Journal Article Systematic Review Network Meta-Analysis Epublish
PubMed: 40061465 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1410342
Comparative efficacy of traditional non-pharmacological add-on treatments in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.
Front Public Health 13:1410342
Authors: Ji-Ae Roh, Jungtae Leem, Beom-Joon Lee, Kwan-Il Kim, Hee-Jae Jung
Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Division of Allergy, Immune and Respiratory System, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Korean Medicine Kyung Hee University, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Diagnostics, College of Korean Medicine, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Republic of Korea. Department of Il-won Integrated Medicine, Wonkwang University Korean Medicine Hospital, Iksan, Republic of Korea.
Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major global public health concern. In this study, we examined the comparative efficacy of non-pharmacological interventions within East Asian traditional medicine (EATM-NPI) for enhancing pulmonary function and exercise capacity in patients with stable COPD. A thorough search of electronic databases conducted until May 22, 2022, identified studies employing EATM-NPI in such patients. The evaluation focused on the impact adjunctive therapies on pulmonary function (forced expiratory volume in 1 s [FEV 1]) and exercise capacity (6-min walking distance [6MWD]). The qualitative assessment encompassed 142 studies, with 133 studies included in one of three network meta-analyses. Participants, aged 49-76 years, ranged from 9 to 139 per group, predominantly from China (87.7% of studies). Overall study quality was generally low, and reported adverse events were mild. Notably, moxibustion and qigong adjunctive therapies demonstrated significant improvements in FEV 1 (L) and FEV 1 (%). Additionally, chuna, acupuncture, qigong and moxibustion adjunctive therapies were associated with significant improvements in 6MWD. In conclusion, EATM-NPI adjunctive therapy, when combined with standard pharmacological treatment, exhibited effects on pulmonary function and exercise capacity in patients with COPD. Systematic review registration: The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023389431), https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023389431.
MeSH
Exercise, Moxibustion, Public Health, Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive, Network Meta-Analysis, Therapeutics, Lung Diseases, Qigong, Lung Diseases, Obstructive