Dose–effect of long-snake-like moxibustion for chronic fatigue syndrome: a randomized controlled trial

Table 6 Scores of symptoms scale of spleen-kidney Yang deficiency in the end of treatment

Items	Group A (n = 30)	Group B (n = 30)	Median/MD (95%CI)	P-value
Fear of cold and cold extremities	2.00 (1.50, 4.00)	4.00 (2.00, 4.00)	0.00 (− 2.00, 0.00)	0.034*
Lassitude and lack of strength	2.00 (2.00, 2.50)	2.00 (2.00, 2.00)	0.00 (0.00, 0.00)	0.290
Shortness of breath and laziness to speak	2.00 (0.00, 2.00)	2.00 (2.00, 2.00)	0.00 (− 1.00, 0.00)	0.045*
Reduced food intake	0.00 (0.00, 1.25)	0.00 (0.00, 2.00)	0.00 (− 1.00, 0.00)	0.072
Soreness and weakness of waist and knees	0.00 (0.00, 2.00)	2.00 (0.00, 2.00)	0.00 (− 2.00, 0.00)	0.033*
Lumbar cold pain	1.00 (0.00, 1.00)	1.00 (0.00, 2.00)	0.00 (− 1.00, 0.00)	0.028*
Abdominal fullness and distention	1.00 (0.00, 1.00)	1.00 (1.00, 1.00)	0.00 (− 1.00, 0.00)	0.173
Loose stool	0.00 (0.00, 1.00)	1.00 (0.00, 1.00)	0.00 (− 1.00, 0.00)	0.028*
Cold and more urine volume during night	0.00 (0.00, 1.00)	0.00 (0.00, 0.00)	0.00 (0.00, 0.00)	0.046*
Total score	9.80 (4.37)	13.07 (5.29)	− 3.27 (− 5.78, − 0.76)	0.012*

Independent sample T test (for total score) and Mann-Whitney U test (for non-normally distributed items) were used for comparing differences between groups to obtain P-values; Hodges-Lehmann method was used to calculate median differences and their 95% confidence intervals. Group A: Long-snake-like moxibustion for 60 min; Group B: Long-snake-like moxibustion for 30 min; Data were presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD) and Median (Q1, Q3); Q: quarter; Q1: 25th percentile; Q3: 75th percentile
MD mean difference; 95%CI 95% Confidence Interval
* p < 0.05

ISSN: 1479-5876