Role of stimulating combined visceral meridians by laser acupuncture on asthma exacerbation and quality of life of asthmatic patients

Abstract Background Asthma patients with atopic tendencies often experience airway inflammation and structural changes. Common triggers for asthma exacerbations include exercise, specific foods, and respiratory viral infections. Acupuncture has been investigated as a possible treatment for asthma management, but the efficacy of specific acupuncture points remains uncertain. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the impact of stimulating specific acupuncture points along combined visceral meridians on asthma exacerbations triggered by various factors. It also assessed improvements in quality of life, focusing on symptoms, daily activities, environmental influences, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) using the Mini Asthma Questionnaire. Method The study included 50 patients with chronic persistent asthma who were randomly assigned and categorized based on the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines for asthma control. Over 5 weeks, participants underwent 12 laser acupuncture (LA) sessions targeting acupuncture points on the lung, heart, conception vessel, spleen, and stomach meridians. A low-level laser (780 nm wavelength, 800 mW output) was used to deliver 9.6 J/cm 2 per acupoint in continuous mode. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and 5 weeks post-treatment using the Mini Asthma Questionnaire, Asthma Control Test (ACT), and Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 s (FEV1). Results Following 5 weeks of laser acupuncture sessions, there was a significant improvement in exercise tolerance ( p < 0.001) and a marked reduction in asthma exacerbations triggered by viral infections and food allergies ( p < 0.001). The overall Mini Asthma Questionnaire scores were significantly increased from 37.08 ± 10.14 at baseline to 72.60 ± 9.97 post-treatment ( p < 0.001). Spirometry findings demonstrated a significant improvement in FEV1 ( p > 0.005). Conclusion Laser acupuncture targeting combined visceral meridians shows promise in enhancing exercise tolerance and reducing asthma exacerbations caused by viral infections and food allergies. This approach significantly improves the quality of life for school-aged children with asthma.