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