Effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a meta-analysis
10.3969/j.issn.1006-9771.2026.04.006
- VernacularTitle:经皮穴位电刺激对慢性阻塞性肺疾病效果的Meta分析
- Author:
Ruixin CHE
1
;
Yongtian TANG
1
;
Shiqin PAN
1
;
Yaqian TONG
2
Author Information
1. Department of Surgery, Qinghai Provincial People's Hospital, Xining, Qinghai 810000, China
2. Clinical Medical College of Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai 810000, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;
transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation;
meta-analysis
- From:
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice
2026;32(4):426-436
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on pulmonary function, exercise endurance and clinical symptoms in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). MethodsRandomized controlled trials on the effect of TEAS on COPD were systematically searched in CNKI, Wanfang Data, VIP Database, SinoMed, PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library from inception to March, 2025. Two researchers independently screened the literature and extracted data. The methodological quality of the included researches was assessed using the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions version 5.1.0 risk-of-bias tool and the PEDro scale. Statistical analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4. ResultsA total of eleven studies involving 542 patients were included. Scores of PEDro scale ranged from five to nine. TEAS significantly improved forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) (MD = 0.19, 95%CI 0.08 to 0.29, P < 0.001), FEV1/forced vital capacity (MD = 5.15, 95%CI 4.21 to 6.09, P < 0.001), FEV1% predicted (MD = 8.46, 95%CI 5.71 to 11.22, P < 0.001), peak expiratory flow (MD = 0.18, 95%CI 0.05 to 0.31, P = 0.006), and COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score (MD = -3.60, 95%CI -4.81 to -2.40, P < 0.001). Distance of 6-minute walk test increased significantly (MD = 25.97, 95%CI 7.88 to 44.05, P = 0.005), however, after sensitivity analysis, the magnitude of improvement was limited and did not reach the minimal clinically important difference threshold. Subgroup analysis showed that multi-acupoint intervention was more effective than single-acupoint intervention (MD = 0.29 vs. 0.12), and one to two weeks of intervention was the most effective (MD = 0.37). TEAS combined with conventional medication or exercise training showed synergistic benefits. ConclusionTEAS helps improve pulmonary function and clinical symptoms in patients with COPD. TEAS combined with conventional interventions may produce synergistically enhanced effects.
