Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine ›› 2017, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (04): 538-545.

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Effect of warming moxibustion Tianshu(ST 25, bilateral) and Qihai(CV 6) for the treatment of diarrhea-dominant irritable bowel syndrome: a patient-blinded pilot trial with orthogonal design

Yang Ling, Lu Yuan, Zhang Haifeng, Ma Xiaopeng, Bao Chunhui, Wu Huangan, Zhao Chen, Ding Guanghong, Qi Li, Zhou Shuang   

  1. Department of Mechanics and Engineering Science, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, Fudan University;Key Laboratory of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Immunological Effects, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridians;E-Institute of Shanghai Municipal Education Committee, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine;Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine,Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University;
  • Accepted:2017-08-15 Online:2017-08-15 Published:2022-04-04
  • Supported by:
    Supported by the National Basic Research Program of China(973 Program):Research on Basic Theory and Regularity of Moxibustion(No.2009CB522900), the National Natural Science Foundation of China:Involvement of Sigma-1 Receptor in Analgesic of Moxibustion on Chronic Visceral Hyperalgesia in Irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)-like Rats(No.81303031);the National Natural Science Foundation of China:Study on the Mechanism of Moxibustion Effect on Reconstruction of Post Infectious(PI)-IBS Intestinal Homeostasis via Intestinal Microbiota-Mucosal Immunity(No.81503656), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function:Effect of Needle Warming Moxibustion on Clinical Effect and Psychological Condition for Female D-IBS(No.14DZ2260500), Shanghai Municipal Commission of Health and Family Planning:Observation on the Curative Effect and Ovarian Hormone Levels as Well as Psychological Condition of Female D-IBS Patients in Child-bearing Stage by Acupuncture&Moxibustion(No.20164Y0151), the Shanghai Sailing Program:and the Mechanism of Central Response in the Treatment of Diarrhea-predominate Irritable Bowel Syndrome by Moxibustion(No.15YF1411200)

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of warming moxibustion Tianshu(ST 25, bilateral) and Qihai(CV6) in patients with diarrhea-dominant irritable bowel syndrome(D-IBS) by assessing predominant factors, and determining the best factor combinations and their interactions. To identify the optimal quantity of warming moxibustion Tianshu(ST 25, bilateral) and Qihai(CV 6) to achieve optimal efficacy.METHODS: An L9(3~4) orthogonal design was applied to 233 confirmed subjects based on the three most influential factors and the three most frequently used levels. Nine programs were designed.Subjects were assigned to four subgroups according to age and gender; each subject underwent one of the nine programs randomly. We selected Tianshu(ST 25, bilateral) and Qihai(CV 6). The scores of symptoms and the IBS Quality of Life(IBS-QOL) were evaluated after the final treatment.RESULTS: After treatment, clinical symptoms of all patients were significantly improved(P = 0.001).Quality of life also improved significantly(P < 0.05).For all the participants, frequency was the dominating factor regarding symptoms(P = 0.01). Duration was the dominating factor for quality of life(P =0.0001). The best combination for improving symptoms in 30-40-year-old male and female patients was two courses of 10 min each once a day, and for41-50-year-old male and female patients it was three courses of 10 min(males) or 30 min(females)twice a day. The best combination for quality of life was three courses of 20 min once a day. No interaction was found between frequency and course, or frequency and duration.CONCLUSION: Warming moxibustion Tianshu(ST25, bilateral) and Qihai(CV 6) is a promising therapy for D-IBS. To acquire optimal efficacy, the three main factors(duration, frequency and treatment course) of the warming moxibustion should reach a specific quantity and be combined appropriately.

Key words: Irritable bowel syndrome, Diarrhea, Warming moxibustion, Point ST25(Tianshu), Point CV6(Qihai), Quality of life

Cite this article

Yang Ling, Lu Yuan, Zhang Haifeng, Ma Xiaopeng, Bao Chunhui, Wu Huangan, Zhao Chen, Ding Guanghong, Qi Li, Zhou Shuang. Effect of warming moxibustion Tianshu(ST 25, bilateral) and Qihai(CV 6) for the treatment of diarrhea-dominant irritable bowel syndrome: a patient-blinded pilot trial with orthogonal design[J]. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2017, 37(04): 538-545.