Moxibustion can correct a breech presentation

A systematic review that evaluated the efficacy and safety of moxibustion to treat breech presentation.

Ten randomised controlled trials involving 2,090 women and 7 controlled clinical trials involving 1,409 women were included.

Meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials showed significant differences between moxibustion and no treatment (RR 1.35, 95% CI 1.20 to 1.51; 3 RCTs), but not between moxibustion and knee-chest position. Moxibustion plus other therapeutic methods showed significant beneficial effects (RR 1.36, 95% CI 1.21 to 1.54; 2 RCTs).

For nonrandomised controlled trials, moxibustion was more effective than no treatment (RR 1.29, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.42; 2 CCTs) but not more effective than the knee-chest position treatment.

The reviewers concluded that moxibustion, acupuncture and laser acupoint stimulation tend to be effective in the correction of breech presentation.

Reference

Li et al. (2009) Moxibustion and other acupuncture point stimulation methods to treat breech presentation: a systematic review of clinical trials. Chin Med; 4:4.