Comparative study on moxibustion and infrared method for detection of the heat-sensitive state of Yāoyángguān (腰阳关GV 3) in patients of lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion

Objective To explore the possibility of infrared objective display of the heat-sensitive （HS） acupoint. Methods In 79 cases of lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion （LIDP） patients, infrared thermograms of the lumbar and back region were taken with a thermal texture maps（TTM） method at a natural state, followed by a heat-sensitive detection with moxibustion method [moxibustion was given at Yaoyangguan （腰阳关GV 3） area for 10 min]. The cases with thermal diffusion and heat transfer on the Yaoyangguan （腰阳关GV 3） area were recorded after ceasing of the suspended moxibustion. Then the infrared thermograms were taken by TTM for the second time, and the changes of infrared thermograms of the waist-back region before and after moxibustion were recorded. Finally, the differences between moxibustion and infrared detection methods in the heat-sensitive state on Yaoyangguan （腰阳关GV 3） area were compared in the LIDP patients. Results Before moxibustion, the infrared radiation intensity most displayed high-temperature characteristics on the Yaoyangguan （腰阳关GV 3） area in the LIDP patients. Compared with the moxibustion method, the sensitivity（true positive rate） was 86.4%, the specificity （true negative rate） was 70.0%, and the accuracy was 82.3%; after moxibustion at the Yaoyangguan （腰阳关GV 3） area, the infrared radiation enhanced area obviously extended vertically along the medial waist-back （the Governor Vessel） or horizontally along the Belt Vessel. Compared with the moxibustion method, the sensitivity （true positive rate） was 79.7%, the specificity （true negative rate） was 75.0% and the accuracy was 78.5%. Conclusion The HS state of Yaoyangguan （腰阳关GV 3） area in the LIDP patients can be objectively displayed by the infrared imaging to a certain extent; moxibustion at the HS acupoint produces the thermal phenomena, such as thermal expansion and heat transfer, which can be objectively displayed to a certain extent by the infrared imaging apart from the subjective feeling of the subject.

热敏灸、太极刺配合推拿三联法治疗面肌痉挛疗效观察

目的观察热敏灸、太极刺配合推拿三联法治疗面肌痉挛的临床疗效。方法将60例面肌痉挛患者随机分为治疗组和对照组,每组30例。治疗组采用热敏灸、太极刺配合推拿三联法治疗,对照组采用常规针刺配合艾条悬灸治疗。治疗3个疗程后,比较两组痉挛强度和痉挛频度的临床疗效。结果治疗组痉挛强度的总有效率和愈显率分别为86.7%和43.3%,对照组分别为66.7%和26.7%,两组比较差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.01)。治疗组痉挛频度的总有效率和愈显率分别为83.3%和46.7%,对照组分别为66.7%和30.0%,两组比较差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论热敏灸、太极刺配合推拿三联法是一种治疗面肌痉挛的有效方法。

Clinical observation on heat-sensitive moxibustion plus lactulose for postoperative constipation of mixed hemorrhoid due to spleen deficiency

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of heat-sensitive moxibustion plus lactulose oral liquid for postoperative constipation of mixed hemorrhoid.Methods:A total of 70 patients were randomized into a treatment group and a control group,with 35 cases in each group by a random number table.Patients in the control group received lactulose oral liquid alone,while those in the treatment group received additional heat-sensitive moxibustion at Shenque(CV 8).The treatment was given once a day for 15 consecutive days.The defecation interval time,defecation duration,the scores of stool form,visual analog scale(VAS)and patient assessment of constipation quality of life questionnaire(PAC-QOL),as well as the serum substance P(SP)and nitric oxide(NO)levels were measured before and after treatment.Results:After treatment,the stool form score,defecation interval time and defecation duration in the two groups dropped significantly(all P<0.05),and they were lower in the treatment group than in the control group(all P<0.05).After treatment,the VAS scores in the two groups dropped significantly(both P<0.05),and it was lower in the treatment group than in the control group(P<0.05).After treatment,the PAC-QOL scores in the two groups dropped significantly(both P<0.05),and it was lower in the treatment group than in the control group(P<0.05).After treatment,the serum SP and NO levels in the two groups improved significantly(all P<0.05),and showed statistically significant differences between the treatment group and the control group(both P<0.05).Conclusion:Heat-sensitive moxibustion plus lactulose oral liquid can improve stool form,shorten defecation interval time and defecation duration,alleviate defecation pain,and improve quality of life(QOL)for patients with postoperative constipation of mixed hemorrhoid,which may be related to the regulation of the SP and NO levels.

Effect and cerebral mechanism of moxibustion at heat-sensitized Yaoyangguan(GV3)in patients with lumbar disc herniation and myofascial pain syndrome by resting-state functionality magnetic resonance imaging:protocol for an observational study

We want to explore the analgesic brain effect of the moxibustion at heat-sensitized Yaoyangguan(GV3)in patients with lumbar disc herniation(LDH)and myofascial pain syndrome(MPS).In an assessor-blinded observational study,we will include 15 LDH and 15 MPS.They will accept same treatment of heat-sensitive moxibustion at Yaoyangguan(GV3).The resting-state functionality magnetic resonance imaging image data of brain activities before and after treatment will be analyzed by mean fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation,regional homogeneity analysis and brain functional connection.We select seed of first sensory cortex,second sensory cortex,insula cortex,periaqueductal gray and anterior cingulate cortex as the regions of interest to analyse the relationship between brain functional connectivity of pain-related networks and clinical data.Our study could disclose key brain targets and central response characteristics of the analgesic brain effect and the brain functional connection of heat-sensitive moxibustion.