Effect of Acupoint Application Therapy on BODE Index and TCM Symptom Scores for COPD Patients in Stabilization Period of Lung-spleen Qi-deficiency Syndrome / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

ABSTRACT

This study was aimed to investigate the effective on BODE index and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom scores with acupoint application therapy for patients of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in stabilization period of lung-spleen qi-deficiency syndrome. A total of 120 cases of inpatients and out-patients of the stable phase of COPD with TCM syndromes of lung-spleen qi-deficiency were selected. Conven-tional therapy was used in the treatment. All patients were divided into four groups, which are the hyperthermia plus acupoint application group, simple acupoint application group, simple hyperthermia group and blank control group. Each group contained 30 cases. All patients were given 6-week treatment. And the BODE index and TCM symptom scores were observed pre-treatment and post-treatment. The results showed that the BODE index was im-proved in the hyperthermia plus acupoint application group and the simple hyperthermia group. Symptoms of coughing, phlegm, wheezing, shortness of breath were reduced in all hyperthermia plus acupoint application group, simple acupoint application group and simple hyperthermia group. Symptoms of abdominal distention, spontaneous perspiration, easy to catch cold and cold sensation on the back were reduced in the group of hyperthermia plus acupoint application. Symptoms of spontaneous perspiration, easy to catch cold and cold sensation on the back can be improved in the group with simple hyperthermia. The symptom of spontaneous perspiration was improved in the group of simple acupoint application. It was concluded that acupuncture point application in combination with hy-perthermia therapy can significantly improve symptoms and quality of life, improve exercise tolerance in patients.