Objective

2

To observe the effects of moxibustion at different temperatures on cognitive function and blood glucose levels in patients with cognitive impairment associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods

2

A total of 66 T2DM patients with cognitive impairment were randomly assigned to a high-temperature group (22 cases

1 case dropped out

1 case was eliminated)

a medium-temperature group (22 cases

2 cases were eliminated)

and a low-temperature group (22 cases

2 cases were eliminated). All groups received moxibustion at Baihui (GV20)

Dazhui (GV14)

and Shenting (GV24) based on their existing glycemic control treatment. Moxibustion temperatures were maintained at 44-46 ℃ (high-temperature group)

41-43 ℃ (medium-temperature group)

and 38-40 ℃ (low-temperature group)

respectively

for 20 min per session

every other day

3 times a week for 3 months. The Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) score

mini-mental state examination (MMSE) score

short-term memory (STM) accuracy and average reaction time

Rey-Osterrieth complex figure (ROCF) score

fasting plasma glucose (FPG)

and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were assessed before and after treatment. Clinical efficacy was evaluated after treatment.

Results

2

After treatment

MMSE scores in all three groups were higher than those before treatment (

P

<

0.05). In the high-temperature group

the total MoCA score and the scores of visuospatial and executive function

memory and delayed recall

attention

naming

language

and abstraction were higher than those before treatment (

P

<

0.05); the scores of ROCF copy

immediate recall

and delayed recall were higher than those before treatment (

P

<

0.05); the HbA1c level was lower than that before treatment (

P

<

0.05). In the medium-temperature group

the total MoCA score and the scores of memory and delayed recall

attention

and language were higher than those before treatment (

P

<

0.05). STM accuracy was higher than before treatment (

P

<

0.05)

and STM average reaction time was shorter than before treatment (

P

<

0.05) in both the high-temperature and medium-temperature groups. After treatment

the total MoCA score and the scores of visuospatial and executive function

memory and delayed recall

attention

and language in the high-temperature group were higher than those in the medium- and low-temperature groups (

P

<

0.05); MMSE score

STM accuracy

and ROCF immediate recall and delayed recall scores were higher than those in the medium- and low-temperature groups (

P

<

0.05); STM average reaction time was shorter than that in the medium- and low-temperature groups (

P

<

0.05); HbA1c level was lower than that in the low-temperature group (

P

<

0.05). The total MoCA score

attention score

and MMSE score in the medium-temperature group were higher than those in the low

-temperature group (

P

<

0.05)

and STM average reaction time was shorter than that in the low-temperature group (

P

<

0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in FPG within or between the three groups before and after treatment (

P

>

0.05). The total effective rates were 75.0% (15/20) in the high-temperature group

50.0% (10/20) in the medium-temperature group

and 15.0% (3/20) in the low-temperature group; the total effective rate in the high-temperature group was significantly higher than that in the low-temperature group (

P

<

0.05).

Conclusion

2

Moxibustion at different temperatures has a dose-effect relationship in treating cognitive impairment in T2DM patients. A temperature range of 44-46 ℃ is more effective in improving cognitive function and stabilizing average blood glucose levels over 2-3 months.