Effect difference between acupuncture and moxibustion for functional dyspepsia: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

To investigate the effect difference between acupuncture and moxibustion for functional dyspepsia (FD). Sixty patients with FD were randomized into an acupuncture group (29 cases with 1 rejecting) and a moxibustion group (27 cases with 3 dropping). The corresponding manipulations for 4 courses were applied at Zhongwan (CV 12) and Zusanli (ST 36) in the two groups, continuous 5 times as 1 course with 2 days between two courses, once a day and total 20 times. Leed's dyspepsia questionnaire (LDQ) and Nepean dyspepsia index (NDI) were tested before and after treatment, and safety was evaluated. After treatment, the total LDQ scores decreased in the two groups (both P<0.01), with statistical different value between the two groups (P<0.05). Upper abdominal pain, early satiety, epigastric burning in the acupuncture group were improved more obviously compared with those in the moxibustion group (all P<0.01). The NDI scores in the two groups increased after treatment (both P<0.01), without statistical different value before and after treatment (P>0.05). Acupuncture and moxibustion are effective for FD and acupuncture shows superiority.