Effects of acupuncture and moxibustion on chronic pain in human and animals were reviewed. Firstly, the role of sensitization of pheripheral and/or central nervous systems on the mechanisms of chronic pain was introduced based on the basic researches in experimental animals. Secondly, the effects of acupuncture on neuropathic pain and postoperative pain patients were reviewed and its possiblemechanisms were discussed. Finally, effectiveness of acupuncture and moxibustion on several kinds of chronic nociceptive pain (low back pain, neck pain, headache) was systematically reviewed based on the online database

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The purpose of this workshop was to discuss on various issues for the development of a protocol for the Ja pan-Korea research collaboration. An important issue is to select/develop the experimental design of the clinical trial for individualized therapy done in Japan and Korea. Randomizedn-of-1 trial and randomization test were proposed as an possible candidate. A pilot study using randomized n-of-1 trial was done using intradermal acupuncture on pollinosis, and the methodological issues on the generalizability of randomized n-of-1 trial and the need of the selection of target disease were discussed. Onthe other hand, the literature survey has shown that the individualized acupuncture therapy is more effective than those of the standardized' fixed acupuncture therapy in usual RCTs. The diagnosis and selection of acupuncture point and method of manipulation were also shown to be an important factor. Further discussions will be required for the development of the adequate protocol for the individualized therapy.

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[Objective] We performed a multi-center randomized controlled trial using sham acupuncture as a control in the 11 institutions of Aichi and Shizuoka prefecture at which we practice our original acupuncture method.
[Design · Methods] Patients were randomly allocated to four groups : A group, “Taikyoku-Ryoho” (whole body acupuncture method) pole treatment combined with low frequency electroacupuncture; B group, “TaikyokuRyoho” pole treatment; C group, low frequency electroacupuncture; D group, sham acupuncture. Therapeutic effectiveness was evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and criteria of the Japanese Orthopedic Association for low back pain (JOA score). After these evaluations, patients in B group received low frequency electroacupuncture and patients in C group received “Taikyoku-Ryoho” pole treatment. Patients in D group received both therapies. Thus, all patients eventually received the entire series of therapies. [Results] Significant improvement (P<0.05) in VAS and JOA scores was recognized after one acupuncture treatment in A, B and C groups, but not in D group. There were no differences in terms of the effectiveness among A, B and C groups.
[Conclusion] Our original acupuncture method of “Taikyoku-Ryoho” combined with low frequency electroacupuncture was superior to sham acupuncture. However, the definition of sham acupuncture needs to be more clearly defined in future research.

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[Purpose] This study investigated shoulder stiffness in university students and compared three different treatment procedures for shoulder stiffness.
[Method] The questionnaire (7 items) was distributed to 30 university students with a 3-month history of shoulder stiffness treated by three different treatments procedures. There were no abnormal findings on neuro logical examination.
[Result] The questionnaire response rate was 64.6%. The overall prevalence of shoulder stiffness was 61.9%, most patients had asthenopia and headache along with shoulder stiffness. However, immediately after the tender point and sham treatment periods, there were no remarkable clinical effect on shoulder stiffness, whereas after trigger point treatment, there were remarkable clinical effects on shoulder stiffness, as evaluated by the visual analogue scale.
[Conclusion] These results suggest that trigger point acupuncture treatment may be more effective for shoul- der stiffness in university students than other acupuncture treatments

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[Objective] To examine the effect of press tack needle (PTN) treatment on muscle soreness after triathlon race in a placebo (P) -controlled study.
[Method] Subjects were 149 healthy triathletes randomly divided into 2 groups, PTN group and P group. PTN and P were placed on the L 3 to S 2 dermatome area (BL23, BL24, BL25, BL26 and BL32) only during the race. The visual analog scale (VAS) was used to measure muscle soreness at 6 points (Quads, Hamstrings, Calves, Tibialis anteriors, Glutes and lower back). Measurements were obtained before the race (PRE), after the race (POST1), and on the day after the race (POST2) to evaluate the effect of PTN treatment.
[Results] Each VAS score was increased on POST1 compared to that on PRE (p<0.01) for both groups. With PTN treatment, VAS scores were decreased on POST2 compared to those on POST1 except for Glutes (p<0.01, p<0.05), and had recovered to the PRE-race condition. In the P group, VAS score of the hamstrings was decreased on POST2 compared to that on POST1, while VAS scores were significantly higher than those on PRE for Quad, Hamstrings, and Calves.
[Conclusion] It is suggested that PTN stimulation during triathlon race suppresses delayed-onset muscle sore-ness.

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[Purpose] This report examines the immediate effect of acupuncture treatment for subjective symptoms in competitive sailors.
[Method] The investigation was performed in the conditioning room at the national sports festival. Acupuncture treatment was performed for lumbago (n=108), dorsal pain (n=72). Acupuncture treatment was performed only on the area where players complained of pain. The variety of chief complaints, number of chief com-plaints, and visual analog scale (VAS) score were used for the investigation. Significance of differences in VAS score was compared by t-test.
[Result] There were numerous chief complaints involving lumbago, followed in orderby dorsal pain, and othercomplaints. Acupuncture treatment decreased the VAS score fbr lumbago (n=108) from 52.3±215mm to 21. 5±16.4mm. Dorsal pain (n=72) was also decreased from 48.0±18.7mm to 18.5±15.2mm. These values were both significantly different at p<0.01.
[Discussion] Acupuncture treatment was effective for lumbago, and dorsal pain of competitive sailors. As a result, it was suggested that the acupuncture treatment is an effective condition adjustment methods.

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[Introduction] We evaluated the efficacy of treatment and clinical characteristics of a patient with incomplete rotator cuff tear with a clinical presentation similar to that of frozen shoulder. It seems difficult to differentiate incomplete rotator cuff tear from frozen shoulder on physical findings alone since the former lacks the specific characteristics of rotator cuff tear. However, many patients with incomplete rotator cuff tears show a poor response to treatment due to mechanical disorders; thus, differentiation of incomplete rotator cuff tear from frozen shoulder may be demonstrated during the patient's clinical course.
[Patient] In this patient, the joint range of motion improved in all directions, and the pain score also improved from 10 to 5, showing reduction of pain. However, the symptoms did not resolve smoothly; frequent remis-sions and exacerbations of symptoms were observed.
[Discussion] We frequently encounter disorders diagnosed as periarthritis scapulohumeralis in daily clinical practice, and patients with such disorders usually respond well to treatment. However, we should realize that a variety of clinical conditions are involved in the disorders, and the clinical courses of patients should be followed closely during treatment.

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Recently, education for persons providing medical treatment has changed greatly due to remarkable progress in various life science fields. Regarding education for persons providing acupuncture and moxibustion, acquisition of modern medical knowledge related to social needs as well as acupuncture and moxibustion medical science is appropriate for practitioners of acupuncture and moxibustion who are able to develop their abilities by receiving such background training.
Therefore, radical plans to check the educational contents and unify the curriculum are being developed, focusing on the core curriculum in order to achieve curriculum reform. This paper discusses the issues underlying such curriculum reform plans. The core-curriculum in medical education is a so-called minimum requirement. However, a liberal education supports that curriculum and provides an important knowledge base. There is also an education ideology that is important to that goal. In other words, education ideology can be considered as the core in curriculum.

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In the past, education of acupuncture/ moxibustion in Taiwan depended on the masters-disciples relation. The knowledge of acupuncture/ moxibustion was transmitted to disciples individually.
Since its establishment in 1955, The Taipei Society Acupuncture and Moxibustion improved educational pro- gram to more systematic one. In the following 20 years varieties of studies in this field were conducted, people also turned their eyes to these traditional remedies
Though acupuncture and moxibustion had begun to be accepted by people, the new medical law was en- forced in 1975, which disqualified the acupuncturists for medcial practice. As a result, many of the acupuncturists and moxibustionists left Taiwan for overseas. Unlike many other nations, Taiwan has no system for certification of acupuncturists/ moxibustionists. The traditional Chinese doctor in Taiwan, after passing the examination for Chinese Medicinal exam can practice the Chinese herbal medicine and the acupuncture/ moxibustion. It seems an inconceivable system.
It is only after 1989 that the subjects on acupuncture/ moxibustion medicine were included in the exams for the traditional Chinese doctor in Taiwan. But it still doesn't include tests of practical skills. This is more of a hindrance than a contribution to acupuncture and moxibustion in Taiwan.
Though there has been the legalization movement for acupuncturists/ moxibustionists during the past 30 years, it met opposition from both of the health bureau and the traditional Chinese doctor trade union. The license system for acupunturist is still left uncertain.
Now in Japan, the high tech device like electronic microscope, micro inductor and micro-electric are introduced in the studies of acupuncture/ moxibustion medicine. And in the field of scientific research of the acupuncture and moxibustion, Japanese seem to have more grant view than other country. The health government of Taiwan should turn their eyes to the reality and change its policies towards this effective medicine.
Now acupuncture and moxibustion medicine has become one of the international research topics. In recent years WFAS academic congresses are held every year in the different nations. Here I would like to suggest that in advanced country like Japan, a new university specializing in acupuncture/moxibustion medicine should be established and it should accept and educate foreign student from overseas with international curriculum. Only the continuous and faithful exchange of the young scholars would recover the true friendship between Taiwan and Japan.

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