The Effectiveness of Moxibustion: An Overview During 10 Years

Table 1

Characteristics and findings of included studies (𝑛=47).

Author, year, Coun	Disorders (Quality*)	Intervention, N (analyzed), Freq, Dur	Control, N (analyzed)	Co-intervention	Author's findings		Reviewer's analysis
					Outcomes	Results	Effective rate (mox versus con, n/N)**, P value***, RR [95% CI]	Classification score
I-B. Certain infectious and parasitic diseases
Zhang [26] 2007, Cn	Herpes zoster (2)	Mox (Cd), 38, 1/day, 10 days	NT, 34	Acu	(1) Effective rate (symptom) (2) Effect-producing time (pain and symptom, resp.)	(1) 𝑃<.05 (2) Each 𝑃<.05	28/38 versus 15/34,𝑃=.016 1.67[1.09, 2.55]	P
II-C. Neoplasms
Liu [27, 28], 2001, 2002, Cn	Mid-late stage malignant tumor (2)	Mox (S), 30(20), NA	NT, 35(27)	Chemo + Herb^a	(1) Therapeutic effect (2) No. of leucocyte and lymphocyte (3) T-lymphocyte subset (4) Normalized cases of plasma fibrinogen (5) Karnofsky score (6) Quality of life	(1, 2, 3) NA (4, 5) 𝑃<.05 (6) NS except pain (𝑃<.05)	4/30 versus 5/35,𝑃=1.000 0.93[0.28, 3.16]	NEU
Chen [29] 2000, Cn	Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) (2)	Mox (Ci), 28, 1/day, 1mon	NT, 28	Radio	(1) Remission rate (tumor size) (2) Toxic and side effects occurrence (3) 5-year local control rate of NPC and cervical lymph node (4) 5-year survival and metastasis rate (5) MDA, MMS, -SH and SOD activity in blood	(1, 3, 4) NS (2) 𝑃<.05 (5) MMS, -SH:𝑃<.05, MDA, SOD: 𝑃<.01	23/28 versus 21/28,𝑃=.746 1.10 [0.83, 1.44]	NEU
III-D. Diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs and certain disorders involving the immune mechanism
Zhao [30] 2007, Cn	Leukopenia induced by chemotherapy (4)	Mox (Ci), 114(113), 1/day, 10 days	Herb, 114 (108)		(1) Cured rate and effective rate (No. of leucocyte) (2) Physical strength (zubrod-ECOG-WHO) and the gastrointestinal toxic effects according to WHO grading criteia (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation) (3) Side effects: functions of the heart and lung and kidney induced chemotherapy (the toxic effects according to WHO grading criteria)	(1) Each 𝑃<.01 (2) 𝑃<.05 (3) NS	95/113 versus 38/108, 𝑃=.000 2.39 [1.83, 3.12]	ND
IV-E. Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases
Liao [31] 2007, Cn	Diabetes (2)	A: Mox (S), 24 B: Mox (S), 26, 2/day, 10×3 days	C: Acu, 29 C: NT, 29	Acu	(1) Effective rate (2) Cured and markedly effective rate, symptom, FBG, 24 hour urinal glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, TC, TG, HDL and LDL	(1) NS (2) A versus C (NS) B versus C (𝑃<.01)	A versus C: 7/24 versus 9/29,𝑃=1.000 0.94 [0.41, 2.15] B versus C: 12/26 versus 9/29,𝑃=.279 1.49 [0.75, 2.94]	NDND
Gao [32] 2007a, Cn	Aging (0)	Mox (Ci), 30, 2/wk, 2 mon	A: Acu, 21 B: Vit E, 20		(1) Effective rate (symptom) (2) Symptomatic score (type of kidney deficiency) (3) Serum SOD activities and MDA contents	(1) 𝑃<.05 (versus A), 𝑃<.01 (versus B) (2) 𝑃<.01 (versus A, B) (3) 𝑃<.05 (versus A, B)	A: 14/30 versus 3/21, 𝑃=.019 3.27 [1.07, 9.96] B: 14/30 versus 1/20,𝑃=.002 9.33 [1.33, 65.49]	NDP
Li [33] 2005a, Cn	Hyperlipidemia (1)	Mox (St), 80, 1/day, 30 × 3 days	NT, 80	Diet	(1) Hypercholesterolemia subgroup (each 𝑛=20): TC (2) Combined hyperlipidemia subgroup (each 𝑛=20): TC (3) Hypertriglyceremia subgroup (each 𝑛=20): TG (4) Hypo-HDL cholesterolemia subgroup (each 𝑛=20): HDL	Each 𝑃<.05	NA	P
VI-G. Diseases of the nervous system
Zhao [34] 2008, Cn	Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (2)	Mox (S), 20, 1/2 days, 10 × 2 times	A: Acu, 20 B: Med, 20		(1) Symptom score and total effective rate (symptom) (2) FBG, HbA1c (3) Hemorheological indexes (a) Whole blood viscosity (b) Capillary blood viscosity (c) Hematocrit (4) ET, NO, MDA	(1, 2) NS (versus A), 𝑃<.05 (versus B) (3), (1) NS (versus A), 𝑃<.05 (versus B) (2), (3) NS (versus A, B) (4) each NS (versus A) and 𝑃<.05, 0.05, NS (versus B)	A: 10/20 versus 9/20,𝑃=1.000 1.11 [0.58, 2.14] B: 10/20 versus 7/20,𝑃=.523 1.43 [0.68, 3.00]	NDND
Tian [35] 2006, Cn	Herpes simplex virus facial neuritis (4)	Mox (S-tube), 80(78), 1/day, 6 × 8 times	Mox (S), 80(79)	Acu	(1) Total effective rate (symptom, HBS and FDI) (2) HBS (3) FDI	(1, 2) 𝑃<.05 (3) 𝑃<.05 (FDIs), NS (FDIp)	51/78 versus 35/79,𝑃=.010 1.48 [1.10, 1.98]	ND
Zhang [36] 2005, Cn	Parkinson's disease (0)	Mox (Ci), 54, 1/2 days, 15 × 2 times	NT, 36	Med	(1) Total effective rate (UPDRS) (2) The modified UPDRS score	(1, 2) 𝑃<.01	21/54 versus 6/36,𝑃=.034 2.33 [1.04, 5.21]	P
Gao [37] 2005, Cn	Facial paralysis (0)	Mox (S), 47, 1/day, 30 days	NT, 40	EA + Med^c + Vit B	Total effective rate (symptom)	𝑃<.05	38/47 versus 25/40,𝑃=.091 1.29 [0.98, 1.71]	ND
VII, VIII-H. Diseases of the eye, adnexa, ear and mastoid process
Zhang [38] 2008, Cn	Vertigo (2)	Mox (TF, Cd, Ci), 66, 4 × 3 days	Mox (Cd), 51		(1) Total effective rate (symptom) (2) Total effective rate according to pattern identification (3) Vertigo symptom rating score	(1, 3) 𝑃<.05 (2) NA	30/66 versus 17/51,𝑃=.254 1.36 [0.85, 2.18]	ND
IX-I. Diseases of the circulatory system
Chen [39] 2006, Cn	Ischemic apoplexy (0)	Mox (Cd), 14, 1/day, 20 days	NT, 14	Routine care	(1) Change of cerebrovascular functions by TCD (2) Clinical effect by nervous function detect	(1, 2) 𝑃<.05	NA	ND
Moon [40] 2003, Kr	Stroke (1)	Mox (Ci), 10, 1/2 days, 15 days	A: EA, 15 B: NT, 10	Acu	(1) Change of MAS according to treatment period (2) Correlation between MAS and treatment period	(1) NA (2) NA	NA	NDND
X-J. Diseases of the respiratory system
Yang, [41] 2008, Cn	Perennial allergic rhinitis (2)	Mox (S), 60, 1/day, 10 days	Med^d, 60		(1) Total effective rate after treatment and 3 mon later (symptom) (2) Clinical symptoms (tickle of nose, sneezing, snivel, congestion)	(1) 𝑃<.05 and 𝑃<.01 (2) each 𝑃<.05	23/60 versus 11/60,𝑃=.025 2.09[1.12,3.90]	P
Li [42] 2005b, Cn	Asthma of lung deficiency type (2)	Mox (Cd), 37, 1–2/day, 7 × 3 days	Acu, 35		(1) Total effective rate (symptom) (2) Clinical symptoms (3) Pulmonary function (FVC, FEV1 and FEF0.25–0.75) (4) Each content of Ig and C3	(1) NS (2, 3, 4) each NA	18/37 versus 11/35,𝑃=.156 1.55[0.86,2.79]	ND
Lai [43] 2001, Cn	Allergic asthma (1)	Mox (N), 121, 1/wk, 4 wk	Drug acupoint application, 88		(1) Total effective rate after treatment and 6 mon (symptom) (2) Total effective rate according to pattern identification (a) Lung heat and kidney yin deficiency (b) Lung cold, lung qi deficiency and kidney yang deficiency	(1) Co > Ex:𝑃<.05 and NS (2) (a) 𝑃<.01(Co > Ex) (b) NS	After treatment 52/121 versus 51/88,𝑃=.036 0.74 [0.57, 0.97] After 6 mon 38/95 versus 32/74,𝑃=.753 0.93 [0.65, 1.32]	ND
Long [44] 2001, Cn	Infantile repeated respiratory tract infection (1)	Mox (S), 46, 5/wk, 1 mon	Transfer factor, 40		(1) Effective rate (symptom) (2) Each level of IgG, IgA and IgM (n of each group = 24)	(1) 𝑃<.05 (2) 𝑃<.01	34/46 versus 16/40,𝑃=.002 1.85 [1.22, 2.80]	P
XI-K. Diseases of the digestive system
Chui [45] 2008, Cn	Infantile autumn diarrhea (2)	Mox (Ci), 683 × 2 days	Med^e, 68		(1) Total effective rate and effective rate (symptom) (2) The mean of symptoms-stopping time (3) Negative conversion rate of HRV Antigen after 72 hr	(1) each 𝑃<.05 (2) 𝑃<.05 (fever and diarrhea), NS (nausea) (3) 𝑃<.01	54/68 versus 24/68,𝑃=.000 2.25 [1.60, 3.17]	P
Gao [46] 2007b, Cn	Chronic atrophic gastritis (1)	Mox (S), 30 2 mon	NT, 30	Acu	(1) Total effective rate (symptom) (2) Pathological effect (3) Level of serum gastrin	(1, 3) 𝑃<.05 (2) NA	13/30 versus 15/30,𝑃=.796 0.87 [0.50, 1.49]	ND
Wang [47] 2006, Cn	Ulcerative colitis (0)	Mox (Ci), 30 1/day, 10 × 3 days	Med^f, 30		(1) Effective rate and total effective rate (symptom) (2) Ig G, Ig A and Ig M content (3) Peripheral blood T-cell and NK cell	(1) 𝑃<.05 and  .01 (2) each 𝑃<.05, NS and NS (3) NA	22/30 versus 9/30,𝑃=.002 2.44 [1.36, 4.40]	P
Yu [48] 2002, Cn	Diarrhea (1)	Mox (Cd), 56 1/2 days, 1 mon	Herb, 56		(1) Total effective rate (symptom) (2) Salivary amylase (3) Middle molecular substances in serum	(1, 3) 𝑃<.05 (2) 𝑃<.01	32/56 versus 25/56,𝑃=.257 1.28 [0.88, 1.85]	ND
Lin [49] 2000, Cn	Postoperative gastric functional disorder (1)	Mox (Ci), 20 7 days	A: Herb, 20 B: Med^g, 20		Change of preoperative and postoperative EGG	NS	NA	NDNEU
Wu [50] 2000, Cn	Ulcerative colitis (1)	Mox (Ci), 30 1/day, 12 × 5 days	Med^h, 16		(1) Cure rate (symptom and colomoscopy result) (2) Change of colonic mucosal histopathology and mucin (n = 13)	(1) P < .01 (2) NA	17/30 versus 5/16,𝑃=.1291.81 [0.82, 4.00]	ND
XII-L. Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
Diao [51] 2007, Cn	Neurodermatitis (2)	Mox (Ci), 30 1/2 days, 1 mon	Med^i, 30		(1) Total effective rate (symptom) after 2 wk, 3 wk and final treatment (2) Relapse rate during treatment period	(1) each 𝑃<.01,𝑃<.05 and 𝑃<.05 (2) 𝑃<.05	27/30 versus 20/30,𝑃=.057 1.35 [1.02, 1.79]	ND
Lao [52] 2005, Cn	Chloasma (2),	Mox (Ci), 60 2/wk, 8 × 3 times	NT, 46	Acu	Total effective rate (symptom)	𝑃<.05	31/60 versus 21/46,𝑃=.562 1.13 [0.76, 1.69]	ND
XIII-M. Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
Chen [53] 2008, Cn	Myofascial pain syndrome (3)	Mox (S), 57 1/day, 10 times	Acu + Cupping + TDP, 50		(1) PRI, VAS and PPI of McGill pain questionnaire (2) Cured or markedly effective rate and total effective rate (symptom and PRI, VAS, PPI of McGill pain questionnaire)	(1) Each 𝑃<.001 (2) 𝑃<.001 and NS	49/57 versus 12/50,𝑃=.000 3.58 [2.16, 5.93]	ND
Sun, [54] 2008a, Cn	Knee osteoarthritis (3)	Mox (Ci), NA(29) 1/day, 10 × 2 times	Med^j, NA(27)		(1) Improvement in the symptom after 5, 10, 20 times and 2 mon later (2) Cured or markedly effective rate (after treatment and 2 mon later) (symptom)	(1) 𝑃<.05, NS, NS and 𝑃<.05 (2) NS and 𝑃<.05	After treatment (no. of knees) 26/41 versus 19/39,𝑃=.260 1.30 [0.88, 1.94] After 2 mon later 23/41 versus 13/39, 𝑃=.047 1.68 [1.00, 2.83]	NEU
Li, [55] 2008, Cn	Knee osteoarthritis (1)	Mox (S), 31(30) 6/wk, 4 wk	Herb^k, 31(30)		(1) Cured rate and effective rate (symptom) (2) VAS, ISOA scale and effect-producing time	(1) 𝑃<.05 and NS (2) each 𝑃<.05	27/30 versus 18/30,𝑃=.015 1.50 [1.09, 2.06]	ND
Jia [56] 2006, Cn	Ankylosing spondylitis (1)	Mox(Ci), 30 1/2 days, 2 × 3 mon	A: Acu, 30 B: NT, 30	MTX + Med^l	(1) Total effect rate (symptom, ESR and CRP) (2) Cured or markedly effective rate (3) The days needed for reaching the clinical remission and remarked effect (4) Relapse rate after 1 year (5) Improvement in the symptoms and signs (a) Morning stiffness, swollen and painful peripheral joints and chest expansion (b) Finger-ground distance, sacroiliitis index, schober test and occipital wall test (6) Change in ESR and CRP	(1) NS (versus A), 𝑃<.05 (versus B) (2,3) NA (versus A), 𝑃<.05 (versus B) (4) each 0, 0 and 30 (5) (a) NS (versus B) (b) 𝑃<.05 (versus B) (6) NA	A: 25/30 versus 24/30, 𝑃=1.000 1.04 [0.82, 1.32] B: 25/30 versus 18/30, 𝑃=.084 1.39 [1.00, 1.94]	NDND
Li [57] 2006a, Cn	Rheumatoid arthritis (2)	Mox (S), 30 5/wk, 3 mon	NT, 30	Med^m	(1) Improved rate, markedly effective rate, effective rate, ACR 50% effective rate and the ratio withdrawing NSAIDs (2) Symptoms (a) Swelling joint and grasping power (b) Body pain, tenderness of joint and lasting time of the grasping power (3) HAQ (4) ESR, CRP and RF (5) Rate of adverse reaction	(1) NS, NS, 𝑃<.05, 𝑃<.05 and 𝑃<.01 (2) (a) 𝑃<.01 (b) NS (3) NS (4) 𝑃<.05, NS and NS (5) 𝑃<.05	22/30 versus 14/30,𝑃=.0641.57 [1.01, 2.44]	ND
Zeng [58] 2006, Cn	Cervical vertigo (1)	Mox (Ci), 40 10 × 2 days	Acu, 38		Cured rate and total effective rate (symptom, blood supply and recurrence after 3 mon)	Each 𝑃<.05	39/40 versus 28/38,𝑃=.003 1.32 [1.09, 1.61]	ND
Zhuang[59] 2000, Cn	Cervical spondylosis (1)	Mox (Cd), 21 10 times	NT, 19	Acu	Cured or markedly effective rate	𝑃<.01	18/21 versus 11/19,𝑃=.078 1.48 [0.97, 2.26]	ND
XIV-N. Diseases of the genitourinary system
Sun [60] 2008b, Cn	End stage renal failure in hemodialysis (3)	Mox (Ci), 37 2–3/wk, 4 × 3 wk	NT, 34	Hemodialysis + Med	Kidney Disease Quality of life Short Form (KDQOL)	𝑃<.05: only 3 items (Dialysis staff encouragement, Role-Emotional and General health) among the 20 items	NA	NEU
Yun [61] 2007, Kr	Post-stroke urinary symptoms (4)	Mox (Cd), 21(20) 5/10 days	NT, 20(19)	Herb + Acu	(1) IPSS (frequency, weak stream, quality life scale, obstructive score, irritative score and total IPSS score) (2) QOL index (3) Urinary symptoms improvement according to the severity (4) Barthel Index	(1) 𝑃<.05 (2) NS (3) 𝑃<.05 (mild, moderate), NS (severe) (4) NS	NA	P
Liu [62] 2006, Cn	Post-stroke urinary symptoms (2)	Mox (Ci), 41(32), 5/wk, 3 wk	NT, 41(30)	Acu	(1) The therapeutic effects (mean of urinary times every day and mean times to be asked to awaken for the nursing personnel at night) (2) Mean times of urgent urinary incontinence at day for the patient and cases-times of urinary incontinence of the patient at night (3) Increasing degree of urinary incontinence	(1) Each 𝑃<.01 (2, 3) NA	NA	P
Li [63] 2006b, Cn	Primary dysmenorrhea (2)	Mox (Ci), 78, 7(max)/cycle, 3 mon	Herb^n, 60		(1) Cured rate and total effective rate (2) Index of therapeutic effect	(1, 2) Each 𝑃<.05	71/78 versus 45/60,𝑃=.018 1.21 [1.03, 1.43]	ND
Shin [64] 2006, Kr	Pain and coldness on hysterectomy (2)	Mox (Ci), 5, 1/day, 5wk	Acu, 5		(1) Change of body temperature (2) Change in pain	(1) NS (2) NA	NA	ND
Wang [65] 2005, Cn	Primary dysmenorrhea (1)	Mox (Ci), 48, 1/day, 10 × 3 times	Herb^n, 48		(1) Cured or markedly effective rate and effective rate (2) Blood PGF2a (3) OT of serum	(1) 𝑃<.01 and𝑃<.05 (2) NA (3) 𝑃<.05	42/48 versus 14/48,𝑃=.000 3.00 [1.91, 4.72]	ND
Zhao [66] 2004, Cn	Impotence (1)	Mox(Cd), 51, 1/day, 10 × 3 times	Herb, 31	Vit B12	(1) Cured rate (2) Total effective rate	(1) NA (84% versus 71%) (2) NA (96% versus 90%)	43/51 versus 22/31,𝑃=.169 1.19 [0.92, 1.53]	ND
XV-O. Pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium
Neri [17] 2007, It	Breech presentation (2)	A: Mox (S), 16(15), 2/wk B: Mox (S), 15(14), 2/wk	C: Acu, 10 C: NT	Acu	(1) Fetal heart rate (2) Fetal movement (3) Success rate (cephalic presentation)	(1, 2) NA (3) NA (80% versus 57% versus 28%)	A versus C: 12/15 versus 2/10,𝑃=.005 4.00 [1.13, 14.17] B versus C: 8/14 versus 2/10,𝑃=.104 2.86 [0.76, 10.70]	NDND
Peng [67] 2006, Cn	Breech presentation (1)	Mox (S), 40, 2/day, 7 days	K-C position, 40		Success rate (cephalic presentation)	NS	16/40 versus 20/40,𝑃=.500 0.80 [0.49, 1.31]	NEU
Yang [68] 2006, Cn	Breech presentation (2)	Mox (S), 103, 2/day, 7 days	NT, 103	K-C position	Success rate (cephalic presentation)	𝑃<.05	90/103 versus 77/103,𝑃=.032 1.17 [1.02, 1.34]	P
Cardini[16] 2005, It	Breech presentation (4)	Mox (S), 65, 1-2 wk	NT, 58		(1) RR (cephalic presentation in the 35th wk) (2) Cephalic presentations at delivery (3) AFM count during the first week of each group (4) Compliance with treatment and adverse events	(1) NS (34% versus 36%, RR 0.95, 99% CI [0.59–1.5]) (2) NA (52% versus 51%) (3) NS (254 versus 220, 𝑃=.04) (4) NA	22/65 versus 21/58,𝑃=.851 0.93 [0.58, 1.51]	NEU
Chen [69] 2004, Cn	Breech presentation (0)	Mox (S), 73, 2/day, 3 days	NT, 69	R position	(1) Success rate (cephalic presentation) (2) Treatment period for co-intervention	(1, 2) 𝑃<.01	67/73 versus 36/69,𝑃=.000 1.76 [1.39, 2.23]	P
Lin [70] 2002, Cn	Breech presentation (0)	Mox (S), 63, 2/day	NT, 59	K-C position	(1) Success rate (cephalic presentation) (2) The mean of treatment period	(1, 2) 𝑃<.01	58/63 versus 31/59,𝑃=.000 1.75 [1.36, 2.26]	P
Cardini [14] 1998, It	Breech presentation (3)	Mox (S), 130, 1-2/day, 1-2 wk	NT, 130		(1) Cephalic presentation at 35 wk, birth and at birth (exclude subjects treated with external cephalic version, n = 129, 106, each group) (2) AFM during a 1 hr for 1 wk (3) Compliance with treatment and side effects (4) Number and causes of caesarean deliveries and use of oxytocin for vaginal deliveries (5) Apgar score <7 at 5 min	(1) Each 𝑃<.001, = .020 and .004 (2) 𝑃<.001 (3) NA (4) NS and 𝑃<.001 (5) P =  .006	98/129 versus 62/106,𝑃=.005 1.30 [1.08, 1.57]	P

ACR, American College of Rheumatology; Acu, acupuncture; AFM count, the fetal motor activity; AIDS, acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome; Auth, author; CCT, clinical controlled trial; CD4, cluster of differentiation 4; Chemo, chemo therapy; Cn, China; Co, control group; Coun, Country; CRP, C-reactive protein; C3, serum complement-3; Diet, diet therapy; Dur, Duration; EA, electroacupuncture; EGG, electrogastrography; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; ET, plasma endothelin; Ex, experiment group; FBG, fasting blood-glucose; HbA1c, hemoglobin A1c; FDI, Facial disability index; FEF_25–75%, maximal midexpiratory flow rate; FEV₁, forced expiratory volume in 1 second, Freq, Frequency; FVC, forced vital capacity; HAART, Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy; HAQ, Health Assessment Questionnaire; Herb, herb medicine; HBS, House-Brackmann scale; HDL, high density lipoprotein; hr, hour (s); HRV, human rotavirus; Ig, serum immunoglobulin; IPSS, International Prostate Symptom Score; ISOA scale, index of severity of osteoarthritis; It, Italy; KDQOL-SF, Jp, Japan; KDQOL, Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form; K-C position, Knee-chest position; Kr, Korea; LDL, low density lipoprotein; MAS, modified Ashworth scale; Med, medication; MDA, malondialdehyde; MMS, middle molecular substance; mon, month (s); MTX, Methotrexate; NA, not available; NK cell, natural killer cell; NO, nitric oxide; NRS, numeric rating scale; NS, not significant; NSAIDs, Non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs; NT, no additional treatment; OT, oxitocin; PPI, present pain intensity; PRI, pain rating index; QOL, quality of life; Radio, radio therapy; RF, rheumatoid factor; R position, Raising buttocks method; RR, relative risk; -SH, sulfhydryl; SOD, superoxide dismutase; TC, total cholesterol; TCD, transcranial Doppler ultrasound; TDP, Teding Diancibo Pu; TG, triglyceride; UPDRS, United Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale; VAS, visual analogue scale; vit, vitamin; Waiting, waiting list control; wk (s), week (s); WHO, Would Health Organization.
Abbreviation list of moxibustion type: Mox (Cd), moxa cone moxibustion (direct); Mox (Ci), moxa cone moxibustion (indirect); Mox (S), moxa stick moxibustion; Mox (ST), Taiyi moxa stick; Mox (S-tube), moxa stick of tube type; Mox (TF), thunder-fire wonder moxibustion; Mox (N), natural moxibustion.
Abbreviation list of control medication: a, Guben Yiliu III (GBYL), a Chinese herbal composite preparation in combination with chemotherapy; b, Mecobalamin tablets; c, Dexamethasone or Prednisone; d, Cetirizine hydrochloride; e, Smecta; f, Sulphasalazine and Metronidazole tablets; g, Motilium; h, Sulphasalazine; i, Triamcinolone and urea cream; j, Sodium Diclofenate slow-released tablet; k, Xianling Gubao capsules; l, Sulphasalazine; m, Methotrexate (MTX) and non-steroid anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) n, Yueyueshu powder.
*Quality was assessed using a modified Jadad scale; **Number of high responders/number of total analyzed participants; ***P-value was calculated by χ ² test.