Influence of acupuncture treatment on TCM symptoms of bronchial asthma based on theory of treating lung diseases from lung and intestine

Objective To observe the influences of acupuncture on TCM symptom scores of lung and intestine after acupuncture in acupoints of lung and large intestine meridians in the patients with bronchial asthma,and explore the clinical value of acupoint selection according to the theory of lung and large intestine being interior-exteriorly related in the treatment of lung system diseases.Methods The eligible patient(n=96) were divided into acupuncture group 1(needling in acupoints of lung meridian),acupuncture group 2(needling in acupoints of large intestine meridian),acupuncture group 3(needling in acupoints of lung and large intestine meridians) and control group(each n=24).All groups were given ventolin aerosol as routine treatment and the first three groups were,additionally,given acupuncture treatment.Acupuncture group 1 was needled in Zhongfu(LU1),Chize(LU5) and Lieque(LU7),acupuncture group 2,in Quchi(LI11),Hegu(LI4) and Tianshu(ST25),and acupuncture group 3,in Chize(LU5),Lieque(LU7),Hegu(LI4) and Tianshu(ST25).The acupuncture was given every other day,3 times a week(12 times as one therapeutic course),and totally for 3 courses(12 weeks).The score changes of TCM symptoms(symptoms of lung and intestine systems) were observed by using TCM symptom scale in all groups.Results The total symptom scores of lung and intestine systems decreased in group 1,group 2 and group 3 after the treatment(P0.01 or P0.05).The comparison among groups showed there was significant different between all acupuncture groups and control groups(P0.01 or P0.05),while the comparison among all acupuncture groups had no significant different(P0.05).The changes of total symptom scores in lung system were strongly correlated to those in intestine system(P0.01).Conclusion The symptoms of lung system and symptoms of large intestine system can be relieved in the patients with bronchial asthma treated from lung,from intestine or from lung and intestine,and the relief of lung symptoms and relief of intestine symptoms is significantly correlated.