Objective To observe the clinical effect of moxibustion therapy based on “sancai yizhi”(benefiting the intelligence) therapy on the improvements of memory function and serum protein markers

Aβ1-42

Tau and phosphorylated Tau(P-tau) in the patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment(aMCI)

and has a preliminary exploration on its peripheral mechanism. Methods A total of 120 patients with aMCI were divided into a moxibustion group and a medication group using a random number table

60 patients in each group. In the moxibustion group

6 cases were dropped out and 5 cases were withdrawn

and then 49 cases accomplished the trial finally. In the medication group

8 cases were dropped out and 6 ceases were withdrawn

thus 46 cases finally accomplished the trial. In the moxibustion group

moxibustion therapy was provided at Baihui(GV20)

Shenque(CV8) and bilateral Yongquan(KI1)

once every other day

20 minutes each time

totally for 8 weeks. In the medication group

donepezil hydrochloride tablets were administered orally

5 mg once a day

consecutively for 8 weeks. The scores of Rivermead behavioral memory test(RBMT) and Monterey cognitive assessment(MoCA) scale were adopted as the indicators to evaluate the therapeutic effect after treatment in the two groups. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the changes of the levels of serum protein marker levels

i.e. Aβ1-42

Tau and P-tau before and after treatment in the patients of two groups. Results Compared with the scores before treatment

RBMT score and MoCA score all increased after treatment in the patients of two groups(P<0.05). Compared with the medication group at the same time points

RBMT score increased significantly(P<0.05) in the moxibustion group after treatment. In the moxibustion group

as compared with the levels before treatment

the levels of serum Aβ1-42

Tau and P-tau decreased after treatment in the patients(P<0.05). But in the medication group

the levels of serum Aβ1-42 and P-tau were reduced(P<0.05). Compared with the medication group at the same time points

there were no significant differences in the changes of serum Aβ1-42

Tau and P-tau in the moxibustion group(P>0.05). Conclusion Moxibustion therapy based on “sancai yizhi” theory improves the cognitive function in the patients with aMCI and it affects the levels of serum Aβ1-42

Tau and P-tau

which may be the reason for the improvement of cognitive function in the patients with aMCI.