Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies
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Focus Alternat Complement Ther©2005 Pharmaceutical Press
Focus Altern Complement Ther 2003; 8: 150
Acupuncture has been used for a variety of respiratory diseases, in particular, asthma and disabling breathlessness. We have chosen to develop Filshie’s work initially carried out in patients with terminal malignant disease in order to study patients with disabling breathlessness as a consequence of primarily chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We piloted our study methodology in order to evaluate sample size, appropriate outcomes and study model. The objective of this particular study is to evaluate a simple formulaic approach to acupuncture designed to improve the quality of life of patients in the community with disabling breathlessness.
This is a double blind, randomised, crossover study of patients with disabling breathlessness because of COPD. All patients were treated in the community on a domiciliary basis. Patients were randomly allocated to receive either a standard acupuncture treatment (which included the insertion of pressed studs) or placebo (mock TENS) on six occasions over 3 weeks with a 2-week washout period prior to the second randomised treatment. The primary outcome involved worst breathlessness over the previous 24 h. Secondary outcomes evaluated quality of life (the St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire) and treatment credibility.
Thirty-two patients have been entered into this study. Detailed results are currently in the process of being analysed.
To be announced.
