Use in Western Medicine
An overview of systematic reviews published in 2010 found that there are several conditions for which moxibustion may be effective, but the reviews were based on research of low quality rendering the results inconclusive. In addition, many of the positive trials were conducted in China, so concern has been expressed that publication bias may result in a falsely positive impression.
In traditional Chinese medicine there is a belief that moxibustion of mugwort is effective at increasing the cephalic positioning of fetuses who were in a breech position before the intervention. A 2012 Cochrane review stated that there is "some evidence" that moxibustion may be useful for reducing the need for external cephalic version, but well-designed randomised controlled trials were needed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of moxibustion.
Meta-analysis of the current evidence regarding moxibustion in treatment for ulcerative colitis concluded that evidence is insufficient to show that moxibustion is an effective treatment.
Moxibustion may be useful as part of the treatment of stroke patients, but there is limited evidence for its effectiveness at this time.
Read more about this topic: Moxibustion
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