Immediate effect of ACU-TENS over non acupuncture points in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

Abstract

Questions

What is the immediate effect of Acu-TENS over non acupuncture points on reduction of dyspnoea and PEFR in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease? In India COPD is 2nd most common disorder after pulmonary tuberculosis [2].Dyspnoea occurs in patients with COPD and together with energy requiring consequences of chronic infection and inflammation, leads to increased work of breathing [9]. In COPD patients, changes in lung volume and biomechanics leads to weak and ineffective expiratory manoeuvres [14]. PEFR has been used as surrogate measure of cough and huff strength.14Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is a non-invasive modality and has been widely used in clinical practice for analgesia [1,15].

Participants

Thirty ambulatory patients with a mean age of 65 years with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and no previous exposure to TENS or acupuncture.

Intervention

Experimental group received Acu-TENS over non acupuncture (over head of the humerus bilaterally) and controlled group received placebo Acu-TENS with identical electrode placement but no electrical output despite a flashing light indicating stimulus delivery.

Outcome measure

Lung function was measured by Peak Expiratory Flow Rate(PEFR) while dyspnoea was measured using a shortness of breath 100mm visual analog scale.

Results

After 45 mins of Acu-TENS the experimental group has increased PEFR by 8.67 and decreased dyspnoea by 0.4 more than the controlled group.

Conclusion

Acu-TENS may be useful non invasive adjunctive intervention in the management of COPD. This study suggests that the effect of long term Acu-TENS warrants further investigation.