title: Effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation on Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Prospective, Single-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the clinical effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation over acupoints (acu-TENS) on patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Settings/Locations: Outpatient center of West China Hospital, Sichuan University.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty patients with stable COPD enrolled in the study.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  Lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 second, percentage predicted (FEV(1)% predicted); forced vital capacity, percentage predicted (FVC% predicted), 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) and oxygen saturation (SpO(2)), COPD assessment test (CAT), and Dyspnea Visual Analogue Scale (DVAS) were assessed before and after the intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to control group, FEV(1)% 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, SpO(2), 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 FEV(1)% predicted and reduced DVAS and CAT scores on patients with stable COPD. This may be a novel treatment strategy in COPD.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Integrated Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University , Chendu, Sichuan, China .
authors.forename: Xuemei
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Integrated Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University , Chendu, Sichuan, China .
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.affiliation: 2 College of Acupuncture and Tuina, Traditional Chinese Medicine of Chengdu University , Chengdu, Sichuan, China .
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lan
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Integrated Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University , Chendu, Sichuan, China .
authors.forename: Shoujing
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Integrated Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University , Chendu, Sichuan, China .
authors.forename: Juanjuan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Integrated Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University , Chendu, Sichuan, China .
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mao
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D000368:Aged; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D011446:Prospective Studies; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation; D014797:Vital Capacity; D016138:Walking
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen