Mao Yangke, Zhang Pan, He Zhaoxuan, Teng Yuke, Tian Zilei, Yang Sha, Fang Kuan, Zhang Wei, Wang Yuting, Yin Tao, Zeng Fang
Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China.
Acupuncture and Brain Science Research Center, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China.
Chin Med. 2025 Aug 22;20(1):131. doi: 10.1186/s13020-025-01187-x.
Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a prevalent gastrointestinal disorder, despite its high prevalence and impact on quality of life, effective treatments are limited. Acupuncture and moxibustion, two complementary therapies based on traditional Chinese medicine, have shown potential in alleviating FD symptoms. However, the differences of acupuncture and moxibustion in FD are unclear.
A total of 144 eligible FD patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to either the acupuncture or moxibustion group to receive 20 treatment sessions. The primary outcome was the Short-Form Leeds Dyspepsia Questionnaire (SFLDQ) total score after 4 weeks of treatment. Secondary outcomes included SFLDQ symptom-specific score, Nepean Dyspepsia Life Quality Index etc. Linear mixed-effects model was used for analyses.
There was no difference in SFLDQ total score after treatment with acupuncture compared with moxibustion (difference, 0.08[95% CI -0.634 to 0.794], p = 0.82), despite both groups were effective. However, the results of the secondary outcomes showed that compared with moxibustion, acupuncture was more effective in alleviating epigastric pain (difference, -0.318[95% CI -0.056 to -0.579], p = 0.017) and anxiety mood (difference, -2.893[95% CI -0.419 to -5.367], p = .022). On the other hand, moxibustion was more effective than acupuncture in reducing post-prandial fullness (difference, -0.3[95% CI -0.551 to -0.048], p = .02). The incidence of adverse events was similar between the groups.
Both the acupuncture and moxibustion groups showed significant improvement in FD symptoms. Although there were no significant differences between the groups at week 4 for the primary outcome, acupuncture exhibited greater improvement in addressing epigastric pain and reduction in anxiety symptoms while moxibustion demonstrated a larger reduction in improving post-prandial fullness. Choice of acupuncture and moxibustion should be tailored to the primary symptoms of FD patients to achieve optimal efficacy.
Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ID: ChiCTR2100049496).
功能性消化不良（FD）是一种常见的胃肠道疾病，尽管其患病率高且对生活质量有影响，但有效的治疗方法有限。针灸和艾灸作为两种基于中医的补充疗法，已显示出缓解FD症状的潜力。然而，针灸和艾灸在FD治疗中的差异尚不清楚。
共纳入144例符合条件的FD患者，随机分为针灸组或艾灸组，接受20次治疗。主要结局指标为治疗4周后的简化利兹消化不良问卷（SFLDQ）总分。次要结局指标包括SFLDQ症状特异性评分、内皮消化不良生活质量指数等。采用线性混合效应模型进行分析。
与艾灸相比，针灸治疗后SFLDQ总分无差异（差值为0.08[95%CI -0.634至0.794]，p = 0.82），尽管两组均有效。然而，次要结局指标结果显示，与艾灸相比，针灸在缓解上腹部疼痛（差值为-0.318[95%CI -0.056至-0.579]，p = 0.017）和焦虑情绪（差值为-2.893[95%CI -0.419至-5.367]，p = 0.022）方面更有效。另一方面，艾灸在减轻餐后饱胀感方面比针灸更有效（差值为-0.3[95%CI -0.551至-0.048]，p = 0.02）。两组不良事件发生率相似。
针灸组和艾灸组的FD症状均有显著改善。虽然在第4周时两组主要结局指标无显著差异，但针灸在缓解上腹部疼痛和减轻焦虑症状方面表现出更大的改善，而艾灸在减轻餐后饱胀感方面表现出更大的改善。应根据FD患者的主要症状选择针灸或艾灸，以达到最佳疗效。
中国临床试验注册中心（注册号：ChiCTR2100049496）。
