Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2026 Apr 12;46(4):507-516. doi: 10.13703/j.0255-2930.20251009-k0001. Epub 2026 Feb 13.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of heat-sensitive moxibustion on psychological craving in patients with methamphetamine addiction (withdrawal stage).
METHODS: Sixty patients with methamphetamine addiction (withdrawal stage) were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, with 30 cases in each group. The control group received routine drug rehabilitation and correctional education in the rehabilitation center; the observation group received heat-sensitive moxibustion at Shenque (CV8) and Danzhong (CV17) on the basis of the control group regimen, 60 min per session, once daily, four times a week. Both groups were treated for 4 weeks. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score for psychological craving was assessed before treatment, 4 weeks into treatment, and 2 weeks after treatment completion (follow-up) in the two groups. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to observe the brain region activation and brain functional connectivity changes before and after treatment in the two groups.
RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the VAS scores for psychological craving were reduced at 4 weeks into treatment and at follow-up in the observation group (P<0.01), which were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01). Compared before treatment and the control group, the brain activation in the left inferior frontal gyrus (L-IFG), left frontopolar area (L-FPA), and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (L-DLPFC) was decreased in the observation group (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared before treatment, the functional connectivity was enhanced between the right inferior frontal gyrus (R-IFG) and left premotor & supplementary motor cortex (L-PM&SMA), left somatosensory cortex (L-S1), right Wernicke (R-Wernicke), as well as the right Broca’s area and right somatosensory cortex (R-S1), L-S1 in the observation group after treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared before treatment, the functional connectivity was enhanced between L-FPA and right PM&SMA in the control group after treatment (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the observation group showed stronger enhancements in functional connectivity of R-IFG with L-PM&SMA, L-S1, and R-Wernicke after treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01).
CONCLUSION: Heat-sensitive moxibustion could alleviate psychological craving in patients with methamphetamine addiction (withdrawal stage), possibly through complex regulatory mechanisms involving multiple brain regions.
PMID:41987436 | DOI:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20251009-k0001
