Rheumatoid arthritis treated with the triple strong-stimulation technique of acupuncture and moxibustion at specific acupoints: A randomized controlled trial.

Abstract Objective To explore the clinical therapeutic effects and the mechanism on rheumatic arthritis (RA) treated with the combination of the instruments and techniques of acupuncture and moxibusiton. Methods A total of 60 RA patients were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. In the control group, diclofenac sodium sustained release tablets were prescribed for oral administration, 0.3 g each time, twice a day, methotrexate tablets (MTX) for oral administration, 10 mg each time, once a week and folic acid tablets for oral administration, 5 mg each time, once a week. In the observation group, besides the treatment with western medicines, simultaneously, the specific acupoints were selected and stimulated with the triple strong-stimulation therapy, in which, the strong bloodletting technique, the strong cupping technique and the strong moxibustion technique were combined together, with different instruments of acupuncture and moxibustion adopted. The treatment was given once every 3 days, consecutively for 10 times. In 30 days of treatment, the therapeutic effects were observed in the two groups. Separately, before and after treatment, the rheumatoid factors (RF), hypersensitive-C reactive protein (hs-CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), the scores of joint symptoms and physical signs as well as the disease activity score (DAS-28) were observed in the two groups. Results Regarding RF, there were statistical significant differences before and after treatment in the observation group and the control group (the observation group 248.01 ± 79.81 vs 31.17 ± 29.01, the control group 254.11 ± 72.16 vs 66.42 ± 37.07, both P < 0.05). The result in the observation group was lower significantly than the control group after treatment (P < 0.05). Regarding hs-CRP, there were statistical significant differences before and after treatment in the observation group and the control group (the observation group 26.12 ± 9.22 vs 8.98 ± 7.66, the control group 23.18 ± 7.18 vs 16.01 ± 5.02, both P < 0.05). The result in the observation group was lower significantly than the control group after treatment (P < 0.05). Regarding ESR, there were statistical significant differences before and after treatment in the observation group and the control group (the observation group 30.56 ± 11.38 vs 12.58 ± 5.91, the control group 35.52 ± 9.67 vs 21.47 ± 6.91, both P < 0.05). The result in the observation group was lower significantly than the control group after treatment (P < 0.05). Regarding DAS-28, there were statistical significant differences before and after treatment in the observation group and the control group (the observation group 8.89 ± 2.01 vs 3.01 ± 0.74, the control group 8.14 ± 1.38 vs 4.12 ± 0.96, both P < 0.05). The result in the observation group was lower significantly than the control group after treatment (P < 0.05). Regarding the quantitative grading score of symptom, there were statistical significant differences before and after treatment in the observation group and the control group (the observation group 7.87 ± 1.69 vs 3.82 ± 1.96, the control group 7.77 ± 1.68 vs 5.01 ± 11.23, both P < 0.05). The result in the observation group was lower significantly than the control group after treatment (P < 0.05). The total effective rate was 96.67% (29/30) in the observation group and was 80.0% (24/30) in the control group, indicating the statistical significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01). Conclusion Based on western medications, the triple strong-stimulation therapy of acupuncture and moxibustion at specific acupoints significantly relieves the joint symptoms, reduces the inflammatory reaction indicators and improves the clinical therapeutic effects on RA in the patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]