Comparative Observations on Heat-sensitive Point Moxibustion and Acupuncture in the Treatment of Mammary Hyperplasia

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacies of heat-sensitive point moxibustion and acupuncture in treating mammary hyperplasia.Methods Sixty-six patients were randomly allocated to a heat-sensitive point moxibustion group(34 cases) and an acupuncture group(32 cases).The therapeutic effects and post-treatment changes in serum estradiol(E2),prolactin(PRL) and progesterone(P) were evaluated in both groups after treatment for three menstrual cycles.T A follow-up was carried out after six months to examine the recurrence rate.The lump consistency,size,extent,tenderness and pain were scored using the mammary hyperplasia score scale in The Modern Mastotic Studies of Traditional Chinese Medicine as the observation index in the two groups of patients before and after treatment to evaluate the therapeutic effects.Results The total efficacy rate was 88.2% in the heat-sensitive point moxibustion group and 65.6% in the acupuncture group.The difference was statistically significant(P0.01).E2 and PRL levels fell in both groups after treatment and did more in the heat-sensitive point moxibustion group than in the acupuncture group(P0.05).There was no statistically significant pre-treatment difference in P levels in both groups(P0.05).The recurrence rate was significantly lower in the heat-sensitive point moxibustion group than in the acupuncture group(P0.01).Conclusion Both the short-term and long-term effects of heat-sensitive point moxibustion were better than those of acupuncture in the treatment of mammary hyperplasia.