Irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) treated with moxibustion on heat-sensitive acupoints: a randomized controlled trial

ObjectiveTo compare the effects between acupuncture combined with moxibustion on heat-sensitive acupoints and acupuncture on irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D).MethodsSixty-four cases were randomly divided into an acupuncture and moxibustion group (n=32) and an acupuncture group (n=32). Conventional acupuncture at Tiānshū ( ST 14), Zúsānlľ ( ST 36), Gōngsūn ( SP 4) and other acupoints was used in the two groups, and moxibustion on heat-sensitive acupoints was added in the acupuncture and moxibustion group. The treatment frequency was 5 times a week, and 4 weeks were a course. After 2 courses, the therapeutic effect was evaluated.ResultsThe clinical symptom scores after treatment in two groups decreased obviously than those before treatment (both P<0.01). The cured and markedly effective rate in the acupuncture and moxibustion group was 87.5% (28/32), and that in the acupuncture group was 37.5% (12/32), so the effect in the acupuncture and moxibustion group was better than that in the acupuncture group (P<0.01). The improvement of all kinds of symptom scores in the acupuncture and moxibustion group was all better than that in the acupuncture group (all P<0.05).ConclusionThe clinical effect of acupuncture combined with moxibustion on heat-sensitive acupoints on IBS-D is better than that of acupuncture.