Guidelines for Chinese medicine rehabilitation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common, chronic, frequently occurring, and difficult disease of the respiratory system and is a huge disease burden. Pulmonary rehabilitation is an important part of clinical treatment. Chinese medicine lung rehabilitation (CMLR), which is based on Chinese medicine theory and practice, is a comprehensive rehabilitation measure that can prevent and treat pulmonary diseases and preserve physical and mental functions. Its aim is to promote the return of patients to society as soon as possible. To better guide the clinical practice of COPD rehabilitation, the Specialty Committee of Pulmonary Rehabilitation of World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies established a panel for formulating guidelines, systematically retrieved domestic and foreign literature, performed systematic evaluation after expert consultation and on-site discussion, and finally, formed the guidelines in accordance with the development standard of international evidence-based guidelines. The guideline has seven parts, which are the preface, introduction, scope, normative references, terms and definitions, types of disease syndromes, diseases assessment, CMLR techniques, and annex. The techniques of CMLR include 11 techniques in seven species, such as Simplified Taijiquan, Baduanjin, and Liuzijue. The guideline defines the technical points (time, frequency, course, etc.), optimal applicable population, use of drugs, common acupoints, operation methods, and so on for each technique. The release of the guidelines is helpful to improve the rehabilitation technique standardization and to improve the curative effect and level of rehabilitation.