Lumbar temperature change after acupuncture or moxibustion at Weizhong (BL40) or Chize (LU5) in healthy adults: A randomized controlled trial.
10.1016/j.joim.2025.01.004
- Author:
Si-Yi ZHENG
1
;
Xiao-Ying WANG
1
;
Li-Nan LIN
1
;
Shan LIU
2
;
Xiao-Xiao HUANG
1
;
Yi-Yue LIU
1
;
Xiao-Shuai YU
1
;
Wei PAN
1
;
Jian-Qiao FANG
3
,
4
;
Yi LIANG
4
,
5
Author Information
1. The Third School of Clinical Medicine (School of Rehabilitation Medicine), Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang Province, China.
2. Center of Clinical Evaluation, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou 310060, Zhejiang Province, China.
3. The Third School of Clinical Medicine (School of Rehabilitation Medicine), Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang Province, China; Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhongshan Hospital of Zhejiang Province), Hangzhou 310005, Zhejiang Province, China. Electronic address: fangjianqiao7532@
4. com.
5. The Third School of Clinical Medicine (School of Rehabilitation Medicine), Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang Province, China; Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhongshan Hospital of Zhejiang Province), Hangzhou 310005, Zhejiang Province, China. Electronic address: liangyiwww@
- Publication Type:Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords:
Acupuncture;
BL40;
Factorial design;
Infrared thermography;
Lumbar warming effect;
Moxibustion
- MeSH:
Adult;
Female;
Humans;
Male;
Young Adult;
Acupuncture Points;
Acupuncture Therapy;
Body Temperature;
Healthy Volunteers;
Lumbosacral Region/physiology*;
Moxibustion;
Adolescent
- From:
Journal of Integrative Medicine
2025;23(2):145-151
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND:There is a gap in understanding the effects of different acupoints and treatment methods (acupuncture and moxibustion) on microcirculatory changes in the lumbar region.
OBJECTIVE:This study aimed to assess the thermal effects of acupuncture at Weizhong (BL40), with acupuncture at Chize (LU5) and moxibustion at both acupoints as control interventions.
DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS:In this randomized controlled trial, 140 healthy participants were equally divided into four groups: acupuncture at BL40 (Acu-BL40), acupuncture at LU5 (Acu-LU5), moxibustion at BL40 (Mox-BL40) and moxibustion at LU5 (Mox-LU5). Participants underwent a 30-minute session of their assigned treatment. Infrared thermal imaging was used to collect temperature data on the areas of interest for analysis.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:The primary measure was the change in average temperature of the observed area after the intervention. The secondary measures included periodic temperature changes every 5 min and the temperature changes of the Governor Vessel and Bladder Meridian in the observed area after the intervention.
RESULTS:Significant interactions were observed between treatments and acupoints affecting temperature (P < 0.001). The Acu-BL40 group showed a notably higher increase in mean temperature after 30 min compared to the Acu-LU5 and Mox-BL40 groups, with increases of 0.29 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.17 to 0.41) and 0.24 (95% CI = 0.08 to 0.41) °C, respectively.
CONCLUSION:Acupuncture at BL40 acupoint can significantly increase the mean temperature in the observed area, highlighting the specific thermal effect of acupuncture compared to moxibustion in the lumbar area. This suggests a potential therapeutic benefit of acupuncture at BL40 for managing lumbar conditions.
TRIAL REGISTRATION:ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05665426). Please cite this article as: Zheng SY, Wang XY, Lin LN, Liu S, Huang XX, Liu YY, Yu XS, Pan W, Fang JQ, Liang Y. Lumbar temperature change after acupuncture or moxibustion at Weizhong (BL40) or Chize (LU5) in healthy adults: A randomized controlled trial. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(2): 145-151.
