Acupressure as an Adjunct to a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program

Abstract

Acupressure seems to be useful to patients with COPD as an adjunct to a PRP in reducing dyspnea. Some persons who are not initially familiar with traditional Chinese medicine can learn and will accept self-administered acupressure as part of their self-care.

Effect of self-acupressure for symptom management: A systematic review

“…The symptom scores for bronchiectasis and dyspnea in COPD were significantly improved in the acupressure groups in comparison with the control groups. 26,27 The results of the present review were similar to those of Robinson et al, who conducted a systematic review of Shiatsu or acupressure, including self-acupressure and acupressure performed by practitioners. 16 This review included three studies of COPD and two studies of bronchiectasis.…”

“…27 One group performed acupressure at seven bilateral acupoints (Zhongfu LU 1, Yunmen LU 2, Dazhui GV 14, Yuji LU 10, Laogong PC 8, Zusanli ST 36, and Hegu LI 4) for 6 weeks, followed by sham acupressure for an additional 6 weeks. The other group performed sham acupressure for the first 6 weeks and real acupressure for the following 6 weeks.…”

Nonpharmacological interventions for breathlessness

“…Two studies using acupuncture [50,51], two trials testing acupressure [52,53] and one study evaluating a single treatment with TENS over acupoints (Acu-TENS) [54], all conducted on COPD patients, showed relief of breathlessness in the intervention group. One study testing acupuncture in cancer patients [55] and one in a mixed group with advanced lung disease [56] showed no improvement in breathlessness.…”

Nonpharmacological management of dyspnea

“…Acupressure may offer a nice self-administered alternative to invasive acupuncture that requires a trained therapist for each administration. Maa et al [29] have shown that acupressure may be effective at lessening dyspnea and, upon comparing the two techniques, found little difference between the two in decreasing dyspnea [30].…”