Acupoint Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation in Hospitalized COPD Patients With Severe Dyspnoea

Efficacy of Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation at Dingchuan (EX-B1) in Hospitalized COPD Patients With Severe Dyspnoea: Patient and Assessor Blinded Randomized Placebo Control Trial

Introduction:

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) presents with a gradual reduction and little bitterness reversible airflow causing shortness of breath, chronic cough and sputum abnormal. Patients with COPD often suffer exacerbations of their symptoms, particularly dyspnea, causing hospital admissions. Recent studies have shown that acupuncture stimulation transcutánea (AcuTENS) Dingchuan point (EX-B1) could help reduce dyspnea in patients with COPD.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible utility of adding to the usual treatment stimulation AcuTENS in COPD patients admitted with severe dyspnea.

Methodology:

Patients who agree to participate will be randomly divided into two groups. The intervention group will receive a daily treatment, during the period of hospitalization, 45 minutes stimulation at acupuncture point AcuTENS Dingchuan (EX-B1), while the control group performed the same procedure with a device TENS simulated. The extent of dyspnea in both groups as well as the number of days of hospitalization and the number of drugs consumed.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients aged between 45 and 70 years, with a diagnose of COPD according to the GOLD guidelines.
2. Patients with one episode of hospitalization for COPD exacerbation in the past year, but not more than three episodes.
3. Smoking habit history of more than 10 packages-year.
4. Patients able to correctly understand and answer the modified Borg scale.
5. Patiens with an initial degree of dyspnoea with a score of at least 5 in the modified Borg scale.
6. Patients recruited for the study during the first 48 hours of their hospitalization.
7. Patients who accept to participate in the study and sign the informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with any contraindication for transcutaneous electrical stimulation (patiens with pacemakers, skin injury in the application area ...).
2. Patiens with any cardiovascular, neurological or psychiatric disease that may affect the perception of dyspnea.