[Effects of thunder-fire moxibustion on the motor function in the patients of osteoporosis with low skeletal muscle mass： a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of thunder-fire moxibustion on the visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Young's modulus of multifidus and 6 m walking speed in the patients of osteoporosis with low skeletal muscle mass. METHODS: Sixty patients of osteoporosis with low skeletal muscle mass were randomly divided into a medication group (30 cases) and a medication+thunder-fire moxibustion group (30 cases). In the medication group, caltrate was prescribed for oral administration, 2 tablets/day （600 mg/tablet）, for 4 weeks. In the medication+thunder-fire moxibustion group, on the base of oral administration with caltrate, thunder-fire moxibustion was exerted at Mingmen (GV4), Yaoyangguan(GV3), and bilateral Shenshu (BL23), Ganshu (BL18) and Dachangshu (BL25), 30 minutes at GV4, GV3 and BL18, and another 30 minutes at BL23 and BL25, once every other day, 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Before and after the treatment, VAS score, Young's modulus of the 4th lumbar multifidus and the average speed of 6 m walking were assessed. RESULTS: After the treatment, the VAS score was decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01) and the speed of 6 m walking was increased (P<0.05, P<0.01) in both groups in comparison with their own pre-treatment. Compared with the medication group, VAS score was decreased remarkably (P<0.05) and the speed of 6 m walking remarkably increased (P<0.01) in the medication+thunder-fire moxibustion group after the treatment. Self-comparison showed that, compared with the same side before the treatment, the value of Young's modulus after the treatment was decreased on both sides in the medication+thunder-fire moxibustion group (P<0.01). After the treatment, compared with the medication group on the same side, the value of Young's modulus was decreased on both sides (P<0.01) in the medication+thunder-fire moxibustion group. CONCLUSION: Thunder-fire moxibustion can relieve pain intensity, decrease the tension of the multifidus, and increase the walking speed.