OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of heat sensitive moxibustion treatment for nerve root cervical spondylosis.

METHODSOne hundred and sixty cases were randomly divided into a heat sensitive moxibustion group (n = 54), a traditional hanging moxibustion group (n = 53) and an acupuncture group (n = 53). In heat sensitive moxibustion group, heat sensitive points were explored among acupoints on neck and nucha, lateral part of forearm and crus, etc. In traditional hanging moxibustion group and acupuncture group, Jiaji (EX-B 2) points, Fengchi (GB 20), Jianwaishu (SI 14) etc. were used for hanging moxibustion and acupuncture, respectively. And scores of Pain Rating Index (PRI), as well as therapeutic effect were evaluated before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe effective rate was 98.0% (50/51) in the heat sensitive moxibustion group, 83.0% (39/47) in traditional hanging moxibustion group, and 89.6% (43/48) in acupuncture group. The therapeutic effect of heat sensitive moxibustion group was better than that of acupuncture group (P < 0.05), and it was better in acupuncture group than that of traditional hanging moxibustion group (P < 0.05); PRI scores were all decreased in three groups after treatment (all P < 0.001); pain alleviation in heat sensitive moxibustion group was better than that of acupuncture group (P < 0.05), and it was better in acupuncture group than that of traditional hanging moxibustion group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe therapeutic effect of heat sensitive moxibustion treatment for nerve root cervical spondylosis is better than that of traditional hanging moxibustion and acupuncture.