[Impact on neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and quality of life in the patients of non-small-cell lung cancer treated with grain-size moxibustion: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the impact on neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the quality of life (QOL) in the patients of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with wheat-size moxibustion therapy.

METHODS: Seventy patients of NSCLC were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 35 cases in each one. Finally, 33 cases were participated in the observation group and 32 cases in the control group for statistical analysis. In the observation group, Zusanli (ST 36) and Feishu (BL 13) were selected for grain-size moxibustion, 9 moxa cones on each acupoint, once a day. There was the follow-up visit without any treatment applied in the control group. The trial lasted for 6 weeks. The changes in NLR and the QOL score before and after treatment were observed in the patients of the two groups and the differences were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS: Compared with the condition before treatment, in the observation group, NLR was reduced apparently (P< 0.05), the general health state/life quality field, physical functioning, emotional functioning, cognitive functioning, fatigue, pain, short breath, insomnia and anorexia were improved apparently (all P < 0.05). In the control group, the differences were not significant in NLR, the general health states/life quality field, physical functioning, emotional functioning, cognitive functioning, role functioning, social functioning, fatigue, pain, short breath, insomnia and anorexia before and after treatment (all P > 0.05). In comparison of the two groups, NLR was reduced apparently in the observation group as compared with that in the control group after treatment (P < 0.05). The scores of the general health state/life quality field, physical functioning, emotional functioning and cognitive functioning were increased apparently as compared with those in the control group after treatment (all P < 0.05). The scores of fatigue, pain, short breath, insomnia and anorexia in the observation group were reduced apparently as compared with those in the control group after treatment (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The wheat-size moxibustion therapy reduces NLR and improves the immune function and quality of life in the patients of NSCLC.