC could predict four-week treatment response. Our results suggest that acupuncture may simultaneously modulate the rsFC of key regions in the descending pain modulation (PAG) and reward systems (VTA), and the amygdala may be a key node linking the two systems to produce antinociceptive effects. Our findings highlight the potential of acupuncture for chronic low back pain management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyi Yu
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; (S.Y.); (A.O.); (R.L.G.); (G.W.); (J.P.); (Y.H.); (W.S.)
| | - Ana Ortiz
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; (S.Y.); (A.O.); (R.L.G.); (G.W.); (J.P.); (Y.H.); (W.S.)
| | - Randy L. Gollub
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; (S.Y.); (A.O.); (R.L.G.); (G.W.); (J.P.); (Y.H.); (W.S.)
| | - Georgia Wilson
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; (S.Y.); (A.O.); (R.L.G.); (G.W.); (J.P.); (Y.H.); (W.S.)
| | - Jessica Gerber
- Department of Radiology, Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; (J.G.); (S.-T.C.); (V.N.); (B.R.)
| | - Joel Park
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; (S.Y.); (A.O.); (R.L.G.); (G.W.); (J.P.); (Y.H.); (W.S.)
| | - Yiting Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; (S.Y.); (A.O.); (R.L.G.); (G.W.); (J.P.); (Y.H.); (W.S.)
| | - Wei Shen
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; (S.Y.); (A.O.); (R.L.G.); (G.W.); (J.P.); (Y.H.); (W.S.)
| | - Suk-Tak Chan
- Department of Radiology, Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; (J.G.); (S.-T.C.); (V.N.); (B.R.)
| | - Ajay D. Wasan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Center for Pain Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, USA;
| | - Robert R. Edwards
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02467, USA;
| | - Vitaly Napadow
- Department of Radiology, Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; (J.G.); (S.-T.C.); (V.N.); (B.R.)
| | - Ted J. Kaptchuk
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA;
| | - Bruce Rosen
- Department of Radiology, Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; (J.G.); (S.-T.C.); (V.N.); (B.R.)
| | - Jian Kong
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; (S.Y.); (A.O.); (R.L.G.); (G.W.); (J.P.); (Y.H.); (W.S.)
- Department of Radiology, Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; (J.G.); (S.-T.C.); (V.N.); (B.R.)
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Mei L, Long X, Diao Y, Yu H, Yang W, Standish LJ, Qiu B. Mri Evaluation of Metal Acupuncture Needles. Acupunct Med 2018; 31:404-8. [DOI: 10.1136/acupmed-2013-010392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Objective To evaluate the MR compatibility of three metal acupuncture needles (a standard stainless steel needle, a gold needle and an austenitic stainless steel needle) by comparing their imaging artefacts, radiofrequency heating effects and ease of operation. Methods The MRI artefacts of the three metal needles were first evaluated by placing them in an agar gel phantom and performing MRI of the phantom. The increase in temperature during MRI was recorded using an MR-compatible fibreoptic thermometer. MRI of acupuncture at SP6 was performed using the MR-compatible gold needle and the austenitic stainless steel needle. Results The standard stainless steel acupuncture needle produced large imaging artefacts on MRI. The gold needle was superior for MRI but not rigid enough for some clinical applications such as scalp acupuncture. The austenitic stainless steel needle is non-ferromagnetic and compatible with MRI. None of these acupuncture needles introduced radiofrequency heating during MRI. Conclusions The evaluation of MR compatibility showed that gold and austenitic stainless steel needles are MR-compatible and therefore can be used for MRI of acupuncture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Mei
- Paul C Lauterbur Research Centers for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- School of Electronic and Information Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaojing Long
- Paul C Lauterbur Research Centers for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yanjun Diao
- Paul C Lauterbur Research Centers for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Shenzhen International TCM Training Center, Shenzhen Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Haibo Yu
- Shenzhen International TCM Training Center, Shenzhen Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Wanzhang Yang
- Department of Rehabilitation, Shenzhen Nanshan Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Leanna J Standish
- Bastyr University Research Institute, Bastyr University, Kenmore, Washington, USA
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Bensheng Qiu
- Paul C Lauterbur Research Centers for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Bastyr University Research Institute, Bastyr University, Kenmore, Washington, USA
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Tzou CHJ, Yang TY, Chung YC. Evaluation of heat transfer in acupuncture needles: convection and conduction approaches. J Acupunct Meridian Stud 2015; 8:77-82. [PMID: 25952124 DOI: 10.1016/j.jams.2014.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2014] [Revised: 07/08/2014] [Accepted: 07/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Originating in ancient China, acupuncture using needles has been developed for thousands of years and has received attention for its reported medical remedies, such as pain relief and chronic disease treatment. Heat transfer through the needles, which might have effects on the biomechanism of acupuncture, providing a stimulus and regulating homeostasis, has never been studied. This article analyzes the significance of heat transfer through needles via convection and conduction, approached by means of computational analysis. The needle is a cylindrical body, and an axis symmetrical steady-state heat-transfer model that viscosity and static pressure was not applied. This article evaluates heat transfer via acupuncture needles by using five metal materials: silver, copper, brass, iron, and stainless steel. A silver needle of the type extensively applied in acupuncture can dissipate more than seven times as much heat as a stainless steel needle of the same type. Heat transfer through such a needle is significant, compared to natural body-energy consumption over a range of ambient temperatures. The mechanism by which heat flows in or out of the body through the needles may be crucial in the remedial efficacy of acupuncture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chieh-Han John Tzou
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Tzyy-Yih Yang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Taipei Chengshih University of Science and Technology, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Chien Chung
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Taipei Chengshih University of Science and Technology, Taipei, Taiwan.
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He T, Zhu W, Du SQ, Yang JW, Li F, Yang BF, Shi GX, Liu CZ. Neural mechanisms of acupuncture as revealed by fMRI studies. Auton Neurosci 2015; 190:1-9. [PMID: 25900479 DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2015.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2014] [Revised: 03/20/2015] [Accepted: 03/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
As an ancient therapeutic method, acupuncture has been used to treat many diseases as an adjunctive therapy. However, its clinical efficacy remains controversial and the neural mechanisms have not been well understood. Accumulating studies have revealed that fMRI has made it possible to study brain responses to acupuncture. This review aims to provide scientific evidence to support the notion and discuss how these findings contribute to the neural mechanisms of acupuncture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian He
- Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University, 23 Meishuguanhou Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100010, China
| | - Wen Zhu
- Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University, 23 Meishuguanhou Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100010, China
| | - Si-Qi Du
- Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University, 23 Meishuguanhou Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100010, China
| | - Jing-Wen Yang
- Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University, 23 Meishuguanhou Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100010, China
| | - Fang Li
- Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University, 23 Meishuguanhou Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100010, China
| | - Bo-Feng Yang
- Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University, 23 Meishuguanhou Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100010, China
| | - Guang-Xia Shi
- Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University, 23 Meishuguanhou Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100010, China
| | - Cun-Zhi Liu
- Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University, 23 Meishuguanhou Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100010, China.
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Correlation between the Effects of Acupuncture at Taichong (LR3) and Functional Brain Areas: A Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study Using True versus Sham Acupuncture. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2014; 2014:729091. [PMID: 24963329 PMCID: PMC4055001 DOI: 10.1155/2014/729091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2013] [Revised: 05/08/2014] [Accepted: 05/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has been shown to detect the specificity of acupuncture points, as proved by numerous studies. In this study, resting-state fMRI was used to observe brain areas activated by acupuncture at the Taichong (LR3) acupoint. A total of 15 healthy subjects received brain resting-state fMRI before acupuncture and after sham and true acupuncture, respectively, at LR3. Image data processing was performed using Data Processing Assistant for Resting-State fMRI and REST software. The combination of amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo) was used to analyze the changes in brain function during sham and true acupuncture. Acupuncture at LR3 can specifically activate or deactivate brain areas related to vision, movement, sensation, emotion, and analgesia. The specific alterations in the anterior cingulate gyrus, thalamus, and cerebellar posterior lobe have a crucial effect and provide a valuable reference. Sham acupuncture has a certain effect on psychological processes and does not affect brain areas related to function.
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Xie YM, Xu S, Zhang CS, Xue CC. Examination of surface conditions and other physical properties of commonly used stainless steel acupuncture needles. Acupunct Med 2014; 32:146-54. [PMID: 24522003 PMCID: PMC3995252 DOI: 10.1136/acupmed-2013-010472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The present work examined the surface conditions and various other physical properties of sterilised single-use stainless steel acupuncture needles from two of the most popular brands widely used in many countries. METHODS Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images were taken for 10 randomly chosen needles from each brand. Further SEM images were taken after each of these needles underwent a standard manipulation with an acupuncture needling practice gel. A comparison of forces and torques during the needling process was also carried out. RESULTS The SEM images revealed significant surface irregularities and inconsistencies at the needle tips, especially for needles from one of the two brands. Metallic lumps and small, loosely attached pieces of material were observed on the surfaces of some needles. Some of the lumps and pieces of material seen on the needle surfaces disappeared after the acupuncture manipulation. If these needles had been used on patients, the metallic lumps and small pieces of material could have been deposited in human tissues, which could have caused adverse events such as dermatitis. Malformed needle tips might also cause other adverse effects including bleeding, haematoma/bruising, or strong pain during needling. An off-centre needle tip could result in the needle altering its direction during insertion and consequently failing to reach the intended acupuncture point or damaging adjacent tissues. CONCLUSIONS These findings highlight the need for improved quality control of acupuncture needles, with a view to further enhancing the safety and comfort of acupuncture users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Min Xie
- Centre for Innovative Structures and Materials, School of Civil, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, RMIT University, , Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Chen S, Bai L, Xu M, Wang F, Yin L, Peng X, Chen X, Shi X. Multivariate granger causality analysis of acupuncture effects in mild cognitive impairment patients: an FMRI study. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2013; 2013:127271. [PMID: 24023568 PMCID: PMC3760118 DOI: 10.1155/2013/127271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2013] [Revised: 04/11/2013] [Accepted: 06/02/2013] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Evidence from clinical reports has indicated that acupuncture has a promising effect on mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, it is still unknown that by what way acupuncture can modulate brain networks involving the MCI. In the current study, multivariate Granger causality analysis (mGCA) was adopted to compare the interregional effective connectivity of brain networks by varying needling depths (deep acupuncture, DA; superficial acupuncture, SA) and at different cognitive states, which were the MCI and healthy control (HC). Results from DA at KI3 in MCI showed that the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and hippocampus emerged as central hubs and had significant causal influences with each other, but significant in HC for DA. Moreover, only several brain regions had remarkable causal interactions following SA in MCI and even few brain regions following SA in HC. Our results indicated that acupuncture at KI3 at different cognitive states and with varying needling depths may induce distinct reorganizations of effective connectivities of brain networks, and DA at KI3 in MCI can induce the strongest and more extensive effective connectivities related to the therapeutic effect of acupuncture in MCI. The study demonstrated the relatively functional specificity of acupuncture at KI3 in MCI, and needling depths play an important role in acupuncture treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shangjie Chen
- Baoan Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen 518101, China
| | - Lijun Bai
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Maosheng Xu
- Baoan Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen 518101, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Baoan Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen 518101, China
| | - Liang Yin
- Baoan Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen 518101, China
| | - Xuming Peng
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, China
| | - Xinghua Chen
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, China
| | - Xuemin Shi
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 300193, China
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Integrative laser medicine and high-tech acupuncture at the medical university of graz, austria, europe. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2012; 2012:103109. [PMID: 22570669 PMCID: PMC3337619 DOI: 10.1155/2012/103109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2012] [Accepted: 01/30/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
At the moment, modernization of acupuncture has a high priority. On the traditional side, acupuncture has only recently been awarded the status of Intangible Cultural Heritage by the UNESCO. On the innovative side, high-tech acupuncture is a registered trademark in Austria. Acupuncture has been used for medical treatment for thousands of years. A large number of empirical data are available but the technical quantification of effects was not possible up to now. Using electroacupuncture, needle, or laser stimulation and modern biomedical techniques, it was possible for the first time to quantify changes in biological activities caused by acupuncture.
This paper which serves as introduction for the special issue “High-Tech Acupuncture and Integrative Laser Medicine” of the present journal, focuses on the latest innovative aspects that underline the further enhancement and development of acupuncture. Special emphasis is given to new methodological and technical investigations, for example, results obtained from all kinds of acupuncture innovations (e.g., teleacupuncture) and integrative laser medicine.
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