Effects of Wu’s Long-Snake-Like Moxibustion on post-stroke cancer patients
Abstract
Background: Due to the combined effects of stroke and cancer treatment, post-stroke cancer patients face the multiple burdens of psychological distress, sleep disorders, and declined quality of life. Wu’s Long-Snake-Like Moxibustion, a therapeutic approach combining traditional Chinese medicine and modern medical concepts, aims to alleviate these challenges by regulating qi and blood through acupoint stimulation. This study explored the effects of Wu’s Long-Snake-Like Moxibustion on psychological distress, sleep disorders, and quality of life in post-stroke cancer patients, with a specific focus on hypertension as a comorbidity. Methods: A case-control study recruited 60 participants who were assigned to either the treatment group (Wu’s Long-Snake-Like Moxibustion) or the control group (standard care). Psychological distress, sleep quality, and quality of life were assessed using standardized scales, including the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). Blood pressure was measured at baseline and at 12 weeks. Paired t-tests were used for intra-group comparisons, and independent t-tests were applied for inter-group differences. Results: At 12 weeks, the treatment group showed significant improvements on all measures. Anxiety (HADS-A) decreased from 14.2 (SD = 3.4) to 5.1 (SD = 2.0) (p = 0.02), and sleep quality (PSQI) improved from 8.7 (SD = 2.3) to 3.2 (SD = 1.6) (p < 0.0001). Quality of life, including physical (from 57.3 to 85.4) and emotional (from 45.8 to 80.1), significantly improved (p = 0.01 and p = 0.002, respectively). Blood pressure reductions in the treatment group were also significant, with systolic pressure dropping from 142.3 (SD = 12.5) to 118.6 (SD = 8.9) (p = 0.001). In contrast, the control group showed modest improvements in anxiety (from 13.9 to 10.4), sleep quality (from 8.3 to 6.7), and blood pressure (from 140.8 to 133.2). Conclusion: Wu’s Long-Snake-Like Moxibustion not only significantly improved the psychological distress, sleep quality, and quality of life of post-stroke cancer patients but also effectively reduced hypertension. These findings suggest that Wu’s Long-Snake-Like Moxibustion may be an effective complementary therapy for managing the complex needs of this patient population.
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