Acupuncture in children and adolescents with bronchial asthma: a randomised controlled study

This randomised controlled trial evaluates the immediate effects of acupuncture as an add-on therapy in in-patient rehabilitation of children and adolescents with bronchial asthma.

In a pre-post design, the severity of symptoms, lung function, illness-specific quality of life (Paediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire - PAQLQ) and general and asthma-specific level of anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children - STAIC) were investigated in 46 acupuncture and 47 control patients. In addition to asthma sports, climate therapy and behavioural training, the intervention group received acupuncture treatment with a standardised needle pattern (12 × 30 min.).

With acupuncture, the peak expiratory flow variability differs significantly (p<0.01) from that of the control patients' group. Moreover, the acupuncture group differs significantly in their rehabilitation response at the time of discharge concerning perceived anxiety (STAIC-S). The lung function tests do not present differences between groups.

After additional acupuncture, amelioration of peak expiratory flow variability and anxiety can be shown, without any difference in objective lung function tests and quality of life between study groups. Further studies might evaluate the effects of acupuncture on childhood asthma in an outpatient setting.