Effect of selected acupuncture points on lung functions and inflammatory markers in patients with asthma – An interventional study

IF 1.7 Q2 Medicine

Advances in integrative medicine Pub Date : 2025-09-10 DOI:10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100573

S. Sasikumar , Thanalakshmi Jagadeesan , Arbind Kumar Choudhary , Sundareswaran Loganathan , V. Venugopal , K. Bincy , Maheshkumar Kuppusamy

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Acupuncture is commonly utilized as an alternative method for managing bronchial asthma and has the added benefit of being cost-effective while improving the quality of life. Although previous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating patients with bronchial asthma, there is a lack of evidence regarding its impact on inflammatory markers associated with the condition. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the effects of acupuncture treatment on pulmonary function and blood inflammatory markers in patients diagnosed with bronchial asthma.

Methods

n this particular study, a group of 15 patients diagnosed with mild or moderate bronchial asthma were included. These patients underwent acupuncture treatment sessions lasting 20 min each, once a day, for a duration of one month. Before and after the treatment period, patients' pulmonary functions and inflammatory markers were estimated.

Results

The results of the study revealed significant improvements in pulmonary function parameters following acupuncture treatment in patients with asthma. Specifically, there was a notable increase in Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and the ratio of Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1) to FVC. Additionally, acupuncture was associated with increased levels of Interleukin-10 (IL-10) and Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), which is a sulphated metabolite of dehydroepiandrosterone. Also, there was a significant decrease in levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), cortisol, and salivary alpha amylase (sAA).

Conclusion

These findings suggest that acupuncture treatment in patients with asthma may lead to improvements in pulmonary function and modulation of inflammatory markers. The increase in IL-10 and DHEA-S, along with the decrease in TNF-α, cortisol, and sAA, may indicate a potential anti-inflammatory effect of acupuncture in asthma management.

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选择穴位对哮喘患者肺功能和炎症标志物的影响——一项介入性研究

背景：针灸通常被用作治疗支气管哮喘的一种替代方法，并且在提高生活质量的同时具有成本效益。虽然以前的研究已经证明了针灸治疗支气管哮喘患者的有效性，但缺乏关于针灸对哮喘相关炎症标志物影响的证据。因此，本研究的目的是评估针灸治疗对支气管哮喘患者肺功能和血液炎症标志物的影响。方法本研究纳入15例轻中度支气管哮喘患者。这些患者接受针灸治疗，每次20 分钟，每天一次，持续一个月。治疗前后分别评估患者肺功能和炎症指标。结果针灸治疗后哮喘患者肺功能指标有明显改善。具体而言，用力肺活量（FVC）和用力呼气量（FEV1）与FVC的比值显著增加。此外，针灸与白细胞介素-10 （IL-10）和硫酸脱氢表雄酮（DHEA-S）水平升高有关，后者是脱氢表雄酮的硫酸代谢物。此外，肿瘤坏死因子-α (TNF-α)、皮质醇和唾液α淀粉酶（sAA）水平也显著降低。结论针刺治疗哮喘患者可改善肺功能，调节炎症标志物。IL-10和DHEA-S的升高，以及TNF-α、皮质醇和sAA的降低，可能表明针灸在哮喘治疗中具有潜在的抗炎作用。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Advances in integrative medicine INTEGRATIVE & COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE-

CiteScore

3.20

自引率

11.80%

发文量

审稿时长

15 weeks

期刊介绍： Advances in Integrative Medicine (AIMED) is an international peer-reviewed, evidence-based research and review journal that is multi-disciplinary within the fields of Integrative and Complementary Medicine. The journal focuses on rigorous quantitative and qualitative research including systematic reviews, clinical trials and surveys, whilst also welcoming medical hypotheses and clinically-relevant articles and case studies disclosing practical learning tools for the consulting practitioner. By promoting research and practice excellence in the field, and cross collaboration between relevant practitioner groups and associations, the journal aims to advance the practice of IM, identify areas for future research, and improve patient health outcomes. International networking is encouraged through clinical innovation, the establishment of best practice and by providing opportunities for cooperation between organisations and communities.