ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the effect of cupping plus Chinese medicinal fumigation on expectoration in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to phlegm-heat obstructing the lung. Method Eighty-two patients with COPD due to phlegm-heat obstructing the lung were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 41 cases in each group. The control group was given regular Western medications, while the treatment group was intervened by cupping plus Chinese medicinal fumigation in addition to the treatment given to the control group, once a day, 5 d as a treatment course. The therapeutic efficacies were observed after 2 treatment courses. Result The clinical effective rate of the treatment group was higher than that of the control group, with a statistical significance (P<0.05). Conclusion Cupping plus Chinese medicinal fumigation can enhance the expectoration in patients with COPD due to phlegm-heat obstructing the lung.