The effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on pulmonary function, airflow, dyspnea, exercise capacity and TNF-α levels in patients with pulmonary obstruction / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe any effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on pul monary function,airflow obstruction,dyspnea,exercise capacity and levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the sputum of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Methods Thirty patients with stage Ⅰ or Ⅱ COPD were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group with 15 cases in each.TENS applied at the Feishu acupuncture point (BL13) was used in the treatment group,while sham stimulation of the same point without current output was used in the control group.The treatment was administered 40 minutes once daily,5 days a week for a total of 4 weeks.The outcome measures were measured before and after 4 weeks of treatment.Results FVC,FEV1,FEV1％,and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) all improved significantly in the treatment group after 4 weeks of treatment.After treatment,the average TNF-α level in induced sputum and exercise capacity as indicated by the average BODE index had both improved significantly in the treatment group.Compared with the control group,pulmonary function,TNF-α and the BODE index in the treatment group were all significantly better.There was no significant difference in pulmonary function,BODE index or TNF-α before and after treatment in the control group.Conclusion TENS at the Feishu acupoint can reduce airway inflammation,improve pulmonary function and exercise capacity,and decrease TNF-α levels in patients with stage Ⅰ or Ⅱ COPD.This treatment should be very useful for enhancing their ability in the activities of daily living.