Acupoint Application for Asthma Therapy in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND To evaluate the evidence available on the effects of acupuncture point (acupoint) application for asthma therapy in adults. METHODS Six electronic databases were searched up to May 2014 to identify relevant studies. Randomized controlled trials, which assessed the effects of acupoint application for asthma treatment in adults, were included in our review. The methodological quality of eligible studies was assessed by the Cochrane Collaboration's tool. The standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of a random-effects model were calculated. The heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics. RESULTS Eight studies were included in our review. The aggregated results indicated that acupoint application improved forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) (SMD, 0.32; 95% CI 0.04-0.60; p = 0.03), FEV1/forced vital capacity (SMD, 0.89; 95% CI 0.70-1.09; p < 0.00001), interleukin (SMD, -0.26; 95% CI -0.50 to -0.01; p = 0.04) and immunoglobulin E (SMD, -0.49; 95% CI -0.83 to -0.16; p = 0.004) in patients with asthma, but not eosinophilic cation protein (SMD, -0.58; 95% CI -1.42 to 0.26; p = 0.18). There was no sufficient evidence for the follow-up effects of acupoint application for asthma therapy in adults. CONCLUSIONS Acupoint application may be a valid complementary and alternative therapy for asthma in adults. It contributes especially to improving pulmonary function and reducing the levels of interleukin and immunoglobulin E. However, more studies with longer follow-ups are warranted to confirm the current findings.