|
The management of dyspnea is an important target in the treatmentof COPD, a common respiratory disease characterized by irreversibleairflow limitation. COPD is predicted to be the third leading causeof death worldwide by 2020, according to the study background. Masao Suzuki, L.Ac., Ph.D., of Kyoto University and MeijiUniversity of Integrative Medicine, Kyoto, Japan, and colleaguesconducted a randomized controlled trial from July 2006 throughMarch 2009. A total of 68 patients diagnosed with COPDparticipated, and 34 were assigned to a real acupuncture group for12 weeks, plus daily medication. The other 34 were assigned to aplacebo acupuncture group in which the needles were blunt (andappeared to, but did not enter the skin). The primary measure wasthe evaluation of a six-minute walk test on a Borg scale where 0meant "breathing very well, barely breathless" and 10signified "severely breathless." "We demonstrated clinically relevant improvements in DOE[dyspnea on exertion] (Borg scale), nutrition status (includingBMI), airflow obstruction, exercise capacity and health-relatedquality of life after three months of acupuncture treatment,"the authors note. After 12 weeks of treatment, the Borg scale score after thesix-minute walk test improved from 5.5 to 1.9 in the realacupuncture group. No improvement was seen in the Borg scale scorein the placebo acupuncture group before and after treatment (4.2and 4.6, respectively), according to the study results. "Randomized trials with larger sample sizes and longer-terminterventions with follow-up evaluations are necessary to confirmthe usefulness of acupuncture in COPD treatment," the authorsconclude. Invited Commentary: Reevaluating Acupuncture Research Methods In an invited commentary, George T. Lewith, M.A., M.D., F.R.C.P.,M.R.C.G.P, and Mike Thomas, Ph.D., F.R.C.P., of the University ofSouthampton, Hampshire, England, write: "Where does this studylead us? The authors note that acupuncture must be used in additionto conventional care, and although this is undoubtedly correct, itmay have significant economic implications." They continue: "Evaluating traditional interventions, such asacupuncture, that are widely available has many implications,including the fact that best practice and dose response have rarelybeen evaluated scientifically as would be the case for a newpharmaceutical agent." "This study points to an important potential role foracupuncture in COPD management. These findings demand larger butequally methodologically rigorous confirmatory studies if we are toconsider integrating this approach into our managementstrategy," they conclude. The e-commerce company in China offers quality products such as China Food Packaging Films , Dry Goods Packaging, and more. For more , please visit Plastic Pouches Packaging today!
Related Articles -
China Food Packaging Films, Dry Goods Packaging,
|
