Thread-Embedding Acupuncture for Functional and QoL Improvement in COPD Patients

Launched by INDONESIA UNIVERSITY · Apr 22, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is investigating whether a treatment called thread-embedding acupuncture (TEA) can help improve the ability to exercise and overall quality of life for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study will compare the effects of TEA, combined with regular COPD treatment, to a placebo treatment that does not involve actual acupuncture. Researchers want to see if TEA helps patients walk further in six minutes and feel better overall, as measured by specific questionnaires over three months.

To be eligible for this study, participants must be between 18 and 70 years old and have stable COPD. They should not have certain health issues, like pregnancy or serious heart problems, and they should not have had recent acupuncture treatments. Participants will complete a walking test and answer questions about their health before receiving one session of either TEA or the placebo, followed by monthly check-ins for three months. This trial is currently not recruiting participants, but it aims to help find new ways to enhance the health and well-being of those living with COPD.

Gender

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Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Male or female participants aged 18 to 70 years.
• • Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥18.5 kg/m².
• • Diagnosed with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) based on GOLD criteria.
• • Willing to participate in the study until completion and has signed informed consent.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Pregnant women.
• • Presence of tumors, wounds, inflammation, or skin infection at the needling area.
• • Blood disorders or use of blood-thinning medications (antiplatelets or anticoagulants) with INR \> 2.0.
• • Uncontrolled heart disease or diabetes.
• • Capillary blood glucose level ≥200 mg/dL (measured using glucometer).
• • History of malignancy, uncontrolled epilepsy, or psychiatric disorders.
• • Known allergy to stainless steel or polydioxanone (PDO) thread.
• • Undergoing acupuncture therapy within the last 2 weeks or thread-embedding acupuncture (TEA) within the last 6 months.