Open Access
Subscription Access
Open Access
Subscription Access
Effect of Acu-TENS on Pulmonary Functions in Patients with Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Subscribe/Renew Journal
Background: Acu-TENS has been used to relieve dyspnea and to improve pulmonary function in a variety of respiratory disease patients. There is limited evidence for the use of Acu-TENS in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive disease.
Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to find out the effect of Acu-TENS on pulmonary function in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD.
Design: Randomized pretest-posttest experimental design.
Methods: Total thirty COPD patients with acute exacerbation, were randomly assigned to receive either Acu-TENS or Placebo Acu-TENS for 5 days. Dyspnea score, FEV1 and FVC were measured on 1st, 3rd and 5th day.
Results: Data analysis was performed by SPSS 16. It was found that a statistically significant improvement occurred in dyspnea score, FEV1 and FVC in both the groups. This improvement was significantly higher in patients in Group A as compared to that in Group B.
Limitations: The results of the spirometery were subjected to patient's effort and motivational factor; and effect of TENS or placebo TENS over acupuncture points was compared rather than TENS applied over non acupuncture points.
Conclusion: Results of the study offer an exciting new opportunity to provide a non-pharmacological and non-airflow dependent treatment modality to emergency department practice for acute exacerbation of COPD.
Keywords
- F. Klaus, H. Suzanne et al. Global strategy for the diagnosis, management and prevention of chronic pulmonary disease. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2007; 176: 532-555.
- Lau KSL, Jones AYM. A single session of Acu-TENS increases FEV1 and reduces dyspnea in patients with COPD: a randomized, placebocontrolled trial. Australian Journal of Physiotherapy 2008; 54: 179-184.
- Seemungal TA, Donaldson GC et al. Effect of exacerbation on quality of life in patients with COPD. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1998; 157:1418–1422.
- National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Global strategy for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of COPD. NHLBI/WHO workshop report. Updated 2005.
- Rodriguez-Roisin R. Toward a consensus definition for COPD exacerbations. Chest 2000; 117(5 Suppl 2):398S-401S.
- Polkey M I. Muscle metabolism and exercise tolerance in COPD. Chest 121; 131S-135S.
- Stevenson NJ, Walker PP et al. Lung mechanics and dyspnea during exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2005;172(12):1510-1516.
- Cyanthia X. Pan MD et al. Complementary and Alternative medicine in the management of Pain, Dyspnea, and Nausea and Vomiting near the End of Life: A Systematic Review. J Pain Symptom Manag 2000; 20: 374-387
- Cho ZH, Hwang SC et al. Neural substrates, experimental evidences and functional hypothesis of acupuncture mechanisms. Acta Neurologica Scandinavica 2006; 113: 370-377.
- Peuker E, Gronemer D. Rare nut serious complications of acupuncture: traumatic lesions. Acupuncture in Medicine 2001; 19: 103-108.
- Wouters EF. Management of severe COPD. Lancet 2004; 364: 883-895.
- Rochester DF, Braun NM. Determinants of maximal inspiratory pressure in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Am Rev Respir Dis 1985; 132:42-47
- M Suzuki, K Nimura et al. The effect of acupuncture in the treatment of COPD. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 2008; 14(9): 1097-1105
- Sepulveda P, Bohilla G, Hoffmann T. Treatment of asthmatic bronchoconstriction by percutaneous low voltage nerve stimulation: Case report. Internet J Asthma, Allergy and Immunology 2009; 7(2)
- Cardiopulmonary Physiolo Chi- East meets West via Acu TENS.
- Shirly PC Negi, Alice YM Jones et al. Effect of Acu-TENS on post exercise expiratory lung volume in subjects with asthma-A randomized controlled trial. Respiratory Physiology & Neurology 2009; 167(3): 348-353.
- Jobst K, Chen JH et al. Controlled trial of acupuncture for disabling breathlessness. Lancet 1986; 20: 1416-1419.
- Bellofiore S, DiMaria GU, Priviteria S et al. Endogenous opoids modulate the increase in ventilator output and dyspnea during severe acute bronchoconstriction. American Review of Respiratory Disease 1990; 142: 812-816.
Abstract Views: 448
PDF Views: 0