Acupoint Application Combined with Acupoint Massage for Treating Constipation in a Patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Summary

Here we demonstrate acupoint application combined with acupoint massage for treating constipation in a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common and frequent disease in elderly patients, with a tendency for progressive exacerbation. Constipation that reduces the quality of life and triggers the risk of diseases is a common concomitant symptom in patients with COPD. Currently, western medical treatment does not achieve the desired results for patients. A high recurrence rate accompanies it, whereas traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a long history and rich experience in treating chronic diseases. Both acupoint application and acupoint massage are characteristic therapies of TCM, with minor side effects, high safety, simple operation, and outstanding advantages. They are effective in treating constipation for patients with COPD and are considered an ideal alternative therapy for patients with chronic constipation. The purpose of this article is to introduce the method of acupoint application combined with acupoint massage for the treatment of constipation in patients with COPD, including the selection of points, items, treatment time, and operation procedure.

Introduction

Chronic respiratory diseases are the third leading cause of death in the world, and COPD is the leading cause of death from chronic respiratory diseases, placing a heavy burden on both individuals and society¹. China has the largest number of patients with COPD in the world: about 99 million, with a prevalence rate of 8.6%². Constipation is a common complication in COPD patients and is associated with high levels of polypharmacy³. There is evidence that more than 39% of COPD patients experience constipation, and constipation was positively correlated with the severity of dyspnea, timing of exacerb....

Protocol

The clinical study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Clinical Research Approval Committee of the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Record No. KY2022014).

1. Preparations before operation

1. Items preparation:
   1. Prepare items such as Rheum officinale Baill, normal saline, Iodine volts swab, medical tape, medical gauze, medical bending plate, hand disinfectant, and medical rubber glove (Table of Materials).
   2. Use an ultra-micro pulverizer to make 100 g of Rheum officinale Baill into powder i....

Results

Patients with COPD are diagnosed and treated according to "The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease", published in 2023¹⁶. The diagnostic criteria for constipation referred to the "Clinical Practice Guideline on the Evaluation and Management of Chronic Constipation for Chinese Adults" issued by the Chinese Society of Colorectal Surgery, Chinese Society of Surgery, Chinese Medical Association in 2022¹⁷. Efficacy was assessed based on the Patient Assessment .......

Discussion

The elderly population is at high risk of COPD. Older people experience varying degrees of gastrointestinal decline, while hypoxia and reduced activities in COPD patients increase the risk of constipation. In addition, COPD patients are prone to negative psychological emotions such as nervousness, anxiety, depression, depression, and restlessness, which can cause increased pelvic floor muscle tone, resulting in paradoxical movements between rectal and canals during defecation and inhibition of intestinal peristalsis

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Chinese herbal decoction piece rhubarb	Sichuan Guoqiang Chinese Medicine Decoction Pieces Co., Ltd	21120104
Gauze swab	Shandong Angyang Medical Technology Co., Ltd	2022060201
Hand disinfectant	Gamma Disinfection Products (Foshan) Co., Ltd. Sichuan Branch	CNSQV3180322A
Iodine volts swab	Zhejiang Baigar Health Technology Co., Ltd	20220301
Medical adhesive tape	Minnesota Mining Manufacturing Medical Equipment (Shanghai) Co., Ltd	2105NF8
Medical bending plate	Shanghai Medical Instrument (Group) Co., Ltd. Surgical Instrument Factory	181001
Medical rubber glove	Shanghai Kebang Medical Latex Equipment Co., Ltd	2112019S
Normal saline	Sichuan Kelun Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd	N22061906