Moxibustion combined with osteoporosis medication may reduce pain and improve bone health markers, but existing evidence is too weak to establish safety or effectiveness.
Researchers systematically searched eight medical databases for randomized controlled trials evaluating moxibustion alone or alongside conventional osteoporosis treatment in middle-aged and older adults with primary osteoporosis. They selected eligible studies, extracted outcome data, assessed study quality, and followed Cochrane review standards; results were not pooled because the included trials differed substantially in their participants, interventions, and measurements.
Across thirteen trials, moxibustion combined with anti-osteoporosis medication showed possible benefits over medication alone for pain relief, femoral neck bone mineral density, and several biochemical markers related to bone formation and regulation. However, the studies were generally of poor methodological quality, and reporting on adverse effects was insufficient, preventing firm conclusions about the treatment’s effectiveness or safety.
