The efficacy of manual therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review

Abstract

Background Manual therapy (MT) can be beneficial in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, evidence of the efficacy of MT for COPD is not clear. Therefore, we aimed to review the effects of MT, including Chuna, in people diagnosed with COPD. Methods MEDLINE via PubMed, EMBASE, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), China National Knowledge Database (CNKI), KoreaMed, Korean Medical Database (KMbase), and Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS) were searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and crossover RCTs were included. The main inclusion criteria were COPD diagnosis (forced expiratory volume in the first second [FEV1]/forced vital capacity [FVC] < 0.70). The primary outcomes were lung function and exercise capacity. The secondary outcomes were symptoms, quality of life (QoL), and adverse event (AE)s. Studies reporting one or both of the primary outcomes were included. The Cochrane RoB 2.0 tool was used to assess the risk of bias. Data synthesis and analysis were conducted according to the trial design. Results Of the 2564 searched articles, 13 studies were included. For the primary outcomes, the effect of MT on pulmonary function and exercise capacity in COPD was partly significant but could not be confirmed due to the limited number of studies included in the subgroups. For the secondary outcomes, no definitive evidence regarding the improvement of symptoms and QoL was found, and some minor adverse effects were reported. Conclusions There is insufficient evidence to support the role of MT in the management of COPD. High-quality studies are needed to thoroughly evaluate the effect of MT on COPD.

The effectiveness and safety of Chuna manual therapy adjuvant to Western medicine in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

“…MT plays a role in expanding the rib cage and reducing respiratory muscle shortening [30] . Studies have shown a major effect on the improvement of motor performance in patients with COPD [16] . The CMT used in this study is a technique involving 10 to 15 minutes of exercise conducted by a trained professional Korean medicine doctor, and as the patient can receive the therapy while lying on the bed, the technique is advantageous in that it can be performed regardless of the severity of the patient.…”

The Osteopath’s Imprint: Osteopathic Medicine Under the Nanoscopic Lens

“…The osteopathic approach for patients with COPD, combined with rehabilitation and pharmacological treatments, could demonstrate a greater benefit for this clinical setting. In the literature, there is no univocity in stating that OMT is absolutely valid for respiratory patients [ 14 ]. The multiple explanations of the positive results obtained are always linked to structural factors, such as the improvement of the movement of the ribcage (joints and muscles) [ 14 ].…”

“…In the literature, there is no univocity in stating that OMT is absolutely valid for respiratory patients [ 14 ]. The multiple explanations of the positive results obtained are always linked to structural factors, such as the improvement of the movement of the ribcage (joints and muscles) [ 14 ]. Osteopathy in cardiac surgery patients, undergoing median sternotomy, has highlighted several benefits, including an increase in the pain threshold [ 1 , 15 ].…”

“…In the literature, there is no univocity in stating that OMT is absolutely valid for respiratory patients [14]. The multiple explanations of the positive results obtained are always linked to structural factors, such as the improvement of the movement of the ribcage (joints and muscles) [14].…”

Comparison of Concordance between Chuna Manual Therapy Diagnostic Methods (Palpation, X-ray, Artificial Intelligence Program) in Lumbar Spine: An Exploratory, Cross-Sectional Clinical Study

“…Recently, manual therapy has been widely used as complementary alternative medicine to manage musculoskeletal pain [ 2 ]. Many studies have shown the efficacy of CMT [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. Consequently, CMT was included in the coverage of the National Health Insurance of Korea in 2019.…”