A randomized pilot study of acupuncture as an adjunct therapy in adult asthmatic patients

This trial aimed to evaluate the feasibility of estimating the effectiveness of acupuncture on asthmatic patients under conventional medical management. PARTICIPATIONS AND METHODS: A prospective randomized, patient/assessor-blinded, sham acupuncture-, and waiting list-controlled pilot trial was conducted. Forty-five eligible asthmatic participants underwent a 1-week run-in period and were then randomized into one of three groups: an active acupuncture group, a sham acupuncture group, and a waiting list group. They were instructed to maintain the use of antiasthmatic medications. Needling was administered three times per week for 4 weeks with a 2-week follow-up in the active and sham acupuncture groups. The primary outcome was daily morning peak expiratory flow (PEF) and the secondary outcomes included forced expiratory volume one second (FEV(1)), quality of life questionnaire for adult Korean asthmatics (QLQAKA), transition dyspnea index (TDI), serum eosinophil count, and total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE).

No significant differences in the between- or within-group values of weekly average PEF (recorded daily in the morning) and FEV(1) were found. For QLQAKA and TDI, the active acupuncture group showed a significant improvement over the waiting list group at 2, 4, and 6 weeks after randomization.

Acupuncture as an adjunct therapy to conventional medical care does not seem to affect pulmonary function in asthmatic patients. However, 12 sessions of acupuncture treatment during 4 weeks showed a favorable effect on the quality of life in adult asthmatic patients. Further large trials assessing the effectiveness of acupuncture on the quality of life and symptoms in asthmatic patients are needed.