[Clinical effect of long-snake moxibustion on lumbago of cold-dampness type]

To observe the effect of long-snake moxibustion on pain, functional disorder and body constitution in the patients with lumbago of cold-dampness type.

A total of 90 patients with lumbago of cold-dampness type were randomized into long-snake moxibustion, acupuncture and medication groups, 30 cases in each group. In the long-snake moxibustion group, long-snake moxibustion was exerted on the spinal (between Dazhui[GV14] and Yaoshu[GV2]) with the self-prepared moxa powder formula combined with fresh ginger and moxa wool, once a week, for 4 weeks. Regular acupuncture was given to the acupuncture group, 30 min each time, once a day, 8 times as a treatment course, at the interval of 2 days between the courses. The duration of treatment was 1 month. In the medication group, Diclofenac Sodium was prescribed for oral administration, 25 mg each time, three times a day, and Mecobalamine tablets, 0.5 mg each time, 3 times a day. The duration of medication was 1 month. Before and after treatment, the differences were evaluated in the scores of visual analog scale (VAS), the present pain intensity(PPI), Oswestry disability index (ODI) and the scale of yang-deficiency body constitution among the 3 groups.

After the treatment, VAS and PPI score and ODI were significantly reduced in the patients of the 3 groups as compared with those before treatment (all P<0.05). Compared with the medication group, ODI score was significantly reduced in the long-snake moxibustion group and the acupuncture group (P<0.05). After the treatment, the scores of the scale of yang-deficiency body constitution were significantly reduced in the long-snake moxibustion group and the acupuncture group (P<0.05) as compared with those before the treatment, but not statistically significant in the medication group in comparison before and after the treatment (P>0.05). The score of the scale of yang-deficiency body constitution in the long-snake moxibustion group was significantly lower than that in the acupuncture group and the medication group (P<0.05). Regarding the clinical effect, the effective rate was 93.33% (28/30) in the long-snake moxibustion group and it was 86.67% (26/30) in the acupuncture group and 73.33% (22/30) in the medication group after the treatment. The effective rate in the long-snake moxibustion group was significantly higher than those in the acupuncture group and the medication group (P<0.05).

The long-snake moxibustion therapy can achieve significant effect on lumbago of cold-dampness type. This therapy can alleviate pain, relieve the functional disorders and improve the conditions of body constitution in the patients. Hence, it is applicable for the clinical promotion.