Observation on the therapeutic effect of modified sparrow-pecking moxibustion for 60 cases of osteoarthritis of knee

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of modified sparrow-pecking moxibustion for osteoarthritis of knee. Methods Sixty cases of patients with osteoarthritis of knee were divided randomly into a treatment group and a control group. The treatment group was treated by modified sparrow- pecking moxibustion, and the control group by traditional sparrow-pecking moxibustion. It was given once a day and 10 times were one course, and the efficacy was observed after two courses of treatment. Results the total effective rate in the treatment group was 90.00% （27/30）, that in the control group was 76.67% （23/30）, the efficacy in the treatment group was better than that in the control group （P〈O.05）. Conclusion Modified sparrow-pecking moxibustion has obvious effect on the treatment of osteoarthritis of knee and it is worthy of being studied and promoted.

Research progress on factors influencing therapeutic efficacy of moxibustion

As a crucial component of acupuncture-moxibustion therapy, moxibustion has been extensively propagated and used with its significant efficacy, simple operation, inconspicuous adverse effects and less sufferings. There are a variety of factors that influence the therapeutic efficacy of moxibustion. The influencing factors, including moxibustion dose （moxibustion duration, distance between moxa and skin, size and number of moxa cone）, selection of points, moxibustion sensations, and the type of moxibustion were analyzed and summarized, to provide references for approaching the maximum efficacy of moxibustion in clinic.

Clinical observation on wheat grain-sized cone moxibustion combined with fire needle for dorsal wrist ganglion

Objective：To observe the clinical effect of wheat grain-sized cone moxibustion combined with fire needle therapy in the treatment of dorsal wrist ganglion （DWG）. Methods：A total of 63 patients with DWG were randomized into a treatment group （n=32） and a control group （n=31）. Cases in the control group were treated with fire needle therapy. Based on the therapy given to the control group, cases in the treatment group were additionally given wheat grain-sized cone moxibustion therapy. Then the therapeutic efficacies and recurrence rate were evaluated. Results：After treatment, the overall effective rate was 93.8% in the treatment group, versus 77.4% in the control group, and the between-group comparison showed a statistical significance （P〈0.05）; 6 months after the treatment, the recurrence rate in the treatment group was obviously lower than that in the control group （P〈0.05）. Conclusion：The long-term and short-term effects of wheat grain-sized cone moxibustion combined with fire needle therapy in the treatment of DWG are better than those of fire needle therapy alone, and therefore, worth popularizing.

Clinical observation on collateral-pricking and cupping therapy plus moxibustion for localized neurodermatitis

Objective： To observe the clinical effects of collateral-pricking and cupping therapy plus moxibustion for localized neurodermatitis. Methods： A total of 94 cases with localized neurodermatitis were randomly divided into two groups by their visit order, 47 cases in each group. The cases in the treatment group were treated by bleeding method with a plum blossom needle, cupping method and moxibustion. The cases in the control group were treated by subcutaneous injection of Triamcinolone Acetonide Acetate Injection. Results： After treatment, the curative rate and total effective rate were respectively 80.9% and 100% in the treatment group and were 48.9% and 87.2% in the control group. The differences in the curative rate and total effective rate between the two groups were statistically significant （P〈0.01, P〈0.05）. Conclusion; Bleeding method by a plum blossom needle, in combination with cupping method and moxibustion, is an effective therapy for localized neurodermatitis.

Treatment of 73 Cases of Bed Sores with Warming Moxibustion

Seventy-three patients with bed sores were treated by warming moxibustion. Of the 73 cases, 58 cases were cured, 12 cases improved and 3 cases ineffective, with an effective rate of 95.9%.

Regularity of Moxibustion Quantity

The composition of moxibustion quantity is discussed, and it is believed that the effective moxibustion quantity is a certain threshold range, which is influenced by the functional state of the patient and different moxibustion methods. Based on the foundation of conventional moxibustion quantity, the quantity should be adjusted according to patient＇s constitution, age, moxibustion area, affected region, nature of disease and the sensitivity. Through different methods and techniques, the stimulus intensity and time can be altered to approach a proper moxibustion quantity.

Clinical observation on prevention of chemotherapy infection in gastric cancer by moxa-stick moxibustion plus rhG-CSF and its effect on immune function

Objective:To observe the effect of moxa-stick moxibustion plus recombinant human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor(rhG-CSF)in preventing chemotherapy infection in gastric cancer and its effect on immune function.Methods:A total of 70 patients with gastric cancer treated by chemotherapy were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group,with 35 cases in each group.The control group was given rhG-CSF,and the observation group was given additional moxa-stick moxibustion on the basis of rhG-CSF.Both groups were treated for 2 chemotherapy cycles,totally 6 weeks.The number of patients with infection,the duration of infection and the duration of continuous use of antibiotics were observed.The leukocytes and granulocytes counts,the levels of tumor necrosis factor-a(TNF-a)and interferon-γ(IFN-γ)were measured before and after treatment,and the levels of CD4,CD8 and natural killer(NK)cells were analyzed.Results:The infection rate of the observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group(P<0.05),and the duration of infection and the duration of continuous use of antibiotics were also shorter(P<0.05).After treatment,the leukocytes and granulocytes counts in the two groups were higher than those before treatment(all P<0.05).After treatment,the levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ of the patients in the two groups were improved(all P<0.05),and there were significant differences between the observation group and the control group(P<0.05).After treatment,the numbers of CD4,CD8,and NK cells in the observation group increased significantly(all P<0.05);but the changes in the control group were not significant(P>0.05).Conclusion:Moxa-stick moxibustion plus rhG-CSF can significantly reduce the incidence and severity of chemotherapy infection in gastric cancer,increase the leukocytes and granulocytes counts,and regulate the levels of inflammatory factors,which may be related to the improvement of the immune function of the patients.

Treatment of 85 Cases with Chronic Rhinitis by Acupuncture

Patients with chronic rhinitis may not respond well to medications. The author treated 85 cases using acupuncture. The result is reported as follows.

Effect of heat-sensitive moxibustion on facial function score in patients with facial paralysis

Objective： To observe and compare the therapeutic efficacies of heat-sensitive moxibustion plus Western medication, dry Western medication, and acupuncture plus TDP in treating peripheral facial palsy （FP）. Methods： Ninety FP patients were randomized into a Western medication group, a heat-sensitive moxibustion group, and an acupuncture group by using sealed envelope, 30 cases in each group. The Western medication group was intervened by conventional Western medication; the heat-sensitive moxibustion group was by heat-sensitive moxibustion in addition to the same Western medication; the acupuncture group was by the Western medication plus acupuncture and TDP radiation. For the three groups, 6-day treatment was taken as a treatment course, with a 2-day interval between 2 courses, and totally 4 treatment courses were observed. Results： After intervention, the modified Portmann scores were changed significantly in the three groups （P〈0.05）, and the improvements in the heat-sensitive moxibustion group and the acupuncture group were both superior to that in the Western medication group. The recovery plus markedly effective rate of the acupuncture group was significantly different from that of the Western medication group （P〈0.05）, and there was a significant difference in comparing the recovery plus markedly effective rate between the heat-sensitive moxibustion group and acupuncture group （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Heat-sensitive moxibustion is effective in treatment peripheral facial paralysis, and this method is free of pain, causing no adverse reactions, and worth promotion in clinic.

Effect of moxibustion on T lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood of rats with gastric cancer

Objective:To observe the effect of moxibustion on T lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood of rats with gastric cancer. Methods:Sixty healthy Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were adaptively fed for one week. By the random number table method, 10 rats were randomly selected as a blank group, and 12 rats were randomly selected to simulate the tumor transplantation process;after transplantation, 10 rats were randomly selected as a sham operation group. The remaining 38 rats were used to prepare gastric cancer models by gastric transplantation of the Walker-256 tumor tissue;8 rats were randomly selected to verify the successful modeling after 7 d;the remaining 30 rats were randomly divided into a model group, a moxibustion group and an infrared group by the random number table method, with 10 rats in each group. From the first day of enrollment, the rats in the moxibustion group received mild moxibustion at Zhongwan (CV 12), Guanyuan (CV 4) and bilateral Zusanli (ST 36) (the first group) and bilateral Pishu (BL 20) and Weishu (BL 21) (the second group), and the two groups of acupoints were alternated every other day. The rats in the infrared group received infrared radiation on the stomach area and the area on the back between the T12-T13 spinous processes, the two areas were alternated every other day. Rats in the moxibustion group and the infrared group were treated for 20 min each time, once a day for 21 d. Rats in the blank group, the sham operation group, and the model group were simultaneously grasped and fixed, and no other treatment was performed. After 21 d of intervention, the rats in each group were fasted for 12 h, and blood was collected from the orbits. The numbers of CD3+, CD3+CD4+, CD3+CD8+ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood were determined by flow cytometry, and the ratio of CD3+CD4+/CD3+CD8+ was calculated. The rats were sacrificed and the thymus was dissected under sterile conditions to calculate the thymus index. Results:Compared with the blank group, the thymus index, peripheral blood CD3+, CD3+CD4+, CD3+CD8+ and CD3+CD4+/CD3+CD8+ ratio in the sham operation group did not change significantly (allP>0.05). Compared with the blank group, the thymus index of the model group was increased (P<0.05), the CD3+ and CD3+CD8+ T lymphocytes were increased (bothP<0.01), and the CD3+CD4+/CD3+CD8+ ratio was decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the thymus index of the moxibustion group was increased (P<0.01), and CD3+, CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8+ T lymphocytes and the ratio of CD3+CD4+/CD3+CD8+ in peripheral blood were increased (allP<0.05). Compared with the infrared group, the thymus index of the moxibustion group was significantly increased (P<0.05), the CD3+ and CD3+CD4+ T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood were significantly increased (bothP<0.01), and the CD3+CD8+ was increased (P<0.05). Conclusion:Moxibustion can significantly increase the thymus index of gastric cancer-bearing rats and activate CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8+ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood.

Low-frequency fluctuation amplitude analysis of resting-state fMRI for functional brain response differences between acupuncture and moxibustion at Zusanli(ST 36) in patient with functional dyspepsia

Objective： To compare and analyze functional brain response characteristics by applying acupuncture or moxibustion to Zusanli（ST 36） in patients with functional dyspepsia（FD） and investigate the differences of central action mechanism resulting from acupuncture or moxibustion.Methods： A total of eligible 24 FD cases were divided into two blood-oxygen-level dependent（BOLD） sequences for functional magnetic resonance imaging（fMRI） scan. The amplitude of low frequency fluctuation（ALFF） analyses were conducted on the data of location phase, structure phase, resting state before acupuncture/moxibustion, working state during acupuncture/moxibustion and resting state after acupuncture/moxibustion using Data Processing Assistant for Resting-State fMRI（DPARSF） software.Results： Acupuncture and moxibustion produced significant differences in functional brain response. The working state during acupuncture/moxibustion mainly decreased ALFF values in the right supramarginal gyrus, right superior parietal lobule, right frontal gyrus, upper right occipital lobe, right precuneus and right cingulate gyrus. At the same time, it increased ALFF values in the left cerebellum, right caudate nucleus, right cerebellum and left inferior gyrus. The differences during the resting state after acupuncture/moxibustion were significantly smaller than the working state in intensity and size. It mainly resulted in decrease in ALFF values in the right postcentral gyrus and right supramarginal gyrus and increase in ALFF values in the left precuneus, orbital part of inferior frontal gyrus and right cerebellar peduncles.Conclusion： Needling and moxibustion at Zusanli（ST 36） can produce significant differences in immediate functional brain response.

Effect of moxibustion on VEGF and EGF expressions in tumor tissues of rats with gastric tumor

Objective:To explore the inhibitory effect of moxibustion on tumor growth and metastasis, and also its possible mechanism, in gastric tumor-bearing rats by investigating the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF). Methods:Fifty healthy Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (half male and half female) were routinely housed for 1 week. A total of 20 rats were randomly divided into a blank group and a sham operation group, with 10 rats in each group. The remaining 30 rats were used to make gastric cancer models by implantation of ascites-type Walker-256 cancer cells. After successful modeling, rats were randomly divided into a model group, a moxibustion group and an infrared group, with 10 rats in each group. From the day of modeling, the body weight of each group was weighed every 4 days. Warm moxibustion was alternately performed at two-group acupoints [Zhongwan (CV 12), Guanyuan (CV 4) and bilateral Zusanli (ST 36) in one group, and bilateral Pishu (BL 20) and Weishu (BL 21) in another group] in the moxibustion group. The body surface projection area of the stomach was irradiated with short-wave infrared rays in the infrared group, once a day, 20 min per time for 21 d. At the end of the treatment, the gastric tumor was completely dissected, and the tumor volume and tumor growth inhibition rate were calculated. Then the gastric tumor cell metastasis was recorded. The levels of VEGF and EGF in rat gastric tumor tissues were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results:Compared with the blank group, the body weight of the model group decreased significantly after modeling (P<0.05);compared with the model group, the rats in the moxibustion group had increased body weight during the middle and late stages (bothP<0.05). The tumor volumes of rats in the moxibustion group and the infrared group were smaller than the volume in the model group (bothP<0.05). The tumor growth inhibition rate in the moxibustion group was significantly higher than that in the infrared group (P<0.05). The case number of tumor metastasis in the moxibustion group was smaller than that in the model group and the infrared group. The VEGF level in the tumor tissues of the model group was statistically significantly higher than that in the blank group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the VEGF levels in the moxibustion group and the infrared group were statistically significantly lower (bothP<0.05). The EGF levels in the tumor tissues of the model group was statistically significantly lower than that in the blank group (P<0.05);compared with the model group, the EGF levels in the moxibustion group and the infrared group were statistically significantly increased (bothP<0.05). Conclusion:Moxibustion can increase the body weight, inhibit the tumor growth, invasion and metastasis in gastric tumor-bearing rats, which may be related to the regulation of VEGF and EGF expressions in tumor tissues.

Effect of moxibustion on expressions of HSP70 mRNA and protein in gastric cancer-bearing rats

Objective:To observe the effect of moxibustion on the mRNA and protein expressions of heat-shock protein 70(HSP70)in gastric cancer-bearing rats.Methods:A total of 40 healthy Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were adaptively fed for one week.The gastric cancer model was prepared by Walker-256 cancer tissue transplantation.After 7 d,10 rats were randomly selected to verify the successful modeling,and the remaining 30 rats were divided into a model group,a moxibustion group and an infrared group by the random number table method,with 10 rats in each group.After enrollment,the moxibustion group received suspended moxibustion at Zhongwan(CV 12),Guan yuan(CV 4)and bilateral Zusanli(ST 36),(the first group of acupoints)on the 1st day,and suspended moxibustion at bilateral Pishu(BL 20)and Weishu(BL 21),(the second group of acupoints)on the 2nd day,20 min each time,once a day.Moxibustion was alternately performed every other day at the two groups of acupoints for 21 d.From the day of en roll me nt,rats in the infrared group were irradiated with the infrared radiatio n at the stomach area on the 1st day,and at the T12-Ti3 interspinous region on the 2nd day,20 min each time,once a day,and the two locations were alternately irradiated every other day for 21 d.During the treatment,rats in the model group were intervened by grasping and fixation without treatment.At the end of the treatment,blood was collected from the inner eye orbit,and the HSP70 expression in peripheral blood was determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Rats were sacrificed,the tumor volume and growth inhibition rate were measured.The position and changes of HSP70 in gastric cancer were observed by streptavidin-perosidase(SP);HSP70 protein expression was determined by ELISA;HSP70 mRNA expression in cancer tissues was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(R「PCR)assay.Results:In comparison of the model group,the volume growth of the gastric cancer in the moxibustion group was significantly restricted(P<0.01);the volume growth inhibition rate in the moxibustion group was 37.93%;the HSP70 expressi on in peripheral blood and the cancer tissues was sign ifica ntly in creased(both P<0.01);the expressio n of HSP70 mRNA and HSP70 content in gastric tumor were both obviously in creased in the moxibustion group(P<0.01);and a large amount of HSP70 was released to the outside of cancer cells in the moxibustion group.In comparison of the model group,the volume growth of the gastric cancer in the infrared group was slightly restricted(P<0.05)with a volume growth inhibition rate of 15.89%;the HSP70 expression in the infrared group was increased significantly in peripheral blood(P<0.01)and in the gastric cancer tissues(P<0.05);more HSP70 was released outside of the cancer cells in the infrared group.In comparison of the infrared group,the volume growth of gastric cancer was more restricted in the moxibustion group(P<0.05)z and the HSP70 expression in the gastric cancer tissues was also higher(P<0.05);more HSP70 was released outside of the cancer cells in the moxibustion group.Conclusion:Moxibusti on and in fra red treatme nt inhibit the gastric can cer growth in the gastric cancer-bearing rats,up-regulate the HSP70 expression in gastric cancer tissues,and promote the production and extracellular release of HSP70,and the effect of moxibustion is more obvious.

Abdominal Acupuncture Combined with Moxibustion for Pelvic Inflammation

Pelvic inflammation is a generic term for inflammation of the female upper reproductive tract and its surrounding tissues, which mainly includes endometritis, salpingitis, turbo-ovarian abscesses （TOA）, and pelvioperitonitis. The inflammation can be limited in one site, or involves several sites. salpingitis and salpingo-oophoritis are most common, which might be acute or chronic. Chronic pelvic inflammation is more intractable, mainly manifesting as lower abdominal down-bearing sidtension or pain,

Treatment of 86 Cases of Chronic Rhinitis with Acupuncture-moxibustion

Chronic rhinitis is a common disease characterized by nasal obstruction, clear or purulent rhinorrhea, loss of the sense of smell. The authors treated 86 cases with acupuncture and moxibustion. The result is now summarized as follows.