Open AccessEvaluation of catgut implantation at acupoints for asthma: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Author(s) -
Weihong Cui,
Wei Sun,
Qi-Liang Mao-Ying,
Wen-Li Mi,
YuXia Chu,
Yan-Qing Wang
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
traditional medicine and modern medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2575-9019
pISSN - 2575-9000
DOI - 10.1142/s2575900018400025
Subject(s) - medicine , cochrane library , randomized controlled trial , asthma , meta analysis , cochrane collaboration , systematic review , medline , physical therapy , political science , law
Objective: This study aims to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of catgut implantation at acupoints (CIA) treating asthma, extracting data from the published clinical trials. Methods: The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM), CNKI, WANFANG and VIP databases were searched up to February 2017. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving CIA or CIA plus conventional medicine treatment (CMT) were selected with CMT as control. We assessed the methodological quality of RCTs using the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Review of Interventions. The outcome data of trials were analyzed using RevMan5.3. Results: A total of 12 studies ([Formula: see text]) were included. Most of the included studies were assessed to have high risk of bias with low quality of methodology. CIA application significantly improved the overall therapeutic efficacy ([Formula: see text]) and pulmonary function (forced expiratory volume in 1[Formula: see text]s (FEV1) and FEV1%, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]) and reduced the overall scores of TCM symptoms ([Formula: see text]). Further, it significantly relieved several TCM symptoms including shortness of breath, chest distress and cough ([Formula: see text]). However, CIA only exerted a protective tendency for expectoration and wheezing without significant difference and had no effects on recurrence rate (all [Formula: see text]). Conclusions: CIA treatment could improve the overall efficacy and pulmonary function and relief several symptoms. However, the evidence remains weak. Rigorous and larger trials will be the basis of the effectiveness and long-term effects of CIA therapies.