Xiaochuan Cream Acupoint Application Of Non-acute Exacerbation Of Bronchial Asthma And To Prevent Winter Episodes Of Efficacy Studies

Objective:Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways in which many cells and cellular elements play a role. The chronic inflammation is associated with airway hyperresponsiveness that leads to recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing, particularly at night or in the early morning. Asthma is a serious global health problem. People of all ages in countries throughout the world are affected by this chronic airway disorder that, when uncontrolled, can place severe limits on daily life and is sometimes fatal. The prevalence of asthma is increasing in most countries, especially among children. Asthma is a significant burden, not only in terms of health care costs but also of lost productivity and reduced participation in family life. Currently, the western medicine applies bronchodilators (β2-agonists, theophylline, etc.) and anti-inflammatory drugs (corticosteroids, leukotriene modifier, etc.) for the main treatment. But a long-term use of these drugs may lead to a lot of side effects and is expensive, which can cause huge economic burden to the patient and the society.In recent years, the treatment of applying the XiaoChuanGao in acupuncture points to patients based on traditional Chinese medicine theory is applied widely in clinical therapy. This research is for the purpose of evaluating the treatment effectiveness for the asthma patients during Non-acute phase and for the purpose of prevention of winter symptoms by applying the XiaoChuanGao following principles of evidence based medical, and to provide scientific basis of the therapy for the further promotion.Methods:According to the diagnostic and inclusion criteria both in west medicine and TCM,42 asthma patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: the control group and the treatment group. Both groups were under basic treatments which maintain the asthma control. And the treatment group was under a treatment which the doctor puts the XiaoChuanGao onto the patient' s six Acupuncture points including Feishu(BL 13),Xinshu(BL 15) and Geshu(BL 17). During the dog days of summer (the hottest day in a year), the doctor applies the XiaoChuanGao every 10 days and each lasts 4-6hours. 3 times were a treatment course. The main observation is symptoms and the Peak expiratory flow, the life quality of patients in the treatment group before and after the treatment and in the winter, and compare them with the control group so as to make evaluation to the clinical treatment effect of the XiaoChuanGao application.Results:1.After the application of the XiaoChuanGao in Acupuncture points of the patients in the treatment group, their improvement of symptoms scores is not significant statistically compared to before. The PEF is improved significantly compared to before (P<0.01). In the other hand, their winter symptoms scores is not significant statistically compared to after. The winter PEF is significantly different compared to after (P <0.01).2.The winter symptoms score, PEF and the scores of each part in the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire of patients in the treatment group is not significantly different from before. The winter symptoms score of patients in the control group is different from before (P<0.05), their PEF and activity limit, psychological situation, reaction towards the stimulation, self-health-care as well as the total scores reflected in the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire is different from before (P<0.01) but their asthma symptoms is not significant statistically。3.The Winter symptoms score of the patients in the treatment group and their asthma symptoms, reaction towards the stimulation as well as the total scores reflected in the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire is different from the control group statistically (P<0.05), and their self-health-care reflected in the AQLQ is significantly different compared to the Control group(P<0.01). Their activity limit and psychological situation reflected in the AQLQ is not significant statistically compared to the control group.4.The total treatment effect of the two groups is significant statistically (P<0.05). The treatment of the symptoms under Chinese medicine effect is not significant statistically.Conclusion: To apply the XiaoChuanGao in Acupuncture points of the asthma patients during the dog days of summer in lunar Chinese year is helpful in preventing the worsen of the symptoms in winter and can improve the life qualify of patients in winter.