title: Moxibustion for treating menopausal hot flashes: a randomized clinical trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A hot flash is a general postmenopausal symptom experienced by approximately 75% of climacteric women. Women often turn to complementary and alternative medicines to relieve hot flashes. Moxibustion is one such medication. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of moxibustion on hot flashes in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-one participants were randomly assigned into three groups, namely, moxibustion 1, moxibustion 2, and waiting list (control). The moxibustion groups received 14 sessions of moxibustion treatment for 4 weeks at acupuncture points. Our protocol was supported by evidence from clinical experts (Moxa 1) or published literature (Moxa 2), and we followed all participants for an additional 2 weeks after the end of the study. Our primary outcome measures were frequency and severity of hot flashes. Secondary outcome parameters included quality of life (Menopausal-Specific Quality of Life Scale) and Menopause Rating Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-one women participated in our study. By week 4, the difference in severity and frequency of hot flashes had become statistically significant between the treatment groups and the control participants. In addition, there was a statistically significant difference in Menopausal-Specific Quality of Life Scale scores between treatment group 2 and the other groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that moxibustion reduces both the frequency and severity of menopausal hot flashes as compared with those in control participants. We would recommend further studies with larger samples and possibly including placebo controls.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Research, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea.
authors.forename: Ji-Eun
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Myeong Soo
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Soyoung
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Aeran
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kyungwon
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Junyong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Jongbae
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Sun-Mi
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Choi
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D009071:Moxibustion / Q000009:adverse effects; D017698:Postmenopause; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone