Efficacy of auricular acupressure on lung function among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A meta‐analysis of randomised controlled trials

Abstract

Objectives

To systematically evaluate the efficacy of auricular acupressure on lung function, sleep quality and quality of life in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

Background

Auricular acupressure has been increasingly used in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients, such as lung function and sleep quality, but the efficacy has not yet been unified.

Design

A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Methods

Randomised controlled trials comparing auricular acupressure intervention with non-auricular acupressure intervention in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients were included. We searched English databases and Chinese databases from the inception to 26 December 2022. The risk of bias was assessed by the Cochrane risk of bias tool. The PRISMA statement was used to report a meta-analysis.

Results

A total of 12 randomised controlled trials with 987 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients were included. The meta-analysis showed that auricular acupressure had significant differences in improving lung function, including FEV₁ (MD = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.21 to 0.37, p < .0001), FVC (MD = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.14 to 0.34, p < .0001) and FEV₁/FVC (MD = 4.70, 95% CI: 3.63 to 5.78, p < .0001). There was also a positive effect on sleep quality (MD = −0.71, 95% CI: −0.89 to −0.53, p < .0001) and quality of life (MD = −3.20, 95% CI: −3.92 to −2.49, p < .0001).

Conclusions

The results indicated auricular acupressure had a positive efficacy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients to improve lung function, sleep quality and quality of life, but these results should be treated with caution due to the low quality of included studies. Future researchers need to conduct more high-quality randomised controlled trials to provide a solid basis to demonstrate the efficacy of auricular acupressure in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

Relevant to Clinical Practice

Auricular acupressure has the advantages of being non-invasive, convenient and without significant side effects. This review suggested auricular acupressure could be considered a non-pharmacological intervention for patients. Clinical nurses can teach chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients to perform auricular acupressure to help self-manage complications.

Patient or Public Contribution

No Patient or Public Contribution.