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Updated: May 12, 2026
A Preliminary Study on Warm Acupuncture and Moxibustion for Treating Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with Abdominal Distension
Published on: September 1, 2023
Objectifying acupuncture effects by lung function and numeric rating scale in patients undergoing heart surgery.
Anna Maimer1, Andrew Remppis, Falk-Udo Sack
1Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ; Heidelberg School of Chinese Medicine, Karlsruher Straße 12, 69126 Heidelberg, Germany ; ICBAS, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira No. 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
Acupuncture significantly reduced post-sternotomy pain and improved breathing in heart surgery patients. This study demonstrates acupuncture
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Pain Management
- Integrative Medicine
Background:
- Poststernotomy pain and impaired breathing are common after heart surgery.
- Opioid analgesics carry risks like respiratory depression.
- Effective pain management is crucial for preventing pulmonary complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture for post-sternotomy pain relief.
- To assess acupuncture's impact on respiratory function post-sternotomy.
- To compare different acupuncture point sets for pain management.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, randomized, controlled, observer-blinded clinical trial with 100 patients.
- Three groups: two receiving standardized acupuncture with different acupoints, one control group with standard analgesia.
- Pain reduction measured by percentile pain reduction (PPR) and lung function tests (forced vital capacity - FVC).
Main Results:
- Both acupuncture groups showed statistically significant pain reduction (Group 1: 18% PPR; Group 2: 71% PPR).
- Acupuncture in Group 2 led to a significant increase in FVC (306 cm³).
- Acupuncture demonstrated specific analgesic effects and improved lung function post-sternotomy.
Conclusions:
- Acupuncture is an effective treatment for post-sternotomy pain.
- Lung function tests can objectively measure post-sternotomy pain.
- Acupuncture offers a potential non-opioid approach to managing post-cardiac surgery pain and improving respiratory outcomes.
