The Effects of Sa-Am Acupuncture Treatment on Respiratory Physiology Parameters in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients : A Pilot Study

Abstract EN

Respiratory dysfunction and complications are the most common causes of death in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

This is a pilot study to observe the changes in respiratory physiology parameters after Sa-am acupuncture treatment.

Eighteen ALS patients received Sa-am acupuncture treatment twice a day for 5 days.

The EtCO2, SpO2, RR, and pulse rate were measured for 15 min before and during treatment, using capnography and oximetry.

Correlation of K-ALSFRS-R scores against measured parameters showed that patients who had high K-ALSFRS-R scores had greater changes in pulse rate after acupuncture stimulation; they also showed a decrease in EtCO2, RR, and pulse rate and an increase in SpO2.

A comparison of the mean values of these different parameters before and after Sa-am acupuncture stimulation revealed statistically significant differences (P<0.05) in SpO2 and pulse rate, but none in EtCO2 and RR.

Sa-am acupuncture treatment on ALS patients seems to be more effective in the early stages of the disease.

In light of increased SpO2 values, Sa-am acupuncture appears to have a greater effect on inspiration rather than on expiration.

As a pilot study of acupuncture on ALS patients, this study could be used as a basis for future research.