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Experimental and Numerical Study on the Temperature Elevation in Tissue during Moxibustion Therapy.
Maxim Solovchuk1,2, Hong-An Deng1, Tony W H Sheu2,3
1Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Nanomedicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 35053, Taiwan.
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : Ecam
|March 20, 2020
Summary
Moxibustion, a traditional Chinese medicine therapy, involves heat transfer deep into tissues. This study used MRI to map temperature changes, revealing heat conduction and radiation are key mechanisms, heating tissues up to 3cm deep.
Area of Science:
- Integrative Medicine
- Biomedical Engineering
- Thermal Physics
Background:
- Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) thermal therapy using burning moxa for therapeutic heat.
- The precise mechanisms of heat transfer and temperature distribution during moxibustion remain poorly understood.
- Understanding these factors is crucial for validating TCM practices and optimizing treatment protocols.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the three-dimensional temperature distribution during moxibustion using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
- To develop and validate a mathematical model for predicting temperature elevation during moxibustion therapy.
- To elucidate the primary modes of heat transfer involved in moxibustion.
Main Methods:
- Utilized magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to non-invasively measure 3D temperature changes in tissues during moxibustion.
- Constructed a mathematical model to simulate and predict temperature elevation patterns.
- Compared experimental MRI data with numerical simulation results to validate the model.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated that moxibustion can heat tissues up to 3 cm in depth.
- Identified both heat conduction and thermal radiation as significant contributors to heat transfer during treatment.
- Achieved good agreement between experimentally measured temperatures and model predictions.
Conclusions:
- MRI provides a valuable tool for visualizing thermal effects of moxibustion.
- The study elucidates key heat transfer mechanisms in moxibustion, enhancing understanding of TCM.
- Findings support the development of evidence-based guidelines for moxibustion practitioners.
