[Herb-separated moxibustion on navel combined with capsule for non-liquefaction semen with dampness and heat diffusing downward: a randomized controlled trial].

Objective: To compare the clinical therapeutic effect between herb-separated moxibustion on navel combined with capsule and simple capsule for non-liquefaction semen with dampness and heat diffusing downward.

Methods: A total of 66 patients with non-liquefaction semen of dampness and heat diffusing downward were randomized into an observation group (33 cases, 2 cases dropped off) and a control group (33 cases, 2 cases dropped off). In the control group, capsule was given orally 3 times a day. On the basis of the control group, herb-separated moxibustion on navel was applied in the observation group, 5 moxa-cones each time, once a week. The 4-time treatment was as one course and totally 3 courses were required in the both groups. Before and after treatment, the semen quality indexes (time of semen liquefaction, sperm viability, total sperm motility, number of progressive motility sperms, sperm concentration and semen volume) and TCM syndrome score were observed, the clinical therapeutic efficacy and spouse pregnancy rate were evaluated in the two groups.

Results: After treatment, the time of semen liquefaction was shortened (<0.05), the sperm viability, total sperm motility, number of progressive motility sperms, sperm concentration and semen volume were increased in the both groups (<0.05); the time of semen liquefaction in the observation group was shorter than the control group (<0.05), the sperm viability, total sperm motility and number of progressive motility sperms in the observation group were superior to the control group (<0.05). After treatment, the TCM syndrome score was decreased compared before treatment in the observation group (<0.05), and that in the observation group was lower than the control group (<0.05). The total therapeutic effect rate and spouse pregnancy rate were 93.5% (29/31) and 67.7% (21/31) in the observation group, which were higher than 71.0% (22/31) and 41.9% (13/31) in the control group respectively (<0.05).

Conclusion: Herb-separated moxibustion on navel combined with capsule can effectively treat non-liquefaction semen with dampness and heat diffusing downward, improve the clinical symptoms, semen quality and spouse pregnancy rate, the therapeutic effect is superior to simple oral capsule.