[Asthma at acute attack stage treated with "Shao's five needling therapy": a multi-central randomized controlled...

Area of Science:

• Integrative Medicine
• Respiratory Medicine
• Acupuncture Research

Context:

• Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by airway inflammation and bronchoconstriction.
• Acute asthma attacks require prompt and effective treatment to alleviate symptoms and prevent exacerbations.
• Conventional treatments include bronchodilators and corticosteroids, but alternative therapies are being explored.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Shao's five needling therapy for asthma during acute attack stages.
• To compare the effectiveness of Shao's five needling therapy with theophylline sustained-release tablets.

Summary:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 210 asthma patients compared Shao's five needling therapy (BL 13, GV 14, BL 12) plus conventional care with theophylline plus conventional care.
• The study assessed clinical symptoms (wheezing, cough, shortness of breath) and lung function (FEV1, PEF) before and after a 7-day treatment period.
• Shao's five needling therapy demonstrated significantly higher clinical cure rates and remarkable effectiveness compared to theophylline.

Impact:

• Shao's five needling therapy significantly alleviates asthma symptoms and improves lung function in acute attacks.
• This acupuncture-based treatment shows superior efficacy compared to theophylline sustained-release tablets for acute asthma management.
• Findings suggest Shao's five needling therapy as a promising alternative or adjunctive treatment for acute asthma.