OBJECTIVETo compare differences of effects between new moxibustion-massage apparatus and suspended moxibustion for infantile asthma.

METHODSSixty patients were divided into 2 groups randomly, observation group and control group, 30 cases in each. Tiaoyuan Yuping Decoction, a decoction made by the hospital, was applied for both groups. New moxibustion-massage apparatus was applied for the observation group, and suspended moxibustion was adopted for the control group. Moxibustion was applied on acupoints of Fengmen (BL 12), Feishu (BL 13), Geshu (BL 17), Pishu (BL 20), Juque (CV 14) and Zhongwan (CV 12) for 3 months, and therapeutic effect was observed.

RESULTSThe remarkably effective rate of the observe group is 66.7% (20/30) and the total effective rate is 90.0% (27/30), which are better than 40.0% (12/30) and 83.3% (25/30) of the control group. The asthma of attack of both groups after the treatment obviously decreased (both P < 0.05). The asthma of attack of the observation group is obviously lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05). And the effect is approved without side-effects such as dermal infection.

CONCLUSIONIt is held that the combination of new moxibustion-massage apparatus and Chinese medicine for infantile asthma in remission stage has obvious therapeutic effect, which can reduce the attack of asthma and alleviate symptoms. The result is better than suspended moxibustion.