Clinical Study of Fire-Dragon Cupping Comprehensive Moxibustion Combined with Conventional Western Medicine in Treating Convalescent Stage of Pneumonia in the Elderly with Lung-Spleen Qi Deficiency Syndrome
Abstract: Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of fire-dragon cupping comprehensive moxibustion combined with conventional western medicine in treating convalescent stage of pneumonia in the elderly with lungspleen qi deficiency syndrome. Methods: A total of 100 elderly patients with convalescent stage of pneumonia with lung-spleen qi deficiency syndrome admitted to the Department of Geriatrics at Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from April 2024 to April 2025 were selected and randomly divided into a control group and a study group using the random number table method, with 50 cases in each group. The control group received conventional western medicine treatment,while the study group received additional fire-dragon cupping comprehensive moxibustion based on the control group's regimen. Both groups were treated continuously for seven days. Clinical efficacy,traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores, quality of life [Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) scores], and satisfaction were compared between the two groups. Results: The total effective rate was 92.00% (46/50) in the study group, significantly higher than that of 76.00% (38/50) in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment,sub-item scores of traditional Chinese medicine syndrome and total scores decreased in both groups compared to before treatment (P< 0.05), with lower scores in the study group (P<0.05). LCQ domain scores and total scores increased in both groups (P<0.05), with higher scores in the study group (P<0.05). Patient satisfaction was 96.00% (48/50) in the study group,higher than that of 82.00% (41/50) in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion:Fire-dragon cupping comprehensive moxibustion combined with conventional western medicine improves clinical efficacy, alleviates symptoms such as cough,fatigue,abdominal distention,and poor appetite,enhances quality of life,and yields high patient satisfaction in treating convalescent stage of pneumonia in the elderly with lung-spleen qi deficiency syndrome.