title: [Comparison on heat sensation degree of ginger-partition moxibustion and suspended moxibustion at different acupoints for different time].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To measure the threshold of feeling temperature, comfortable temperature and tolerant temperature to ginger-partition moxibustion and suspended moxibustion at different acupoints of healthy persons, and to instruct the clinical practice of moxibustion better.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-three healthy students were divided into a ginger-partition moxibustion group (22 cases) and a suspended moxibustion group (21 cases) randomly. Shenshu (BL 23), Zhongwan (CV 12), Zusanli (ST 36) and Waiguan (TE 5) were used in both groups. The feeling temperature, comfortable temperature and tolerant temperature in each group were measured by thermometer. SPSS 18.0 was used to analyze the data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The feeling temperature, comfortable temperature and tolerant temperature rose in proper order and the difference was significant (all P < 0.05). The tolerant temperature of suspended moxibustion group ((40.69 +/- 1.85) degrees C) was lower than that of ginger-partition moxibustion group ((42.44 +/- 3.90) degrees C) (P < 0.05). The feeling temperature of ginger-partition moxibustion at Shengshu (BL 23) was 4-5 degrees C lower than that at other acupoints.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The heat sensations of different acupoints to ginger partition moxibustion and suspended moxibustion are different at different stages. The threshold of heat sensation of ginger-partition moxibustion is higher than that of suspended moxibustion. There is a best temperature zone for moxibustion which is a little higher than normal temperature between comfortable temperature and tolerant temperature. To improve effect, doctors should try to prolong the effective time of this zone in clinic. As the limiting temperature of patients, tolerant temperature can provide reference for the use of moxibustion safely in clinic.
authors.affiliation: Henan University of TCM, Zhengzhou 450008, China. lumei0712@163.com
authors.forename: Mei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Li-Fan
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Ye
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Dong-Dong
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D020939:Zingiber officinale; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009071:Moxibustion / Q000379:methods*