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Abstract
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<h5 class="section-title" id="d4093943e156">Background</h5>
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<i>Sanfu</i> acupoint herbal patching (SAHP) is extensively used in people with stable
asthma
in China. However, the evidence available is scarce. This systematic review aims to
evaluate the preventive and therapeutic effect and safety of SAHP in people with stable
asthma.
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<h5 class="section-title" id="d4093943e164">Methods</h5>
<p id="P2">We searched seven electronic databases for randomised controlled trials
(RCTs). The
Cochrane risk of bias tool was utilised to evaluate the methodological quality of
the included studies and RevMan 5.3 and GRADEpro 3.6.1 were applied to perform data
analyses.
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<h5 class="section-title" id="d4093943e169">Results</h5>
<p id="P3">A total of 34 RCTs involving 3313 participants were included. The overall
methodological
quality of the trials was of high risk of bias. SAHP plus conventional therapy (CT)
decreased the mean frequency (times per year) of asthma exacerbations compared with
CT alone (MD: −1.42; 95% CI: −2.19 to −0.65; 7 RCTs), and similar effect was found
for SAHP versus sham SAHP (MD: 0.42; 95%CI: 0.26–0.69; 1 RCT). For lung function (including
PEF%, FEV
<sub>1</sub>% and FEV
<sub>1</sub>/FVC), SAHP plus CT showed better effect than CT alone, and so did SAHP
versus sham
SAHP on PEF and PEF%. Adverse effects in the SAHP groups were reported to be mild
and well tolerated.
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<h5 class="section-title" id="d4093943e180">Conclusions</h5>
<p id="P4">SAHP alone or combined with CT appears to be more effective than sham SAHP
or CT on
reduction of asthma exacerbations, improving lung function, and SAHP seems to be safe.
However, the findings should be interpreted with caution due to limitations in trial
quality. Further, rigorously designed, large-scale trials are warranted for robust
evidence.
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