OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of acupuncture on improving the peripheral skeletal muscle exercise ability in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at stable phase.

METHODSForty-four patients were randomly divided into an observation group (24 cases) and a control group (20 cases). Based on regular western medication treatment and aerobic training, acupuncture was used in the observation group and placebo acupuncture was used in the control group. The acupoints selected were Danzhong (CV 17), Rugen (ST 18), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zhongwan (CV 12), Tianshu (ST 25), etc., 2-3 times per week, and totally 14 treatments were given. The body mass index (BMI), average distance and average maximum heart rate recorded during bicycle exercise, six-min walking distance (6-MWD), maximum power (Wmax) and maximum heart rate (HRmax) recorded during exercise cardiopulmonary function test, and pulmonary function index including forced expiratory volume in one second/estimate value (FEV1%), forced vital capacity/estimate value (FVC%), FEV1/FVC and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) were observed in both groups before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe BMI before and after treatment in the observation group was not significantly changed (>0.05), while that in the control group was significantly reduced (<0.05). Compared before treatment, the average distance of bicycle exercise, 6-MWD, Wmax, FEV1%, FVC% and MVV were significantly improved after treatment in the observation group (<0.01,<0.05), which were all superior to those in the control group (<0.01,<0.05). The treatment outcomes in the control group were not significantly changed after treatment (all>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAcupuncture combined with aerobic training of bicycle and conventional western medication could prevent the reducing of BMI in patients with COPD at stable phase, improve pulmonary ventilation function, and increase the function of peripheral skeletal muscle to improve its performance.