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Immediate effect of ACU-TENS over non acupuncture points in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients
Corresponding Author(s) : Sneha Kirve
International Journal of Allied Medical Sciences and Clinical Research,
Vol. 5 No. 1 (2017): 2017 Volume 5- Issue -1
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.
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