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Preliminary Study on Acupuncture Combined with Grain-sized Moxibustion for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis with Finger Joint Pain
Published on: May 16, 2025
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[Long-snake moxibustion for rheumatoid arthritis:a randomized controlled trial]
Wei Zhang1, Mingren Chen1, Jinyu Hu1
1Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of TCM, Nanchang 330006, China.
Zhongguo Zhen Jiu = Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion
|December 13, 2017
Summary
Long-snake moxibustion significantly improved rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and immune markers compared to warm needling and methotrexate. This traditional therapy offers superior clinical efficacy for rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Area of Science:
- Integrative Medicine
- Rheumatology
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease causing joint inflammation and damage.
- Current treatments, including Western medication, aim to manage symptoms and slow progression but can have side effects.
- Exploring alternative and complementary therapies like moxibustion is crucial for improving RA management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the clinical efficacy of long-snake moxibustion, warm needling, and Western medication for rheumatoid arthritis.
- To investigate the underlying mechanisms of these treatments on RA, focusing on immune response markers.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 120 RA patients divided into three groups: long-snake moxibustion, warm needling, and Western medication (methotrexate).
- Treatments were administered over two months, with assessments including symptom scores, physical signs, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), rheumatoid factor (RF), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), IgM, and IgG.
- Long-snake moxibustion involved ginger-isolated moxibustion along the governor vessel monthly; warm needling targeted specific acupoints every two days; Western medication included methotrexate with optional diclofenac sodium.
Main Results:
- All three treatment groups showed significant improvements in RA symptoms, physical signs, VAS scores, and inflammatory markers (RF, ESR, CRP, IgM, IgG) (P<0.01).
- Long-snake moxibustion demonstrated significantly superior efficacy compared to both warm needling and Western medication (P<0.05, P<0.01).
Conclusions:
- Long-snake moxibustion is a highly effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, outperforming warm needling and methotrexate.
- This therapy significantly reduces immune responses and alleviates RA symptoms, offering a promising alternative or adjunct treatment.
