Effects of Moxibustion on Physiological Indices and Autonomic Nervous Symptoms in Adults with Prehypertension

PURPOSE: This study was done to examine the effects of moxibustion on physiological indices, such as 24-hr blood pressure, pulse pressure, and pulse rate, and autonomic nervous symptoms among adults with prehypertension. METHODS: Participants were adults whose systolic and diastolic blood pressures were in the prehypertension stage and were not under treatment for the condition. Both experimental and control group consisted of 13 participants who were taking classes on acupuncture and moxibustion at a private institute. The experimental group received moxibustion once a day for 15 min, at least 5 days a week for 8 weeks. The results were analyzed using chi-square-test, t-test, Fisher's exact test, Wilcoxon rank sum test and repeated measures ANOVA with the SAS program. Bonferroni correction method was adopted for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: No significant change was observed in the 24-hr systolic and diastolic blood pressure between the two groups. Differences in the 24-hr pulse pressure and pulse rate were also not significant. However, significant decreases in headache, symptoms of flushing and fatigue were observed in the experimental group. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that moxibustion contributes to alleviating symptoms such as headache, flushing and fatigue associated with the autonomic nervous system among adults with prehypertension.