CLINICAL STUDY ON SPLEEN—STOMACH—REINFORCING MOXIBUSTION TREATMENT OF DIARRHEA—TYPE IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME

In the present paper, the therapeutic effect of spleen- stomach- reinforcing moxibustion for treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is observed and its underlying mechanisms on immunity are analyzed. A total of 72IBS patients are randomly divided into moxibustion group (n = 46) and acupuncture group (control group, n = 26). Acupoints used are Zhongwan (CV 12), Qihai (CV 6) and Zusanli (ST 36), etc. Serum IgG, IgA and IgM contents, blood T-lympocytes (T+3, T+4, T+8) counts, T+4/T+8, cancer embryonic antigen (CEA) content, serum IL-2 and sIL-2R contents are assayed for evaluating changes of the immunocompetence. After two courses of treatment (24 sessions), results show that in moxibustion group, 25 cases (54.35%) are cured, 17 experience improvement in clinical symptoms and 4 have no apparent changes, with an effective rate of 91.30%; in control group, 8 cases (30.78%) are cured,12 experience improvement and 6 have no marked improvement, with an effective rate of 76.92 %. The therapeutic effect of moxibustion is significantly superior to that of acupuncture (P ＜ 0.01). In addition, moxibustion can effectively rectify abnormal immune function and stabilize human's immunity. This research provides a reliable experimental basis for clinical application of principal prescription of moxibustion for reinforcing the spleen and stomach.