Comparative Study on Heat-sensitive Moxibustion Versus Warm Needling for Cervical Spondylosis of Vertebroarterial Type / 上海针灸杂志

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo compare the efficacies between heat-sensitive moxibustion and warm needling in treating cervical spondylosis of vertebroarterial type.MethodTotally 120 patients with cervical spondylosis of vertebroarterial type were randomized into a heat-sensitive moxibustion group and a warm needling group, 60 in each group. In addition to acupuncture at bilateral Fengchi (GB20), Wangu (GB12), Tianzhu (BL10), Dazhui (GV14) and Baihui (GV20), the heat-sensitive moxibustion group was given mild moxibustion to the heat-sensitive points in cervical and scapular regions, while the warm needling group was given regular moxibustion.ResultGenerally, after 20 treatment sessions, efficacy wasfound in both groups, and there were significant differences in both groups after intervention (P<0.05), while the improvements of integral score, dizziness, cervical and shoulder pain, and the recovery and markedly-effective rate in the heat-sensitive moxibustion group were significantlysuperiorto that in the warm needling group (P<0.05).ConclusionCompared to warm needling treatment, heat-sensitive moxibustion can more significantly improve dizziness and pain in patients with cervical spondylosis of vertebroarterial type, and thus enhance the therapeutic efficacy.