ACUPUNCTURE AND MOXIBUSTION IN THE TREATMENT OF ASTHMA 

Shao Jingming, Ding Yidan

iHenan College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhen^zhoui

Since 1980, 111 patients with asthma were treated with acupuncture and moxibustion at the points of Feishu, Dazhui and Fengmen. In 48 cases the functional changes of the lungs, before and after acupuncture, were studied by recording of Maximum expiratory Flow-Volume curve (MEFV) and First expiratory Volume (FEV,). It was preliminarily testified that the three points had the function of releasing the symptoms of asthma. The method of acupuncture and cupping had different effects on the function of patient's lungs, and that the primary and secondary functions of three points were defined.

Subjects:

There were 111 patients, male 62 and female 49, 28 cases were aged from 6 to 30. 35 cases from 31 to 50, and 48 cases over 51. Among 111 cases, there were 61 cases whose duration of illness was under 10 years and 50 cases, within 11 to 13.

Therapeutic method:

Main points: Feishu, Dazhui and Fengmen, compatible acupoints: Chize, Taiyuan. Zhongwan, Zusanii, Guanyuan and Taixi were supplemented according to differentiation of syndrome. Acupuncture and moxibustion were used in patients of cold-syndrome. The patients complicated with infection were given cupping after acupuncture. During the onset of asthma, the patients were punctured once a day, and after relaxing, punctured every other day. One course of treatment consisted of 10 times. A resting period of 3-5 day was allowed between two courses of treatment.

Clinical observation:

The therapeutic effect was estimated according to the degree of relief or removing of symptom of asthma, A part of patients were followed up for more than one year. Of 111 cases observed, 48 cases were evidently effective (43.2%). 61 effective (55%) and 2 failed (1.8%). The total effective rate was 98.2%, It showed that acupuncture had effect in relieving and abolishing the symptom of asthma, that cold-syndrome asthma had a better result than asthma caused by Kidney-asthenia, Phlegm-wetness and Heat-evil. The treatment was more effective for patients with a short stage of illness then those with a long one.

Experimental observation:

1. Observation with MEFV, FEV, before and after acupuncture and moxibustion or acupuncture and cupping, showed a marked difference (P<0.01-P<0.001). Control group was not distinct (P>0.05). The evidence indicated that acupuncture and moxibustion or cupping may improve the function of lungs of patients with asthma.

2. MEFV, FEV, indicated that the method of acupuncture and moxibustion have better effect than that of acupuncture and cupping. Observations of interaction of the three points had proved that primary effective point is Feishu, the secondary is Dazhui and Fengmen.