The Future of Acupuncture Moxibustion: A Transcontinental Three-Center Pilot Study Using High-Tech Methods

摘要

Background: Moxibustion is an Asian healing method that is able to achieve specific warming effects atacupoints. We discuss a new Japanese needle-moxa-system.Objective: To evaluate the effects of this new system in a transcontinental study using high-tech measuringmethods.Design, Setting, and Participants: The study was conducted in 3 centers (Graz, Austria; Beijing, China; andSeoul, Korea). Beside basic technical temperature measurements in Seoul, 9 investigations were carried out in 6healthy volunteers (3 women, 3 men; mean [SD] age, 27.2 [5.7] years) using different methods (thermography,laser Doppler flowmetry, laser Doppler imaging, and heart rate variability). Four persons were examined inGraz, 2 in Beijing.Intervention: Moxibustion was always applied at acupoint CV 6 (Qihai). In addition, biosignal registrationswere carried out in Graz during painless laser acupuncture of acupoint CV 12 (Zhongwan).Main Outcome Measures: Changes in temperature, microcirculation, and heart rate.Results: Temperature distributions, changes in microcirculation (at isolated spots and as a large-area image),and trends of heart rate variability were registered. The dimensions of local and temporal effects of heatstimulation could be visualized objectively.Conclusions: Effects of the new moxibustion method can be quantified reliably by modern measuringequipment. Using this system, moxibustion under standardized conditions can be performed with a minimum ofsmoke emission and high degree of safety.