title: Comparative effects of artemisia vulgaris and charcoal moxa stimulating Zhongwan (CV 12) on body temperature in healthy participants: a cross-over single-blind randomized study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy, safety, satisfaction, discomfort and patient preference of moxa cones of artemisia vulgaris and charcoal moxa.
  
  
  METHODS
  This comparative study of moxibustion treatment with Artemisia vulgaris and charcoal moxa cone stimulating Zhongwan (CV 12) is a cross-over single-blinded, randomized clinical trial. A total of 40 healthy subjects (24 males and 16 females) participated in this study. Two subjects dropped out of the trial. Thirty-eight subjects were treated with Artemisia vulgaris and charcoal moxa cones for 30 min in a cross-over design. After treatment, the patients underwent a 30 minute waiting period, and then the temperatures at Tanzhong (CV 17), Zhongwan (CV 12) and Guanyuan (CV 4) were measured using digital infrared thermal imaging.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After the use of Artemisia vulgaris moxa, the patients' body temperatures were slightly lowered at Tanzhong (CV 17), Zhongwan (CV 12) and Guanyuan (CV 4), but the changes were not statistically significant. After the use of charcoal moxa, the patients' body temperatures were somewhat increased at Zhongwan (CV 12) and Guanyuan (CV 4), but the changes were not statistically significant. After Artemisia vulgaris moxa use, the body temperature difference between Zhongwan (CV 12) and Guanyuan (CV 4) was significantly increased. After charcoal moxa use, the body temperature difference between Tanzhong (CV 17) and Zhongwan (CV 12) was significantly decreased in males and in the whole group. This change was caused by the difference in the moxibustion type and by gender differences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot study found that moxibustion did not raise the body temperature, but temperature differences between acupoints were affected. Further large-scale randomized controlled trials are needed for the effect of moxibustion on body temperature.
authors.forename: Ho-Yeon
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Go
authors.forename: Ju Ah
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Sunyoung
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Sunju
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Jeong-Su
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Chunhoo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cheon
authors.forename: Seong-Gyu
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Kyung-Hwan
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.forename: Chan-yong
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Jun
authors.forename: Jong-hyeong
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Mi-Ran
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Se-Hoon
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019306:Artemisia / Q000737:chemistry*; D001831:Body Temperature; D002606:Charcoal / Q000737:chemistry*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009071:Moxibustion / Q000295:instrumentation; D010865:Pilot Projects; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002606:Charcoal