Acupuncture combined with thunder-fire moxibustion for low back pain with cold-damp: a randomized controlled trial.
10.13703/j.0255-2930.20240805-k0001
- Author:
Tao ZHU
1
;
Shilin JIANG
2
;
Yujia ZHANG
2
;
Tiansheng ZHANG
3
;
Zhen GAO
2
;
Jinling MIAO
3
Author Information
1. School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Chengdu University of TCM, Chengdu 611137, Sichuan Province, China.
2. Second Clinical College, Shanxi University of CM.
3. Fourth Department of Acupuncture-Moxibustion, Shanxi Provincial Hospital of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Taiyuan
- Publication Type:English Abstract
- Keywords:
acupuncture;
low back pain with cold-damp;
pain;
randomized controlled trial (RCT);
thunder-fire moxibustion
- MeSH:
Humans;
Moxibustion;
Low Back Pain/blood*;
Male;
Female;
Adult;
Middle Aged;
Acupuncture Therapy;
Acupuncture Points;
Treatment Outcome;
Combined Modality Therapy;
beta-Endorphin/blood*;
Young Adult;
Aged
- From:
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion
2025;45(3):312-316
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE:To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with thunder-fire moxibustion in treating low back pain with cold-damp.
METHODS:Seventy-two patients of low back pain with cold-damp were randomly divided into an observation group (36 cases, 1 case was eliminated) and a control group (36 cases, 1 case dropped out). The control group received acupuncture at Jizhong (GV6), Yaoyangguan (GV3), ashi points, bilateral Shenshu (BL23), Dachangshu (BL25), and Weizhong (BL40) for 30 min daily. The observation group was treated with thunder-fire moxibustion in addition to the same acupuncture regimen as the control group, once daily. Both groups were treated for 6 consecutive days followed by one rest day, for a total duration of 4 weeks. The visual analog scale (VAS) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI) score, Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, present pain intensity (PPI) score, and serum levels of β-endorphin (β-EP), 5-hydroxytryp tamin (5-HT), and substance P (SP) were compared before and after treatment, and the clinical efficacy was also compared between the two groups.
RESULTS:Compared before treatment, the VAS scores, ODI scores, PPI scores, and serum levels of 5-HT and SP were decreased (P<0.01), while JOA scores and serum levels of β-EP were increased (P<0.01) in both groups after treatment. The observation group showed lower VAS, ODI, and PPI scores and serum levels of 5-HT and SP than those in the control group (P<0.05), as well as higher JOA score and serum level of β-EP (P<0.05). The total effective rate in the observation group was 94.3% (33/35), higher than 82.9% (29/35) in the control group (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION:Acupuncture combined with thunder-fire moxibustion could effectively alleviate pain and improve lumbar function in patients of low back pain with cold-damp, possibly by regulating β-EP, 5-HT, and SP levels.
