Experimental observation of effects of acupoints, cone numbers and durations of moxibustion with different moxibustion methods on skin surface and inside temperature / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To observe the effects of acupoints, cone numbers and durations of moxibustion with different moxibustion methods on skin surface and inside temperature, and to provide references for the clinical standardization of moxibustion amount. Methods: The 42 big-ear white rabbits were divided into 6 groups according to the random number table method, a 1-cone direct moxibustion group, a 2-cone direct moxibustion group, a 3-cone direct moxibustion group, a 1-cone herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group, a 2-cone herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group, and a 3-cone herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group, with 7 rabbits in each group. Shenque (CV 8), Shenshu (BL 23) and Zusanli (ST 36) were used in each group, but the moxibustion methods, cone numbers and durations of moxibustion were different. Rabbits in each group received moxibustion once every other day for 5 times in total. During the intervention, a thermoelectricity coupled probe and a temperature recorder were used to record the real-time acupoint skin temperature and the temperature at different time points, so as to observe, analyze and process the real-time changes in the temperature difference between the surface and inside of acupoint skin. Results: For herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion, the best temperature for cone changing was (46.38±0.51) ℃ when the highest surface temperature was (49.20±0.52) ℃; the multi-factor comparison of acupoint × cone number × time and acupoint × moxibustion method × time showed that time × acupoint, time × moxibustion method and cone number × acupoint had interactive effects (all P<0.05). Comparing skin temperature differences between different cone numbers at the same acupoint, Shenque (CV 8) on the 1st and the 5th days, Shenshu (BL 23) on the 3rd and the 7th days, Zusanli (ST 36) on the 1st and the 9th days of experiment showed statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). The skin temperature comparison of different moxibustion methods at the same acupoint all had statistical differences (all P<0.05), except for Shenque (CV 8) before moxibustion, Shenshu (BL 23) before moxibustion and on the 5th day; Zusanli (ST 36) only showed statistical differences on the 5th and 7th days (both P<0.05). The skin temperature differences of different acupoints after moxibustion in the 1-cone, 2-cone and 3-cone groups were statistically different (all P<0.05); direct moxibustion and herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion at different acupoints were all statistically different (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Cone changing temperature under the same specifications of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion was confirmed. Temperature difference between surface and inside of different acupoint skin at the same maximum temperature was significantly different due to the cone numbers and moxibustion methods, which showed the highest at Shenshu (BL 23), the second at Shenque (CV 8), and the lowest at Zusanli (ST 36). The influence of acupoint factor should be considered to determine the quantitative indicators of moxibustion.

Dose-effect relationship in treatment of chronic neck pain with the direct moxibustion of small moxa cone / 中国针灸

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.

Clinical observation of the effects of moxibustion with seed-sized moxa cone plus opioid drugs on cancer pain and immune function / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

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.

Herbal-cake-partitioned moxibustion of "Shenque" (CV8) has a relative specific effect in relieving abdominal pain and in regulating neuroendocrine-immune network in primary dysmenorrhea rats / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of herbal-cake-partitioned moxibustion (HCPM) of "Shenque" (CV8) and "Daheng" (SP15) on abdominal pain, plasma β-endorphin (β-EP), uterine prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) levels, as well as splenetic natural killer cell (NK cell) activity in primary dysmenorrhea (PD) rats, so as to explore the specificity of acupoint function and the underlying mechanisms of moxibustion in relieving dysmenorrhea. METHODS: A total of 40 female rats were randomized into blank control, model, CV8-direct moxibustion, CV8-HCPM and SP15-HCPM groups (n＝8 rats in each). The PD model was established by subcutaneous injection of estradiol benzoate injection (0.2-0.5 mg/rat) for 10 consecutive days and intraperitoneal injection of oxytocin (2 U) 24 h after the last subcutaneous injection. Moxibustion or herbal-cake (composed of Radix Angelicae Sinensis, Rhizoma Chuanxiong, Radix Paeoniae Rubra, Cortex Cinnamomi, etc.)-partitioned moxibustion was applied to CV8, SP15 or umbilicus respectively for 7 moxa-cones every time, once daily for 10 successive days. The rats of the control and model groups were also restrained as those in the moxibustion groups. The writhing times within 30 minutes was recorded and the contents of plasma β-EP, uterine PGE2 and PGF2α were detected by ELISA, and NK cell activity was detected using MTT. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the writhing times and the content of PGF2α in the uterus tissue were significantly increased in the model group (P0.05). CONCLUSION: Moxibustion of both CV8 and SP15 can relieve abdominal pain in PD rats, which may be closely associated with its effect in suppressing PD-induced decrease of plasma β-EP and uterine PGE2 levels and splenetic NK cell activity and increase of uterine PGF2α. The therapeutic effect of CV8-HCPM is obviously better than that of SP15-HCPM and CV8-direct moxibustion.

Clinical research of acupuncture moxibustion and traditional Chinese medicine external treatment of severe knee osteoarthritis / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective To study the effect of moxibustion acupuncture and Chinese medicine external treatment for the severe knee osteoarthritis. Methods A total of 86 severe knee osteoarthritis patients were enrolled between December 2014 and December 2016, in Department of Integrated TCM & Western Medicine, Shijiazhuang first hospital. According to the enrolled sequency, patients were divided into observation group and control group, 43 in each group. The control group was treated with intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate of 2ml, and the observation group was treated with the combined acupuncture moxibustion and traditional Chinese medicine external treatment on the basis of the control group. Two groups were performed for 3 months of follow-up. The clinical effect, WOMAC values, VAS score and Lysholm scale, and the serum high sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin 1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-a) changes before and after the treatment were observed and compared. Results The total effective rate of observation group was 93.0％ (40/43), while control group total effective rate was 76.7％ (33/43), and the differences between two groups was statistically significant (χ2=4.441, P=0.035). After treatment, the WOMAC joint stiffness scores (3.2 ± 1.2 vs. 4.8 ± 2.1, t=4.338), joint pain (4.2 ± 1.3 vs. 5.9 ± 1.7, t=4.903), daily activities (14.5 ± 2.8 vs. 18.7 ± 2.9, t=6.832) in observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group. The VAS score (2.5 ± 0.8 vs. 4.1 ± 1.2, t=7.275) in observation group was significantly lower than the control group, while the Lysholm score (74.2 ± 3.7 vs. 67.4 ± 3.9, t=8.295) was significantly higher than the control group (P<0.05). The serum hs-CRP (8.34 ± 2.24 mg/L vs. 13.67 ± 2.54 mg/L, t=10.321), IL-1 (0.85 ± 0.11 ng/L vs. 1.32 ± 0.42 ng/L, t=7.099), TNF-a (98.67 ± 15.74 ng/L vs. 178.44 ± 26.53 ng/L, t=16.955) in the observation group patients were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions The acupuncture combined moxibustion and traditional Chinese medicine external treatment could treat severe knee osteoarthritis, improve the function of knee joint.

Therapeutic Observation of Modified Blistering Moxibustion for Bronchial Asthma in Young Adults / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the therapeutic difference between modified blistering moxibustion and traditional blistering moxibustion in treating bronchial asthma in young adults.Method Totally 121 young adults with bronchial asthma were randomized into a treatment group of 62 cases and a control group of 59 cases. With the same points selected for the two groups, the treatment group was intervened by blistering moxibustion with modification in several aspects including columnar moxa cone, topical anesthesia in moxibustion region, application of sticking after moxibustion, and regulation of diet, while the control group was by traditional blistering moxibustion. The treatment was given once every summer, successive 3 times as a treatment course. The attack frequency and intensity were scored before intervention and after a treatment course, and the clinical efficacies were compared between the two groups.Result The attack frequency and intensity scores were significantly changed after the intervention in both groups (P0.05). There were significant differences in comparing the blister parameters (blister starting time, blister scar falling-off time, pus drainage time, recovery time of the blister, and the maximum diameter of the blister) between the two groups (P<0.01,P<0.05).Conclusion Modified blistering moxibustion is an effective method in treating bronchial asthma in young adults.

Effects on the tumor specific growth factor and tumor necrosis factor α in rats' precancerous lesion of primary hepatocellular carcinoma by direct moxibustion at Ganshu (BL 18) acupoint / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of direct moxibustion at Ganshu (BL18) on the serum concentrations of tumor specific growth factor (TSGF) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in a rat model with precancerous lesion of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), so as to explore the mechanism of moxibustion underlying improvement of HCC.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group (n=10), model group (n=20), prevention group 1 (n=15) and prevention group 2 (n=15). The normal rats were injected with physiological saline as blank control. At the same time, the rats of other three groups were injected with diethylnitrosamine to establish the HCC model. Direct moxibustion with grain-sized moxa was applied to bilateral Ganshu acupoint of the rats in the prevention group 1 (1 treatment course, 20 days) and prevention group 2 (2 treatment courses, 40 days), 5 doses for each acupoint, 0.5 mg/dose, once every other day. At each time point (before model establishment, the end of 1st course prevention, the end of 2nd course prevention and the end of model establishment), serum levels of TSGF and TNF-α were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, there was a remarkably increase of serum TSGF and TNF-α contents in the model group at the end of the experiment (P<0.05). At the end of the 1st course of direct moxibustion, the contents of serum TSGF and TNF-α of rats in the prevention group 1 were significantly increased compared with that of the model group (P<0.05). At the end of the 2nd course of direct moxibustion, serum TSGF and TNF-α levels of rats in the model group were higher than the normal group with significantly difference (P<0.05), and the levels of TSGF and TNF-α in the prevention group 2 were significantly reduced in comparison with the model group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>It was possible that direct moxibustion could inhibit precancerous lesion and postpone hepatocarcinogenesis, and the therapeutic effect of two courses were better than one course.</p>

Effect of direct moxibustion on blood pressure and clinical symptoms in elderly patients with essential hypertension / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

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.

Professor Yan Jun-bai’s experience in treating rheumatic arthritis with suppurative moxibustion / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

To summarize the clinical experience of Prof. Yan Jun-bai in treating rheumatic arthritis (RA) with suppurative moxibustion and aim to guide acupuncture treatment for RA. Prof. Yan believes that contributing factors of RA include external contraction of pathogenic factors, obstructed flow of qi and blood, internal phlegm-turbidity (due to deficiency of healthy qi or improper diet), and obstruction or malnourishment of meridians. As a result, the treatment strategies are to warm yang, remove pathogenic factors, and tonify the liver, spleen and kidney. Suppurative moxibustion is a reliable therapy for RA.

Review on Clinical and Mechanism Studies of Moxibustion Therapy for Chronic Gastritis / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

By computer research, the literature of clinical and experimental studies on moxibustion therapy for chronic gastritis in the recent fifteen years was collected, sorted and analyzed, in order to understand the general situation about the clinical and experimental studies on moxibustion therapy for chronic gastritis, summarize the regularity of moxibustion therapy for chronic gastritis, so as to guide the treatment of chronic gastritis.

Treatment of Limb Pain after Wind-stroke by Direct Moxibustion with Small Moxa Cones / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Thirty-one cases of limb pain after wind-stroke were treated by direct moxibustion with small moxa cones. Results showed that 12 cases got remarkable effects, 15 cases effect and 4 cases ineffectiveness, with a total effective rate of 87.1%.

Wu Ji Health Promotion Moxibustion by Mr. Kim Nam-SOO / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Mu-guk-bo-yang-tm (tm means moxibustion), which Nam-soo Kim has developed from extensive clinical findings through acupuncture and moxibustion applications for over 80 years. Mu-guk-bo-yang-tm inclucing Zusanli (ST36), Quchi (LI11), Zhongwan (CV12), Feishu (BL13), Gaohuang (BL43), Baihui (GV 20), Qihai (CV6), Guanyuan (CV4) [Zhongji (CV3) and Shuidao (ST28) replace Qihai (CV 6) and Guanyuan (CV4) for women]. Do moxibustion 3-5 cones on every point with half the size of a rice of moxa every day.

The State of Moxibustion Education on Japanese Vocational College Education / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

[Purpose] To evaluate the state of moxibustion therapy education.<br>[Methods] Investigation with a questionnaire at 66 vocational colleges of acupuncture and moxibustion in Japan based on the list issued by the Foundation for the Training and Licensure Examination in Anma-Massage-Shiatsu, Acupuncture and Moxibustion in April 2004.<br>[Results] The rate of valid responses was 62.1% (41/66). Basic practical moxibustion skills are taught in the first year of the three year program. For this class, 36.6% (15/66) of colleges gave students two credits. Most colleges devote more class time to direct moxibustion compared to indirect moxibustion. Students must learn to prepare a small, perfect shape, smaller than a grain of rice. The direct moxa cones are typically burned only 70∼80% to reduce the chance of burns.<br>More than 80% of colleges responded that moxibustion therapy was very available. The biggest problem is afflicting burns. Although more than 90% of colleges teach direct moxibustion with one's fellow students, the problem of burns remains. Colleges in eastern Japan tend to teach lower temperature moxa stimulation than western ones.<br>[Conclusion] The state of Japanese moxibustion education in vocational colleges of acupuncture and moxibustion is clear. In the future it is important that we consider new methods of moxibustion therapy based on safety and patient comfort, while maintaining traditional Japanese methods. Further it is necessary to investigate the state of Japanese moxibustion therapy at the clinical bed side.

The Effect of Moxibustion Stimulation on Duodenal Motility in Anesthetized Rats / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

The effect of moxibustion on duodenal motility was examined. Duodenal motility was measured by the balloon method in anesthetized, artificially ventilated rats. The stimulation temperature and duration of moxibustion varied. Treatments were applied to the hind paw and abdomen.<BR>The duodenal motility exhibited an excited response by pinch stimulation of hind paw, and inhibitory response by abdominal pinch stimulation. Duodenal motility did not show any response to indirect moxibustion stimulation of the hind paw and abdomen. Duodenal motility exhibited an excited response by direct application of moxibustion to the hind paw and an inhibitory response by direct application of moxibustion to the abdomen.