Efficacy of acupuncture therapy for stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Study Goal
The researchers were attempting to determine the efficacy of acupuncture therapy (AT) in improving lung function, quality of life, and exercise capacity in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Results Summary
The meta-analysis found that AT significantly improved lung function (FVC, FEV1, FEV1%, FEV1/FVC), quality of life (SGRQ), and exercise capacity (6MWD) in stable COPD patients, with a higher effective rate compared to the control group. Subgroup analyses confirmed these benefits across different comparison models and treatment durations.
Population
Stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients (2130 participants across 28 RCTs).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Varied (subgroup analysis included treatments ≥8 weeks and <8 weeks)
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Acupuncture therapy (AT) | increase | forced vital capacity (FVC) | stable COPD patients | WMD = 0.29 L, 95% CI: 0.22-0.36, P < .001 | had significant improvement | #1 |
Acupuncture therapy (AT) | increase | forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) | stable COPD patients | WMD = 0.33 L, 95% CI: 0.23-0.43, P < .001 | had significant improvement | #2 |
Acupuncture therapy (AT) | increase | FEV1 in predicted value (FEV1%) | stable COPD patients | WMD = 3.30%, 95% CI: 3.30-4.64, P < .001 | had significant improvement | #3 |
Acupuncture therapy (AT) | increase | FEV1/FVC | stable COPD patients | WMD = 5.45%, 95% CI: 4.41-6.49, P < .001 | had significant improvement | #4 |
Acupuncture therapy (AT) | increase | 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) | stable COPD patients | WMD = 45.48 m, 95% CI: 28.21-62.16, P < .001 | had significant improvement | #5 |
Acupuncture therapy (AT) | decrease | St. George respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ) | stable COPD patients | WMD = -7.79, 95% CI: -12.34 to -3.24, P < .001 | had significant improvement | #6 |
Acupuncture therapy (AT) | increase | effective rate | stable COPD patients | OR = 3.71, 95% CI: 2.50-5.52, P < .001 | had a higher effective rate | #7 |
AT combined with other treatments | increase | - | stable COPD patients | - | showed more improvement | #8 |
AT alone | increase | - | stable COPD patients | - | showed more improvement | #9 |
Acupuncture therapy (AT) | increase | lung function | patients with stable COPD | - | is effective in improving | #10 |
Acupuncture therapy (AT) | increase | quality of life | patients with stable COPD | - | is effective in improving | #11 |
Acupuncture therapy (AT) | increase | exercise capacity | patients with stable COPD | - | is effective in improving | #12 |
BACKGROUND: Acupuncture therapy (AT) is a widely used, alternative medicine in China. AT is an effective treatment for many diseases, but its efficacy in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains controversial. Therefore, we performed the present meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of AT in stable COPD patients. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for AT efficacy in stable COPD patients were searched in literature databases from the inception to December 31, 2021. Pooled effect sizes of outcome measurements with respect to lung function (forced vital capacity [FVC], forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1], FEV1 in predicted value [FEV1%], FEV1/FVC), quality of life (St. George respiratory questionnaire [SGRQ]), exercise capacity (6-minute walking distance [6MWD]) and effective rate were estimated by calculating weighted mean difference (WMD) or odds ratio (OR) with corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI), respectively, by a random-effect model. RESULTS: A total of 28 RCTs with 2130 COPD patients were included. AT group had significant improvement in FVC (WMD = 0.29 L, 95% CI: 0.22-0.36, P < .001), FEV1 (WMD = 0.33 L, 95% CI: 0.23-0.43, P < .001), FEV1% (WMD = 3.30%, 95% CI: 3.30-4.64, P < .001), FEV1/FVC (WMD = 5.45%, 95% CI: 4.41-6.49, P < .001), 6MWD (WMD = 45.48 m, 95% CI: 28.21-62.16, P < .001), SGRQ (WMD = -7.79, 95% CI: -12.34 to -3.24, P < .001), and a higher effective rate (OR = 3.71, 95% CI: 2.50-5.52, P < .001) compared to the control group. Subgroup analysis stratified by comparison model (AT combined with other treatments vs other treatments, AT alone vs sham AT) and treatment duration (≥8 weeks, <8 weeks) also showed more improvement in AT arm than control arm without significant between-subgroup difference. Adverse events were reported in a few studies and only mild reactions were observed. CONCLUSION: AT is effective in improving lung function, quality of life and exercise capacity, and can be used as an adjunctive treatment in patients with stable COPD.