RESPIRATORY DISORDERS RESEARCH © JCM Ltd

TCM HERBS EFFECTIVE FOR ASTHMA
Evidence supporting the use of TCM in asthma treatment in is increasing. Two American authors have reviewed promising TCM interventions for asthma and explored their mechanisms of action. Possible mechanisms at work include anti-inflammation, inhibition of airway smooth muscle contraction, and immunomodulation. One of the authors has recently presented some preliminary results from a clinical trial at a conference. Her team studied the effects of an anti-asthma herbal medicine intervention (ASHMI) consisting of three-herbs (Gan Cao, Ku Shen, and Ling Zhi), which has been shown to improve asthma symptoms. ASHMI was found to reduce total immunoglobulin (Ig)E levels in patients with allergic asthma. Suppression of IgE by ASHMI was tested in human myeloma cells. The most effective ratio of the three herbs was found to be 3:9:20. The three-herb combination lowered total IgE levels, from 850 to 500 kU/L. Ku Shen alone was found to suppress IgE production by approximately 95%. (Efficacy and mechanisms of action of traditional Chinese medicines for treating asthma and allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009 Feb;123(2):297-306; quiz 307-8. 2009 American Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology (AAAAI) Annual Meeting: Abstracts 131).

ACUPUNCTURE EASES BREATHING IN COPD
The effect of acupuncture as an adjunctive treatment to medication has been investigated in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A prospective trial with matched-pair parallel groups of patients was carried out in a Japanese hospital. Thirty patients were divided into two groups. One group received acupuncture treatments once a week for 10 weeks, in addition to medication, while the control group received medication only. At the end of the treatment period, the acupuncture group showed significantly better results than the control group on the Borg dyspnoea scale, after the six-minute walk test. The six-minute walk distance and oxygen saturation at the minimum rate improved significantly in the acupuncture group compared with the control group. (The effect of acupuncture in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. J Altern Complement Med. 2008 Nov;14(9):1097-105).

ACU-TENS IMPROVES LUNG FUNCTION IN COPD
A single session of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation of acupuncture points (Acu-TENS) appears to improve lung function and reduce dyspnoea in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In a randomised, placebo-controlled trial carried out in Hong Kong, 46 COPD patients, mean age 75 years, were randomised to receive either 45 minutes of Acu-TENS over bilateral Dingchuan (M-BW-1) or placebo Acu-TENS at the same points. After 45 minutes of Acu-TENS, the experimental group showed improved lung function, measured by forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), which had increased by 0.12 litres relative to controls. They were also found to experience a decrease in dyspnoea of 10.7 mm (measured on a shortness of breath 100-mm visual analogue scale) more than the control group. (A single session of Acu-TENS increases FEV1 and reduces dyspnoea in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomised, placebo-controlled trial. Aust J Physiother. 2008;54(3):179-84).

TAI CHI FOR CHILDREN’S ASTHMA
Tai chi can improve the pulmonary function of asthmatic children. Thirty asthmatic children were randomised either to a 12-week tai chi programme (TC) or no treatment. Baseline pulmonary function was assessed at rest, after exercise, and after exercise plus drinking iced water (which can induce an asthma attack). After the 12-week program, TC children had a significant improvement in pulmonary function compared with controls. Although there were no significant differences in post-training symptom scores at rest and after exercise between the two groups, under the stronger challenge of exercise plus iced water, the TC group had milder symptoms than those in the control group. (Tai Chi Chuan training improves the pulmonary function of asthmatic children. J Microbiol Immunol Infect. 2008 Feb;41(1):88-95).

ACUPUNCTURE CAUSES IMMEDIATE BRONCHODILATION
A prospective, single-blinded, randomised crossover-controlled study has been carried out to determine the efficacy of acupuncture in treating asthma. Eighteen patients were randomly assigned to receive one treatment of either real or sham acupuncture. Lung function was assessed immediately before and after the treatment session, using spirometry to measure forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). Real acupuncture resulted in a significant increase in FEV1 (+11.57%), while the sham treatment had hardly any effect (+0.3%). The degree of improvement caused by acupuncture was, however, less than that which would be caused by inhalation of a bronchodilator. (Acupuncture therapy results in immediate bronchodilating effect in asthma patients. J Chin Med Assoc. 2007 Jul;70(7):265-8).

ACUPUNCTURE & ALLERGIC ASTHMA
In a randomised controlled study, patients of 18 years or older with allergic asthma were assigned to either routine care plus acupuncture (15 sessions over three months, 184 patients) or routine care alone (173 patients). Patients who did not consent to randomisation also received acupuncture (1088 patients). At three months, asthma specific quality of life and health-related general quality of life improved significantly in both acupuncture groups compared to controls. (Effectiveness of acupuncture in patients with allergic asthma – the Acupuncture in Routine Care (ARC) Study. Focus Altern Complement T

CHINESE HERBS FOR ASTHMATIC CHILDREN
The Chinese herbal formula Ding Chuan Tang, given to 28 stablilised, mild to moderate persistent asthmatic children, aged 8-15, for 12 weeks significantly improved airway hyper-responsiveness compared to 24 children given placebo. (Ding Chuan Tang, a Chinese herb decoction, could improve airway hyper-responsiveness in stabilized asthmatic children: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial. Pediatr. Allergy Immunol. 2006;17:316-22).

CHINESE HERBS AND ASTHMA
ASHMI, a Chinese preparation comprised of three herbs ( a simplification of a fourteen-herb formula used to treat asthma in Chinese hospitals) was found to be almost as effective as prednisone in a comparative study, with none of the negative affects on adrenal function associated with the prednisone. (Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 2005, 116 (3): 517-524).

CHINESE HERBS FOR KIDS ASTHMA
This joint study carried out by the University of Michigan and the Beijing Heart Lung and Blood Vessel Research Centre compared 102 children who took Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) for their mild intermittent asthma with 109 children with similar asthma who used only western medicine (WM). The children using only WM were three times more likely to make hospital emergency department visits, twice as likely to report symptoms and five times a likely to use bronchodilators as children using CHM. (11th Annual Symposium on Complementary Health Care 2004).

ACUPUNCTURE & BREATHLESSNESS
A small crossover study, carried out by Dr. George Lewith from Royal South Hants, into the use of acupuncture for disabling breathlessness has failed to find any significant benefit. 36 patients assigned to receive either a standardised true acupuncture treatment, or a sham acupuncture treatment, showed similar improvements after a first course of treatment, with only minor non-significant greater improvement in the true acupuncture group after a second course. Acupuncture has previously been shown to be of benefit in cancer patients with breathlessness. (Chest 2004 125: 1783-1790).

ACUPUNCTURE AND ASTHMA
Anaesthetists from the University of Heidelberg, Germany, have reported that the use of acupuncture in bronchial asthma can not only releive symptoms but also reduce the hospital's drugs bill (Schott C. et. al. Erfahrungsheikunde; 45: 5-9).

ACUPUNCTURE AND BREATHLESSNESS
A recent study has explored the benefits of acupuncture in cancer-related breathlessness. 20 patients with breathlessness at rest due to primary or secondary malignancy were treated at Hegu L.I.-4 and at the sternum. 70% of patients reported marked symptomatic relief of breathlessness and anxiety for at least six hours after treatment and there was significant reduction in respiratory rate for ninety minutes after acupuncture (Palliative Medicine 1996; 10(2): 145-150).