Po-Chun Hsieh1, Mei-Chen Yang2, Yao-Kuang Wu2, Hsin-Yi Chen2, I-Shiang Tzeng3, Pei-Shan Hsu1, Chang-Ti Lee1, Chien-Lin Chen1, Chou-Chin Lan4. 1. Department of Chinese Medicine, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei, Taiwan; School of Post-Baccalaureate Chinese Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan. 2. Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei, Taiwan; School of Medicine, Tzu-Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan. 3. Department of Research, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei, Taiwan. 4. Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei, Taiwan; School of Medicine, Tzu-Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan. Electronic address: bluescopy@yahoo.com.tw.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is highly prevalent around the world and has a large impact on its patients, leading to a poor health-related quality of life (HRQL) and exercise capacity. Even under optimal medications, there are still many patients with poor HRQL. Body acupuncture therapy (BAT) is a non-invasive and a popular therapy. Therefore, we aimed to comprehensively analyze the effects of BAT in COPD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight electronic databases were searched. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effect of BAT, medication (M), and pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). The primary outcome was HRQL evaluated by St. George's respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ) or COPD assessment test (CAT). RESULTS: Of the 922 articles, 12 studies were included with attesting a total of 798 participants. The result obtained indicated a significant improvement that favored the BAT + M group over the M group in CAT scores (MD: -4.77; 95% CI: -6.53 to -3.01; p < 0.00001). CONCLUSIONS: BAT is an effective adjunctive non-pharmacological treatment to improve HRQL in patients under medical treatment for COPD. We suggested that BAT should be considered as one of the methods of management in patients with COPD.
BACKGROUND:Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is highly prevalent around the world and has a large impact on its patients, leading to a poor health-related quality of life (HRQL) and exercise capacity. Even under optimal medications, there are still many patients with poor HRQL. Body acupuncture therapy (BAT) is a non-invasive and a popular therapy. Therefore, we aimed to comprehensively analyze the effects of BAT in COPD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight electronic databases were searched. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effect of BAT, medication (M), and pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). The primary outcome was HRQL evaluated by St. George's respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ) or COPD assessment test (CAT). RESULTS: Of the 922 articles, 12 studies were included with attesting a total of 798 participants. The result obtained indicated a significant improvement that favored the BAT + M group over the M group in CAT scores (MD: -4.77; 95% CI: -6.53 to -3.01; p < 0.00001). CONCLUSIONS: BAT is an effective adjunctive non-pharmacological treatment to improve HRQL in patients under medical treatment for COPD. We suggested that BAT should be considered as one of the methods of management in patients with COPD.