Effect difference between acupuncture and moxibustion for functional dyspepsia: a randomized controlled trial

Objective: To investigate the effect difference between acupuncture and moxibustion for functional dyspepsia (FD).

Methods: Sixty patients with FD were randomized into an acupuncture group (29 cases with 1 rejecting) and a moxibustion group (27 cases with 3 dropping). The corresponding manipulations for 4 courses were applied at Zhongwan (CV 12) and Zusanli (ST 36) in the two groups, continuous 5 times as 1 course with 2 days between two courses, once a day and total 20 times. Leed's dyspepsia questionnaire (LDQ) and Nepean dyspepsia index (NDI) were tested before and after treatment, and safety was evaluated.

Results: After treatment, the total LDQ scores decreased in the two groups (both P<0.01), with statistical different value between the two groups (P<0.05). Upper abdominal pain, early satiety, epigastric burning in the acupuncture group were improved more obviously compared with those in the moxibustion group (all P<0.01). The NDI scores in the two groups increased after treatment (both P<0.01), without statistical different value before and after treatment (P>0.05).

Conclusions: Acupuncture and moxibustion are effective for FD and acupuncture shows superiority.