Herb-separated moxibustion on dysmenorrhea in ovarian endometriosis: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of herb-separated moxibustion on dysmenorrhea in ovarian endometriosis.@*METHODS@#A total of 54 patients with ovarian endometriosis dysmenorrhea were randomized into a herb-separated moxibustion group and a waiting-list group, 27 cases in each one (3 cases dropped off in the herb-separated moxibustion group, 4 cases dropped off in the waiting-list group). Herb-separated moxibustion was applied at hypogastrium and lumbosacral area for 30 min in the herb-separated moxibustion group, once a week for 3 months, and oral ibuprofen sustained-release capsule was given to relieve pain when necessary. Excepting giving ibuprofen sustained-release capsule when necessary, no more intervention was adopted in the waiting-list group. Before and after treatment and in 3 months follow-up, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, days of dysmenorrhea, total dose of oral painkiller were observed.@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the VAS scores after tratment and in follow-up were decreased in the herb-separated moxibustion group (<0.05), and were less than those in the waiting-list group (<0.05); the days of dysmenorrhea and the total doses of oral painkiller after tratment and in follow-up were decreased in the herb-separated moxibustion group (<0.05), and were less than those in the waiting-list group (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Herb-separated moxibustion can effectively improve dysmenorrhea symptom and shorten dysmenorrhea days in patients with ovarian endometriosis.

Analysis on the dominant diseases treated with spreading moxibustion therapy based on randomized controlled trials / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the indications and dominant diseases of the spreading moxibustion therapy.@*METHODS@#By retrieving 7 databases of both Chinese and English version, such as CNKI, WANFANG, VIP and PubMed, the eligible articles of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) treated with spreading moxibustion therapy were collected. The number of annual publications, the number of each disease system, the indications and dominant diseases involved in the related articles were analyzed statistically, as well as the number of cases and the corresponding clinical effective rates.@*RESULTS@#A total of 182 articles were included, including 40 indications for the spreading moxibustion and covering 9 major disease systems. Specially, the indications in the motor system were maximal in number, accounting for 17.50% (7/40) of the total number of indications. The number of indications in the digestive system was on the second top, accounting for 15.00% (6/40). The dominant diseases were mainly distributed in motor system, respiratory system, nervous system and gynecological system. There were 3 dominant diseases in motor system, i.e. ankylosing spondylitis, back pain and rheumatoid arthritis; 1 dominant disease, i.e. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the respiratory system, 1 dominant disease, i.e. primary dysmenorrheal in the gynecological system and 1 dominant disease, i.e. post-stroke paralysis in the nervous system.@*CONCLUSION@#At present, the indications of the spreading moxibustion therapy are widely distributed and the dominant diseases are concentrated, representatively by ankylosing spondylitis. But, the indications and the dominant diseases of spreading moxibustion are changeable dynamically and the disease spectrum of spreading moxibustion needs to be further explored.

Effect of drug-spreading moxibustion for primary dysmenorrheal with cold-damp stagnation and its uterine artery blood flow / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect difference between drug-spreading moxibustion and the oral administration of meloxicam for primary dysmenorrheal with cold stagnation and to explore its mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 101 patients with primary dysmenorrheal were randomly assigned into a drug-moxibustion group(52 cases) and a western medication group(49 cases). Drug-spreading moxibustion was used on the lumbosacral acupoints area and then around lower abdominal five days before menstruation until the 3rd day of menstruation,once three days,while western medicine meloxicam was prescribed one day before menstruation,7.5 mg at a time,once a day and continuously for three days. The clinical effects after one course,namely three menstrual cycles,were compared between the two groups. Meanwhile,the resistance index(RI) and the pulsatility index (PI) of uterine artery and arcus arteriarum were examined through color Doppler ultrasound before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After one-course treatment,the effective rate was 92.3%(48/52) in the drug-spreading moxibustion group,which was better than 67.3%(33/49) in the western medication group(<0.05). Also,all the RI and PI in the drug-spreading moxibustion group were obviously decreased than those before treatment(all<0.05),and the ones were superior to those of the western medication group(all<0.05),which showed no apparent decrease after treatment(all>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Drug-spreading moxibustion can improve the symptoms of primary dysmenorrheal with cold-damp stagnation,and the effect is better than that of meloxicam. The mechanism may be related to improve the blood supply to the uterus.</p>

Effect of governor moxibustion for restless legs syndrome of maintenance hemodialysis:a rando-mized controlled trial / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of governor moxibustion for restless legs syndrome(RLS) of maintenance hemodialysis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-nine patients with RLS of maintenance hemodialysis were randomly divided into an observation group(34 cases) and a control group(35 cases). Conventional hemodialysis was applied in the two groups. Moxibustion was used at the governor vessel from Dazhui(GV 14) to Yaoshu(GV 2) separated by governor moxibustion powder and ginger mud in the observation group. Treatment was given once two weeks and continuous eight times were taken as a course. One course was adopted. Scores of international restless legs syndrome(IRLS) and Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI) were observed before and after treatment and comprehensive effects were evaluated in the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total scores of IRLS and PSQI were decreased after treatment in the two groups(all<0.01). And the above two scores after treatment of the observation group were apparently lower than those of the control group(both<0.05). The cured and effective rate of the observation group was 58.8%(20/34),and that of the control group was 22.9%(8/35),with statistical difference(<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Governor moxibustion can effectively improve the symptoms and sleep quality of RLS of maintenance hemodialysis.</p>

key to Performing Spreading Moxibustion on the Du Meridian and the Characteristics of Its Application / 上海针灸杂志

The key to performing spreading moxibustion on the Du meridian and the characteristics of its application are investigated. Summer is the time suitable for spreading moxibustion on Du meridian. The performance on Du meridian points has special requirements for every procedure: selecting moxibustion materials, spreading medication, igniting moxa and cleaning moxibustion sores. There are five large characteristics in the clinical application. The first is accumulating heat and focusing on warm-unblocking; the second is regulating both the whole body and local parts; the third is timing the treatment and making adaptations;the fourth is selecting high-quality materials and guarantee the performance;the fifth is focusing on health maintenance and strengthening nursing. Spreading moxibustion on the Du meridian has a wide area of performance, large moxa cones, a long time, sufficient fire power, strong warm-unblocking force, quick and convenient treatment and a remarkable effect. Mastering the key to the performance and the characteristics of the clinical application can further rich acupuncture and moxibustion treatments and give full play to the role of old and traditional moxibustion.