EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER
Yes, some are. Acupuncture relieves subjective symptoms of asthma and reduces medication use in mild to moderate asthma (strength of recommendation [SOR]: A, based on systematic review of randomized controlled trials [RCTs] of variable quality). Herbal medications, such as Ginkgo biloba, appear to improve lung function, while herbs such as Tylophora indica and Tsumura saiboku-to may decrease asthma symptoms (SOR: B, based on systematic review of RCTs with poor methodology). No evidence, however, supports the use of room air ionizers, manual therapy, homeopathy, or mind-body therapy for treatment of asthma (SOR: A, based on systematic reviews and meta-analyses of RCTs and individual RCTs).
Clinical commentary
Though this research is interesting, we should adhere to current guidelines
Vincent Lo, MD
San Joaquin General Hospital, French Camp, Calif
Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma are widely disseminated by the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program through its Expert Panel Reports (updated in 2002).1 Nevertheless, nearly 500,000 hospitalizations, 2 million emergency department visits, and 5000 deaths were reported annually in the US among those who have asthma.2 Furthermore, a significant difference in asthma prevalence, health care use, and mortality was found among different ethnic groups.1
Poor patient understanding of asthma control, nonadherence to medication regimens, cultural beliefs, and disparity of access to the health care system, together with physicians’ lack of close monitoring and inadequate compliance with national asthma guidelines, contribute to suboptimal control of chronic asthma. Family physicians must guide and empower their patients with the knowledge and responsibility of how to manage their asthma. For now, we should adhere to current national guidelines of management of asthma and avoid routine recommendation of any complimentary alternative treatments.
Evidence summary
Although complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies are widely used, the overall body of research into CAM for asthma is still small and of limited quality. Interpreting the research is hampered by lack of standardized therapeutic approaches, lack of accepted methods for appropriate trials, and the fact that many CAM treatments are used as part of a multi-pronged, individualized approach to treatment in actual practice. Our search found 4 good-quality systematic reviews of RCTs, 1 good-quality systematic review of randomized trials, and 1 small additional pilot RCT of various CAM treatments for asthma.
Acupuncture and herbals provide some benefit
While a Cochrane review of 11 RCTs with variable trial quality and a total of 324 participants found that acupuncture had no significant effect on pulmonary function or global assessment of well-being, the review noted that some studies reported significant positive changes in daily symptoms, reductions in medication use, and improved quality of life. This suggests that some patients with mild to moderate asthma may benefit from acupuncture.3 In 1 RCT, improvement in general well-being was reported by 79% of 38 patients receiving acupuncture compared with 47% of 18 patients in the control group.4