This research was supported by the 2022 &#34;Tianfu Qingcheng Plan&#34; Tianfu Science and Technology Leading Talents Project (Chuan Qingcheng No. 1090); The National TCM Clinical Excellent Talents Training Program (National TCM Renjiao Letter [2022] No. 1); &#34;100 Talent Plan&#34; Project of Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Hospital office [2021] 42); Special subject of scientific research of Sichuan Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2021MS539, 2023MS608); Sichuan Science and Technology Program (2023ZYD0050); and Medical research subject of Chengdu Health Commission (NO: 2022337).

This study is a before-and-after self-controlled trial with patients sourced from the People&#39;s Hospital of Xinjin District, Chengdu. Operators participating in the trial must hold qualifications as traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and have independently conducted clinical treatments for over 1 year. All of the manipulation techniques followed the national standardized manipulations of acupuncture and moxibustion - Part 5: Cupping therapy14 to ensure the specification and correctness of the manipulations. This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of People&#39;s Hospital of Xinjin District, Chengdu (No. 2023-10). Patients were informed of the purpose and method of treatment and provided consent for the utilization of images generated during the trial for research purposes.
1. Pretreatment evaluation
<ol>
	<li>Set the following inclusion criteria: 1) Age between 40 and 80 years old; 2) diagnosed with COPD, experiencing exacerbation of respiratory symptoms in an acute state, with disease severity classified as mild; 3) no cupping therapy received in the past 6 months; 4) conscious, mentally normal, and informed about the study; 5) not involved in other clinical studies.</li>
	<li>Set the following exclusion criteria: 1) Age below 40 or above 80 years old; 2) patients with AECOPD classified as moderate or severe; 3)patients diagnosed with cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases, uremia, diabetes, liver diseases, mental illnesses, malignant tumors, and other acute or critical conditions, as well as infectious diseases; 4) individuals with bleeding disorders such as platelet allergic purpura or leukemia, prone to bleeding and coagulation abnormalities; 5) pregnant or lactating women, or those who have undergone childbirth or surgical procedures within the past year; 6) individuals with allergic reactions, ulcers, or edema on the back skin; 7) obese patients (BMI &#62; 40); 8) patients undergoing other clinical trials. 
	NOTE: Coagulation should be checked in patients with underlying coagulation disorders, as there is a chance that cupping therapy in such patients may lead to subcutaneous purple spots and heavy bleeding.</li>
</ol>
2. Preparation before operation
<ol>
	<li>Maintain a quiet and sanitary environment while keeping the temperature at approximately 26 &#176;C.</li>
	<li>Select appropriate glass cups based on the patient&#39;s physique. For the cups of different sizes, refer to Figure 1. 
	NOTE: Treat Individuals with larger body mass and stature with cups of an outer diameter of 6.5 cm; for those with smaller body mass and stature, provide a cup with an outer diameter of 6.0 cm.</li>
	<li>Verify the availability of essential items (such as glass cups, absorbent cotton balls, hemostatic forceps, 95% alcohol, and medicinal glycerin). Disinfect the cup, verify its structural integrity, and confirm that the rim is smooth to prevent skin damage. Refer to Figure 2 for the items required for the procedure. 
	NOTE: Cups are usually disinfected uniformly in advance. They are initially disinfected with a 75% alcohol solution, subsequently immersed in a chlorinated disinfectant solution, thoroughly dried, and finally arranged in a sterile treatment tray, ready for the operator&#39;s use in a clinical setting.</li>
	<li>Ask the patient to take a prone position and fully expose the treatment site (waist and back).</li>
	<li>Check patient information: name, bed number, patient ID, etc. Explain the detailed treatment process and methods to the patient and family members to alleviate or eliminate anxiety and fear.</li>
	<li>Evaluate the patient&#39;s skin condition. Stop the procedure if there is any damage.</li>
</ol>
3. Procedure
NOTE: Course of treatment: once every 7 days, three treatments in total. Any adverse reactions observed in patients must be promptly managed and documented, and with reassessment conducted post-remission.
<ol>
	<li>Position the treatment site-the first sideline of the bladder meridian, from Da-Zhu (BL11) to Guan-Yuan-Shu (BL26). 
	NOTE: Refer to Figure 3 for the diagram of the meridians in the human body. The positioning of meridians and acupoints refers to the national standards: Nomenclature and location of meridian points15. In traditional Chinese medicine, the meridian and acupoint positioning measurement unit is &#39; cun.&#39; The method of bone-length measurement is an acupoint positioning method established on the basis of a relatively stable proportion between various parts of the human body, which realizes personalized acupoint selection according to different people&#39;s heights and body shapes.
	<ol>
		<li>The bladder meridian runs along the line 1.5 cun from the posterior midline on the back. Since the medial edge of the scapula is 3 cun from the posterior midline, use the compromise of 1.5 cun to locate the bladder meridian. Da-Zhu and Guan-Yuan-Shu are located on the bladder meridian, under the spinous process of the 1st thoracic vertebra and the 5th lumbar vertebra.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Clean hands thoroughly.</li>
	<li>Clean the patient&#39;s skin by dipping a cotton ball in saline solution using forceps, and cleanse the skin from top to bottom along the direction of the meridians.</li>
	<li>Apply an appropriate amount of medicinal glycerin on the patient&#39;s back skin.</li>
	<li>Grasp the cup with one hand and keep the opening facing downward.</li>
	<li>With the other hand, use hemostatic forceps to grip a cotton ball saturated with 95% ethanol. Ignite the cotton ball and swiftly insert it through the opening of the cup, perform a few rotations and gentle agitations, and remove it. 
	NOTE: Do not let the cotton ball absorb too much alcohol to avoid alcohol dripping and burning the skin accidentally. Avoid burning the rim of the cup and ensure that the temperature of the cup&#39;s mouth is not too high to prevent scalding. The location where the lit cotton ball reaches into the can is the outer 1/3 and inner 2/3 of the mouth and bottom of the cup. Refer to Figure 4 for the depth and position of the cotton ball.</li>
	<li>Quickly press the cup onto the skin of the treatment area, and let the cup get adsorbed onto the skin with the help of negative pressure. Control the depth of the cup&#39;s adsorption to ~7-10 mm, moving speed to ~5 cm/s, and duration to 5-8 min.</li>
	<li>Monitor the patient&#39;s response, question them about any feelings experienced, and swiftly address and relieve any discomfort. If there is excessive pain due to strong suction, release some air to reduce the suction force (refer to step 3.11 for details). If the suction force is insufficient, repeat the above procedure once after lifting the cup.</li>
	<li>After the cup is adsorbed, place one hand on the surrounding skin and stretch it taut while using the other hand to stabilize the cup with appropriate force. Exert a modest amount of force to smoothly move the cup down the first sideline of the bladder meridian, starting from Da-Zhu (BL11) and ending at Guan-Yuan-Shu (BL26). Move the cup in an upward and downward motion, dragging it back and forth to effectively stimulate the meridian. See Figure 5 for the cupping technique.</li>
	<li>Repeat the procedure several times, with the treatment duration limited by the skin color (turning slightly red) at the treatment site and the patient&#39;s tolerance level, but not exceeding 10 min. See Figure 6 for a reaction to the cupping technique. 
	NOTE: To minimize discomfort, handling the cup with gradual and steady movements is recommended. The force and distance of each push and pull should not be excessive. If increased friction or a sense of resistance is felt after a few rotations, stop the procedure and apply more glycerin.</li>
	<li>To lift the cup, firmly hold the lower portion with one hand. Then, use either the thumb or fingers of the other hand to apply pressure on the skin around the rim of the cup. This will create a small space between the cup and the skin, allowing air to enter and decrease the suction. Once this is done, remove the cup.</li>
</ol>
4. Posttreatment care
<ol>
	<li>After lifting the cup, use sterilized cotton balls or gauze to gently wipe away the small water droplets on the purplish-red spots on the cupping site.</li>
	<li>Ask the patient to lie flat for 30 min and observe for any adverse reactions.</li>
	<li>Keep the patient warm and the treatment area dry.</li>
	<li>If the spots are slightly painful and itchy, advise the patient not to scratch them to avoid infection.</li>
</ol>
5. Data processing
<ol>
	<li>Data collection: Have eligible patients complete the Case Report Form as soon as possible before receiving treatment and after completing the test (after the third cupping).</li>
	<li>Data analysis: Use paired t-tests for self-before-and-after comparisons, with p &#60; 0.05 indicating statistically significant differences.</li>
</ol>

Cupping Therapy as a Complementary Treatment for AECOPD Relief

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The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Modern medical treatment strategies for AECOPD typically involve pharmacological interventions and respiratory support with a wide range of pharmacological interventions such as bronchodilators, various antibiotics, and oral and intravenous corticosteroids16. Even though there is high-level evidence supporting the use of antibiotics and oral/intravenous corticosteroids in improving outcomes such as recurrence rates, mortality rates, and duration of hospital stay, recent studies have indicated that...

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a prevalent, preventable, and treatable heterogeneous lung disease characterized by persistent, often progressive airflow obstruction resulting from abnormalities of the airways (bronchitis, bronchiolitis) and/or alveoli (emphysema). It manifests chronic respiratory symptoms such as dyspnea, cough, expectoration, along with wheezing, chest tightness, fatigue, and reduced activity levels. Some patients may also experience acute exacerbations characterized by increased respiratory symptoms, which can impact their physical condition and prognosis, necessitating specific prevention and therapeutic measures1.
According to the Global Burden of Disease Study by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Burden of Obstructive Lung Diseases (BOLD) project, the prevalence of COPD worldwide is 10.3%, leading to approximately 3 million deaths annually, making COPD the third leading cause of mortality globally2,3,4. In China, data from a nationwide cross-sectional study indicates an 8.6% prevalence of COPD, with a striking 13.7% prevalence among people over 40 years old. A considerable proportion of patients have not received timely diagnosis and treatment, which severely impacts public health5.
With the increase in smoking rates in low- and middle-income countries and the exacerbation of population aging in high-income countries, the burden of COPD is anticipated to escalate. Estimates suggest that by 2060, COPD and related diseases will claim the lives of more than 5.4 million people annually, resulting in significant economic and social burdens, including direct and indirect treatment costs. Similarly, productivity loss and premature retirement caused by the disease are also considered the main sources of indirect costs of the disease6,7.
An acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) is defined as a transient worsening of dyspnea, cough, and expectoration production lasting less than 14 days, often triggered by local and systemic inflammation caused by airway infection, pollution, or other lung injuries8. A population-based survey conducted in nine Asia-Pacific regions showed that 46% of patients with COPD had at least one acute exacerbation in the previous year, and 19% of patients required hospitalization9.
It is worth noting that COPD has imposed considerable costs on the healthcare system, mainly related to the moderate to severe stage and complications. A systematic review of COPD cost analysis reveals that AECOPD treatment costs significantly contribute to overall treatment expenses7. Current management strategies for acute exacerbations involve pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions aimed at alleviating airway obstruction, combating infections, and enhancing oxygenation. However, they are still facing challenges like rising drug resistance and airway microbiome disturbances10.
Cupping therapy is an ancient traditional Chinese medicine technique with a history spanning thousands of years. Much like acupuncture, it is an essential component of complementary and alternative medicine worldwide11. Cupping therapy is a non-pharmacological external treatment method that uses plastic, bamboo, or glass cups as tools. By utilizing methods such as burning, suction, or steam to create negative pressure within the cup, the cups are able to adsorb onto specific points on the body&#39;s surface, acupoints, or meridians, which can stimulate subcutaneous tissues, promoting congestion and blood stasis in the local skin, thereby achieving the goal of preventing and treating diseases12. Moving cupping along meridians is a branch of the cupping method based on the meridian theory of acupuncture and moxibustion. Through the application of flame, the cup adheres to the skin, and with the aid of glycerin, it repeatedly moves along the pathways of the meridians, resulting in benign stimulation13.
This article elaborates on the operation steps, key points, and precautions of moving cupping along meridian therapy for AECOPD, including patient qualification assessment, medical equipment used, treatment site, course of treatment, posttreatment care, and adverse reaction response measures. The study employed the medical outcomes study 36-item short form (SF-36) health survey questionnaire, the modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale (mMRC), and the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score as efficacy evaluation indicators. The efficacy of this protocol can be assessed by comparing the scores of patients before and after treatment. With the advantages of definite curative effect, low cost, and easy acceptance by middle-aged and elderly patients, moving cupping along meridians therapy shows the potential to offer a new direction for non-pharmacological treatment of AECOPD.

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alternative therapy for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: moving cupping along meridians

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a prevalent respiratory condition characterized by persistent and progressive airflow obstruction, resulting in chronic respiratory symptoms like dyspnea, cough, and sputum production, accompanied by wheezing, chest tightness, fatigue, and reduced physical activity. Under the influence of various factors, patients with COPD often experience acute exacerbations, which have a significant negative impact on the prognosis, quality of life, and life span of patients. As a branch of cupping therapy, moving cupping along meridians is an essential complementary therapy of the traditional Chinese medicine system. Cupping plays a unique role in treating and preventing many diseases by stimulating the local skin with negative pressure.
This article elaborately describes the procedure of moving cupping along meridians therapy in the treatment of AECOPD. The effectiveness and feasibility of moving cupping along meridians therapy in relieving symptoms and enhancing the quality of life is demonstrated by comparing the changes in the 36-item Short-Form (SF-36) health survey questionnaire, the modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale (mMRC), and the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score before and after the treatment. As a cost-effective complementary treatment, the protocol for the moving cupping along meridians treatment described in this article is expected to provide a reference for non-pharmacological treatment options for AECOPD.

This paper describes a self-controlled before-and-after trial to investigate the efficacy of cupping therapy in relieving symptoms and improving the quality of life of AECOPD patients. In this study, a total of five eligible patients participated in the trial. The data were derived from questionnaires completed by patients before and after treatment.
The medical outcomes study 36-item short form (SF-36) health survey questionnaire, the COPD Assessment Test (CAT), and the modified Medical Resea...

Author Spotlight: Evaluating the Therapeutic Efficacy of Moving Cupping Along Meridians for Acute Exacerbation of COPD

This protocol presents a novel approach to alleviating the symptoms and improving the quality of life of patients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) by employing moving cupping along meridians therapy to stimulate the first sideline of the bladder meridian.

Alternative Therapy for Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Moving Cupping Along Meridians

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a prevalent respiratory condition characterized by persistent and progressive airflow obstruction, ...

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589 Views.  Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Het onderzoek was gericht op het evalueren van de effectiviteit van therapie met bewegende cupping langs meridianen bij de behandeling van acute COPD en het aantonen van de werkzaamheid ervan, het verbeteren van de kwaliteit van leven en het verlichten van symptomen. Dit protocol pakt de kloof aan door een gedetailleerde beschrijving te geven van de speciale techniek van bewegende cupping-therapie, het verbeteren van de reproduceerbaarheid van de behandeling ...

Video: Auteur in de schijnwerpers: evaluatie van de therapeutische werkzaamheid van bewegende cupping langs meridianen voor acute verergering van COPD

Acute and Chronic Tactile Sensory Testing after Spinal Cord Injury in Rats

Spinal cord injury (SCI) impairs sensory systems causing allodynia1-8. To identify cellular and molecular causes of allodynia, sensitive and valid sensory testing in rat SCI models is needed. However, until recently, no single testing approach had been validated for SCI so that standardized methods have not been implemented across labs. Additionally, available testing methods could not be implemented acutely or when severe motor impairments existed, preventing studies of the development of SCI-induced allodynia3. Here we present two validated sensory testing methods using von Frey Hair (VFH) monofilaments which quantify changes in tactile sensory thresholds after SCI4-5. One test is the well-established Up-Down test which demonstrates high sensitivity and specificity across different SCI severities when tested chronically5. The other test is a newly-developed dorsal VFH test that can be applied acutely after SCI when allodynia develops, prior to motor recovery4-5. Each VFH monofilament applies a calibrated force when touched to the skin of the hind paw until it bends. In the up-down method, alternating VFHs of higher or lower forces are used on the plantar L5 dermatome to delineate flexor withdrawal thresholds. Successively higher forces are applied until withdrawal occurs then lower force VFHs are used until withdrawal ceases. The tactile threshold reflects the force required to elicit withdrawal in 50% of the stimuli. For the new test, each VFH is applied to the dorsal L5 dermatome of the paw while the rat is supported by the examiner. The VFH stimulation occurs in ascending order of force until at least 2 of 3 applications at a given force produces paw withdrawal. Tactile sensory threshold is the lowest force to elicit withdrawal 66% of the time. Acclimation, testing and scoring procedures are described. Aberrant trials that require a retest and typical trials are defined. Animal use was approved by Ohio State University Animal Care and Use Committee.

We describe two tactile sensory testing methods for acute or chronic periods of spinal cord injury in rats. These validated procedures can detect the development and maintenance of allodynia-like sensations.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) impairs sensory systems causing allodynia1-8. To identify cellular and molecular causes of allodynia, sensitive and valid sensory ...

High Throughput Sequential ELISA for Validation of Biomarkers of Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease

Unbiased discovery proteomics strategies have the potential to identify large numbers of novel biomarkers that can improve diagnostic and prognostic testing in a clinical setting and may help guide therapeutic interventions. When large numbers of candidate proteins are identified, it may be difficult to validate candidate biomarkers in a timely and efficient fashion from patient plasma samples that are event-driven, of finite volume and irreplaceable, such as at the onset of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), a potentially life-threatening complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).
Here we describe the process of performing commercially available ELISAs for six validated GVHD proteins: IL-2R&alpha;5, TNFR16, HGF7, IL-88, elafin2, and REG3&alpha;3 (also known as PAP1) in a sequential fashion to minimize freeze-thaw cycles, thawed plasma time and plasma usage. For this procedure we perform the ELISAs in sequential order as determined by sample dilution factor as established in our laboratory using manufacturer ELISA kits and protocols with minor adjustments to facilitate optimal sequential ELISA performance. The resulting plasma biomarker concentrations can then be compiled and analyzed for significant findings within a patient cohort. While these biomarkers are currently for research purposes only, their incorporation into clinical care is currently being investigated in clinical trials.
This technique can be applied to perform ELISAs for multiple proteins/cytokines of interest on the same sample(s) provided the samples do not need to be mixed with other reagents. If ELISA kits do not come with pre-coated plates, 96-well half-well plates or 384-well plates can be used to further minimize use of samples/reagents.

High throughput validation of multiple candidate biomarkers can be performed by sequential ELISA in order to minimize freeze/thaw cycles and use of precious plasma samples. Here, we demonstrate how to sequentially perform ELISAs for six different validated plasma biomarkers1-3 of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)4 on the same plasma sample.

Unbiased discovery proteomics strategies have  the potential to identify large numbers of novel biomarkers that can improve  diagnostic and prognostic ...

Bile Duct Ligation in Mice: Induction of Inflammatory Liver Injury and Fibrosis by Obstructive Cholestasis

In most vertebrates, the liver produces bile that is necessary to emulsify absorbed fats and enable the digestion of lipids in the small intestine as well as to excrete bilirubin and other metabolic products. In the liver, the experimental obstruction of the extrahepatic biliary system initiates a complex cascade of pathological events that leads to cholestasis and inflammation resulting in a strong fibrotic reaction originating from the periportal fields. Therefore, surgical ligation of the common bile duct has become the most commonly used model to induce obstructive cholestatic injury in rodents and to study the molecular and cellular events that underlie these pathophysiological mechanisms induced by inappropriate bile flow. In recent years, different surgical techniques have been described that either allow reconnection or reanastomosis after bile duct ligation (BDL), e.g., partial BDL, or other microsurgical methods for specific research questions. However, the most frequently used model is the complete obstruction of the common bile duct that induces a strong fibrotic response after 21 to 28 days. The mortality rate can be high due to infectious complications or technical inaccuracies. Here we provide a detailed surgical procedure for the BDL model in mice that induce a highly reproducible fibrotic response in accordance to the 3R rule for animal welfare postulated by Russel and Burch in 1959.

Disruption of bile flow results in severe inflammatory cholestatic liver injury with a characteristic time-dependent sequence of morphological alterations. Here we present a protocol for the surgical ligation of the common bile duct in mice that allows to induce a strong fibrotic response after 21 to 28 days.

In most vertebrates, the liver produces bile that is necessary to emulsify absorbed fats and enable the digestion of lipids in the small intestine as well ...

Generation of a Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Model in Mice by Repeated Ozone Exposure

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by persistent airflow limitation and lung parenchymal destruction. It has a very high incidence in aging populations. The current conventional therapies for COPD focus mainly on symptom-modifying drugs; thus, the development of new therapies is urgently needed. Qualified animal models of COPD could help to characterize the underlying mechanisms and can be used for new drug screening. Current COPD models, such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or the porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE)-induced emphysema model, generate COPD-like lesions in the lungs and airways but do not otherwise resemble the pathogenesis of human COPD. A cigarette smoke (CS)-induced model remains one of the most popular because it not only simulates COPD-like lesions in the respiratory system, but it is also based on one of the main hazardous materials that causes COPD in humans. However, the time-consuming and labor-intensive aspects of the CS-induced model dramatically limit its application in new drug screening. In this study, we successfully generated a new COPD model by exposing mice to high levels of ozone. This model demonstrated the following: 1) decreased forced expiratory volume 25, 50, and 75/forced vital capacity (FEV25/FVC, FEV50/FVC, and FEV75/FVC), indicating the deterioration of lung function; 2) enlarged lung alveoli, with lung parenchymal destruction; 3) reduced fatigue time and distance; and 4) increased inflammation. Taken together, these data demonstrate that the ozone exposure (OE) model is a reliable animal model that is similar to humans because ozone overexposure is one of the etiological factors of COPD. Additionally, it only took 6 - 8 weeks, based on our previous work, to create an OE model, whereas it requires 3 - 12 months to induce the cigarette smoke model, indicating that the OE model might be a good choice for COPD research.

This study describes the successful generation of a new chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) animal model by repeatedly exposing mice to high concentrations of ozone.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by persistent airflow limitation and lung parenchymal destruction. It has a very high ...

A Traditional Chinese Medicine Characteristic Therapy for Bronchial Asthma: Moxibustion

Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airway which can lead to symptoms such as recurrent wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, or cough, as a result of increased airway reactivity. With high diurnal variation, these symptoms often occur or worsen at night or in the morning. By burning and roasting the Chinese medica above human acupoints, moxibustion is a type of treatment that stimulates the activity of the human meridians through drugs and heat stimulation to prevent and treat diseases. According to the principle of syndrome differentiation and treatment of traditional Chinese medicine, acupoints are selected on the corresponding parts, which has a definite effect. It is regarded as a characteristic traditional Chinese medicine therapy for bronchial asthma. This protocol elaborates the methods and steps of patient management, material preparation, selection of acupoints, operation, and postoperative nursing to ensure safe and effective moxibustion treatment to significantly improve the clinical symptoms and quality of life of patients with bronchial asthma.

This protocol presents a curative procedure of moxibustion in treating patients with bronchial asthma.

Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airway which can lead to symptoms such as recurrent wheezing, shortness of breath, chest ...

Acupoint Application Combined with Acupoint Massage for Treating Constipation in a Patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common and frequent disease in elderly patients, with a tendency for progressive exacerbation. Constipation that reduces the quality of life and triggers the risk of diseases is a common concomitant symptom in patients with COPD. Currently, western medical treatment does not achieve the desired results for patients. A high recurrence rate accompanies it, whereas traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a long history and rich experience in treating chronic diseases. Both acupoint application and acupoint massage are characteristic therapies of TCM, with minor side effects, high safety, simple operation, and outstanding advantages. They are effective in treating constipation for patients with COPD and are considered an ideal alternative therapy for patients with chronic constipation. The purpose of this article is to introduce the method of acupoint application combined with acupoint massage for the treatment of constipation in patients with COPD, including the selection of points, items, treatment time, and operation procedure.

Here we demonstrate acupoint application combined with acupoint massage for treating constipation in a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common and frequent disease in elderly patients, with a tendency for progressive exacerbation. ...

Acupuncture Stimulation of Ears to Alleviate Sleeping Disorders in COPD Patients

Auricular Acupuncture as a Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapy for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Combined with Sleep Disorders

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a clinical syndrome characterized by persistent and irreversible airflow limitation and chronic respiratory symptoms. It has a wide spectrum of complications, and sleep disorders, as part of it, are common in severe cases, especially in elderly patients. Long-term lack of sleep may lead to the aggravation of the original disease, reducing patients' quality of life. Benzodiazepines are mainly used for symptomatic treatment of COPD combined with sleep disorders. However, such drugs have the side effect of respiratory central inhibition and could probably aggravate hypoxia symptoms. Auricular acupuncture is a special method of treating physical and psychosomatic dysfunctions by stimulating specific points in the ear. This article explains the specific methods of clinical operation of auricular acupuncture in detail, including assessment of patient eligibility, medical devices used, acupuncture points, course of treatment, post-treatment care, responses to emergencies, etc. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment scale (CAT) were used as the observational index of this method. So far, clinical reports have proved that auricular acupuncture has a definite curative effect in the treatment of COPD combined with sleep disorders, and its advantages of simple operation, few adverse reactions are worthy of further study and promotion, which provide a reference for the clinical treatment of such diseases.

Author Spotlight: Utilizing Traditional Chinese Acupuncture of the Ear to Improve Sleep Disorders 

This protocol introduces an effective method to improve the sleep condition of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and alleviate cough symptoms by using auricular acupuncture techniques to percutaneously stimulate specific acupoints in the patients' ears.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a clinical syndrome characterized by persistent and irreversible airflow limitation and chronic ...

Warm Acupuncture and Moxibustion to Relieve COPD with Abdominal Distension

A Preliminary Study on Warm Acupuncture and Moxibustion for Treating Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with Abdominal Distension

Most patients with COPD have a combination of abdominal distension, which has been shown to adversely affect pulmonary symptoms, frequency of acute exacerbations, and quality of life in patients with COPD. Warm acupuncture and moxibustion have been shown to be effective in relieving symptoms in patients with COPD combined with abdominal distention. Warm acupuncture and moxibustion are highly effective, easy to perform, and inexpensive forms of traditional Chinese medicine treatments. The standardized practice of warm acupuncture and moxibustion is very important for the treatment of COPD combined with abdominal distension. The specific steps include selecting the appropriate acupoints for needling through syndrome differentiation treatment and selecting moxa sticks of appropriate length for moxibustion for about 30 min after the De-qi. The course of treatment lasts for one week. The following indicators are specifically assessed: the score of the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) and the abdominal distension visual analog scale (VAS). This article will clearly illustrate how to standardize the manipulation of warm acupuncture and moxibustion to relieve COPD combined with abdominal distention.

Author Spotlight: An Effective Traditional Chinese Medicinal Treatment for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with Abdominal Distension 

Here, we present a protocol to properly manipulate warm acupuncture and moxibustion for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with abdominal distension.

Most patients with COPD have a combination of abdominal distension, which has been shown to adversely affect pulmonary symptoms, frequency of acute ...

Traditional Chinese Medicine Ear Point Therapy for Wheezing in COPD Patients

Auricular Acupressure as an Adjuvant Treatment for Wheezing in Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major public health problem. Due to the restriction of expiratory airflow, it is characterized by emphysematous destruction of the lungs. Shortness of breath is one of the main clinical symptoms. Auricular acupressure is a clinical therapy characteristic of Chinese medicine that treats the disease by compressing ear points. Usually, the seeds of Vaccaria segetalis are used to stimulate ear points, which has the effect of regulating qi and alleviating wheezing. In this paper, we propose this characteristic therapy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the clinical symptoms of wheezing of lung and kidney qi deficiency type in stable COPD patients. Ear points are selected as the treatment protocol for Lung (CO14), Spleen (CO13), Kidney (CO10), Shen Men (TF4), and Ping Chuan (AT1.2.4i) points. The protocol describes a case study using auricular acupressure for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to relieve wheezing symptoms.

Author Spotlight: Efficacy of Auricular Pressure Bean Therapy in Reducing Wheezing Symptoms

This protocol describes an effective therapy using auricular acupressure to relieve wheezing symptoms in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major public health problem. Due to the restriction of expiratory airflow, it is characterized by ...

Acupoint and Ear Plaster Therapy for Treating Sleep Disorders in AECOPD Patients

Acupoint Application Combined with Ear Plaster Therapy for Treating Sleep Disorders with Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a lung disease characterized by persistent airflow limitation, which is not fully reversible and progressive. Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) refers to acute changes in respiratory distress, cough, and sputum in COPD patients at baseline levels. Sleep disorders are a very common complication in patients with AECOPD. At present, long-term use of sedative-hypnotics alone has many side effects, such as mental and physical dependence and cognitive impairment. While the efficacy of other special intervention methods is not clear, and the cost is high, there is an urgent need for effective and safe treatment in clinics. Acupoint application and ear plaster therapy are considered the characteristic therapies of traditional Chinese medicine. They have the advantages of small side effects, high safety, and simple procedure. This study will elucidate in detail the specific process and efficacy of the two treatment methods for AECOPD complicated with sleep disorders, including medical devices used, selection of acupoints, procedure, and posttreatment care. This study is intended to provide a new reference for the clinical treatment modality of this type of disease.

Author Spotlight: Traditional Chinese Medicine for Sleep Disorders in Acute COPD &#8212; A Safe, Cost-Effective Approach

The present protocol describes the specific process and efficacy of the acupoint application combined with ear plaster therapy for sleep disorders in a patient with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, including medical devices, selection of acupoints, operating methods, and posttreatment care.

Alternative Therapy for Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Moving Cupping Along Meridians

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