Moxa prevention for home quarantee in close contact with COVID-19: A research protocol

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When people travel to a place with plague, malaria, and other epidemic pathogens, moxibustion should be frequently applied to prevent the infections.

Bei Ji Qian Jin Yao Fang (Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Pieces of Gold for Emergencies) written by Sun Simiao published on 652. AD

Chinese Medicine has been used as a primary approach in the prevention and treats for both hospital treatment and home quarantee in China. In the national and provincial guidelines, moxibustion is recommended to apply quarantee for home/quarantee in close contact with COVID-19. According to the clinical observation and laboratory study on the effect of moxibustion in the treatment of SARS, it was an effective method. Generally speaking, moxibustion treatment supplement Yang Qi, expel cold, open channels, lift Yang and consolidate collapse. It also improves the regulation of immunity and prevents the onset of illness.

The research team suggested two protocols

1. Moxa Cigar: ST36, LI4, and RN8. A mild warming technique (Moxa Cigar on Box) is applied, ten min for each point. ST36 and LI4 are warmed unilaterally. The treatment is recommended once a day and for two weeks.

2. Moxa Plaster: the moxa plaster (instead of moxa cigar) is applied on DU14 and BL13 for 3-6 hours, once every other day.

Subjects are educated by online video, social media app, and phone calls. They need to report the self-treatment video every day. So, the researcher can check and guide the subjects.

The evaluation includes a scale for anxiety, phycological health status, and symptoms (fatigue, headache, lower back pain, diarrhea, constipation, stress, and nervous)

Side-events report covers burn, itching, and swelling.

Analysis of Points

The above points are selected based on the Acupressure and Moxibustion Recommendation published by Sichuan Acupuncture and Moxibustion Association. LI4, the Yuan-source point of the large intestine, expel wind, release the exterior, and reduce fever. DU14 invigorates Yang, expels cold and wind. BL13 activates the lungs to protect the invading of external pathogens. ST36, supplements the earth to support the metal (lung), strengthens Wei-defensive Qi. RN8, strengthens the spleen and stomach and sedate Shen.

Liu ML, Liu M, Zhong H, Yu J, Luo J, Ai K, Xu M, Liu Q, Dai GB, Zhang W, Zhang H, Chang XR, Liu BY. Study on the significance and operation mode of moxibustion intervention for home quarantee in close contact with coronavirus disease 2019. Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion, 2020, published on Feb. 29, 2020.

DOI：10.13703/j.0255-2930.20200224-k0004

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