Moxibustion Therapy Research Articles

Clinical efficacy evaluation and safety study of Qishen Tongmai Yin I combined with moxibustion therapy on ASO: A retrospective study.

This study aimed to assess the therapeutic efficacy of moxibustion assisted therapy in combination with Qishen Tongmai Yin No. 1 on arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) patients. The impact on clinical symptoms, sign scores, foot dorsum temperature, foot dorsum artery blood flow, and overall clinical efficacy were analyzed. Sixty-three ASO patients from Beijing Xiaotangshan Hospital and Beijing Shijitan Hospital (January 2020-December 2021) were divided into 3 groups: a Qi Shen Tong Mai Yin I-only group, a moxibustion-only group, and a combined treatment group receiving both moxibustion and Qi Shen Tong Mai Yin No. 1. The treatment group took Qi Shen Tong Mai Yin No. 1 orally 3 times daily for 1 month. Moxibustion, employing a mild method, was applied once daily for 35 minutes over a month. Key acupoints included bilateral kidney Shu, Guan Yuan, Ming Men, Zu San Li, Wei Zhong, San Yin Jiao, and Yao Yang Guan. Posttreatment, clinical symptom scores, and dorsum foot parameters were measured, including foot temperature and dorsum foot artery blood flow. Total effective and cure rates were calculated. Pretreatment, no significant differences existed among the 3 groups (P > .05). Posttreatment, the clinical efficacy, dorsalis pedis temperature, dorsalis pedis artery blood flow, and symptom scores significantly improved in all groups (P < .05). Differences in these indicators were also significant among the 3 groups (P < .05). Moxibustion assisted therapy combined with Qishen Tongmai Yin No. 1 enhances total effective and cure rates in ASO patients, improving foot temperature, blood flow, microcirculation, and overall clinical efficacy. Additionally, this combination reduces scores for intermittent claudication, pain, skin temperature, soreness, skin color, and numbness, mitigating disease progression. Safety evaluation indicated no adverse events during treatment, demonstrating the safety of the combined therapy.

The correlation of acupuncture and moxibustion points for the treatment of diminished ovarian reserve and premature ovarian failure: A systematic review based on complex network.

Infertility rates have risen in recent years, with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) affecting 10% of infertile women, accounting for approximately 20% of ovarian disorders. This highlights the importance of exploring effective treatments for DOR. This study investigates acupoint compatibility rules in acupuncture and moxibustion therapies for DOR and premature ovarian failure (POF) using complex network analysis. It also provides insights into acupuncture and moxibustion approaches for managing these conditions. Clinical studies on acupuncture and moxibustion treatments for DOR and POF were retrieved from 5 databases, including China National Knowledge Infrastructure, SinoMed, Wanfang, CQVIP, and PubMed, covering the period from January 1, 2007, to September 15, 2024. Literature was screened based on inclusion and exclusion criteria to build a comprehensive database of acupuncture and moxibustion prescriptions for these conditions. Association rule analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Modeler 18.0, and complex network analysis was conducted with Gephi 0.9.2 software. A total of 70 articles and 67 acupoints from 70 prescriptions were analyzed, with 665 occurrences of these acupoints. The most frequently used acupoint was Guanyuan (RN4), followed by Sanyinjiao (SP6), Zusanli (ST36), Shenque (RN8), Bladder 23 (BL23), and Zigong (EX-CA1). These acupoints were primarily related to the Ren (RN) and Bladder (BL) meridians. Jiaohui points, dorsal Yu points, and 5 Shu points were the most commonly utilized specific points. The combination of Sanyinjiao (SP6) and Guanyuan (RN4) had the strongest association. Complex network analysis revealed a small-world network effect, with 24 core acupoints, including Guanyuan (RN4) and Zusanli (ST36), serving as key nodes. Acupuncture treatments for DOR and POF primarily focus on the abdomen and lower back regions. Specific acupoints, such as rendezvous points, are frequently combined with distantly located points. These combinations are guided by therapeutic principles aimed at nourishing the kidney, strengthening the spleen, regulating liver qi, calming the heart, and promoting blood circulation.

Effects of moxibustion in improving synovitis in adjuvant arthritis rats by regulating synovial GPR43 and peripheral blood Th17/Treg balance

To observe the effects of moxibustion on G protein-coupled receptor 43 (GPR43) and helper T cell 17 (Th17)/regulatory T cell (Treg) balance in rats with adjuvant arthritis (AA), so as to investigate the partial mechanism of moxibustion therapy on rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A total of 24 Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group and a moxibustion group, with 8 rats in each group. The AA rat model was replicated using wind, cold and moisture environmental factors + Freund's complete adjuvant (CFA) injection method. In the moxibustion group, moxibustion was performed on bilateral "Zusanli" (ST36) and "Shenshu" (BL23) for 20 min/time, once daily, for 21 d. The changes of joint swelling degree (JSD) and arthritis index (AI) were observed in each group of rats. Transmission electron microscopy and HE staining were used to examine changes in the cellular structure of the ankle joint synovial tissue in each group. Western blot analysis was employed to detect the expression levels of GPR43 in the synovial tissue of the ankle joints. Flow cytometry was used to measure the percentages of Treg and Th17 in peripheral blood. ELISA was used to determine the contents of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor-β 1 (TGF-β1) in serum. Compared with the normal group, the JSD and AI in the model group increased before and after treatment (P<0.01), with significant synovial pathological and ultrastruct ural injury observed. Additionally, compared with the normal group, the expression of GPR43 in the synovial tissue decreased (P<0.01), the Treg percentage in peripheral blood decreased (P<0.01) and the Th17 percentage increased (P<0.01), serum IL-10 and TGF-β1 contents decreased in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the moxibustion group exhibited a significant reduction in JSD and AI after treatment (P<0.01), the degree of pathological and ultrastruct ural damage in the synovium decreased, the expression of GPR43 in the synovial tissue increased (P<0.05), the Treg percentage in peripheral blood increased (P<0.01) and the Th17 percentage decreased (P<0.01), serum IL-10 and TGF-β1 contents increased (P<0.01). The relative expression of GPR43 in synovial tissue was positively correlated with the percentage of Treg in peripheral blood (r=0.967, P<0.01). Moxibustion can significantly improve the inflammatory response in the synovial membrane of AA rats. The mechanism may be related to moxibustion restoring the Th17/Treg balance through regulating GPR43.

Herbs-Partitioned Moxibustion on the Navel in a Rat Model of Primary Dysmenorrhea with Cold Coagulation and Blood Stasis.

Primary dysmenorrhea (PDM) refers to the occurrence of spasmodic colicky pain in the lower abdomen without any obvious pelvic pathology, often accompanied by other systemic symptoms, which significantly reduces the quality of life of women with PDM, 45%-95% of menstrual women are affected by it. Despite the high incidence of PDM, it is often not well treated and is ignored by relevant researchers and women themselves. Herbs-partitioned moxibustion (HPM) is a characteristic external therapy in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which is widely used to treat diseases in China; it treats diseases by applying a Chinese herbal formula on the patient's acupoints and then igniting moxa sticks on the herbal formula for moxibustion therapy. The primary effectiveness of the herbs utilized in this study is meridian activation and warmth, which encourages qi circulation to relieve pain. Moxibustion's heat stimulation could hasten the infusion of the herbs into the human body. Consequently, HPM, which combines acupoint, herbal, and heat stimulations, is appropriate for treating gynecological disorders, particularly functional diseases such as PDM. This paper provides a detailed description of the procedures and precautions for HPM at the Shenque (CV8) acupoint in female experimental rats, which 0provides an experimental basis for better promoting the application and development of HPM on the navel in PDM.

Acupuncture and Moxibustion in the Treatment of Gynecological Perioperative Anxiety: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to investigate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture and moxibustion in managing perioperative anxiety during gynecological surgery. Relevant studies published from the establishment of the databases to March 20, 2023, were searched in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and CBM. Literature screening and data extraction were independently conducted by two investigators. The Cochrane risk-of-bias tool 2.0 was utilized to assess the risk of bias in the included studies. Data analysis was carried out using Stata 15.1 software. The analysis included a total of 3254 patients from twenty studies. It was found that acupuncture and moxibustion therapy resulted in a reduction of postoperative State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S) scores (mean difference [MD] = -3.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] [-6.93 to -0.07], P = 0.046), as well as both preoperative and postoperative Visual Analogue Scale-Anxiety (VAS-anxiety) and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) scores (pre-operation: SMD = -1.04, 95% CI [-1.73 to -0.35], P = 0.003; post-operation: SMD = -0.78, 95% CI [-1.21 to -0.35], P < 0.001) in comparison to the control group. Nonetheless, no significant variances were noted between the two groups with regards to preoperative and intraoperative STAI-S scores (pre-operation: MD = -3.38, 95% CI [-9.58 to 2.82], P = 0.286; intraoperative: MD = -1.09, 95% CI [-7.32 to 5.13], P = 0.730), and intraoperative VAS-anxiety and SAS scores (SMD = -0.44, 95% CI [-1.51 to 0.64], P = 0.427). During the perioperative period of gynecological surgery, acupuncture and moxibustion therapy show potential in alleviating anxiety in patients. It is noteworthy that the current level of evidence is limited by the small sample size. Therefore, further validation of these findings is necessary.

Evaluation of the effect of moxibustion therapy combined with press needle stimulation of bilateral Zusanli (ST36) and Neiguan (PC6) points on gastric motility recovery in patients with gastroparesis after pancreatoduodenectomy.

Evaluation of the effect of moxibustion therapy combined with press needle stimulation of bilateral Zusanli (ST36) and Neiguan (PC6) points on gastric motility recovery in patients with gastroparesis after pancreatoduodenectomy.

Combined Korean Medicine Treatment of a Patient Diagnosed with Posterior Limb of Internal Capsule Infarction Presenting with Hiccups as the Chief Complaint - A Case Report

Objective: Hiccup is a sudden, involuntary contraction of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, followed by laryngeal closure. Persistent hiccups can occur in the central nervous system following a cerebral infarction. While medications, for example chlorpromazine, are commonly used for treatment, they often fail to fully resolve the hiccups, showing little to no improvement in symptoms. The aim of this study was to present the treatment response of a patient diagnosed with posterior limb of internal capsule (PLIC) infarction, who was experiencing hiccups and was treated with combined Korean medicine after taking chlorpromazine.Case Presentation: A 71-year-old male diagnosed with left PLIC infarction was experiencing problems in daily life due to hiccups and dysarthria. During the 10-day hospitalization, he received treatment that included herbal medicine (modified Hyeolbuchugeo-tang, Xiěfǔzhúyūtāng), acupuncture (GV20, LI11, ST36, LI4, LR3, and submandibular area acupoint), moxibustion, cupping, and physical therapy. After 10 days of hospitalization, the patient’s hiccups disappeared, and he did not have to take any chlorpromazine. The score on the Numerical Rating Scale fell from 7-8 to 1-2. The 5-level EQ-5D version (EQ-5D-5L) fell from 11 to 7, and the EQ Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS) rose from 20 to 80. The frequency (times per minute) of hiccups decreased and almost disappeared. During outpatient treatment, the patient stated that he did not experience hiccups for 7 months, and no significant side effects were observed.Conclusion: This study suggests that a patient with hiccups as a chief complaint can be effectively treated with combined Korean medicine. However, more studies with control groups are needed to confirm these findings.

Design and Application of the New Multi-functional Moxibustion Box

Our team is dedicated to exploring new models for the treatment of spleen and stomach diseases using external therapy techniques of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). We have developed a new multi-functional external therapy device for TCM that innovatively combines the concept of combined therapy with moxibustion. Additionally, through the application of artificial intelligence and new cross-industry intelligent manufacturing technologies, we have creatively incorporated an intelligent anti-burning system, enhancing the automation and informatization level of the product. We have implemented the concept of digitalization from the design stage, thus truly realizing an in-depth exploration of moxibustion, a method of external therapy in TCM. This chapter will summarize the design and application of a new multi-functional moxibustion box, aiming to provide a comprehensive reference for improving the symptoms of spleen and stomach diseases through moxibustion therapy.

Discussion on clinical application and regularity of the theory of "mind-regulating" in clinical acupuncture and moxibustion treatment.

The active role of "Shen" (mind) in the process of disease treatment has always been valued by scholars of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). "Tiaoshen" (mind-regulating) is regarded as the fundamental component of TCM therapy. "Mind-regulating" acupuncture and moxibustion therapy, as a treatment method for both body and mind, is consistent with the present bio-psycho-social medical model. In recent years, a large number of clinical studies have confirmed the exact efficacy of "mind-regulating" acupuncture and moxibustion therapy. This article reviewed the clinical applications of that in psychosomatic diseases, neurological diseases, and digestive diseases over the last decade. This article also summarized the research progress of various "mind-regulating" acupuncture and moxibustion methods, investigated the theoretical connotations of "Tongdu Tiaoshen" (dredging Governor Vessel and regulating mind) acupuncture, "Shugan Tiaoshen" (soothing liver and regulating mind) acupuncture, and the "Tiaoshen needling technique" (mind-regulating needling technique), and generalized the main acupoint selection rules. Lastly, future development directions were provided for the theoretical basis of clinical application of "mind-regulating" acupuncture and moxibustion therapy for further improvement.

Characteristics of moxibustion in Dragon Gate Stone Inscription prescriptions

The Dragon Gate Stone Inscription prescriptions are the earliest surviving stone inscriptions of medical formulas in China, covering various departments such as internal medicine, surgery, gynecology, pediatrics and ophthalmology. By reviewing 28 moxibustion prescriptions recorded in the Dragon Gate Stone Inscriptions, the following application characteristics are summarized: moxibustion mainly treats acute diseases such as mania, deficiency-cold syndrome, and jaundice; in terms of point selection, specific points such as the thirteen ghost points, eight influential points, and front-mu points are used, emphasizing the extraordinary meridians such as governor vessel and conception vessel, as well as specific single acupoints with unique therapeutic effects; in clinical application, it follows the principle of treating according to syndrome differentiation, uses multiple acupoints simultaneously, employs food-medicine homology, and adjusts the moxibustion dosage according to individual conditions. The Dragon Gate Stone Inscription prescriptions reflect that the application of moxibustion therapy during the Northern Wei to Tang Dynasty period had already reached a relatively mature level, indicating a high level of proficiency in moxibustion techniques during that time.

Effect of moxibustion on expression profile of miRNAs in Tripterygium glycoside-induced decreased ovarian reserve.

To explore the possible regulatory mechanism of microRNA (miRNA) in moxibustion treatment for decreased ovarian reserve (DOR). The DOR model was constructed by intragastrical Tripterygium glycoside suspension administration, and moxibustion therapy was simultaneously given. The morphological ovarian changes were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The miRNA expression profile was detected by RNA sequencing, and bioinformatics analysis was performed. Cytoscape software 3.6.1 was used to establish a regulatory network and differentially expressed miRNAs were verified by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Decreased number of mature follicles, increased atresia follicles, and abnormal granulosa cell morphology were observed in the model group compared with the control group. The moxibustion group demonstrated increased mature follicles, decreased atretic follicles, and significantly decreased abnormal morphology of granulosa cells compared with the model group. Additionally, RNA sequencing results manifested significantly up-regulated miRNA expressions (miR-92b-3p, miR-26-5p_R + 1_1ss10TC, miR-206-3p, miR-9993b-3p_1ss6GA, miR-7857-3p_R-1, miR-219a-2-3p_1ss10GC, miR-3968-p5_1ss10AT, and PC-5p-6478_1795) and down-regulated miR-664-2-5p_R + 1 in the model group, compared with the control group, and the moxibustion group reversed abnormal disorder levels of these miRNAs. Moreover, these differentially expressed miRNAs were mainly involved in the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase / protein kinase B signaling pathway and nuclear factor erythropoietin-2-related factor 2 / heme oxygenase 1 signaling pathway. Finally, network and RT-qPCR verification revealed miR-9993b-3p_1ss6GA as the most critical miRNA. This experiment proved the effectiveness of moxibustion in improving the ovarian reserve of rats by regulating miRNA expression, especially miR-9993b-3p_1ss6GA.

Clinical research progress on acupuncture for the treatment of otogenic vertigo.

Otogenic vertigo is a common disorder that affects the vestibular system, which often results in considerable discomfort and impaired daily functioning. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), including acupuncture and moxibustion, has been historically utilized to manage the symptoms of vertigo. However, the effectiveness and methodology of these treatments have rarely been investigated in the medical literature. This study reviews the existing literature on the point selection, method, and therapeutic effect of acupuncture and moxibustion to provide a reference for the TCM treatment of otogenic vertigo. A literature search was performed using the PubMed search engine. The terms used included otogenic vertigo, acupuncture treatment, and acupuncture point selection. A total of 34 relevant articles were retrieved from PubMed. These suggest that the clinical treatment of otogenic vertigo should consider the functions of zang-fu organs and meridians and select different acupuncture treatment methods according to syndrome differentiation based on the difference between deficiency and excess. Acupuncture and moxibustion therapy should be based on acupoint selection, considering the syndrome differentiation, supplemented with experience. The treatment of otogenic vertigo with acupuncture and moxibustion refers to the selection of appropriate acupuncture methods under the guidance of TCM theory and following the principles of syndrome, disease, and meridian differentiation. Common acupuncture methods include body acupuncture, auricular acupuncture, scalp acupuncture, acupoint injection, electroacupuncture, and moxibustion. There are many acupuncture and moxibustion acupoints selected for the treatment of otogenic vertigo. Individualized treatment according to the patient's specific condition is effective and safe, which can help to improve the patient's vertigo symptoms and cerebral blood perfusion.

World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS) Clinical Practice Guidelines on Acupuncture and Moxibustion: Female Urinary Incontinence recommendation summaries: 世界针灸学会联合会《针灸临床实践指南:女性尿失禁》推荐意见概述

Urinary incontinence (UI) is common in women and affects the quality of life in female patients severely. But the clinical consideration and treatment are insufficient. Acupuncture and-moxibustion has been proposed as a potentially effective intervention for female UI. Hence, the World Federation of Acupuncture-moxibustion Societies (WFAS) have initiated a project to develop the clinical practice guideline (CPG) on acupuncture and moxibustion for female UI towards global acupuncture practitioners. The CPG was developed according to the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology, referring to the principles of the World Health Organization Handbook for Guideline Development. During the development of the CPG, the guideline development group (GDG) played an important role, which is composed of multi-national and multi-disciplinary experts. The clinical questions, recommendations and therapeutic protocols were all formulated by GDG using the modified Delphi method and basing on the results of the latest systematic review. This article focuses on the recommendations in the CPG. The CPG contains ten recommendations for ten clinical questions, including nine conditional recommendations for the intervention, one conditional recommendations for either the intervention or the comparison. The CPG also provides one conventional filiform needle therapy protocol, two deep puncturing stimulation on lumbosacral acupoints therapy protocols, and four moxibustion therapy protocols, extracted from the included clinical evidence of this CPG.

Based on the Advantages of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Therapy, the Multiple Exploration of the Correlation between the Meridians and the Circulatory System of the Nervous System

The meridians, nervous system, and circulatory system are important components of traditional Chinese medicine and modern medicine. The meridians have a high degree of consistency with the distribution of the nervous and circulatory systems in modern medicine, and are closely related in the process of disease treatment. Therefore, people often confuse the three. Based on the great advantages of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of nervous system and circulatory system diseases, the author has made diversified exploration on its rele⁃ vance in terms of origin, physiological anatomy, physiological function and clinical application. It is believed that meridians have their relative independence, and the nervous and circulatory systems cannot completely replace meridians. However, meridians are closely related to the nervous and circulatory systems, and in clinical practice, meridians can be combined with the nervous and circulatory systems to guide the treatment of diseases.

Quantitative study on the acupoint effects based on complex network analysis: with the examples of the textbook networks formed by Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion Therapy and Practical Acupuncture and Moxibustion

By extracting the acupoint names and their main indications from cases in Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion Therapy and Practical Acupuncture and Moxibustion, the acupoints and their main indications are represented in a reduced dimension, establishing an "acupoint-indication" linkage. Using complex network detection results (node degree values), the specificity of acupoints was assessed. The small-world characteristics of the "acupoint-indication" network are utilized to analyze the consistency of acupoint selection in acupuncture prescriptions and strategies to avoid redundant acupoints. The results show that the "acupoint-indication" network formed by both texts exhibited an approximate "long-tail" distribution, with a large number of node degree values concentrated between 0 and 4 000, while a few nodes have degree values exceeding 10 000. There are significant differences in the number and distribution of nodes with degree values> 10 000 between the two texts. Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion Therapy includes 11 acupoints with multiple edges across the body, whereas Practical Acupuncture and Moxibustion contains only 2 such acupoints, located in the lower limbs. Clinically, some acupoints have a broad therapeutic effect and appear in numerous prescriptions. The division of acupoints based on node degree values can coarsely evaluate the body region specificity of acupoints' regulatory effects. The "acupoint-indication" network of Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion Therapy has a higher number of edges than that of Practical Acupuncture and Moxibustion, which might be related to the different historical contexts of the two texts. In the future, diagnostic and therapeutic patterns with historical continuity can be utilized to optimize acupuncture prescriptions.

Clinical Efficacy and Experimental Research Progress on Traditional Chinese Medicine Moxibustion Therapy in Ovarian Injury

AbstractThis review summarizes the clinical efficacy and experimental research of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) moxibustion in the intervention of ovarian injury. Clinical and experimental research results have shown that as a nonpharmacological treatment method, Chinese medical moxibustion therapy is of great significance in the treatment of ovarian injuries such as diminished ovarian reserve, polycystic ovarian syndrome, premature ovarian failure, and premature ovarian insufficiency. Moxibustion, heat-sensitive moxibustion, and electroacupuncture have significant effects in improving ovarian function, overall treatment efficacy, pregnancy rate, ovulation rate, and sex hormone levels and have higher safety. Their therapeutic mechanisms have also been demonstrated. In conclusion, TCM moxibustion therapy has a significant effect in the treatment of ovarian injury, providing a new option for the treatment of the ovarian injury.

A bibliometric analysis and visualization of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy for herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia.

To identify major contributors, current research status, and to forecast research trends and future development prospects on acupuncture and moxibustion therapy for herpes zoster (HZ) and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). A systematic search was conducted on the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Weipu, WanFang databases, and the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC), PubMed, and Scopus databases. The search strategy included relevant terms for HZ, PHN, acupuncture, and moxibustion. The reference type was limited to articles or reviews, with a publication date from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2023. Data analysis was performed using CiteSpace software, focusing on author, institution, source, and keyword distributions, and temporal trends. A total of 1612 publications were identified from both Chinese and English databases. The analysis revealed a rising trend in publication numbers in the English database, with a significant increase observed in 2020. In the Chinese database, publication activity exhibited two peaks in 2019 and 2023. Guohua Lin and Jingchun Zeng were the most prolific authors in the Chinese and English databases, respectively. The Chengdu University of TCM and Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University were the most active institutions. The keyword analysis revealed "herpes zoster" as the most frequent keyword in the Chinese database, while "postherpetic neuralgia," "acupuncture," and "management" were prominent in the English database. The study also identified several therapeutic approaches, including fire needle therapy and electroacupuncture, which have shown efficacy in treating HZ and PHN. Animal studies provided insights into the mechanisms of these therapies, suggesting potential modulation of neuroinflammatory markers and intracellular signaling pathways. The bibliometric analysis underscores the growing interest in acupuncture and moxibustion therapy for HZ and PHN. It highlights the contributions of key authors and institutions while pinpointing potential areas for future research. The study advocates for the necessity of large-scale, multi-center clinical trials and further basic mechanical research to optimize these therapies. Moreover, it also emphasizes the importance of international collaboration to strengthen the evidence base and expand the global impact of this traditional treatment modality.

A Case Report of Central Post-stroke Pain and Hemiparesis due to Anterior Cerebral Artery and Middle Cerebral Artery Infarction That Improved Following Treatment with Korean Medicine, Including Moxibustion

This case report describes a patient diagnosed with central post-stroke pain (CPSP) and hemiparesis due to anterior cerebral artery and middle cerebral artery infarction. The patient was treated with Korean medicines, including moxibustion, acupuncture, electroacupuncture, herbal medicine, Western medicine, and rehabilitation therapy for 67 days. CPSP improved based on scores on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) (from 8 to 0), paresthesia NRS (7 to 0), Manual Muscle Test (4/1 to 4+/4-), Korean version of the modified Barthel Index (24 to 73), National Institute of Health’s Stroke Scale (7 to 0), Global Deterioration Scale (1 to 1), and Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (27 to 29). No seizures, shocks, recurrent ischemic stroke, and liver dysfunction were recorded during the treatment. A moxibustion-induced burn healed within 7 days. This case suggests that moxibustion, combined with other treatments, has the potential to improve CPSP, without severe side effects.

Exploring the mechanism of agarwood moxa smoke in treating sleep disorders based on GC-MS and network pharmacology.

Agarwood moxibustion is a folk therapy developed by individuals of the Li nationality in China. There is evidence that agarwood moxa smoke (AMS) generated during agarwood moxibustion therapy can treat sleep disorders via traditional Chinese medicines' multiple target and pathway characteristics. However, the specific components and mechanisms involved have yet to be explored. GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) and network pharmacology were used to investigate AMS's molecular basis and mechanism in treating sleep deprivation. GC-MS was used to determine the chemical composition of AMS; component target information was collected from TCMSP (Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology), PubChem (Public Chemical Database), GeneCards (Human Gene Database), and DisGeNet (Database of Genes and Diseases) were used to identify disease targets, and JVenn (Joint Venn) was used to identify the common targets of AMS and sleep disorders. STRING was used to construct a protein interaction network, Cytoscape 3.9.1 was used to build a multilevel network diagram of the "core components-efficacy targets-action pathways," the targets were imported into Metascape and DAVID for GO (Gene Ontology) and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) analyses and Autodock was used for molecular docking. This research used a network pharmacology methodology to investigate the therapeutic potential of Agarwood Moxa Smoke (AMS) in treating sleep problems. Examining the target genes and chemical constituents of AMS offers insights into the molecular processes and targets of the disease. Nine active ingredients comprising anti-inflammatory substances and antioxidants, such as caryophyllene and p-cymene, found seven sleep-regulating signaling pathways and eight targets linked to sleep disorders. GC-MS was used to identify the 94 active ingredients in AMS, and the active ingredients had strong binding with the key targets. Key findings included active components with known medicinal properties, such as p-cymene, eucalyptol, and caryophyllene. An investigation of network pharmacology revealed seven signaling pathways for sleep regulation and eight targets linked to sleep disorders, shedding light on AMS's effectiveness in enhancing sleep quality. AMS may alleviate sleep disorders by modulating cellular and synaptic signaling, controlling hormone and neurotransmitter pathways, etc. Understanding AMS's material basis and mechanism of action provides a foundation for future research on treating sleep disorders with AMS. According to the study, Agarwood Moxa Smoke (AMS) may improve sleep quality by modifying cellular and synaptic signaling pathways for those who suffer from sleep problems. This might lead to the development of innovative therapies with fewer side effects.

Different acupuncture and moxibustion therapies in the treatment of IBS-D with anxiety and depression: A network meta-analysis.

Currently, a variety of Western medical interventions are available for the treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) with comorbid anxiety and depression. However, the attendant negative effects also emerge, putting pressure on healthcare resources and socio-economic structures. In recent years, the benefits of acupuncture (ACU) and moxibustion in the treatment of IBS-D with anxiety and depression have gradually emerged. However, there are many types of ACU-moxibustion-related treatments, and the aim of this study is to examine the effectiveness of different ACU-moxibustion therapies in the treatment of anxiety and depression in IBS-D patients. Searched and identified randomized controlled trials (RCTS) of ACU for the treatment of anxiety and depression in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The search spanned from the establishment of the database until September 1, 2023. Revman 5.4 and Stata 15.0 software were used for network meta-analysis (NMA), and the included interventions were ranked by the area under the cumulative ranking curve. A total of 26 articles involving 8 interventions were included. In terms of improving HAMA score, MOX was superior to EA, combined therapies, CH, WM and placebo; In terms of improving HAMD score, MOX was superior to ACU, EA, combined therapies, WM and placebo; In terms of improving the SAS score, The combined therapies were superior to EA, CH and WM; In terms of improving SDS scores, The combined therapies were superior to EA, CH and WM; In terms of improving IBS-SSS score, The combined therapies were superior to WM; In terms of reducing recurrence rates, CH was superior to combined therapies; In terms of improving total effective rates, MOX was superior to EA, CH, WM and placebo; MOX, combined therapies, ACU and EA ranked higher in SUCRA of different outcome indicators. MOX, combined therapies, ACU and EA have certain curative effect on anxiety and depression in patients with IBS-D, and their safety is high. ACU and MOX combined with other therapies also have significant advantages in the treatment effect.