ABSTRACT
Based on heat-sensitive moxibustion (HSM) theory, a widely applicable scale was developed to reflect the (arrival of ) sensation of HSM. By documentary method and interviewing method, the items of describing sensation of HSM were collected to establish the pool of candidate items. With expert questionnaire, patient questionnaire and core expert discussion, the items were screened and quantified by method of subjective evaluation to develop the initial draft of the scale. A total of 121 patients were pre-surveyed with the initial draft, and the structural validity of the scale was examined by exploratory factor analysis (principal component) and its internal consistency was assessed by Cronbach's coefficient. As a result, the items in the scale was reduced from 36 to 9; 110 effective questionnaires were reclaimed for statistical analysis. Finally, the scale (Version 1.0) contained 9 items and 4 dimensions, of which, 3 items highlighted the comfort emotional experience, 3 items highlighted autonomic response, 2 items highlighted heat sensation, and 1 item highlighted non-heat sensation. In conclusion, the sensation scale of HSM containes 9 items, which has fair content and structure validity. It is in line with the current clinical understanding of sensation of HSM and has strong clinical operability and wide adaptability.
Subject(s)
Humans , Hot Temperature , Moxibustion , Sensation , Surveys and Questionnaires , ThermosensingABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical efficacy differences among long-snake moxibustion, warm needling and western medication on rheumatoid arthritis and explore its effect mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and twenty patients were randomized into a long-snake moxibustion group, a warm needling group and a western medication group, 40 cases in each one. In the long-snake moxibustion group, the long-snake moxibustion was used. The ginger-isolated moxibustion was applied along the governor vessel, from Dazhui (GV 14) to Yaoshu (GV 2), once a month, for 2 months. In the warm needling group, the main points included Dazhui (GV 14), Ganshu (BL 18), Pishu (BL 20), Shenshu (BL 23), Zhiyang (GV 9), Mingmen (GV 4) and Yaoyangguan (GV 3). The warm needling technique was used at 4 to 5 points each time, and 3 moxa cones were required at each points. The treatment was given once every two days, for 2 months. In the western medication group, methotrexate was prescribed for oral administration, 10 mg each time, once a week. If the joint pain score or joint swelling score was up to 6, diclofenac sodium was combined, 25 mg each time, 3 times a day, for 2 months. The symptom score, physical sign score, the visual analogue scale (VAS) score, levels of rheumatoid factor (RF), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP), immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) were observed before and after treatment in the patients of the three groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The treatments relieved the symptoms and physical signs of rheumatoid arthritis and improved VAS score and the levels of serum RF, ESR, CRP, IgM and IgG in all of the three groups (all<0.01). The efficacy in the long-snake moxibustion group was significantly better than that in the warm needling group and the western medication group (<0.05,<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The long-snake moxibustion achieves the significant clinical efficacy on rheumatoid arthritis, better than warm needling therapy and methotrexate. This therapy much better reduces immune response and alleviates the sickness.</p>
ABSTRACT
Objective: To elucidate the key effects of moxibustion points and quantity of moxibustion used in order to enhance the curative effect of moxibustion therapy. Methods: It analyzed the occurrence rules of acupoint heat-sensitization and its relationship to the moxibustion location and dose, in view of the original definition of acupoints in Nei Jing (Internal Canon) and the acupoint heat-sensitization in clinical practice. Results: (1) The original definition of acupoint is the reflecting area of a disease on surface of the body, which is individualized, motive and sensitive; (2)The location in which heat-sensitization is generated relating to a heat-sensitive acupoint, which therefore depicts the best choice for point selection and also the most accurate area to give moxibustion; (3) The heat-sensitization time can be taken as a clinical index to quantify the moxibustion dose, in order to apply sufficient moxibustion for each individual. Conclusion: The key points for enhancing the curative effect of moxibustion therapy are to identify heat-sensitive points and a scientific moxibustion dose.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To compare moxibustion sensation and infrared thermography by the assessment of heat-sensitization on Guanyuan (CV 4) in patients with primary dysmenorrhea, and to prove the possibility of adopting infrared thermography as an objective demonstration of acupoints heat-sensitization. Methods: Seventy-one patients with primary dysmenorrhea were enrolled to receive moxibustion and infrared to detect the heat-sensitization of Guanyuan (CV 4). The results were then analyzed and compared. Results: The infrared radiation showed a lower temperature when the acupoint Guanyuan (CV 4) was sensitized in patients with primary dysmenorrhea. Compared with moxibustion sensation, its sensitivity rate (real positive rate) was 76.6%, divergence rate (real negative rate) was 70.1%, and the accuracy rate was 74.6%. After giving moxibustion to Guanyuan (CV 4), the infrared radiation area was significantly expanded longitudinally and transversely. Compared with moxibustion test, the sensitivity rate (real positive rate) of infrared test was 78.7%, divergence rate (real negative rate) was 83.3%, and the accuracy rate was 80.3%. Conclusion: To a certain extent, the heat-sensitization of the acupoint Guanyuan (CV 4) in patients with primary dysmenorrhea can be revealed by infrared thermography. The acupoint heat-sensitization phenomena (heat extension or transmission) after giving moxibustion to the heat-sensitized acupoints can also be demonstratedobjectively by infrared thermography, besides experienced subjectively by the receivers.