Acu-tens improves lung function in patients with chronic bronchial asthma: a randomized placebo-controlled trial

Faten M Elnozhe, Nezar Rifaat

Bulletin of Faculty of Physical Therapy 2017 22(1):1-8

Context Bronchial asthma greatly affects patient’s quality of life. Application of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on acupuncture is a promising noninvasive modality that may assist in controlling dyspnoea and improving lung function in those patients. Aims This study investigated the effect of Acu-TENS on lung function [forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC)] and the modified medical research council dyspnoea scale. Settings and design This study was conducted as a double-blind randomized controlled trial among 40 male patients diagnosed with moderate chronic bronchial asthma selected from Elmenia University Hospitals. Patients and methods Their ages ranged from 35 to 45 years with a mean value of 41.45±2.74 years. They were assigned randomly to two equal groups: the experimental (Acu-TENS) group, which received 45 min of Acu-TENS on bilateral Dingchuan acupoints three sessions/week for 4 weeks, and the control (placebo-TENS) group, which received 45 min of placebo-TENS 3 sessions/week for 4 weeks. Lung function was measured as FEV1 and FVC using a portable spirometer. Dyspnoea was measured using the modified medical research council dyspnoea scale. Assessment was carried out before and after 1 month of treatment. Results The results revealed that after treatment there was a significant improvement in FEV1, which increased by 15.08%, and FVC, which increased by 13.18%, in favour of the Acu-TENS group when compared with the control group (P=0.037 and 0.016 for FEV1 and FVC, respectively). However, there was no significant difference in the modified medical research council dyspnoea scale between the Acu-TENS group and the placebo-TENS group after treatment (P=0.343). Conclusion It was concluded that Acu-TENS on bilateral Ding Chuan acupoints for 4 weeks is an effective approach for improving lung function (FEV1 and FVC).

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