RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of multistep breathing training combined with acupoint plastering on the treatment of patients with occupational coal worker's pneumoconiosis(CWP). METHODS: Eighty cases of male occupational CWP patients were selected as the research subject using convenient sampling method. They were divided into control group(40 cases) and treatment group(40 cases) according to random number table method. The control group was given conventional treatment, while the treatment group received multistep respiratory training combined with acupoint plastering for 12 weeks based on conventional symptomatic treatment. Before and after treatment, clinical curative effect, pulmonary function, immune function, the total score of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Assessment Test(CAT) Questionnaire and 6 minutes walk distance(6 MWDS) in two groups were observed. RESULTS: Before treatment, there was no statistical difference on forced vital capacity(FVC), ratio of forced expiratory volume in one second(FEV_1)/FVC, lymphocyte cluster of differentiation(CD) 4~+/CD8~+ ratio, percentage of natural killer cells(NK), total CAT scores and 6 MWD(P>0.05). After treatment, the FVC, FEV_1/FVC ratio and lymphocyte CD4~+/CD8~+ ratio increased [median: 78.3% vs 80.7%, 68.7% vs 72.5%, 1.16 vs 2.00, P<0.01], 6 MWD was increased [(430.6±45.9) vs(494.8±58.7) m, P<0.01], and CAT total score was decreased [(18.1±5.6) vs(15.5±5.3) points, P<0.01] in the treatment group compared with the control group. There was no significant difference in NK cell percentage between the two groups(P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Multistep respiratory training combined with acupoint plastering can alleviate the clinical symptoms such as cough, and shortness of breath of patients with CWP, improve their lung function, regulate the function of immunity, as well as improve sports endurance.