RESUMEN
Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of Pingchuan cataplasm combined with hyperthermia therapy for stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with qi deficiency syndrome of both lung and spleen. Methods Sixty patients of stable COPD with TCM syndrome of qi deficiency of both lung and spleen were selected and randomized into treatment group and control group, 30 cases in each group. Based on conventional treatment, the treatment group was treated by Pingchuan cataplasm combined with hyperthermia, and the control group was given analog stick applicator without additional heat treatment. After 6 weeks of treatment, the TCM symptom score and the time of the first exacerbation after treatment were observed. Results Compared with the control group, Pingchuan cataplasm can reduce the patients’ TCM symptom score (F=9.843, P=0.003), and extend the interval of acute exacerbation after treatment (F=4.451, P=0.040). Conclusion Pingchuan cataplasm combined with hyperthermia applicator can improve symptoms and reduce the frequency of acute exacerbation, thus can treat and prevent the acute exacerbation of COPD.