Effects of different directions of moxibustion therapy on hemorheology in rats with blood stasis due to cold retention

Objective： To investigate the effects of different directions of moxibustion therapy on hemorheology in rat models with blood stasis due to cold retention. Methods： A total of 32 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, based on the random digits table, including a normal group, a model group, a moxibustion along the meridian group, and a moxibustion against the meridian group, with 8 rats in each group. Except the normal group, the other 3 groups were used to make the rat models with blood stasis due to cold retention. Rats in the moxibustion along and against the meridian groups accepted moxibustion therapy in different directions on the trunk segment of the Bladder Meridian after successful modeling. Moxibustion for 10 min every day, and 7 d as a course of treatment. Two courses of treatment（a total of 14 d） were carried out. Quantitative score of signs and symptoms change was observed once a week, with a total of 7 times. Hemorheological indexes of rats were detected when the treatment finished. Results： The quantitative scores of signs and symptoms in the model, moxibustion along the meridian and against the meridian groups were significantly higher than those in the normal group after modeling（P〈0.05）. When the treatment finished, the quantitative score of signs and symptoms in the model group was significantly higher than that in the normal group（P〈0.05）; the quantitative scores of signs and symptoms of rats in the moxibustion along and against the meridian groups were significantly lower than that in the model group（P〈0.05）; the quantitative score of signs and symptoms in the moxibustion along the meridian group was significantly lower than that in the moxibustion against the meridian group（P〈0.05）; the whole blood viscosity and erythrocyte aggregation index in the model group were significantly higher than those in the normal group（P〈0.05）, however the increases of erythrocyte hematocrit and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were not obvious（P〈0.05）; whole blood viscosity and erythrocyte aggregation index in the moxibustion along and against the meridian groups were significantly lower than those in the model group（P〈0.05）, while there were no statistically significant differences between the moxibustion along the meridian group and moxibustion against the meridian group（P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Moxibustion along and against the meridian both showed different degrees of improvement for hemorrheology and symptoms of blood stasis due to cold retention. Improvement for symptoms of blood stasis due to cold retention was better in the moxibustion along the meridian group than that in the moxibustion against the meridian group. The influence on rat hemorrheology showed no significant difference between moxibustion along the meridian and moxibustion against the meridian.

Clinical study on warm needling moxibustion plus isokinetic muscle strength training in treating knee osteoarthritis

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of warm needling moxibustion plus isokinetic muscle strength training for knee osteoarthritis(KOA).Methods:A total of 135 patients with KOA due to Yang deficiency and coagulated cold were randomized into a warm needling moxibustion group,an isokinetic muscle strength training group,and a combined group by the random number table method,with 45 cases in each group.The warm needling moxibustion group was treated with warm needling moxibustion.The isokinetic muscle strength training group was treated with isokinetic muscle strength training.The combined group was treated with warm needling moxibustion plus isokinetic muscle strength training.The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index(WOMAC)and visual analog scale(VAS)were scored before and after treatment,and isokinetic indicators of peak torque(PT),total work(TW)and average power(AP)were evaluated.Results:The total effective rate of the combined group was 92.5%,which was significantly higher than 83.3%in the warm needling moxibustion group(P<0.05)and 72.5%in the isokinetic muscle strength training group(P<0.05).After treatment,the scores of WOMAC(total,pain,stiffness,and function)and VAS,and isokinetic indicators(PT,TW,and AP)were all improved compared with those before treatment(P<0.05)in all three groups.The differences among the three groups were statistically significant(P<0.05).The WOMAC total score and score of stiffness in the combined group were lower than those in the warm needling moxibustion group and the isokinetic muscle strength training group(P<0.05),and the scores in the warm needling moxibustion group were lower than those in the isokinetic muscle strength training group(P<0.05).The WOMAC score of pain and VAS score in the warm needling moxibustion group and the combined group were lower than those in the isokinetic muscle strength training group(P<0.05).The differences between the warm needling moxibustion group and the combined group were not statistically significant(P>0.05).The WOMAC function score in the combined group was lower than that in the warm needling moxibustion group and the isokinetic muscle strength training group(P<0.05),while there was no statistical difference between the warm needling moxibustion group and the isokinetic muscle strength training group(P>0.05).PT,TW,and AP in the combined group were higher than those in the warm needling moxibustion group and the isokinetic muscle strength training group(P<0.05),and they were higher in the isokinetic muscle strength training group than in the warm needling moxibustion group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Warm needling moxibustion plus isokinetic muscle strength training has a better effect in the treatment of KOA due to Yang deficiency and coagulated cold than either warm needling moxibustion or isokinetic muscle strength training alone.