Observations on the Therapeutic Effect of Indirect Mild-warm Moxibustion on Knee Osteoarthritis

Objective To investigate the clinical therapeutic effect of indirect mild-warm moxibustion on knee osteoarthritis and explore the mechanism of its action. Method Ninety patients were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups, 45 cases each. Acupuncture was used as a basic treatment. In addition, the treatment group received indirect mild-warm moxibustion and the control group, physical thermotherapy plus cupping. Clinical symptom, sign and activity of daily living scores were counted. Results Clinical knee joint symptom and activity of daily living scores improved in both groups of patients after treatment (P0.05). There were statistically significant post-treatment differences in morning stiffness, joint swelling, joint tenderness, joint dysfunction, maximum walking distance and the degree of improvement in walking on uneven ground between the treatment and control groups of patients (P0.05). Clinical control occurred in 18 patients of the treatment group and in 6 patients of the control group; there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P 0.05). Conclusion Indirect mild-warm moxibustion has a positive therapeutic effect on knee osteoarthritis. The mechanism of its action may be related to improving blood circulation, eliminating free radicals, reducing inflammatory irritation and raising pain threshold.