Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation over acupoint for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation over an acupoint (acu-TENS), a new technique applied in pulmonary rehabilitation programs, has been gradually used in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the effects of acu-TENS have not been fully evaluated. Therefore, this review was conducted to assess the effects of acu-TENS on COPD. Methods: A total of seven electronic databases were searched from their inception to September 2021 for randomized controlled trials of acu-TENS for COPD. Two investigators independently performed data extraction and methodological quality assessment. Heterogeneity was examined by Cochrane χ2 and I 2 tests. The source of heterogeneity was investigated by subgroup analysis or sensitivity analysis. Results: In our review, ten studies between 2008 and 2021 were included. The aggregated results indicated that acu-TENS showed positive effects in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) [MD = 0.13 L, 95% CI (0.11-0.16), P < 0.00001], FEV1% predicted [MD = 5.92%, 95% CI (3.43-8.41), P < 0.00001], 6-min walk distance (6MWD) [MD = 14.68m, 95% CI (6.92-22.44), P = 0.0002], dyspnea visual analog scale (DVAS) [MD = -7.58, 95%CI (-14.33 to -0.84), P = 0.03], modified Borg scale (MBS) [MD = -0.46, 95% CI (-0.86 to -0.06), P = 0.03], and COPD assessment test (CAT) [MD = -4.25, 95% CI (-5.24 to -3.27), P < 0.00001]. Although six studies reported adverse effects, only one patient had shoulder pain after acu-TENS. Conclusion: Acu-TENS seems to be effective in improving pulmonary function and health status in patients with COPD, with little effect on exercise capacity and dyspnea. However, this result should be interpreted with caution, and high-quality RCTs were needed for further verification.

Efficacy and safety of warm needle acupuncture in knee osteoarthritis: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a chronic disease, which is also recognized as a common disease affecting the elderly. However, the application of Western medicine is limited in clinical because of its obvious adverse reactions. Warm needle acupuncture (WNA) has a long history in the treatment of KOA and is widely used in Chinese. Here we will submit a protocol to evaluate the efficacy and safety of WNA in the treatment of KOA. METHODS: We will search 5 English databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science), 4 Chinese databases [China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Biology Medicine, Chinese Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), and Wanfang database] and grey literature for randomized controlled trials of WNA in the treatment of KOA. The primary outcome measure is Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC), and the secondary outcome will include degree of knee flexion and adverse events caused by WNA, such as dizziness, nausea, abdominal pain, arrhythmia, etc. The selection of the literatures will be conducted by endnote X7 software, and we will use Review Manger V.5.3 software to conduct the meta-analysis. RESULTS: This study will provide reliable evidence for WNA in the treatment of KAO. CONCLUSION: The conclusion of this study will testify the efficacy and safety of WNA in the treatment of KAO. REGISTRATION: OSF Preregistration. 2020, October 11; osf.io/bu5qw.