Abstract

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Choksamni (ST36) moxibustion in hypertensive patients who showed sudden elevation of blood pressure. Methods : Among patients admitted to Woosuk University Hospital from June to September 2004, sixty-one patients who had shown sudden elevation in systolic blood pressure over 160 mmHg were chosen by random sampling and divided into a treatment group (Choksamni moxibustion group) and a control group. In the Choksamni (ST36) moxibustion group, moxibustion was done at the point between tibial tuberosity and head of fibula where the ST36 is known to be located. Direct moxibustion was practiced on the patients 5 times with an increase of size from a grain of rice to a bigger cluster. Male patients were chosen to practice on the left meridian and female patients were chosen to practice on the right meridian point. Changes in blood pressure after the moxibustion were checked 4 times at time intervals of 30 minutes. In the control group, the patients took bed rest without any medical treatment. The two groups were compared in order to demonstrate whether there were any remarkable changes in depression of blood pressure. Results : There were significant decreases in the systolic and diastolic blood pressure before and after moxibustion. We found significant decreases in systolic blood pressure at 60 minutes, 90 minutes, and 120 minutes and diastolic blood pressure at 120 minutes in the patient group compared with the control group. Conclusions : There was a statistically significant depressing effect on blood pressure elevation observed in the group with moxibustion at ST36 versus the control group without any medical treatment.