Effects of blistering cupping combined with thunder-fire moxibustion on the efficacy and airway remodeling of cold-wheezing syndrome in bronchial asthma / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the clinical efficacy of the combined application of blistering cupping with thunder-fire moxibustion in treating bronchial asthma of cold-wheezing syndrome, and its influences on airway remodeling, inflammatory factors, lung function, and quality of life on the base of conventional western medicine treatment.@*METHODS@#A total of 76 patients with bronchial asthma of cold-wheezing syndrome were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 38 cases in each group. In the control group, the basic treatment was used, i.e. budesonide formoterol powder inhalation. In the observation group, on the basis of the treatment as the control group, blistering cupping combined with thunder-fire moxibustion was supplemented, Dazhui (GV 14), Danzhong (CV 17) and bilateral Feishu (BL 13), Gaohuang (BL 43), and Zhongfu (LU 1) were selected; blistering cupping was administered once a day and thunder-fire moxibustion was given twice a day. One course of treatment was composed of 7 days in both groups, and 2 courses of treatment were required. Before and after treatment, the airway remodeling indexes (matrix metalloproteinase-9 [MMP-9], tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 [TIMP-1], and transforming growth factor-β1 [TGF-β1]) and inflammatory indexes (interleukin [IL] -1β、IL-25) were detected by using radioimmunoassay in the patients of the two groups. The lung function, traditional Chinese medicine symptom score, and asthma quality of life questionnaire (AQLQ) score were observed in the patients of the two groups.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, the serum levels of MMP-9, TIMP-1, TGF-β1, IL-1β, IL-25, peak expiratory flow (PEFR), traditional Chinese medicine symptom scores, and AQLQ scores were decreased compared with those before treatment in the patients of the two groups (P<0.05), and the results in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the first second forced expiratory volume (FEV1) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEF) were increased compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05), and the results in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#On the basis of the conventional western medicine treatment, the combination of blistering cupping with thunder-fire moxibustion can effectively ameliorate the clinical symptoms of patients, reduce inflammatory levels, inhibit airway remodeling and improve the lung function and quality of life in the patients with bronchial asthma.

Tapping at acupoints along meridian combined with thunder-fire moxibustion for upper-limb hemiplegia after stroke / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of tapping at acupoints along meridian combined with thunder-fire moxibustion on upper-limb muscle strength and activities of daily living in patients with upper-limb hemiplegia after stroke.@*METHODS@#A total of 140 patients with upper-limb hemiplegia after stroke were randomly divided into a combination group (35 cases, 2 cases dropped off), an acupoint-tapping group (35 cases), a moxibustion group (35 cases, 2 cases dropped off) and a routine group (35 cases). The patients in the routine group were only treated with routine treatment and nursing. On the basis of the treatment in the routine group, the patients in the acupoint-tapping group were treated with tapping along the large intestine meridian of hand @*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, body mass indexs of shoulder abduction, elbow extension, wrist flexion as well as BI scores in the four groups were significantly increased after treatment (@*CONCLUSION@#Tapping at acupoints along meridian combined with thunder-fire moxibustion could effectively improve the upper-limb muscle strength and activities of daily living in patients with upper-limb hemiplegia after stroke, and its effect is superior to simple tapping at acupoints along meridian or thunder-fire moxibustion.

Observation on therapeutic efficacy of thunder-fire moxibustion for hypomenorrhea after induced abortion / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of thunder-fire moxibustion for hypomenorrhea after induced abortion. Methods: A total of 74 patients with hypomenorrhea after induced abortion were randomized into two groups, with 37 cases in each group. The control group was treated with conventional hormone sequential therapy, and the observation group was treated with thunder-fire moxibustion. The course of treatment was 3 menstrual cycles. The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom scores, menstrual volume, endometrial thickness and the sex hormone levels were observed before and after treatment. The clinical efficacy was compared after treatment. Results: The total effective rate in the observation group and the control group was 91.4％ and 73.5％, respectively, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). After treatment, the TCM symptom scores in both groups decreased significantly (all P<0.05), and the scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The menstrual volume, endometrial thickness and each sex hormone level of the patients in both groups were significantly improved after treatment (all P<0.05), and the improvements in the observation group were more significant than those in the control group (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Thunder-fire moxibustion can significantly improve the clinical symptoms of patients with hypomenorrhea after induced abortion; it can increase menstrual volume and endometrial thickness, and regulate the sex hormone levels, producing a better curative effect than the conventional hormone sequential therapy.

Thunder-fire moxibustion combined with mifepristone for ovarian chocolate cyst dysmenorrhea with kidney deficiency and blood stasis: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical efficacy of thunder-fire moxibustion combined with mifepristone for ovarian chocolate cyst dysmenorrhea with kidney deficiency and blood stasis.@*METHODS@#Seventy patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 35 cases in each group. The patients in the the control group were treated with oral administration of mifepristone, 10 mg each time, once a day; based on the treatment of the control group, the patients in the observation group were treated with thunder-fire moxibustion at Guanyuan (CV 4), Zigong (EX-CA 1), Xuehai (SP 10), once every other day. Both the groups were treated for 3 months. The Cox menstrual symptom scale (CMSS) score, the maximum cross-sectional area of ectopic cyst, and the serum levels of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and interleukin-17 (IL-17) were observed before and after treatment in the two groups. The clinical efficacy was evaluated.@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the severity scores and duration scores of CMSS as well as the serum levels of TGF-β1 were reduced after treatment in the two groups (@*CONCLUSION@#Thunder-fire moxibustion combined with mifepristone could significantly improve dysmenorrhea symptoms, shorten dysmenorrhea time and promote atrophy of ovarian heterotopic cyst in patients with ovarian chocolate cyst dysmenorrhea of kidney deficiency and blood stasis, and the mechanism may be related to the reduction of serum levels of TGF-β1 and IL-17.

Effect of thunder-fire moxibustion combined with vibration training on low back pain of primary osteoporosis / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the therapeutic effect of thunder-fire moxibustion combined with vibration training and simple vibration training on low back pain of primary osteoporosis by 's modulus of ultrasonic wave, and seek an objective evaluating method.@*METHODS@#A total of 60 patients were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. The patients in the two groups were treated with vibration training using whole body vibration treatment bed. In the observation group, thunder-fire moxibustion was applied at Yaoyangguan (GV 3), Mingmen (GV 4), Ganshu (BL 18), Shenshu (BL 23) and Dachangshu (BL 25). The treatment was given once every other day, 3 times a week for 4 weeks. The visual analogue score (VAS), real-time shear wave elastography (RTSWE) and medical outcomes study 36-item short-form hearth survey (SF-36) were used to evaluate pain intensity, multifidus muscle tone ('s modulus) and quality of life before treatment, after 4-week treatment and 1 month after treatment.@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the VAS scores, 's modulus of multifidus muscle and 5 dimensions of SF-36 (physical condition, body pain, general health, social function and mental health) after 4-week treatment and 1 month after treatment were significantly improved in the two groups (all <0.05), the physiological role in the observation group after 4-week treatment and 1 month after treatment were improved (both <0.05). In the observation group, the VAS scores, 's modulus of multifidus muscle and 3 dimensions of SF-36 (physiological role, body pain and general health) after 4-week treatment and 1 month after treatment were superior to the control group (all <0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The therapeutic effect of thunder-fire moxibustion combined with vibration training is superior to simple vibration training in relieving low back pain intensity and multifidus muscle tone, and improving quality of life for primary osteoporosis. RTSWE technique can be an objective examination method to evaluate pain.

Electroacupuncture combined with thunder-fire moxibustion in the treatment of cold-dampness knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled clinical trial / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Both thunder-fire moxibustion and electroacupuncture can effectively improve the related symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. At the same time, the two treatments have the advantages of simple operation, low cost, strong practicability and so on. OBJECTIVE: To observe the difference in curative effect between thunder-fire moxibustion combined with electro-acupuncture and celecoxib capsule in the treatment of cold-wet knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: Seventy-two patients with cold-wet knee osteoarthritis, including 35 males and 37 females, who were treated in Ruikang Hospital affiliated to Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine from June 2017 to December 2018, were randomly divided into two groups: observation group (n=35) received thunder-fire moxibustion (once a day) combined with electroacupuncture treatment (once a d); and control group (n=37) was given oral celecoxib capsule (once a day). Treatment in each group lasted for two sessions of 14 days each with a 2-day break. Visual analogue scale score, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) score, and joint fluid related inflammatory index were detected before and after treatment. The effective rate of TCM syndrome was evaluated. A 1-month follow-up was carried out after treatment. The experimental protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Ruikang Hospital affiliated to Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine (KY2017-005). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: There were no adverse reactions in the two groups. The visual analogue scale scores and WOMAC scores (pain, stiffness and function) in the observation group were significantly reduced after treatment and during the follow-up (P < 0.05). The visual analogue scale scores and WOMAC scores (pain and stiffness) in the control group were significantly reduced after treatment and at the end of the follow-up (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the visual analogue scale scores and WOMAC scores (pain, stiffness and function) were significantly lower in the observation group after treatment and during the follow-up (P < 0.05). The levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α in the two groups were significantly lowered after treatment, and a more significant reduction was observed in the observation group (P < 0.05). The total effective rate of treatment in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (97.1% vs. 81.1%, P < 0.05). Therefore, electroacupuncture combined with thunder-fire moxibustion has favorable outcomes in the treatment of cold-wet knee osteoarthritis accompanied by less adverse reactions. Moreover, electroacupuncture combined with thunder-fire moxibustion is superior to celecoxib capsule in terms of curative effect persistence.

Therapeutic effect of Yaotongning Capsules and thunder-fire moxibustion in treatment of 40 cases of lumbar disc herniation with cold and blood-stasis syndrome / 中草药

Objective: To explore the clinical efficacy effect of Yaotongning Capsules combined with thunder-fire moxibustion on lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Methods: A total of 80 LDH patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into observation group and control group, with 40 cases in each group. The observation group was treated with Yaotongning Capsules combined with thunder-fire moxibustion, and the control group was treated with ibuprofen sustained release capsule combined with thunder-fire moxibustion. VAS score, JOA score, ODI score and clinical efficacy were compared. Results: VAS scores and ODI scores of the two groups after treatment were lower than those before treatment (P < 0.05), and the JOA score was higher than that before treatment (P < 0.05); After treatment, the VAS score and ODI score in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05); After treatment, the JOA score was higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The clinical efficacy of the observation group was better than that of the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The clinical treatment of Yaotongning Capsules combined with thunder-fire moxibustion treating LDH can obviously alleviate the pain symptoms and improve the daily function of the patients, which is worthy of further clinical application.

Clinical effect of thunder-fire moxibustion combined with electroacupuncture in the treatment of cold-dampness knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect of thunder-fire moxibustion combined with electroacupuncture in the treatment of cold-dampness knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: A total of 72 patients with cold-dampness knee osteoarthritis were randomly divided into observation group and control group according to the random numbers generated by computer software, with 36 patients in each group. For the observation group, electroacupuncture was performed at the main acupoints of Dubi (ST35), Neixiyan (EX-LE4), Zusanli (ST36), Yanglingquan (GB34), Yinlingquan (SP9), Xuehai (SP10), Liangqiu (ST34), and Heding (EX-LE2) once a day, with a needle retaining time of 30 min, and thunder-fire moxibustion was performed at Shenque (CV8) and Guanyuan (CV4) in the form of suspended moxibustion once a day, with 30 min each time. The patients in the control group were given oral administration of diclofenac sodium double-release enteric-coated capsules, 75 mg each time, once a day, and Fugui Gutong capsules, 6 capsules a time and 3 times a day. Each course of treatment was 14 days, and both groups were treated for 2 courses, with an interval of 2 days between the two courses. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score, and Lequesne index were observed before the treatment, immediately after the treatment, and at 4 months after the treatment, and the outcome of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome was compared between the two groups after treatment. RESULTS: Both groups had significant reductions in VAS score, WOMAC score, and Lequesne index immediately and at 4 months after the treatment (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the observation group had significant reductions in VAS score, Lequesne index, and WOMAC score (scores of pain, function and total score) immediately and at 4 months after the treatment (P<0.05). The effective rate was 97.1% (34/35) in the observation group, and was 78.8% (26/33) in the control group. The effective rate of the observation group was obviously higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Thunder-fire moxibustion combined with electroacupuncture has a better, more durable clinical effect and fewer adverse reactions than the drugs in the treatment of cold-dampness knee osteoarthritis.

Observations on the effect of thunder-fire moxibustion with meridian point on deficiency of kidney and spleen, and blood stasis in chronic kidney diseases stage three / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective@#To observe clinical effect of thunder-fire moxibustion with meridian point, including lumbar spinal cordacupoints of bladder meridian and abdominal acupoints of Ren channel, which treating on deficiency of kidney and spleen and blood stasis in chronic kidney diseases (CKD) stage 3.@*Methods@#Totally 60 patients were randomly divided into treatment and control group. 30 patients in control were treated with blood pressure and lipid adjustment, Chinese medicine and nutritional therapy. 30 patients in treatment group were treated with thunder-fire moxibustion with meridian point based on control. A moxibustion-treated course has 2 weeks, patients were treated every other day. Observe blood urea nitrogen (Bun) , creatinine (Scr) , glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) , Chinese medicine syndrome and quantitative score, as well as clinical efficacy.@*Results@#After 4 weeks of intervention, the TCM syndrome score [8 (4,10)] in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group [12 (10,14)], with a statistically significant difference (Z=-3.706, P = 0.000); in the quantitative score of symptom classification, the patients in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group [2 (0,2)], chills [2 (2,2)], fatigue [2 (2,4)], the difference was statistically significant (Z=-2.625, -3.593, -4.609, P < 0.01). The frequency of nocturia in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group (Z=-1.989, P < 0.05), while that in the treatment group was not significantly better than that in the control group (P > 0.05). In terms of clinical efficacy, the total effective rate of the treatment group was 93.3% (28/30), which was better than73.3% (22/30) of the control group (χ2= 38.19, P = 0.000).@*Conclusion@#Thunder-fire moxibustion with meridian point improve deficiency of kidney and spleen and blood stasis of patients in CKD stage3, such as weak waist, cold chills, poor appetite, weakness and nocturia, as well as ameliorate renal function.

Effect of Thunder-Fire moxibustion on night-urine symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia / 现代临床护理

Objective To investigate the effect of Thunder-fire Moxibustion on nocturnal urinary symptoms in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods According to hospitalized number from January to December 2018, 61 BPH patients with frequent nocturnal urination were divided into control group (treated with routine nursing and drug therapy) and observation group, where the Thunder-fire moxibustion was used once a day for one course of treatment every 10 days for 3 courses of treatment. The effect was observed by looking into the number of nocturnal urine and the prostate symptoms. Result After the treatment, the number of nocturnal urine in the observation group was smaller than that in the control group, and the IPSS score in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (P ＜0.001), and no adverse reactions were observed. Conclusion The Thunder-fire Moxibustion combined with drug therapy can improve nocturnal urinary symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia in a safe way.

Systematic evaluation and Meta-analysis of Thunder-Fire Moxibustion at periocular points for dry eye / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM:To systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Thunder-Fire Moxibustion and massage acupoints around eyes in the treatment of xerophthalmia and to provide evidence-based research basis for the subsequent clinical application of Thunder-Fire Moxibustion. <p>METHODS: Found a randomized controlled trial for the treatment of xerophthalmia with Thunder-Fire Moxibustion and massage acupoints around eyes by the retrieval from Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China Science and Technology Journal Database, CNKI and Wanfang Data. After two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted the data and evaluated the quality according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, Review Manager 5.3 was applied to process Meta-analysis.<p>RESULTS: Finally, seven RCT were selected for this Meta-analysis, a total of 530 patients,including 265 patients in the treatment group and 265 patients in the control group. The results showed that the clinical efficacy in the treatment group was better than that in the control group(<i>OR</i>=2.44, 95% <i>CI</i>: 1.74-3.43; <i>P</i><0.001). And the SⅠt in the treatment group was superior to that in the control group(WMD = 0.87, 95%<i> CI</i>: 0.46-1.27; <i>P</i><0.001). And the BUT in the treatment group was longer than that in the control group(WMD= 1.44, 95% <i>CI</i>: 1.01-1.86; <i>P</i><0.001).<p>CONCLUSION: Thunder-Fire Moxibustion and massage acupoints around eyes can improve the SⅠt and BUT of xerophthalmia. The therapy is not only safe and effective, but suitable for wider use as well.

Efficacy of thunder-fire moxibustion combined with external applicaion of powder for mild and moderate knee osteoarthritis / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the therapeutic effect between thunder-fire moxibustion combined with external applicaion of powder and thunder-fire moxibustion alone for mild and moderate knee osteoarthritis.@*METHODS@#A total of 70 patients with mild and moderate knee osteoarthritis were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 35 cases in each group. In the observation group, thunder-fire moxibustion combined with external applicaion of powder were applied, Thunder-fire moxibustion was applied at Xuehai (SP 10), Liangqiu (ST 34), Neixiyan (EX-LE 4), Yanglingquan (GB 34) and point, external applicaion of powder was given to the affected knee after the treatment of thunder-fire moxibustion. Simple thunder-fire moxibustion was given in the control group. All patients in the two groups were treated once a day, 7 days as one course and the consecutive 4 courses were required, with an interval of 1 day between courses. Before and after treatment, the visual analogue scale (VAS) score and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score were used to assessed knee pain, stiffness and physical function in the two groups. In addition, the efficacy was evaluated.@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the VAS scores, total scores of WOMAC, pain scores, stiffness scores and physical function scores were reduced after treatment in the two groups (<0.01), and the scores in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (<0.01, <0.05). The total effective rate was 97.0% (32/33) in the observation group, which was superior to 91.2% (31/34) in the control group (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Thunder-fire moxibustion combined with external applicaion of powder are superior to simple thunder-fire moxibustion in improving the symptoms and delaying the development of the disease for mild and moderate knee osteoarthritis.

Therapeutic Observation of Acupoint Thread Embedding plus Thunder-fire Moxibustion for Hyperlipidemia Due to Spleen-kidney Yang Deficiency / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupoint thread embedding plus thunder-fire moxibustion in treating hyperlipidemia due to spleen-kidney yang deficiency. Method Sixty patients with hyperlipidemia due to spleen-kidney yang deficiency were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 30 cases each. The treatment group was intervened by acupoint thread embedding plus thunder-fire moxibustion, while the control group was intervened by oral administration of Atorvastatin calcium tablets. After 8-week treatment, changes in the serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score were observed in the two groups, and the clinical efficacies were compared. Result The blood lipids indexes (TC, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C) and TCM syndrome score were significantly changed after the treatment in both groups (P<0.05). After the treatment, the blood lipids indexes and TCM syndrome score of the treatment group were insignificantly different from those of the control group (P>0.05). The total effective rate was 90.0％ in improving the blood lipids in the treatment group, versus 93.3％ in the control group, and the between-group difference was statistically insignificant (P>0.05). The total effective rate was 83.3％ in improving the TCM syndrome score in the treatment group versus 63.3％ in the control group, and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Acupoint thread embedding plus thunder-fire moxibustion is an effective method in treating hyperlipidemia due to spleen-kidney yang deficiency.

Origin and evolution of the thunder-fire moxibustion therapy / 中国针灸

Through analyzing the origin and evolution of the thunder-fire moxibustion therapy, the mysteries and misunderstandings of it were revealed. As a result, a more objective and comprehensive recognition of this ancient therapy was displayed to the people nowadays. The thunder-fire moxibustion therapy maybe originate from the Taoism magic arts before the Dynasty and became matured in the middle of the Dynasty. Two categories were divided during the long-term evolution in the history. In one category, the peach twig was taken as the moxa material rather than moxa stick and the incantation of Taoism remained. Regarding the other category, the herbal medicine was mixed in the moxa stick and the herbal composition was relatively specified. The incantation was removed. The moxibustion in the first category vanished at the end of the Dynasty. The latter one kept on development from the middle of the Dynasty through the modern times. Additionally, the herbal composition of moxa material has been modified; the indication enlarged and the operation improved. This therapy is still developed and applied by many doctors at the present times.

Effect of acupuncture plus thunder-fire moxibustion on MMP-3, TIMP-1 and TGF-β1 in rats with knee osteoarthritis / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To observe the effect of acupuncture plus thunder-fire moxibustion on the expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in cartilage of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) rats, and to explore the mechanism of acupuncture plus thunder-fire moxibustion in the treatment of KOA. Methods:Thirty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a blank control group, a model group and an acupuncture-moxibustion group by random digits table, 10 rats in each group. Rats in the model group and the acupuncture-moxibustion group were injected with papain in the right posterior knee joint to prepare the models. The levels of MMP-3 and TIMP-1 in rat synovium of each group were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) after 2 weeks of treatment. The level of TGF-β1 was determined by Motic B5 Micro-camera system. Results:The levels of MMP-3 and TIMP-1 in the cartilage of the model group were significantly higher than those in the blank control group (allP<0.01); the levels of MMP-3 and TIMP-1 in the acupuncture-moxibustion group were lower than those in the model group, and the between-group differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The levels of MMP-3 and TIMP-1 in the acupuncture-moxibustion group were higher than those in the blank control group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The level of TGF-β1 in cartilage tissues of the model group was significantly lower than that in the blank control group (P<0.01); the level of TGF-β1 in the acupuncture-moxibustion group was higher than that in the model group (P<0.05), but it was lower than that in the blank control group, and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Acupuncture plus thunder-fire moxibustion can effectively recover the abnormal expressions of MMP-3 and TIMP-1 in KOA model rats and somewhat up-regulate TGF-β1, which may be one of its mechanisms of acupuncture plus thunder-fire for KOA.

Effect of acupuncture plus thunder-fire moxibustion on MMP-3, TIMP-1 and TGF-β1 in rats with knee osteoarthritis / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To observe the effect of acupuncture plus thunder-fire moxibustion on the expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in cartilage of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) rats, and to explore the mechanism of acupuncture plus thunder-fire moxibustion in the treatment of KOA. Methods:Thirty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a blank control group, a model group and an acupuncture-moxibustion group by random digits table, 10 rats in each group. Rats in the model group and the acupuncture-moxibustion group were injected with papain in the right posterior knee joint to prepare the models. The levels of MMP-3 and TIMP-1 in rat synovium of each group were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) after 2 weeks of treatment. The level of TGF-β1 was determined by Motic B5 Micro-camera system. Results:The levels of MMP-3 and TIMP-1 in the cartilage of the model group were significantly higher than those in the blank control group (allP<0.01); the levels of MMP-3 and TIMP-1 in the acupuncture-moxibustion group were lower than those in the model group, and the between-group differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The levels of MMP-3 and TIMP-1 in the acupuncture-moxibustion group were higher than those in the blank control group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The level of TGF-β1 in cartilage tissues of the model group was significantly lower than that in the blank control group (P<0.01); the level of TGF-β1 in the acupuncture-moxibustion group was higher than that in the model group (P<0.05), but it was lower than that in the blank control group, and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Acupuncture plus thunder-fire moxibustion can effectively recover the abnormal expressions of MMP-3 and TIMP-1 in KOA model rats and somewhat up-regulate TGF-β1, which may be one of its mechanisms of acupuncture plus thunder-fire for KOA.

Clinical study of the electroacupuncture combined with thunder-fire moxibustion in treatment of degenerative knee osteoarthritis with cold-damp stagnation / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical effect of early degenerative knee osteoarthritis with cold-damp stagnation treated with electroacupuncture (EA) combined with thunder-fire moxibustion and simple EA.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty cases were randomly assigned into a combination group and an EA group,40 cases in each one. Twenty-five min EA was used in the EA group mainly atpoints,Neixiyan(EX-LE 4),Zusanli(ST 36),Dubi(ST 35),Yanglingquan(GB 34),Yinlingquan(SP 9) and Liangqiu(ST 34) after(arrival),once a day. Based on EA at the same acupoints as the EA group,thunder-fire moxibustion was applied atpoints,Dubi(ST 35)and Liangqiu(ST 34) by means of 20-minute suspended moxibustion,once a day. Ten-day treatment was seen as one course,and continuous 2 courses were applied. The indices were observed before and after treatment including visual analogue scale(VAS) score,Lequesne index score,Lysholm score of knee joint,serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Clinical effects were also evaluated and 6-month follow-up was implemented to show the recurrence rate.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment the total effective rate of the combination group was 95.0%(38/40),which was better than 82.5%(33/40) of the EA group(<0.05).The Lequesne index score,VAS score,serum CRP and ESR apparently decreased compared with those before treatment in the two groups(all<0.05),and the four indices in the combination group were obviously lower than those in the EA group(all<0.05). As for the Lysholm knee joint score,the good rates of the two groups enhanced after treatment(both<0.05),and the result of the combination group was superior to that of the EA group[87.5%(35/40) vs 72.5%(29/40),<0.05]. At 6-month follow-up,the recurrence rate of the combination group was lower than that of the EA group[26.7%(4/15) vs 100.0%(9/9),<0.05].</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>EA combined with thunder-fire moxibustion achieve good effect for degenerative knee osteoarthritis with cold-damp stagnation. The combination therapy have advantages in effect duration compared with simple EA.</p>

Clinical efficacy of catgut embedding combined with thunder-fire moxibustion in treatment of melasma / 中华医学美学美容杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of treating melasma by catgut embedding combined with thunder-fire moxibustion and acupuncture.Methods Between September 2011 to December 2012,82 cases of melasma patients in Acupuncture Department of Tongren Hospital were randomly recruited into test group (42 cases) and control group (40 cases).Test group was treated by catgut embedding combined with thunder-fire moxibustion and other 40 cases of control group were treated by common acupuncture.Then therapy effects were observed 8 weeks after treatments.Results In test group,general efficient rate of 42 cases was 97.6％,cure rate was 23.8％;in control group,general efficient rate of 40 cases was 72.5％,and cure rate was 15％.By statistical analysis,the effect of the test group was obviously higher than that of the control group (P＜0.05).Conclusions The treatment of melasma by catgut embedding combined with thunder fire moxibustion achieves more effective outcomes than common acupuncture.

Observations on the Therapeutic Effect of Heat-sensitive Point Thunder-fire Moxibustion on Knee Osteoarthritis / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of heat-sensitive point thunder-fire moxibustion in treating knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods One hundred and forty-eight KOA patients were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups, 74 cases each. The treatment group received heat-sensitive point thunder-fire moxibustion and the control group took diclofenac sodium enteric-coated tablets. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score and 50 yards fastest walking time were observed in the two groups before and after 30 days of treatment. The clinical therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups. Results There were statistically significant pre-/post-treatment differences in the VAS score and WOMAC subscores in the two groups (P<0.01). There was a statistically significant pre-/post-treatment difference in 50 yards fastest walking time in the treatment group (P<0.05). There were statistically significant post-treatment differences in the VAS score, the WOMAC score and the WOMAC pain and stiffness scores between the treatment and control groups (P<0.01). There were statistically significant differences in the VAS and WOMAC scores at three months after treatment between the treatment and control groups (P<0.01). The total efficacy rate was 95.9%at the end of treatment and 95.6%at three months after treatment in the treatment group, and 86.1%at the end of treatment and 86.8%at three months after treatment in the control group; there were statistically significant differences between the two groups (P<0.05). Conclusion Heat-sensitive point thunder-fire moxibustion is an effective way to treat knee osteoarthritis.

Clinical Research of Moxibustion Therapy on Gastralgia Due to Deficiency and Cold / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To observe the clinical effect of moxibustion on gastralgia of deficiency cold type. Methods: Sixty patients were randomly divided into 2 groups. The 30 patients in the treatment group were treated with Zhao's thunder-fire moxibustion while the other 30 patients in the control group were treated with oral medicine. Results: After one course of treatment, the total effective rate of treatment group was notably higher than that of the control group, showing statistical significance (P<0.05). Conclusion: The total effective rate of thunder-fire moxibustion on gastralgia of deficiency cold type was better than that of the traditional Chinese medicine in relieving epigastralgia.