Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice ›› 2026, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (4): 426-436.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-9771.2026.04.006

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Effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a meta-analysis

CHE Ruixin1, TANG Yongtian1, PAN Shiqin1(), TONG Yaqian2   

  1. 1 Department of Surgery, Qinghai Provincial People's Hospital, Xining, Qinghai 810000, China
    2 Clinical Medical College of Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai 810000, China
  • Received:2025-07-29 Revised:2026-01-07 Published:2026-04-25 Online:2026-05-06
  • Contact: PAN Shiqin E-mail:289662520@qq.com
  • Supported by:
    Qinghai Province High-end Innovation and Entrepreneurship Talent Top Talent Project

Abstract:

Objective To investigate the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on pulmonary function, exercise endurance and clinical symptoms in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods Randomized controlled trials on the effect of TEAS on COPD were systematically searched in CNKI, Wanfang Data, VIP Database, SinoMed, PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library from inception to March, 2025. Two researchers independently screened the literature and extracted data. The methodological quality of the included researches was assessed using the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions version 5.1.0 risk-of-bias tool and the PEDro scale. Statistical analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4.

Results A total of eleven studies involving 542 patients were included. Scores of PEDro scale ranged from five to nine. TEAS significantly improved forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) (MD = 0.19, 95%CI 0.08 to 0.29, P < 0.001), FEV1/forced vital capacity (MD = 5.15, 95%CI 4.21 to 6.09, P < 0.001), FEV1% predicted (MD = 8.46, 95%CI 5.71 to 11.22, P < 0.001), peak expiratory flow (MD = 0.18, 95%CI 0.05 to 0.31, P = 0.006), and COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score (MD = -3.60, 95%CI -4.81 to -2.40, P < 0.001). Distance of 6-minute walk test increased significantly (MD = 25.97, 95%CI 7.88 to 44.05, P = 0.005), however, after sensitivity analysis, the magnitude of improvement was limited and did not reach the minimal clinically important difference threshold. Subgroup analysis showed that multi-acupoint intervention was more effective than single-acupoint intervention (MD = 0.29 vs. 0.12), and one to two weeks of intervention was the most effective (MD = 0.37). TEAS combined with conventional medication or exercise training showed synergistic benefits.

Conclusion TEAS helps improve pulmonary function and clinical symptoms in patients with COPD. TEAS combined with conventional interventions may produce synergistically enhanced effects.

Key words: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation, meta-analysis

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