[Stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treated by adjunctive therapy of electrothermal acupuncture: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effect and safety of electrothermal acupuncture in adjunctive treatment of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in patients.

METHODS

Sixty-six stable COPD patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, with 33 cases in each group. The patients in the control group were treated with bronchodilator inhalation combined with respiratory training for 4 weeks. In the observation group, on the basis of the treatment as the control group, electrothermal acupuncture was delivered at bilateral Quchi (LI 11), Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6), and the conventional filiform needling was operated at the supplementary acupoints selected according to the individual syndrome. The interventions in the observation group were given once every two days, 3 treatments a week, for consecutive 4 weeks. Before and after treatment completion, the lung functions (forced expiratory volume in the first second [FEV1], forced vital capacity [FVC], FEV1/FVC and the percentage of diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide [DLCO%]), 6 min walking distance (6MWD) and the score of COPD assessment test (CAT) were compared between the two groups. The attacks of acute exacerbation were recorded in 1-year follow-up visit in the two groups and the safety of electrothermal acupuncture was evaluated.

RESULTS

After treatment, FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, DLCO% and 6MWD were increased (<0.01, <0.05), and CAT scores were decreased (<0.01) in the two groups compared with those before treatment. FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC and 6MWD were higher and CAT score was lower in the observation group when compared with those of the control group (<0.05). In the 1-year follow-up visit, the cases of acute exacerbation in the observation group were fewer than that in the control group (<0.05). There were no treatment-related adverse reactions in the observation group.

CONCLUSION

On the basis of bronchodilator inhalation and respiratory training, electrothermal acupuncture can ameliorate the lung function, strengthen motor ability, reduce the cases of acute exacerbation safely and effectively in the patients with stable COPD.