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Selected Publication:
Hageneder, E.
Moxibustion - Aktuelle naturwissenschaftliche Betrachtungen
[ Diplomarbeit/Master Thesis ] Graz Medical University; 2010. pp.91.
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- Authors Med Uni Graz:
- Advisor:
- Litscher Gerhard
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- Abstract:
- INTRODUCTION: Moxibustion is composed of the words mogusa (Japanese for burning herb) and combustio (Latin for burning) and describes the thermal treatment of acupoints as performed in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Most commonly mugwort (artemisia vulgaris) is used. Acupuncture and moxibustion have undergone several stages: from the discovery, to amazement and trial through to scientific views and demystification. The acceptance in the population is high, at the same time TCM is met with enormous skepticism, which is encouraged by research findings that frequently seem to be contradictory. This is the exact reason why this work investigates the topic thoroughly and considers it in different aspects. A literature research reveals a variety of scientific papers, however a critical interpretation is required. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Looking to identify if moxibustion has an impact on the heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV) a total of 20 measurements of HRV were conducted on volunteers during moxibustion on point Ren 4 (Guanyuan) in Beijing under the assistance of TCM experts. HRV is the beat-to-beat change of the heart rate. A profound analysis using frequency-based parameters allows conclusions about the autonomic nervous system. Two methods of moxibustion were compared. The data was sent via internet over a distance of 7.650 km to the TCM Research Center Graz where it was analysed using a specific software. RESULTS: In both the needle-moxa group and the moxa-stick group, a significant decrease of the mean heart rate was observed during the period of treatment. Afterwards it converged to the baseline level again. The larger reduction of the mean heart rate was observed in the needle-moxa group: it was lowered from 73.3 +/- 9.6 to 68.9 +/- 8.3 beats per minute. Due to the low number of tests a statistical analysis of the HRV was not carried out as one is at risk to overinterpret the results and thus could not meet strict scientific criteria. However a potential influence was discussed based on spectrograms of single subjects. The compliance was remarkably good, no side effects or complications occurred and no test had to be interrupted. DISCUSSION: Moxibustion affected the mean heart rate significantly. This effect was temporary, within 10 minutes after treatment the mean heart rate again reached its baseline level. The HRV-spectrograms allow interpretations about the influence on the autonomic nervous system. In most of the spectrograms a change of HRV was seen in temporal connection with the treatment. However the sample was too small for a more detailed analysis and quantification.