Effect of Moxibustion Treatment on UPDRS and Heart Rate Variability in Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease Patients

특발성 파킨슨병 환자에 대한 뜸치료가 UPDRS 및 심박변이도에 미치는 영향

Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of moxibustion on UPDRS and heart rate variability of patients with Parkinson's disease. Methods: Subjects were voluntarily recruited through newspapers and internet. All subjects were confirmed as showing idiopathic Parkinson's disease by a neurologist. Moxibustion therapy was performed 5 times a week by the patient's family at home and once a week by an oriental medical doctor in hospital. Moxibustion points were GV20, CV12, ST36, BL18, and BL20. Intensity was up to pain threshold to prevent patients getting burned. The patient's symptoms were assessed before and after 8 weeks of treatment by unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS). Heart rate variability was measured for 5 minutes before and after the treatments. Results: Total UPDRS scores were significantly improved after 8 weeks compared to pre-treatment (p<0.05). There were significant decrease of mean heart rates (p<0.05) and increase of SDNN and TP (p<0.05) after 8 weeks' moxibustion treatments. There were no significant changes in other components of heart rate variability. Conclusions: This study suggests that moxibustion treatments can be applicable to improve not only symptoms but also heart rate variability in the patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease.