Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 5, 2026
Acupoint Application as a Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment for Fatigue Associated with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Published on: September 5, 2025
[Effect of pre-acupuncture at Neiguan (PC 6) and Zusanli (ST 36) on exercise-induced fatigue]
Tao Jiang1, Miao Wu2, Li-Hong Kong1
1College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Orthopaedics, Hubei University of CM/Preventive Treatment of Acupuncture and Moxibustion of Hubei Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center，Wuhan 430061, China.
Objective:
To observe the therapeutic effect of pre-acupuncture at Neiguan (PC 6) and Zusanli (ST 36) on exercise-induced fatigue.
Methods:
A total of 50 subjects were divided into an observation group and a control group by random number table method, 25 cases in each one. In the observation group, acupuncture was applied at Neiguan (PC 6) and Zusanli (ST 36) before exercise, once a day, consecutive 5-day treatment was required. In the control group, there was no intervention. The subjective fatigue perception score, serum levels of lactate and lactate dehydrogenase, heart rate and oxygen saturation before and after exercise were observed in the two groups.
Results:
Compared before exercise, the subjective fatigue perception scores, serum levels of lactate and lactate dehydrogenase and heart rates after exercise were increased in the two groups (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the subjective fatigue perception score, serum levels of lactate and lactate dehydrogenase and heart rate after exercise in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). There was no significant difference in oxygen saturation before and after exercise in the two groups，there was no significant difference in oxygen saturation after exercise between the two groups (P>0.05).
Conclusion:
Pre-acupuncture at Neiguan (PC 6) and Zusanli (ST 36) can effectively reduce the subjective fatigue perception score，serum levels of lactate and lactate dehydrogenase and heart rate to improve exercise-induced fatigue.
