Intervention Review

Acupuncture for chronic asthma

  1. Robert W McCarney1,*,
  2. Benno Brinkhaus2,
  3. Toby J Lasserson3,
  4. Klaus Linde4

Editorial Group: Cochrane Airways Group

Published Online: 8 JUL 2009

Assessed as up-to-date: 6 AUG 2008

DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000008.pub2

Database Title

Additional Information

How to Cite

McCarney RW, Brinkhaus B, Lasserson TJ, Linde K. Acupuncture for chronic asthma. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2003, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD000008. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000008.pub2.

Author Information

  1. 1

    University of Hertfordshire, Department of Psychology, Hatfield, UK

  2. 2

    Charité University Hospital, Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economy, Berlin, Germany

  3. 3

    St George's, University of London, Community Health Sciences, London, UK

  4. 4

    Technical University Munich, Centre for Complementary Medicine Research, Department of Internal Medicine II, Munich, Germany

*Robert W McCarney, Department of Psychology, University of Hertfordshire, College Lane, Hatfield, AL10 9AB, UK. robmccarney@googlemail.com. r.w.mccarney@herts.ac.uk.

Publication History

  1. Publication Status: Edited (no change to conclusions)
  2. Published Online: 8 JUL 2009

SEARCH

ARTICLE TOOLS

View Full Article (HTML) Summary (57K)Standard (341K)Full (479K)
 

Abstract

  1. Top of page
  2. Abstract
  3. Plain language summary
  4. 摘要

Background

Acupuncture has traditionally been used to treat asthma in China and is used increasingly for this purpose internationally.

Objectives

The objective of this review was to assess the effects of acupuncture for the treatment of asthma or asthma-like symptoms.

Search methods

We searched the Cochrane Airways Group Specialised Register (last searched August 2008), the Cochrane Complementary Medicine Field trials register, AMED, and reference lists of articles. We also contacted trialists and researchers in the field of complementary and alternative medical research.

Selection criteria

Randomised and possibly randomised trials using needle acupuncture or other forms of stimulation of acupuncture. Any form of control treatment was considered (no treatment in addition to conventional asthma treatment, sham or placebo interventions, active comparator interventions). Studies were included provided outcome was assessed at one week or more.

Data collection and analysis

At least two reviewers independently assessed trial quality. A reviewer experienced in acupuncture assessed the adequacy of the active and sham acupuncture used in the studies. Study authors were contacted for missing information.

Main results

Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria recruiting 350 participants. Trial reporting was poor and trial quality was deemed inadequate to generalise findings. There was variation in the type of active and sham acupuncture, the outcomes measured and time-points presented. The points used in the sham arm of some studies are used for the treatment of asthma according to traditional Chinese medicine. Two studies used individualised treatment strategies and one study used a combination strategy of formula acupuncture with the addition of individualised points. No statistically significant or clinically relevant effects were found for acupuncture compared to sham acupuncture. Data from two small studies were pooled for lung function (post-treatment FEV1): Standardised Mean Difference 0.12, 95% confidence interval -0.31 to 0.55).

Authors' conclusions

There is not enough evidence to make recommendations about the value of acupuncture in asthma treatment. Further research needs to consider the complexities and different types of acupuncture.

 

Plain language summary

  1. Top of page
  2. Abstract
  3. Plain language summary
  4. 摘要

Acupuncture for chronic asthma

Acupuncture is a treatment originating from traditional Chinese medicine. It consists of the stimulation of defined points on the skin (mostly by insertion of needles). The objective of this review was to assess whether there is evidence from randomised controlled trials that asthma patients benefit from acupuncture. The studies included in the review were of variable quality and had inconsistent results. Future research should concentrate on establishing whether there is a non-specific component of acupuncture which benefits recipients of treatment. There should be an assessment not merely of placebo treatment, but also of 'no treatment' as well. There is insufficient evidence to make recommendations about the value of acupuncture as a treatment for asthma based on current evidence.

 

摘要

  1. Top of page
  2. Abstract
  3. Plain language summary
  4. 摘要

背景

針灸對於慢性氣喘之療效

在中國，針灸在傳統上被應用於治療氣喘，而這種治療方法在國際間也逐漸被採用 。

目標

此次文獻回顧的主要目的在於評估使用針灸治療氣喘及類氣喘症 狀的效果 。

搜尋策略

我們搜尋 the Cochrane Airways Group Specialised Register (最後一次搜尋為2007年8月) 、the Cochrane Complementary Medicine Field trials register、the Alternative Medicine Database 及文獻中的參考資料表，並與輔助醫療領域的研究者聯繫 。

選擇標準

使用針灸或其他形式的針刺刺激的隨機試驗和可能的隨機試驗均被納入，任何形式的對照治療都加以考慮(包括慣用的氣喘治療不附加其他治療、假性針灸或安慰劑的介入、積極的對照治療介入)。結果經過至少一週的評估的研究，才會被納入。

資料收集與分析

試驗品質的評估至少由兩個檢 閱者獨立進行。精通針灸的檢閱者評估試驗中有效的和假的針灸使用之適當性。並接觸試驗作者取得缺失的資訊 。

主要結論

11項研究中，符合選擇標準的參與者(受試者)共計324位。然而，這些研究也因為試驗報告不好和試驗的品質不佳，而無法歸納研究結果。在結果的測量及時間點的呈現上，有效的(真的針灸方式)和假性針灸(針灸點非真正的穴位)有所不同。部分研究中，根據傳統中醫方式，在手臂上進行假性針灸，進行氣喘的治療。有兩項研究使用個人化治療的策略，一項研究則使用合併性策略，包括配方針灸及個人化的針灸點的合併使用。有效的和假性針灸並沒有統計上的顯著意義，也沒有臨床相關效應。兩個小規模的研究數據被彙整分析肺功能數 值 (治療後的FEV1):標準差異為0.12，95%信賴區間為−0.31到0.55。

作者結論

文獻回顧並無足 夠的證據顯示針灸應用在氣喘治療的價值上佔有優勢。未來的研究需考慮不同型式的針灸方式及其複雜性 。

翻譯人

本摘要由國泰綜合醫院劉怡敏翻譯 。

此翻譯計畫由臺灣國家衛生研究院(National Health Research Institutes, Taiwan)統籌 。

總結

目前並無足夠證據顯示針灸對於氣喘病患有明顯療效，這部份尚須進行更多研究。針灸是來自於傳統中醫的一種方式，其治療方式為對於皮膚特定的點進行刺激(大多數以針插入皮膚來進行)。 本次回顧的主要目標在於評估隨機控制試驗中是否有足 夠的證據，證明針灸對於氣喘病患是有幫助的。文獻回顧所納入的研究品質有所差異，同時研究結果也不一致。未來的研究應著重於確立是否有非特定性的因素影響針灸的治療效果。對於療效的評估，不應僅限於安慰劑的對照治療比較，應有“未治療組”加以對照，以比較其成效。基於現有研究結果，並無充分證據足以建議使用針灸治療氣喘。

View Full Article (HTML) Summary (57K)Standard (341K)Full (479K)