Clinical and body composition study of Zhao's Thunder Fire Moxibustion at the Shenque point for treating phlegm-dampness obesity

LUO Hai-li; HUANG Chu-yao; CHEN Shu-min; HE Li-qing; QIAN Cai-wen; CHEN Xiu-hua; WANG Cong

doi:10.13820/j.cnki.gdyx.20231482

Abstract：Objective To evaluate the efficacy of Zhao's Thunder Fire Moxibustion at the Shenque point for trea-ting patients with phlegm-damp obesity,using anthropometric measurements and body composition as observation indica-tors.Methods A single-blind,randomized controlled trial was conducted.Eligible obese patients were randomly as-signed to either the obervation group(receiving Zhao's Thunder Fire Moxibustion at the Shenque point combined with cog-nitive-behavioral and mental-psychological support)or the control group(receiving only cognitive-behavioral and mental-psychological support).The treatment lasted 4 weeks,with the obervation group receiving treatment every other day and three times a week.Follow-up continued for an additional 4 weeks.Anthropometric measurements including weight,body mass index(BMI),waist circumference(WC),hip circumference,and waist-to-hip ratio(WHR)were recorded at six time points:before treatment,1 week,2 weeks,3 weeks,4 weeks post-treatment,and 4 weeks follow-up.Body composition was assessed before treatment,after 4 weeks of treatment,and at 4 weeks follow-up using bioelec-trical impedance analysis.The control group had measurements taken before treatment,after 4 weeks of treatment,and at 4 weeks follow-up.Results In the obervation group,significant improvements were observed in weight,BMI,WC,and hip circumference compared to baseline(P＜0.05).Although WHR showed some rebound at various time points,weight,BMI,WC,and hip circumference continued to decrease compared to baseline,with significant differences ob-served(P＜0.05)at most time points.The percentage of body fat improved more in the obervation group than in the con-trol group after 4 weeks(P＜0.05).Compared to baseline,the obervation group showed better reductions in weight,BMI,WC,hip circumference,and WHR than the control group after 4 weeks(P＜0.01).At the 4-week follow-up,the obervation group showed more significant improvements in WC and hip circumference compared to the control group(P＜0.05).Body composition analysis indicated improvements in skeletal muscle weight,fat weight,body fat percent-age,and basal metabolic rate in the obervation group after 4 weeks(P＜0.05),though the differences between the groups were not statistically significant(P＞0.05).No adverse reactions or events were reported in either group throughout the study.Conclusion Zhao's Thunder Fire Moxibustion at the Shenque point is effective for treating phlegm-damp obesi-ty,demonstrating significant weight loss(weight,BMI),fat reduction(body fat percentage),and body shaping(WC,hip circumference)with good short-and long-term efficacy.The treatment is simple,safe,and well-accepted by pa-tients,with no reported adverse effects.It is an easy-to-implement,cost-effective intervention that is suitable for community and home use,providing a viable method for addressing obesity in society.