ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the efficacy of no-fire constant temperature moxibustion for cervical spondylosis. Method Sixty outpatients diagnosed with cervical spondylosis were randomized to a treatment group (receiving no-fire constant temperature moxibustion) and a control group (receiving electroacupuncture). Both groups were treated once every other day, 10 days as one course, for two consecutive courses. The symptoms were scored using the Assessment Scale for Cervical Spondylosis in the patients at the enrollment day and after one and two courses of treatment. Result The total efficacy rate was 90.0% in the treatment group and there was a statistically significant difference compared with the control group (P<0.05). Variance analysis of the Assessment Scale for Cervical Spondylosis scores before treatment showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups (F=0.442, P>0.05), indicating comparability. Variance analysis of the Assessment Scale for Cervical Spondylosis scores after one course of treatment still showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups (F=3.674, P=0.06). Variance analysis of the Assessment Scale for Cervical Spondylosis scores after two courses of treatment showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups (F=18.705, P < 0.05). The therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture on cervical spondylosis was better than that of no-fire constant temperature moxibustion. Conclusion No-fire constant temperature moxibustion is convenient to use, safe, effective and highly acceptable to patients. It can be clinically used to treat cervical spondylosis.