Synergistic Effects of Integrating Fire Dragon Cupping with Non-Invasive Ventilation on Lung Function and Inflammatory Response in COPD Patients with Hypoxemia: A Single-Center Retrospective Study.

PURPOSE: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with hypoxemia is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Fire dragon jar moxibustion, a Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) therapy, may complement non-invasive ventilation (NIV).

METHODS

In this single-center retrospective study, 100 hospitalized COPD patients with hypoxemia (PaO2 <60 mmHg) received NIV alone (control, n=50) or NIV plus moxibustion (treatment, n=50). Outcomes included FEV1, PaO2, inflammatory markers (PCT, CRP), dyspnea (mMRC), exacerbation frequency, TCM tongue-pulse scores, 30-day readmission, oxygen dependency, and glucocorticoid use. Primary endpoints were FEV1 improvement and PaO2 change at 12 weeks.

RESULTS

At 12 weeks, the treatment group showed greater improvement in FEV1 (17.4% vs 8.7%, P <0.01) and PaO2 (+6.4 mmHg vs -1.2 mmHg, P <0.001). PCT and CRP decreased more markedly in the treatment group (P <0.05). Dyspnea (mMRC) decreased by 1.3 points vs 0.4 points in controls, and annual exacerbation frequency reduced by 1.8 vs 0.6 (P <0.001). TCM tongue and pulse scores improved, with a trend from phlegm-dampness to lung qi deficiency (P <0.05). 30-day readmission (8% vs 12%), oxygen therapy dependency (22% vs 30%), and glucocorticoid dosage (850 mg vs 1200 mg) were lower in the treatment group (P <0.05). No serious adverse events attributable to the procedure were observed.

CONCLUSION

Combining fire dragon jar moxibustion with NIV significantly improves lung function, oxygenation, dyspnea, inflammatory markers, and TCM syndrome in COPD patients with hypoxemia, with a favorable safety profile.