Acupuncture therapy improves health-related quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. (May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hsieh, Po-Chun; Yang, Mei-Chen; Wu, Yao-Kuang; Chen, Hsin-Yi; Tzeng, I-Shiang; Hsu, Pei-Shan; Lee, Chang-Ti; Chen, Chien-Lin; Lan, Chou-Chin
• Is Part Of: Complementary therapies in clinical practice. Volume 35(2019)
• Page Start: 208
• Page End: 218
• Publication Date: 2019-05
• Subjects: Body acupuncture therapy -- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease -- Health-related quality of life; Integrative medicine -- Periodicals; Integrative medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; Alternative medicine -- Periodicals; 615.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2019.02.016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-3881

Abstract

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. Highlights: BAT is an effective treatment to improve HRQL in patients with COPD. The meta-analysis result favored the BAT + M group over the M group in CAT scores. No adverse effect was reported in the retrieved studies. More total BAT treatment times contribute to better HRQL in patients with COPD.