[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.

A symposium was organized by the Meridians and Acupuncture Points Committee of the Japan Society of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (JSAM) with the theme "A detailed explanation of acupuncture points from the viewpoints of education, clinical practice and research - about SP6 (Sanyinjiao), LI4 (Hegu), and GV20 (Baihui)" at the 73rd Annual Meeting of JSAM in Miyagi. During the symposium, Commissioner Nakamura elucidated the significance of acupuncture points from an educational standpoint, highlighting their importance in the training of acupuncture and moxibustion practitioners. He expounded upon the meanings and precise locations of the three acupuncture points, emphasizing the importance of safe acupuncture practices. Additionally, he underscored the pivotal role of education in bridging the gap between clinical practice and research. From a clinical perspective, Commissioner Yamami provided an in-depth explanation of the fundamental tenets of acupuncture points, including their primary modalities, distinctive attributes, and the extraction of acupuncture points from authoritative texts on meridians and acupuncture points. He further elaborated on the specific reactions, treatment modalities, and indications of the three acupuncture points in clinical practice, noting that the ideas underpinning research originate from clinical experiences. Standardization and accuracy of education are necessary to enhance safety and effectiveness in clinical practice. From a research perspective, Commissioner Koido analyzed data from 2019 to 2023 using national and international databases to elucidate the status of target diseases and stimulation methods in clinical trials involving the three meridians. The findings revealed that the three acupuncture points are extensively employed in both national and international clinical trials across a broad spectrum of diseases, with various stimulation techniques being utilized.

We evaluated the effects of self­care with indirect moxibustion (moxibustion group : MG) on hiesho (cold disorder) in mature females in a prospective multicenter randomized controlled trial using leg warmers (leg warmers group : LG) as a control. Subjects were 49 women aged 18 to 39 years who were judged to suffer from hiesho as measured by the hiesho sensation scale (Kusumi and Emori). Subjects were sorted by age and block-­randomized at each of the four facilities. Before going to bed, subjects in the MG (N = 25) performed two moxibustions on both sides of kI 1, SP 6, and ST 36. Subjects in the LG (N = 24) wore leg warmers while sleeping. Each intervention lasted for one month. The primary endpoint was the degree of hiesho by visual analogue scale (VAS) ; secondary endpoints were mainly suffering scores for comorbid symptoms and body temperature difference between forehead and peripheries. Two subjects in the LG dropped out due to preg­nancy and skin pruritus, respectively. The change in VAS and suffering scores was larger in the MG, showing small ES in VAS and medium ES in suffering scores. Body temperature difference between the forehead and LI 4 on both sides was reduced in the MG, and medium ES was observed. It was suggested that self-care of indirect moxibustion for hiesho in mature females could reduce the degree of hiesho and comorbid symptoms, and could suppress the expansion of body temperature difference between forehead and peripheries compared to wearing leg warmers.