Exclusive Effects of Moxibustion on Gut Microbiota: Protocol for a Focused Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The gut microbiota (GM) plays a critical role in systemic health, influencing immune, metabolic, and neurological functions. There is emerging evidence suggesting that moxibustion, a traditional thermal therapy, may modulate the GM to restore microbial homeostasis, yet its exclusive effects remain undifferentiated from those of combined therapies such as acupuncture. Previous meta-analyses lack mechanistic specificity, necessitating a focused evaluation of moxibustion's impact on microbial ecology.

Objective

This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to quantify moxibustion-induced changes in GM diversity, taxonomic composition, and functional metabolites (eg, short-chain fatty acids).

Methods

We will systematically search the PubMed, Web of Science, Coc

SUBMITTER: Zhang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12551972 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature