Influence of the Deqi sensation by suspended moxibustion stimulation in lumbar disc herniation: Study for a multicenter prospective two arms cohort study

Abstract

Moxibustion stimulates the Deqi (Qi arrival) phenomenon. Many clinical observations have documented that the character of the Deqi was a composite heat-sensitive moxibustion sensation. In this prospective multicentre comparative observational nonrandomized study, 92 patients with moderate to severe LDH were included. This study consisted of two parallel arms (A: heat-sensitive moxibustion sensation group; B: nonheat-sensitive moxibustion sensation group). Moxibustion was applied in the following three acupuncture points simultaneously: Da Changshu (BL25), Wei Zhong (BL40), and A-Shi acupuncture point (tenderness). The adjusted mean total Modified-JOA score showed significant differences between the groups in the first week (10.32 ± 4.27 95% CI [ 9.23 11.40 ] versus control group 12.42 ± 5.02 [ 11.62 13.69 ], P = 0.03). The outcome in the second week also presented significant differences in both groups (7.62 ± 4.80 [ 6.46 8.77 ] versus 10.56 ± 4.75 [ 9.35 11.76 ], P = 0.005). Significant differences were also manifested in the follow-up period (P = 0.007). It can be inferred that the existence of the Deqi (heat-sensitive moxibustion sensation) phenomenon in the process of suspended moxibustion is closely related to the curative effect, and arrival of heat-sensitive moxibustion sensation could improve the clinical curative effect of moxibustion. © 2013 Rixin Chen et al.