Moxibustion for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Objective. This review aimed at systematically evaluating the efficacy and safety of moxibustion for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Methods. Relevant trials were searched in seven digital databases up to January 2021. After literature screening, data extraction, and literature quality evaluation, the included studies were meta-analyzed using RevMan 5.4 software. The evidence level was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). Results. Fifteen studies involving 1030 CFS participants were included. Meta-analyses showed a favorable effect of moxibustion on the total effective rate compared with acupuncture (OR = 4.58, 95%CI = [2.85, 7.35], P < 0.00001 ) and drugs (OR = 6.36, 95%CI = [3.48, 11.59], P < 0.00001 ). Moxibustion also appeared to significantly reduce fatigue severity measured by fatigue scale-14 (FS-14) (WMD = −2.20, 95% CI = [−3.16, −1.24], P < 0.00001 ) and fatigue assessment instrument (FAI) (WMD = −16.36, 95% CI = [−26.58, −6.14], P = 0.002 ) compared with the control group. In addition, among the 15 included studies, only two studies reported adverse events related to moxibustion, and the symptoms were relatively mild. The quality of evidence based on the 15 included trials was assessed as moderate to very low. Conclusions. Based on limited evidence, moxibustion might be an effective and safe complementary therapy for CFS, which can be recommended to manage CFS. Because of the limited level of evidence in this review, further high-quality trials are still needed to confirm these findings.

Dose–effect of long-snake-like moxibustion for chronic fatigue syndrome: a randomized controlled trial

“…Moxibustion therapy has been applied in Yang deficiency patients for thousands of years in China and it is used widely to relieve fatigue symptoms [ 35 ]. A systematic review has suggested that moxibustion has more advantages than acupuncture and drugs in relieving fatigue symptoms and improving clinical efficacy [ 36 ]. As a unique traditional moxibustion therapy, Long-snake-like moxibustion has shown to be a safe and effective therapy for relieving fatigue and improving Yang deficiency constitution [ 14 , 37 ].…”

The Efficacy of Acupuncture on Patients with Erectile Dysfunction: A Review

“…For the selection of the above methods of acupoint selection, moxibustion is also applicable, which utilizes the warm effect of moxibustion fire to play the dual role of medicine and warmth [ 35 ]. The belly button near the abdominal cavity and pelvic area has a wealth of nerve vascular distribution to the bladder.…”

Efficacy and safety of moxibustion for ulcerative colitis: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…15 16 In the past 2000 years, moxibustion has been widely used for clinical treatment in China, especially those involving pathological changes in the neuroimmunoendocrine system, such as IBD, 17 18 chronic pain, 19 depression 20 and chronic fatigue syndrome. 21 Currently, the benefits of moxibustion for UC have been widely reported [22][23][24][25] and a meta-analysis of moxibustion for UC was conducted in 2010. 26 However, this meta-analysis did not demonstrate the effectiveness of moxibustion due to the limited number and low quality of included studies.…”

“…Moxibustion is considered a comfortable, safe, simple, low-cost and effective alternative therapy 15 16. In the past 2000 years, moxibustion has been widely used for clinical treatment in China, especially those involving pathological changes in the neuroimmunoendocrine system, such as IBD,17 18 chronic pain,19 depression20 and chronic fatigue syndrome 21…”