Randomized controlled trial on the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation at Dingchuan(EX-B1) on the pulmonary function of patients with COPD at acute stage

Abstract To verify the improving effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) at Dingchuan (EX-B 1) on the pulmonary function of COPD patients at acute stage. Forty cases of COPD patients at acute stage were randomly divided into group A (20 cases) and group B (20 cases). TENS at Dingchuan (EX-B 1) with the frequency of 4 Hz and wave width of 200 ms was used in group A, and sham stimulation without current output at Dingchuan (EX-B 1) was used in group B. The changes of pulmonary function tests before and after treatment and the therapeutic effect after 10 days' treatment were observed and evaluated. The pulmonary function tests included forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second to forced vital capacity ratio (FEV1 %). There were no significant differences in all the pulmonary function indices between the two groups before treatment (all P > 0.05). There were also no significant differences in all the pulmonary function indices between the two groups after treatment (all P > 0.05). No statistical significance was obtained before and after treatment in each group (all P > 0.05). The adjuvant therapeutic effect of TENS at Dingchuan (EX-B 1) with the frequency of 4 Hz and wave width of 200 ms on the pulmonary function indices of COPD patients at acute stage is not obvious.