Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture combined with acupoint application in the treatment of patients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD).Methods Sixty-two AECOPD patients were randomly divided into medication(control)group and acupuncture+acupoint application(test)group(n=31in each group).Patients of the control group were treated with inhalation of Draco Lakemedel AB(Budesonide Powder)for 15-20min/time

2times/d for 15 d

and those of the test group were treated by acupuncture stimulation of Lieque(LU 7)

Chize(LU 5)

Danzhong(CV 17)

Fenglong(ST 40)

Zusanli(ST 36)

and Taixi(KI 3)and application of medicinal cake[containing Xingren(Amygdalus Communis Vas)

Sangbaipi(Morus alba L.)

etc.]to bilateral Feishu(BL 13)

Tiantu(CV 22)

bilateral Shenshu(BL 23)and Pishu(BL 20).The lung function[forced expiratory volume in 1second(FEV 1)%

forced vital capacity(FVC)

and FEV 1/FVC]was detected using apulmonary detector

the severity scores of symptoms(cough

stethocatharsis

gasp

wheeze

short breath

0-3points)and daily life quality [Client's Assessment of Treatment Scale(CAT

7items)]were assessed before and after the treatment.Results After the treatment

the scores of symptoms

life quality(CAT)were significantly decreased(P<0.05)

while FEV 1% and FEV 1/FVC levels were considerably increased(P<0.05)in both groups.The effects of the test group were significantly superior to those of the control group in down-regulating symptom score and life quality score and raising FEV 1% and FEV 1/FVC levels(P<0.05).In addition

of the two 30 cases in the control and test groups

10 and 18patients experienced marked improvement

16 and 10were effective

4and 2failed in the treatment

with the effective rates being 86.66% and 93.33%

respectively.The effective rate of acupuncture+acupoint application was obviously superior to that of medication(P<0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture combined with acupoint application is effective in improving the symptoms

life quality and lung function in patients with AECOPD.