title: [Moxibustion at Gaohuang (BL 43) for chronic fatigue syndrome: a randomized controlled trial].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To observe the clinical effect of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) treated with moxibustion at Gaohuang (BL 43).
  
  
  METHODS
  With stratified block randomization, 72 patients accorded with inclusive criteria were divided into a moxibustion at Gaohuang (BL 43) group (moxibustion group) and an acupuncture group, 36 cases in each one. In the moxibustion group, Gaohuang (BL 43) was treated with big moxa cones as the main acupoint, 10 cones a time; Qihai (CV 6) and Zusanli (ST 36) were added with big moxa cones, 7 cones a time. In the acupuncture group, acupoints were the same as those in the moxibustion group, and twirling reinforcing method was used after qi arriving, 60 times one minute and 360° with range. In the two groups, 10-day treatment was made into one course and there were two days between courses. The treatment was given once a day for 3 courses. Changes of fatigue assessment index (FAI) before and after treatment and clinical effects were observed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total effective rate was 88.9% (32/36) in the moxibustion group, which was better than 72.2% (26/36) in the acupuncture group apparently (P < 0.05). After treatment in the two groups, FAI scores were obviously declined compared with those before treatment (both P < 0.01) and FAI score in the moxibustion group was apparently lower than that in the acupuncture group (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Moxibustion at Gaohuang (BL 43) can improve the FAI score of patients with CFS and the clinical efficacy is definite.
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.forename: Jinhai
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Chenglin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Runjie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Xinghua
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Xiao-zheng
authors.initials: XZ
authors.lastname: Du
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000328:Adult; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009071:Moxibustion; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult