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[Effect of electronic moxibustion on memory function in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment]
Qi-Qi Liu1, Shang-Jie Chen1, Guo-Ming Shen2
1Graduate School, Anhui University of CM, Hefei 230038, China; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shenzhen Baoan Hospital Affiliated to Southern Medical University, Shenzhen 518101, Guangdong Province.
Objective:
To observe the effect of electronic moxibustion on memory function in the patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI).
Methods:
A total of 59 aMCI patients were randomized into an electronic moxibustion group (30 cases) and a placebo moxibustion group (29 cases). In the electronic moxibustion group, the electronic moxibustion was applied to Baihui (GV 20), Dazhui (GV 14), Mingmen (GV 4) and Taixi (KI 3), 45 ℃ in temperature, 20 min each time. The treatment was given once a day, 5 times a week. The treatment for 4 weeks was as one course and 2 courses were required totally. In the placebo moxibustion group, the moxa-free patch was used, 38 ℃ in temperature. The acupoint selection and the treatment frequency were same as the electronic moxibustion group. Before and after treatment, Rivermead behavior memory test (RBMT) was adopted to evaluate the global memory function of the patients in the two groups and the N-back task test was adopted to evaluate working memory function separately. Additionally, the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and its immediate memory, Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) and its delay recall were adopted to evaluate the global cognitive function and memory function.
Results:
In the electronic moxibustion group, after treatment, RBMT score, N-back accuracy rates, MMSE and MoCA scores and the scores of immediate memory and delay recall were improved significantly as compared with those before treatment (P<0.01). In the placebo moxibustion group, the accuracy rates of 1-back and 2-back task and the scores of immediate memory and delay recall were improved obviously as compared with those before treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01). After treatment, the improvements of RBMT score, the accuracy rates of N-back task and MMSE and MoCA scores in the electronic moxibustion group were higher than those in the placebo moxibustion group (P<0.05).
Conclusion:
Electronic moxibustion improves memory function in the patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment.
Insights
Electronic moxibustion significantly improved memory and cognitive function in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). This therapy offers a promising non-pharmacological approach for managing aMCI symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Gerontology
- Integrative Medicine
Background:
- Amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) is characterized by memory deficits.
- Current treatments for aMCI have limitations.
- Non-pharmacological interventions are being explored to improve cognitive function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of electronic moxibustion on memory function in aMCI patients.
- To compare electronic moxibustion with placebo moxibustion.
Main Methods:
- 59 aMCI patients were randomized into electronic moxibustion (30) and placebo (29) groups.
- Treatments were administered over 4 weeks, with 2 courses.
- Memory and cognitive functions were assessed using RBMT, N-back task, MMSE, and MoCA.
Main Results:
- Electronic moxibustion group showed significant improvements in RBMT, N-back accuracy, MMSE, MoCA, immediate memory, and delayed recall (P<0.01).
- Placebo group showed improvements in 1-back/2-back accuracy, immediate memory, and delayed recall (P<0.05, P<0.01).
- Improvements in RBMT, N-back task, MMSE, and MoCA were significantly greater in the electronic moxibustion group than the placebo group (P<0.05).
Conclusions:
- Electronic moxibustion demonstrates a significant positive effect on improving memory function in individuals with aMCI.
- The findings suggest electronic moxibustion is a viable therapeutic option for enhancing cognitive performance in aMCI.
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