Warm needling moxibustion versus electroacupuncture for simple obesity due to yang deficiency of the spleen and kidney: a controlled clinical trial

Objective: To compare the therapeutic efficacy between warm needling moxibustion and electroacupuncture (EA) in the treatment of simple obesity due to yang deficiency of the spleen and kidney. Methods: Seventy patients with simple obesity due to yang deficiency of the spleen and kidney were randomly divided into a warm needling moxibustion group and an EA group, with 35 subjects in each group. Same major acupoints were selected for the two groups, including Shuifen (CV 9), Guanyuan (CV 4), Daheng (SP 15), Shuidao (ST 28), Shousanli (LI 10), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Taixi (KI 3). The warm needling moxibustion group received warm needling moxibustion, while the EA group received EA treatment. The interventions were performed once every other day, with 15 treatments as one course. The therapeutic efficacy, body weight and body mass index (BMI) were then observed and compared. Results: The total effective rate in the warm needling moxibustion group was 85.7% versus 77.1% in the EA group, and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The warm needling moxibustion was remarkably superior to the EA in weight loss and lowering BMI, both with statistical significance (P<0.05, P<0.01). At the three-month follow-up, the body weight and BMI further decreased in the warm needling moxibustion group (both P<0.05), and the levels were lower than those in the EA group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusion: Warm needling moxibustion can produce reliable and consistent efficacy in the treatment of simple obesity due to yang deficiency of the spleen and kidney. Compared with EA, warm needling moxibustion shows advantage in both short-term and long-term efficacies, and thus is worth promotion in clinical practice.

Clinical observation of acupuncture and moxibustion for functional dyspepsia due to Yang deficiency of the spleen and stomach

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture and moxibustion for functional dyspepsia(FD)due to Yang deficiency of the spleen and stomach.Methods A total of 90 patients meeting the inclusion criteria of FD due to Yang deficiency of the spleen and stomach were randomized into an acupuncture-moxibustion group,an electroacupuncture(EA)group,and a mosapride group by the random number table method,with 30 cases in each group.The mosapride group was treated with mosapride citrate dispersible tablets.The EA group was treated with EA treatment.The acupuncture-moxibustion group was treated with additional moxibustion therapy based on the treatment in the EA group.All three groups took 10 d as one treatment course and 2 courses in total,with a 2-day interval between two courses.The traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)symptoms score,functional digestive disorder quality of life questionnaire(FDDQL)score,oral-colon transit time(OCTT),and serum glucagon-like peptide-1(GLP-1)level was compared before and after treatment among the three groups.And the clinical efficacy was evaluated.Results The total effective rate in the acupuncture-moxibustion group was 96.7%,which was higher than 86.7%in the EA group and 73.3%in the mosapride group,and the total effective rate in the EA group was higher than that in the mosapride group;the inter-group differences were all statistically significant(P<0.05).After treatment,the TCM symptom score in the three groups was lower than that before treatment(P<0.05),and the FDDQL score was higher than that before treatment(P<0.05).The change after treatment in the TCM symptom score in the acupuncture-moxibustion group and the EA group was more significant than that in the mosapride group,and the change in the acupuncture-moxibustion group was more significant than that in the EA group;the inter-group differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The change after treatment in the FDDQL score in the acupuncture-moxibustion group and the EA group was greater than that in the mosapride group,and the change in the acupuncture-moxibustion group was larger than that in the EA group;the inter-group differences were all statistically significant(P<0.05).After treatment,the OCTT in all three groups was lower than that before treatment(P<0.05),and the serum GLP-1 level was higher than that before treatment(P<0.05);the change after treatment in the OCTT in the acupuncture-moxibustion group and the EA group was more significant than that in the mosapride group,and the change in the acupuncture-moxibustion group was more significant than that in the EA group;the inter-group differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The change after treatment in the serum GLP-1 level in the acupuncture-moxibustion group and the EA group was greater than that in the mosapride group,and the change in the acupuncture-moxibustion group was larger than that in the EA group;the inter-group differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture and moxibustion can improve the clinical symptoms in patients with FD and enhance their quality of life,producing better effects than EA or mosapride alone.Shortening gastrointestinal movement time and increasing gastrointestinal hormone levels may be its mechanism.