Moxibustion Therapy Research Articles

Comparison of therapeutic effects of different acupuncture and moxibustion therapies in the treatment of peripheral facial nerve paralysis: A protocol for systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Background:Previous evidences show that acupuncture and moxibustion therapy has positive effects on peripheral facial nerve paralysis (PFP), but there are many acupuncture treatments based on meridian theory, and there are differences in the efficacy of each program. This study will compare the clinical efficacy of different acupuncture treatments for PFP through mesh meta-analysis.Methods:Randomized controlled trials of acupuncture therapy in the treatment of PFP are going to be retrieved from 8 Science databases including CNKI, Wanfang, VIP and Chinese Biomedical Science, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library from establishment to January 2022. We will use the Cochrane Risk Bias Assessment Tool to assess the quality of the studies and the grading of recommendation assessment, development and evaluation method to assess the strength of the evidence. All data analyses will be performed by Revman5.3, Gemtc 0.14.3, and Stata 14.0.Results:This study will evaluate the efficacy of different acupuncture treatments for PFP by evaluating clinical efficacy rate, facial nerve function score, facial disability score scale, facial electromyography, adverse reactions, etc, and further explore the mechanism of action of each therapy.Conclusion:This study will provide a reliable evidence-based basis for selecting the best acupuncture treatment for PFP.Trial registration:Open science framework registration number: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/XQRK9

Moxibustion regulates the polarization of macrophages through the IL-4/STAT6 pathway in rheumatoid arthritis.

To observe the effects of moxibustion on "Shenshu" and "Zusanli" on macrophage polarization and IL-4/STAT6 signaling pathway in rats with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To further explore the possible anti-inflammatory mechanism of moxibustion in the treatment of RA. The rats' right hind paws were injected with freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) to establish the model of RA. Seven days after the injection of FCA, moxibustion therapy was performed on the acupoints of Shenshu (BL23) and Zusanli (ST36) once a day for three weeks. The researchers measured the thickness of the foot pad. ELISA and Histological Analysis were performed to observe the anti-inflammatory effect of moxibustion. Then researchers detected the expression of macrophage phenotype and the expression of IL-4/STAT6 signaling pathway related molecules. It was observed that after the injection of FCA, the rats' feet showed obvious symptoms of redness and swelling. But the symptoms were significantly improved when moxibustion was employed. The study found lower IL-23 and higher IL-4 level in the serum of FCA-injected rats after moxibustion treatment. HE staining showed that the synovium of the RA group was hyperemia and edema, with a large number of inflammatory cells infiltration and vascular dilatation. In the moxibustion group, the degree of synovial hyperemia and edema was improved, and the infiltration of inflammatory cells and vascular dilation were reduced. The study also found that there wer differences among the expressions of macrophage phenotypes in RA, and this was shown by the high expression of CD86 and low expression of CD206. However, the polarization of macrophages in the moxibustion group changed, and that was manifested by enhanced M2-polarized Mφs and inhibited M1-polarized Mφs. Meanwhile, moxibustion suppressed the activation of JAK1, JAK3 and STAT6 in the IL-4/STAT6 signaling pathway, which contributed to the polarization of M2 . The results demonstrate that moxibustion not only suppresses the polarization of M1, but also promotes the polarization of M1. The anti-inflammatory effect of moxibustion may be related to the regulation of macrophage polarization through IL-4/STAT6 signaling pathway.

Application of the Prevention of Disease Concent in Traditional Chinese Medicine in Acupuncture Rehabilitation Treatment of Chronic Diseases： Take Vascular Dementia as an Example

The concept of rehabilitation prevention is one of the basic theories of rehabilitation medicine of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), early rehabilitation intervention will help to prevent or reduce the loss of function or disability of patients. This is similar to the theory of preventive treatment of disease in TCM and three-level prevention in modern preventive medicine. Acupuncture and moxibustion has a long history and plays an important role in the preventive treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD), vascular dementia (VD) and other senile diseases. Taking VD as an example, this paper discussed the rehabilitation treatment of acupuncture and moxibustion of VD and its possible mechanism, which explained that acupuncture and moxibustion therapy played a preventive and therapeutic role in the early stage of dementia, and embodied the TCM concent of "prevent before the disease arises and prevent disease from exacerbating". The early intervention of TCM rehabilitation technology can transform forward the focus of prevention and control of chronic diseases. To construct a new model of intelligent rehabilitation of TCM based on the theory of preventive treatment of disease, and develop a standardized acupuncture and moxibustion rehabilitation technology with the assistance of internet and information construction, which will help to improve the effectiveness, safety and patient compliance of TCM acupuncture and moxibustion rehabilitation services, and will contribute to advancing the healthy China.

A Clinical Case of an Unspecified Paralytic Ileus Patient Treated with Korean Medicine

Objectives: This study examined a clinical case of a paralytic ileus patient diagnosed with Soeumin.Methods: The patient was treated with herbal medicine (Hyangsayangwi-tang, Baekhaogunja-tang, Palmulgunja-tang), infusion solution treatments, acupuncture, moxibustion, and rehabilitative therapy. Their effects were evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS).Results: After receiving Korean medical treatment for 38 days, the VAS score for dyspepsia was reduced from 8 to 2, the VAS score for nausea and vomiting was reduced from 8 to 2, and the VAS score for abdominal pain was reduced from 7 to less than 1.Conclusions: Korean medicine could be effective in relieving the symptoms of paralytic Ileus.

The Application of Case Teaching Method in the Course of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Therapy

The Application of Case Teaching Method in the Course of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Therapy

Research status and trends of acupuncture and moxibustion for cancer：a bibliometric analysis based on CiteSpace and VOSviewer

To analyze the research status of acupuncture and moxibustion for cancer at home and abroad in the past 45 years by using bibliometric and scientific knowledge map methods，and explore the development trends in future. The literature of acupuncture and moxibustion for cancer was retrieved from CNKI and Web of Science (WOS) till December 31, 2020 since the database establishment, and CiteSpace and VOSviewer software were used to perform visual map analysis through cooperation network, keyword co-occurrence, keyword timeline, keyword emergence and other methods. Totally, 1 585 literature in CNKI and 1 564 literature in WOS were included, and the annual publication amount showed a fluctuating upward trend. Cooperation between countries was centered on China and the United States, and there was relatively little cooperation among different institutions. The analysis of keyword and cited literature showed that researches focused on the control of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy on cancer complications and adverse reactions of western medicine. The main research types in WOS were systematic review and randomized controlled trial (RCT), while in CNKI was review, depth studies on mechanism of acupuncture and moxibustion for cancer were rare. The concern about the quality of life of cancer patients may become research emphasis in the field of acupuncture and moxibustion for cancer in future, and the research scope tends to integrative and holistic oncology.

Moxibustion for anorexia in COVID-19: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background:As the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has rapidly spread over the world, the World Health Organization has declared the outbreak of COVID-19 an international public health emergency. Besides typical respiratory symptoms and signs of COVID-19, digestive symptoms and liver injury have been frequently reported during the course of the disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of moxibustion in the treatment of anorexia in patients with COVID-19.Methods:According to the retrieval strategies, randomized controlled trials on moxibustion therapies for C19-A will be obtained from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang Data, Chinese Scientific Journals Database, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library, regardless of publication date or language. Studies will be screened based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the Cochrane risk bias assessment tool will be used to evaluate the quality of the literature. The network meta-analysis will be performed with the Markov chain Monte Carlo method and carried out with Stata 14.2 and WinBUGS 1.4.3 software. Ultimately, the quality of the evidence obtained from the results will be evaluated.Results:This study will evaluate whether moxibustion therapy can effectively treat anorexia in patients with COVID-19.Conclusion:This study will provide evidence for whether moxibustion therapy is beneficial to the treatment of anorexia in patients with COVID-19.Trial registration number:CRD42022302499

The Case for Moxibustion for Painful Syndromes: History, principles and rationale.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has evolved over thousands of years. TCM practitioners use various approaches (such as acupuncture and tai chi) as well as herbal products to address health problems. Though lesser known in the west, the practice of Moxibustion is an integral part of Traditional East Asian Medicine. Moxibustion is an important non-invasive treatment that has shown to be beneficial in treating painful syndromes including neuropathy. It has been suggested that moxibustion may alleviate neuroinflammation by inhibiting NF-kB and by activating Nrf2. These anti-inflammatory and protective mechanisms could be key to exploring the use of moxibustion in treating other etiologies of neuropathy including HIV. There is ample scope for future study in this area and consideration of the history, development and practical applications of moxibustion therapy may be of help in this regard. This article seeks to explore the background, principles, and application of moxibustion in the clinical setting with particular emphasis on its potential for symptom management in the treatment of neuropathy and pain.

Efficacy and safety of moxibustion in the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background:Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is one of the common diseases in female urinary system diseases, and the incidence is increasing year by year. Moxibustion therapy, as a kind of acupuncture therapy, has been widely used in the clinical treatment of SUI, but its therapeutic effect and safety have not been scientifically and systematically evaluated. Therefore, the protocol of this systematic review we propose this time is to scientifically evaluate the effectiveness and safety of moxibustion in the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence (FSUI).Methods:The following 8 electronic databases will be searched from establishment to December 2021: PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP Database, Wanfang Database, China Biology Medicine disc. All randomized controlled trials of moxibustion in the treatment of FSUI will be searched in the above electronic databases. Two reviewers will independently complete research selection, data extraction, and research quality evaluation. After screening the studies, the quality of the included studies will be evaluated according to the quality standards specified in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions (version 5.1.0). The primary outcome of included studies is the change from baseline in urine leakage measured by the 1-hour pad test. Secondary outcomes include: the short-form of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire, the mean 72-hour urinary incontinence episode frequency, self-assessment of the patient's treatment effect, severity of urinary incontinence, and adverse events. Two reviewers will independently conduct study selection, data extraction, risk of bias assessment, and study quality assessment. And the STATA 14.0 software will be implemented for data synthesis and meta-analysis.Results:The result of this meta-analysis will be submitted to peer-reviewed journals for publication, and a comprehensive review of current evidence will be conducted.Conclusions:The conclusion of this systematic review will provide evidence for judging whether moxibustion is a safer and more effective intervention for female stress urinary incontinence.Trial registration number:The protocol has been registered on INPLASY2021120052.

Application status and thinking of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy for assisted reproductive field in the United States

The application status of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy for assisted reproductive field in the United States was analyzed, and the existing problems and future development directions were discussed. According to the survey on the 456 websites of assisted reproductive clinic in the United States mentioned in the report of U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 111 clinics among 456 assisted reproductive clinics recommend and used acupuncture and moxibustion therapy, accounting for 24.3%. Acupuncture and moxibustion therapy had obvious effect, good safety and low cost, and the assisted reproductive institutions in the United States had a high degree of application and recognition to acupuncture and moxibustion therapy. However, some problems, such as immature treatment scheme, unclear mechanism and imperfect insurance policies, still existed. In the future, the advantages of Chinese traditional acupuncture and moxibustion should combine with international modern assisted reproductive technology, and multi-center and large-sample clinical randomized controlled trials and basic experimental research on the mechanism of acupuncture and moxibustion for assisted reproduction should be carried out.

Rules of acupoint selection in treatment of erectile dysfunction with acupuncture and moxibustion based on data mining technology

Data mining technology was adopted to analyze the rules of acupoint selection in treatment of erectile dysfunction with acupuncture and moxibustion. All of the articles for acupuncture and moxibustion in treatment of erectile dysfunction were searched from the databases, i.e. Chinese national knowledge infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang database, VIP, Chinese biomedical literature database (SinoMed) and PubMed, and the clinical trials on erectile dysfunction treated with acupuncture and moxibustion were screened. The database was set up by using Excel 2019 and input into R 4.0.3, and then, the therapeutic method, use frequency of acupoint, meridian tropism, collection visualization analysis, cluster analysis and association rule analysis were summarized. A total of 240 articles were included, with 516 prescriptions and 145 acupoints involved. The methods for treatment of erectile dysfunction included acupuncture and moxibustion therapy, acupuncture, acupoint injection, electroacupuncture, etc. The acupoints with high use frequency were Guanyuan (CV 4), Shenshu (BL 23), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Mingmen (GV 4), Zusanli (ST 36), Zhongji (CV 3), Ciliao (BL 32), Qihai (CV 6), Taixi (KI 3) and Taichong (LR 3). The meridians involved with high frequency were the bladder meridian of foot-taiyang, the conception vessel, the spleen meridian of foot-taiyin, etc. The common acupoint combination was Shangliao (BL 31), Zhongliao (BL 33), Ciliao (BL 32), Xialiao (BL 34) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Shenshu (BL 23), Guanyuan (CV 4). In association rule analysis (confidence ≥ 90%, support ≥ 20%), there were 27 association rules in total. The acupoint combination with the highest support referred to "Shenshu (BL 23), Sanyinjiao (SP 6)→Guanyuan (CV 4)" (support 46.7%) and the acupoint combination with the highest confidence was "Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Qihai (CV 6)→Guanyuan (CV 4)" (confidence 98.0%). The acupoints could be divided into 5 effective clusters. Acupuncture and moxibustion therapy has a certain of rules of acupoint selection in treatment of erectile dysfunction, which provides the evidences for modern clinical trial and treatment.

Clinical study on acupuncture and moxibustion for frozen shoulder: an evidence map

The clinical evidences on acupuncture and moxibustion for the treatment of frozen shoulder were sorted and summarized systematically. The relevant articles of frozen shoulder treated with acupuncture and moxibustion were searched from PubMed, EMbase, Cochrane database of systematic review (CDSR), Cochrane database of controlled trials register (CENTRAL), China national knowledge infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, VIP, and Chinese biomedical literature databases (SinoMed), from database inception to May 31, 2021. Using AMSTAR-2, the methodological quality of the included systematic reviews was evaluated. With evidence map, the current status of clinical evidence was summarized on acupuncture and moxibustion in treatment of frozen shoulder. A total of 266 original studies and 6 systematic reviews were included finally. At present, many randomized controlled trials are designed with small sample size and the simple acupuncture and moxibustion therapy is dominant as the intervention, e.g. warm acupuncture, acupuncture with filiform needle, acupotomy and electroacupuncture. The outcomes considered in the current trials focus on clinical effective rate, the score of shoulder pain, the score of shoulder function and the score of quality of life. Most of the studies have shown that acupuncture and moxibustion is advantageous as an adjunctive therapy for frozen shoulder, but its clinical evidence is few in terms of the recurrence rate and safety. Moreover, it needs to improve the evidence quality of the relevant studies on acupuncture and moxibustion for frozen shoulder.

Moxibustion for diarrhea in COVID-19: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background:Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an acute respiratory infectious disease that is often accompanied by diarrhea, patients with symptoms such as diarrhea are more likely to develop severe pneumonia, while diarrhea is the most prominent among atypical symptoms. The incidence of diarrhea in COVID-19 patients is 2.0% to 49.5%. Moxibustion has been proven to have a therapeutic effect on diarrhea; however, there is no high-quality evidence on moxibustion for diarrhea in COVID-19 patients. This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of moxibustion for the treatment of diarrhea in patients with COVID-19.Methods:Randomized controlled trials from December 2019 to December 2021 will be included without restrictions on language or publication date. PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Chinese Biomedical Databases, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang database, and VIP database will be searched. Two researchers will independently select studies, extract data and evaluate study quality. Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomized trials will be used to assess the risk of bias of included studies. Statistical analyses will be performed using the Review Manager V.5.3 and stata 14.0.Results:The results of this meta-analysis will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication.Conclusion:This study will provide evidence for whether moxibustion therapy is beneficial to the treatment of diarrhea in COVID-19.Ethics and dissemination:Ethical approval is not required for this study. The systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal, presented at conferences, and shared on social media platforms. This review would be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal or conference presentations.Prospero registration number:CRD42022302933.

Moxibustion alleviates decreased ovarian reserve in rats by restoring the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

ObjectiveMoxibustion, a common therapy in traditional Chinese medicine, has potential benefits for treating decreased ovarian reserve (DOR). The present study investigates the protective effect of moxibustion in a rat model of DOR and explores the possible mechanisms. MethodsSixty-four female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, DOR, moxibustion (MOX), and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The DOR rat model was established by intragastric administration of 50 mg/kg Tripterygium glycoside suspension (TGS), once daily for 14 days. MOX and HRT treatments were given from the day TGS administration was initiated. The ovarian reserve function was evaluated by monitoring the estrus cycle, morphological changes in ovaries, levels of serum estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), pregnancy rate and embryo numbers. Terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick-end-labeling staining was used to identify ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis, while the protein and mRNA expressions of Bax, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (AKT) in ovarian tissues were examined by immunohistochemistry, Western blot and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. ResultsCompared with the DOR group, MOX improved the disordered estrous cycle, promoted follicular growth, reduced the number of atresia follicles, increased the concentrations of serum E2 and AMH, and decreased serum FSH and LH concentrations. More importantly, the pregnancy rate and embryo numbers in DOR rats were both upregulated in the MOX treatment group, compared to the untreated DOR model. Further, we found that the MOX group had reduced apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells, increased Bcl-2 expression and reduced expression of Bax. Furthermore, the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was triggered by the moxibustion treatment. ConclusionMoxibustion improved ovarian function and suppressed apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells in a rat model of DOR induced by TGS, and the mechanism may involve the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Dilemma and breakthrough of acupuncture-moxibustion department under the situation of rapid expansion of hospital

Under the situation of the rapid expansion of hospital, the dilemma of acupuncture-moxibustion department, as well as the relevant solutions are explored. The main reasons for the shrinking situation of the service in acupuncture-moxibustion department include: the disease-based department division trends to divert many diseases suitably treated in acupuncture-moxibustion department; the environment pursuing economic benefits restricts the development of acupuncture-moxibustion therapy characterized by "simple and low-cost operation". There are three important approaches for breaking through the dilemma of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy. First, modifying the traditional service mode as waiting for patients in acupuncture-moxibustion department and promoting acupuncture and moxibustion technology to be adopted in other departments rather than limited only in acupuncture-moxibustion department. Second, increasing the charges of acupuncture and moxibustion technology rationally. Third, positioning accurately the role of acupuncture and moxibustion technology in health services based on its own characteristics and advantages and promoting it in community medical institutions. All of these solutions require the guidance of supporting policies.

Research Progress of Acupuncture and Moxibustion on Knee Osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by cartilage degeneration, osteophyte formation and joint inflammation, which is mainly good in middle-aged and elderly people. The main manifestations are knee pain or dull pain, swelling, joint clicking, and even knee stiffness, limited mobility, muscle spasm around and muscle atrophy, which seriously affect the quality of life. Acupuncture and moxibustion, as a characteristic treatment for KOA in Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has accumulated rich clinical experience in the treatment of KOA, and there are numerous therapies, including conventional acupuncture, fire needle, warm needle, silver needle, electroacupuncture, small needle knife, internal heat needle, moxibustion and combined therapy. All of them have the characteristics of easy operation, low cost, significant effect, safety and reliability.

Moxibustion therapy guided by midnight-noon ebb-flow theory on Chinese patients with ankylosing spondylitis: a quasi-experimental study

Moxibustion therapy guided by midnight-noon ebb-flow theory on Chinese patients with ankylosing spondylitis: a quasi-experimental study

Efficacy and safety of Ma's Bamboo-based medicinal moxibustion therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract Background: Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a recurrent functional disease with an unknown pathogenesis. Modern treatment mainly focuses on symptomatic and supportive care, but no specific treatment has emerged. Ma's Bamboo-based Medicinal Moxibustion therapy is a folk traditional Chinese medicine developed in Jinsha County, Guizhou Province. Over a long period of practice in the primary health care setting, it has been confirmed in folk medicine that the therapy can significantly improve the symptoms of patients with CFS, but there is no sufficient and scientific clinical evidence. Therefore, this randomised controlled pilot study was designed to preliminarily evaluate the efficacy and safety of Ma's Bamboo-based Medicinal Moxibustion therapy. Methods/design: This is a parallel, randomized, controlled, and exploratory study. Sixty patients with CFS admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine will be randomly assigned to the experimental or control group. The experimental group will receive Ma's Bamboo-based Medicinal Moxibustion therapy, whereas the control group will undergo conventional acupuncture. Both groups will be treated once daily for 6 consecutive days as a course of treatment, and two courses separated by 1 day will be completed (12 total treatments). All patients will undergo follow-up after the end of treatment. The baseline period is 2 days. The Fatigue Assessment Instrument score as the primary efficacy measure and secondary efficacy measures, including the Clinical Symptom Score and Fatigue Scale-14, will be evaluated at baseline, after one and two courses of treatment, and during follow-up. Serum T lymphocyte subset counts (CD3 +, CD4 +, CD8 +, CD4 +/CD8 +) and safety measures ((blood routine test, liver and kidney function and electrocardiogram) will be evaluated at baseline and after two courses of treatment. All adverse events occurring between baseline and the end of follow-up will be summarised at the end of the follow-up. Discussion: The results of this trial will clarify whether Ma's Bamboo-based Medicinal Moxibustion therapy can improve the symptoms of patients with CFS and provide preliminary evidence for the effectiveness and safety of Ma's Bamboo-based Medicinal Moxibustion therapy for this indication. Ethics approval: This study has been approved by the Ethics Review Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (No.K2020–038). Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2000038860. Registered on 7 October 2020.

Systematic review/Meta Analysis of Moxibustion in the Treatment of Functional Constipation based on Radar Plot Multivariate Evaluation of Literature Quality

Objective: The multiple evaluation method of radar map was used to evaluate the literature quality of systematic evaluation /meta analysis of moxibustion therapy for functional constipation, providing clear and reliable evidence for the majority of users. Methods: The retrieval strategy was developed and perfected, and the quality of literature was evaluated from six aspects: publication time, design type, AMSTAR score, PRISMA score, heterogeneity and publication bias.Results: Finally, 5 literature that met the established requirements were included, and the publication years were concentrated from 2018 to 2021. Randomized controlled trials accounted for a large proportion of design types, AMSTAR scores ranged from 12 to 23, PRISMA scores ranged from 21 to 40, and the average rank score of 5 literature was 3.43. Among them, the literature quality of xuan Yichen and Wu Xinyu was relatively good, with balanced and stable scores in all dimensions, while the treatment of the rest was poor (mainly manifested in: the literature retrieval strategy was not comprehensive enough; The existence of heterogeneity was not satisfactorily explained and discussed; Lack of reporting on research funding and funding sources; Lack of literature search and screening flow chart reports in study selection; The characteristics of the literature are not fully reported). Most literature have low homogeneity and publication bias.Conclusion: Systematic evaluation/Meta Analysis of moxibustion therapy for functional constipation the quality of literature needs to be further improved, especially the quality of methodology and reportage. The radar chart shows the data in a concise, intuitive and clear way, which is worthy of wide application in various specialties of traditional Chinese medicine.

Moxibustion for diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: A protocol for systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Background:Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is commonly accompanied by intestinal dysfunction, and diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome accounts for approximately 23.4% of all cases of IBS. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of moxibustion in the treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.Methods:According to the retrieval strategies, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on moxibustion therapies for IBS-D will be obtained from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang Data, Chinese Scientific Journals Database, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library, regardless of publication date or language. Studies will be screened based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the Cochrane risk bias assessment tool will be used to evaluate the quality of the literature. The network meta-analysis will be performed with the Markov chain Monte Carlo method and carried out with Stata 14.2 and WinBUGS 1.4.3 software. Ultimately, the quality of the evidence obtained from the results will be evaluated.Results:This study will evaluate whether moxibustion therapy can effectively treat diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.Conclusion:This study will provide evidence for whether moxibustion therapy is beneficial to the treatment of human diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.INPLASY registration number:INPLASY202180003.