[Heat-sensitive moxibustion combined with western medication for low back pain of osteoporosis with kidney-yang deficiency: a randomized controlled trial].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical therapeutic effect between heat-sensitive moxibustion combined with western medication and simple western medication for low back pain of osteoporosis with kidney-yang deficiency. METHODS: A total of 60 patients with osteoporosis were randomized into an observation group (32 cases, 2 cases dropped off) and a control group (32 cases, 3 cases dropped off). In the control group, alendronate sodium tablet and calcium carbonate and vitamin D3 tablet were taken orally. On the basis of the control group, heat-sensitive moxibustion was applied at Mingmen (GV 4), Yaoyangguan (GV 3), Guanyuan (CV 4), Shenshu (BL 23), Zusanli (ST 36) in the observation group, once a day, 5 times a week for 8 weeks. Before and after treatment，the visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI) score, bone mineral density (BMD) and TCM clinical symptom score were compared in the two groups. RESULTS: The VAS scores, ODI scores and TCM clinical symptom scores after treatment were reduced in the two groups (P<0.05, P<0.01), and those in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The BMD after treatment was increased in the two groups (P<0.01), and that in the observation group was higher than the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Heat-sensitive moxibustion combined with western medication could relieve low back pain, improve BMD in patients of osteoporosis with kidney-yang deficiency, and its clinical effect is superior to simple western medication.