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Objective: To investigate whether grain-sized moxibustion at Xinshu (BL15) and Shenshu (BL23) can alleviate cognitive decline and other pathologic features in early-stage Alzheimer disease (AD) using transgenic mice with 5 familial AD mutations (5XFAD). Methods: The genotype of transgenic mice was detected by polymerase chain reaction. A total of 40 transgenic mice (1.5 months old) were randomly and equally allocated to an AD model group (5XFAD group) or a grain-sized moxibustion group (5XFAD + GM group), with 20 wild-type (WT) mice (C57BL/6J) serving as the normal control group (WT group). Mice in the 5XFAD + GM group were treated by grain-sized moxibustion at bilateral Xinshu (BL15) and Shenshu (BL23). Mice in the WT group and 5XFAD group received no treatment but were restrained to ensure exposure to a similar experimental condition. Cognitive function and memory were assessed with the Morris water maze and Y-maze tests. The amyloid β 40 (Aβ40) and amyloid β 42 (Aβ42) levels in the brain were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; amyloid plaque deposition in brain tissue sections was detected by thioflavin-S staining; the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), cluster of differentiation 11b (CD11b), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Results: In the Morris water maze test, compared with the 5XFAD group, mice in the 5XFAD + GM group had a shorter escape latency and more target area crossings and spent more time in the target quadrant (P<0.05). In the Y-maze test, compared with the 5XFAD group, the number of training times of the 5XFAD + GM group was significantly decreased (P<0.05), together with more correct responses (P<0.05). Compared with the 5XFAD group, the levels of Aβ40 and Aβ42 in the brain tissue of the 5XFAD + GM group were significantly lower (P<0.05); in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, the total number of amyloid β plaque deposition were significantly lower (P<0.05); the expression levels of GFAP and CD11b were significantly reduced (P<0.05); and the expression levels of ChAT and BDNF were significantly increased (P<0.05).Conclusion: Grain-sized moxibustion at Xinshu (BL15) and Shenshu (BL23) greatly improves learning and memory functions, decreases the levels of Aβ40 and Aβ42, inhibits amyloid β plaque deposition, decreases the expression of GFAP and CD11b, and increases the expression of ChAT and BDNF in AD mice to inhibit the progression of AD.
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Maili moxibustion can alleviate cancer pain, reduce bone marrow suppression, alleviate gastrointestinal reaction of chemotherapeutic drugs, alleviate cancer-related fatigue, inhibit neurotoxic reaction, improve quality of life and prolong patients' survival. It plays therapeutic effects by regulating immunity, inhibiting tumor cell proliferation and regulating tumor microenvironment. The researches of Maili moxibustion for tumor focus on reducing the toxic or side effects of radiotherapy or chemotherapy. In the future, we should continue to study the combination of Maili moxibustion and other therapies on the treatment of tumor.
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OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of moxa-cone moxibustion at lung's back-@*METHODS@#Sixty SPF-grade healthy male Balb/c mice were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, an LY294002 group (LY group), an electroacupuncture (EA) group and a moxibustion group, 12 mice in each group. Asthma model was replicated by using ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization. Except the mice in the normal group, all the mice were intraperitoneally injected with sensitization solution (containing 15 μg of OVA and 30 mg of aluminum hydroxide) on the 1st day, 7th day and 14th day, 0.5 mL per mice; from the 15th day, 1% OVA solution was atomized for 20 min, once a day for 2 weeks; the mice in the normal group was treated with identical operations but with 0.9% sodium chloride solution. The mice in the LY group were treated with injection of LY294002 at tail vein on the 13th day, 14th day and 15th day. At the beginning of the 15th day, The mice in the EA group were treated with EA at "Feishu" (BL 13) and "Zhongfu" (LU 1) with disperse-dense wave, frequency of 2 Hz/20 Hz, intensity of 1 mA, 15 min each time, once a day for 2 weeks. The mice in the moxibustion group was treated with moxa-cone moxibustion at "Feishu" (BL 13) and "Zhongfu" (LU 1) from the 15th day, three moxa-cones per acupoint, once a day for 2 weeks. On the 16th day, 18th day and 22nd day, the incubation period of asthma was recorded. On the 29th day, all the samples were collected. The expressions of IL-17 and IL-10 in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were detected by ELISA method. The pathological changes of lung tissue were observed by HE staining. The percentage of Th17, Treg and Th17/Treg ratio in spleen tissue were detected by flow cytometry method.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the normal group, the incubation period of asthma in the model group was significantly shortened (@*CONCLUSION@#The Th17/Treg is imbalanced in asthmatic body. The moxibustion at lung's back-
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Mice , Asthma/therapy , Lung , Moxibustion , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory , Th17 CellsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the effectiveness in treatment of chronic neck pain with the direct moxibustion of small moxa cone and explore the dose-effect relationship in treatment of chronic neck pain with different small moxa cones.@*METHODS@#A total of 120 patients with chronic neck pain were randomized into a 3-moxa-cone group, a 5-moxa-cone group, a 7-moxa-cone group and a sham-moxibustion group, 30 cases in each one. Fengchi (GB 20), Tianzhu (BL 10), Jingbailao (EX-HN 15), Jianzhongshu (SI 15) and Jianjing (GB 21) were selected in each of the groups. The direct moxibustion with 3, 5 and 7 moxa cones as well as the sham-moxibustion therapy were provided successively in each of the above groups. In the sham-moxibustion group, the lower 1/3 section of moxa cone (about 1.5 mm in length) was soaked in oil before used in treatment. In each group, the treatment was given twice a week, for 10 treatments totally. Separately, before treatment, after treatment and in 1-month follow-up, the scores of the Northwick Park neck pain questionnaire (NPQ), the scores of McGill pain questionnaire (MPQ) and the local pressure pain threshold (PPT) were observed in each group. After treatment and in 1-month follow-up, the therapeutic effects were evaluated in each group.@*RESULTS@#After treatment and in 1-month follow-up, NPQ scores and MPQ scores in the 3-moxa-cone group, the 5-moxa-cone group and the 7-moxa-cone group were reduced as compared with those before treatment separately (all 0.05). After treatment and in 1-month follow-up, NPQ scores and MPQ scores in the 3-moxa-cone group, the 5-moxa-cone group and the 7-moxa-cone group were lower as compared with the sham-moxibustion group separately (all 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The direct moxibustion therapy with different small-moxa-cones effectively relieves chronic neck pain. There is a trend of improvement of the therapeutic effects with increase of the numbers of moxa cones.
Subject(s)
Humans , Acupuncture Points , Moxibustion , Neck Pain , Therapeutics , Pain Measurement , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Objective@#To explore the effect of grain-moxibustion combined with routine western medicine therapy on the quality of life of the patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism after hemodialysis.@*Methods@#According to the random number table, 80 hemodialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidismin were divided into two groups, 40 in each group. The control group was treated with routine western medicine therapy, while the observation group was treated with grain-moxibustionon the basis of the control group. Both groups were treated for 3 months. Clinical curative effect was evaluated after treatment. The quality of life was assessed by SF-36 Health Survey (SF-36) before and after treatment, serum Ca, P and ALP levels were measured by colorimetry, and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) was detected by double antibody sandwich ELISA.@*Results@#Total effective rate was 95.0% (38/40) in the observation group and 80.0% (32/40) in the control group, where there was significantly difference between two groups (χ2=4.114, P=0.043). After treatment, the levels of serum Ca (2.27 ± 0.18 mmol/L vs. 2.07 ± 0.16 mmol/L, t=5.252) in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.01), the levels of serum P (1.32 ± 0.02 mmol/L vs. 1.60 ± 0.04 mmol/L, t=39.598), iPTH (210.15 ± 16.24 pg/ml vs. 325.41 ± 21.55 pg/ml, t=27.015) and ALP (71.14 ± 10.73 U/L vs. 116.42 ± 12.26 U/L, t=17.577) were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.01). After treatment, the scores of physical health, body role function, body pain, overall health score, middle energy, social function, emotional role function and mental health in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (t=2.399, 3.572, 2.684, 3.598, 3.076, 2.811, 4.958, 2.176, P<0.01).@*Conclusions@#Grain-moxibustion combined with routine western medicine therapy in treatment of hemodialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism can adjust the calcium and phosphate metabolic disorders, reduce the parathyroid hormone levels, and they improve the quality of life of patients.
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Objective To explore the effect of grain-moxibustion combined with routine western medicine therapy on the quality of life of the patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism after hemodialysis. Methods According to the random number table, 80 hemodialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidismin were divided into two groups, 40 in each group. The control group was treated with routine western medicine therapy, while the observation group was treated with grain-moxibustionon the basis of the control group. Both groups were treated for 3 months. Clinical curative effect was evaluated after treatment. The quality of life was assessed by SF-36 Health Survey (SF-36) before and after treatment, serum Ca, P and ALP levels were measured by colorimetry, and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) was detected by double antibody sandwich ELISA. Results Total effective rate was 95.0% (38/40) in the observation group and 80.0% (32/40) in the control group, where there was significantly difference between two groups (χ2=4.114, P=0.043). After treatment, the levels of serum Ca (2.27 ± 0.18 mmol/L vs. 2.07 ± 0.16 mmol/L, t=5.252) in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.01), the levels of serum P (1.32 ± 0.02 mmol/L vs. 1.60 ± 0.04 mmol/L, t=39.598), iPTH (210.15 ± 16.24 pg/ml vs. 325.41 ± 21.55 pg/ml, t=27.015) and ALP (71.14 ± 10.73 U/L vs. 116.42 ± 12.26 U/L, t=17.577) were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.01). After treatment, the scores of physical health, body role function, body pain, overall health score, middle energy, social function, emotional role function and mental health in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (t=2.399, 3.572, 2.684, 3.598, 3.076, 2.811, 4.958, 2.176, P<0.01). Conclusions Grain-moxibustion combined with routine western medicine therapy in treatment of hemodialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism can adjust the calcium and phosphate metabolic disorders, reduce the parathyroid hormone levels, and they improve the quality of life of patients.
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Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of grain-sized moxibustion in treating chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its effect on quality of life (QOL). Methods: Eighty NSCLC patients admitted to the Inpatient Department of Zhejiang Cancer Hospital between September 2016 and March 2018 were recruited and divided into an observation group and a control group by random number method, with 40 cases in each group. The two groups both received chemotherapy with paclitaxel plus cisplatin (TP regimen). The control group received oral administration of leucogen tablets starting from the first day of chemotherapy, 20 mg each time, three times a day, for consecutive 14 d; the observation group was additionally given grain-sized moxibustion, once a day, five days per week at a two-day interval, until the fourteenth day. The myelosuppression severity was observed and compared between the two groups prior to chemotherapy, at the 3rd, 7th and 14th days of chemotherapy; the QOL in the two groups was evaluated before chemotherapy, at the 14th and 21st days of chemotherapy. Results: Regarding myelosuppression, the peripheral blood indicators increased significantly at the 3rd day of chemotherapy in both groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01); at the 7th and 14th days of chemotherapy, the peripheral blood indicators presented a decreasing tendency in the two groups, but the level in the observation group was still significantly higher than that before chemotherapy (P<0.01); at the 3rd, 7th and 14th days of chemotherapy, the peripheral blood indicators in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01); the occurrence rate of myelosuppression in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.01). The QOL score in the observation group was markedly higher than that in the control group at the 14th and 21st days of chemotherapy (both P<0.05). Conclusion: Grain-sized moxibustion can effectively improve myelosuppression after chemotherapy for NSCLC, reducing its occurrence and enhancing the patient's QOL.
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Objective:To observe the clinical effect of tuina plus Baixiao moxibustion in the treatment of temporomandibular joint dysfunction syndrome (TJDS). Methods: A total of 70 TJDS patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomized into an observation group and a control group by flipping a coin, with 35 cases in each group. Patients in the observation group were treated with tuina plus Baixiao moxibustion, while patients in the control group received oral intake of diclofenac potassium (75 mg/pill), 1 pill after every dinner. Both tuina and Baixiao moxibustion were done once a day during treatment. The therapeutic evaluation was evaluated after 10 treatments in both groups. The maximum mouth opening distance and visual analog scale (VAS) were observed before and after treatment, and the therapeutic efficacy was also compared. Results: After treatment, the maximum mouth opening distance and VAS improved in both groups (all P＜0.05); both items in the observation group were superior to those in the control group (both P＜00.05). The total effective rate was 91.4% in the observation group, versus 74.3% in the control group, and the between-group comparison of the total effective rate showed statistical significance (P＜0.05). Conclusion: Tuina plus Baixiao moxibustion can effectively improve TJDS patient’s temporomandibular joint function and alleviate pain, with better efficacy than oral intake of diclofenac potassium.
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Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of moxibustion with seed-sized moxa cone plus opioid drugs for moderate-to-severe cancer pain, and the effect on immune function in patients with cancer pain. Methods: A total of 80 patients with moderate-to-severe cancer pain were randomized into an observation group and a control group by the random number table method, with 40 cases in each group. Both groups were treated with opioid drugs for analgesia according to the standardized management principles for cancer pain. In addition, the observation group was given moxibustion with seed-sized moxa cone. The treatment was performed once a day, continuous 5-day treatment with a 2-day interval constituted a treatment course, and a total of 2 courses were performed. The score of numerical rating scale (NRS) and 24 h equivalent morphine consumption was compared between the two groups before treatment, after 1 treatment course and after 2 courses of treatment. The immune functions were compared between the two groups before and after 2 courses of treatment. Results: During the treatment, there were 3 dropouts in the control group, and 2 dropouts in the observation group. Before the treatment, there were no significant differences in the NRS score and 24 h equivalent morphine consumption between the two groups (both P＞0.05). The NRS scores of both two groups were quite stable during the whole treatment period, and there was no significant difference in the intra-group comparison after treatment (both P＞0.05), and there was no significant difference between the two groups at the same time point (both P＞0.05). In the control group, the 24 h equivalent morphine consumption showed an increasing trend. The dosage after 1 treatment course and 2 courses of treatment was statistically different from that before treatment in the control group (both P＜0.01). There was no significant change in the mean 24 h equivalent morphine consumption in the observation group compared with that before treatment (both P＞0.05). After 2 courses of treatment, the 24 h equivalent morphine consumption in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group at the same time point (P＜0.05). Before treatment, there was no significant difference in the levels of T lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+) between the two groups (all P＞0.05). After treatment, the levels of T lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+) in the control group were lower than those before treatment (all P＜0.05), while the levels in the observation group were higher than those before treatment, and the levels of CD3+ and CD4+ were significantly different from those before treatment (both P＜0.05). After treatment, the levels of T lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+) of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group at the same time point (all P＜0.05). Conclusion: Moxibustion with seed-sized moxa cone can reduce the dosage of opioid drugs used in patients with moderate-to-severe cancer pain and improve their immune functions.
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Objective: To analyze the volatile components in different brands of moxa cones and sticks. Methods: Head- space solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(HS-SPME-GC-MS)was used to qualitatively analyze volatile components in different brands of moxa cones and sticks. The relative content of each component was calculated by peak area normalization method. The experimental data were comprehensively evaluated by principal component analysis. Results: The total ion chromatograms of the volatile components of moxa cones and sticks in 7 batches produced by 5 manufacturers were simi- lar on the whole,but the volatile components were still different. Eighty-six compounds were identified initially. The most common components were found to be eucalyptol,camphor,terpineol,bornyl acetate,caryophyllene,caryophyllene,oxide(-)-4-terpineol, and cliff ketone. Conclusion: Using HS-SPME-GC-MS could quickly provide information for the chemical composition of the volatile componentsin themoxaconesandsticks,andtherearesignificantdifferencesin thevolatilecomponentsamongdifferentbrands.
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Objective To explore effect of early moxibustion intervention on cerebral Aβ1-40 in a mouse model of Alzheimer disease (AD) and the mechanism of action of moxibusion in preventing and treating AD.Method Gene phenotype in transgenic AD passage mice was identified using PCR. One and a half-month-old female Tg6799 transgenic mice were randomly allocated, including nine mice to a model group and eight mice to a treatment group. Nine C57BL/6J wild type female mice of the same age and background constituted a normal control group. Wheat-grain-sized moxa cone moxibustion on bilateral points Xinshu(BL15) and Shenshu(BL23) was given to the treatment group. After the completion of treatment, Aβ1-40 expression in mouse frontal cortex and hippocampal region was determined using the immunohistochemical method.Result Aβ1-40 expression in mouse frontal cortex and hippocampal region decreased significantly in the treatment group compared with the model group (P<0.01,P<0.05). Conclusion Early moxibustion intervention can decrease cerebral Aβ1-40 expression and delay AD pathological process in a mouse model of AD.
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Objective:A questionnaire for the compliance with moxibustion was designed based on the 4-item Morisky scale, and the reliability and validity of the questionnaire was investigated.Methods:A modified Morisky scale was designed based on the 4-item Morisky scale for the compliance with moxibustion, and 146 patients having received moxibustion for over 2 weeks were investigated using this scale to evaluate their compliance with moxibustion; the internal equity and the construct validity of the scale were statistically analyzed.Results:The analysis of reliability showed that in item of internal consistency, the Cronbach's α was 0.72 and the split-half coefficient was 0.71, the correlation coefficients between the 4 component scores and the total score ranged 0.67-0.80, and the between-component correlation coefficients ranged 0.24-0.56; the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) totally extracted 1 common factor, and the explicable variation was 55.02%, and the loads of the 4 items were respectively 0.82, 0.81, 0.74 and 0.58.Conclusion:The reliability and validity of the modified Morisky scale for the compliance with moxibustion are acceptable, while several items need further modification and improvement in the expression and content.
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OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of moxibustion (Moxi) preconditioning with seed-sized moxa cones on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MI/RI) at different stages, and to analyze the correlation between this effect and the expression of autophagy related protein Beclin 1. METHODS: This study contains two parts: 1) changes of myocardial pathological injury and percentages of myocardial infarcted area at different time-points after modeling and Moxi intervention, and 2) effect of Moxi on contents of serum cardiac troponin T(cTnT) and expression of myocardial Bcl-2, Bax and Beclin 1 proteins. In the first part, 42 SD rats were randomly divided into model group, 1 day (d) Moxi group, 2 d Moxi group, 3 d Moxi group，4 d Moxi group, 5 d Moxi group and 7 d Moxi group. The model of MI/RI was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) for 30 min and reperfusion for 240 min. The electrocardiogram (ECG) of standard limb lead Ⅱ was monitored and the heart was taken 4 h after reperfusion for examining myocardial infarcted size with triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. In the second part, 48 SD rats were randomized into sham-operation, model, moxibustion and autophagy inhibitor (3-MA) groups, with 12 rats in each group. The serum cTnT level was assayed and histopathological changes of the myocardial tissue below the ligation site were examined with HE staining, and the expression levels of Bcl-2, Bax and Beclin 1 proteins in the myocardial tissue below the LAD-ligated site were detected using Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the model group, the percentages of myocardial infarcted area were significantly decreased in the 4 d, 5 d and 7 d Moxi groups (P0.05). The state of MI-induced breakage and disordered arrangement of myocardial fibers with interstitial edema and inflammatory cell infiltration at the MI stage in the Moxi group and at the reperfusion stage in the autophagy inhibitor group was relatively lighter. The levels of serum cTnT content and Bax/Bcl-2 and Beclin 1 protein expression at the MI and reperfusion stages were significantly higher in the model group than in the sham-operation group (P<0.01), and considerably lower in the Moxi and autophagy groups than in the model group (P<0.01). The serum cTnT content, ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 expression and Beclin 1 expression levels at the MI and reperfusion stages were significantly lower in the autophagy inhibitor group than in the Moxi group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Moxibustion with seed-sized moxa cones at "Neiguan" (PC 6) can effectively alleviate myocardial ischemia in MI/RI rats, which is probably related to its effect in down-regulating Bax/Bcl-2 and Beclin 1 expression and in inhibiting autophagy.
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As a crucial component of acupuncture-moxibustion therapy, moxibustion has been extensively propagated and used with its significant efficacy, simple operation, inconspicuous adverse effects and less sufferings. There are a variety of factors that influence the therapeutic efficacy of moxibustion. The influencing factors, including moxibustion dose (moxibustion duration, distance between moxa and skin, size and number of moxa cone), selection of points, moxibustion sensations, and the type of moxibustion were analyzed and summarized, to provide references for approaching the maximum efficacy of moxibustion in clinic.
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Objective To explore effect of early moxibustion intervention on cerebral Aβ1-40 in a mouse model of Alzheimer disease (AD) and the mechanism of action of moxibusion in preventing and treating AD.Method Gene phenotype in transgenic AD passage mice was identified using PCR. One and a half-month-old female Tg6799 transgenic mice were randomly allocated, including nine mice to a model group and eight mice to a treatment group. Nine C57BL/6J wild type female mice of the same age and background constituted a normal control group. Wheat-grain-sized moxa cone moxibustion on bilateral points Xinshu(BL15) and Shenshu(BL23) was given to the treatment group. After the completion of treatment, Aβ1-40 expression in mouse frontal cortex and hippocampal region was determined using the immunohistochemical method.Result Aβ1-40 expression in mouse frontal cortex and hippocampal region decreased significantly in the treatment group compared with the model group (P<0.01,P<0.05). Conclusion Early moxibustion intervention can decrease cerebral Aβ1-40 expression and delay AD pathological process in a mouse model of AD.
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As a crucial component of acupuncture-moxibustion therapy, moxibustion has been extensively propagated and used with its significant efficacy, simple operation, inconspicuous adverse effects and less sufferings. There are a variety of factors that influence the therapeutic efficacy of moxibustion. The influencing factors, including moxibustion dose (moxibustion duration, distance between moxa and skin, size and number of moxa cone), selection of points, moxibustion sensations, and the type of moxibustion were analyzed and summarized, to provide references for approaching the maximum efficacy of moxibustion in clinic.
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Objective:To observe the clinical effect of wheat grain-sized cone moxibustion combined with fire needle therapy in the treatment of dorsal wrist ganglion (DWG). Methods:A total of 63 patients with DWG were randomized into a treatment group (n=32) and a control group (n=31). Cases in the control group were treated with fire needle therapy. Based on the therapy given to the control group, cases in the treatment group were additionally given wheat grain-sized cone moxibustion therapy. Then the therapeutic efficacies and recurrence rate were evaluated. Results:After treatment, the overall effective rate was 93.8% in the treatment group, versus 77.4% in the control group, and the between-group comparison showed a statistical significance (P<0.05); 6 months after the treatment, the recurrence rate in the treatment group was obviously lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion:The long-term and short-term effects of wheat grain-sized cone moxibustion combined with fire needle therapy in the treatment of DWG are better than those of fire needle therapy alone, and therefore, worth popularizing.
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To improve the preparation speed and quality of moxa cone, a mould for preparation of moxa cone was designed and applied in moxibustion. It consists three parts: a foundation (a flat-bottomed circular cylinder hollow in center), a moxa cone forming tube (a hollow column encircled by two semi-cylinders with symmetrical shape and size, and was inserted in the internal cavity of the foundation); and a compression rod (a solid cylinder used for compressing moxa placed in moxa cone forming tube). The mould is practical, simple, and convenient and can effectively speed up the preparation of moxa cone, and it is safe in application. Moreover, the obtained moxa cones are regular in shape, uniform in dosage and size, dense in texture, and convenient to pack, store and carry.
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Objective:To assess the effects of direct moxibustion on 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) and clinical symptoms of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in elderly patients with essential hypertension, and to explore the antihypertensive effect and influencing factors of moxibustion. Methods:A total of 101 elderly hypertension patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to a direct moxibustion I group (n=33), a direct moxibustion II group (n=34), and a control group (n=34). The treatment of calcium antagonist (CCB) orangiotensin II receptor antagonist (ARB) was adopted in the control group. The treatment of direct moxibustion I plus the same medicine as the control group were adopted in the direct moxibustion I group, five cones per acupoint and three times per week, for 5 weeks in total. The treatment of direct moxibustion II plus the same medicine as the control groupwere adopted in the direct moxibustion II group, five cones per acupoint and three times per week, for 5 weeks in total. The changes of 24-hour ABP and clinical symptoms of TCM after treatment were compared in the three groups. Results: The mean 24-hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure (mean 24 h ASBP), night ASBP, percentage of mean 24-hour ambulatory diastolic blood pressure (mean 24 h ADBP)>90 mmHg, and percentage of day ADBP>90 mmHg in the control group were elevated after treatment (P80 mmHg in the direct moxibustion I group was reduced by treatment (P140 mmHg, percentage of day ASBP>140 mmHg, percentage of night ASBP>120 mmHg , mean 24 h ADBP, day ADBP, night ADBP, 24 h ambulatory pulse pressure (APP), after treatment in all groups (P>0.05). The degree of improvement of the clinical symptoms of TCM showed significant differences among the three groups of patients (P<0.01). The total effective rate in the direct moxibustion I group was 73.3%, which was superior to those in the direct moxibustion II group and control group (13.3% and 10.0%, respectively). Conclusion:The direct moxibustion has benign regulative effect on blood pressure of elderly patients with essential hypertension, and improves their clinical symptoms. The direct moxibustion method I (burning the next moxa cone after the previous one had totally burnt out) was superior to method II (burning the next moxa cone when the previous one had not totally burnt out ) in lowering blood pressure and improving symptoms of elderly patients with essential hypertension.
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Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of wheat-sized moxibustion in treating epigastric pain due to deficient cold of spleen and stomach. Method Fifty-six patients were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 28 cases in each group. The treatment group was intervened by wheat-sized moxibustion; the control group was by orally taking Omeprazole enteric-coated tablets. For both groups, 7 treatment sessions were taken as a course, and the therapeutic efficacies were evaluated after 2 courses. Result There were significant differences in comparing the total effective rate, pain score, and relapse rate between the two groups (P<0.05). Conclusion It can be confirmed that wheat-sized moxibustion is effective in treating epigastric pain due to deficient cold of spleen and stomach, and it can effectively lower the relapse rate and significantly reduce the sufferings brought by the recurred symptoms.