1Lecturer, Dashmesh College of Physiotherapy, SGT Group of Institutions, Budhera Gurgaon
2Professor & Director, Faridabad Institute of Technology, Faridabad
Online published on 15 January, 2013.
Acu-TENS has been used to relieve dyspnea and to improve pulmonary function in a variety of respiratory disease patients. There is limited evidence for the use of Acu-TENS in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive disease.
The purpose of the present study was to find out the effect of Acu-TENS on pulmonary function in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD.
Randomized pretest-posttest experimental design.
Total thirty COPD patients with acute exacerbation, were randomly assigned to receive either Acu-TENS or Placebo Acu-TENS for 5 days. Dyspnea score, FEV1 and FVC were measured on 1st, 3rd and 5th day.
Data analysis was performed by SPSS 16. It was found that a statistically significant improvement occurred in dyspnea score, FEV1 and FVC in both the groups. This improvement was significantly higher in patients in Group A as compared to that in Group B.
The results of the spirometery were subjected to patient's effort and motivational factor; and effect of TENS or placebo TENS over acupuncture points was compared rather than TENS applied over non acupuncture points
Results of the study offer an exciting new opportunity to provide a non-pharmacological and non-airflow dependent treatment modality to emergency department practice for acute exacerbation of COPD.
Acute exacerbation, COPD, Dyspnea, FEV1, FVC, Acu-TENS
