Efficacy and safety of different doses of moxibustion for irritable bowel syndrome: A randomised controlled pilot trial

Abstract Introduction Moxibustion therapy has been used in oriental medicine for symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome such as diarrhoea and constipation. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of different doses of moxibustion for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Methods This study was conducted at Semyung Korean Medical Hospital, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea. Twenty-four patients (12 males, 12 females) aged 18–30 years who were diagnosed with IBS using the Rome III criteria were included. trial In this triple blind randomised controlled trial patients were allocated to receive either 3-cone moxibustion or 1-cone moxibustion. Moxa was applied to Guan Yuan (CV4) for 20 min. The Bowel Symptom Severity Scale (BSSS) score was used as the primary outcome measure; the Irritable Bowel Syndrome Severity Scale – Korean Version (IBSSS-K) score, heart rate variability (HRV), visceral sensitivity questionnaire, and a pattern identification questionnaire were secondary outcome measures. Results There was a significant difference in IBSSS-K scores after moxibustion in both the 3CMG (score: before: 217.50 ± 79.95, after: 137.42 ± 68.70, p = 0.021) and 1CMG groups (score: before: 217.67 ± 98.77, after: 112.25 ± 71.11, p = 0.006). There were no significant differences in the BSSS scores, IBSSS-K scores, Qi stagnation questionnaire scores, or cold-heat pattern questionnaire scores, between the two groups. Conclusions Different doses of moxibustion resulted in similar efficacy levels for the treatment of IBS. These preliminary findings suggest that moxibustion therapy may be effective and can be safe in improving the symptoms of IBS.