OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical efficacy differences between acupuncture combined with dynamic moxibustion and acupuncture alone for adult ankylosing spondylitis (AS) at early-to-mid stage based on medication.

METHODSFifty-five cases of adult AS were randomly divided into an acupuncture-moxibustion group (28 cases) and an acupuncture group (27 cases). The two groups were treated with oral administration of sulfasalazine tablets. In addition, the acupuncture-moxibustion group was treated with acupuncture at Jiaji (EX-B 2), Shenshu (BL 23), Dachangshu (BL 25), Weizhong (BL 40) as well as dynamic moxibustion at the first line of bladder meridian of foot-and governor vessel from Dazhui (GV 14) to Yaoshu (GV 2). The acupuncture group was treated with acupuncture, the acupoints and manipulation of which were identical to acupuncture-moxibustion group. The treatment was given once a day, five days per week; one session was consisted of one-month treatment, and totally three sessions were given. The bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index (BAFI) and bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI) were compared before and after treatment in the two groups; also the clinical effective rates were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 96.4% (27/28) in the acupuncture-moxibustion group, which was superior to 88.9% (24/27) in the acupuncture group (<0.05). Compared before treatment, the BASFI and BASDAI were reduced after treatment in the two groups (all<0.05), which were more significant in the acupuncture-moxibustion group (both<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBased on medication, acupuncture combined with dynamic moxibustion could improve the clinical symptoms of AS, which is superior to simple acupuncture.