European Journal of Integrative Medicine

Available online 8 September 2015

In Press, Accepted Manuscript — Note to users

Review article

Acupuncture point injection therapy plus pharmacotherapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials

• Meaghan E. Coyle^{a, ,} ,
• Shaonan Liu^b, ,
• Anthony Lin Zhang^a, ,
• Charlie Changli Xue^a,

• 
  

doi:10.1016/j.eujim.2015.09.004

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Abstract

Introduction

Acupuncture point injection therapy has been used for respiratory conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and may be an effective adjunct to pharmacotherapy. This review evaluated the efficacy and safety of acupuncture point injection therapy plus pharmacotherapy for COPD.

Methods

Five English and four Chinese databases were searched from inceptions to May 2015. Studies of acupuncture point injection therapy reporting on clinical outcomes (including lung function, symptom severity, quality of life and exercise capacity) were included. Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool, and data analysed using RevMan 5.2.

Results

Twelve studies (841 participants) were included. Results from meta-analyses showed the combination of acupuncture point injection therapy plus pharmacotherapy produced better outcomes for lung function during acute exacerbation (FEV₁ L: MD 0.16 L [0.04, 0.28], I²=0%; FVC L: MD 0.29 L [0.14,0.44, I²=0%) and effective rate than pharmacotherapy alone for stable COPD and acute exacerbations (RR 1.45 [1.17, 1.79], I²=0% and RR 1.16 [1.07, 1.26], I²=0%, respectively). Higher arterial oxygenation (PaO₂) was seen in participants with acute exacerbations who received acupuncture point injection therapy plus pharmacotherapy (MD 7.43 mmHg [3.49, 11.39], I²=93%), although considerable statistical heterogeneity was detected.

Conclusions

Based on the included studies, there is insufficient information on the safety of acupuncture point injection therapy for COPD. There is some evidence that acupuncture point injection therapy may improve lung function and effective rate in people with COPD, however the conclusions are limited by the small number of included studies and methodological differences.

Keywords

• acupuncture point injection therapy;
• acupoint injection;
• pulmonary disease;
• chronic obstructive;
• COPD

Corresponding author at: Meaghan E Coyle China-Australia International Research Centre for Chinese Medicine, School of Health Sciences, RMIT University, P.O. Box 71 Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia. Fax: +61 3 9925 7178.

Copyright © 2015 Published by Elsevier GmbH