ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of gentle moxibustion on hemorheology in cervical spondylotic vertebral arteriopathy of qi-blood deficiency type.MethodSixty patients diagnosed with cervical spondylotic vertebral arteriopathy of qi-blood deficiency typewere randomly allocated to treatment and control groups, 30 cases each. The control group received conventional acupuncture at cervical Huatuo jiaji(Ex-B2)points and the treatment group, gentle moxibustion in addition. TCD was performed before and after treatment to observe hemorheological changes in the two groups. The clinical therapeutic effects were evaluated.ResultThe total efficacy rate was 96.7% in the treatment group and 90.0% in the control group. There was a statistically significant difference in therapeutic effect between the two groups (P<0.05). There were statistically significant pre-/post-treatment differences in TCD indicators in the two groups (P<0.05). Vertebrobasilar blood flow was improved more in the treatment group (P<0.05).ConclusionGentle moxibustion can improve vertebrobasilar blood flow to a greater extent in cervical spondylotic vertebral arteriopathy. It is clinically an effective way to treat cervical spondylotic vertebral arteriopathy.