Moxibustion at different temperatures for cognitive impairment in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized controlled trial.
10.13703/j.0255-2930.20240903-k0006
- Author:
Yan WEI
1
;
Yuhao QU
1
;
Aihong YUAN
2
;
Lele ZHANG
1
;
Min YE
1
;
Qunwei LI
1
;
Hongyu XIE
2
Author Information
1. First Clinical Medical College, Anhui University of CM, Hefei 230031, China.
2. Second Department of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Rehabilitation, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of CM, Hefei
- Publication Type:English Abstract
- Keywords:
clinical efficacy;
cognitive impairment;
moxibustion;
moxibustion temperature;
type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)
- MeSH:
Humans;
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/therapy*;
Male;
Female;
Moxibustion;
Middle Aged;
Aged;
Cognitive Dysfunction/psychology*;
Cognition;
Temperature;
Blood Glucose/metabolism*;
Adult;
Acupuncture Points
- From:
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion
2025;45(9):1233-1240
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of moxibustion at different temperatures on cognitive function and blood glucose levels in patients with cognitive impairment associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
METHODS:A total of 66 T2DM patients with cognitive impairment were randomly assigned to a high-temperature group (22 cases, 1 case dropped out, 1 case was eliminated), a medium-temperature group (22 cases, 2 cases were eliminated), and a low-temperature group (22 cases, 2 cases were eliminated). All groups received moxibustion at Baihui (GV20), Dazhui (GV14), and Shenting (GV24) based on their existing glycemic control treatment. Moxibustion temperatures were maintained at 44-46 ℃ (high-temperature group), 41-43 ℃ (medium-temperature group), and 38-40 ℃ (low-temperature group), respectively, for 20 min per session, every other day, 3 times a week for 3 months. The Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) score, mini-mental state examination (MMSE) score, short-term memory (STM) accuracy and average reaction time, Rey-Osterrieth complex figure (ROCF) score, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were assessed before and after treatment. Clinical efficacy was evaluated after treatment.
RESULTS:After treatment, MMSE scores in all three groups were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05). In the high-temperature group, the total MoCA score and the scores of visuospatial and executive function, memory and delayed recall, attention, naming, language, and abstraction were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05); the scores of ROCF copy, immediate recall, and delayed recall were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05); the HbA1c level was lower than that before treatment (P<0.05). In the medium-temperature group, the total MoCA score and the scores of memory and delayed recall, attention, and language were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05). STM accuracy was higher than before treatment (P<0.05), and STM average reaction time was shorter than before treatment (P<0.05) in both the high-temperature and medium-temperature groups. After treatment, the total MoCA score and the scores of visuospatial and executive function, memory and delayed recall, attention, and language in the high-temperature group were higher than those in the medium- and low-temperature groups (P<0.05); MMSE score, STM accuracy, and ROCF immediate recall and delayed recall scores were higher than those in the medium- and low-temperature groups (P<0.05); STM average reaction time was shorter than that in the medium- and low-temperature groups (P<0.05); HbA1c level was lower than that in the low-temperature group (P<0.05). The total MoCA score, attention score, and MMSE score in the medium-temperature group were higher than those in the low-temperature group (P<0.05), and STM average reaction time was shorter than that in the low-temperature group (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in FPG within or between the three groups before and after treatment (P>0.05). The total effective rates were 75.0% (15/20) in the high-temperature group, 50.0% (10/20) in the medium-temperature group, and 15.0% (3/20) in the low-temperature group; the total effective rate in the high-temperature group was significantly higher than that in the low-temperature group (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION:Moxibustion at different temperatures has a dose-effect relationship in treating cognitive impairment in T2DM patients. A temperature range of 44-46 ℃ is more effective in improving cognitive function and stabilizing average blood glucose levels over 2-3 months.
