Objective: To compare moxibustion sensation and infrared thermography by the assessment of heat-sensitization on Guanyuan (CV 4) in patients with primary dysmenorrhea, and to prove the possibility of adopting infrared thermography as an objective demonstration of acupoints heat-sensitization. Methods: Seventy-one patients with primary dysmenorrhea were enrolled to receive moxibustion and infrared to detect the heat-sensitization of Guanyuan (CV 4). The results were then analyzed and compared. Results: The infrared radiation showed a lower temperature when the acupoint Guanyuan (CV 4) was sensitized in patients with primary dysmenorrhea. Compared with moxibustion sensation, its sensitivity rate (real positive rate) was 76.6%, divergence rate (real negative rate) was 70.1%, and the accuracy rate was 74.6%. After giving moxibustion to Guanyuan (CV 4), the infrared radiation area was significantly expanded longitudinally and transversely. Compared with moxibustion test, the sensitivity rate (real positive rate) of infrared test was 78.7%, divergence rate (real negative rate) was 83.3%, and the accuracy rate was 80.3%. Conclusion: To a certain extent, the heat-sensitization of the acupoint Guanyuan (CV 4) in patients with primary dysmenorrhea can be revealed by infrared thermography. The acupoint heat-sensitization phenomena (heat extension or transmission) after giving moxibustion to the heat-sensitized acupoints can also be demonstratedobjectively by infrared thermography, besides experienced subjectively by the receivers.

Objective To examine the clinical effect of heat sensitive moxibustion in treating simple obesity with spleen-kidney deficiency type.Methods Ninety simple obesity patients with spleen-kidney deficiency type were randomized into a acupuncture group,a heat sensitive moxibustion group and a combination group,with 30 cases in each group.The heat sensitive moxibustion group was given moxibustion by self-made heat sensitive moxa stick.Heat sensitization acupoints were sought at patients' lumbosacral portion and hypogastrium.Two or three heat sensitization acupoints were selected each time.Patients were treated for 5 times each week,each time for 45min.In the acupuncture group,acupoints of Zhongwan (RN12),Shuifen (RN9),Qihai (RN6),Guanyuan (RN4),Mingmen (DU4),Yaoyangguan (DU3),bilateral Tianshu (ST25),Daheng (SP15),Daimai (GB26),Pishu (BL20),Weishu (21) and Shuidao (ST28) were selected.Seven to ten acupoints were selected each time.Even reinforcingreducing method was used.Needle was retained for 30min.During needle retention,manipulating the needles once every 10min.Patients were treated by 5 times each week.The combination group was given both acupuncture and heat sensitive moxibustion.The methods were the same as above.One month was a course.Each group was treated for 3 courses.Patients' body weight,waistline and height were recorded before and after treatment.Body mass index (BMI),body fat percent and waist to height ratio were calculated before and after treatment.The clinical effect was evaluated.Results After treatment,body weight,BMI,body fat percent and waist to height ratio in each group decreased (P ＜ 0.05).After treatment,body weight,BMI,body fat percent and waist to height ratio in the combination group was lower than those in the acupuncture group and the heat sensitive moxibustion group (P ＜ 0.05);while the difference between the acupuncture group and the heat sensitive moxibustion group was not significant (P ＞0.05).The total effective rate in the acupuncture group was 73.3％,with 76.7％ in the heat sensitive moxibustion group,and 86.7％ in the combination group.The clinical effect in the combination group was superior to that in the acupuncture group and in the heat sensitive moxibustion group.Conclusion Heat sensitive moxibustion therapy might be effective in treating simple obesity with spleen-kidney deficiency type.Moreover,the clinical effect seemed better if combined with acupuncture.

ObjectiveTo compare the clinical effect of heat-sensitive moxibustion before menstruation and since the first day of menstruation on primary dysmenorrhoea （PD）， thereby optimizing the clinical treatment plan. MethodsSixty patients with PD were randomly divided into pretreatment group （treated before menstruation） and conventional treatment group （treated since the first day of menstruation） of 30 cases each. For all patients， the area surrounded by bilateral Zigong （EX-CA1） and bilateral Guilai （ST 29） in the supine position， and that formed by bilateral Shenshu （BL 23） and Ciliao （BL 32） in the prone position were selected for circling moxibustion （2 min）， sparrow-pecking moxibustion （1 min）， and then moxibustion along the channels to stimulate the moxibustion sensation and obtain two heat-sensitive points with the best sensation for treatment. In the pretreatment group， moxibustion was applied 3-7 days before the onset of menstruation， and in the conventional treatment group， moxibustion was applied on the day of menstruation. Both groups were treated once daily for 7 days per menstrual cycle for 3 consecutive cycles. The clinical outcomes of the two groups were measured before and after treatment in terms of the COX menstrual pain symptom scale （CMSS） scores， visual analogue scale for pain （VAS） scores， and uterine artery hemodynamic indicators including blood pulsation index （PI） and resistance index （RI）， and the clinical effect was compared. ResultsAfter treatment， the CMSS scores， VAS scores， PI and RI in the two groups decreased， and lower scores were found in the pretreatment group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. The total effective rate after treatment was 93.3% （28/30） in the pretreatment group， which was better than 73.3% （22/30） in the conventional treatment group （P＜0.05）. ConclusionThe clinical effect of heat-sensitive moxibustion before the menstruation for PD was better than that implemented since the first day of menstruation， by significantly improving the patients' dysmenorrhoea symptoms and uterine artery blood flow index.