Moxibustion for prehypertension and stage I hypertension: a pilot randomized controlled trial

Abstract

BackgroundPrehypertension and hypertension are associated with cardiovascular disease, ischemic heart disease, and stroke morbidity. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of moxibustion in patients with prehypertension or hypertension.MethodsForty-five subjects with prehypertension or stage I hypertension were randomized into three groups: moxibustion treatment group A (2 sessions/week for 4 weeks), moxibustion treatment group B (3 sessions/week for 4 weeks), and control group (nontreated group). The primary outcome measure was the change in blood pressure after 4 weeks of treatment. Safety was assessed at every visit.ResultsThere were no significant differences in systolic blood pressure (SBP) or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) among three groups after 4 weeks of treatment (p = 0.4798 and p = 0.3252, respectively). In treatment group B, there was a significant decrease in SBP and DBP from baseline to 4 weeks of treatment (mean difference (MD) −9.55; p = 0.0225, MD −7.55; p = 0.0098, respectively). There were no significant differences among groups in secondary outcome measures after 4 weeks of treatment. Six adverse events (AEs) in the treatment group A and 12 AEs in the treatment group B occurred related to the moxibustion treatment.ConclusionIn conclusion, the results of this study show that moxibustion (3 sessions/week for 4 weeks) might lower blood pressure in patients with prehypertension or stage I hypertension and treatment frequency might affect effectiveness of moxibustion in BP regulation. Further randomized controlled trials with a large sample size on prehypertension and hypertension should be conducted.Trial registrationThis study was registered with the ‘Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS)’, Republic of Korea (KCT0000469), and the protocol for this study was presented orally at the 15th International Council of Medical Acupuncture and Related Techniques (ICMART) in Athens, 25–27 May 2012.

Heat-sensitive moxibustion self-administration in patients in the community with primary hypertension

“…It is hypothesized that heat stimulation by moxibustion can result in the regulation of vasodilatation and cardiac rhythm, with mediators such as histamine, plasma aldosterone, and atrial natriuretic peptide; these effects, combined with the effects of the aroma and psychological relaxation experienced during moxibustion treatment, ultimately decrease blood pressure. [ 9 – 11 ]…”

The Effect of Thunder-Fire Moxibustion on Lumbar Disc Herniation: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

“…As a type of moxibustion, thunder-fire moxibustion has stronger soft-tissue penetration than ordinary moxibustion, so it is often used to treat diseases of the digestive, ( 30 ) skeletal, ( 31 ) cardiovascular, ( 32 ) and urinary systems ( 33 ). Evidence-based studies have shown that thunder-fire moxibustion combined with acupuncture or massage has potential benefits in the treatment of LDH ( 34 , 35 ).…”

Moxibustion alleviates chronic heart failure by regulating mitochondrial dynamics and inhibiting autophagy

“…In recent years, MOX has also been used to treat cardiovascular diseases. A pilot controlled clinical trial showed that MOX could lower blood pressure in patients with prehypertension or stage I hypertension ( 38 ). Furthermore, acupuncture and MOX have been widely applied to treat hyperlipidemia in clinical practice ( 39 ).…”