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Frontiers in Physiology 2022Currently, many systematic reviews (SRs) of moxibustion as a treatment of KOA have been published. However, the evidence of different SRs of moxibustion to treat KOA has...
BACKGROUND
Currently, many systematic reviews (SRs) of moxibustion as a treatment of KOA have been published. However, the evidence of different SRs of moxibustion to treat KOA has not been comprehensively evaluated.
AIM
This overview aimed to evaluate the existing results and provide scientific evidence of the effectiveness and safety of moxibustion in the treatment of KOA.
METHODS
We conducted a comprehensive search of Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, SinoMed, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and other databases until October 31, 2021. A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR-2) was used to assess the methodological quality of SRs. Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses was used to evaluate the reporting quality, and the risk of bias in SRs was evaluated by ROBIS Tool. We used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) tool to determine the strength of evidence and conducted a meta-analysis of the total effectiveness rate.
RESULTS
Finally, 10 qualified SRs were included, including 57 randomized controlled trials and 5,149 participants. All SRs evaluated by AMASTAR-2 had more than one critical deficiency, so all SRs were rated as critically low. In the PRISMA checklist, the manuscript structures of the included SRs were relatively complete. Including four SRs with a low risk of bias and six with a high risk of bias using the ROBIS tool. In GRADE, two items (6.25%) were rated as high quality, three (9.37%) as medium quality, 17 (53.12%) as low quality and 10 (31.25%) as very low quality. A re-meta-analysis showed that moxibustion and moxibustion combined treatment improved the total effectiveness rate in knee osteoarthritis (risk ratio = 1.17, 95% confidence interval 1.13-1.21, < 0.001 and risk ratio = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.04-1.23, < 0.001), with low heterogeneity ( = 36.3%, = 0.020, and = 0.0%, = 0.956). A total of eight SRs reported adverse events, and no serious adverse events occurred in the moxibustion group and control group.
CONCLUSION
Moxibustion seems to be effective in treating KOA. Four SRs reported 10 common discomfort symptoms caused by moxibustion, and these adverse events can spontaneously subside, even can be avoided, therefore, moxibustion for KOA appears to be safe. However, the reliability of the results is reduced by the high risk of bias of the original studies and the low methodological quality of SRs. Therefore, future studies should pay more attention to the quality of the original study and the evidence quality of the SRs to provide more powerful and scientific evidence of the effectiveness and safety of moxibustion treatment of KOA.
PubMed: 35185621
DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.822953 -
Medicine Mar 2022Cancer-related psychological disorders (CRPD) with high incidence are often underdiagnosed and undertreated. Although, some studies suggested that acupuncture and... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
INTRODUCTION
Cancer-related psychological disorders (CRPD) with high incidence are often underdiagnosed and undertreated. Although, some studies suggested that acupuncture and moxibustion (AM) are effective and safe for CRPD, lacking strong evidence, for instance, the relevant systematic review, meta-analysis, and randomized control trial (RCT) of a large sample, multicenter, makes the effects and safety remain uncertain. The aim of protocol is to evaluating the RCTs of AM for CRPD to verify the association of AM with the improvement of CRPD.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS
Eight electric databases (4 English databases and 4 Chinese databases) will be searched from inception to Mar. 2022. There will be no restrictions on the category of the language. The RCTs of AM for CRPD unlimited to any type of cancer will be included. Depression and anxiety scores will be the primary outcome indicators. Two researchers will independently complete study selection, evaluate the risk of bias, and extract the data. The RevMan 5.2 software will be used to conduct data synthesis using the random-effects model. The weighted mean differences or standardized mean differences with 95% CIs will be used to present the results of measurement data, and the risk ratios with 95% CIs will be used to express the counting data. Additionally, we will use the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation to assess evidence quality.
MAIN RESULTS
The results of the meta-analysis will be presented with tables and figures.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION
The results of this meta-analysis and meta-regression will be disseminated via publication in peer-reviewed journals and will be published at relevant conferences. The data to be used will not contain individual patient data; therefore, there is no need to worry about patient privacy.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42020177219.
Topics: Acupuncture Therapy; Humans; Meta-Analysis as Topic; Moxibustion; Multicenter Studies as Topic; Neoplasms; Research Design; Systematic Reviews as Topic
PubMed: 35451378
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000028860 -
Journal of Clinical Hypertension... Dec 2023Moxibustion has been shown to have a potential antihypertensive effect, but its applicability for the primary care of hypertension is unclear. The authors conducted a... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Moxibustion has been shown to have a potential antihypertensive effect, but its applicability for the primary care of hypertension is unclear. The authors conducted a multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT) with patient preference arms to investigate the effect, safety, cost-effectiveness, and compliance of moxibustion in community patients with hypertension. Patients with primary hypertension were enrolled from seven communities randomly or nonrandomly assigned to receive self-administered moxibustion + the original hypertensive regimen or the original hypertensive regimen alone for 6 months. The authors mainly evaluated the effects of moxibustion on hypertensive outcomes and adverse events. As a result, a total of 160 and 240 patients were recruited into the randomized and nonrandomized arms, respectively, with 87.5% completing the follow-up. At month 6, there was a significantly greater reduction in systolic blood pressure (SBP) (difference: -10.57 mmHg), a higher proportion of responders (82.2% vs. 53.7%; odds ratio 4.00), and better improvements in hypertensive symptoms and quality of life (QoL) in the moxibustion group than in the control group in the randomized population, but there was no significant between-group difference in diastolic blood pressure (DBP). The nonrandomized findings showed the same effect direction for all outcomes, except for DBP. All moxibustion-related adverse events were mild. In conclusion, moxibustion can reduce SBP and improve hypertensive symptoms and QoL in community patients with hypertension, with good safety and low cost, although its effect on DBP remains uncertain. The findings suggest that moxibustion may be an appropriate technique for community primary care of hypertension.
Topics: Humans; Antihypertensive Agents; Blood Pressure; Essential Hypertension; Hypertension; Moxibustion; Patient Preference
PubMed: 37864810
DOI: 10.1111/jch.14738 -
Wound Management & Prevention Aug 2022Evidence about moxibustion and abdominal massage for treating constipation in older hospitalized patients is limited.
BACKGROUND
Evidence about moxibustion and abdominal massage for treating constipation in older hospitalized patients is limited.
PURPOSE
To investigate the safety and effectiveness of moxibustion and abdominal massage in hospitalized older patients with constipation.
METHODS
Hospitalized older patients (age ≥60 years) with constipation were retrospectively categorized as 2 cohorts according to whether the patients received moxibustion and abdominal massage in addition to routine nursing care. Gastrointestinal symptoms, Constipation Assessment Scale (CAS) scores, and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) scores were compared before and after treatment between cohorts.
RESULTS
The 2 cohorts (n = 100 for each) had similar baseline characteristics and gastrointestinal symptoms; the control cohort and the additional intervention cohort also had similar CAS scores (7.14 ± 3.67 vs 7.48 ± 2.96, respectively), and GDS scores (>17: 31% vs 29%, respectively). Improvement in the 2 scores from baseline was observed after 2 weeks in both the control cohort and the additional intervention cohort (CAS, 5.37 ± 5.34 and 3.80 ± 4.47, respectively; GDS, >17: 28% and 15%, respectively). The cohort with additional interventions had a lower ineffective rate (defined as persistent symptoms or absence of decrease in CAS, 49% vs 32%; P = .028) but had more diarrhea (9% vs 21%; P = .017).
CONCLUSION
Moxibustion and abdominal massage may help relieve constipation in hospitalized elderly patients, but attention should be paid to the increased occurrence of diarrhea. More study is needed.
Topics: Aged; Constipation; Diarrhea; Humans; Massage; Middle Aged; Moxibustion; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 35926145
DOI: No ID Found -
Evidence-based Complementary and... 2020To study the influence of electroacupuncture (EA) and moxibustion on the hippocampus astrocyte and microglia activation in the ulcerative colitis model and to evaluate...
OBJECTIVES
To study the influence of electroacupuncture (EA) and moxibustion on the hippocampus astrocyte and microglia activation in the ulcerative colitis model and to evaluate the mitochondria activity.
METHODS
2.5% dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis mice were treated by EA or moxibustion. Intestinal pathological structure was observed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining; the expression of GFAP or S100b (markers for astrocyte), Iba-1 (a marker for microglia), and Mitofilin (a marker for mitochondria) in hippocampus was detected by immunofluorescence staining or western blot.
RESULTS
The results demonstrated that both EA and moxibustion could improve the morphology of distal colonic mucosal epithelia in DSS-induced colitis mice. Expression of GFAP in the hippocampus was significantly increased after EA or moxibustion treatment. The effects were further supported by WB results. Meanwhile, expression of mitofilin in the hippocampus CA1 and CA3 regions showed the same trend as that of GFAP. Expression of Iba-1 in the hippocampus showed no significant difference after EA or moxibustion treatment, while the state of microglia changed from resting in control mice to activated state in colitis mice.
CONCLUSION
EA and moxibustion were able to modulate the activation of astrocyte, microglial, and mitochondria in the hippocampus area in the colitis model.
PubMed: 32047521
DOI: 10.1155/2020/2530253 -
Frontiers in Neuroscience 2023Cognitive impairment poses a significant burden on individuals, families, and society worldwide. Despite the lack of effective treatment strategies, emerging evidence... (Review)
Review
Cognitive impairment poses a significant burden on individuals, families, and society worldwide. Despite the lack of effective treatment strategies, emerging evidence suggests that the microbiome-gut-brain (MGB) axis may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of cognitive impairment. While targeted treatment is not yet comprehensive, recently, acupuncture and moxibustion therapy has participated increasingly in the treatment of degenerative diseases and has achieved a certain therapeutic effect. In this review, the possible mechanisms by which acupuncture and moxibustion therapy may improve cognitive impairment through the MGB axis are reviewed, including regulating gut microbial homeostasis, improving intestinal inflammation mediated by the neuroendocrine-immune system, and enhancing intestinal barrier function. We also discuss common acupoints and corresponding mechanism analysis to provide insights into further exploration of mechanisms that target the MGB axis and thereby intervene in cognitive impairment.
PubMed: 38274501
DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1275860 -
Computational Intelligence and... 2022The main contribution of this research paper is to summarize the results of Meta-analysis of moxibustion in the treatment of infantile diarrhea which is one the common... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
The main contribution of this research paper is to summarize the results of Meta-analysis of moxibustion in the treatment of infantile diarrhea which is one the common disease and requires considerable attention from the research community and funding organizations. In order to verify that the proposed scheme has merits, a comprehensive searching methodology was adopted by considering various databases such as China Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), China National Knowledge Network Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, Pub Med Database, Google Academic, and Cochrane Library. It is important to note that a powerful computer has been utilized to carry out this searching. Finally, only those literature contents are selected which meet the inclusion criteria. Likewise, exclusion criteria was used to exclude irrelevant contents of the literature. RevMan 5.3 was used to analyze the collected data and after reading the titles and abstracts, 29 well-designed studies were selected. Through searching the full text, reading literature, and quality evaluation, 17 papers were finally included. Response rates were reported in all 17 studies, and subgroup analysis was performed based on whether or not other therapies were combined. 7 studies compared the effectiveness of simple moxibustion and conventional therapy in the treatment of infantile diarrhea, and the results showed statistically significant differences [OR = 4.01, 95% CI (2.03, 7.84), < 0.0001]; 10 studies compared the effectiveness of moxibustion combined with other therapies and conventional therapies in the treatment of diarrhea in children, and the results showed that the difference had general meaning [OR = 4.45, 95% CI (2.83, 7.10), < 0.00001]. The funnel plot (in Figure) showed that the distribution of included studies was asymmetrical on both sides of the baseline, which could be considered as publication bias. Traditional Chinese medicine moxibustion could effectively relieve the symptoms of infantile diarrhea, and the effect was significant.
Topics: China; Diarrhea, Infantile; Humans; Infant; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Moxibustion
PubMed: 35814536
DOI: 10.1155/2022/9749606 -
Integrative Medicine Research Jun 2021Cognitive impairment is an age-dependent chronic disorder that exponentially worsens with age; however, its treatment is mostly symptomatic. Moxibustion is widely... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Cognitive impairment is an age-dependent chronic disorder that exponentially worsens with age; however, its treatment is mostly symptomatic. Moxibustion is widely accepted in East Asia as a treatment for cognitive impairment. This systematic review aimed to verify the efficacy and underlying mechanism of moxibustion in treating cognitive impairment.
METHODS
Sixteen trials involving 324 animals obtained from MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, the Cochrane library, the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wan-Fang, Cqvip, the Korean Studies Information Service System, and the Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System met the inclusion criteria. We extracted the results of behavioral tests and immunohistochemical biomarkers from the included articles and evaluated the risk of bias and reporting quality.
RESULTS
The moxibustion group showed significantly decreased escape latency, increased crossing times, and prolonged dwelling times in the Morris water maze test. There was a significantly enhanced latency period and reduced error time in the step-down test and nerve behavior score. The effects of moxibustion were found to be mediated by suppression of oxidative stress and apoptosis, modulation of inflammation and Aβ genesis activation of vascular endothelial growth factor, and adjustment of metabolites in the tricarboxylic acid cycle and fatty acid metabolism.
CONCLUSION
Our results demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy of moxibustion on cognitive impairment and suggested the putative mechanism. However, considering the small number of included studies, high bias risk, low reporting quality, and the limitations of animal experimentation, our results need to be confirmed by more detailed studies.
PubMed: 33747784
DOI: 10.1016/j.imr.2020.100680 -
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine... Apr 2016Moxibustion is an important component part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Among differ- ent kinds of moxibustion methods, thermal stimulation seems to be a... (Review)
Review
Moxibustion is an important component part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Among differ- ent kinds of moxibustion methods, thermal stimulation seems to be a pivotal impact factor to the theraputic efficacy. Based on its thermal characteristic and treated area-skin, we hypothesize that the thermosensitive TRPV channels may involve in the mechanism of moxibustion. This study, by referring to various experimental and clinical data, analyzes the properties and features of transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) subfamily 1-4 and the impact of moxibustion on these channels. The factors impacting the efficacy of moxibustion treatment were analyzed on three levels: the independent basic factors of moxibustion (temperature, space and time); moxibustion intensity (a compound factor achieved through comprehensive control of the three individual basic factors mentioned above); and moxibustion quantity (the amount of temperature stimulation applied within a certain unit of time, including the total amount of moxibustion treatment). The results from present study show that the effect of moxibustion therapy appears to be determined by the activation of TRPV1-4, mainly TRPV1 and TRPV2. Temperature (the degree of heat stimulation), time and area (how long the treatment lasts and how many TRPV1-4 channels are activated) affect the intensity of moxibustion treatment to form effective moxibustion quantity; this should be considered in clinical moxibustion application.
Topics: Acupuncture Points; Animals; Hot Temperature; Humans; Moxibustion; Transient Receptor Potential Channels
PubMed: 27400483
DOI: 10.1016/s0254-6272(16)30036-x -
Journal of Pain Research 2023Pain is one of the most common and feared symptoms among cancer patients. Unrelieved pain denies patients comfort and greatly affects their overall quality of life.... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
Pain is one of the most common and feared symptoms among cancer patients. Unrelieved pain denies patients comfort and greatly affects their overall quality of life. Moxibustion is commonly used to manage chronic pain. However, its efficacy on cancer pain remains inconclusive. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of moxibustion for cancer pain.
METHODS
We searched seven databases to obtain articles about moxibustion combined with pharmacotherapy for cancer pain published before November 2022. All data extraction was carried out independently by two investigators. RevMan 5.4 software was used for data analysis.
RESULTS
A total of ten trials involving 999 cases were included. The results of the meta-analysis revealed that moxibustion combined with pharmacotherapy was significantly better than drug therapy alone in improving pain relief rate (RR =1.16, 95% CI = [1.04, 1.30], = 0.01), reducing pain scores (SMD = -1.43, 95% CI = [-2.09, -0.77], < 0.0001), Shortening the onset of analgesia (MD = -12.07, 95% CI = [-12.91, -11.22], < 0.00001), prolonging the duration of analgesia (MD = 3.69, 95% CI = [3.21, 4.18], < 0.00001), and improving quality of life (SMD = 2.48, 95% CI = [0.67, 4.29], = 0.007). In addition, moxibustion combined with pharmacotherapy can effectively reduce adverse reactions of drugs (RR =0.35, 95% CI = [0.21, 0.57], < 0.0001).
CONCLUSION
The evidence in this review supports moxibustion as an effective adjuvant therapy for cancer pain management. However, high-quality RCTs are needed to further confirm these findings.
REGISTRATION NUMBER
PROSPERO CRD42022370942.
PubMed: 36824500
DOI: 10.2147/JPR.S396696