A single session of Acu-TENS increases FEV1 and reduces dyspnoea in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomised, placebo-controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
What is the immediate effect of a single 45-minute session of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation over acupoints (Acu-TENS) on lung function and dyspnoea in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?


METHODS
Randomised, placebo-controlled trial with concealed allocation, participant blinding, assessor blinding, and intention-to-treat analysis.


METHODS
Forty-six ambulatory patients with a mean age of 75 years, with stage I or II chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and with no previous experience of TENS or acupuncture.


METHODS
The experimental group received 45 minutes of Acu-TENS over acupoint Ex-B1 bilaterally (0.5 'cun' lateral to the spinous process of the 7(th) cervical vertebra) while the control group received placebo-TENS with identical electrode placement but no electrical output despite a flashing light indicating stimulus delivery.


METHODS
Lung function was measured as FEV1 and FVC while dyspnoea was measured using a shortness of breath 100-mm visual analogue scale.


RESULTS
After 45 minutes of Acu-TENS, the experimental group had increased FEV1 by 0.12 litres (95% CI 0.07 to 0.15) and decreased dyspnoea by 10.7 mm (95% CI -13.9 to -7.6) more than the control group. The effect on FVC was only small (mean difference 0.05 litres, 95% CI -0.01 to 0.10).


CONCLUSIONS
Acu-TENS may be a useful non-invasive adjunctive intervention in the management of dyspnoea in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This study suggests that the effect of long-term Acu-TENS warrants further investigation.
Lau
Ken S L
KS
Kowloon Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Jones
Alice Y M
AY
D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome