Key result
Self-administered moxibustion matches acupressure in lowering systolic and diastolic BP in hypertension.
Why the study?
The study aimed to evaluate the effects of self-administered moxibustion versus self-acupressure on blood pressure, stress, sleep quality, and quality of life to assess its feasibility as a self-management method for hypertension.
Does self-administered moxibustion reduce blood pressure and improve stress, sleep quality, and quality of life compared to self-acupressure in hypertensive patients?
RCT (n=46)
Open-label
Randomly assigned using sealed opaque envelopes
No
Does self-administered moxibustion reduce blood pressure and improve stress, sleep quality, and quality of life compared to self-acupressure in hypertensive patients?
Both self-administered moxibustion and acupressure therapies were similarly effective in reducing blood pressure and improving physical and environmental quality of life in hypertensive patients over 8 weeks.
May support self-administered moxibustion or acupressure as adjuncts for hypertension; extends RCT evidence on complementary therapies for blood pressure control.
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of an 8-week self-administered moxibustion program on blood pressure, stress, sleep quality, and quality of life in hypertensive patients. We compared its effects with those of self-acupressure to assess the feasibility of using moxibustion as a self-management method for hypertension. Forty-six subjects were recruited and randomly assigned to a moxibustion group and an acupressure group. The moxibustion group applied moxa sticks to seven acupoints by themselves five times a week for 8 weeks, while the acupressure group placed acupressure patches on the same acupoints by themselves. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured. Stress was assessed with plasma epinephrine, plasma norepinephrine, and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Sleep quality and quality of life were evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF), respectively. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures decreased in the moxibustion and acupressure groups to a similar extent after the 8-week intervention. Plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine levels and PSQI variables were not changed in both groups. PSS decreased only in the moxibustion group. Quality of life related to physical health and environmental health, as assessed by the WHOQOL-BREF, significantly improved to a similar degree in both groups. Both self-administered moxibustion and acupressure therapies were effective in reducing blood pressure in hypertensive patients.
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Jung et al. (2023) conducted an RCT in Hypertension (n=46). Self-administered moxibustion vs. Self-applied acupressure patches was evaluated on Change in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Self-administered moxibustion and acupressure therapies both significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressures to a similar extent after 8 weeks in hypertensive patients.
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