Table 1 Systematic reviews on moxibustion for health care
From: Does moxibustion work? An overview of systematic reviews
First author Year (Ref) | Condition | No. of primary studies | Methodological quality of primary studies†| Quality of SR OQAQ* | Meta-analysis | Conclusion (quote)†| Authors' result†|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kim (2010) [3] | Various conditions | 48 RCTs | Poor | 5 | Ulcerative colitis 1) Moxa vs. drug (2 RCTs), RR, 2.20, 95% CIs,1.37 to 3.52, P = 0.001, I2 = 0% 2) Moxa vs. wait control (2 RCTs), RR, 1.19, 95CIs, 0.88 to 1.60, P = 0.26, I2 = 40% 3) Moxa plus postual care vs. postual care, RR, 1.51, 95%CIs, 1.10 to 2.08, P = 0.01, I2 = 86% | Our results did not support the effectiveness of moxibustion in specific disease | +/- |
Coyle (2005) [7] | Breech presentation | 3 RCTs | Poor | 7 | None | There is insufficient evidence to support ... | +/- |
Li (2009) [8] | Breech presentation | 17(10 RCTs and 7 CCTs) | Poor | 7 | 1) Moxa vs. no treatment (3 RCTs), RR, 135, 95%CIs, 1.20 to 1.51, P < 0.00001 2) Moxa vs. knee-chest position (3 RCTs), RR, 1.30, 95%CIs, 0.95 to 1.79, P = 0.1 3) Moxa plus other treatment vs. other treatment (2 RCTs), RR, 1.36, 95%CIs, 1.21 to 1.54, P < 0.00001 | ...tend to be effective... | + |
Vas (2009) [9] | Breech presentation | 7 RCTs | Variable | 7 | Moxa vs. control (6 studies), RR, 1.36, 95% CIs, 1.17 to 1.58, P < 0.0001 | Moxibustion at ...BL67 has been shown to produce a positive effect... | + |
Lee (2010) [10] | Ulcerative colitis | 5 RCTs | Poor | 7 | Moxa vs. drug (5 RCTs), RR, 1.24, 95% CIs, 1.11 to 1.38, P < 0.0001, I2 = 16% | Current evidence is insufficient ... | +/- |
Lee (2010) [11] | Cancer | 5 RCTs | Poor | 6 | Moxa plus chemotherapy vs. chemotherapy 1) Response rate (4 RCTs), RR, 1.04, 95% CIs, 0.94 to 1.15, P = 0.43, I2 = 26% 2) Side effects (2 RCTs), RR, 0.38, 95% CIs, 0.22 to 0.65, P = 0.0005, I2 = 0% | The evidence is limited to suggest moxibustion is an effective supportive cancer care in nausea and vomiting. | + |
Lee (2010) [12] | Stroke rehabilitation | 9 RCTs | Poor | 5 | Moxa vs. standard care 1) Motor function (3RCTs), SMD, 0.72, 95% CIs, 0.37 to 1.08, P < 0.0001, I2 = 5% 2) Activities of daily living (3 RCTs), SMD, 0.51, 95%CIs, -0.08 to 1.10, P = 0.09, I2 = 62% | ...found limited effectiveness of moxibustion as an adjunct to standard care... | + |
Lee (2010) [13] | Pain conditions | 4 RCTs | Poor | 7 | Osteoarthritis: Moxa vs. drug (2 RCTs), RR, 1.11, 95%CIs, 1.02 to 1.21, P = 0.02, I2 = 3% | ...limited evidence ... in the management of osteoarthritis of the knee and other pain condition | + |
Lee (2010) [14] | Constipation | 3 RCTs | Poor | 3 | None | ... evidence is scarce and insufficient to suggest... | +/- |
Kim (2010) [15] | Hypertension | 4 RCTs | Poor | 5 | None | There is insufficient... | +/- |