Effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation on Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Prospective, Single-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study.

Objectives: To evaluate the clinical effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation over acupoints (acu-TENS) on patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Design: Prospective, single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Settings/Locations: Outpatient center of West China Hospital, Sichuan University. Patients: Fifty patients with stable COPD enrolled in the study. Interventions: Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: the acu-TENS group ( n=25), who underwent acu-TENS over acupoints of bilateral EX-B-1( Dingchuan), BL-13 ( Feishu), BL-23 ( Shenshu), ST-36 ( Zusanli), and the placebo acu-TENS control group ( n=25), who had the same electrode placement but no electrical output. Treatments were performed for 40-minute sessions every 2 days for 4 weeks. Outcome measures: Lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 second, percentage predicted (FEV₁% predicted); forced vital capacity, percentage predicted (FVC% predicted), 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) and oxygen saturation (SpO₂), COPD assessment test (CAT), and Dyspnea Visual Analogue Scale (DVAS) were assessed before and after the intervention. Results: Compared to control group, FEV₁% predicted was improved and CAT score was decreased significantly in the acu-TENS group after treatment ( p<0.05). The DVAS score decreased significantly in the acu-TENS group ( p=0.039), with a slight but insignificant improve in 6MWD, SpO₂, and FVC% predicted after treatment. Conclusions: Acu-TENS over acupoints of bilateral EX-B-1 ( Dingchuan), BL-13 ( Feishu), BL-23 ( Shenshu), and ST-36 ( Zusanli) improved FEV₁% predicted and reduced DVAS and CAT scores on patients with stable COPD. This may be a novel treatment strategy in COPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]