Effect of long term intervention with acupuncture on COPD: a randomized controlled trial

INTERVENTION: Patients in the real acupuncture group (RAG) receive acupuncture treatment once a week for 48 weeks, in addition to daily medication. Patients in the standard treatment group(STG) received medicaiton and / or oxygen therapy, whict is an outpatient visit once a month for 48 weeks. CONDITION: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: COPD PRIMARY OUTCOME: Quality of life of the patients was measured; with the St George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ total domain). SECONDARY OUTCOME: Secondary outcome measures; SGRQ(symptom, Activity, Impact); 6 minute walk test INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1.Patient diagnosed as COPD by physician. 2.Patient who were able to visit as outpatient. 3.Patient who had been judged as stable condition by the physician. 4.Those who were rated as grade 1 or more according to MRC criteria. 5.Those who were classified as stage II or more advanced to GOLD criteria.