Table 1

Summary of the randomized clinical studies of moxibustion for hypertension

First author (year)

Mean age or ranges (years)

Sex (M/F)

Duration of disease (years)

Intervention (regimen)

Control (regimen)

Main outcomes

Intergroup difference

Treated acupuncture points

Jin

(2008)

[21]

Moxa: 46.5

(19/11); 5.3

Cont: 47.4

(16/14); 6.2

Moxa (30 min, once daily for 10 days, n = 30)

Direct (a multifunctional apparatus for moxibustion without smoke),

non-suppurative

Antihypertensive drugs (enalapril 10 mg 1 T qd for 10 days, n = 30)

1) Response rate (BP)

2) Response rate (Symptoms: headache, dizziness and insomnia)

1) NS,

RR, 1.04 [0.82, 1.32]

2) NS,

RR, 1.20 [0.88, 1.64]

GV20, PC6, CV4, ST36, KI1

Zhang

(2007)

[22]

Moxa: 18-72 (16/14); 2-8

Cont: 35-69 (11/10); 2-16

Moxa (2 hr, 2 times weekly for 1 month, total 10 times, n = 30)

Indirect,

non-suppurative

Antihypertensive drugs (Various doses of amlodipine from 2.5 mg to 10 mg, qd for 1 month, n = 30)

1) Response rate (BP)

2) Response rate (Symptoms: headache, dizziness and insomnia)

(1) NS,

RR, 0.86 [0.63, 1.18]

(2) NS,

RR, 1.26 [0.94, 1.69]

CV8

Deng

(2002)

[23]

Moxa: 58.3

(16/14); n.r.

Cont: 58.3

(13/17); n.r.

Moxa (n.r. once, n = 30), plus (B)

Direct, suppurative

Antihypertensive drugs (Nifedipine sustained release tablet 10 mg bid for 50 days)

1) SBP

2) DBP

1) P < 0.001 (after 30 min)

MD, 13.65 [11.54, 15.76];

P < 0.001 (at 50 days)

MD, 17.4 [14.14, 20.66]

2) P < 0.001(after 30 min)

MD, 8.7 [7.07, 9.28]

P < 0.001 (at 50 days)

MD, 13.12 [14.14, 20.66]

GB39, ST36

Kim

(2005)

[24]

Moxa: 61.5

(9/21); n.r.

Cont: 66.1

(11/20); n.r.

Moxa (5 times for 2 hours, once, n = 30)

Direct, non-suppurative

No treatment (n = 31)

1) SBP

2) DBP

1) NS (after 30 min)

MD, -1.67[-5.91, 2.57]

P < 0.001(after 60 min)

MD, 5.28 [1.14, 9.42]

P < 0.001 (after 90 min)

MD, 9.35 [5.12, 13.58]

P < 0.001 (after 120 min)

MD, 10.75 [6.48, 15.02]

2) NS (after 30 min)

MD, -0.62 [-2.63, 1.39]

NS (after 60 min)

MD, 1.06 [-1.13, 3.25]

NS (after 90 min)

MD, 1.04 [-1.24, 3.32]

NS (after 120 min)

MD, 2.44 [-0.19, 5.07]

ST36 (Men, left; women, right)

Moxa: moxibustion; nr: not reported; BP: blood pressure; DBP: diastolic blood pressure; SBP: systolic blood pressure; RR: risk ratio; MD: weighted mean difference; NS: no significant difference

Kim et al. BMC Cardiovascular Disorders 2010 10:33   doi:10.1186/1471-2261-10-33