Objectives : This study was designed to find out the differences of the acupuncture sensation by type of pharmacopuncture. And furthermore we try to find out whether normal saline(NS) is able to be constituted as an appropriate control group for the Calculus Bovis • Fel Ursi ․ Moschus(BUM) pharmacopuncture, mountain ginseng pharmacopuncture and sciatica no. 5 pharmacopuncture. Methods : NS and three type of pharmacopunctures were inserted into ST36, and ST37 of the subjects. Before and after the treatment, subjects completed a questionnaire rating the intensity of 13 kinds of acupuncture sensation(acupuncture sensation scale, ASS). We compared the subjective acupuncture sensation between the NS and three type of pharmacopunctures. Results : BUM pharmacopuncture showed significantly intense acupuncture sensation comparing other two pharmacopunctures and NS. There was no statistically significant difference among mountain ginseng pharmacopuncture, sciatica no. 5 pharmacopuncture and NS. Conclusions : We found that NS may be able to be an placebo pharmacopuncture for mountain ginseng pharmacopuncture and sciatica no. 5 pharmacopuncture. Additional study is needed for placebo pharmacopuncture of BUM pharmacopuncture.

Objectives : This study was designed to find out the differences of the acupuncture sensation by body parts. Methods : Sixty-three subjects got acupuncture at five acupoints which represent five different body parts ; head(GV20), abdomen(ST25), back(BL24), upper extremity(LU9), lower extremity(GB40). All subjests were asked to complete questionnaire rating the intensity of 13 kinds of acupuncture sensation(acupuncture sensation scale, ASS). We compared the subjective acupuncture sensation between the body parts. Results : Intensity of acupuncture sensation of GV20 was significantly lower than LU9(p=0.001) and GB40(p=0.000). Sum of acupuncture sensation of GV20 was also significantly lower than BL24(p=0.011), LU9(p=0.004) and GB40(p=0.033). Among the 13 types of acupuncture sensation scale, tingling and aching were well sensed at GV20 and ST25, aching, tingling and sharp pain were well sensed at LU9, GB40, dull pain, deep pressure and heaviness were well sensed at BL24. Conclusions : Head showed significantly lower intensity of acupuncture sensation than upper extremity and lower extremity. Among the acupuncture sensation scales, tingling and aching were well sensed at head and abdomen, aching, tingling and sharp pain were well sensed at upper extremity and lower extremity, dull pain, deep pressure and heaviness were well sensed at back.

Objjectives : This study is performed to develop the oriental medical rating scale of knee pain and to assess its validity. Methods : 250 knee pain patients completed the previously accepted rating scale of knee pain(VAS, WOMAC(pain, function, stiffness), 6 minute walk test(number of steps, distance)) and oriental medical rating scale of knee pain which was developed by Hwang et al at 2012, before and after the 6 weeks acupuncture treatment. Comparing these results, we assessed the validity of oriental medical rating scale. Results : Comparing oriental medical rating scale of knee pain before acupuncture treatment with VAS, WOMAC(pain, function, stiffness) and 6 minute walk test(number of steps, distance), oriental medical rating scale showed correlation with VAS, WOMAC(pain, function, stiffness) and showed the highest correlation with WOMAC(function). Comparing the change of oriental medical rating scale of knee pain after 6 weeks of acupuncture treatment with the change of VAS, WOMAC(pain, function, stiffness) and 6 minute walk test(number of steps, distance) after 6 weeks, change of oriental medical rating scale showed correlation with the change of VAS, WOMAC(pain, function, stiffness) and showed the highest correlation with the change of WOMAC(function). Through factor analysis of oriental medical rating scale items, 4 factors(pain, swelling, deformation of the knee, thermal sense of the knee), 17 items were extracted. Conclusions : Oriental medical rating scale of knee pain reflected the patient's pain, functional limitation and stiffness well. And oriental medical rating scale reflected the patient's functional improvement after the treatment well.