Thermal Responses to Indirect Moxibustion: Influence of Removal Timing and Peripheral Circulatory Status
- VernacularTitle:台座灸を取り除くタイミングの違いが 温熱感覚や皮膚表面温に与える影響
- Author:
Ryuichi NISHINO
1
;
Shunji SAKAGUCHI
1
Author Information
- Keywords: Pedestal-based indirect moxibustion; Thermal sensation; Skin surface temperature; Peripheral circulation; Thermogram
- From:Journal of the Japan Society of Acupuncture and Moxibustion 2025;75(4):431-441
- CountryJapan
- Language:Japanese
- Abstract: [Background] Recent studies have shown that thermal stimulation involves transient receptor potential (TRP) channels. Moxibustion-like stimulation affects brain function and muscle blood flow, whereas pedestal-based indirect moxibustion (Daizakyu) affects the autonomic nervous system responses. The distribution of thermal stimuli has been better understood thanks to these studies, but it is still unclear what mechanisms underline the sensory reception and related physiological processes.[Objective] This study examines the effects of Daizakyu removal timing on skin surface temperature and thermal perception, with implications for self-care.[Methods] Thirty-eight adult women without cold-related conditions were enrolled in the study. A cold-water immersion test was used one week before the intervention to separate the participants into healthy and impaired peripheral circulation groups. Four smokeless indirect moxibustion cones (Chosei-kyu Non-Smoke; Yamasho, Shiga, Japan) were placed on the EX-UE9 (Baxie) points of the non-dominant hand. Based on prior temperature measurements using plywood, cones were removed at either an estimated skin temperature of 43 °C or the maximum temperature. Thermography was used to monitor skin temperature for 10 min post-ignition, and the average temperature of the five fingers on both the treated and untreated sides was calculated. A 7-point scale was used to quantify thermal sensation immediately following treatment. Comparisons between groups and conditions were also performed.[Results] There were no significant differences in the temporal changes in thermal sensation or skin temperature between the two removal times. However, in both situations, the skin temperature briefly decreased immediately after moxibustion on both the treated and untreated sides when compared to post-adaptation levels. At the 43 °C removal point, both the healthy and peripheral circulatory impairment groups experienced a significant decrease immediately after moxibustion. At the peak temperature removal point, only the healthy group showed a significant decrease, whereas no significant changes were found in the peripheral circulatory impairment group.[Discussion and Conclusion] There were no discernible impacts on skin temperature or thermal perception because of the timing of the platform moxibustion device removal. However, regardless of when removal occurs, the transient decrease in skin temperature immediately after moxibustion points to the central thermoregulatory system being involved. Furthermore, the absence of significant thermal responses in participants with peripheral circulatory impairment suggests that moxibustion-induced responses may be influenced by individual peripheral circulatory functioning.
