Korean Pharmacopuncture Meets Austrian High-Tech Acupuncture - A Short Review Article Including a Bibliometric Analysis of Pharmacopuncture over the Last 15 Years - Pharmacopuncture and Europe

Litscher, Daniela,Litscher, Gerhard,Kang, Dae-In KOREAN PHARMACOPUNCTURE INSTITUTE 2013 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.16 No.1

Objective: Pharmacopuncture, a new therapy in traditional medicine, has attracted significant attention since its introduction to the Western world. This short review article employs a database analysis to examine the profile of publication activity related to pharmacopuncture. Methods: Three databases were searched: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane. About 300 papers related to the topic "pharmacopuncture" were found in these three most-commonly-used databases. Results: Fourteen papers are described in detail and are discussed in the context of the research performed at the Medical University of Graz, especially by the Frank Bahr Research Group "Auriculomedicine and Pharmacopuncture." Conclusion: High-tech research methods concerning future pharmacopuncture studies are briefly discussed.

The History of Liquid Ear Acupuncture and the Current Scientific State of the Art

Litscher, Daniela,Litscher, Gerhard KOREAN PHARMACOPUNCTURE INSTITUTE 2016 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.19 No.2

This short review article presents a current overview of existing publications and scientific results regarding liquid (ear) acupuncture. The injection of liquids into defined acupuncture points of the ear is not a method commonly used in the Western world. The term liquid acupuncture has different definitions, which makes understanding each definition and differentiating one from the other difficult. General terms like pharmacopuncture, homeosiniatry, and liquid acupuncture, which all describe the method of injecting different kinds of drugs into a defined body acupuncture point, are used. This article presents the history of liquid acupuncture, as well as the current scientific state of the art, from the point of view of two European researchers. Some articles are discussed and a few practical examples are presented.

The History of Liquid Ear Acupuncture and the Current Scientific State of the Art

Daniela Litscher,Gerhard Litscher 대한약침학회 2016 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.19 No.2

This short review article presents a current overview of existing publications and scientific results regarding liquid (ear) acupuncture. The injection of liquids into defined acupuncture points of the ear is not a method commonly used in the Western world. The term liquid acupuncture has different definitions, which makes understanding each definition and differentiating one from the other difficult. General terms like pharmacopuncture, homeosiniatry, and liquid acupuncture, which all describe the method of injecting different kinds of drugs into a defined body acupuncture point, are used. This article presents the history of liquid acupuncture, as well as the current scientific state of the art, from the point of view of two European researchers. Some articles are discussed and a few practical examples are presented.

Korean Pharmacopuncture Meets Austrian High- Tech Acupuncture - A Short Review Article Including a Bibliometric Analysis of Pharmacopuncture over the Last 15 Years - Pharmacopuncture and Europe

Daniela Litscher,Gerhard Litscher,Dae-In Kang 대한약침학회 2013 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.16 No.1

Objective: Pharmacopuncture, a new therapy in traditional medicine, has attracted significant attention since its introduction to the Western world. This short review article employs a database analysis to examine the profile of publication activity related to pharmacopuncture. Methods: Three databases were searched: PubMed,Embase, and Cochrane. About 300 papers related to the topic "pharmacopuncture" were found in these three most-commonly-used databases. Results: Fourteen papers are described in detail and are discussed in the context of the research performed at the Medical University of Graz, especially by the Frank Bahr Research Group "Auriculomedicine and Pharmacopuncture."Conclusion: High-tech research methods concerning future pharmacopuncture studies are briefly discussed.

Violet Laser Acupuncture—Part 1: Effects on Brain Circulation

Gerhard Litscher,Tao Huang,Lu Wang,Weibo Zhang 사단법인약침학회 2010 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.3 No.4

Violet laser acupuncture using a wavelength of 405 nm has been investigated in only a few scientific studies. The aim of this study was to provide selective evidence of a specific effect of violet laser acupuncture on mean cerebral blood flow velocity using a Doppler ultrasound technique. A transcranial Doppler sonography construction was developed especially for this study to monitor blood flow profiles in the basilar and middle cerebral arteries simultaneously and continuously. The acupuncture point Dazhui on the upper back was tested in a controlled study with 10 healthy volunteers (24.9 ± 3.3 years, mean age ± SD; 5 females, 5 males). In addition to an on/off-effect, violet laser stimulation increased the blood flow velocity in the basilar artery significantly (p < 0.001) compared with the reference interval before laser acupuncture. In the middle cerebral artery, only minimal, nonsignificant changes in blood flow velocity were seen. Metal needle acupuncture at the same point intensified the effects; however, blood flow profiles did not change significantly during and after stimulation with a deactivated violet laser.

Modernization of Traditional Acupuncture Using Multimodal Computer-based High-tech Methods-Recent Results of Blue Laser and Teleacupuncture From the Medical University of Graz

Gerhard Litscher 사단법인약침학회 2009 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.2 No.3

Basic and clinical research in traditional Chinese and Korean acupuncture has been performed at the Research Unit of Biomedical Engineering in Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine and the Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Center at the Medical University of Graz since 1997. This publication focuses on the latest innovative aspects that underline the further enhancement and development of acupuncture. In this context, novel biomedical and neuroscientific methods are of paramount importance for the fast and efficient modernization of the ancient Asian healing method. Traditional and future oriented acupuncture stimulation methods can be divided into manual needle, laser needle (blue, red and infrared laser light) and electrical punctual stimulation at the body, hand and ear. Special emphasis in this research article is given to totally new technical and methodological investigations, e.g. the first data published worldwide in medicine obtained with new blue laser acupuncture equipment. In this regard, critical summary and recent results from peripheral and central measurements during acupuncture stimulation using high-tech bioengineering assessment are given. In addition, we describe the first teleacupuncture performed between Asia and Europe. Basic and clinical research in traditional Chinese and Korean acupuncture has been performed at the Research Unit of Biomedical Engineering in Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine and the Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Center at the Medical University of Graz since 1997. This publication focuses on the latest innovative aspects that underline the further enhancement and development of acupuncture. In this context, novel biomedical and neuroscientific methods are of paramount importance for the fast and efficient modernization of the ancient Asian healing method. Traditional and future oriented acupuncture stimulation methods can be divided into manual needle, laser needle (blue, red and infrared laser light) and electrical punctual stimulation at the body, hand and ear. Special emphasis in this research article is given to totally new technical and methodological investigations, e.g. the first data published worldwide in medicine obtained with new blue laser acupuncture equipment. In this regard, critical summary and recent results from peripheral and central measurements during acupuncture stimulation using high-tech bioengineering assessment are given. In addition, we describe the first teleacupuncture performed between Asia and Europe.

Violet Laser AcupuncturedPart 4: Acute Effects on Human Arterial Stiffness and Wave Reflection

Gerhard Litscher,Lu Wang,Ingrid Gaischek,Xin-Yan Gao 사단법인약침학회 2011 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.4 No.3

We investigated the effects of violet laser acupuncture on arterial stiffness and other important parameters of the functional state of the heart such as augmentation index (AIx). This investigation ties together the medical perspectives of Eastern and Western medical practitioners; the Western medical perspective of the functional states of the human heart including systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and the Eastern medical perspective regarding taking patients’ pulses for diagnosis and using acupuncture for subsequent treatments. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a direct marker of arterial stiffness;AIx indicates wave reflection. Both parameters can be measured by cuff applied to the brachial artery. The first results from a pilot study of 10 healthy volunteers (M/F, 3/7;mean age ± SD, 27.8 ± 6.8 years) regarding violet laser acupuncture (405 nm; 110 mW;500 mm; 10 min) showed a marked but not statistically significant decrease in aortic PWV and an increase in brachial AIx during and after laser acupuncture at the acupoint Baihui. Further studies including control measurements are necessary.

Violet Laser AcupuncturedPart 3: Pilot Study of Potential Effects on Temperature Distribution

Gerhard Litscher,Lu Wang,Tao Huang,Weibo Zhang 사단법인약침학회 2011 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.4 No.3

Infrared thermography for temperature distribution monitoring was performed in ten healthy volunteers (M/F, 5/5; mean age SD, 24.9 3.3 years) before, during, and after stimulation by noninvasive violet (405 nm) laser needle at the Dazhui (GV14) acupoint. Significant (p < 0.001) increases of temperature at a region of interest around the acupoint were observed. Furthermore, temperature also increased significantly (p < 0.05)at a so-called “far field” area Zhiyang (GV9). In two persons, however, needle acupuncture and placebo (deactivated laser) did not have the same temperature effects. Violet laser induces changes in skin surface temperature distributions.

Transcontinental and Translational High-tech Acupuncture Research Using Computer-based Heart Rate and “Fire of Life” Heart Rate Variability Analysis

Gerhard Litscher,the Asian-Austrian High-tech Acupuncture 사단법인약침학회 2010 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.3 No.3

A variable heartbeat was considered a sign of good health by ancient Asian physicians. Today, new computer-based methods (e.g., “Fire of Life” analysis) allow quantification of heart rate and heart rate variability during acupuncture. The objective of this article is to compare different acupuncture methods to evaluate the influence of acupuncture on heart rhythm in short-term and long-term measurements. There were four main sections in this study: (A) a randomized controlled study using needle acupuncture and acupressure at Yintang (Ex1); (B) an innovative blue (violet) laser acupuncture randomized controlled study in Asian volunteers; (C) a comparative study using moxibustion methods; and (D) teleacupuncture. A total of 72 patients (mean age ± SD: 27.9 ± 8.6 years) were monitored over periods of 20 minutes to 24 hours in Asia and Austria. Acupuncture was performed with metal needles (in sections A, C and D) or blue laser (in section B) on Yintang, Neiguan, Guanyuan or a special acupuncture regimen for stress disorders (in sections A, B, C and D, respectively). Significant decreases in heart rate after verum intervention at Yintang, Neiguan and Guanyuan were found. Improvements in state of health following teleacupuncture were also noted. Computer-based heart rate and heart rate variability analysis was demonstrated to be effective in evaluating the status of health during acupuncture.

Violet Laser Acupuncture - Part 5: An Investigation of Different Stimulation Frequencies on Heart Rate and Variability

Wei He,Gerhard Litscher,Dominik Wedig,Ingrid Gaischek 사단법인약침학회 2012 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.5 No.6

Violet laser acupuncture was recently described by our research group. Neurochemical studies of acupuncture analgesia revealed that 2- and 100-Hz peripheral stimulation induce differential peptide release from preproenkephalin and preprodynorphin via different neural pathways. The goal of the fifth part of this series was to perform a pilot investigation on the effects of 2- and 100-Hz violet laser acupuncture on heart rate (HR) and its variability (HRV) in 13 healthy volunteers (mean age ± standard deviation: 23.9 ± 1.7 years) using a new non-invasive method. We found a significant difference in mean HR before, during, and after 2- or 100-Hz violet laser acupuncture, and there was a significant difference of the low frequency/ high frequency ratio before, during, and after 2- or 100-Hz violet laser acupuncture. However, we did not observe a significant difference in total HRV before, during, or after treatment. Further studies should be carried out to compare the effects of different violet laser acupuncture frequencies.