Instant effect of moxibustion at different points on electrogastrogram of patients with functional dyspepsia

Objective

To observe different effects of moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) and Yanglingquan (GB 34) on electrogastrogram (EGG) of patients with functional dyspepsia (FD).

Methods

A total of 65 cases were randomized into a Zusanli (ST 36) group (n=33) and a Yanglingquan (GB 34) group (n=32) by random serial number, to receive moxibustion therapy to the corresponding point respectively. The 8-lead EGG was used before and after treatment to collect EGG parameter of the gastric body, antrum of stomach, lesser curvature and greater curvature, including the dominant frequency, slow wave percentage, average frequency, response area and motility index.

Results

After treatment, the dominant frequency and slow wave percentage were improved in nearly the whole stomach area in Zusanli (ST 36) group, showing statistical significances (both P<0.05); the slow wave percentage and average frequency were improved in stomach body and antrum of stomach in Yanglingquan (GB 34) group, showing statistical significances (both P<0.05); moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) had a significantly higher influence on EGG than Yanglingquan (GB 34), in which the lifting of slow wave percentage was significantly higher than Yanglingquan (GB 34) group (P<0.05).

Conclusion

Moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) and Yanglingquan (GB 34) has the effect of adjusting abnormal EGG pattern in FD patients. Compared with Yanglingquan (GB 34), Zusanli (ST 36) has a superior effect in improving EGG in stomach area.