We performed the following study in order to verify if acupuncture has any positive therapeutic effects on asthma, as it has been claimed for ages, despite of lack of evidence. Methods: 89 patients with mild or moderate persistent asthma (GINA criteria), after signing consent form, were randomized into 2 groups:
a) 49 started with 10 sham (placebo) acupuncture weekly sessions, followed by a 21-day washing-out period, then for another 10 real acupuncture weekly sessions;
b) 40 started with 10 real acupuncture weekly sessions, followed by a 21-day-washing-out period, then to another 10 sham acupuncture weekly sessions. Forced Expiratory Volume in first second (FEV1), Forced Expiratory Flow 25% to 75% (FEF25-75), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and FEV1/FVC ratio were performed at: the beginning, after the first and after the second treatment period. When necessary, the patients received prescription of β2 agonist, inhaled corticosteroid, and long term β2 agonist.
Students T test and One Way Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance were performed to analyze the data. There was no significant difference between sham and real acupuncture.
Conclusion: Acupuncture may have positive effects in the treatment of asthma associated with evidence based allopathic medication.
Key Words: Acupuncture, Spirometry Measurements, Asthma
Writer: Dr. Jinpai Hong
The Brazilian Medical Acupuncture Society of Sao Paulo State, the Medical College of Acupuncture’s Cientific, the Pain Center and the Acupuncture Center of Sao Paulo Medical School Hospital
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