Objective To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of acupuncture therapy in improving pulmonary functions and clinical symptoms of pneumoconiosis patients.Methods A total of 120 pneumoconiosis patients were randomly divided into acupuncture group(n=59)and control group(n=61).The patients of the control group were ordered to take Acetylcysteine capsule(200mg/time

t.i.d.)for 12 consecutive weeks and the patients of the acupuncture group received both acupuncture(twice a week)and Acetylcysteine capsule for 12 consecutive weeks.The used acupoints were Baihui(GV 20)

Tanzhong(CV 17)

Zhongwan(CV 12)

Qihai(CV 6)

and bilateral Kongzui(LU 6)

Taiyuan(LU 9)

Yuji(LU 10)

Zusanli(ST 36)

Fenglong(ST 40)

Sanyinjiao(SP 6)

Feishu(BL 13)

Xinshu(BL 15)

Ganshu(BL 18)

Pishu(BL 20)

Shenshu(BL 23)and Geshu(BL 17)and stimulated by needle-twirling reducing or reinforcing techniques.The pulmonary functions including spirometric forced vital capacity(FVC)and forced expiratory volume in one second(FEV 1)

FEV 1/FVC

and diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide(DLCO)were detected by using a Medgraphics Cardio 2Combined VO 2/ECG Exercise System.The severity of cough and shortness of breath(SOB)was detected by Visual Analog Scale(VAS)

and the patient's health status was assessed using Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Assessment Test(CAT score

0-40points).Results Compared with pretreatment in the same one group

FEV 1level and FEV 1/FVC after 12weeks' treatment were obviously increased in both the control and acupuncture groups(P<0.05)

while the CAT scores at the 12 th week

the cough and SOB scores at the 6th

12 th and 16 th week after the treatment were decreased notably in both groups(P<0.05)

and the cough and SOB scores of the acupuncture group were significantly lower than those of the control group(P<0.05).No significant changes were found in the FVC and DLCO levels in both groups(P>0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture therapy can improve symptoms of cough

shortness of breath

as well as pulmonary functions in pneumoconiosis patients.