OBJECTIVETo systematically observe the clinical effect on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at the stable stage, differentiated as cold phlegm blocking the lung type, treated with acupoint sticking therapy during the dog days and the three nine-day periods after the winter solstice so as to propose the latest clinical idea and theoretic evidence for the treatment of COPD.

METHODSOne hundred and fifty cases of COPD at stable stage, which were in accordance with the inclusive standard were randomly divided into three groups, named group A (treatment in dog days and the three nine-day periods after the winter solstice), group B (treatment in dog days) and group C (treatment in the three nine-day periods after the winter solstice), 50 cases in each group. The ingredients (Semen Brassicae, Euphoribia Kansui, Asarum, Rhizome Corydalis, Cinnamon, ginger juice) and doses of herbal medicine plaster were same in each group. The herbal plaster was applied to Feishu (BL 13), Shenshu (BL 23), Dazhui (GV 14), Tiantu (CV 22), Danzhong (CV 17) and Zhongfu (LU 1). In group B, the treatment was given once on the 1st day of each dog-day period, totally 3 treatments were included. In group C, the treatment was given once on the 1st day of each nine-day periods after the winter solstice, totally, 3 treatments were involved. In group A, the treatment was given once on the 1st day of each dog-day period and each nine-day periods after the winter solstice separately, totally 6 treatments were required. The therapeutic effect was evaluated in 4 aspects, named comprehensive clinical efficacy, survival quality (the scores for symptoms, activity limitation and influence on daily life), the attach frequency and pulmonary function.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 88.0% (46/50) in group A, which was superior to 76.0% (38/50) in group B and 70.0% (35/50) in group C separately (P < 0.01, P < 0.001). The results of the attack frequency, clinical symptom score and pulmonary function indices after treatment were all improved apparently as compared with those before treatment in each group (all P < 0.01). All the above indices in group A were improved much apparently as compared with the other two groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.001). Except for the level of forced vital capacity (FVC), the results of clinical symptom score and the other pulmonary function indices in group B were all improved significantly as compared with group C (P < 0.05, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONAcupoint sticking therapy during different season of the year achieves a superior clinical efficacy for the patients with COPD at stable stage. This therapy can reduce the attack frequency and improve the survival quality and pulmonary function for the patients. It is concluded that the efficacy of the treatment in dog days and the three nine-day periods after the winter solstice is superior to simple dog-day treatment and the treatment in the three nine-day periods after the winter solstice, and the efficacy of dog days treatment is better than that in the three nine-day periods after the winter solstice.